Francesca's Party by Patricia Scanlan

Author:Patricia Scanlan [Scanlan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Fiction, General
ISBN: 9781448109494
Google: zmfZKrQMK3EC
Amazon: 1551667460
Publisher: Mira
Published: 1999-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

‘WHAT DID HE say? What did you say to him? I bet he got a surprise to hear you at the other end of the phone,’ Francesca said grimly.

‘He didn’t know who I was at first. I had to tell him,’ Millie replied. ‘He asked where we were.’

‘And what did you say?’

‘I just said we were out and that I’d tell you to call him back. Then I hung up. I wasn’t too anxious to get into a conversation with brother-in-law dearest. He obviously doesn’t know that we’re away on holiday,’ she remarked casually.

‘I didn’t tell him.’

‘Well, why should you? It’s none of his business what you do any more.’

‘I haven’t told him that I’ve got a job either,’ Francesca said defiantly as she downed her drink.

‘That’s none of his business either,’ Millie retorted.

‘Well, I was going to tell him after a while. It’s only fair so that he can adjust my allowance,’ Francesca said slowly. ‘I just wanted to make sure that I liked the work and see that I could handle the job first.’

Millie’s face darkened. ‘Don’t call it an allowance, Francesca. It’s money you’re damn well entitled to.’

‘Ach, Millie, I hate taking his money. I feel I’m a dependant. I want to have my own money. That’s why I took the job. I want to stand on my own two feet and not be under an obligation to him. It’s horrible to feel beholden.’

‘But you’re not beholden to him, Francesca. You’re entitled to half of everything up until the time you separated anyway. And he knows that.’

‘He’s not too bad. He’s not tight with the money,’ Francesca defended her ex.

‘He’s keeping you sweet, that’s why. Francesca, he knows you could cause him plenty of hassle. Do you want to stay living in the house on your own? Would you not like a fresh start in a place that’s yours?’ Millie persisted.

‘It would be nice, I suppose,’ Francesca admitted.

‘Well, divorce the bastard and get what you’re entitled to from the sale of the house. It’s worth a mint and at least you’ll have security at your back and a place of your own. And he’ll weep into his coffee every morning, I can guarantee that. I’m telling you, Francesca, half the separated men in Ireland who are with other women nearly had a mickey-fit when divorce was introduced there, because they were perfectly happy the way they were. And Mark’s one of them.’

‘I suppose I’d better call him back and see what’s up.’

‘Don’t be in a rush.’ Millie sniffed. ‘I’d let him cool his heels. In fact I wouldn’t even bother to return his call until you get back.’

‘Well, I’d prefer to call him now and get it over and done with. Otherwise I’ll be lying here on edge wondering what’s up,’ Francesca said mildly.

‘You’re too soft with him, Francesca. You let him away with murder,’ Millie said crossly.

She laughed at her sister’s indignation. ‘He’s not the devil incarnate, Millie.’

‘Listen to you defending him. Can’t you see he’s controlling you? I just don’t like to see him pulling your strings.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.