Read Online Come Home Soon by Emily Sharratt - Free Book Online Page A

had a scholarship, which was why she’d stayed on as long as she had. But her earnings were now needed to support her family; Mabel and Jack’s wages just didn’t stretch far enough, and Joe’s never seemed to make it home from the pub.
    â€œYou’ve got a nerve, Ellie Phillips!” Anna’s fists, clenched against her hips, were so tight that her knuckles showed white.
    â€œWhat—”
    â€œJust like your father, you are. Sticking your beak into things that don’t concern you!”
    â€œI don’t understand. . .”
    Anna was smaller than Ellie, but that made her no less formidable. Ellie looked around, but Miss Smith was in the neighbouring classroom, talking to Mr Thompson. The few girls who were left in the classroom were looking on curiously.
    â€œWhat business is it of yours if I drop out of school? Where is the shame in working to feed your own family? We can’t all be as lucky as you, Lady Muck! Some of us have never had a maid, however hard-done-by you must feel now you’ve lost yours.”
    Ellie wanted to speak but instead the words stuck in her throat and she felt choked. Most of the girls had drifted out by now, some looking awkwardly over their shoulders as they went, but one or two had hung back, clearly still enjoying the entertainment.
    â€œAnd another thing! You can stay away from our Jack; He’s a good person; he doesn’t need the likes of you—”
    â€œWhat’s going on in here?” Miss Smith was back. “Oh, hello, Anna. It’s good to see you again. Is everything all right?”
    â€œFine, thanks, miss,” Anna replied with a tight smile. “Just delivering a message for my mam. Best be off back to the shop.”
    She stormed out without so much as a glance in Ellie’s direction.
    â€œWell, you’ve certainly managed to tick her off!” Rosemary remarked.
    Ellie felt tears starting to fill her eyes once again. She was not normally much of a crier, but these days she was rarely dry-eyed. Grabbing her bag, she ran from the room and into the yard, where she threw herself on to her bicycle and pedalled with all her might. The slow pounding of blood in her ears almost seemed to drown out the creaking of the wheels and the crashing of the waves along the seafront.
    She couldn’t believe Jack had spoken to Anna about their argument – had told her what she’d said! Her stomach rolled and for a moment she thought she would be sick. Surely Jack knew that she didn’t mean it – at least, not the way it had come out? Now Anna hated her and maybe Jack did too. Maybe she deserved it.
    Â 
    That Saturday afternoon, Ellie played cards with her mother in the living room while Charlie happily marched his toy soldiers at their feet. It was rare that Josephine was willing to participate in a shared activity such as this, let alone suggest it, but as Ellie had brought Charlie downstairs after his nap, her mother had all but pounced on her.
    â€œYou’ve been moping around for days now – weeks! Whatever it is, dwelling on it won’t help. I always find the best thing is to keep busy.”
    Ellie thought bitterly of her mother’s many hours spent shut away in a darkened bedroom, but she kept quiet. It was an unfamiliar but not unpleasant experience for her mother to be taking an interest. She would not be the one to ruin it.
    And in a way, her mother was right. The game was a distraction from the many thoughts running through her mind, even if Mother didn’t seem to feel the need for much conversation.
    A sudden hammering at the front door startled them. Mother and daughter looked at each other in surprise for a moment, before Ellie leapt to her feet.
    Opening the front door, she saw Jack. The familiar warm feeling spread through her before she noticed his distraught expression.
    â€œJack—”
    â€œOh, Ellie, please help. You’ve got to!