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

to him – telling him how upset she was, and letting Jess take over – Ronnie forced herself to face him.

‘You’d better go, Will,’ she said, a sheen of moisture beading on her forehead. She drew in a deep breath, glad Jess and Angela were with her as she met his penetrating gaze.

Long seconds passed. Will didn’t take his eyes off her.

‘If you don’t leave this minute I’m fetching Miss Dummitt,’ Jessica said, ‘and I don’t suppose you want her to know what Angela and I have just witnessed.’

Will muttered something under his breath. He looked at Ronnie and smiled – a slow smile that made her skin prickle. ‘I’ll see you when you least expect it. I ’spect you’ll soon be needin’ rescuin’ again. And then I’ll be collectin’ my reward good and proper … with no one gawpin’.’

He was gone.

Ronnie felt the back of her eyes begin to sting. She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t.

Angela sniffed. ‘If you want my opinion, he was showing off.’

‘I’m afraid I agree with Angela.’ Jessica went to take Ronnie’s hand, but Ronnie flapped it away.

‘I can stand up for myself,’ Ronnie said. ‘You needn’t have interfered.’

‘Someone had to. How he behaved was unforgivable. And that last remark about collecting his reward … to me it sounded like a threat. Not the sort of tone you’d expect from a boyfriend.’

‘For the last time he’s not my boyfriend,’ Ronnie snapped, her temper rising, knowing she was being unfair to Jess who’d only been trying to protect her. If Jess only knew what Will had done that had made her feel so peculiar. So lightheaded. It must have been a proper adult kiss that she hadn’t been ready for. And that odd sensation against her thigh. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks again. All she knew was that it should have been a special private moment. She glared at Jessica, her confusion with Will bursting out as anger to her friend. ‘You never have a good word to say about him, even though he’s brought us food when we were nearly out.’

Why am I defending him?

‘Look, Ronnie, I’m older than you—’

‘Please don’t use that excuse.’ Ronnie pressed her lips together. ‘Raine used to say exactly the same when she wanted to give me her uncalled-for advice. Age doesn’t mean to say you’re always right.’

‘I want you to listen to me. I know how you feel.’

‘How can you possibly know how I feel?’

‘Because I have more experience than you. I’ve—’

‘Oh, just drop it.’

In bed that night Ronnie lay wide-eyed, staring at the wooden ceiling, wishing she and Jess hadn’t fallen out. It was Will she should have told off, not Jess. Raine would have sat her down and given her a good talking-to. She bit her lip. How she missed her and Suzy. And Maman. Ronnie let her lids fall. The realisation of being so far away from everything and everyone she loved swept over her. All she could do was console herself that when the training ended Dora had promised them three whole days off. She couldn’t wait. It was then that she gave way to her tears, muffling them under the blanket so Jess wouldn’t hear.

She wiped her eyes with the edge of the sheet and with the tip of her finger touched her bruised lips, still not sure exactly what had happened between her and Will.

Chapter Twenty-Five

When Ronnie opened her eyes the following morning she sleepily put her arm out but there was only a warm space where Jess had lain, and a sharp, salty tang she hadn’t smelt for months. Bacon sizzling!

‘You’re awake?’ Jessica touched her arm.

‘Oh, Jess.’ Ronnie didn’t know what else to say. Suddenly she felt ashamed. What had Jess started to say yesterday? Whatever it was, she hadn’t given her a chance to explain.

‘Jess, I’m sorry—’

‘Forget it, Ronnie. I have. Here, I’ve made you a cuppa. And a bacon sandwich. However your friend got it, it shouldn’t go to waste. And it’ll perk you up.’ She handed Ronnie a plate.

‘Mmm. It smells wonderful. Oh, what a treat.’ She glanced at up. ‘Where’s yours?’

Jessica smiled. ‘I couldn’t wait. I’ve had mine but I’ll bring my tea to bed so we don’t disturb madam.’

Angela was giving a vicious snore on every intake of breath.

‘Jess, listen, I’m sorry about yesterday. I can just hear my mother. “I ’ave not brought you up to be so rude”,’ Ronnie quoted, imitating Maman’s accent.

Jessica smiled. ‘I don’t want you hurt, that’s all. And I really didn’t like that display of Will Drake’s. Angela was right. He was showing off to let us know you were his property. And I despise men who treat women like that.’

Ronnie was silent.

‘And I’m not at all happy about some of those goods he brought.’ Jessica took a sip of tea. ‘I think he’s a shady character who only does nice things for his own benefit. Certainly his parting shot sent shivers down my spine. All that about collecting his reward with no one looking on. That rang alarm bells for me and it should you.’ She gave Ronnie a direct look. ‘Your sister wouldn’t thank me if I didn’t warn you, so here goes – I don’t want you to ever be alone with that boy.’

‘I’m used to looking after myself. I’m pretty sensible.’

‘More sensible girls than you have been swept off their feet … and raped.’

Ronnie drew in a quick breath. ‘Will wouldn’t—’

‘How do you know what he would and wouldn’t do?’ Jessica said fiercely. ‘If you don’t take any notice of me, then at least take notice of Dora. She seems to know him better than anyone, and she doesn’t have a good word to say about him.’

Ronnie opened her mouth to argue but it wouldn’t do any good. To change the subject, she said, ‘What were you about to say yesterday?’

Jessica paused, studying her as if wondering if she should divulge something personal. ‘All right, I’ll tell you,’ she said eventually. ‘I was