From this Day Forward by Beryl Matthews

Author:Beryl Matthews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

‘Where are we going?’ Joe asked.

‘I don’t know. It’s a surprise.’ Jane ushered her children out of the house where Dora and Ian were waiting.

There were two cabs at the end of the road, and the luxury caused much excitement as Charlie and Helen got in one with Ian, and Jane, Dora and Joe got in the other one.

Joe leant forward to watch where they were going as they began their journey. After a few moments he wriggled back to sit properly and gazed at Dora. He was clearly bursting with questions. ‘I’ve never been in one of these before, Granny.’

‘Do you like it?’

He nodded and ran his hands over the plush seat. ‘It’s very comfortable and the horses are lovely. Er … are we going far?’

‘No, but it’s too far to walk, and Ian and I wanted to make this a special treat for everyone.’

‘He’s a kind man,’ the youngster noted.

‘Yes, and he’s also a good friend.’

The view outside was hard to resist and he edged forward again so he could look out, exclaiming at the things he saw.

Jane watched her son with a lump in her throat. He would be nine in March of next year, and he’d seen very little of London, let alone anywhere else, while at that age she was moving around all the time. She felt Dora touch her arm to draw her attention.

‘He’s enjoying this.’

‘Yes, and I wish you would tell me what this is all about.’

‘You’ll soon see. I want to show you something, and I asked Ian to come along because I hope we are going to need his expertise regarding the legal application of what I have in mind.’

‘Now I’m even more intrigued.’

Dora smiled. ‘All will soon be revealed, so just sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ve asked the drivers to take a scenic route.’

When they came to a halt and got out of the cabs, they gazed at the building in front of them.

‘What a charming house,’ Helen declared, ‘and in a nice area of Kennington.’

‘I’m glad you like it.’ Dora led the way and opened the front door, urging them all inside. ‘I want you all to have a look around, inspect all the rooms and tell me what you think of it.’

‘Are you buying this?’ Charlie asked.

‘No, I already own this house. Go on, all of you, and explore.’

Helen took hold of her mother’s arm. ‘Let’s look at the kitchen first.’

The boys ran upstairs and they could hear whoops of delight about something. Charlie suddenly appeared and looked over the banister. ‘Mum, Helen, you’ve got to have a look at this. There’s a bathroom up here and the plumbing is fantastic.’

‘Trust Charlie to notice that.’ Helen laughed, as they made their way up to join the boys.

With the inspection finished they returned to the lounge to find Dora and Ian waiting for them with pots of tea and a feast of luxury cakes.

The youngsters were too busy eating to ask questions, but Helen was looking thoughtful, and turned her attention to Dora.

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