Love and Marriage at Harpers by Rosie Clarke

Author:Rosie Clarke [Clarke, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

Sally was late leaving the office and Beth was home alone when she got in. She’d shopped and had a ham salad with fresh bread and butter waiting for their supper. Her friend’s face lit up at the sight.

‘It was manic this afternoon,’ Sally said and flopped down, accepting the cup of sweet hot tea from Beth with a sigh of relief. ‘There was a mix-up over an order and I’ve been hours sorting it out…’

‘So, did you have time to ring the hospital?’

‘Yes, I managed that,’ Sally replied. ‘Miss Hart is still unconscious, but they think she has a good chance of recovery, though she may be affected – either paralysis on her left side or speech…’

‘She can’t be much more than forty…’

‘Somewhere around forty-five,’ Sally agreed. ‘I wonder what brought it all on. Her job is responsible, but there isn’t really much stress attached to it. She is really just a watchdog and her bark is worse than her bite…’

‘Oh, Sally!’

‘Well, it is true…’ Sally gulped her tea. ‘Gosh, I needed that, and I’m hungry. There’s no point in visiting Miss Hart yet, but I’ll go at the weekend – hopefully, she may be conscious by then…’

‘Let’s hope she is,’ Beth agreed. ‘Will Harper’s do anything for her if she is off sick for a long time?’

‘I’ve spoken to Mr Harper about that,’ Sally said. ‘He agreed that they will pay her full wages for a month and then half for a further six months…’

‘That is very generous,’ Beth replied. ‘I doubt many employers would do as much.’

‘I might have done a little arm twisting…’ Sally grinned wickedly. ‘He is taking me to Paris next week – and I hinted I might not go if he didn’t show a bit of sympathy…’

‘You’ve got him twisted round your little finger…’ Beth laughed. ‘Well, just be careful you don’t get carried away in Paris… moonlight and romance and all that…’

‘Oh Beth!’ Sally looked up with a wry smile. ‘Sometimes I think he really does care, but others…’ She shook her head. ‘I’ve tried not to care, Beth, but I do like him so very much. I can’t help myself…’

‘Is it wise going to Paris with him?’

‘Probably not, but I’m going…’ Sally arched her eyebrows. ‘What can he do – seduce me? If he did, I might say yes…’ She winked at Beth. ‘Besides, it’s Paris; he has all the travel documents sorted for us and I may never get another chance if I don’t go now…’

‘Sally! You wouldn’t sleep with him…’

‘Why not? Maybe it will end in tears, but if it’s all I can have…’ she laughed again. ‘We need to live a little dangerously, Beth. I don’t want to end up like Miss Hart, living alone in a small flat with no one who cares when she’s ill. I can’t move on until this thing with Ben Harper is settled – perhaps a passionate affair will clear the air…’

Beth looked at her doubtfully. ‘You may get hurt…’

‘I’ve been hurt before,’ Sally said.

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