Promises, Promises by Patricia Scanlan

Author:Patricia Scanlan [Scanlan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471141188
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Chapter Fifteen

Miriam smiled as she watched Ben chase Daniel across the lawn. Her son squealed with delight as his father threw an armful of newly mown grass over him. Ben had just finished cutting the grass in preparation for Rebecca’s birthday party later in the afternoon. He’d whitewashed the house and painted the window sills, fascia board and doors in Alpine blue. It looked very pretty, almost Grecian.

Miriam was delighted with it. She’d been so pleased, she’d painted the trellises and the big tubs that held masses of geraniums, petunias, busy Lizzies and scented stock, the same blue. Now that the place looked presentable, she was quite looking forward to Rebecca’s party.

Because the day was so fine she was going to have a buffet outdoors. They’d been blessed with the weather. The intense heat of summer was gone but it was still warm. A gentle breeze rippled through the sweet pea that tumbled down from the freshly painted trellises. Across the fields she could see neat bales of yellow hay. Down by the river a crop of late potatoes waited to be harvested, their white flowering heads like buds of cotton wool atop green velvet. Miriam loved harvest time. She enjoyed making her jams and chutneys, drying out her onions and boiling her beetroot. It gave her tremendous satisfaction to fill her pantry with the fruits of her labour.

‘Hi.’ Ellen popped her head around the kitchen door, much to Miriam’s surprise. She wasn’t expecting her sister-in-law so early.

‘I brought the cake. Stephanie and I are just on our way home from town.’ Ellen produced a white box tied with green ribbon. ‘I got it in the Kylemore.’

‘Ah, Ellen. You shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble. A cake from Kelly’s would have done fine.’ Miriam wiped her hands in her apron and untied the ribbon.

‘A godmother has to do her duty.’ Ellen grinned.

‘It’s lovely!’ Miriam exclaimed as she surveyed the gooey creation with Happy Birthday Rebecca iced in large pink letters on a bed of white icing decorated with pink rosebuds. ‘She’ll be mad about that. But honestly, there was no need.’

‘I wanted to get her something special. And anyway I wanted to buy Stephanie a new dress for the party. You know the way little girls are about dressing up.’

‘Hmm. Emma told me she’d bought Julie Ann a French costume for the party.’

Ellen threw her eyes up to heaven. ‘She would. She couldn’t even let Rebecca have her hour of glory without letting Julie Ann take centre stage.’

‘That’s Emma for you,’ Miriam said dryly. The years had not lessened the antagonism between her two sisters-in-law but she always tried to stay out of it. ‘She looks a million dollars after the holiday.’

‘Why wouldn’t she, with not a care in the world?’

‘Just do me a favour and try and be nice for the afternoon. She’ll be here around three.’

‘Is she coming on her broomstick?’ Ellen couldn’t help herself.

‘Ellen!’ Miriam giggled.

‘Sorry. I’m off. I’ll come over a bit early to give you a hand.

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