Bonjour, Sophie by Elizabeth Buchan

Author:Elizabeth Buchan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Corvus

‘Hettie, I’m on my way.’

‘What took you so long?’

‘Fear.’

Down her end of the telephone, Hettie took a big breath. ‘There’s no need. You’ll be safe with us.’

‘Even with your mother?’

‘She’s had a new perm, which always puts her in a good mood.’

Sophie glanced over to the Benyon house. Sure enough, Betty lurked at the window.

She would soon be shot of her.

Hands trembling, she dialled Home Farm and asked to speak to Johnno.

‘Yes,’ he said when he came to the phone.

‘Johnno … I wanted … this is goodbye.’

‘Oh God.’ There was a silence. ‘Of course. I should have known.’ She heard him light up a cigarette. ‘I hate the idea of you going. But you must. I can see that. If it was me, I would.’

Just in time, she stopped herself lashing out. Linda won’t make you happy.

How could she be so obvious? So predictable? So dog in the manger? The Modern Woman must cede no space to jealousy and possessiveness in the emotional armoury. Anyway, if Johnno was correct, Linda had been pregnant before Sophie offered herself on a plate to Johnno.

Yet, there they were, swooping like birds in a wind.

Jealousy and regret.

To her despair, and despite everything, despite every precept she had schooled herself in, she heard herself say, ‘I hope she’ll make you happy.’

Johnno’s reply was savage. ‘What do you bloody think?’

‘Sorry, sorry.’ She paused. ‘I’m not going to make a scene.’

His voice came down the line, urgent and intimate, spearing into her head and heart. ‘We understand each other. That won’t change.’

‘If you want to say goodbye, I’ll be at Dog’s grave early tomorrow morning.’

‘Yes.’ She heard him blow out smoke. ‘Yes.’

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