Abigale Hall Read Online Free PDF Page B

Rebecca’s heart beat faster.
    â€˜Better than last time we left, isn’t it?’ she said. ‘Don’t have to worry about bombs falling on us before we get there. And no awful luggage labels on our coats, either.’
    Despite Eliza’s words, Rebecca remained tense and unresponsive.
    Now three hours had passed since the train left. Eliza thought Mr Drewry would fall asleep, maybe pull his hat down to block out the carriage lights, like Father used to do on long journeys, but Mr Drewry did nothing. Every once in a while he’d smoke a cigarette but that was all. He didn’t appear to mind Eliza and Rebecca talking, however.
    â€˜Why don’t you read to me?’ Eliza asked when, for lack of something to do, Rebecca began kicking the underside of her seat. She pulled the tattered copy of Mrs Miniver from her handbag and gave it to her sister.
    â€˜Where should I start?’
    â€˜Oh, why not the beginning?’ Eliza replied, closing her eyes. ‘We have plenty of time.’ She heard Rebecca open the book and fold back the pages.
    â€˜â€œFor my girls. No day is complete without a story. With love, Father.”’
    Eliza smiled. Rebecca turned the page.
    â€˜Eliza, does Aunt Bess hate us?’
    â€˜Hate is a very strong word. I think maybe she grew tired of us.’
    â€˜Do you hate her?’
    Eliza sighed and opened her eyes. ‘Right now, I’m very cross with her. But I don’t know if I’ve ever hated anyone.’
    â€˜You hate Hitler.’
    â€˜Well, that’s true.’
    â€˜For what he did to Mother.’
    â€˜For what he did to lots of people. Now go on and read. I can’t remember how it starts.’
    Rebecca began the opening chapter but stopped after the first paragraph.
    â€˜I hate Aunt Bess,’ she said.
    â€˜You’re too young to know if you hate anyone.’
    â€˜No I’m not. And I do, I hate her. I hate her and I’m not sorry for hitting her.’
    â€˜Well, if you’re not sorry now then you will be,’ Eliza said.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Because you’ll realise it was wrong. Are you going to keep reading or shall I do it myself?’
    Rebecca continued then stopped when she reached the end of the page.
    â€˜Liza?’
    â€˜Yes, dearie?’
    â€˜Will you grow tired of me?’
    Eliza wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulders. ‘I can’t. It’s against the law for sisters to grow tired of each other.’
    â€˜It is not.’
    â€˜Is too. Mr Attlee passed it through parliament just the other day.’
    â€˜You’re fibbing,’ Rebecca giggled.
    â€˜Am not. The king asked for it. The princesses had an argument and he wanted to make sure that – no matter what – they would always remain friends.’
    â€˜Liar.’
    â€˜Saw it in the papers.’
    â€˜Well, I don’t believe you.’
    â€˜Well, I think you should keep reading.’
    They shared a smile and Rebecca returned her attention to the book, reciting page after page as the train continued forward through the fog.
    *
    Eliza rummaged through her purse. All she had was £2 12s 8d. Pay day would never come after all.
    â€˜I’m hungry, Eliza.’
    â€˜I know.’
    â€˜We didn’t get dinner.’
    â€˜I know.’
    â€˜I haven’t had anything to eat for ages!’
    â€˜Hush!’
    Mr Drewry appeared to have fallen asleep, and Eliza was afraid of waking him. Slowly, she rose, pressing her finger to her lips to keep Rebecca quiet. Her hand was on the carriage door when a train thundered past in the opposite direction. Mr Drewry shot up in his seat, using the stump of his missing arm to search for something at his side. When he couldn’t reach, he looked at the missing limb as if seeing it for the first time. The panic only lasted a moment, already dissipating when he saw Eliza at the door.
    â€˜Would it be all right if