Kitty Neale 3 Book Bundle. Kitty Neale

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       Chapter Seventeen

      On Friday afternoon, Tommy was pleased with how the day had gone. He was happy with Len’s work and the two of them got on well together. However, as soon as he walked indoors after work it was like being confronted by a mad woman instead of his mother – and the smile instantly dropped from his face.

      He was unable to get a word in as she ranted and raved, though when he did get the chance it wouldn’t be to put up with her demands.

      ‘Did you hear me, Thomas? I said you’re not seeing that girl again!’

      ‘I could hardly fail to hear you,’ he replied. ‘But unlike you, I don’t blame Amy for Rose’s behaviour and I will be seeing her again. In fact, I’m taking her out tonight.’

      ‘You are not!’

      ‘I’m not a child that you can dictate to now. I’m a grown man and I can see who I want, go where I want to, and even find a place of my own.’

      Shocked, his mother stared at him, blinked, and then came the tears. ‘You’re going to leave me … just … just like your father.’

      Tommy found that though he was able to stand up to his mother when she was in a temper and making demands, he was hopeless when she started crying. ‘Mum, I didn’t say that. I was just pointing out that if I wanted to leave home, I could.’

      ‘I … I couldn’t bear it if you left me too,’ Celia said in a small voice.

      He could have told his mother that when he got married he’d want a place of his own, yet knew she wasn’t ready to hear that yet. He began to wonder if she ever would. For now though he had to make a stand and said, ‘I don’t want to leave home, but you’ve got to accept that I’m not going to stop seeing Amy.’

      The handkerchief came out and she wiped her eyes, silent for a while, but then at last she drew in a breath. ‘It seems I’ll have to, but don’t expect me to welcome her into my home.’

      ‘You haven’t so far, so that won’t make a lot of difference,’ he said, only just managing to keep the sarcasm from his tone. ‘Now I’m going to have a wash and change my clothes.’

      With that Tommy left the room, glad again to get away from the rollercoaster of his mother’s emotions.

      Celia was left feeling that she’d been blackmailed by her own son. The threat had been there; if she tried to stop Thomas from seeing Amy, he’d leave home. She’d been left with little choice, at least for now, but one day in the future she hoped to find a way to come between that tart and her son.

      Amy’s mother was just as bad, Celia thought, lying when she said she didn’t know where her cousin was. Of course she knew, and no doubt Amy did too. Well, that was something she’d talk to Thomas about. At least he’d be able to get that information from Amy and when he did, she’d be able to confront George. She needed to vent her feelings, to tell George just what she thought of him, and that tart he’d left her for would feel the sting of her hand across her face.

      That thought made Celia feel a little better, and when her son came downstairs to find his dinner ready and on the table, she had a story in place. She waited until they were both seated and then said, ‘Thomas, I don’t feel I can move on with my life until I can ask your father for a divorce.’

      ‘Don’t you think it’s too soon to think about divorce? Dad might realise he’s made a mistake and come home.’

      ‘I’d slam the door in his face! After leaving me for

      that common woman, I’d never take him back!’ Celia snapped.

      ‘Are you sure, Mum? Divorce seems so … so final.’

      Celia took a deep breath, endeavouring to sound calm. ‘Yes, I’m sure, Thomas. The problem is, I don’t know how to contact your father. As he left with a cousin of her mother’s, Amy must know where they are, so when you see her tonight, would you ask her for their address?’

      ‘I can ask her, but I doubt she’ll know.’

      ‘At least try,’ Celia urged.

      Thomas СКАЧАТЬ