Dream a Little Dream (The Silver Trilogy) (F) by Kerstin Gier Read Free Book Online Page A

lower lip beginning to tremble and added, “We’ll just have to see how much longer we need her.”
    I reached for Mia’s hand under the table and squeezed it. Don’t cry , I begged her silently. Because I was afraid that if Mia started crying, I’d have to join in too.
    “And how about Mrs. Dimbleby?”
    “Mrs. Dimbleby has been wanting to work shorter hours for years,” said Ernest. “She’ll be glad if she’s needed here for only one or two days a week.”
    “Grayson! Did you hear that?” cried Florence.
    Grayson raised his head. He actually was still busy with his iPhone. “Yes, of course,” he said.
    But Florence didn’t seem to believe him. Once again, at high volume, she summed up the evening’s revelations for her own benefit. “Dad doesn’t just want Ann and her children to move in here, all of us to clear out of our rooms, and share a bathroom between four of us ”—at this point her voice rose to such a pitch that I felt as if the windowpanes were beginning to rattle—“he also wants to fire Mrs. Dimbleby and give her job to Ann’s nanny instead! And the nanny is getting my rooms up in the attic.”
    “Oh,” said Grayson. “That’s not a great idea. We’d have to go through her bedroom to get to our billiard table in the attic.”
    Florence groaned. “Don’t you understand what Dad just said? They’ll be moving in here in three weeks’ time.…”
    “Two weeks’ time, to be precise. I’m taking a day off work for it,” said Ernest. “And there are some painting jobs to be done first.”
    “They’ll be moving in here, bag, baggage, and nanny!”
    “And dog,” added Mia.
    “And dog,” repeated Florence. She seemed to have exhausted her strength; she wasn’t shouting anymore. The word dog came out as hardly more than a whisper. But as if on cue, the ginger cat arched his back in front of the dining table and mewed out loud. Florence’s shouting seemed to have attracted him rather than putting him off.
    Ernest smiled. A little wearily, maybe, but it was definitely a smile. “That’s all clear, then. So now we can fetch the quails in from the kitchen, can’t we, Spot? Will you lend me a hand, Ann?”
    Mom stood up with such alacrity that she almost brought the tablecloth with her. “Nothing I’d rather do,” she said.
    The cat followed them into the kitchen.

 
    6
    GRAYSON, FLORENCE, MIA, AND I stayed behind in the dining room in silence. I guess you’d feel rather like being quiet if an avalanche had just rolled over you. I’d worked it out that Ernest and Mom would be moving in together, but even I had been surprised to realize they were planning to do it so soon. They must have been really sure they were right for each other.
    Grayson’s cell phone vibrated in the silence.
    “Only too clear, all of it,” said Florence bitterly after a minute. “Oh, and thanks a million for your support, Grayson.”
    “’Scuse me.” Grayson was staring at his display. “But this is all decided anyway, right? And weren’t you saying yesterday how happy you are for Dad?”
    “Well, I am. But no one could have guessed they’d want to move in together right away. I mean, they hardly know each other. She’s an American . She could be after Dad for his money or I don’t know what, or she could be a psychopath, or…”
    “… or hopelessly disorganized, or a kleptomaniac, a Republican, a Jehovah’s Witness, or anything,” I suggested.
    “That isn’t funny,” said Florence.
    “Do you have anything against Jehovah’s Witnesses?” asked Mia, all pretended innocence.
    Grayson pushed his chair back and stood up, his eyes still fixed on his cell phone. He obviously hadn’t taken in a word anyone was saying. “I’m just going out to clear something up. Tell Dad I’ll be right back. And I’d like at least three quails. I’m ravenous.”
    “You’re…” Florence watched his retreating form indignantly. “Don’t you notice anything?”
    I cleared my throat. “I