Catherine Cookson by The Bondage Of Love

Author:The Bondage Of Love
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-08-27T22:40:48+00:00

PART TWO

I

Mark had finished his exams in June, but he wasn't to know the results until the middle of August. What he did know was that if he got three Bs, he would be able to take up the place offered him in the London Hospital Medical School, where Roland Featherstone would be about to start on his second year.

And Fiona had not known how, in the meantime, she was going to put up with this newfound son of hers.

But time had passed, and tomorrow he'd be gone to start his new life in London. He had been fortunate enough to find a room in the same house as Roland Featherstone, and for the first time in what seemed years Fiona was seeing her son again.

They were all at dinner, the last dinner before the family was to break up and, as Nell had just put it, the first fledge ling was to fly the nest.

This had brought no retort from Mark but Willie once again put his foot in it by commenting, "To start his first year chopping up rats."

Fiona watched the look that she had hated, and which she could only describe as disdain, appear again on her son's face, as he snapped back at his brother.

"Don't be so stupid, showing your ignorance."

And Willie, about to retort again in his usual way, picked up a warning look from Nell who was sitting opposite him. And after a moment, he said, "Well, that's what I understand. Ralph Conway's brother is in his second year, and Ralph says he will stop dissecting rats now and go on to something bigger, such as..."

"Enough, you!" put in Bill, harshly.

"I'm eating, or trying to anyway." And he picked up his wine glass and said,

"Let's drink to the future surgeon." And when he got to his feet, the others followed, with the exception of Mark, who remained seated looking down towards his plate.

"To the future surgeon."

When they were again all seated and there followed a moment of silence, Mark broke it by looking towards Bill and saying quietly, "Thanks, Dad, for all you've done for me, and are going to do. I do appreciate it." Then, before Bill could answer. Mark turned to his mother and said, "I've ... I've been a bit of a pain in the neck, haven't I, lately?" And immediately two laughing voices, almost simultaneously, shouted out, "You've said it, boy! You've said it!"

Katie and Willie pushed at each other and a ripple of laughter went round the table, which brought from Mark a forced smile as he said, "Oh, I know you two will be glad to see the back of me. I only hope I'm given the chance to operate on you one of these days." There was loud laughter, and the tension at the table was broken.

"Right!" Bill's voice was a bellow now.

"Let's away into the drawing-room, Katie has raked out some old ragtime piano pieces and Willie's going to perform on his whistle " Won't you come home, Bill Bailey? " Remember that, Mrs.

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