Read The One You Really Want for Free Online

wore it on very special occasions, it undoubtedly was.
    â€˜It’s lovely to see you again.’ Having patted Carmen’s face, Rose turned and said, ‘And you’re Rennie. We haven’t met before.’
    Stepping forward to drop a kiss on each of her cheeks, Rennie grinned. ‘If we had, I’d definitely have remembered. Mmm, you smell gorgeous, like a Hollywood goddess. It’s like kissing Greta Garbo.’
    He’d always known how to charm the opposite sex.
    â€˜Ah, get away with you!’ Flushing with pleasure, Rose playfully slapped his hand. ‘Greta Garbo’s dead.’
    â€˜It’s like kissing Greta Garbo at the height of her beauty.’ Rennie was undeterred. ‘When she starred in Queen Christina . That’s one of my all-time favourite films.’
    â€˜Truly?’ Rose’s face lit up. ‘Greta Garbo’s my all-time favourite actress. I watched Queen Christina on the television just the other week. They were showing it on a Sunday afternoon—’
    â€˜I’ve got it on video,’ said Rennie. ‘And Ninotchka .’
    â€˜Oh, I just love Ninotchka !’
    â€˜And Camille ,’ Rennie pulled a face, ‘but I don’t love it as much as the others.’
    â€˜Well, who’d have thought it? You, another Garbo fan! And with hair like yours,’ Rose marvelled. ‘I mean, I know it’s one of those music things, but does it really have to be that long?’
    â€˜ Rose ,’ hissed Jonathan. ‘He’s our guest.’
    â€˜So’s Rose,’ Rennie said easily. ‘Which means we can both say whatever we like. Now, we’ve sprung ourselves on you, so would you let me take you all out to lunch, to make up for it?’
    â€˜We can feed you!’ Rose looked deeply offended; on the worktop behind her stood bowls of chopped carrots, potatoes and onions. ‘There’s more than enough for everyone.’
    Under his breath Jonathan murmured, ‘There’s enough for everyone in Kilnachranan.’
    â€˜But wouldn’t lunch out be more of a treat for you? How about the Kincaid Hotel in Edinburgh?’ said Rennie. ‘It’s supposed to be fantastic. We could make a proper afternoon of it.’
    Jonathan said, ‘Bit short notice. I wouldn’t think you’d get a table.’
    â€˜Oh, they’ll find one for me. Suzy Kincaid’s an old friend.’
    Leaning against the worktop, Carmen wondered what it must be like to be Rennie, always able to do anything you wanted to do. In fairness, he’d been exactly the same before the band had known fame and fortune.
    â€˜That sounds great then.’ Clearing his throat, Jonathan said, ‘The thing is, we’ve been invited to a party this afternoon. Seems a bit rude to let your friends down because you’ve had a better offer. Maybe I should give the lunch a miss.’
    He sounded torn. Carmen guessed that, much as he wanted to be down at the party with all his friends, he was reluctant to pass up the opportunity to boast to them that he had been taken out to lunch by Rennie Todd. One thing was for sure, though. Jonathan really didn’t want to miss out on this Boxing Day bash down at the Talbot Arms. Which was interesting, Carmen thought, and rather made you wonder why not.
    â€˜Right, better idea,’ said Rennie. ‘We’ll have Rose’s casserole for lunch and book a table at Kincaid’s for dinner this evening. Then you lot can go to your party this afternoon.’ He paused as if the thought had just occurred to him. ‘Actually, would they mind if you brought along a couple of extra guests?’
    â€˜Great. No problem. Of course you can come along.’ Jonathan nodded vigorously and Rose let out a little exclamation of pleasure.
    â€˜OK with you, Miss Garbo?’ Rennie turned to her to double-check. ‘You don’t mind if we gatecrash?’
    â€˜I’d be