Free More Than Just One Night (The Selwood Sisters Novellas) by Claire Baxter

Can you imagine that?”
    “Like Rupert the Bear.”
    “Who?”
    Cora  waved the question away. “Before your
time. I’m showing my age.”
    “Right. He said they were only for playing
golf in, but he was still wearing them one day when he picked me up for lunch.”
She grimaced. “My uni friends saw him in them. I’ve never been so embarrassed.”
    Cora struggled not to laugh. “That’s one of
the three classic signs of a mid-life crisis, you know. Seriously, it’s been
studied. Wearing yellow pants is one. Buying a sports car is another,” she
said, counting on her fingers. “And dating a child is the third. So, there you
go. He satisfies all three criteria. He’s having a mid-life crisis, and believe
me, you’re better off out of there.”
    Fern looked at her. “Does this mean you don’t
want to throw me out now?”
    “I never wanted to, honey. I just
couldn’t stand that man coming here. I hated seeing you with him. Honestly, if
I thought Russell would make you happy, I wouldn’t have a problem with the age
difference.”
    “Really? I thought you had a huge problem
with it.”
    “I did at first, I admit. Now, though, I
don’t think age makes a difference to how happy people are in a relationship, it’s
who they are that matters. And Russell…I’m sorry, but he just wasn’t right for
you. Even if he’d been in his twenties I wouldn’t have liked him.”
     “I know.” Fern chewed her bottom lip. “Talking
of age differences, what’s happening with what’s-his-name — your boyfriend?”
    “Alex. You know that’s his name.”
    “Whatevs.”
    Cora winced at the expression, then hesitated
before saying, “Nothing’s happening.”
    “What, have you broken up as well?”
    “Not exactly. We haven’t made a decision to
break up, but I think it’s inevitable. I don’t see how it can work.”
    “Oh. That’s a pity.”
    Cora’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
    “I said, that’s a pity. I know I told you I
didn’t like it, but I’ve been thinking, and I suppose you’re not all that old
at forty-two.”
    “They do say that fifty is the new thirty.”
    “Yeah, old people do. Anyway, you’re probably
lonely when I’m not here. I get that now.”
    “I don’t mind being alone, but lonely is
something else. I didn’t realise I was lonely until I met Alex.”
    “So, why can’t it work?”
    Cora took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
“Because of complications.”
    “Like, me?”
    “Even more complicated than you,” she said
with a wry smile. “Alex has a daughter too.”
    Fern sat up straighter. “I didn’t know that.
Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “There was never really an opportunity. You
weren’t interested in hearing anything about Alex at all.”
    “But I should have been told about a
potential sister. Are we about the same size? Will we be able to swap clothes?”
    Cora shook her head. “For a start, talking
about sisters is getting way ahead of where things are, and besides, Sophie is
only four.”
    Fern blinked, then she tilted her head.
“Actually, that could be even better. Having a little sister would be awesome.
I could babysit.”
    “You? Babysit?”
    “Don’t say it like that. I’m studying nursing,
you know. I’m not a moron.”
    “Of course you’re not. I never thought you
were a moron.”
    “In fact, I’m thinking of becoming a
midwife.”
    “Really? That’s wonderful news. I’m so proud
of you, honey.”
    “I’m not sure yet, though. I might prefer
paediatric nursing.”
    Cora nodded. “Well, that’s a wonderful thing
to do too. You have plenty of time to make up your mind.”
    “And looking after my new little sister will
help me do that.”
    “Hmm. Well, anyway, there are other problems,
such as Alex living in Sydney and me living here.”
    “You can work that out, can’t you? You should
be able to, you’ve been managing a business for years.” Fern checked her watch.
“I’d better go. I’m meeting some of the girls for