Read Online Two Strangers by Beryl Matthews - Free Book Online Page B

and is sure you will be angry at his deception. He expects to be turned out again.’
    ‘Never!’ Flo and Bob said together.
    ‘We have plans, and that includes all of us – even you, Harry.’
    ‘Uh-oh, I don’t like the sound of this, but tell me anyway.’ Harry listened intently while Bob explained about the new shop.
    ‘That’s a wonderful idea.’ Harry was nodding enthusiastically. ‘And I’ll certainly help you out for a while if you’re stuck, Bob. Explain all that to … er … Jim, as soon as possible.’
    ‘We intend to.’ Flo listened as the door downstairs opened and closed. ‘Change the subject now. He’s back.’
    Flo and Bob smiled at each other when they heard Vicki running up the stairs, full of life and energy. They well remembered when every step had been an effort. They had longed to help, but the determination on her face told them not to. She had been fighting to hide her weakness as much as possible, and they had watched with admiration as she struggled. Now it was a joy to them to see the difference.

    ‘Hope I’m not late, Mrs Howard?’ Vicki burst into the room, cheeks glowing from the cold wind blowing that day. ‘The market was so crowded you could hardly move.’
    ‘Lunch won’t be for another half an hour yet, and Harry will be joining us.’
    Vicki nodded. ‘Hello, sir. It’s chilly out there, but it hasn’t stopped people doing their shopping.’
    ‘I expect they’re all rushing to buy their last-minute gifts. Did you manage to get what you wanted?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’ Vicki smiled, and then turned her attention to Flo, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘I saw a girl with an amazing haircut. It was very short, perfectly straight, and framing her face. Like this.’ She tried to pull her own hair into the shape, and giggled. ‘My hair is too wavy to show you, but it was almost like a cap, and so black it shone blue in the pale sunlight. She looked beautiful.’
    ‘I think I know what you mean, but will you draw it for me? Then we can try it out on one of our clients.’
    Vicki nodded excitedly. ‘I’ll do that. Can I help you with lunch?’
    ‘Thank you.’ She smiled fondly. ‘What would we do without you? You’ve become part of our family now. It was a lucky day for us when you walked into the shop.’
    ‘I was the lucky one,’ Vicki said, her voice husky with emotion. She remembered that day so well. ‘You gave me a chance, and I’ll always be grateful to you for that.’
    ‘Ah, you don’t owe us a thing,’ Bob said. ‘You’ve worked hard, and we’re going to promote you next year.’
    ‘Oh.’ Vicki stopped what she was doing and spun round quickly.
    ‘Yes.’ Bob was smiling broadly. ‘We’re opening a ladies’ salon in the shop next door, and we want you to be Flo’s assistant.’
    ‘But … but …’ Vicki looked from one to the other and then said in a whisper, ‘Won’t you want a girl for that, Mrs Howard?’

    ‘What I need is you. You have a real flair for ladies hair, and I’ll train you to become a stylist.’
    Tears began to stream silently down Vicki’s face.
    ‘What’s the matter, dear?’ Flo asked anxiously. ‘Don’t you want to do that? You can stay in the barber’s if you’d rather.’
    ‘Oh, no, it isn’t that. I would love to work with you and learn how to become a good ladies’ hairdresser, but I don’t deserve to be given such a job.’
    ‘Now, that isn’t true,’ Bob declared. ‘You’ve earned the chance. What on earth makes you believe you don’t deserve it?’
    Vicki looked down at the floor, unable to meet their eyes. ‘Because I’ve been lying to you all the time. I intended to tell you after Christmas, but this changes everything. I wanted a few more happy weeks before you threw me out.’
    ‘Nothing you’ve done will every make us do that.’ Bob was on his feet now and made Vicki sit down. ‘Why don’t you tell us what’s troubling you?’
    Wiping the tears away from her cheeks, she