A Girl Like You by Michelle Cox

Author:Michelle Cox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2016-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

By the time Henrietta had deposited everyone back home, it was nearly suppertime. The walk home had been peppered with comments about the carnival and small arguments about what the best part had been, though for herself, Henrietta could only think about Polly and what to do, having forced the other matter regarding Stan’s ludicrous suggestion about the inspector aside, at least for the time being. She would worry about that later; it was Polly she needed to concern herself with now.

Unfortunately, though, regarding Polly, she saw no choice but to seek out Inspector Howard, hopefully before it was too late, and could not help but feel disappointed that he had not turned up to find out how her first night at the Marlowe had gone, or if she was even still alive, for that matter, so dangerous had he led her to believe it was. She was embarrassed to admit to herself that she had half expected him to step out from behind some random booth at the carnival or to spot him watching her from the beer tent, his pipe in hand; but that, of course, was silly.

Stanley had said little on the walk home and had gone ahead with Eugene until they had reached their building, at which point he began biting his nails. Henrietta smiled blandly at him as she pushed open the big front door. She handed a squirming Donny to Eugene to carry up and ushered the rest of them in, saying, “Up you go! Go tell Ma all about it, but don’t shout in case she’s got one of her headaches!”

As Elsie moved to go past her, Henrietta stopped her and gently took the now-sleeping Doris from her arms. “I’ll take her,” she whispered. “You say goodbye to Stan; see if he wants to come up for coffee.” Elsie nodded, unsure, and looked panicked to be alone with Stan without a child as a shield.

“Bye, Stan!” Henrietta said cheerfully, giving him a meaningful look as she slipped inside. When she got to the first landing, she peered out of the little window there and saw that they were talking, albeit awkwardly, Stan shifting nervously from foot to foot.

Eddie had unfortunately not been able to win the vase for Ma, but on the walk home, Herbert had managed to pick a few dandelions growing in the cracks of the pavement to give to her. She had smiled sadly when he handed her the somewhat wilted bouquet, which had been crushed for too long in his chubby hand. She set the flowers on the tiny counter, not even bothering to put them in water, as she served up the hash she had made for their supper, asking them how they had enjoyed the carnival, each of them vying for her tired attention.

Henrietta helped get the twins settled in their chairs before slipping back to the bedroom to change. She had decided upon a plan, and now all she needed was the courage to carry it out.

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