Read Online The Ribbon Weaver by Rosie Goodwin - Free Book Online Page B

rested on her face. Then, just as quickly, they fluttered shut again, her thrashing about ceased, and still now, she sank back into the pillows.
    Amy was sobbing uncontrollably but to her amazement and disbelief she suddenly heard Bessie laugh.
    ‘Don’t cry, lass,’ she said, pulling Amy into her arms. ‘It’s over. The fever’s broken and she’s come through it. Look – she’s fast asleep!’
    Hardly daring to look, Amy followed her gaze and saw Molly’s old chest rise and fall regularly beneath her nightgown. A huge wave of relief swept through her and now she was laughing and crying and hugging Bessie all at the same time.
    ‘She’s alive,’ she sobbed gleefully as Bessie beamed through her own tears.
    ‘Aye she is, lass,’ she agreed. ‘Mind you, I don’t know now why we was ever worried in the first place. She’s as tough as old boots, is our Molly.’
    By the time Dr Sorrell arrived back that evening, although still very weak, Molly was awake.
    ‘What are you doin’ here?’ she demanded rudely, and they all began to laugh with delight.
    ‘Now we know she’s on the mend,’ grinned Bessie. ‘She’s got her bloody cheek back.’

Chapter Five
     
    The recovery was slow but sure, and after two weeks Molly was well enough to leave her sickbed and sit in her rocking chair for a while. Amy fussed over her, endlessly plying her with drinks and tempting her with tasty titbits to encourage her to eat. Usually an independent soul, Molly grew deeply frustrated and snappy. But Amy endured all her moods without complaint. As long as she could keep her gran, she would have put up with anything.
    Every evening Toby came round and read to them, and Molly looked forward to his visits. Bessie was also a frequent visitor and once, when Amy was out of the room, Molly slipped some coins into her hand.
    ‘Get Amy a birthday present fer me,’ she whispered. ‘I was hoping to buy her a new coat, but what wi’ the doctor’s bills an’ me not bein’ able to work fer a time, that’s all I can manage.’
    Bessie winked, and after shopping about a bit she did Molly proud. She found a slim silver chain bracelet hung with a little engraved heart at a bargain price.
    When Molly gave it to her on Christmas Eve, Amy was absolutely enchanted with it and hugged her gran fiercely, although she scolded her at the same time.
    ‘You shouldn’t have done this, Gran,’ she chided her. ‘You know we’ve got no money coming in at the minute.’
    Molly was indignant. ‘You don’t think I’d let yer birthday pass wi’out even buyin’ you a present, do yer?’ she said, stubborn as ever.
    Amy kissed her cheek tenderly. ‘Oh Gran, I love you so much. I don’t know what I’d ever do without you. But I didn’t need a present. So long as I’ve still got you, I don’t need anything else.’
    A huge lump formed in Molly’s throat, for Amy’s words had touched her deeply.
    Bessie had baked her a cake, covered with fluffy icing, and Amy was delighted with it.
    ‘We’ll save it until tonight when Toby gets here,’ she declared, and sure enough, amidst a merry atmosphere that evening they all had a huge wedge of the delicious treat.
    Toby presented her with a wonderfully bound book all about fashion designs that Amy absolutely loved. By now Molly’s bed had been carried back upstairs, but although she was growing steadily stronger by the day, she still tired easily.
    After they had all washed Bessie’s cake down with a glass of Molly’s home-made wine, Bessie went off home to her own brood, and Molly retired for the night. Amy tucked the blankets about her lovingly.
    ‘Thank you for my bracelet, Gran,’ she whispered, planting a gentle kiss on Molly’s papery cheek. ‘I’ll treasure it always.’
    Molly gazed up at her, pride shining in her eyes. Her girl was teetering on the brink of becoming a woman and it was a frightening thought. When Amy eventually descended the stairs again after making sure that Molly had