Mother’s Ruin by Kitty Neale

Author:Kitty Neale
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2011-07-07T05:13:55+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sally chewed worriedly on her lower lip. Arthur hadn’t complained about working on the building site, yet she was sure that something was wrong.

Two weeks had passed and in that time Arthur had grown more remote. Sally feared he found the job too much, especially as every night he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

A good night’s sleep didn’t help, and as always he had got up that morning terse and moody with hardly a word spoken between them. Sally was at a loss to know what to do.

It didn’t take Sally and Angel long to reach Candle Lane, and after taking her daughter to school she had only just returned when there was a knock on the door. ‘Hello, Nelly.’

‘Wotcher, Sally. What sort of mood is Sadie in?’

‘She’s much better nowadays. Her mood swings aren’t as bad.’

‘Right, I’ll come in then.’

Sally only half listened to the conversation as the two ladies chatted, but her ears pricked up when she heard Laura Walters’ name. ‘What did you say about Laura?’

‘I was just telling Sadie that she might be drinking again.’

‘No! I can’t believe it.’

‘Jessie Stone saw her yesterday and said she was acting a bit odd.’

‘Jessie is nothing but a gossip,’ Sally protested. ‘Just because Laura wasn’t herself, it doesn’t mean she’s drinking. She might have been ill.’

‘I don’t think so. Jessie said that Laura was furtive, sneaking home with something hidden under her coat. She spoke to her, and when Laura answered, her voice sounded slurred.’

Sally frowned. ‘Oh dear. I don’t like the sound of that.’

‘Me neither, but I ain’t surprised. There’s still no sign of her husband, and it must be hard on Laura that Denis walked out like that.’

‘That’s no excuse,’ Sadie snapped.

‘Maybe not, but if you’re an alcoholic just one drink puts you back on the slippery slope.’

‘Oh, and since when did you become an expert on the subject, Nelly Cox?’

‘Now then, Sadie, there’s no need to be sarcastic. I’m only repeating what I’ve heard.’

‘I’m not being sarcastic and I’ll say what I like in my own home. If you don’t like it, then you know what you can do.’

Sally jumped to her feet, surprised by her gran’s sudden mood change, and tried to change the subject. ‘Do you fancy a cup of tea, Nelly?’

‘No, thanks. I’m off.’

With no other choice, Sally escorted Nelly to the door where the old woman said, ‘Sorry, love, but I could see that Sadie was on the turn and I didn’t fancy being in the line of fire. When she gets in a two and eight she’s impossible.’

‘It’s all right, I understand, but it’s rare nowadays.’

‘If you say so. Maybe I’ll pop along to see her again tomorrow.’

‘Do you think Jessie is right about Laura?’

‘I dunno, love, but no doubt we’ll soon find out,’ Nelly said, lifting a hand to wave as she bustled off.

The rest of the day passed slowly for Sally, but at last her mother arrived home, and she was surprised to see Tommy Walters with her.

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