Free The Other Half by Sarah Rayner Page B

commentator from Five Live. “Still Lampard … he feints past Arteta, now shrugs off Diaby. It’s still Lampard. Oh … this is impressive stuff from the man. He’s passed Gibbs, it’s only the keeper to beat now, Lampard … Agggh!” Nathan kicked and missed. “Obviously today he’s on somewhat erratic form.”
    Maggie laughed. She loved watching Jamie and Nathan being boys together. As she continued running, her spirits began to lift. She noticed Jamie always allowed Nathan to remain a couple of goals ahead and when Nathan was goal-keeping, Jamie encouraged him to move the jumpers closer together so it was easier for him to save.
    Given Jamie’s so competitive, that’s quite a sacrifice, thought Maggie. Nathan is the only person he’ll happily allow to humiliate him.
    After six circuits she was ready to return home, but she’d an urge to go back via Georgie’s to see if Alex might have stayed. She ran up to the cottage by the church and a quick scan of the street revealed no sign of his car. So he either made an early morning exit or didn’t stay, she thought.
    Georgie was in the garden, bent over pulling up weeds.
    “Hiya!” said Maggie, reaching the gate.
    “Oh, hi.” Georgie straightened and attempted to scoop her defiant hair back into its clip. “I just phoned you but no one was there.”
    “I was out running,” Maggie puffed, “and Jamie and Nathan are playing soccer.”
    “Gosh, you are good, going for a run after all that booze! How do you do it?”
    “I enjoy it,” explained Maggie truthfully.
    “Yes, but being so fit and such a wonderful cook! It’s impressive. Not only are you talented and gorgeous—you’ve a beautiful home and boy too. I’m quite jealous.”
    Well I never, thought Maggie. If only Georgie knew how miserable I was earlier.
    “Anyway, I was calling to thank you. It was a terrific party.”
    “My pleasure. You seemed to get on especially well with Alex.”
    “I thought he was lovely,” Georgie gushed. “Nice looking too, in a cheeky sort of way, don’t you think? And, ooh, that voice!”
    Perhaps I underestimate his appeal, thought Maggie. “Now you come to mention it, I suppose it is rather nice and deep.”
    “I’ll say. In fact, I know I shouldn’t have, but when he dropped me off I asked if I could see him again.”
    “Really?” said Maggie, uncharitably pleased that the pass had come from Georgie rather than the other way around. “What did he say?”
    “He seemed pretty keen. We’re supposed to be going to see something at the National Film Theatre next week. I said I’d give him a call.”
    “That’s great!” Maggie would never have dared to be so bold.
    “Yes, isn’t it? He seems a very nice guy.”
    “He is. What you see is what you get with Alex. I expect you’ll have a great time. I’d better get back—got to put the lunch on. Let me know all about it.”
    “I will.” Georgie grinned. “And thanks again,” she called after her.
    When Maggie got home there were three messages on the answering machine, from Georgie, then Fran—apparently she was planning on doing some basic cooking with her class at school and was after some recipes for children—and finally Alex, to thank her for a lovely evening. First Maggie spoke to Fran, then phoned Alex.
    “Did you have a nice time, then?” she asked, hoping he would spill the beans.
    “ Super ,” he said, then obviously remembered that maybe she hadn’t. “Did you?”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Maggie brushed his concern aside. “I’ve just been for a run. Feel much better.”
    “Really?” Alex sounded sceptical. “I must say you looked as delicious as ever”—Maggie couldn’t help laughing—“and as for the food, you surpassed yourself. Fantastic starter, that oyster soup.”
    How ironic, she thought. Maybe the aphrodisiac worked on him and Georgie.
    After lunch Fran arrived. “Are you okay?” she asked, the moment Maggie opened the front door.
    Heavens, thought Maggie, do I