A Sister's War by Molly Green (the reading strategies book txt) 📕

‘Not sure where you’re all going to sit,’ Jessica said. ‘I suppose three of you could get on our bed if we pull it down. I’ll squash on the seat with someone.’

Ronnie was pleased she knew the words to some of the songs May played, but she knew herself she had no voice.

‘If my sister Suzy was here she’d show you,’ Ronnie said. ‘She’s a professional singer. She’s sung abroad in—’ She stopped herself just in time. Everyone was looking towards her expectantly. ‘Mum’s the word,’ she said with a self-conscious giggle. ‘I’m not allowed to say. She’s home now and singing to the troops over here. You’d love her voice. They say it’s like Judy Garland’s.’

Ronnie stole a glance at Angela who was rolling her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. You could never make Angela happy no matter how hard you tried. Then something mischievous made her say, ‘Did you enjoy that, Angela?’

Angela puffed out a sigh. ‘All right, if you like that kind of thing. I prefer classical myself.’

‘That’s what Suzy plays when she’s not singing,’ Ronnie said proudly. ‘She can play the violin and the piano.’

‘Good for her,’ was all Angela said in a tone which meant the exact opposite. She rose up, yawning. ‘I’ll be going now.’ She glanced at Sally. ‘Are you ready?’

‘No,’ Sally said. ‘I’ll stay a little longer. You carry on.’

Angela pursed her lips. ‘All right.’

‘Get her,’ Jessica said when Angela had disappeared. ‘She really is a madam. Why can’t she be gracious for a change?’

‘She doesn’t know the meaning of the word,’ Sally said. ‘She’s an awkward cow. But she’s pretty good on handling the motorboat – certainly better than us.’

‘That’s the last one,’ May said, putting her instrument to one side. ‘I’m getting tired.’

‘Me, too,’ Sally said, standing up. ‘I just hope Angela’s in a bit better mood.’

They were still discussing Angela when there was a sharp bang on the side of the butty.

‘Who is it?’ Jessica called.

‘Me. Open up!’ Angela demanded.

‘Now what does she want?’ Jessica grumbled as Ronnie went to open the hatch.

Angela jumped down and handed her a folded sheet of paper. ‘Read this,’ she said.

Ronnie took the sheet and unfolded it. Her eyes flicked down the page and her jaw dropped in disbelief.

‘Who’s it from?’ Jessica asked impatiently.

‘It’s from Margaret,’ Ronnie said, glancing at Angela, who simply shrugged.

‘Read it out then,’ Jessica ordered.

Ronnie cleared her throat.

‘Dear Miss Dummitt,

I realise I am not suited to this kind of work and have decided it is best to give in my notice now rather than let it drag on. I have enjoyed the company of the other girls and please thank Ronnie especially for her kindness today.

I would like to go first thing in the morning. I know I am doing the right thing but apologise for any inconvenience I have caused.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Webb.’

Ronnie looked up. ‘She never mentioned anything like this earlier when we went through the tunnel and there was just the two of us. I’d have thought she would’ve said something then. If she had I would’ve tried to talk her out of it. None of us feels that confident yet after such a short time.’

‘Speak for yourself,’ Angela put in, but Ronnie glared at her so hard Angela didn’t continue.

‘Well, well.’ May shook her head. ‘So she made up her mind this evening when we were having our singsong.’

‘Looks like it,’ Angela said. ‘But she’s not in the cabin.’

‘Hang on, Angela,’ Jessica said picking up the envelope. ‘It’s addressed to Miss D. Dummitt.’

‘Let me finish,’ Angela said in a rude tone. ‘Margaret wasn’t there. Then I saw the envelope addressed to Miss Dummitt, so I thought I might as well walk over to the pub and give it to her.’

‘Didn’t you wonder where Margaret was?’ Jessica said.

‘I thought she’d gone to the pub to see Miss Dummitt to discuss something in private. I knew she wasn’t taking to the canal life.’

‘How did you know?’ Jessica demanded.

‘I live with her. It’s the odd remark she drops.’

‘But why wouldn’t she have given Dora the letter herself?’ Ronnie said, frowning.

‘I didn’t know what the contents were at that point,’ Angela said. ‘I didn’t even know it was Margaret’s writing. To me it was just a letter that needed to be delivered.’ She paused. ‘Anyway, when I got there Miss Dummitt asked me to open it and read it out. She can’t read, can she?’ Angela finished on a contemptuous note.

‘Why did Dora let you keep the letter?’ Jessica demanded.

‘She didn’t. I must have put it in my bag by mistake.’

‘So what did Dora say?’ Ronnie asked, ignoring Angela’s last remark that didn’t ring quite true.

‘She wanted to know why Margaret hadn’t got the guts to tell her herself, instead of writing, but said she wasn’t surprised. And it was for the best because she’d already decided to get rid of her.’

‘She actually said that?’ Sally stared at her.

‘Well, words to that effect,’ Angela said. ‘Anyway, at that point I didn’t know how long Margaret had been gone. It might only have been a few minutes, as far as I knew. So I didn’t make anything of it. But now I’ve been back three-quarters of an hour and there’s still no sign of her. I thought I ought to tell you all.’

‘Something’s not right,’ Ronnie said. ‘Why did she go out at this time of the evening in the first place? It’s freezing outside.’

‘You know, I don’t like the sound of it.’ Jessica’s voice had become serious. ‘She disappears when we were all out of the way for a couple of hours and leaves a note to say she’s going home tomorrow. So where’s she gone? It doesn’t make sense. In fact I think something really bad has happened to her.’

‘What do you mean?’ Ronnie said, her heart thumping uncomfortably.

Jessica looked directly at her. ‘I mean she might have had an accident.’ She paused.