Free Love-40 by Anna Cheska

ankle boots, was smiling at him, beckoning and patting the seat next to her.
    At the head of the table – or tables, because six had been pushed together for the meeting – sat Erica Raddle. Deirdre Piston was on her right, assembling paperwork and clearing her throat importantly from time to time. The remaining places were taken by other committee members – Margaret Quaife, one of Pridehaven’s most upright pillars of the community and a town councillor; Beryl Rathbone, sporty and brisk; Diana Taylor, equally committed to tennis, bowls and the WI; and Simon Hanley, the manager of the club. Age-wise, Liam reflected, Old School and Blazers had the edge; class-wise ditto.
    As Liam sat down next to Amanda, Erica turned to her. ‘Is your father coming tonight, dear?’
    â€˜He’s busy, I’m afraid,’ Amanda said sweetly. ‘But he sends his best.’
    â€˜His best what?’ Liam hissed. ‘Shouldn’t he come? Wouldn’t he be on our side?’
    â€˜I’m not altogether sure,’ she whispered back. ‘Erica’s been after Daddy for ages. And you know what men are like.’
    Liam wasn’t sure that he did. He looked across at Erica, and tried to imagine anyone fancying her. It was hopeless. ‘What about her husband?’ he asked. William Raddle preferred golf to tennis, but surely Erica could count herself fortunate to have anyone?
    â€˜Don’t worry.’ Amanda squeezed his hand. Worry? High anxiety was nearer the mark. ‘We’ll show Erica what’s what, and I’ll work on Daddy later.’
    Despite his disapproval of the means she might employ, and though Liam would have preferred the workers to be uniting against the idle rich, he was still glad to have her on his side. There was a lot at stake here – not for him, but for the kids at Chestnut Grove youth club. As youth club co-ordinator, he automatically got a place on committee in order to protect their interests. And it was Liam who had fought for Suzi’s inclusion, well aware that he needed all the help he could get. Amanda had got on because her father’s father had been instrumental in the original creation of Chestnut Grove and Nick Rossi … Well, Liam didn’t know how the hell he’d got there.
    He decided – following the promising hand squeeze – to try his luck with the lady by his side. ‘Do you fancy a drink after this fiasco?’ he asked her. ‘We may need one.’
    Amanda pulled a disappointed face. ‘Love to, darling, but I’ve got a party. Fenella Trenton-Smythe – it’s a 30s bash, and I promised I’d be there.’
    Apart from re-crossing her long, tanned legs, she barely acknowledged the fact that Nick Rossi had entered the room. He sat down opposite her.
    â€˜Another time, though?’
    â€˜Another time,’ Liam confirmed, feeling that rejection could seem surprisingly close to victory.
    â€˜But what’s happened to your girlfriend?’ Amanda went on. ‘Have you come to a parting of the ways?’
    Liam hesitated. Part of him wanted to make some throwaway comment, to dismiss the fact of him and Estelle. But another part of him couldn’t do it. ‘Sort of,’ he compromised. Which was sort of true. She had, after all, left him.
    Amanda leaned closer. The faint scent of pot had disappeared, but she had clearly given herself another dousing with the expensive perfume. ‘So you’re free and available then?’ she asked. ‘Sort of?’
    Liam rather liked the sound of that. He noticed the flicker of irritation on the dark face of Nick Rossi, but what was that to him? Amanda was a free agent, Liam was a free agent. Estelle had walked out. And wouldn’t it serve her right if Liam took the opportunity to have a little fun? He looked into Amanda’s inviting blue eyes and for the life of him couldn’t think of a good reason why not. ‘I