The Second Silence by Eileen Goudge Read Free Book Online

bared his teeth in a cheerless smile.
    Noelle shivered as if caught in a sudden draft. When their drinks arrived, she couldn’t bring herself to pick up the chilled glass. Gathering her courage instead, she said, ‘I’m sure we’ll want to discuss this with lawyers at some point. I just thought, well, for the time being…’
    She dropped her eyes to the candle flickering in its ruby glass holder. It reminded her of when she was little, praying in church. Her prayer had never varied: that one day her mother would be there to tuck her in every night, not just on the rare occasions when Mary was around. It wasn’t like that with her and Emma. Noelle felt a pang at the thought of being separated from her daughter, even for one night.
    ‘You’re right about lawyers—it’s much too soon for that. So I guess that doesn’t leave me much choice. If I have any chance of winning you back, I’ll have to go along.’ His expression was smooth, considering. She must have looked surprised because he gave a short, mirthless laugh. ‘Were you afraid I’d make a scene? Really, darling, you know me better than that.’
    ‘Let’s just say you’re used to getting your way.’ It wasn’t an insult. Robert took pride in the fact.
    ‘I have no intention of shirking my responsibility toward either you or my daughter.’ He lifted his scotch tumbler to his mouth, eyeing her over its rim.
    She felt her neck and face grow warm. Money was a touchy subject for her, mainly because she had none of her own. Noelle sometimes thought she’d been happiest as a teenager, working summers and on school holidays at the Register. But what had been the good of all those high hopes of a career in journalism when all she had to show for it was a handful of freelance articles published in magazines no one had even heard of?
    ‘You’ve always been generous.’ She wasn’t gilding the lily about that, at least.
    ‘You’re the mother of my child. Nothing could ever change that.’ He picked up his menu. ‘Shall we order now … or after you’ve checked up on Emma?’
    She hesitated, uncertain how to respond. Was this a test of some kind? Noelle chafed at the idea that she had anything to prove as far as her mothering was concerned. On the other hand, Robert was used to her being overprotective—the legacy of her own mother’s benign neglect, she supposed.
    ‘Aunt Trish is baby-sitting,’ she said. ‘I’m sure everything’s fine.’
    ‘I’m sure it is, too.’
    But the seed had been planted, and after a minute or so Noelle began to grow restless. ‘Maybe it wouldn’t hurt. Just a quick call to say good-night.’
    She excused herself, but when she phoned home, it was her grandmother who answered. Nana reported that Trish and Emma were engaged in a heated game of old maid. Emma of course would be up way past her bedtime, but that was Aunt Trish for you. Noelle had to smile. In some ways her aunt was as much a kid as Emma.
    By the time she returned to the table, Robert was already on his second scotch and soda. She hadn’t touched her Pepsi and reached for it now.
    ‘I should have saved my quarter.’ Noelle smiled, sipping her drink. ‘Emma was too busy to come to the phone. It looks as if my aunt is turning her into quite the little card sharp.’
    ‘She’s a smart kid.’
    ‘Too smart for her own good sometimes.’ Noelle was remembering how when Emma was only three, she’d figured out a way to climb onto the kitchen counter where the cookie jar was stored: by pulling open the oven door to use as a stepstool. ‘She’s a bit of handful for Nana right now.’
    ‘Knowing your grandmother, she’d be the last to admit it.’ He chuckled. ‘Speaking of which, what’s the latest word from the good doctor?’
    She felt a prickle of irritation, not liking the tone with which he referred to Hank Reynolds—as if a country doctor were beneath his consideration. ‘She’s doing about as well as can be expected.’ Noelle hadn’t told