The French Secret by Anita Ward

Author:Anita Ward [Ward, Anita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-20T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

The next couple of days were dreadful for Clara. One minute she would be thinking the answer would have to be no and the next yes. She tried weighing up the pros and cons. ‘If I went,’ she thought, ‘I would have a new life and a new beginning. On the other hand, I would never see Chantal and Francine again.’

‘If I stay, then life could be a struggle. I would have to carry on working like I am doing now. Would I ever be able to save enough to get my own home, and then when I do, get my own home? How will I manage with Lilly? I can’t take her around to my mother’s at four in the morning, and what happens when she goes to school? How would I take her if I have to go to work?’

These things went around and around in her head. What if this happens and what if that happens? She hardly slept, thinking up all sorts of scenarios.

Tuesday came around all too soon. She made her way to work still tired after not sleeping very well. Gordon was concerned. “What’s the matter, Clara? You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders,” he said.

“Sorry, I am just tired. I didn’t sleep very well,” responded Clara.

“If you want to talk, I am always hear to listen,” he said.

“Thank you, Gordon. You are a good friend,” she said, getting back to her work.

Pat had just finished the breakfast shift and came through to the kitchen for a coffee. On seeing Clara, she explained, “Clara, you look like shit. Whatever is the matter? Come and have your break now and sit with me and tell me all about it?”

Clara sat down with her.

“Now tell me what is worrying you. I hope that American guy is not messing you about because I can tell you a few stories about the GIs that were here during the war,” said Pat and continued to tell her about one of her friends that was left pregnant by one American who turned out to be married. He returned home, and she never heard from him again. She tried every way she could think of to get in touch with him, and in the end, all she got was a message from his regimental officer just stating that he was married and had made a mistake. There was another who promised marriage and that he would send her a ticket to America, but she never heard from him again. There was one happy ending with another friend. The GI did come back and marry her, and they now lived in Chicago.

“Take care, Clara. They make all these promises just to get your knickers down.”

“Pat, you shouldn’t be so crude. Anyway, it’s not quite like that. He hasn’t tried anything on with me, but he has asked me to marry him. I don’t know what to do. I really like him, but I am not sure if I love him, but it is something pretty close.

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