Read Online A Sister's Shame by Carol Rivers - Free Book Online Page B

Marie insisted. ‘We were practising in our bedroom.’
    ‘It was very underhand of you to go behind my back.’
    ‘Only because we knew you’d object,’ Vesta cried angrily. ‘We’re eighteen now and can do as we please.’
    ‘Not in this house, you can’t,’ Ada said as Hector strode in.
    ‘What’s going on?’ he asked, looking from one to the other as he heard the last of Ada’s words.
    ‘Your daughters will tell you.’
    Marie knew that, as far as Hector was concerned, they could do no wrong. Vesta knew this too, and immediately turned on the tears. ‘Mum’s being horrible.’
    ‘Now, now,’ Hector soothed, threading an arm around Vesta’s shoulders as she lifted a handkerchief to her eyes. ‘What’s this all about, Ada?’
    ‘A storm in a teacup,’ said Ada, waving her hand, ‘but no doubt your presence will make it worse.’
    Hector looked under his bushy eyebrows. ‘Come along, Ada, this just needs a little discussion.’
    ‘My answer is no,’ Ada said firmly. ‘They want to go off to this club that we don’t know anything about. It could turn out to be a den of thieves, for all we
know.’
    Hector frowned at his wife. ‘What club?’
    Ada became flushed. ‘Somewhere called the Duke’s. Now don’t go on about it as you’ll only encourage them. They ain’t old enough to go gallivanting round
dives.’
    Hector let out a long sigh. ‘Ada, our girls have been singing and dancing since they were old enough to walk.’
    ‘Not in clubs, they haven’t.’
    ‘This is our big chance, Dad,’ Vesta told him eagerly, the tears shining in her eyes. ‘We’ll never get another one like it. Teddy’s got an audition lined up for us
at the Duke’s. It’s a real posh club and the owners will only audition good acts.’
    ‘Is that so?’ His eyebrows lifted and he nodded to the shopping. ‘Well, give your mother a chance to think about it. I can see she’s only just come in and could do with a
nice cuppa.’
    Marie knew her father was trying to smooth things over. With his walrus moustache and dark hair, only very slightly going grey, he looked very distinguished. He had an upright bearing and
booming voice that could be dramatic one minute and quite normal the next, a legacy of the years he had spent touring the country.
    ‘Tea won’t make the slightest bit of difference,’ said Ada, throwing him a stony look. ‘I won’t change my mind.’
    ‘Ada, love—’ Hector began, but quickly stopped as Ada’s warning gaze landed on him. He turned to Vesta and said meekly, ‘Your mother is the voice of reason
here.’
    Ada seemed satisfied and nodded. ‘You already have a good job, Vesta. You don’t want another one.’
    ‘I hate the factory!’ exclaimed Vesta angrily. ‘Can’t you see how unhappy I am there? Every moment I’m at Ellisdon’s, I long to be away from it. And now I
could be. It’s my one chance. Well, it’s
our
chance,’ Vesta corrected, looking at Marie. ‘We have decent voices and can dance, and it would be no problem entertaining
people. After all, that’s what Dad is, an entertainer!’
    Hector smiled at the compliment. He patted his daughter’s shoulder. ‘Yes, it does seem to run in the family, Ada. Just look at our daughters! They’re beautiful and talented.
They could have fine careers ahead of them if only we—’
    ‘Hector!’ Ada interrupted, her face now going red. ‘Just tell me this. Who are these Scoresby brothers? Why should they be interested in two young girls who have never done
anything professionally? Why don’t they employ experienced people if they want new acts? Oh, it’s no use – why can’t you see the dangers?’ She took in a sharp breath
and placed her hands over her mouth. Her eyes went to the faces around her and then, turning sharply, she ran from the room. Everyone heard the bedroom door slam.
    Hector gave a deep sigh. ‘I’d better go after her.’
    But Vesta caught his arm. ‘Why can’t Mum encourage us,