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Удивительная книга. Как никогда актуальна сегодня. Язык и стиль автора настолько тонок, лёгок и изыскан, что легко поведёт читателя в мир героев, кото...
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Fern Britton 3-Book Collection: The Holiday Home, A Seaside Affair, A Good Catch
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Год написания книги
2019
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‘Really?’
‘Yeah, and Jem, like, catches fish with his bare hands!’
‘Does he now? Clever boy.’ She gave him an appreciative look and noticed his glass was empty, ‘Pass me your glass for a little top-up.’
He held his glass out readily. Abi frowned at him and put a hand over hers.
Belinda set the bottle back down on the floor. ‘So, who taught you how to fish? Your dad?’
‘No, it’s not really his thing. It was Poppa, my grandfather. He loves all that stuff. Have you seen his speedboat yet?’
‘No,’ said Belinda, raising her eyebrows. ‘Sounds fun.’
‘Oh, it’s wicked. Abi and I are qualified to drive it – soon as we were old enough, we did the course and passed the test and everything. But we only go out when the weather’s good.’
‘Of course. Where does he keep it? Trevay?’
‘Oh no, it’s under the house.’ Jem told Belinda and Emily all about the hidden cave.
‘Coool,’ said Emily. ‘Can I have a ride in it?’
‘Yeah,’ said Jem, ‘but I’ll have to check with Poppa and Mum first.’
‘OK, but best not bother them today,’ said Belinda, swirling the wine round her glass. ‘Leave it till tomorrow.’
‘Why?’ said Abi. ‘Has something happened?’
Abi and Jem sat astonished as Belinda gave them a sanitised account of what had happened earlier.
‘… I’m sure they will have sorted things out by now,’ she finished. ‘I wouldn’t let it worry you.’
The children didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
‘But why were they arguing?’ asked Jem.
Belinda shook her head, ‘Family business, from the sound of it. Let’s not talk about it any more.’
Abi felt she had to apologise. ‘I am so sorry. How embarrassing. God. It’s freaking me out just thinking about it.’
‘Don’t be silly – I’m a grown woman who has seen it all. Families can be so complicated. But your mums love each other. Trust me, they’ll work it out.’
Jem and Abi looked at each other. They weren’t so sure.
*
The next morning, Henry and Dorothy were sitting in their warm conservatory sharing a crossword. Henry was in his comfortable armchair and Dorothy was calling out the clues.
‘Fifteen down, “Impossible to ignore or avoid.”’
‘How many letters?’
‘It’s three words. Two, four, four. We’ve got the first letter of the second word, Y.’
‘Y for Yankee?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hmm. Try another clue.’
‘OK. “Sheets and pillowcases.” Starts with a B.’
‘P?’
‘No. B for Breast.’
‘Ah … Bedlinen?’
‘Yes. Good.’
‘Another one.’
‘“Silly fool.”’
‘I am not.’
‘No, that’s the clue: “Silly fool.” Four letters starting and ending in T.’
‘Doesn’t start with a C, does it?’
‘Behave yourself!’
‘Twit?’
‘That’ll do.’
A knock on the conservatory glass disturbed them. It was Abi and Jem.
‘Hello, kids! Lovely to see you.’ Dorothy stood up to welcome them in, smoothing down her halter-neck sundress.
Abi went to kiss her. ‘Hey, Granny. You look pretty groovy.’
‘Thank you, darling. I try to stay with it. I was about to get our mid-morning coffee and biscuits. Care to join us?’
‘Yes, please,’ the kids chorused as they sat on the huge wicker sofa.
Dorothy looked pointedly at Abi’s bare thighs, revealed by her micro shorts. ‘No biscuits for you, Abi.’
‘Don’t be so ridiculous, woman!’ Henry frowned. ‘She’s skin and bone.’
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Удивительная книга. Как никогда актуальна сегодня. Язык и стиль автора настолько тонок, лёгок и изыскан, что легко поведёт читателя в мир героев, кото...
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