Read Online Rhiannon by Carole Llewellyn - Free Book Online Page B

way.’

    â€˜Well, this is it.’ Frank said, as he led the way onto the platform at Pontrhyl railway station. Rhiannon sensed he was putting on a brave face for her benefit.
    â€˜I’ve never been on a train before,’ Mair squealed.
    â€˜Quite an adventure. I envy you both.’ Frank spoke quietly.
    â€˜As soon as we’re settled you must come to see us,’ Rhiannon enthused. She meant it.
    â€˜I’d like that.’ He bent down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek, ‘And you’d better remember your promise to come and visit, often,’ he whispered in her ear.
    Mair, not wishing to be left out, offered up her cheek for a kiss.
    Frank obliged with a smile.
    As the train slowly moved out Frank raised his hand in a wave. Rhiannon and Mair waved back.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Cardiff railway station was a dark and gloomy place, crowded with people all ignoring each other – not a bit like valley folk.
    Mair reached for Rhiannon’s hand. ‘Do you know the way to the theatre, Rhi?’ She sounded frightened.
    â€˜No. But don’t worry. I’m sure if we ask that station guard over there he’ll direct us.’
    The guard was polite but brusque and left them in no doubt that the Empire Theatre on Queen Street was a good distance away. Without further delay Rhiannon, with their shared suitcase in her hand, led the way out of the station and, as directed, onto St Mary Street. Rhiannon sucked in a breath of cold, damp air. She hoped it wouldn’t rain. Dressed in their Sunday best – grey woollen long-length skirts, high-necked blouses and grey over-jackets – the last thing they needed was to get wet through.
    St Mary Street was wide, straight and very long, flanked either side by impressive large buildings. It was a hub of activity: pavements bustling with shoppers and hawkers, while open-topped trams, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles all vied for position on the road.
    Under normal circumstances they would love to have stopped to take it all in, the wonderful window display of Howells & Co, the entrance to Cardiff market with its impressive stone arch, the old-fashioned tobacconist, with a stuffed grizzly bear just inside the door, would all have to wait for another day.
    They headed north. The road stretched as far as the eye could see. After about a five-minute walk a wide-eyed Mair tugged on Rhiannon’s sleeve. ‘Look, Rhi, there’s Cardiff Castle. It’s so big, so grand and so ... beautiful?’
    Rhiannon nodded her agreement. ‘Ethel said it was a sight to behold, and she was right.’

    â€˜Do you think we might visit it one day? Ethel said it was open to the public on certain days.’
    â€˜We’ll see. Now, come on. I don’t want to be late,’ Rhiannon urged as she led the way across Castle Street, which led to Queen Street – their destination.
    Rhiannon decided it was too much to ask for her sister to maintain her silence of the train journey. Most of the time Mair had sat with her nose pressed against the window enthralled. Rhiannon had welcomed a respite from the twelve-year-old’s inquisitiveness of the night before.
    â€˜What will we do when we get to Cardiff? Are you sure your auntie will take us in? If not, where shall we stay?’ The very same questions Rhiannon had asked herself and more. Was she being foolhardy, leaving her beloved valley on a whim? What would Dad have said?
    Last night she’d avoided having to answer Mair, and had simply said, ‘The sooner you get to sleep the sooner you’ll find out.’
    Â 
    Five minutes later they had their first glimpse of the Empire Theatre. The night before, Ethel Lewis had explained how the original theatre had been destroyed by fire in 1899, to be replaced in 1900 by a bigger and better one which was rightfully the pride of Cardiff.
    Set in the middle of a row of shops, with the Molyneux Shoe Company to its right and a small