Anne Douglas by The Wardens Daughters Read Free Book Online

but now the window was open to the clear sweet air from the hills, and everything was bathed in light. As Monnie came in from the bathroom, wearing a coat over her dressing gown, Lynette turned, laughing at the expression on her sister’s face, while continuing to sing her favourite number from the show, Oklahoma .
    ‘Lynette, for heaven’s sake, shut that window!’ Monnie cried. ‘It’s freezing here – feels like snow coming in.’
    Lynette stopped singing. ‘There’s no snow coming in. It’s just lovely and fresh. Makes me feel better.’
    ‘Is that what it is? I was wondering what had got into you, singing like that, when last night you couldn’t raise a smile.’
    ‘We did say everything would look better in the morning and it does.’ Lynette, who was already dressed in sweater and slacks, finally shut the window and ran a comb through her hair. ‘I certainly do feel different after a good night’s sleep. Last night, I don’t mind telling you, I thought I’d just fade away, thought I’d have to tell Dad I couldn’t stay, but didn’t see how I could . . .’
    ‘As bad as that?’
    ‘Aye, but then you see, today, I feel better. Ready to give it a go here, anyway.’ Lynette nodded. ‘As soon as I’ve done Dad’s breakfast, I’m going to apply for that job Rhoda told us about.’
    ‘I can smell bacon,’ Monnie said, sorting out her clothes to wear. ‘I think he’s made a start on breakfast himself. Probably found all the supplies Rhoda left us.’
    ‘Never!’ Lynette cried, hurrying out. ‘This I must see.’
    In the flat’s modern little kitchen, she found her father at the electric cooker, frying bacon and stirring porridge, and grinning at her amazement.
    ‘Thought I’d have a go and let you two sleep – you were both on your uppers last night.’ He handed Lynette his spoon. ‘This looks a bit thick, though. Stiff enough for cement, eh?’
    ‘Come on, just needs water.’ Lynette gave Frank a quick hug before taking over the porridge stirring. ‘Thanks, Dad, it was nice of you to think of us, but we’re both OK and raring to go. What about the hostellers, though? Shouldn’t we be seeing what they’re up to?’
    ‘They’re away. One’s moved on and the rest have gone climbing. Won’t see ’em till this evening. Though I daresay we’ll have others coming in later on today, seeing as the weather forecast is good.’
    ‘That means there’s always got to be someone here?’
    ‘It does. Which is why I need an assistant.’ Frank turned slightly blackened bacon on to a plate and put it to warm under a low grill. ‘And I’m hoping it’s going to be Monnie.’
    ‘Who’s talking about me?’ Monnie, coming into the kitchen, dressed in a thick navy jersey and tweed trousers, was rubbing her arms with chilled hands. ‘Oh, it’s so cold in this wee flat, I can’t imagine what it’s like in the big house. Isn’t there any heating?’
    ‘Storage heaters. Trouble with them is, they don’t always come on when you want ’em. Wrap up well, seems to be the answer. Want to serve the porridge, Lynette?’
    ‘Know what this is?’ she asked, as they began to eat their porridge, Frank adding salt, the girls, sugar. Monnie, still shivering, answered, Yes, of course, she knew. This was their first breakfast ever cooked by Dad.
    ‘And first breakfast in our new home,’ Frank added. ‘First of many, I hope, unless you two find yourselves somewhere else to live.’
    ‘Not likely to do that, when we came here to be with you,’ Lynette replied. ‘Ready for the bacon?’
    Their breakfast over, Lynette took out the cutting Rhoda had left her and read it, smiling. ‘Listen to this – it’s so old fashioned!’ She began to read aloud: ‘“A vacancy has arisen for a lady to work full-time as senior receptionist at the well-known Talisman Hotel, Conair Bay. Must be of good appearance and manner and with experience of working with the public. Some secretarial skills would be an