Bobby's Girl Read Online Free PDF Page B

six-foot-six well-built frame, taller than any of her brothers’ or sisters’ children. Her son – and Bobby’s.
    She waited until the sound of Andy’s car engine died away, before taking the letter from her pocket and handing it to her father.
    Her father read the letter before returning it to her. ‘Do you remember what you said to your mother and me when we brought you back from America?’
    â€˜I remember confessing I was pregnant and being terrified of your reaction. I expected a scene. But all Mam said was, “A grandchild, how lovely.” And you said, “We’ll do whatever we can to help. It’s your decision but I think you should finish college.”’
    â€˜Which you did,’ he smiled. ‘It took courage for you to finish your course in Swansea, Pen. Some people were still petty-minded about illegitimacy at the end of the Sixties. But to answer my question, what you actually said was, “Better I bring my child up alone than go begging to a man who doesn’t want me or his baby.” But this,’ he tapped the letter in her hand, ‘wasn’t written by a man who didn’t want you. What was it, Pen? I know his disfigurement wouldn’t have stopped you from marrying him. Was it his money?’
    â€˜It’s not what it seems, Dad.’
    â€˜Did he make things difficult for you? I’ve treated men who’ve been horribly maimed in the pits. Some did all they could to push their wives and girlfriends away lest love turn to pity,’ he suggested astutely.
    â€˜If that had been the problem, I believe, given time, I could have overcome it.’
    â€˜Was it his grandmother? Charlotte Brosna certainly didn’t want you to see him after the accident. She couldn’t wait to get you out of the States. Even bought you a flight ticket home.’
    â€˜Which you refused to take.’ She finished her coffee and set her mug on the floor.
    â€˜I didn’t like the way the woman tried to assume control, not only of her grandson’s life but my daughter’s.’ He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ‘But bullying has its own reward. Charlotte Brosna reached a ripe old age.’
    â€˜After Bobby recovered as much as he’s ever going to, I doubt Charlotte could have stopped us from seeing one another – if we’d wanted to.’
    â€˜She wanted Andy when she found out you were pregnant.’
    â€˜She couldn’t do anything legally without Bobby’s permission. I have him to thank for respecting my decision to bring him up alone.’
    â€˜Pen, those letters you wrote to your mother and me from America, you were besotted with Bobby Brosna. If you really meant that much to one another, I can’t understand why you wouldn’t let him help you to bring up Andy. Tell me, if it wasn’t the accident, what really happened to separate you two?’
    She couldn’t answer him because the secret wasn’t hers to tell.
    â€˜Do you want to talk about it, sweetheart?’
    She shook her head, buying time to fight the tears pricking the back of her eyes. She didn’t give herself long enough. Her voice wavered when she finally answered. ‘The choices I made seemed right at the time.’
    â€˜But not now?’
    â€˜I don’t know what I feel now, Dad.’
    â€˜You do know you have to tell Andy about his father – and this legacy.’
    â€˜Not until after he’s sat his exams.’
    â€˜There I agree with you. I’ve seen how a little money can unhinge a teenager. But billions? Even I, at my advanced age, can’t comprehend wealth on that scale.’ Her father rose to his feet. ‘I’ll leave you in peace, Pen. If you want to talk, you know where to find me. Whatever you decide, your mother and I will be behind you as we’ve always been. Just one word of advice.’
    She looked up at him.
    â€˜For the first time in eighteen