Free Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams by Rosie Rushton Page B

ingenuously.
    â€˜Am I a snob? Am I a social climber?’ Emma demanded.
    â€˜No, of course not . . .’
    â€˜Right – and neither are my friends,’ Emma stressed. ‘It just goes to show that Rob hasn’t got a clue about what really counts. Still, if you’d rather be with him than here with me . . .’
    â€˜Of course I wouldn’t! I’ve had more fun this evening than I’ve had in the last five years!’
    This, thought Emma, as she smiled kindly at her friend, was just another indication of what a sad little life Harriet Smith had led until now.
    â€˜And the hotel is just stunning,’ Harriet babbled, going off at a tangent. ‘Did you know that the rooms are all named after the families that have lived there since sixteen something? And those crests on the wall in the dining room – they were put there by Sir Casper Knightley who . . .’
    â€˜Harriet, I’ve been going to that house since I was in pre-prep,’ Emma cut in wearily. ‘There’s nothing you can tell me that I don’t know already. And if you think tonight was fun – well, I promise it’ll get even better.’ She paused and eyed Harriet sternly. ‘Of course, if you did take the job at Sea Life – which I can’t stop you doing, and I wouldn’t even try if that’s what you really want . . .’
    â€˜Thanks.’
    â€˜But if you did decide to throw away all this, you wouldn’t be able to bum off to church at a moment’s notice. There won’t be a Theo around to fight your corner.’
    â€˜Theo’s lovely, isn’t he?’ Harriet smiled. ‘And you’re right – he was so sweet, offering to do my shift.’
    â€˜Precisely,’ Emma said nodding, relieved to have finally got her point across. ‘When was the last time this Rob person put himself out for you? He didn’t even turn up at the club. Come to think of it, he didn’t even let you know he wasn’t coming. And he put work before a party. Whereas Theo . . .’ She let the words hang in the air just long enough for Harriet to colour up ever so slightly.‘Theo seems to be really interested in you,’ she finished.
    â€˜Don’t be silly! Theo . . . interested in . . . I mean, he only met me today.’
    â€˜Sexual chemistry,’ Emma told her wisely, remembering Lucy’s phrase. ‘Trust me – he’s keen.’
    Harriet’s eyes widened. ‘You think so? Really? A guy like that?’
    â€˜I know so,’ Emma assured her. ‘Ask any of my friends – when it comes to reading guys, I am never wrong. Remember how he came right up close to you on the croquet lawn? And he said to me . . . well, never mind what he said to me.’
    â€˜He talked about me?’
    â€˜Oh yes,’ Emma nodded. ‘All he needs is just a little bit of encouragement . . . but, anyway, it’s none of my business. If it’s Rob you want, then it’s Rob you must go after.’ She frowned thoughtfully. ‘Of course, I’m probably not being fair,’ she said. ‘Just because I’m not boy mad . . . maybe you and Rob are really soul mates. I mean, is he into music like you are?’
    â€˜No way.’ Harriet giggled. ‘Do you know, he didn’t know the difference between Berlioz and Bizet! I wanted him to come with me to that amazing open air concert at Preston Abbey – it was free, so I could actually go —’
    â€˜Lovely,’ murmured Emma, who actually preferred R & B to classical music. ‘And what did he say?’
    â€˜He couldn’t make it,’ Harriet said. ‘He has tank cleaning training that evening.’
    â€˜I rest my case,’ Emma said calmly. ‘Whereas Theo, who probably has a thousand better things to do tomorrow than serving breakfasts . . . still, as I said, it’sup to you.’ She yawned. ‘Now if you don’t