Kitty Neale 3 Book Bundle. Kitty Neale

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СКАЧАТЬ Where are the rest of the men?’

      Len’s head snapped up again. ‘Where do you think? They’re where they should be, out in their vans working on repairs and installations.’

      Jeremy felt a fool and didn’t like it. Nor did he like Len Upwood’s derogatory tone. He’d spent too many years working as a menial; being shown little respect, and he’d had enough of that. For now though he had to make a dignified exit and said, ‘Right, that’s good. I’ll report back to Tommy and if you come across any problems, give me a ring.’

      Len just looked at him, saying nothing, and Jeremy left the unit, jaws grinding as he got into the van. If he’d been the boss, Len would have shown him some respect, deference, and now it infuriated him that the business belonged to his brother. Tom was a weakling, always had been, but he had the life that Jeremy wanted, along with the girl.

      Jeremy drove off, his grip tight on the steering wheel, determined to find a way to usurp his brother.

      Mabel was in Edna’s house, and as she looked around the untidy living room she was trying to hide her distaste. Edna was dishevelled as ever; her hair greasy and unwashed, her body odour foul.

      ‘Well, I must say I was surprised when you knocked on my door,’ Edna said, as she puffed on a cigarette, two fingers stained a yellowish brown from the nicotine.

      ‘Yeah, well, I thought you might be interested to hear about Rose and Samuel Jacobs.’

      ‘What’s to know? It’s common knowledge that Rose married him, no doubt for his money.’

      ‘Yeah, and she persuaded him to buy a big house close to Battersea Park.’

      ‘I’ve heard about that too, and that Phyllis is working for her. From what I’ve seen, what with that posh furniture being delivered, Phyllis has done all right for herself too.’

      ‘It was only stuff Rose didn’t want any more.’

      ‘What about you getting your roof repaired?’ Edna said sarcastically. ‘I’ve been on about mine for years, but I’m not one of the favoured few like you.’

      ‘I had nothing to do with it,’ Mabel protested. ‘From what Phyllis tells me, ours aren’t the only ones that are getting repaired. Yours might be next.’

      ‘It’d be about time.’

      ‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Mabel said, hoping to overcome Edna’s slightly hostile manner. ‘It’s about time Samuel Jacobs did something about our complaints. After all, he’s had enough rent out of us over the years. He’s been living in luxury on the money he’s raked in, while we’ve been living in squalor.’

      ‘Yeah, that’s right. Would you like a cup of tea, Mabel?’ Edna asked.

      Mabel smiled. The ice had been broken and she said, ‘Yes, please.’

      ‘I’ve got a bit of juicy gossip to tell you, but I’ll put the kettle on the gas first.’

      Mabel fidgeted with expectation while the tea was made, but it turned out to be worth it and her eyes rounded in surprise. ‘I don’t know why I’m shocked. After all, it’s no more than I’d expect from the likes of her.’

      ‘I only found out about it recently,’ Edna continued. ‘A friend of a friend’s daughter was in there at the same time, but I don’t get to see her very often. Mind you, as the two of them were such good mates, I should think Amy knew about it.’

      ‘If she did, she never said a word,’ Mabel said, wondering if Amy had kept it from Phyllis too. Well she’d soon remedy that. Phyllis had refused to hear a bad word about that girl, but at last Mabel had been proved right. She was looking forward to seeing Phyllis later and pointing that fact out.

      ‘No, Mum, I don’t believe it,’ Amy said. ‘It sounds like Mabel is back to her old ways, and this is just nasty, wicked gossip.’

      ‘I thought the same, and I gave her a mouthful, but I’ve had time to think about it since then. I’m not so sure now. When you look back, Carol was supposed to have had food poisoning, but don’t you remember the state she was in when she came out of hospital? We were both worried sick about her.’

      ‘Yes, but then we found out that it was because her mother had walked out.’

      ‘I’m beginning to think there was more to it than that. If you remember, you were worried about Carol before she went into hospital. You said she’d become moody and withdrawn.’

      ‘That doesn’t mean she was pregnant, or that she had an abortion,’ Amy said indignantly.

      ‘I’m only saying it’s possible that the gossips have got it right.’

      ‘No they haven’t!’ Amy argued. ‘They’re just a bunch of nasty-minded women who seem to enjoy ruining people’s reputations. I dread to think how Carol is going to feel if she hears about this.’

      ‘Maybe you should warn her.’

      Amy was about to reply when there was a knock on the door and she went to open it, surprised to see Tommy’s brother. ‘Jeremy?’

      ‘Tom asked me to tell you that he can’t see you tonight. I’m afraid he’s stuck in bed with bronchitis.’

      ‘Oh no,’ Amy cried, all thoughts of Carol at that moment flying from her mind. ‘Do you think it would be all right if I pop up to see him?’

      ‘I don’t see why not.’

      ‘Mum, Tommy’s ill,’ she said, grabbing her coat from a hook by the door.

      ‘Amy, your dinner!’

      ‘I’ll have it when I come back,’ she said, hurrying out and asking Jeremy as they quickly walked up the hill, ‘How bad is it?’

      ‘He’s pretty rough, but he’s been put on antibiotics so that should sort him out.’

      The wind was biting and Amy pulled her collar up, almost halting in her stride when Jeremy put an arm around her to draw her closer. ‘You’re cold,’ he said softly and with what sounded like concern.

      Amy didn’t know how to react. She felt awkward to be this close to Jeremy and to have his arm around her, but if she pulled away it would look churlish. Confused, she just carried on walking and was glad when they arrived.

      However any relief she felt was wiped away when Celia saw her, the woman saying, ‘Amy, what are you doing here?’

      ‘I … I’ve come to see Tommy.’

      ‘Thomas is in bed, and as I’ve told you before, it wouldn’t be proper for you to go up to his bedroom.’

      ‘Leave it out, Mum,’ Jeremy protested. ‘They’re engaged.’

      ‘Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be right,’ Celia argued.

      ‘The days when couples needed chaperones have well gone, but if you’re going to be prissy about it, I’ll take Amy upstairs and act as one.’

      ‘Oh, СКАЧАТЬ