A French Affair Read Online Free Page B

unsuitable for lurcher-like activities.’
    ‘Largely is about right,’ said Gina. ‘And I’m not going to ask about lurcher-like activities because I’m sure I don’t want to know – but he’s lovely,’ she added, suddenly realising she did like him. He was a gentle giant. Matthew was certainly a giant – he and Oscar took up most of the room – but was he gentle, like his dog? She dismissed the thought swiftly. He certainly seemed less imposing than he had in his office.
    ‘Oscar dearly loves a good fire,’ said Matthew. ‘It was kind of you to light one.’ He was perched on the edge of the sofa, as if he wanted to make a quick getaway.
    ‘That was Sally’s idea actually. She said it made the place cosier. I felt it might be a bit hot.’
    ‘We can always open a window,’ said Sally, who seemed to have summoned up enough courage to put her feet on the floor now.
    ‘So what about Aunt Rainey’s letter?’ said Gina, who was feeling more and more anxious. She had forgotten her sister was afraid of dogs and felt guilty for inflictingsuch a big one on her. And Matthew seemed ill at ease too. In fact, only Oscar seemed remotely comfortable.
    ‘I took the liberty of taking photocopies so we’ve all got one.’ He handed the girls a piece of paper each.
    They both studied them for a few seconds.
    ‘Actually,’ said Gina. ‘I can’t read in this light.’ She looked at Sally, knowing she would hate it if Gina ruined the effect by turning on the overhead lamp.
    ‘Nor can I,’ said Sally, ‘but Matthew, you’re near the lamp. You read it aloud. It’ll go in better that way anyway.’
    ‘OK,’ he said, and began. ‘“My dears . . .”’ He looked up, making it clear he would never use an expression like that.
     
‘You’re probably wondering what this is all about. Let’s just say I’m a meddling old woman but indulge me! I want my lovely nieces to discover the joy of the antiques business. Some people call it “the Disease” but it’s such a delightful one, I have no qualms in infecting others with it. So, I’m giving the girls £500 to start off with and I’d like you, Matthew, to take them on, let them have my space and what’s left of my stock, guide them through the first tricky months and if you make a profit within four months, you will all get a bit more money. Have fun!’
     
    Matthew stopped reading and looked at them both.
    ‘Go on,’ said Sally.
    ‘That’s it. That’s all it says,’ said Matthew.
    For a few moments, the only sound to be heard in the room was Oscar’s gentle snores and the crackling of the fire.
    ‘Aunt Rainey was a little bit crazy,’ said Gina eventually. ‘Wasn’t she?’
    ‘Well, she was pretty eccentric,’ said Matthew. ‘But she did very well and was a real asset to the centre. She was an erratic buyer but she always found interesting things. People came in regularly to see what she’d got her hands on.’
    ‘But how exactly does an antiques centre works? There didn’t seem to be many people around when we came the other day,’ said Sally.
    ‘It’s not like a department store with every stall manned. Owners rent space and take it in turns to man the centre. We always have two people on duty, but sometimes people come in to check their stock. We have about ten traders in the French House in total.’
    ‘So why aren’t they there all the time?’ asked Sally. ‘You’d think it would be easier to sell your own things if you’re actually there.’
    ‘Dealers have to buy stock, restore it possibly, and most of them have stock in other centres too. It may seem odd if you’re used to ordinary shops but it works perfectly well,’ said Matthew. He was back to perching on the edge of the sofa, frowning at them both.
    ‘I don’t think we can do this,’ said Sally, having thought about it for all of thirty seconds. ‘We know nothing about antiques and I don’t imagine it’s something you can just pick up.’
    Matthew made a noise