Threads of Silk by Roberta Grieve Read Free Book Online

but she still felt nervous being so close to him.
    She swallowed hard as he pulled her towards him and kissed her cheek. ‘You’re a good girl, Ellie, love. Not like that sister of yours.’
    Mary stood up abruptly, pushing her chair back. ‘Don’t talk about Sheila like that,’ she said. ‘I know I was upset at first and I can’t deny it sickens me to think of her with that thug. But she seems happy enough and now that they’re going to get married—’
    Bert gave a little laugh. ‘Married? He’s got to get his divorce yet. Let’s hope it’s all sorted before the baby comes.’
    Mary’s face paled. ‘Baby?’ she whispered, sinking into a chair. ‘You mean I’m going to be a grandmother?’ A smile slowly spread over her face. ‘Grandma,’ she said.
    ‘Changed your tune, ain’t yer?’ Bert sneered.
    ‘I’m still her mother, ain’t I?’ Mary snapped. She picked up her purse and turned to Ellie. ‘I’ve just remembered. I promised to get your gran some cough medicine. Run down to the chemist for me, love.’
    Ellie took the money and moved towards the door, the screwed-up painting still clutched in her hand. Before leaving the house she ran upstairs. In her attic room, she smoothed the paper out and put it under a pile of books. If that didn’t work maybe she’d try ironing it. The design was one of the best things she’d done so far and she wanted to keep it for her college portfolio. She gave a little sob. She wasn’t going to college, was she? Even with the scholarship that Miss Evans was so sure she’d win – the scholarship she hadn’t dared mention tonight – they’d never let her go.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    It was pouring with rain the next day and Ellie pulled the hood of her raincoat up, forcing it over the brimmed velour hat, which they had to wear whenever they were in school uniform. It was a fate worse than death – a visit to the headmistress – for anyone seen in public without their hat.
    ‘At least I won’t have to wear this horrible old thing any more,’ she said to Judith, cramming the hat down on her head.
    ‘So, you’re definitely not coming back next term?’ her friend asked.
    ‘My dad says I’ve got to go out to work – he’s even found me a job.’
    Judith was about to ask where but Ellie said, ‘I don’t mind – really. I know I wanted to go to college but they can’t afford it.’
    ‘What about the art scholarship, though?’
    ‘Even with that it would still be hard for them.’
    Judith looked as if she wanted to ask more questions but the bus came along. It was crowded and, to Ellie’s relief, they couldn’t find seats together. She just didn’t feel like satisfying her friend’s curiosity today.
    She stared out at the rain streaming down the window, wondering how she was going to achieve her ambitions when her family seemed determined to stop her. She would just have to work hard and save her money until she could leave home and do what she wanted.
    As they so often did, her thoughts turned to Harry. He’d be home soon, bringing his German bride. All the more reason to leave home, she thought. But first, she had to face Miss Evans and tell her not to bother about putting her in for scholarship.
    As she left the art room, Miss Evans said, ‘Are you really sure?’
    Ellie nodded.
    ‘I don’t understand. Is it because you’re nervous – you don’t think you stand a chance?’
    ‘Something like that,’ Ellie agreed. 
    Miss Evans smiled. ‘Nonsense, child. I wouldn’t be recommending you unless I was confident of your success. And you must be confident too.’
    The bell went and Ellie seized the opportunity to escape. The art mistress meant well, she knew, encouraging her talent and giving her the confidence to develop it. But kind as she was, there was no way Ellie could ever confide in her the problems of her home life and the difficulties of getting her parents – especially her father – to agree that a career in art was a valid