Read Online Love or Duty by Roberta Grieve - Free Book Online

the great war, but for some of Holton’s civic buildings too.
    He and his partner, William Spencer, had designed and built the grand new town hall and, together with other businessmen had developed the ramshackle pier into a thriving place of entertainment for the summer visitors . He had also invested heavily in the Winter Gardens with its theatre, dance hall and restaurant. But that seemed to be successful and, as far as Louise knew, there was no reason to think her father would lose money on it. Still, there had been a depression over the past few years and maybe he had lost on some of his other investments.
    There was no doubt something was worrying him. And since his refusal to take on a new cook, as well as the dismissal of poor old Fred, the gardener, Louise had to face up to the fact that her father had financial troubles . She’d never had to worry about money before. They had always been comfortably off, if not rich, and she had never questioned their way of life. Not that money as such was important to her – she wasn’t interested in fashions or holding her own with the social elite of the town – but it meant a lot to Dora, and to a lesser degree, to Sarah.
    She knew that if there was a problem, Father would try to shield his wife from any unpleasantness. She decided to go and meet him from work and try to talk to him away from the house. She went into the kitchen to tell Polly she was going out.
    ‘But what about dinner, Miss?’ Polly asked.
    ‘It’s all under control. I won’t be long and besides, you’ll manage. I have confidence in you, Polly,’ Louise said with a smile.
    Polly blushed. ‘Thank you, Miss.’
    ‘I’m only saying what’s true. I don’t know how we would have managed without you these past few months,’ Louise said. ‘Now, just remember what I told you. If I’m not back in half an hour, put the potatoes on to boil. The rest of the meal is almost ready and won’t hurt if it’s left in the oven a little longer.’ She had made a beef casserole with carrots and onions and the smell from the oven was already making her mouth water.
    ‘What shall I tell the mistress if she asks?’
    ‘Just say I had an errand. But don’t worry – she’s busy writing letters about Miss Sarah’s next concert. That should keep her busy till I get back.’
    Louise put her hat and coat on and slipped out quietly. Instead of turning towards the sea as she usually did when she needed a breath of fresh air, she walked down the avenue and turned the corner towards her father’s office. As she passed the surgery, she thought of Andrew and their brief encounter all those months ago. She had hoped that he would call again but only a couple of days later she heard that he had returned to London.
    With a sigh she tried to concentrate on what she was going to say to her father. It was no good dwelling on her love life – or lack of it. As she’d so often told herself, Andrew wasn’t interested and now, although she knew she would never have agreed, even the prospect of a new life in a new country was denied her. When Keith Willis had left for the mission in Africa he had not even called to say goodbye. Not that I’m bothered, Louise thought. Despite her desire to get away from the little seaside town and lead a more exciting life, she hadn’t been quite desperate enough to put up with Keith’s sanctimonious ways, not to mention having to endure his wet mouth on hers and his clammy hands pawing her body.
    She squared her shoulders and plastered a smile on her face before going in to see her father. As she walked up the steps and entered the premises of Charlton and Spencer, a door slammed and James Spencer rushed through the reception area, barely acknowledging her.
    He had been with the firm for over a year now and was supposed to be learning the business. Louise knew that, although William Spencer had hopes of James taking over from him one day, her own father wasn’t too sure.
    ‘Young James