Storms Gather Between Us by Clare Flynn

Author:Clare Flynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788632638
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-05-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

As soon as Judith left for work, Hannah, as usual, got up from the table to clear away the dishes. Her mother stretched out her good arm and stayed her. ‘I’ll do those later. I want to talk to you first.’

Surprised, Hannah sat down again. ‘What is it? Has something happened?’ She felt a shiver of fear run through her body.

‘I met him yesterday. Your friend, Will, Elizabeth’s stepson.’

Hannah felt the blood rush to her face and her cheeks burned. Her heart hammered inside her rib cage.

Her mother gave a little chuckle. ‘You’re the colour of a ripe strawberry. So, you feel the same way about him then.’ It was not a question.

‘What do you mean? What did he say?’

‘Only that he’s fallen for you. In a big way. Worships the ground you walk on.’ She smiled at her daughter. ‘He’s a nice-looking fellow. You’re a lucky woman.’

Hannah couldn’t control the smile that broke over her face. ‘He said he likes me?’

‘He said he loves you. Wants to marry you.’

Hand clamped over mouth, a rush of joy ran through her body.

‘So, he hasn’t told you that, yet?’

Hannah shook her head, mute with happiness. ‘We’ve had so little time.’

‘Sorry, if I’d realised you didn’t know, I’d have held back some of what he told me so he could have told you first himself.’

‘It doesn’t matter. Oh, Mother!’ She jumped to her feet and rushed around the table and scooped her mother into a hug.

‘Mind my arm, you daft girl!’

Hannah returned to her seat. She couldn’t remember the last time she and her mother had hugged each other. It must have been when she was a small child.

‘So, you love him too?’

Hannah nodded her head, too happy to speak.

‘It’s all very fast, but I can tell you both feel the same way.’

‘You think it’s too fast?’ Hannah was sure her face telegraphed her alarm.

‘Who am I to say? You both seem sure.’

‘I’ve never been surer about anything. But I’m afraid. About Father.’

‘The only way you are going to be able to marry Will Kidd – and marry him you must – is if you do it soon and do it secretly. Your father will go off like an erupting volcano when he finds out, but once it’s done, it’s done and there’s nothing he can do about it.’

‘But what about you? If he discovers you knew.’ She closed her eyes and covered her mouth with her hands. ‘Oh, Mother, he might take it out on you and Jude.’

‘Don’t worry about me. And we’ll leave Judith out of it. You mustn’t tell her about Will or what you’re doing. You mustn’t even tell me. The less we know the better. You and Will must come up with a plan to get yourselves wed and you can leave your father to me.’ She paused. ‘But if you want my advice, you’ll get him to take you away from here, somewhere your father can’t find you. He told me he sails regularly between here and Dublin – perhaps he can take you over there.

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