The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey Read Free Book Online Page A

me to handle the business side of things now,’ she added with some pride. ‘It lets him stay focused and on track. It’s a great partnership.’
    â€˜I hope you’re enjoying it all. You certainly travel a lot.’
    â€˜Mum, we’d love you to come with us, I don’t know why you won’t come and stay at the villa.’
    â€˜Thanks for asking, but you know I don’t like flying. Anyway, you have enough on your plate without worrying about me.’
    As Milton’s creativity continued to flourish and his work was more and more in demand throughout the world, he made a decision that his daughters vehemently opposed.
    â€˜I have decided that the best thing for us all is that you girls start boarding at your school.’
    His daughters wailed and protested.
    â€˜I bet this is Kerrie’s idea. She wants to get rid of us,’ said Renata.
    â€˜What about my horse?’ Luisa started to cry.
    â€˜You hardly ride him any more,’ snapped Alia. ‘I won’t like it. I’ll be lonely.’
    â€˜Girls, I promise you that you’ll enjoy it,’ said their father. ‘And you already have stacks of friends there. Besides, you can come home on the holidays. You’ll only be gone in term time.’
    â€˜But why do we have to board? Why can’t we stay at home?’ demanded Renata.
    â€˜Because I think it will be easier for us all. Wendy says it will broaden your interests, give you greater stability and you’ll learn to be independent,’ said Milton.
    â€˜You and Kerrie don’t want us around,’ snapped Luisa. ‘Next thing you’ll be selling this house and going away with her.’
    â€˜Girls, I think you’re overreacting. This will always be your home, but Kerrie and I are overseas so often these days and Wendy doesn’t want to work fulltime anymore, although she’ll always be here for your holidays if we’re not. Now I have the opportunity to work in Paris for a while and, rather than disrupt your lives, I think that boarding school is the best solution. We will come back and forth, and you can come to Paris in the holidays. Let’s at least try it for a year. It really is simpler all round.’
    â€˜It’s a horrible idea,’ said Alia, fighting back tears. ‘Wendy would never agree to letting us board.’
    â€˜Well, that’s where you’re wrong. She knows what a top-notch education you’ll get.’
    â€˜I’ve told the girls about boarding,’ said Milton as Kerrie entered the room. ‘It seems they aren’t enthused.’
    â€˜It wasn’t my idea,’ began Kerrie, ‘but I have to agree with your father and Wendy that this will be the best because it will be less disruptive.’
    â€˜Naturally,’ said Renata spitefully. ‘Well, I’m not going. I’m going to move in with my best friend. I’m sure her parents will agree.’
    â€˜You can’t send us away!’ Alia began to sob.
    Milton stood up. ‘There will not be any more discussion. You’re all enrolled and the first term has been paid for.’
    â€˜You can still see your friends every day,’ began Kerrie. ‘There will be so many opportunities, Wendy says that you’ll have more time to do drama, Luisa . . .’
    â€˜I don’t care. You’ll never come and see me in any plays, you’ll be swanning round Europe,’ yelled Luisa and strode from the room, followed by her sisters.
    Kerrie sighed. ‘I suppose it’s a shock for them.’
    â€˜It’s a logical and sensible idea. Wendy is right. If the girls are to get the best education, they need to have as much stability as possible.’ He kissed Kerrie and added softly, ‘Besides, it will be nice to have you all to myself. I love you, sweet girl.’
    Kerrie loved Paris and for the first time in years she felt her creative juices flowing again.