Beyond This Broken Sky: A completely heartbreaking and unforgettable WW2 historical novel by Siobhan Curham

Author:Siobhan Curham [Curham, Siobhan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B ookouture

* * *

As soon as they were settled in Claridge’s with a pot of tea and a silver stand of cakes, Kitty cleared her throat and looked at Ruby nervously.

‘Can I ask you a question?’ she said quietly.

‘Of course.’

Kitty’s cheeks flushed slightly. ‘How do you – how do you find it so easy – to get along with men?’

‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Ruby thought for a moment. ‘Maybe it’s because I got on so well with my papa. And then I had to deal with the insufferable Rupert throughout my entire childhood – my honorary brother,’ she explained. Ruby looked at Kitty curiously. ‘Why do you ask? Is it something you wish you could do?’

‘Oh no – no, no, no,’ Kitty stammered. But Ruby couldn’t help thinking she was protesting too much.

‘Not all men are like Reg, you know,’ she said gently.

They fell silent for a moment and Ruby topped up Kitty’s cup of tea.

‘I never knew my dad,’ Kitty said softly. ‘He left when I was just a baby. Reg is the only man I’ve ever been with. We met in school.’

Ruby had to fight to stop herself from gasping at the horror of Kitty’s predicament. She fortified herself with a mouthful of scone before responding. ‘Oh, my dear, that’s like confining yourself to eating gruel when there’s a whole smorgasbord of exotic meats on offer.’

‘A what board?’

‘Smorgasbord. It’s Swedish,’ Ruby explained. ‘It means a buffet of delicious treats. Just like this cake stand.’ She picked up the silver tongs and plonked a scone onto Kitty’s plate. ‘Just because he’s the only man you’ve ever been with it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.’

‘But he’s my husband.’

‘He’s a bully.’ Ruby looked at Kitty anxiously. She hadn’t meant to speak so harshly about Reg, the word had just blurted out.

But rather than looking upset, Kitty nodded. ‘I know,’ she said, picking at the hem of the tablecloth.

‘I’ve heard how he talks to you,’ Ruby said, deciding to bite the bullet. ‘I mean, I don’t hear exactly what he says, but I hear his shouting through my ceiling.’

Kitty’s face flushed red. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Why on earth are you apologising?’ Ruby exclaimed. ‘You have nothing to be sorry for.’

‘But I’m the one who makes him so angry.’

Ruby stared at her. ‘Is that what he tells you? Does he blame his temper on you?’

‘Well, yes. I am the one he’s getting angry with after all.’

‘But only because he’s such a brute!’ Ruby paused to draw breath. ‘I’m sorry, but he is.’ She took a sip of her tea and added another spoonful of sugar. ‘Anyway, I have a plan I wanted to discuss with you.’

Kitty’s eyes widened. ‘What kind of plan?’

‘A plan to free you from his clutches.’

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