Read A Date with Fate for Free Online Page A

centre’s not even finished yet anyway.”
    â€œLooks real enough to me,” Max said, eyeing the wad of paper in Eve’s hand.
    â€œWhat do you want to do with it?” Josh asked Eve enthusiastically.
    Eve couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for the last part of her plan. She summoned a smile from somewhere.
    â€œYou take half, Josh,” she said. “You guys can take the rest.”
    â€œOh my God, Eve, seriously?” Lila gasped. “You’re giving each of us a hundred pounds?”
    â€œReal now, isn’t it Lila?” said Ollie, taking two fifty-pound vouchers and slipping them into his pocket.
    Lila’s eyes narrowed. “Back off, Ollie.”
    Rhi and Polly squealed and hugged Eve in delight, almost crushing her between them.
    â€œYou’re the best, Eve!” said Rhi.
    â€œI’ll fix your computer any time you like,” Max said, rubbing his two fifties between his fingers. “For free.”
    Eve had known the money would bring her friends back to her side. She felt a strange swell of resentment. It’s not just boys who are predictable , she thought sourly. It’s girls too.
    Suddenly there was the sound of a smash. Somerstown Developments staff and Heartside High kids alike instantly fell silent at the drama unfolding beside the main lifts.
    â€œThat is IT, Ollie Wright,” Lila screamed as Ollie stared in shock at the bangles Lila had thrown on the floor. “You and me are over .”
    â€œFine by me, you bossy cow,” Ollie shouted back angrily.
    It looked as if Heartside High’s golden couple had just broken up.

SIX
    Polly ran towards Lila. Max had shoved Ollie backwards and was talking to him, low and fast. The shopping vouchers lay forgotten on the table as the rest of 10Y whispered with excitement and Mr Morrison and Mr Cartwright tried in vain to bring some kind of order.
    Eve had been wanting to see Ollie and Lila break up for so long that it took several moments to process that, finally, it had happened for real. A rush of annoyance broke over her. Of all the times to drop this particular bombshell, Lila and Ollie had to do it on her away day? Now the break-up would be all anyone talked about back at school, and Eve’s hard work would be forgotten.
    Typical. It made Eve want to scream.
    Lila pushed Polly away and ran down the stairs, tears streaking her cheeks. Without a backward glance at Eve, Josh hurtled after Lila. Eve was bleakly amused to see him push Ryan out of the way at the top of the stairs.
    So much for Josh and me , she thought despondently.
    Eve watched as Max patted Ollie on the shoulder and then left, taking the lift down with Rhi. A fantastic thought suddenly struck Eve and all at once, her spirits rose.
    Something good might come out of this after all , she thought.
    She marched up to the sullen-looking Ollie and took his arm.
    â€œCome with me.”
    Ollie looked startled, but followed Eve obediently back through the office to the executive lift.
    â€œNot again,” tutted Gloria.
    â€œLast time Gloria. Today, anyway.” Eve was suddenly feeling so cheerful she blew the old secretary a kiss as the lift doors closed.
    Ollie looked distractedly around the plush interior as the lift descended. Watching him, Eve folded her arms and leaned against the mirrored back wall of the lift.
    â€œThat was bad,” she remarked.
    Ollie grunted.
    â€œI know just what you need,” Eve said in her most soothing voice.
    â€œI doubt it.”
    Eve wagged a finger at him. “Don’t give me a hard time, Ollie. I’m helping you. This lift takes us straight to a private door into a side street. We can avoid the gawkers.”
    Ollie thawed a little. “Thanks,” he said. “That would be . . . you know. Good.”
    Eve had planned this day down to the last detail. This final little treat had been intended for her and Josh, to clinch their romantic deal. But seeing how