Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
Author:Marian Keyes [Keyes, Marian]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781405918800
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2020-02-05T18:30:00+00:00
FIFTY-NINE
Micah approached, carrying a tray of cocktails. ‘Ah, Miss Rosamund Childers, you’re looking well tonight.’
As a secretary, Jessie hadn’t been given much leeway with her outfit. That was another thing! Johnny should have pushed for something more fun as her alias – a showgirl like Saoirse in a short, shimmery halterneck or a woman of mystery like Nell. Instead, she was done up as Dowdy Central in a wool skirt, lace-up brogues and a twin-set, accessorized with pince-nez glasses, fake pearls, a leather-bound notebook and fountain pen to keep details of all MP Timothy’s appointments.
‘Please take any glass,’ Micah said. ‘Except the pink one. That is the special drink of Lady Ariadne Cornwallis, Argentine heiress.’
‘Right so.’ Nothing like signalling ahead that Lady Ariadne Cornwallis, whoever she was, was not long for this world.
Next to arrive was Rionna, as Phyllida Bundle-Bunch, a ‘world-renowned’ opera singer, dressed in an extravagant taffeta evening gown, an elaborate wig and a giant bejewelled choker. ‘Y’okay?’ she asked Jessie.
‘Faking it to make it. I’m going to enjoy myself if it kills me.’
‘Good woman. Here’s Hanging Judge Jeffries.’
It was Kaz, in a voluminous black cape and a long, yellowish, itchy-looking judge’s wig. ‘This is fantastic.’ She waved her gavel about, flapping fabric everywhere. ‘I feel I could take flight.’
As more people began to flood into the drawing room, it was a relief that they’d made an effort with their costumes. There was a lord in a frock-coat, fob-watch and mutton-chop sideburns; a lady do-gooder in a drop-waisted shift and a cloche hat; a ‘mysterious beauty’ in a floaty frock and veil.
Nell, as always, was magnificent as some sort of socialite con-woman, in a champagne-coloured figure-hugging satin dress.
A pair of buck-teeth loomed at her. ‘Have you opened your heart to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour?’
‘Feck off.’ Jessie managed to laugh, but truth be told, she’d soured on Liam, since she’d heard about his caper with Sammie.
It had been blind good luck she’d been up so early that Sunday morning last month, had never got to sleep, in fact. When she’d heard noises from outside the ‘young persons’ house’, she’d opened the front door – and there was Barty, flinging rucksacks into Liam’s car. She’d called, ‘What’s happening, Barty?’
He’d been quite happy to spill the beans. No ability to keep his mouth shut, that lad.
‘There’s an apology going down in there right now.’ He’d nodded at the house. ‘But Liam is a shithead.’ Then, ‘Sorry for the language. He’s not a shithead.’
But Jessie wondered if Liam actually was a shithead. Men acting the arse because their wives’ careers were going well weren’t her favourite people – and especially not tonight.
… Oh, God, here came Johnny, looking stressed, holding a porn-star moustache to his face.
‘I can’t get my moustache to stick. Could you …’
… Jessie pivoted towards Annette and her horrible husband Nigel, presenting Johnny with her shoulder.
‘For the weekend, become your alter ego,’ Micah called, for the millionth time. ‘Expect the unexpected – no! The pink drink is for Lady Ariadne!’
‘Holy shit!’ Kaz exclaimed.
Download
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.
In Control (The City Series) by Crystal Serowka(35784)
The Wolf Sea (The Oathsworn Series, Book 2) by Low Robert(34692)
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry(33995)
Crowbone (The Oathsworn Series, Book 5) by Low Robert(33049)
The Book of Dreams (Saxon Series) by Severin Tim(32912)
The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase(23038)
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh(21011)
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman(19895)
Shot Through The Heart (Supernature Book 1) by Edwin James(18423)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt(18151)
The Girl from the Opera House by Nancy Carson(15379)
American King (New Camelot #3) by Sierra Simone(14860)
All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda(14710)
Sad Girls by Lang Leav(13902)
Pimp by Iceberg Slim(13771)
The Betrayed by Graham Heather(12298)
The Betrayed by David Hosp(12198)
4 3 2 1: A Novel by Paul Auster(11783)
Still Me by Jojo Moyes(10780)
