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

while conscious of Michael close behind her, stroking Lucky’s ears, making her purr.

‘How much sugar?’ she asked as she set a mug of tea in front of him with a clatter. A little spilt over the edge.

He shook his head. ‘None, thanks. I gave it up when rationing started.’ He took a sip of tea, then put the mug down. ‘Ronnie, I’m sorry I had to treat you so formally at the station.’

‘You could’ve given me some sort of sign that you were sorry to see me there, at least,’ she flashed. ‘Why didn’t you?’

‘I couldn’t risk it. Inspector Jackson has eyes in the back of his head. He already suspects I know you a little more than in routine police work, so I knew I’d have to be extra careful.’ He hesitated. ‘The thing is … I knew you were being used.’

Ronnie’s back stiffened. ‘What do you mean?’

‘When he asked you to go with him to the station to help with further enquiries it was Dora he really wanted to interrogate – not you. He knew you were underage and it was natural that she’d go with you. Then she’d confirm what we already suspected about Will, but we needed her to admit the relationship and that she wasn’t going to cover up for him. Jackson was convinced that Dora knew about the kind of rackets her son was in, though we had no evidence, but he wanted to scare her into thinking she’d be dragged into Will’s criminal activities, which would be the last thing she’d want. He knew she’d already spent time in jail.’

‘So why was I there if the inspector knew I was innocent?’

Michael cleared his throat. ‘So you’d be right in front of Dora. She’d have to look you in the eye – a frightened girl – and he hoped she’d have enough decency not to drag you into this mess and would come out with the truth.’

Ronnie swallowed hard.

‘So the police used me as a pawn?’

‘If you put it like that – yes.’

A fury as she’d never known shot through her body. She stared at him without blinking. This was far worse than she’d imagined. How could he sit there and tell her Inspector Jackson’s twisted plan in this calm way? Why the hell hadn’t he warned her?

‘Ronnie, what is it?’ He tried to pick up her hand but she snatched it away.

‘Leave me alone!’ she rounded on him, her eyes blazing. ‘Do you realise what you’ve put me through? Thinking I was going to have to ring my mother and sisters and tell them I’d been detained in a police station …’ Tears streamed down her cheeks. ‘Then face court and maybe even a prison sentence? I was petrified that’s what they’d do to me. And all the time you knew.’

‘That would never have happened—’ Michael started.

She put her head in her hands, the tears spilling through her fingers. She felt Michael’s hand on her shoulder and jerked her head up.

‘Just go!’ she shouted. ‘I never want to see you again!’

She heard him give a heavy sigh.

‘If that’s what you really want, but you might let me explain—’

She sprang up to face him. ‘You’ve already given me an explanation. It wasn’t good enough.’

He nodded. She turned her back and heard the hatch slide open, then close.

The only sound was Lucky, still purring contentedly on her cushion.

Chapter Thirty-Six

‘What’s the matter, Ronnie?’ Jessica immediately asked when she and Angela came through the hatch.

‘Nothing.’ Ronnie pushed back her curls and gave Jessica a wan smile.

‘Something or someone’s made your eyes all red and puffy.’

Ronnie sent her a warning look. She didn’t want to discuss anything in front of Angela.

‘Why’ve you two been gone such a long time?’ Angela demanded. She narrowed her eyes. ‘Miss Dummitt was very mysterious just now, but said you had the post.’ Her gaze darted to the table and she pounced on the package and shook out the individual envelopes.

‘I suppose you’ve already helped yourself to yours,’ she said. ‘Never mind the rest of us.’

‘Oh, do shut up, Angela,’ Jessica said irritably, turning to Ronnie. ‘Was there anything for me?’

‘Yes, a couple,’ Ronnie said, keeping her eye on Angela who was looking through the post again.

‘Here are yours, Jessica,’ Angela said curtly, pushing the two envelopes into Jessica’s hand. ‘I’d better take these over to the others. They’ve been waiting ages.’

She disappeared through the hatch.

‘Good riddance,’ Jessica said. ‘I really can’t stand that woman. I think I’ll have to speak to Dora again about swapping.’

‘Don’t you go and leave me with her,’ Ronnie said.

‘I don’t mean that,’ Jessica grinned. ‘I mean swap her for a nicer model.’

Ronnie forced a smile.

‘I know it’s way past teatime but I’m putting the kettle on.’ She gave Ronnie a sharp glance. ‘You look all done in. Have you had one this afternoon?’

‘No, I’m dying for one.’

‘Coming up.’

Ronnie ripped open the letter from her sister. She pulled out a sheet of paper, written in Suzanne’s neat hand on both sides.

Dearest Ronnie,

I hope this finds you well and they’re not working you too hard. It was such a shame I couldn’t see you when you had a few days at home but by the time I’d got there I’d have to turn round and go back again. I’m longing to hear about your adventures on the boats and if you’ve really taken to it. Also what the other girls are like. Do you all get along nicely with one another?

Maman told me something rather worrying in her last letter. She said the police came when you were home, asking questions about stolen goods and cameras. What was that all about? She sounded very upset.

Ronnie bit her lip. Not half so upset as she’d be if she’d known about this afternoon. She was determined never to let her know such an interview had taken place. She read on.

Anyway, I expect it was simply routine but do be careful, Ronnie. You can be a bit headstrong sometimes!

Ronnie lifted