[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.txtsupposed indifference would not make it worthwhile to try something similar again in the future.With this in mind she set out for his home in plenty of time to reach it before the designated hour of ninethirty while attempting to repress the perturbing, as well as distressing, thoughts that were alreadymaking themselves felt at the idea of seeing again the house they had shared together.She made it with aquarter of an hour to spare, but no matter how hard she tried to prevent it, a lump still rose in her throatas she drove up the leafy drive and sat for a moment contemplating the rustically designed building thatheld so many memories.Of course it looked somewhat different now, for the colour scheme had beenchanged, the bush-like gardens re-modelled into a more formal pattern and the rockery she had filledwith ferns and flowering creepers of every description disposed of altogether.Sighing, she shook off such remembrances and made for the front door with a decisive step, but to hersurprise and no little bewilderment her ring on the bell brought forth a rather harassed looking youngwoman with a red faced and squalling infant held in her arms.It took only a few minutes ofconversation, if a little perplexed on both sides, to sort the matter out and Jenna shortly returned to hercar feeling extremely foolish.Lane did not live there any more! Had not done so for some years either,apparently, because the woman had no recollection of the name Forrester being that of the previousowner and, consequently, could not even provide her caller with a forwarding address.It had been so automatic on Jenna's part to assume that Lane would have retained their old home, that fora time, as she quickly drove away, she was a little nonplussed as to just what she should do.She nowhad absolutely no idea as to where he might be living and as he had always had an ex-directorytelephone number, even when they had first been married, she doubted a telephone directory wouldprove to be of much assistance now either.That line of thinking did produce another thought, however,and stopping at the first booth she could find she hurriedly rang Terry Gleeson, Hodgson's officemanager, thankfully finding him at home, and even more grateful when he was able to supply theinformation she needed.Once armed with the correct address Jenna set off again swiftly.Although both places were north of thecity, from Turramurra to Clontarf-a rather exclusive suburb that nestled among the bushy hillsideforeshores of Middle Harbour-was still some considerable distance to travel, and with a despairinggrimace she knew her intention of arriving calmly and punctually would be well and truly down thedrain before she could make it from one to the other.When she did, it was to find the ribbonstone forecourt of her husband's magnificent two-storeyed,balconied and porticoed residence-it was really too outstanding to be called a mere home, she decidedwryly-already well filled with a number of vehicles; and the casually dressed delegates from the variousForrester companies were enjoying a cup of coffee around the sparkling swimming pool set into theterrace just below the house.From where she had just managed to squeeze her small car into a spacebetween two newer and certainly more expensive vehicles, Jenna only had time to briefly note the fullsize tennis court located a little further along from the pool and the sleek, shining hulled cabin cruiserswinging gently at its mooring beside the private jetty at the water's edge some distance below, beforeher attention was caught by a familiar figure approaching her from the pool, two steps at a time.`You're late! You were supposed to be here over three-quarters of an hour ago!' Lane wasted no timebefore censuring.Dressed as informally as the rest of those present his hip-hugging shorts and open weave, knit shirt onlyseemed to emphasise his essential masculinity and Jenna experienced a momentary sense of confusion.`I-I'm sorry,' she stammered.`I did leave in plenty of time but I went to-to the wrong house
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]