Tall Poppies by Janet Woods Read Free Book Online Page A

scoop neckline and loose short sleeves.
    â€˜How exquisite it is,’ Livia said, looking for the label, and Margaret could almost see the tears spring into her eyes when she said, ‘Yes, it’s my mother’s design.’
    â€˜Then you must try it on.’
    â€˜I couldn’t, Mrs Sangster.’
    â€˜Of course you could. Off with that uniform now  . . . go on, dear,’ she urged, when Livia hesitated. ‘I’ll close my eyes.’
    The girl was petite, and the gown fitted her perfectly, as did the shoes.
    â€˜No  . . . don’t look in the mirror yet. Brush out that plait and put that little garland of silk roses round your head.’ When the deed was done and Livia’s hair was a fall of foxy ripples, she said, ‘Now you can look.’
    Livia gasped. ‘I look like a different person.’
    â€˜The outfit is yours, my dear.’
    â€˜No  . . . I can’t take it. It’s too expensive. Besides, I never go to balls.’
    Margaret snorted. ‘Neither do I now. I want you to have the gown as a memory of your mother. She was a very talented woman.’
    There was a knock at the door, and Cook called out, ‘Doctor Elliot is here.’
    â€˜Tell him to come in, Cook. You come in as well.’
    â€˜I haven’t got my uniform on,’ Livia said, panicking a little as the door opened.
    Connie Starling’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Livia.
    Doctor Elliot smiled. ‘Am I to take it that the fairy godmother has visited this establishment?’
    â€˜Isn’t she lovely?’ Margaret said.
    â€˜Absolutely breathtaking.’
    â€˜In case any accusations are made, I want you both to witness what I’m about to say. I’m giving this ensemble to Livia in memory of her mother, who designed it. She doesn’t want to take it because she thinks it is too expensive a gift.’
    The doctor nodded. ‘You’d better accept it, young lady, because I don’t want my patient to get upset.’
    Connie smiled. ‘Is there anything else, Mrs Sangster? I’ve just remembered that I’ve got some chicken broth on the stove.’
    â€˜Go then, Connie. You know how much I love your chicken broth.’
    The doctor examined her before drawing Livia aside.
    â€˜Whatever you have to say, I want to hear it,’ Margaret told him quietly.
    He nodded. ‘Then you shall. Your pulse is fast, and your heart is a little on the erratic side. I want you to stay in bed and rest. No excitement. I’ll leave you a couple of sedatives. Are you sure you haven’t got a headache?’
    â€˜Only a small one where the lump is.’
    â€˜The cut seems to be healing nicely. I’ll come back tomorrow and see if you’ve settled down.’
    Mrs Sangster nodded. ‘Will you leave us now please, Livia. I want to talk to the doctor in private.’
    The same afternoon, Mrs Sangster’s lawyer arrived with his clerk. Connie was called up, and came down bursting with importance. ‘They wanted me to witness Mrs Sangster’s signature on some papers.’
    Two days later the housekeeper returned. Mrs Sangster called the woman to her quarters and terminated her employment.
    â€˜Henry might have something to say about that.’
    â€˜Be out of my house by the end of the week.’
    In the early hours of the morning, Margaret woke with a severe pain in her head. She couldn’t find the words and they all slurred together, but she managed to knock the bell from the bedside cabinet.
    Almost straight away Livia appeared at her side. ‘Try not to panic, Mrs Sangster  . . . I’ll go downstairs and telephone for the doctor.’
    Rosemary Mortimer came in to gaze down at her, a strange little smile on her face. Cold grey eyes narrowed in. ‘Are you dying at long last, Margaret? Henry will be so pleased.’
    The woman had come to gloat. ‘I want