A Crimson Dawn by Janet MacLeod Trotter Read Free Book Online Page A

‘Nell wouldn’t want to live in our little cottage, pet. The doctor can offer much more - for both of you.’ She stroked her hair. ‘You can come and visit as often as you like. Now let’s get the tea on before Uncle Jonas gets in.’
    She steeled herself against Emmie’s hurt look and quickly busied herself at the stove so the girl would not see her own tears.
    When Rab and Sam returned from the pit, Emmie looked at them mutely with accusing eyes. All week, the family tried to spoil her with treats, stories and trips to the store or woods, but Emmie did not respond. Her silence was worse than tears and angry words.
    â€˜Shall I gan over to Blackton library and fetch you a book?’ Rab offered.
    â€˜Would you like to have Louise round for tea on Friday?’ Helen asked.
    Emmie shook her head to both requests. She showed no interest, as if in her own mind she had already left them. She only spoke to ask questions about her new life, which the MacRaes could not answer.
    â€˜What’s the doctor’s house like? Will I sleep with Nell? Can I gan to school with Miss Dillon again?’
    At night, Helen cried at the thought of her going, but Emmie slept peacefully.
    â€˜See, the lassie’s got more sense than the pair of us,’ Jonas grunted as they lay sleepless, listening to her even breathing. ‘She knows what’s best for her.’
    Emmie watched Helen pack her clean laundry into her jute bag on Saturday morning without protest. She sat staring at Rab and Sam as they ate plates of egg and fried bread before going off to their shift below ground.
    Rab forced the food down, only too aware of the dark-eyed gaze fixing him across the table.
    â€˜Walk with us to the end of the lane, eh?’ he suggested. The girl said nothing.
    â€˜Haway, Emmie,’ Sam cajoled, ‘Rab’ll tell you a story.’
    Helen watched her two eldest sons marching down the back street with Emmie between them, hand in hand. She marvelled at how gentle they had always been towards the girl, when they were used to rough ways with each other. At the end of the street, she saw them drop hands, ruffling Emmie’s dark curls and giving her bashful kisses on her head.
    Helen swallowed her tears. Emmie stood watching them stride up the hill until they were out of sight. How was it that this young girl had stolen into their hearts so completely in less than a year?
    Jonas paced around the kitchen, until Helen sent him off to the allotment.
    â€˜Peter’ll fetch you when they come,’ she said briskly. ‘I can’t have you under me feet when I’m baking.’
    Emmie sat on the step with Peter, looking out for her sister. Peter chattered about the chickens and a retired pit pony he liked to feed in Lawson’s Paddock, seemingly unaware of the sadness of the occasion. The day was unusually airless and still, heat bouncing off the brick walls, dazzling the eyes.
    Emmie sensed the arrival of their visitors before she caught sight of the horse and trap. She stood up, shading her eyes to look. Helen came to the door in dread, sending Peter to summon his father.
    When Emmie set eyes on her sister, the numbness that had been holding her feelings in check dissolved. She ran up the street, arms flung wide, to greet Nell. The older girl met her in a big hug. They clung to each other and cried openly in the street.
    â€˜There, there, girls,’ Flora said soothingly, steering them forward. ‘Best to go indoors.’
    Nervously, Helen bustled around the kitchen, fetching cups of tea and girdle scones. Jonas tramped in from the allotment and Peter scampered outside again with a brief nod at the guests. As Jonas had no trivial conversation, he launched straight into local politics with the doctor.
    The two sisters huddled close on the sofa while Nell gabbled in excitement about their new life together, overheard only by Helen.
    â€˜You’ll have your very own bedroom and