Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

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СКАЧАТЬ let that nasty sod chase you out of your job,’ Emma said. ‘If Mum can’t back you up, then I will.’

      Pearl’s heart ached. Emma and Mo were being so nice. They were indignant with Kevin on her behalf, yet she didn’t deserve their support. She had slept with Kevin Dolby and what would they think of her if they knew the truth? Would they label her a tart too? With a forced smile she said, ‘Thank you, and I’ll think about it, but I’ve got a bit of a headache and I’d like to go to bed now.’

      Both Mo and Emma smiled at her sympathetically, but when Pearl climbed into bed she laid awake, gazing up at the ceiling. She was a fool, a complete and utter fool. She’d been determined to keep away from Kevin, yet one smile from his handsome face and, like an idiot, she had melted. Why? She knew what he was like: one minute charming, the next vicious and cruel, yet it hadn’t stopped her from almost falling into his arms.

      His words rang in her mind and she was unable to hide from the truth any longer. Yes, she did think about the night they made love, and he was right, she did want him. He had aroused such wonderful feelings, ones that she yearned to feel again.

      Pearl flushed with shame, filled with self-disgust as she turned onto her side and pulled the blankets up to her chin.

      The following morning Pearl awoke after a restless night, and as memories of the previous evening flooded her mind, she dressed despondently before making her way downstairs.

      ‘Happy birthday,’ Mo and Emma chorused as she walked into the kitchen.

      ‘Oh, thank you. How did you know?’

      ‘Derek told us, and here you are, love,’ Mo said, handing her a package and envelope.

      ‘And this is from me,’ Emma added as she did the same.

      Pearl felt overwhelmed, her heart lifting as she opened her cards. She blinked rapidly as she read the lovely words and, gulping, opened her packages. There was a smart wide black patent belt from Mo, and a make-up bag containing mascara, powder and lipstick from Emma. ‘They’re lovely. Thank you so much.’

      ‘Emma chose the belt,’ Mo said. ‘With winter on its way I wanted to get you a nice warm scarf.’

      ‘Leave it out, Mum. She’d rather have the belt. I’m right, ain’t I?’ Emma said, grinning widely at Pearl.

      ‘Oh, yes, it’s just what I wanted. And the make-up’s wonderful too.’

      ‘Right, let’s have some breakfast,’ Mo said, beginning to bustle around. ‘It’s my treat today so you’ll be having more than cereals, Pearl. In fact, I was thinking about our eating arrangements last night. I wondered if you’d rather pay me a bit extra each week and then I’ll do your breakfast every day. It seems daft cooking separately. What do you think?’

      ‘Yes, I’d like that.’

      ‘How about another five bob and for that I’ll do your laundry too?’

      ‘Oh, yes, please, that would be wonderful.’

      Mo chuckled. ‘I still can’t get over how well spoken and polite you are. I must admit I was a bit worried that you wouldn’t fit in at first, but in the short time you’ve been here you’ve become like part of the family.’

      ‘Yeah, it’s like having a kid sister.’ Emma reiterated. ‘It’s a shame you’re going round to Derek’s today. We could have had another trip to Petticoat Lane.’

      ‘Maybe next week,’ Pearl said, wishing that she didn’t have to see Derek. She would have preferred to spend the day with Emma, but couldn’t let Derek down again.

      ‘Well, Gran, what do you think?’ Derek asked as he placed the ring on the table. ‘I got it second-hand from the pawnshop.’

      Connie gazed at the diamond in its old-fashioned setting. ‘It’s very nice, but I still think you should wait a while. Pearl’s a nice girl, but you’ve only been courting since the end of August. She’s also very young and might not be ready to settle down.’

      ‘I think a lot of her and don’t want to lose her. If she says yes, we could wait until she’s eighteen, but at least she’ll have my ring on her finger.’

      ‘It’d be better to hold off for another year before proposing?’

      ‘No, I ain’t waiting. I’ve got the ring and I’ve made up my mind. Pearl’s the girl for me and I’m gonna propose today.’

      Connie sighed, wishing that Derek could see what was under his nose. Since moving in with Mo and her daughter, Pearl was changing. She was making friends of her own age and seeing less of Derek. She gazed worriedly at her grandson. He was going to be hurt, she could feel it in her bones, and despite liking the girl, she wished he had never met Pearl Button.

      Pearl was on her way to Derek’s when she saw Kevin Dolby walking towards her. She hurriedly crossed the road, but he crossed too, stopping in front of her and barring the path. His eyes, she saw, were full of contrition. ‘I owe you an apology, Pearl.’

      The memory of the humiliation he’d caused her on the dance floor was fresh, and her mouth tightened. ‘Leave me alone. Just go away and leave me alone.’

      ‘Look, I know I was out of order last night and I’m sorry.’

      ‘You told Emma that you’d slept with me, and you … you called me a tart.’

      ‘I know, but it’s your own fault. You shouldn’t have turned me down.’

      ‘What did you expect? You know I’m going out with Derek and shouldn’t have asked.’

      ‘Yes, but as I said before, it was me you slept with. Admit it, Pearl. You’d rather go out with me.’

      ‘I … I wouldn’t.’

      He smiled, his voice soft. ‘Why don’t you come with me for a little drive out into the country? We need to talk and can find somewhere nice and secluded.’

      ‘I’m on my way to Derek’s.’

      ‘Sod Derek.’

      ‘I can’t let him down, Kevin.’

      His whole demeanor suddenly changed, his eyes hardening. ‘I don’t see why not.’

      ‘I can’t because he’s expecting me, and not only that, his gran will have cooked dinner and—’

      ‘Sod his gran too,’ Kevin spat. ‘Now I ain’t asking you, I’m telling you. You’re coming out with me.’

      He reached out, viciously grasping her arm, and Pearl tensed. Last night she had admitted to herself that she still wanted him, still fancied him, but in this mood he was dangerous and all she felt was fear. With a quick jerk she pulled her arm out of Kevin’s grasp, her shoulders hunched as she dashed past him.

      Pearl didn’t look back and ran the rest of the way to Derek’s house. He opened the door to her knock and, seeing his huge bulk, she threw herself into his arms with relief, seeing them only as a refuge from her tangled emotions. She’d have to СКАЧАТЬ