Friends and Secrets by Grace Thompson

Author:Grace Thompson [Thompson, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781911591047
Publisher: Canelo Books
Published: 2017-06-14T21:00:00+00:00

* * *

In Churchill’s Garden the following morning, Joanne tried to explain to Meriel how she felt.

‘I can understand,’ Meriel told her. ‘After all, I had a small business. Art teachers sent their students to me, knowing I was reasonably priced and reliably stocked, and it was really successful. But I sold it to start Evan in business. It wasn’t even mentioned when we divorced. Yet, for me, it was a big commitment in our marriage. It was enough to pay Evan’s fare to Thailand to make contacts with the makers of the furniture and fancy goods he wanted to sell. It paid for the first two consignments. We lived in a small flat above the shop I had once owned and I worked in a supermarket for a year to keep us while he got the business off the ground. All that has been forgotten. It’s no longer important. So, yes, I do know how you feel when John regards your skills as something to casually give away as a favour from him to one of his business friends.’

‘And you don’t think I was wrong to refuse?’

‘I certainly do not.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Joanne, why don’t you pick up that business again? You won’t need premises to start, just to decorate a few cakes, make gateaux and lovely stuff like that. I’ll bet that once you start, the requests will come rolling in.’

‘I couldn’t. The boys take so much of my time.’ Joanne waved a hand brushing the idea away. But something had happened when John had shown such disregard for her abilities, and the idea of earning money, for herself, from something she had once enjoyed, was already beginning to grow.

It was a few days before John spoke to her civilly and then it was only to tell her that another arrangement had been made regarding the cake and that, in spite of her churlishness, she was invited to the wedding. ‘And,’ he said firmly, ‘We are going and no excuse will be acceptable. Right?’

‘I’ll need money for a decent dress,’ she said defiantly. ‘And suits for the boys of course.’

‘The boys aren’t invited. It’s a small affair, only a dozen guests. You’ll have to ask one of your friends to have them for the day.’

‘And the money for my clothes?’ she insisted.

He took out his wallet and handed her eighty pounds. ‘That will have to do, there’s no more so don’t ask for a handbag or matching shoes. That is it.’

‘Do I have to buy you a shirt and tie out of this too?’ she asked sweetly.

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