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

thoughtful gesture – I’d call it downright stealing.’ She threw Ronnie a firm look. ‘And I was never happy about the marmalade and the coffee. That would have cost an arm and a leg – if you could get your hands on it, that is. And if you did, it would more than likely come from black-marketing practices.’

Ronnie swallowed. She wouldn’t mention the stockings. Jess would pounce on it as evidence Will was mixed up in shady dealings. How could she have been so stupid?

‘From what you told me at the station this afternoon, Dora wants to discourage any connection with him, particularly where the police are involved. But blood’s thicker than water and there’s a bond between a mother and …’ Jessica’s voice shook. A tear ran down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away.

Ronnie glanced at her, concerned. Why was Jess so upset?

Jessica pressed her lips together, then without meeting Ronnie’s eye, she repeated, ‘There’s a bond between a mother and her son that’s difficult to break.’

A terrible thought struck Ronnie. ‘Jess … did you … have you—?’

‘Yes. I had a baby – a little boy.’

Ronnie sprang up and put her arm round her friend. ‘Oh, Jess, what happened to him?’

‘I had to put him up for adoption.’ Jessica bit her lip hard. ‘He was so beautiful. Hair the colour of corn and liquid blue eyes. The spitting image of his father. I was only allowed to keep him for six weeks. But that was enough. I loved him to bits.’ Her voice wobbled.

‘Was … is the father the married man you were in love with?’

‘Yes. I don’t want to go into it, but I’d hate anything similar to happen to you. There’s a part of my heart that will never heal.’ Jessica gazed at Ronnie. ‘I’d understand if you were furious with Will, but I don’t understand it where Michael’s concerned.’

‘Because he didn’t stick up for me. I’ll never forgive him.’

‘Ronnie, he has a career to think about so he daren’t argue. He might be up for promotion and has to keep his nose clean.’

‘So his promotion comes before an innocent person who’s supposed to be a friend gets convicted?’

‘No, I’m not saying that. But what do you think would have happened if Michael had tried to intervene? Do you think his sergeant would say, “Oh, all right, Constable, I’ll listen to you even though you’re way below me in rank. Yes, we’ll forgo our plan to trap Will Drake.” Jessica sent her a stern look. ‘Of course he wouldn’t. This is the real world, Ronnie, and you need to grow up.’

Ronnie knew her face had turned bright red. But not with guilt. With anger that Jess should be talking like this to her. She was terribly sorry about Jess and her baby, but …

‘I don’t mean to sound harsh, Ronnie,’ Jessica went on. ‘You’ve had a ghastly day. But you turned your anger onto the wrong man. Poor Michael. And he did apologise to you afterwards. He’s as genuine as they come – and he likes you so much. Anyone with half an eye can see it. And if I’m not mistaken it goes deeper than that. I’d say he’s head-over-heels in love with you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

Why did her heart just now do a funny little somersault?

‘I’m not,’ Jessica said. ‘I’m older than you, that’s all. But even if he wasn’t in love with you, you still never gave the poor bloke the chance to explain. To defend himself from your accusations. You acted like a kid instead of a grown-up woman. I’m disappointed in you.’ She got up and cleared the table. ‘I don’t want us to fall out over this so let’s forget it and I’ll go and finish supper.’

‘Can I do anything?’

‘No,’ Jessica answered shortly. ‘I’m better doing it on my own.’

Ronnie gave a heavy sigh as she slumped on the plank seat. If only she could put Rusty on a lead and take him for a walk on her own and think about all that Jess had said. Not allowing Michael to have his proper say. And her own muddled angry thoughts. Being away from people is how she’d always tried to work things out in the past. But she was here in a cramped boat, rarely having a moment to herself … through her own choice, she reminded herself crossly.

Was Jess right? Had she been unfair to Michael? She’d been so quick to blame him for the terror she’d felt being in that room, petrified she was going to be clapped in jail. The whole set-up had been concocted by the police and Michael had gone along with it. But that didn’t mean to say that he agreed, an inner voice said. Well, if he didn’t agree then he was weak not to speak up. But Jess didn’t seem to think so.

Ronnie recalled all the times he’d been there to help her, how kind he’d been when he’d had to tell her about Margaret, the way she fitted in his arms at the dance … She swallowed hard. He hadn’t asked for anything in return. Hadn’t tried to frighten her or take advantage of her like … well, like Will. And now she’d hurt Michael by not giving him a chance to defend himself. She hadn’t been brought up like that. The image of Dad slipped into her mind. He was frowning. She knew he would have given her a sharp telling-off.

Suddenly she wanted to see Michael. But it was too late. She had no means of contacting him. And besides … she’d told him as clearly as anyone possibly could that she never wanted to set eyes on him again. And he was a gentleman. He’d have taken her at her word. He must have had an inkling that Will had overstepped the line with her and he wouldn’t want to do anything more to upset her.

Tears welled. She’d spoilt the special friendship she was sure they’d once had.