AllFreeNovel
Share Us
George laughed. ‘No, it’s a little-known woman’s fiction magazine, full of romance short stories.’ He rolled his eyes.
‘Oh, aye. Now I think about it. I remember hearing of it,’ Millie said. ‘Published in Dundee, isn’t it?’
‘Don’t ask me.’ George shook his head and scooped a mouthful of pie.
Owen said, ‘I think you’re right. It’s in the D. C. Thomson stable and they are in Dundee, aren’t they?’
‘They are,’ Millie said and paused from edging shepherd’s pie onto her fork to turn and look at Owen. George could see her reassessing his best mate. ‘You read a lot, do you, Owen?’ she asked.
‘A fair bit.’ Owen put his drink down and shifted the food on his plate, adding, ‘But I don’t read a lot of romantic fiction usually. I’m not normally into that sort of thing. I’d found the magazine left on the bus, started reading it. When I got where I was going, I hadn’t finished the story, so I took it with me and finished it in the canteen later that day.’
‘Which is where I found him,’ George chimed in. ‘Reading it concealed inside a copy ofPrivate Eyeso no one would know he was into love.’
‘Can you blame me?’ Owen asked. ‘You’ve not shut up teasing since.’
Millie smiled at them both, then she focused on Owen, asking, ‘Who’s your favourite writer?’
‘That’s difficult. I like so many. For purity of style, I guess it’s Sebastian Faulks. Have you read any of his work?’
George’s heart sank again as Millie answered, ‘Yes.’
‘Good, eh?’ Owen said.
‘Oh, yes. I couldn’t putBirdsongdown.’
‘Me neither.’
George concentrated on his food and tried not to think of Owen and Millie being naturally compatible. If she went down that route, it wouldn’t last… it never did.
Could he pick up one of Owen’s leftovers? It wouldn’t be the first time, but then he hadn’t been in love with the girl question, and he hadn’t seen her first. This time, he had. Millie was his. He scowled at his food.
‘I’ve thought I might like to try journalism when I finish university,’ Owen said, turning the conversation in a new direction.
Surprised, George looked up. ‘You never said.’
‘No, I wasn’t certain. Still not. But it might be right for me. I fancy writing–perhaps novels eventually, maybe thrillers, if I ever get good enough. Journalism seems a sensible way to begin. Get some life experience, learn how to write before I try making anything up.’
‘I’d have thought you’d already got enough life experience.’ George said. ‘You’re certainly no stranger to life’s tragedies.’
Millie looked up from her meal and flicked an inquisitive glance from George to Owen.
Owen caught George’s eyes and, frowning, he sent a clear, if silent, warning message. Don’tgo there.Then, flipping the topic to George, he asked, ‘Any idea what you’re going to do when you graduate?’
‘No. Anything will do. As long as it’s not joining my dad’s firm,’ George said, instantly freezing. He almost clapped his hand over his mouth. Even if he had been trying, he couldn’t have uttered a better sentence to arouse Millie’s curiosity.
Right on cue, Millie asked, ‘What does your dad do, George? You’ve never said.’
Panic surged. Shifting uncomfortably, George locked eyes with Owen, frantically sending silent,help me, messages.
Owen said, ‘You don’t want to know. It’s far too boring.’ Prodding his food, he changed the subject again. ‘This is very good. I’m glad you persuaded me to eat. Thanks, Millie.’
‘You’re welcome.’ She patted his hand. ‘It’s only natural you might be off your food at a time like this. I’m really sorry about your mum.’
Owen looked at George. ‘You told her.’
‘Only that your mum had died.’
Owen nodded.
