Read Online Darkest Before Dawn by Gwen Kirkwood - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Gwen Kirkwood
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yet.’
Billy’s mouth tightened and his brows came down in a scowl when Kimberley caught her breath in a gasp. All he wanted was to be normal, but he knew his mother was right, it would be more convenient for them to come to Martinwold. He would never be normal again as far as girls were concerned, he thought dejectedly. That was probably the reason Fenella Lennox had made no effort to see him again. He looked up at the light touch of Kimberley’s fingers on the back of his hand.
‘That must have been a terrible ordeal, and so painful,’ she said softly. ‘We didn’t know. We don’t want to be a nuisance, only….’ She chewed her lip. ‘I feel quite nervous about going to a larger school andof course I have such a different accent. I suppose some of the girls will mock me for that.’
‘The Academy is a mixed school.’ He looked at her thick shining hair. ‘I guarantee that for every girl who mocks there’ll be a boy who admires you.’ Billy’s own eyes widened as soon as the words were out. The girl was only twelve, for goodness’ sake. Whatever had possessed him to speak his thoughts aloud?
‘Thank you for saying that. It would be a relief if some of them are friendly.’
‘I don’t think you need to worry, but I’ll ask a few people I know. I’m sure at least one must have a younger sister starting at the Academy after the summer.’
‘That would be so good, if I knew even one familiar face.’
So it was arranged that Ellen Wilshaw and her niece would come to lunch the following Sunday before they returned to Gloucestershire. Rosemary was pleased when Alex agreed to join them. It was good to see him and Sam getting back to their old friendly rivalry without the tensions and undercurrents which had spoiled their relationship. Alex would have an opportunity to buy Bengairney now and he admitted he was lucky to be in a position to do so, thanks to the generous price Sam had paid when he bought out his share in Martinwold.
When Sunday came it was even more surprising to both Rosemary and Sam to witness the ease with which Alex and Ellen Wilshaw conversed over lunch. During the conversation it became clear they had already had two meetings at Bengairney since the day of the funeral.
Billy felt almost avuncular towards twelve-year-old Kimberley and he answered her questions patiently. He promised to introduce her to some of the teachers and friends he had known when she and her aunt returned to Scotland.
‘Fenella Lennox is still at the Academy so she would have been a good person to show you round and introduce you to people but my family and hers are not in contact anymore,’ he said. ‘Her brother was my best friend. He was killed in the car accident when I lost my leg.’ His mouth tightened. He knew the Lennox household were going through a miserable time but he thought Fenella could have managed to see him somehow, if she had really wanted to. He had a feeling she would not be the first, or the last, girl to cast him aside once they knew he was a cripple. His mother kept telling him he was not a cripple but she didn’t know how he felt, or how much Fenella’s desertion fretted him.
Rosemary felt embarrassed when Ellen Wilshaw insisted on helping her to carry dishes back to the kitchen and clear away the meal.
‘It’s a long time since I lived the grand life, Rosemary. Who do you think does it when I’m at home?’ Ellen asked with a laugh. ‘Anyway, isn’t this the time when confidences are exchanged, over the dirty dishes?’
‘I suppose it used to be,’ Rosemary admitted. ‘I have a dishwasher for most of the dishes now and I will leave the roasting tins until later, but you can come and help me make some coffee, if you like,’ she added, glancing at Billy and Kimberley, deep in conversation. ‘Take Kimberley through to the sitting room, Billy. Doyou want coffee now, Sam, or are you and Alex going out for a walk round the animals first?’
‘Oh, we’ll have a walk
Billy’s mouth tightened and his brows came down in a scowl when Kimberley caught her breath in a gasp. All he wanted was to be normal, but he knew his mother was right, it would be more convenient for them to come to Martinwold. He would never be normal again as far as girls were concerned, he thought dejectedly. That was probably the reason Fenella Lennox had made no effort to see him again. He looked up at the light touch of Kimberley’s fingers on the back of his hand.
‘That must have been a terrible ordeal, and so painful,’ she said softly. ‘We didn’t know. We don’t want to be a nuisance, only….’ She chewed her lip. ‘I feel quite nervous about going to a larger school andof course I have such a different accent. I suppose some of the girls will mock me for that.’
‘The Academy is a mixed school.’ He looked at her thick shining hair. ‘I guarantee that for every girl who mocks there’ll be a boy who admires you.’ Billy’s own eyes widened as soon as the words were out. The girl was only twelve, for goodness’ sake. Whatever had possessed him to speak his thoughts aloud?
‘Thank you for saying that. It would be a relief if some of them are friendly.’
‘I don’t think you need to worry, but I’ll ask a few people I know. I’m sure at least one must have a younger sister starting at the Academy after the summer.’
‘That would be so good, if I knew even one familiar face.’
So it was arranged that Ellen Wilshaw and her niece would come to lunch the following Sunday before they returned to Gloucestershire. Rosemary was pleased when Alex agreed to join them. It was good to see him and Sam getting back to their old friendly rivalry without the tensions and undercurrents which had spoiled their relationship. Alex would have an opportunity to buy Bengairney now and he admitted he was lucky to be in a position to do so, thanks to the generous price Sam had paid when he bought out his share in Martinwold.
When Sunday came it was even more surprising to both Rosemary and Sam to witness the ease with which Alex and Ellen Wilshaw conversed over lunch. During the conversation it became clear they had already had two meetings at Bengairney since the day of the funeral.
Billy felt almost avuncular towards twelve-year-old Kimberley and he answered her questions patiently. He promised to introduce her to some of the teachers and friends he had known when she and her aunt returned to Scotland.
‘Fenella Lennox is still at the Academy so she would have been a good person to show you round and introduce you to people but my family and hers are not in contact anymore,’ he said. ‘Her brother was my best friend. He was killed in the car accident when I lost my leg.’ His mouth tightened. He knew the Lennox household were going through a miserable time but he thought Fenella could have managed to see him somehow, if she had really wanted to. He had a feeling she would not be the first, or the last, girl to cast him aside once they knew he was a cripple. His mother kept telling him he was not a cripple but she didn’t know how he felt, or how much Fenella’s desertion fretted him.
Rosemary felt embarrassed when Ellen Wilshaw insisted on helping her to carry dishes back to the kitchen and clear away the meal.
‘It’s a long time since I lived the grand life, Rosemary. Who do you think does it when I’m at home?’ Ellen asked with a laugh. ‘Anyway, isn’t this the time when confidences are exchanged, over the dirty dishes?’
‘I suppose it used to be,’ Rosemary admitted. ‘I have a dishwasher for most of the dishes now and I will leave the roasting tins until later, but you can come and help me make some coffee, if you like,’ she added, glancing at Billy and Kimberley, deep in conversation. ‘Take Kimberley through to the sitting room, Billy. Doyou want coffee now, Sam, or are you and Alex going out for a walk round the animals first?’
‘Oh, we’ll have a walk
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