Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 1: Midnight, Blood Brothers, Songbird. Josephine Cox

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ you be a good girl, while we’re gone!’ Eileen told her. ‘Else you’ll have your father after you.’

      Her comment did not surprise Libby, but she felt obliged to remind her gently, ‘Daddy was a long time ago, Mum,’ she said softly. ‘It’s just you and me now.’

      Though Libby’s own memories of her father were very limited, she knew that he was always strong in her mother’s mind. Whenever Eileen talked of him, Libby felt her pain. It was such a sad thing.

      Eileen and Thomas waved her off. ‘That’s it, my beauty.’ He made sure Eileen’s seatbelt was secure.

      Eileen was still waving. ‘Where’s she gone?’

      ‘She has to be at work,’ he reminded her. ‘And now, we’d best be on our way.’

      ‘Where are we going, Thomas?’

      ‘Where do you want to go?’

      ‘I don’t know.’

      ‘Yes, you do.’

      ‘Do I?’

      ‘Think hard, my lovely. We’ve been there before, lots of times. It’s a place you love to be. It’s where you always ask me to take you.’

      Eileen went quiet, almost sulky. Then, with a little shout and a clap of the hands, she cried out. ‘The park! We’re going to the park!’

      Thomas gave a whoop. ‘That’s right, my darling. We’re going to the park. What a clever girl you are.’

      ‘I know.’ She gave a proud little giggle. ‘I’m a clever girl.’

      Her simple joy made Thomas smile. In her declining health, he had never known Eileen be angry or spiteful. Instead she was always thoughtful and caring. Yet, she was often afraid, and occasionally she would jump at either himself or Libby for the simplest things, like forgetting to put the sugar in her tea, or plumping the cushion too much in her favourite chair.

      Somehow, over the years, almost without him real-ising, this wonderful lady had become the light of his life. He never told her, because in the circumstances, it was not the thing to do. But it was a joy to be with her. Considering how very much he had loved his wife, his deep feelings for Eileen in these later years had come as a great surprise to him.

      Corporation Park was not far away – through the back streets then along King Street and up Montague Street, and there, high above the town itself, was the proud, impressive entrance, hiding a secret that would amaze and delight the unsuspecting visitor.

      Built many years ago, amidst great pomp and celebration, this magnificent park was not only a haven of beauty and delight, it was also a treasured refuge from the busy lives and relentless duties of the townsfolk.

      With an impressive stone lion at either side of the tall iron gates, and the first sighting of that wide lane meandering its way up through the heart of the park, the mere act of leaving the mayhem behind, to stroll through that man-made paradise, was a joy in itself. If the heart was heavy when the visitor walked inside, it became lighter after spending precious time within the tranquil beauty of that most exquisite place.

      ‘Here we are!’ Because vehicles were not allowed within the park, Thomas turned immediately left before its gates. It took him but a minute to find a suitable spot for parking. ‘Right then, m’darling, let’s get you out.’

      Just a few moments later they were ready to go, with the picnic bag hanging on Thomas’s arm.

      Eileen was like a child let loose in a sweet-shop. ‘Ooh, can we go to the lake? I want to feed the ducks. I know we have bread, because Libby told me.’

      ‘We can go anywhere your heart desires,’ Thomas promised; and Eileen was content in the knowledge that he would keep his word.

      ‘We’re fortunate to have such a lovely day,’ he said as they made their way down the lane and into the park. ‘June can be a funny month sometimes. Even so, I’d have still brought us here, even if it was raining cats and dogs.’

      ‘I never said it was raining!’

      ‘No, sweetheart, I know you didn’t say it was raining.’

      ‘So, what did I say, then? Tell me what I said!’ She grew agitated.

      Thomas stopped by a rosebed.

      ‘No need for you to get upset,’ he said gently. ‘You’ve done nothing wrong.’

      Unsure, Eileen looked him in the eye. ‘Who said I was upset?’

      ‘No one.’

      Eileen tutted. ‘Oh, so that’s all right then, isn’t it?’

      Thomas was very careful in his approach. ‘Well, yes, everything seems all right to me.’

      ‘So why have we stopped, especially when it’s about to rain?’

      He gave her a peck on the cheek. ‘It’s not going to rain, love. I think we got a bit lost in our conversation just then – about the rain and such.’

      ‘You said it was raining, not me! You’re all mixed up, Thomas.’ She wagged a finger. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you.’

      Thomas felt the laughter bubbling inside, and try as he might, he could not hold it back. ‘Do you have any idea how much I love you?’

      ‘I love you too,’ she said sternly. ‘Now stop being silly.’ Then, in a quieter voice, she said, ‘Thomas?’

      ‘Yes?’

      ‘You do love me, don’t you, Thomas?’

      ‘I certainly do, yes.’

      ‘Do you want to know something?’

      ‘If you like, yes.’

      ‘I love you too.’

      And because she had uttered those sincere words when her mind appeared to be fully alert, Thomas found he was too choked up to make an immediate reply. Then he cleared his throat and told her, ‘That is such a wonderful thing for you to say.’

      ‘Would you do something for me, Thomas?’

      ‘Of course – if I can.’

      The confident little glance she gave him was that of a woman at peace with herself. ‘May I please have a proper kiss?’

      Thomas was pleasantly surprised. He had already kissed her, but he thought maybe she’d forgotten.

      Growing impatient, she raised her small hands to place them either side of his face, and when she smiled at him in a special way, with her brown eyes sparkling, he felt his heart turn over. ‘I’m waiting for my kiss, Thomas,’ she said. ‘A proper one, mind.’

      Gingerly placing his hands over hers, then easing them into his large fists, he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the cheek.

СКАЧАТЬ