Free Double Trouble by Steve Elliott Page A

all these weird clues all about, then?” I asked.
    “God only knows,” Stephanie replied. “People in love do the strangest things.”
    “What are we going to do about it then?” I asked, restarting my hair washing procedure.
    “Nothing, right now,” Stephanie replied. “We have no proof and nobody’s been hurt so far. Let’s just wait and see.”
    The wash finished, Stephanie dried herself and dressed. We all decided that we’d had enough excitement for the day and so we packed everything into the car and drove back to Stephanie’s place and from there to each of our respective homes, agreeing to meet in the morning at Maureen’s house.
    Paul was there to greet me as I walked in the door and asked if I was any closer to solving the secret admirer mystery.
    “Not as such,” I informed him, throwing myself into an armchair. “However, Stef and I think it may be Maureen .”
    “Maureen?” echoed Paul. “Why her , of all people? I’ve always thought she was the sanest one of your little group.”
    I threw him a sour glance, and he grinned at me. “Well, for one thing,” I informed him, “I’ve just discovered that she may be……in love with me.”
    Paul raised his eyebrows at that little piece of information. “Really?” he exclaimed. “Are you sure ?”
    “Stef seems to think so,” I assured him.
    “Well, then she probably is,” Paul agreed. “From what I know of her, Stephanie appears to be correct in most of her assumptions. So, Maureen has been struck down with one of Cupid’s arrows, eh? What are you going to do, my sweet?”
    “I’m not too sure,” I answered doubtfully, scratching my chin. “We did share one impromptu kiss that felt like the real thing, but that’s all so far.”
    “Not a lot to go with, then,” Paul mused. “How do you feel about her as such?”
    “I like her for sure as a friend, but as a potential girlfriend ? Well, I’m just don’t know yet,” I replied. “I mean, her personality is ideal - she’s caring and loving and considerate, with a dash of funny thrown in to make it interesting. She’s tantalisingly innocent and shy, and now that she’s trimmed down, her body is sensational. And her hair ! I could play with that all day…….” I looked across at Paul in dismay. “Oh my god, have I just talked myself into loving her?”
    Paul smirked. “You’d better stop describing her attributes right now, I’m thinking, otherwise that will happen for sure ,” he informed me. “And if you say any more, I’ll be falling for her myself. She seems ideal girlfriend material, and you have been single for quite some time now, you know.”
    “I know,” I glumly agreed. “Paul, why can’t I ever keep someone with me?”
    “We’ve been down this road on numerous occasions, honey,” he told me gently, “but we never seem able to find a solution to that question. You’re beautiful and generous and the most loving person I know, but that doesn’t seem to count where you’re concerned.” He shrugged. “I can’t even begin to work out why no one will stay with you. It doesn’t seem right or justified. I’m sorry, sweetie, I just don’t know. Maybe you’ve been born under an unlucky star.”
    “Not much help there,” I moped, “but thanks for the kind words.” I sighed sadly. “Maybe it’s me after all. Maybe I just don’t know how to love properly.”
    “Of course you do, honey,” Paul objected strongly, coming around and hugging me. “Don’t talk like that. Everyone you love is privileged to be with you. Things simply don’t work out. It happens. But one day you’ll find the perfect match, I guarantee it.”
    “Do you really think so?” I asked hopefully, snuggling closer into his embrace for temporary comfort.
    He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. “For sure , sweetie,” he reassured me softly. “A loving girl like you? Of course you will. Just you wait and see.”
    Our little group met at Maureen’s house the