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

Ronnie swallowed hard. ‘Do you know,’ she said, ‘Constable Scott came up with the same one.’ She glanced at him and gave a half smile, and he smiled back warmly. ‘So Lucky it is. I think she’ll soon get used to her new name.’

Margaret smiled. ‘Will you come and see me again, Ronnie?’

How could she answer? She had no idea of Dora’s plans: whether she still expected her trainees to continue along the canal today or wait until they knew Margaret was safely at home.

‘I’ll come if I’m allowed to,’ was all she could say, taking Margaret’s hand again and giving it a gentle squeeze.

‘I’m glad.’ Margaret gave a deep sigh. ‘You can tell me how Lucky’s getting on.’ She closed her eyes again and Ronnie watched for a few seconds as the girl’s chest rose and fell under the blanket.

‘We should leave,’ Michael said softly, just as Sister Harris bustled over and pointedly looked at her watch.

Back in the police car Ronnie was silent. She stole a glance at Michael, his hands firm on the steering wheel, concentrating on the road. She wished he’d say something – some words of comfort. As though he knew what she was thinking he turned his head towards her.

‘Try not to worry,’ he said. ‘She’s in the best place and Sister Harris seems very capable. You have to have faith that they’ll look after her and she’ll recover.’

‘I’m not sure I do,’ Ronnie said. ‘I have a horrible feeling …’ She trailed off.

‘It’s because we’re not medical people,’ Michael said. ‘They know a lot more about pneumonia now and it’s not always a death sentence like it used to be in the old days.’

‘Don’t even talk about death,’ Ronnie said sharply.

Michael turned back to the road. He glanced out of his window, and suddenly she felt him tense beside her as his hands clenched the steering wheel.

‘What’s that twerp up to?’ he said, glancing in his mirror.

Ronnie turned her head to follow his gaze. She couldn’t see anyone, so twisted right round in her seat. Then felt her body go rigid. Will Drake stormed by on his motorbike, giving them both a cheery wave as he made his front wheel tip up and leave the ground before it thumped back onto the road again.

‘Young idiot,’ Michael fumed. ‘He could easily cause an accident doing something so foolhardy. And I’d certainly be interested to know where he gets his petrol and what reason he gives to be allowed it.’

Ronnie couldn’t answer. Her heart was hammering so loudly in her eardrums she was sure Michael Scott could hear it. She swallowed. What was Will Drake doing? By his behaviour he obviously had little fear of the police.

Chapter Nineteen

Michael Scott drew up as near as he could get to Persephone and Penelope, then hopped out to open the passenger door of the car for Ronnie. Dora strode towards them.

‘How is she?’ Dora said, after acknowledging Michael with a brief nod.

Ronnie hesitated and turned to Michael.

‘I don’t think she’ll be coming out very soon,’ he said to Dora.

‘Have you any idea how long?’

‘No,’ Ronnie said. ‘But she does look very poorly. They said she had pneumonia.’

Dora paused for a moment then shook her head. ‘I need ter think about this,’ she said. ‘We have a schedule ter keep. I’ll have ter have a word with the office.’ She looked at Ronnie. ‘You’d better come with me and allow Constable Scott ter carry on with his duties.’

‘Oh, I was just about to go off-duty,’ Michael said, smiling. He glanced at Ronnie. ‘But I was glad to be of service, Ronnie.’

‘Thank you … Michael,’ she added under her breath so Dora couldn’t hear her use his Christian name.

He grinned in acknowledgement. ‘Let’s hope we hear some better news soon.’ He jerked his head to Dora’s departing figure. ‘I’ll call the hospital tomorrow and let you all know how Margaret gets along.’

‘How can you?’ Ronnie said. ‘I’m sure Deadly Dora will want to move off today and you won’t know where we are.’

‘We’re not the canal police for nothing,’ Michael grinned. ‘And the canal isn’t going anywhere so I’m sure I can catch you up.’

Ronnie nodded and hurried after Dora. Michael would do his best – of that she was certain.

‘We’ll wait until termorrer mornin’,’ Dora addressed the group when she returned from making her phone call at the pub. ‘Then I’ll phone the hospital and if she’s makin’ progress we’ll be on our way.’

‘What about her things?’ Ronnie asked. ‘Her clothes … oh, and her bicycle?’

‘Her ma and pa will take over from now,’ Dora said.

Ronnie swallowed. Should she say something?

‘Miss Dummitt, I promised Margaret—’ she started.

‘No arguments, miss,’ Dora snapped. ‘They’re orders from head office. We have ter keep on the move.’ She lit her pipe. ‘There’s a war on, case yer hadn’t noticed, and we in’t anywhere near ready to take cargo.’ She gave the others a sly look. ‘Yous’ll all want ter let go when I tell yer at the next moorin’ you lot should be pickin’ up some post at The Swan.’

There was a cheer from Sally. Ronnie didn’t say anything. Yes, it would be lovely if she had letters waiting from her sisters and Maman, but she was far more worried about Margaret. She bit her lip. There was nothing more she could do.

‘It’s most inconvenient,’ Angela said when she and Ronnie and the other trainees got together to discuss Margaret’s plight. ‘I wanted to continue the training today. We’ve still got loads to learn. Margaret was going home today anyway, so I don’t see why we have to hang around. We can’t do anything, can we?’ She looked round at the others as if she was hoping for the group’s approval. But no one spoke. Ronnie found she was the only one to look Angela directly in the eye.

‘That sounds a bit harsh,’ she said.

‘Well, as Miss Dummitt says, she’s got her parents to see to her. It’s not as