Free As Weekends Go (Choc Lit) by Jan Brigden Page A

‘Sorry, what did you say?’
    ‘I asked if you’d mind turning over for me,’ said Leanne. ‘And please say if you’d rather I didn’t chat to you so much.’
    ‘No, it’s fine. I’m enjoying it,’ said Rebecca, changing position as instructed. ‘Blimey, my friend Abi’s in next, and she can talk for England.’
    Leanne’s chest heaved with mirth. ‘I do love your accent,’ she said, mixing some more oils together. ‘You’re from London, aren’t you?’
    ‘Yes. Purley.’
    ‘Is that anywhere near White Hart Lane?’
    ‘Not really.’ Rebecca assumed Leanne must be a Tottenham Hotspur fan. ‘It’s closer to Selhurst Park.’
    ‘Crystal Palace! I know it,’ said Leanne, looking dead chuffed with herself as she coated Rebecca’s left leg. ‘My whole family are footie mad. Statton Rangers, the lot of ’em. Been to most grounds in the country at one time or another.’
    ‘Oh, right.’ Rebecca stifled a cough. ‘Well, you must be delighted that Alex Heath is staying here then?’
    ‘Just a bit,’ said Leanne, scrunching up her cranberry-coloured lips. ‘You were so lucky getting to meet him like that.’
    ‘Well, I can assure you it wasn’t intentional.’
    Leanne paused, mid-slather. ‘So, did you know who he was when you saw him then?’
    ‘
Er
 … yes, I did. Although my husband supports Palace, we’re big fans of Alex Heath, what with the England connection.’
    ‘Yeah, me, too. I’m sure Statton would have won the league title this year if he hadn’t been injured for the last four games. Too much shaggin’ probably.’ She cupped a hand over her mouth. ‘Sorry. Slip of the tongue.’
    ‘No, don’t be. You obviously know him.’
    ‘Well, no, not really. He never has any treatments, just uses the gym upstairs. His mate Kenny’s the flash one.’
    ‘Oh, so he doesn’t try and chat you all up then? Everyone’s so glamorous.’
    Leanne batted her heavily mascara’d eyelashes. ‘I wish. No, he keeps himself to himself. Danny, the barman, knows him best. I feel bad now, judging him like that. Being a footballer, you assume things, don’t you? The way some of them act, I mean.’
    Rebecca didn’t comment.
    ‘Anyway, enough of my gossip. I’d be sacked if my boss could hear me. You lie there and relax for five minutes.’ Leanne placed Rebecca’s robe within easy reach. ‘It’s been a pleasure talking to you.’
    ‘You, too,’ said Rebecca. ‘And thanks so much for the massage. My shoulder feels miles better. You’ve loosened away all the tension in my neck as well. I’ll sleep well tonight, that’s for sure. I’m having a facial later. Will that be with you?’ She prayed it was, so that she could extract more info.
    ‘No. My colleague. She’ll probably leave you in peace though. She’s new.’
    Damn!
    Leanne passed Rebecca a cup of water. ‘Be careful not to burn when you go outside,’ she said, dimming the lights further. ‘Cheat, and get a spray-on like me.’
    ‘I’ll bear it in mind.’
    The minute Leanne had gone, Rebecca downed her water, grabbed her robe, and bounded like a spring lamb into the shower room.
    Abi peeped at her watch.
Come on, Bex. Where are you?
    Right on cue, Rebecca moseyed through the archway, wearing a cream over-shirt and denim shorts. ‘I feel nicely relaxed!’
    Not for much longer, thought Abi, patting the space beside her. ‘Quick! Sit down,’ she said. ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’
    Rebecca did so immediately.
    ‘I’ve just seen your man,’ said Abi, clapping her hands together. ‘And
boy
is he hot.’
    ‘Whereabouts?’ said Rebecca, eyes darting east to west.
    ‘Over there. With his mate about half an hour ago,’ said Abi, pointing to the archway. ‘Saucy sod winked at me.’
    ‘Who, Alex Heath?’
    ‘No, his mate. Before hotshot arrived and started signing autographs left right and centre.’
    ‘So, where are they now?’
    ‘On the golf course, I presume. They both had clubs with them. His mate