"Guy N. Smith - Night Of The Crabs 2 - Crabs Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Guy N)

fitted the bill: the classic male chauvinist pig. There was gossip, rumours
about him back home, but Irey had forced herself to shut her ears to them. She
didn't want to know. I don't want to bloody well hear 'erni There were
explanations (excuses?). He was out late frequently because he was in the
darts team, most of whom were in the fishing club also. Safety in numbers.
Ready alibis too. Deep down he loved his family best, just had a funny way of
showing it. He was too interested in darts and fishing to worry about other
women. Hadn't he admitted to her only the other week that he didn't find sex
exciting anymore and that she needn't. He couldn't understand it when she'd
burst into tears.

And now this guy Keith. She sneaked another glance at him, felt her skin
goosepimple a little in spite of the heat. A real hulk of man, so different
from Alan in almost every way. Last night she'd felt her stomach turn, her
heart miss a beat when he'd singled her out in the corner of the dance room.

'On your own, sweetheart?' Surprise that seemed genuine. Weren't there dozens
of younger girls here on the loose just with one thought in mind? But he'd
chosen her.

'I ... I just came in for an hour ... to listen to the music. I can't stop
longer because my kids are back at the chalet.'

He bought her a drink, didn't give her the opportunity to refuse. And somehow
her life story, her disappointments came spilling out.

'My name's Keith,' he said as he led her on to the floor, held her close to
him as somehow they found space amidst the other couples. The lights were
right down by now, just a kind of mauve glow. 'I had a wife once but one day I
got in from work and found she'd gone off with a contract gardener, a guy who
spent the summer months mowing people's lawns and the winter months having it
off with his customers' wives. I was real sick, I can tell you. But I got over
it. Maybe one day I'll settle down again if I can find the right woman, and if
I can find the courage to get married again.'

It was a kind of cue that brought her own fears spilling out. She'd never
spoken that way to anybody about Alan before; it all came out in a kind of
rush as though suddenly she was desperate to get it out of her system.

Which was why she was here now with Keith, and the Greencoats were looking
after Rodney and Louise for the day. Subconsciously last night she had gone
out to find herself a man. But it would only be a holiday friendship. She
wouldn't let him do anything. A bit of flirtation; the holiday was half over,
anyway.

'Seems everybody's got a mind to get out of the camp today,' his hand found
its way across to her knee, squeezed it so naturally as though he had known
her for years, as though he was her ... husband.

'They're probably all going to Shell Island,' A hint of reluctance, a final