Daughters of the Silk Road: A beautiful and epic novel of family, love and the secrets of a Ming Vase Read Online Free

round to her. ‘Look, I hope you won’t think me too forward, but I’d love to see you again, outside of work.’
    She felt herself blushing. ‘That would be lovely.’ It had been so long since anyone had asked her out, she felt strangely elated.
    ‘Well, I don’t know what you’re up to over the next couple of days, but perhaps when I come back to view the book again, we could go out for a drink afterwards?’
    ‘That would be great.’
    ‘I’ll do a bit of research on the Alice book and call you… Tomorrow? And we can arrange something.’
    ‘Great.’ She struggled hard to keep the excitement out of her voice. ‘Until tomorrow then.’
----
    T heir ‘date’ was simple enough . He arrived just before closing time and agreed to buy the book for a ‘bargain’ price of seven hundred and fifty pounds. She was annoyed with herself for not holding out for more, but he could be very persuasive. Wrapped in brown paper, it was laid carefully in the boot of his Audi car. They then walked to a wine bar a couple of shops down from the bookshop. They sat at a small table in the window and drank white wine, and ate olives and pistachio nuts out of little Moroccan bowls. The conversation flowed easily. He was amusing and attentive, but revealed little about himself. He somehow deflected all personal questions, insisting on learning as much as he could about Miranda. And so she told him about her divorce, and Georgie.
    ‘It must be hard, bringing up a child on your own,’ he said sympathetically.
    ‘Yes, and no. In many ways, I’m relieved that Guy doesn’t show much interest; it means I don’t have to pass every decision by him. He ran off with our nanny, did I mention that? I came home early one day from work – I worked at an art gallery in those days – and found Georgie alone in front of the telly; she was about two. I noticed Guy’s briefcase in the hall, and went upstairs to look for him. On the landing I thought I heard some weird noises. I pushed open the door and there they were…’
    ‘That must have been terrible!’
    ‘Yes, but I should have seen it coming. He had obviously fancied her for ages. She was tall and blonde with legs up to her armpits. She cooked like a dream and was very, very organised. Eastern European, you know – very together. I left him there and then. The sight of them at it was the last straw. I just picked up Georgie and drove off to my mother’s. Anya – that was the nanny’s name – actually said “do it to me, big boy,” can you believe that? I mean, does anyone actually say that outside of porn films? To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d been in a porn film. Anyway, they’re married now and he and Anya have twins – typical of her to be so efficient about having an instant family! He does see G occasionally and sends her birthday cards and so on, but he’s so moved on – this year for her fifteenth birthday he gave her a cheque for twenty-five quid. Can you believe that?’
    ‘That does sound a bit mean.’ Charlie’s grey eyes flickered momentarily to his watch.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I’m boring you.’
    ‘Not at all, it’s fascinating. And I was just thinking, I’d love to buy you dinner, but I really ought to get back to Hampshire tonight; I’ve got a sale down there first thing and there’s still lots to do…’
    ‘Oh dear,’ she said. ‘I’ve been wittering on, haven’t I? I’m sorry. Jeremy’s always telling me off for it. He’s the owner of the shop and a dear friend – a platonic friend.’ She blushed slightly. ‘He saved my life really, after the divorce, giving me a job here. And he’s great with G too.’
    ‘He sounds wonderful,’ said Charlie. ‘Perfect husband material I’d have thought.’
    ‘Oh, he is great, yes. But not husband material – no. He’s gay – and adorable. He’s a very old friend. I’ve known him since we were kids. We were virtually brought up together. Then we rather lost