Kitty Neale 3 Book Bundle. Kitty Neale

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ and asked, ‘Thomas, did you bring the account books home?’

      ‘No, sorry, I forgot, but as I told you they’re up to date, so you don’t have to worry about them.’

      ‘It isn’t that I’m worried. I just need something to do, something to take my mind off your father. It will at least help me to feel that I’m of some use.’

      Thomas quietly ate his food, but at last he said, ‘All right, Mum. You can take over the accounts, but there’s little for you to do yet.’

      ‘Thank you, darling,’ Celia said. It was a start, but in the future she hoped to gain control of all their finances.

      Amy arrived home a little later than usual, and as dinner was ready she’d have to eat it before going to see Carol. Now though, she was listening to her mother, aghast as she continued, ‘Not only did the woman barge in demanding to know where Rose is; she called me a liar and a tart!’

      Before Amy could react, her father said angrily, ‘I’m not going to let her get away with that.’

      ‘It’s all right, Stan. I dealt with it. I chucked her out.’

      ‘She called you a tart and deserves more than that. If Celia Frost was a man I’d knock her off her feet.’

      ‘Well she isn’t, and as I said, I dealt with it. Now come on, Amy, give me a hand in the kitchen.’

      Amy shared her father’s anger that Celia Frost had called her mother a tart, and as she followed her into the kitchen, she said, ‘I didn’t think it would be long before the truth came out. Tommy wasn’t going to tell his mother yet, but now that the gossip has reached her she had no right to barge in here like that.’

      ‘You’re right, but the fact that it got out is my fault, Amy; well, partially. I’m sorry, love, but when Mabel heard some gossip about Rose I assumed it was about her running off with George Frost. As I thought Mabel knew I started talking about it, but it wasn’t what she’d heard. Of course, it was too late then, but Mabel promised to keep it to herself. I should have known better – Mabel couldn’t keep her mouth shut and broke that promise, but I’m finished with her. I told her that she’ll never be welcome in my house again.’

      ‘Mum, you’ve been friends for years; there was no need for that. I told Tommy the truth and he was going to tell his mum. She just got to hear about it a bit earlier, that’s all.’

      ‘Mabel still betrayed my trust.’

      ‘She thrives on gossip and you must have known she wouldn’t be able to keep it to herself,’ Amy pointed out.

      ‘I don’t want to talk about Mabel any more. There’s something else I need to tell you, but it’s not for your father’s ears. You saw how he reacted when I said that Celia Frost called me a tart, well he’d go potty if I owned up that she called you a tart too. Not only that, she told me to keep you away from her son as she doesn’t want him tainted by the likes of you.’

      Amy was dumbfounded and once again she found herself gawking at her mother. ‘I … I’m supposed to be seeing Tommy tonight.’

      ‘If his mother’s got anything to do with it, you won’t be, and if you ask me it’s probably for the best.’

      ‘I can’t stand her, but I … I really like Tommy.’

      Her mother sighed, ‘That may be, but as your dad and me have said before, you should think long and hard about what sort of future you’d have with him. You could end up with Celia Frost as your mother-in-law, and do you really want that? Now, dwell on what I’ve said and in the meantime take your dad’s dinner through to him. I’ll bring ours.’

      Amy did think about it while she was eating. She had sensed that Celia Frost didn’t like her and had been intimidated by her haughty and superior manner, but now it was as if the worm had turned and Amy was angry. Celia Frost had called her mother a tart, had labelled her as one too, and at last Amy came to a decision. If Tommy came to take her out later she would have a few things to say to him. It tore Amy up to think it might be the end of their relationship, yet she had to speak her mind.

      ‘Amy, I went to see Daphne Cole and Carol today.’

      ‘Are they all right?’ she asked, her thoughts turning swiftly to her friend.

      ‘Daphne wasn’t there. She’s gone to look after a sick aunt, but I’m worried about Carol. She still looks really ill, and upset about something, though she wouldn’t tell me what the problem is. Maybe she’ll talk to you.’

      ‘I’ll go along to see her,’ Amy said and, anxious about Carol, she bolted down the rest of her dinner.

      Frank Cole was a worried and angry man as once again he had to go out to buy a takeaway meal. He was sick of fish and chips, and this time decided on a longer walk to the pie and mash shop. He’d arrived home to find his daughter dozing on the sofa, still in her nightclothes and the housework untouched. He’d left her the money to get some food in, but she hadn’t been outside the house and at first he’d done his nut, only to backtrack when Carol had curled into a ball, sobbing.

      He didn’t know what to do, how to cope with her,

      and just hoped she’d pull herself together soon. Frank decided that what he needed was a stiff drink, and breaking his journey he called in at the Park Tavern. There were several men in there, all still in their work clothes and obviously having a couple of drinks before they headed home.

      ‘Watcha, Frank,’ the landlord said. ‘What can I get you?’

      ‘A pint of bitter, please.’

      ‘Coming up,’ he said, pulling the pump. ‘I don’t suppose you know of anyone looking for a bit of bar work do you?’

      ‘No, sorry.’

      ‘Well if you do, head them in my direction. I’ve been left in a fix since my barmaid, Rose, went off with George Frost.’

      ‘You’re kidding! This is the first I’ve heard about it.’

      ‘It’s a fact, though I only found out why Rose really left when the gossip reached me,’ he said, then moving away to serve another customer.

      Frank took a long drink then wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. He had too many problems of his own to show any interest in Rose and George Frost.

      Still, he thought, at least it would keep the gossips busy and with any luck they’d be too occupied to question the story that Daphne had gone to look after a fictitious aunt in Kent. It would keep them at bay for now – yet for how long?

      Amy could see why her mum was worried. Carol looked awful and had obviously been crying. She was in her nightclothes, her hair lank, and sitting next to her, Amy could smell her body odour. She said that her dad had gone out to get them something to eat, and worriedly Amy said, ‘Carol, I don’t think they should have let you leave the hospital. You still look really ill.’

      ‘I’m all right.’

      ‘You don’t look well enough to come back to work, but Mrs Jones won’t be able to keep your job open unless you’ve got a sick note.’

      ‘I’m СКАЧАТЬ