A Rebel at Pennington’s by Rachel Brimble

Author:Rachel Brimble [Brimble, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2018-12-19T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Five

Esther pushed her key into the lock of her aunt’s house and stopped, her fingers tightly clutching the brass. She closed her eyes and mustered the strength to get through another night filled with disappointed glances and disparaging words. Despite Elizabeth’s coaxing for Esther to call on Lawrence, the day had been frantic when a little boy got loose of his mother and decided it would be fun to rearrange as many mannequins’ hats and jewellery as possible before one of the security watchmen scooped him up.

Kicking and screaming, the boy had been carried throughout the atrium until a member of staff finally located his mother, only for her to promptly lay the blame on Pennington’s. Esther had quite happily taken her to Joseph’s office. The man was famed for his charm and charisma… even in the most ridiculous of situations.

After having to go around the store and undo the mess the young boy had made, Esther was dead on her feet. But she would do her utmost to see Lawrence tomorrow. Elizabeth was right. It was up to Esther to forge the life she wanted. Not bury her feelings and not run away.

She inhaled a long breath and pushed open the door. She walked into the hallway and removed her hat, placing it on a small side table before unbuttoning her coat. ‘I’m home, Aunt Mary. Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘If I wanted tea, I would’ve made it myself. Why on earth are you home so late?’

Rolling her eyes, Esther counted to ten as she took the same number of steps towards the parlour. She stepped into the room and met her aunt’s steely gaze from where she sat in front of the fireplace, her knitting on her lap.

Esther sighed. ‘I’m really busy organising things for the Coronation display. I’ll most likely be home later than usual every night for the remainder of the week, I’m afraid.’

‘And what do you suggest I do as I sit here alone night after night?’ She picked up her knitting, her brow furrowed as she studied the stitches. ‘You know full well Veronica leaves the house at six o’clock every evening, regardless if I need her to stay.’

Convinced her aunt’s maid left on time every evening in desperation to be away from her employer, Esther held every sympathy for the girl. ‘I’m sure she has plans most evenings and you were out with Viola for the last two. Why don’t you arrange a dinner with Win next door? I’m sure she’d welcome an evening out.’

‘I don’t want to see Winifred Roberts any more than I already do, thank you very much.’

Biting back a retort that she was sure their next-door neighbour tolerated her aunt in much the same way, Esther forced a smile. ‘Well, anyway, it is only seven o’clock. Why don’t we play some cards? I’ll just make myself a quick sandwich and then we can play until you’re tired.’

‘I haven’t got time to play cards. I need to get this blanket done so I can take it to the Salvation Army tomorrow.

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