Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

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      ‘You’re a bit of a hero around here now and it’s nice to hear that Derek and his gran have been looking after you.’

      Pearl hung her head. Yes, Derek and Connie had been wonderful, but after what had happened with Kevin she didn’t feel like a hero. She felt more like a slut.

      By the end of the morning rush, Pearl had been inundated with gifts. She had also been hugged, thanked and made a fuss of by every customer.

      Derek came in at eight o’clock, his face showing concern. ‘Are you all right, Pearl? Is your tummy still holding up?’

      ‘It’s fine, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the way the customers are treating me.’

      ‘You’re the talk of the market. They’ve taken you to their hearts and you’re one of us now.’

      ‘But, Derek, all I did was hear a noise.’

      ‘Yeah, but you acted on it. If you hadn’t, we might never have found Eric. Or when we did, it might have been too late.’ He reached out to take Pearl’s hand. ‘Listen, love, I know you can’t face living in your bedsit, so I’ve had a word with Gran. She said you’re to stay with us until you find somewhere else to live. When you finish work, give me a shout, and I’ll come with you to pack up your stuff.’

      Pearl hung her head with shame. She didn’t deserve this kindness, yet at the thought of living in that room, knowing what had happened above her, she felt sick. Derek’s offer was her only alternative, at least until she could find somewhere else.

      ‘Thanks, Derek,’ she murmured, unable to look him in the face.

      It was midday before Pearl saw Kevin. She wanted to hate him, but couldn’t, her heart skipping a beat as he passed. He walked through to the kitchen, ignoring her, and when he came out again, he barely glanced in her direction. Pearl’s eyes blurred with tears. It didn’t seem possible that he could ignore her after something so intimate had happened between them.

      Kevin spoke to his father and then walked out of the café without a backward glance, leaving Pearl feeling sick inside. She’d been an idiot, a fool, but despite what he said, she had still clung to the hope that he loved her.

      There was a knot of pain in Pearl’s stomach, but then she dashed at her tears, shoulders stiffening with resolve. This was another lesson, one she would never forget. She had let down her barriers – barriers put up long ago in the orphanage. She had allowed someone into her heart, and was now suffering for it. Never again. She would never let her barriers down again.

      She was fond of Derek – Connie too – but she wouldn’t allow her feeling to go deeper than that. From now on, nobody would be able to hurt her.

      For the rest of the shift Pearl did her work, but her smile was forced, and once or twice she saw Bernie looking at her worriedly. As soon as the lunchtime rush was over he called her to the counter.

      ‘You still look a bit rough. Go on home and I’ll help Alice to finish off the tables.’

      Pearl thanked him, and though she wasn’t ill, she was glad to leave. She had been fighting all day to bury her feelings and now felt emotionally drained. ‘What about Mrs Dolby? Are you sure she won’t mind?’

      ‘You leave her to me. Now go on, get yourself home.’

      Pearl pulled off her apron and was just leaving the café when she saw Kevin walking towards her. With her head down she made to walk past him, but this time he didn’t ignore her.

      ‘Well, Pearl. You’re quite the little celebrity now.’

      ‘Let me pass.’

      ‘Now then, don’t be hasty. I was just going to suggest that I pop up to see you again tonight.’

      ‘Wh … what?’

      ‘I said I’d like to see you again.’

      She looked up at his handsome face and her stomach fluttered. ‘You … you said you don’t want a steady girlfriend.’

      ‘Yeah, that’s right, but we can still have a bit of fun on the side.’

      Pearl’s hand flew to her mouth as she shoved past Kevin, flaying herself for once more letting him get through her defences. One look at his handsome face and her resolve crumbled. It had to stop – it had to. She was nearing Derek’s stall now and fought to pull herself together, forcing the mockery of a smile.

      ‘You look awful,’ Derek said. ‘Maybe you went back to work too soon. I’ll get someone to watch me stall and we’ll collect your stuff.’

      ‘I can’t face going to my room now. Can we collect my things later?’

      ‘Of course we can. Go on home and Connie will see you’re all right. I’ll pack up in about an hour.’

      He leaned forward, giving her a peck on the cheek before she hurried away. Home, Derek had said. Oh, if only it could remain her home – a refuge where Kevin Dolby could never get near her again.

      Pearl’s steps faltered. There was a way. Instead of waiting, she could marry Derek as soon as possible. As Pearl continued her journey, the thought became more and more compelling.

      At eight o’clock, Pearl and Derek had collected her things, and now they were back in his house. It had been hard to return to her bedsit, but with so few belongings it hadn’t taken long to pack. Derek too had been impressed with her drawings, and was now urging her to show them to Connie.

      She reluctantly pulled out her portfolio, and was amazed by Connie’s reaction. ‘Blimey, girl, this is a smashing one of Derek. It looks just like him.’

      ‘See, Pearl, I told you they’re good.’

      ‘Why don’t you sell them?’ Connie suggested.

      Pearl’s stomach knotted. Kevin had said the same thing and she’d been so flattered, the memory of what happened afterwards making her flush with shame.

      ‘Gawd, look at her, Derek. She’s blushing. I ain’t kidding, Pearl. I reckon you could sell these and make yourself a few bob.’

      ‘Maybe. I … I’ll think about it.’

      ‘Pearl’s room wasn’t up to much, Gran. I’m sure she’ll be able to find something better.’

      ‘Of course she will, and it’s a shame we ain’t got a spare bedroom. It can’t be much fun sleeping on that sofa.’

      ‘It’s fine,’ Pearl said, ‘and it’s good of you to have me. I’ll find something else as soon as I can.’

      ‘What did Nobby Clark say when you told him you were leaving?’

      ‘He said he could see I wouldn’t want to live there now, and even gave me back my week’s deposit.’

      ‘Huh, that’s probably because Derek was with you. I wouldn’t trust Nobby as far as I could throw him. Anyway, Derek, how about taking Pearl’s stuff through to the front room, and then we’ll have a nice cuppa?’

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