The Tavern on Maple Street by Sharon Owens

Author:Sharon Owens [Owens, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141921242
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2009-02-11T05:00:00+00:00

12. Betsy's Brief Encounter

Saturday, 18 December

Richard Allen lay down on his comfortable black recliner and flicked through the pages of his address book. He wondered if he might invite that nice girl Sarah Jones out for dinner. They'd met at a house-auction yesterday. Bit of a sad occasion, actually: a repossession job. Couple of factory-workers by the name of Smith, going under. Sarah was a property developer from Belleek. She had mischievous brown eyes, and her family had plenty of money. He sighed with contentment, gazing into the flames of the fancy gas fire, which now had white cones in it instead of coal pieces. The ornaments on the white tinsel Christmas tree twinkled and shimmered, and Richard was glad that he had the peace to enjoy such things. Not like his work colleagues, who were frantic with Christmas shopping for the children's presents.

There was a buzz from the intercom. He ignored it. Most likely it was only charity collectors or carol-singers. But the buzzer rang again. And then a third time.

‘Damn,’ he said, hauling his body over to the intercom. ‘Yes?’

‘Richard. It's Betsy.’

‘Betsy Bradley?’

‘Yes! How many Betsys do you know?’

‘Come on up, Betsy,’ he said, reluctantly pressing the button.

‘I just thought I'd surprise you,’ she said, gasping, when she had climbed the three flights of stairs to his level. Richard was disappointed. He'd been looking forward to watching an action movie on Sky TV and then nipping across the street to Kane's Bar for last orders. He smiled weakly at Betsy as she tottered across the wooden floor on very high heels, and dropped onto the sofa.

‘To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?’ he said, forcing charm into his voice. Betsy passed him a bottle of good champagne from her shoulder bag and took off her fake-fur coat and woolly bobble hat. She was wearing a tiny denim skirt, shredded at the edges, and a skin-tight pink T-shirt with BABE written on it in white rhinestones. Her legs were newly tanned and she was sporting long blonde hair extensions.

‘Blimey! Betsy, are you trying to put Pamela Anderson out of business?’

‘Oh, you flatterer!’ she cried, delighted with his compliment. ‘I've had a lovely day pampering myself, and I thought I would call over and let you see the results.’ She crossed her legs seductively, and rubbed her hands up and down her shiny shins to show off her glittery manicured nails. In spite of himself, Richard was aroused. Okay, she was vulgar and cheap-looking, but in a good way. He uncorked the champagne and brought two tall glasses from the kitchen.

‘I just love your tree,’ cooed Betsy, as he handed her a glass. ‘Where did you buy the decorations?’

‘Can't remember,’ he said, carefully pouring the champagne. An ex-girlfriend had chosen them for him some years ago but he couldn't remember her name so it was almost the truth.

‘Well, they're very nice,’ she said. ‘Sit down.’ She patted the sofa. Richard sighed. He was going to have to get fitter, such was the rampant nature of his love life.

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