Read Online Fraser's Line by Monica Carly - Free Book Online

been aware that this was the subject of much publicity. It had featured on ‘Watchdog’ and Fraser felt sure banks had been warned to be on the alert if an elderly client came in to draw out a large sum of money, accompanied by a rough trader, standing as discreetly in the background as possible. The damage was now done, and the important thing was not to upset his mother. At the same time he must try to get through to her that she should really leave everything to him. He knew she hated to be a nuisance, but he did not view it that way at all.
    When he went back inside Marjorie seemed to have nodded off in her chair. The sound of his entry roused her. ‘What did you think?’ she asked anxiously.
    ‘I can see the new tiles he’s put there, and everything seems to be in order,’ Fraser replied. ‘If anything else comes up that you think needs doing, mother, I would be really happy if you let me know. I hate to think of you managing things like this on your own.’
    She smiled. ‘What a comfort you are to me,’ she said. ‘Margaret sorts me out very efficiently, but I don’t feel very comfortable during the process. I don’t know why – I know she means well. Let’s have some lunch now. I’m feeling a bit tired. Celia bought some nice ham, and some cheese and rolls for us. Will that be enough for you?’
    ‘Certainly it will.’ He worried that she was looking pale. ‘Don’t you move. I’ll bring it in. At least my culinary skills won’t be put to the test, which is just as well. I’d no idea there was such a knack to cooking sausages. I burnt mine horribly.’
    ‘You must have had the heat up too high.’
    ‘Yes, I know that now. Everyone else seems to have got there ahead of me.’
    He carried the lunch in, and helped her up to the table. He was horrified at the smallness of the portion she took, and was aware that although her knife and fork were quite busy on the plate, very little seemed to be getting conveyed to her mouth.
    When he had cleared lunch away he asked her what the other thing she wanted to tell him was.
    ‘I wanted to show you some old photos,’ she said, ‘and some papers. But oh dear, Fraser, I’m so sorry. I feel rather tired. I don’t think I can manage it. Perhaps if I just have a little sleep first.’ She looked distressed and suddenly very old. Fraser sat her in her chair and gently placed her blanket over her lap.
    ‘There, Mother, there’s nothing to worry about. Nothing at all. You just have a rest, and we won’t try to do anything more today. I’ll leave you in peace now, but I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll come again next weekend, next Saturday – I promise. You try and rest over the next few days, and we can do everything you want then. Will that be alright?’
    ‘Oh, could you really? Are you sure you have the time? I’m so sorry. Fraser. So very sorry.’
‘Nothing to be sorry for,’ he replied, kissing her gently. ‘Just rest, and I’ll see you again very soon. Goodbye for now, and look after yourself.’
    ‘Goodbye, darling Fraser,’ she said. ‘Goodbye.’
Chapter 7
    Joanna did not wake up early on Monday morning, which was hardly surprising as she had not set her alarm clock the night before. What was the point? With no job to provide an incentive it was not easy to summon up the enthusiasm to start another day. It was a vicious circle, really, because she lacked the motivation to look for a job, and without a job there was no real reason to function on all cylinders first thing in the morning.
    The trouble was, she thought, it wasn’t easy deciding which sort of job to go for. Up to now she’d managed to have enough income not to have to bother immediately – giving her plenty of time to think about it. That source had now, of course, dried up, forcing her to think again. Should she just look for something to fill in for a bit, or should she seriously consider getting on the rung of some sort of career ladder? If so, which ladder?
    If