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

allow my daughters to accept expensive presents from boys,’ Simone said firmly. ‘And they know this rule. Véronique knows nothing about it. If this boy gave her this camera she will … would not accept it. I think I know my own daughter better than anyone.’ She glanced over to the two policemen, her eyes flashing.

‘My sister has never seen the camera before, as she’s told you.’ Raine sprang to her feet. ‘So if you’ll excuse us, I’m only on leave this evening and I’d like to spend it quietly with my mother and sister.’

‘Yes – well, that’ll be all … for the moment,’ Sergeant Sandford said, emphasising the last three words as he looked at Ronnie. He stood and jerked his head to the constable.

They weren’t going to let this go.

Ronnie was sure the two of them could hear the loud beating of her heart. Forcing herself not to show her alarm, and conscious of Maman’s eyes upon her, she said, ‘I’m sorry you had a wasted journey,’ she said, more confident now they were going.

‘Nothing is ever a waste,’ Sergeant Sandford returned. ‘Well, enjoy the rest of your time at home, though I expect you’ll be going back to the boats soon, won’t you?’

‘I expect so,’ she said. She wasn’t going to give him any clue as to when she’d be returning.

He nodded briefly. Well, as far as she was concerned they could damned well see themselves out. But Raine sprang up.

‘This way,’ Ronnie heard her sister say as she escorted the two policemen out of the front door.

Raine came back, a serious expression on her face.

‘Well, we could have done without that visit, I must say.’

Ronnie bit her lip. She felt drained now it was over. She turned to her mother who was sitting very still. How on earth was she going to explain it all to Maman and Raine? But what was there to explain? She was innocent. Well, innocent of any wrongdoings where cameras were concerned, but she knew Maman would closely question her on her friendship with someone who seemed to be mixed up in murky dealings.

‘I’ll go and make a fresh pot of tea,’ she said with a false bravado she didn’t feel. ‘I’ll go and make one.’

‘I think you need to give your sister and me an explanation first,’ Simone said, ‘and how it is that you hit your head.’

‘Let her make the tea, Maman,’ Raine said. ‘I’ll go and help her.’

‘And leave me to think bad things alone?’ Simone said. ‘No, we will all stay here and Véronique will give us the explanation.’

But Ronnie had already disappeared to the kitchen. She’d just boiled the kettle when Raine appeared at the doorway.

‘It’s going to take quite a bit of explaining, Ronnie,’ she said. ‘It sounds like you’ve got tied up with an unsavoury character.’

‘That’s all you know,’ Ronnie flashed. ‘I know he’s not well educated but he’s helped me when I needed it on the canal and he brought us a box of food when the boat was iced up and we couldn’t get out to replenish our larder. But he never mentioned giving me something expensive like that camera. We’re not going out together or anything, so I don’t understand it.’

‘So the note was definitely meant for you, then? And the camera?’

‘I suppose so.’ Ronnie looked at her sister, her lower lip trembling. ‘But I know he hasn’t done anything wrong.’

‘Sorry, Ronnie, but you don’t know,’ Raine said. ‘The police don’t usually make such serious allegations if they haven’t got proof.’ She gave Ronnie a stern look. ‘You haven’t fallen in love with this boy, have you?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Ronnie said. ‘I’m not in love with anyone. He’s just a friend.’

‘Then why have you gone so red?’ Raine demanded.

‘Raine, please …’ Ronnie made a sign towards the front room.

‘We’ll talk about it later,’ Raine said. ‘Meanwhile, for goodness’ sake let’s have that cup of tea.’

Five minutes later the three sat silently drinking their tea. Ronnie chewed a biscuit without really tasting it. Her mind flew in all directions. Was Will really involved in something crooked? If he wasn’t and he’d really bought the camera for her with his own money, why had he risked putting it in her saddlebag where anyone could easily lift it out? Maybe he thought it wouldn’t come to harm under Dora’s beady eye. And what was worse, if he had stolen it, she’d be implicated. That’s why the police were nosing around. She swallowed. The pair of them obviously suspected she was mixed up in something shady.

‘Now, Véronique,’ Simone began, as she put her cup down with such force it rattled in the saucer. ‘You will start at the beginning and tell me all.’

‘There’s nothing to tell, Maman,’ Ronnie said. ‘Will Drake is a boy I’ve spoken to on about four occasions. He helped me a couple of times, once on one of the locks that was so heavy I couldn’t move it. That was when I hit my head, but I didn’t come to any harm.’

Simone’s mouth tightened with annoyance. ‘This is what I told you. It is men’s work. I do not know what your father would say to all this.’

He would have calmed you down, Ronnie thought.

‘And you have not seen the camera before?’

‘No, Maman. I already told the police I’ve never seen it. Do you think I would lie to them?’

‘Maman, for goodness’ sake don’t keep going over things we already know,’ Raine said.

‘And as for you, Lorraine, you will not smoke in the house. When did you begin this disgusting habit?’

‘When Audrey was killed last year,’ Raine said flatly. ‘I only have the occasional one.’

‘Oh, I remember. That was so awful.’ Ronnie bit her lip. No matter how she tried not to think about it, to her mind her sister was still part of a highly risky organisation.

Simone stared at her eldest daughter. ‘That poor girl is proof you are doing dangerous work. And she would not want you to smoke