Obsession by Susan Lewis Read Free Book Online

Hattie. Her only wedding photograph, he knew, was upstairs beside the bed.
    ‘I know you think I’ve ruined her life,’ Edwina said savagely. ‘I know what …’
    ‘I don’t think anything of the sort,’ Ted barked. ‘You’ve been …’
    ‘I’ve been selfish. I came here to Amberside when I should have stayed in London. She’d have had a life in London. That’s what she’s always wanted, what she still wants. I should have stayed there. After Phillip … I should have stayed. But I didn’t, and you know why I didn’t. You can sit in judgement on me all you like, Ted, but for God’s sake promise me you’ll help her. When I’m gone. Be there for her.’
    ‘Edwina,’ he said deliberately. ‘You don’t have to ask that, we’ll always be there for her. I’d give my life for that girl, and you know it. I’d give my life for you. God, that I could give my life for you.’
    Edwina lowered her head at the note of defeat in his voice. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I never wanted to take advantage of the way you and Hattie feel about Corrie and me, and if you feel you can’t do it, that you don’t want to tell her … Well, I’ve written her a letter. It’s all there … It’s just that, coming from you, with you there to …’
    ‘Come here,’ Ted said, holding out his hand. Edwina went to him and taking her hand he held it between his own. ‘I’ll do as you ask,’ he said softly. ‘But just tell me why I can’t tell her before you die.’
    ‘Because I’m a coward. And …’ She looked sadly into his face, ‘because I have my dreams too. Just like Corrie. I want to keep them, Ted. Corrie will understand that.’
    ‘I daresay she will,’ he sighed. ‘But you’re not making this easy on her.’
    Suddenly Edwina was angry again, but with herself, Ted knew that. ‘None of this is easy for any of us,’ she cried. ‘I’ve devoted my life to her, Ted. What more could I have done?’
    ‘No more.’
    For a moment or two she looked into his eyes, her own glittering a challenge, waiting for his accusations. He merely looked back, his gentle blue eyes crinkled at the corners in a fatherly smile. Finally, laughing at herself, Edwina lifted his hand to her face and kissed it. ‘Would you like some more tea?’ she said.
    ‘Yes, why not?’
    She picked up the tray and carried it into the kitchen.
    ‘I’d like to discuss this with Hattie,’ he said, following her out.
    Edwina nodded. ‘Of course.’
    ‘When would you like me to tell Corrie? I mean, how soon after?’
    Edwina turned on the tap and waited for the pilot light to ignite the boiler so she could rinse out the tea cups. ‘When you tell her about the money,’ she said. ‘You’ll have to tell her then.’
    Ted walked over to the back door and leaned against it so he could see Edwina’s face. ‘Is there something you’re not telling me?’ he asked carefully.
    She looked at him in surprise.
    ‘Has the doctor told you? Has he said when?’
    Edwina shook her head.
    Ted sighed. ‘I thought maybe that was why you had called me over now.’
    ‘Oh, I see,’ Edwina said with a dry laugh. ‘No. It’s not that. Though God knows I wish it were. It would be so much easier if I could die now. It would set Corrie free. At last she …’
    ‘No! Don’t ever say that! Never! Do you hear me?’
    Both Edwina and Ted spun round to find Corrie standing at the door.
    ‘Corrie!’ Edwina gasped.
    ‘Don’t ever let me hear you talk like that again,’ Corrie raged. ‘I didn’t mean what I said last night, you know I didn’t. I love you more than anyone else in the world. And you’re not going to die. You’re not! I’m not going to let you.’
    She hugged her mother fiercely and Ted looked on. Then a cold feeling rose from the pit of his stomach as he caught Edwina’s eye. It was too late. Edwina would die soon, it was there in her eyes.
    ‘No, she won’t kill herself,’ he said later to Hattie. ‘At least not in the way