Read Online Promise Made by Linda Sole - Free Book Online Page A

rich as Sam Danby.’ She smiled to show that she was merely teasing. ‘Seriously, Dan. I’d like to help if I can.’
    â€˜Thanks, love,’ Daniel said. ‘I shall remember if I’m desperate, but I had some back pay owing when I was demobbed, and that will tide us through for the moment. Alice’s father has given us some money towards the house – he promised that when we married. We’re putting down a hundred pounds and I’ll manage to pay the rest off a bit at a time. Jack Martin has offered me a gentleman’s agreement. He’s a friend of Dad’s from way back, but you might not know him?’ Emily shook her head. ‘Well, he offered and I accepted. We don’t need to go to the bank for a mortgage, because he’s the sort you can trust.’
    Emily was about to say that she would lend him whatever he needed to settle his debt now, but the door opened and Mary, Henry’s wife, came in, leading Robert by the hand. She was a plump woman with dark hair, never pretty but with a smile that made you feel warm right through.
    â€˜This young man wanted his mummy,’ she said and smiled at Emily. ‘I hope you’ve finished those books now, Emily. I’ve put the kettle on and we can all have a nice cup of tea.’
    â€˜Yes, I’ve finished,’ Emily said and bent down to scoop Robert up in her arms. ‘And after we’ve had our tea, I think I shall take Robbie to see the calves. You would like that, wouldn’t you, my darling?’
    â€˜Can we go now?’ Robert asked and patted his mother’s face with slightly grubby hands. ‘Want to see the bull too.’
    â€˜Well, I’m not sure about that,’ Emily said laughing. ‘But we’ll see what Uncle Henry says later . . .’
    â€˜I’m sorry, Fran darling,’ Marcus said when he came in that morning. ‘I know what I said to you last night was inexcusable – but I hope you will forgive me? I was upset about something, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.’
    He moved towards her with the intention of kissing her. Frances turned her cheek, still angry with him.
    â€˜That was a disgusting thing you said to me last night. I am not sure I can forgive you, Marcus.’
    â€˜I can’t remember exactly what I said.’ Marcus ran his fingers through his thick dark hair. ‘I know it must have been pretty bad for you to lock me out like that – and I do apologize. I had things on my mind, Fran . . .’
    â€˜Well, let’s forget it,’ Frances said, because she didn’t want to carry on the quarrel. ‘But please don’t drink so much, Marcus. It upsets me – and it frightens me too. You’re not the same when you’ve had a lot to drink. You’re more like your father . . .’
    â€˜God forbid!’ Marcus cried and there was an expression in his eyes that shocked her. ‘I’d rather be dead than turn out like him, Fran.’ He saw her startled look of surprise and laughed harshly. ‘I never did like him much – but to tell the truth I can’t stand to be near him these days. When I think of what he’s done . . .’
    â€˜What has he done, Marcus?’
    Marcus shook his head, his expression one of distaste. ‘You don’t want to know, Fran. Just be careful of him if he comes round when I’m not home.’
    â€˜You don’t need to warn me about that,’ Frances said. ‘He is always giving me looks . . . touching me. I haven’t wanted to tell you, because I didn’t want to cause trouble between you.’
    Marcus laughed again, but there was no humour in his eyes. ‘We’ve had an almighty row. I doubt if he will come round for a while – but if he upsets you again, tell me. I would rather he didn’t come, but I suppose I can’t cut him off altogether, because of