Free The Mermaid Garden by Santa Montefiore

grinned at Harvey. “But I’m not good at clearing drains.”
    Marina flicked through the whole book, her admiration growing
    with each new picture. “We would love you to spend the summer with
    us,” she said, sitting back in her chair.
    Rafa looked pleased. “I’d like that very much.”
    She looked a little embarrassed. “We can’t pay you, I’m afraid. But
    you’ll have your board and lodging for free. All we ask is that you are available to teach the guests to paint. We’ll provide all your materials, of course.”
    30067 The Mermaid Garden.indd 45
    1/21/11 2:21 PM
    46
    Santa Montefiore
    “When would you like me to start?”
    She clapped her hands in delight. “Next month. Shall we say, the
    first of June?”
    “First of June.”
    “Come the day before to give yourself time to settle in.”
    “I look forward to it.”
    “So do I,” she replied, pleased that he looked happy with the ar-
    rangement. “You don’t know how hard it has been to find you.” Then
    her thoughts turned to Clementine. At last, the girl would have some-
    thing to thank her for.
    30067 The Mermaid Garden.indd 46
    1/21/11 2:21 PM
    4.
    Clementine staggered into work in a pair of skinny jeans and pumps,
    a thick gray sweater hanging almost down to her knees. It was
    spring, but she felt cold to her bones. She didn’t know what hurt more, her morale or her head. Sylvia sat at her desk in a tight dress and stilettos, painting her nails red. Mr. Atwood’s partner, Mr. Fisher, was
    already in his office talking on the telephone. She was relieved she had got there before her boss, though she didn’t imagine she was going to
    be of much use.
    “Oh, deary dear,” said Sylvia, shaking her head. “You don’t look
    well.”
    “I feel terrible.”
    “Go and get a coffee.”
    “I’ve already had one at home.”
    “Then get another. Mr. Atwood will be in shortly, and he’ll be want-
    ing a skinny latte and a blueberry muffin. If you have them waiting for him on his desk, he’ll forgive your sickly pallor.”
    “Do I look that bad?”
    “Yes, lovely, you do. You shouldn’t wear foundation at your age.
    When you’re pushing thirty like me, you can pile it on with a shovel.”
    Clementine flopped onto her chair and switched on her computer.
    “I can’t remember much about last night.”
    “What do you remember?”
    “Joe.” She closed her eyes, hoping he might go away.
    “Isn’t he lovely? So handsome. You two really hit it off, which puts
    a smile on my face this morning as I was the one to set you up. I think he’s smitten. I’ve never seen him behave like that before.”
    “Behave like what?”
    “He was all over you.”
    “Was he?”
    30067 The Mermaid Garden.indd 47
    1/21/11 2:21 PM
    48
    Santa Montefiore
    “Oh, yes.” Sylvia grinned. “It’s usually the other way round, and he’s
    having to fend them off.”
    “That’s encouraging.”
    “You don’t sound very happy about it. He’s quite a catch, you know.”
    “I’m sure he is. A big fish in a small pond.”
    “Nothing wrong with a small pond. Better than a small fish in a big
    pond.”
    “I don’t know. Regardless of the pond, I’m not sure about the fish.”
    Sylvia knitted her eyebrows. “Now you’ve lost me.”
    “I remember going to his place. I remember you and Freddie
    dancing.”
    “Freddie loves to dance.”
    “Then I remember his sofa.”
    Sylvia laughed throatily. “I bet you do. That sofa’s seen a lot of action in its time.”
    “That makes me feel so much better. Thank you.”
    “You know what I mean. He’s no monk.” Sylvia held her nails up and
    waved them in the air to dry. “And you’re no angel.”
    “I don’t want to think about it.”
    “You don’t regret it, do you? The secret of life is not to regret any-
    thing. Waste of time. You had fun, didn’t you?”
    “I can’t remember.”
    “You looked like you were having fun when we left.”
    Clementine felt her spirits dive. “I feared you’d