Kitty Neale 3 Book Bundle. Kitty Neale

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СКАЧАТЬ finished her early morning cleaning job, she arrived home and found as usual that her daughter was just about to leave for the shoe shop. Amy smiled weakly, but Phyllis could tell that it was forced and concerned, she asked, ‘What’s the matter?’

      For a moment Amy hesitated, but then she blurted out, ‘I’ve upset Dad.’

      ‘How did you manage to do that?’

      ‘I told him that instead of going to the pub, he should give you more housekeeping money.’

      Her mother’s small frame seemed to stretch as angrily she said, ‘I won’t have you speaking to your father like that. You have no idea what he puts up with. He came home from the war wounded, feeling less than a man, reduced to doing a job he hates for low wages, and though his leg still gives him pain, he never complains.’

      ‘I didn’t know that,’ Amy said, sounding contrite.

      ‘That’s because he always puts on a cheerful front. As for him going to the pub, it’s his only pleasure and I’m not complaining, so you …’

      A knock on the door interrupted Phyllis, along with Carol’s voice shouting through the letterbox, ‘Amy! Amy, are you ready for work?’

      ‘Go on, just go,’ Phyllis snapped.

      Amy looked stricken, about to say something, but instead she grabbed her coat and hurried out.

      No sooner had her daughter left than Phyllis sat down, rubbing both hands over her face. She shouldn’t have lost her temper, not when this was all her fault; Amy falling out with her father because she thought Stan kept her short of money. It wasn’t true. With what he gave her, plus Amy’s keep and her cleaning jobs, she’d managed fine until she’d taken on looking after Winnie. She had been worried about Winnie’s frailty and ensured that she gave her a good breakfast, a nourishing lunch with fresh fruit, along with plenty of meat on her plate for dinner.

      Everything had been fine, Phyllis realised, until she’d fainted. Amy had spoken out in her concern for her, and as a now-familiar wave of exhaustion washed over her, Phyllis knew that she couldn’t go on like this. It was time to see the doctor.

      ‘It’s only me,’ Mabel called as she came in through the back door and into the living room. ‘I collared Stan when he left for work, and though he didn’t seem in the best of moods, he told me about Winnie.’

      Phyllis wasn’t in the mood for talking, but there’d be no getting rid of Mabel until she heard the whole story. ‘Yes, she passed away soon after we arrived at the hospital.’

      ‘I can’t say I’m surprised. Winnie looked as though she was gone before the ambulance turned up.’

      Phyllis voiced her feelings. ‘I should have seen earlier that something was wrong. By the time I did it was too late.’

      ‘Don’t be daft. You told me yourself that Winnie’s been going downhill for some time now. If you ask me it was more old age than illness, her heart giving out or something like that.’

      Mabel’s words made sense, and Phyllis clung to them as she said, ‘They wanted to know about Winnie’s next of kin so I told them what I could about Susan. It wasn’t much. I didn’t know her full address, but with her married name and the area she lives in, I expect they’ll find her.’

      Mabel tossed her head, saying in disgust, ‘Susan didn’t do anything for her mother, but when she’s told I bet she’ll be down here like a shot to see what she can get her hands on.’

      ‘Winnie hasn’t got much. Her furniture is old and worn, and I think she only had her bit of pension.’

      ‘Well then, Susan will probably have to pay for her mother’s funeral,’ Mabel said, smiling with satisfaction.

      Phyllis glanced at the clock and said, ‘Mabel, I’m sorry, but can we talk later? I’ve decided to see the doctor and I want to get there before the waiting room fills up.’

      ‘Is it to do with that fainting spell you had?’

      ‘Yes, but I don’t suppose it’s anything to worry about. I just thought I should get it checked out.’

      Mabel rose to her feet. ‘Right then, I’ll be off, but let me know how you get on.’

      Phyllis agreed, and in case the doctor wanted to examine her, as soon as Mabel left she went upstairs to have a wash.

      Celia Frost was still angry. Thomas had gone out for over two hours last night and returned looking cold and tired. He’d gone straight to bed, while Celia had been left fuming. If he now had a setback it would be Amy Miller’s fault. She should have seen that Thomas wasn’t fully recovered and sent him home, but no, the girl had kept him out walking in the cold for far too long.

      She had looked in on Thomas at eight o’clock that morning, and seeing that he was asleep had quietly closed the door again. That had been an hour ago, so she decided to check on him again. If he was awake, she’d prepare his breakfast.

      However, just then Celia heard footsteps coming downstairs, then Thomas walked into the room, saying cheerily, ‘Morning, Mum.’

      ‘Thomas, you should have stayed in bed. I was about to make your breakfast and bring it up to you.’

      ‘There’s no need. I’m all right now; fit enough for work if I hadn’t overslept.’

      ‘Don’t be silly. Work can wait until you’re fully recovered.’

      ‘I’ve had enough time off, and though Dad hasn’t said anything, I know he’s busy.’

      ‘He can manage, and if you rest over the weekend you may be well enough on Monday.’

      ‘I’m fine now, and I’m seeing Amy again tonight.’

      ‘I don’t think that’s wise,’ she said, thinking quickly. ‘You were over-tired when you came home last night. If you really want to return to work on Monday you must stay in and take it easy until then.’

      ‘There’s no need for that, Mum. I told you I’m fine so please stop fussing.’

      Celia thought Thomas sounded just like his father and annoyed she said, ‘When you’re ill, it’s me who has to look after you, running up and down stairs, wearing myself out to cater for your every need. You don’t call it fussing then.’

      Thomas blinked, looked surprised by her outburst, but then said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. I am.’

      ‘Then don’t accuse me of fussing when I’m just trying to make sure you don’t do too much before you’re fully recovered.’

      ‘I shouldn’t have said that, and I’m sorry,’ Thomas said, apologising again.

      Mollified, Celia said, ‘You’re forgiven, but I don’t want you to go out on Saturday night. I’ve invited the Willards to dinner and as Melissa is coming too, it would be nice for her to have someone of her own age to talk to.’

      ‘I’d rather go out with Amy.’

      ‘You’ll have seen Amy for two СКАЧАТЬ