An Orphan's Winter by Sheila Jeffries

Author:Sheila Jeffries [Jeffries, Sheila]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Chapter 13

A Crack of Sunlight

Jenny felt she couldn’t take any more. Losing Warren was bad enough, but now Lottie hadn’t come home. It was nine o’clock, twilight on a summer evening, a lone star shining over the sea, not a breath of wind. Nan went to bed, exhausted, and so did Tom. Jenny was left alone, sitting on the doorstep, stunned by the emptiness of the night. Was she the only one who cared about Warren? She felt abandoned, even by the cats. Bessie slept on Tom’s bed and Bartholomew always followed Nan upstairs. A barn owl circled, turning its black eyes to look at Jenny each time it floated by on silent wings.

When the phone rang, Jenny nearly fell off the doorstep. She scrambled up and hobbled into the hall to answer it, her heart pounding with hope and fear. ‘Hello. This is Jenny.’

‘Hello, Jenny dear.’ John’s calm voice was very welcome.

‘Oh – John. What is it?’

‘It’s Lottie. She’s quite all right, don’t worry. But she won’t be back tonight. You know she’s with Matt on the boat – don’t you?’

‘Yes, Nan told me.’

‘I was having a pint in The Sloop,’ John said, ‘and Ken came looking for me. Matt sent a message with one of the fishermen to say they have decided to stay out there on the boat. It’s a lovely calm night.’

Jenny battled with relief and anger. She didn’t want to vent her feelings on John. ‘Lottie did ask me, weeks ago, if she could have a little holiday and stay on the boat with Matt. Nan and I both said no and she didn’t mention it again – but she’s a strong-willed girl, isn’t she?’

‘She certainly is. I had a taste of it on the ship,’ John said. ‘But is it such a bad thing? She’s young and she’s been studying so diligently, and it will do her good, a little adventure – and spending time with Matt. He seems very capable to me.’

Jenny managed to stop herself from snorting.

‘You’ve gone quiet,’ John said, his voice kind. ‘Are you not happy about it?’

Breathe, Jenny thought. Pull yourself together and breathe. You are not going to rant down the phone at John.

‘Jenny?’

‘Yes, I’m still here.’

‘You’re upset, my dear, I can tell. Shall I come over?’

‘No, John, it’s nice of you, but it’s late. Nan’s gone to bed and so has Tom. I was sitting on the doorstep, worrying.’

‘Jenny, I’ve got a bicycle, with a light, believe it or not. I can be with you in ten minutes,’ John said firmly. ‘Put the phone down and make some cocoa. I’m on my way. No argument.’ There was a click and Jenny was left looking at a silent phone.

Don’t panic. Make cocoa.

At least she knew where Lottie was. She went inside to the kitchen where the gas light was still burning. She tried to make cocoa. Overwhelming, powerful feelings streamed through her mind as if trying to funnel through a bottleneck. A voice echoed in her head. She’d

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