Read Yours Unfaithfully for Free Online Page B

have them all asleep within ten minutes. The trick is to be factual but interesting, topical and yet amusing. How will I know if I was any of these things if I’m not sitting out there listening to my speech?” He was silent, waiting for her to answer.
    “I suppose you could record the whole thing and then listen to it the next day?” Melanie offered.
    “Not the same as having an independent assessment ... which is why I have a huge favour to ask ... would you be my guest, sit near the front so you don’t miss any of it, and afterwards tell me how I did? I’d want you to be honest of course. By the look on your face I can see you don’t want to do it. Now it’s my turn to say sorry. I’ve put you in an embarrassing position which is quite unforgivable. Melanie, I’m sorry.”
    “I wasn’t looking like anything and I do want to come, it’s just that I can’t get time off work.”
    “Melanie, I can easily fix that, I will request that the bank send you. I’ll tell them I’ve heard about your business skills and that I require you to assess my seminar. They’ll be pleased to assist our firm; you know how much they’d love to handle our account. My firm can pay the bank for your time if that’s what it takes. I was told when I joined that I could hire any resources I needed and I’ve decided I need you there.”
    “Is that what I am, a resource?” Melanie gulped at her wine, displeased at that label after his previous compliments. The room was still reverberating with chatter but a sudden silence separated them. Ratty was furious with himself. He’d unwittingly insulted her. He had to think quickly. That was what lawyers did all the time so why was it proving so hard at this moment?
    “You’re a lovely resource. I’m almost afraid that your presence will divert my mind from contract law so I stutter over my words and end up clasping my hands together in frustration at my verbal impotence.”
    “You know I would do no such thing. More likely you’ll have forgotten you invited me and I’ll sit silently between two fat businessmen who are wondering why I’m there.”
    “Melanie, that’s not remotely possible ... will you do it for me?”
    “Well, seeing as I tried to drown one of your staff in white wine and disgraced you by falling about laughing at her misfortune ...OK then ...yes, I’ll do it.”
    “Thank you Melanie, and afterwards, it finishes at noon, will you join me in the Hilton restaurant for lunch. That way I can debrief you while it’s still fresh in your mind.”
    Melanie’s inhibitions were fast disappearing along with her wine. She looked at him with a wide smile, “Sorry Ratty, You can’t debrief me, I’m a married woman!”
    She was making fun of him, and that was good. He quickly mustered his words to find an equally witty response, “Please don’t apologise, some other time perhaps ...can we still have lunch?”
    The beam on her face told him she was happy with his reply, joking together like old friends. Ratty figured his conversation with Mel would get more intimate as she put back more wine. Only the fact that she lived next door stopped him insisting they quit drinking. Getting her drunk wasn’t his plan, but Mel would be safe with Nina so she couldn’t come to any harm. She was enjoying herself and he wasn’t about to spoil that for her. How often, he wondered was she this happy? Mel gripped his sleeve and he gently took her weight, he could see she was finding it difficult to stand unaided.
    ‘Perhaps we ought to sit down, let’s bag that sofa while we can.’
    They collapsed on Nina’s luxurious white leather three seater. As the cushions swallowed her up Mel relaxed and slid sideways into Ratty. He put his arm around her to avoid it digging into her side. He would have liked to caress her but it was too soon. Instinctively he pulled her closer until they were a warm mass. His arm tightened around her and he was acutely aware that she was offering no