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

‘Audrey smoked like a chimney,’ Raine said with a short laugh. ‘She’d have loved having a fellow smoker.’

‘Do not talk lightly of the dead,’ Simone snapped. She fixed her gaze on Ronnie. ‘It was very nice of Margaret’s parents to give you her bicycle. But if it is still on the boat, how did this boy know about this bicycle to put the camera in the bag?’

‘I don’t know,’ Ronnie said, her voice shaking. ‘Maybe he came to give it to me and I’d already gone, so Dora or one of the girls must’ve said to put it in the bag and I’d get it when I was back from my leave… Oh, I don’t know – it must be something like that.’ She burst into tears. ‘I don’t know anything about black-marketing or stolen goods. Will wouldn’t give me anything that was stolen.’

Raine sprang up to put her arms round her sister.

‘You can’t be sure of that, Ronnie,’ she said. ‘But it’s for the police to find out, and not for you to fret. But I would steer clear of this boy in the future.’

Ronnie pulled away from her sister in fury, tears streaming down her red mottled face. ‘Don’t you dare tell me who I should and shouldn’t have for a friend. You’ve always been bossy with Suzy and me, especially me, just because I’m the youngest. Well, I’m sick and tired of it.’ She leapt up. ‘Come on, Rusty, I’m going to my room.’

She ran up the stairs, Rusty only just managing to pull his tail in before she slammed the door shut, then flung herself on her bed and sobbed her heart out.

Chapter Thirty-Three

‘Ronnie.’

It was Raine shaking her awake.

‘Come on and have supper. Maman’s kept it simple. Baked potato topped with scrambled egg – all right, it’s powdered, but I seem to remember you don’t mind it.’

‘I’m not hungry.’ Ronnie’s voice was muffled.

‘You’ve got to face her sooner or later,’ Raine said. ‘And me, come to that. You know – your bossy sister.’ She gave a chuckle as she sat on the bed beside her sister.

Ronnie emerged from the eiderdown.

‘She’ll go on and on at me.’

‘No, she won’t. I’ve told her not to mention anything more about Will Drake, cameras or bicycles, or the police. I told her I know you’re telling the truth.’

‘What did she say?’

‘She said, “Véronique has never lied,” so I said, “There you are, then. No more to be said.” And she agreed.’

‘If she sticks to it.’ Ronnie gave a half smile. Then she remembered. ‘Oh, Raine, I’m sorry I was so nasty to you. I was just—’

‘Forget it,’ Raine said. ‘Having the police turn up unexpectedly in the evening is pretty nerve-wracking for anyone, I should think.’

‘But you were so calm and collected.’

‘All a front,’ Raine laughed. ‘With the help of a cigarette.’

‘Did you really start smoking because of poor Audrey?’

Raine’s laugh stopped abruptly. ‘Yes. I have to admit it did shake me. She was a damned good pilot. There was low cloud that day which makes it very difficult to see where to land.’ She paused. ‘She was the first female pilot to die since I started and was such a character. She became a good friend.’ Raine’s eyes glistened with tears.

‘Poor Raine. And poor Audrey. You know something, I’m sick of this war, even though we’re hardly aware of it on the canals. But it’s doing such terrible things to people.’

‘I know.’ Raine patted her arm. ‘But your friend Margaret died and it was nothing to do with the war.’

‘I thought that at first,’ Ronnie said, ‘but none of the trainees would even be taking the cargo up and down the canal if it wasn’t for so many of the boatmen volunteering to join up. So indirectly it still comes down to the bloody war.’

‘Try not to swear,’ Raine said mildly. ‘You don’t want it to slip out in front of Maman. Anyway, splash your face with cold water and come down. I want to hear more about your job.’ She rose to her feet. ‘By the way, have you heard from Suzy lately?’

‘Yes. She sounds as though she still enjoys her singing, doesn’t she?’

‘I bet she has some rough times in between,’ Raine said sombrely. ‘She’s like me – doesn’t let the family know the full story.’

Ronnie looked at her sister. Yes, she thought. Raine would hide anything awful until it was over. It was probably how the pilots all survived. She caught sight of Raine’s engagement ring again.

‘When are you planning to get married?’ she asked in a small voice.

‘I’ve got to help win a war yet,’ Raine chuckled. ‘And winning is not yet on the horizon – so to speak.’

‘When do you think it’ll be over?’ Ronnie said anxiously.

‘It’s turning our way,’ Raine said with conviction. She ruffled Ronnie’s already dishevelled curls. ‘It won’t be long, I don’t think, before we get that madman on the run.’

The house was quiet when Raine left after a quick cup of tea and slice of toast and jam the following morning.

‘I didn’t think you’d have to go this early,’ Ronnie had grumbled.

‘It’s difficult at this time of the year to be sure of transport,’ Raine said. ‘I’d rather be too early.’

There’d been nothing more to say.

‘Don’t look so worried,’ Raine said, giving her a hug at the bus stop. ‘Rusty will keep you company until you go back this afternoon. And about that police visit – forget it. It’s all routine to them. You’re innocent, and they both know it.’ She smiled and gave Ronnie a kiss. ‘They’ll be after Will Drake from now on. Meanwhile, don’t get into any arguments with Maman. It’s not worth it – you know how she likes to win!’ She hugged Ronnie again. ‘Don’t forget to write.’

She was gone in a whirlwind.

Ronnie was thankful to say goodbye to her mother. Simone was looking subdued. At least she had kept to her word and not mentioned the police visit again.