Winners and Losers by Linda Sole Read Free Book Online Page A

was remembering that night and realizing that she could easily be telling the truth. Alice had fallen for their first child on their wedding night. Why shouldn’t Maura have conceived that night? He just wished it were a lie.
    â€˜You won, then.’ Alice smiled at him. ‘Why aren’t you celebrating in the beer tent with the others?’
    â€˜I was looking for you. Do you want a drink or have you had enough?’
    â€˜I’m ready to go home when the kids are. Is something the matter, Dan? You look bothered – angry.’
    â€˜No, I’m not angry,’ he lied as he ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t want to have to borrow money to give Maura. If there was any money to spare, it should be for Alice and his children.
    His children . . . Daniel felt the sickness in his throat. If Maura wasn’t lying, he had another son. One he had never even seen.
    â€˜Daddy, you’re home!’ Sarah ran to her father and put her arms about him, hugging him. ‘I miss you when you’re away.’
    â€˜I miss you too, sweetheart,’ he told her and kissed the top of her head. ‘You’re getting taller. I shan’t be able to do that soon.’
    â€˜Where is Mum?’ Sarah said, glancing round the kitchen. It was all neat and tidy, nothing out of place, but there was no sign of tea or her mother. ‘Are you hungry?’
    â€˜Yes,’ he said and grimaced. ‘Your mother is lying down with a headache. How about I run you to the fish shop? I could just eat fish and chips.’
    â€˜Me too,’ Sarah said. ‘They are doing chicken and chips too at the shop near Paradise football ground. Mum likes that. Shall I ask her if she wants some?’
    â€˜I think she has one of her migraines. Just leave her to sleep it off, Sarah. She will be better in the morning. I think we should have fish and chips in the café on the market place and then I’ll take my little girl to the pictures – what do you say to that?’
    â€˜I should like that, Daddy.’ Sarah hesitated. ‘Are you sure I shouldn’t just tell Mum where we are going?’
    â€˜She told me she didn’t want to be disturbed. Leave her to rest, Sarah. You know what she’s like. She will be quieter with us out of the house for a few hours.’
    â€˜Yes, I know she feels awful when she has a migraine,’ Sarah agreed. She smiled at her father. ‘It will be really nice – just you and me.’
    â€˜I’ve been thinking about my little girl while I was away,’ her father said as they went out to the car. ‘What do you want for your birthday, sweetheart – some money or a surprise?’
    â€˜I’ve seen a pretty dress I like at the shop, but it is a lot of money.’
    â€˜Is it well made – a quality thing?’ Sarah nodded. ‘Then I’ll give you the money to buy it and perhaps there will also be a little surprise on the day . . .’
    â€˜You spoil me, Daddy.’
    â€˜That is what fathers are for,’ he said. ‘You know I love you, Sarah. I always have. Whatever might happen in the future, that will never change . . .’
    â€˜Is something the matter?’ Sarah asked, feeling a chill at the nape of her neck.
    â€˜No, of course not,’ he replied. ‘I just wanted you to know. I can’t wait for those fish and chips. I’m starving!’
    Sarah smiled, but she was thoughtful. She had begun to wonder lately what was causing the blinding headaches her mother was having more and more frequently. It was odd but they always seemed to happen when her father came back from one of his business trips.
    â€˜You’ve made a really good start; it even smells better,’ Emily said as she looked around the bedrooms in the dower house. Connor and his friends had taken down partitions of wood and plaster, broken up old toilets and basins and thrown them