Shattered Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’d like a little talk as you’re eating.”
    “We could use that work bench over there, Mum, and I’ll just nip over the fence and wash my hands in the water butt. Sit on that crate, you should be comfortable enough on that.”
    He rushed off and was back in five minutes, while Gladys sat on the crate and rehearsed what she was going to say.
    “Darling, you know how I hate to interfere in any of my children’s business, but a little bird has told me that you are thinking of marrying a girl that you have met at the village hall dance?”
    “Yes, Mum, her name is Irene. I haven’t brought her home to meet the family yet because I’ve been busy getting this place ready, so that when we’re married we can move in.”
    “This is why I wanted to talk to you, darling. Do eat that apple, Eddie, before you eat the gateau.
    I’m afraid that your father has not been entirely honest with you. He has given you the impression that this will be your bungalow when it’s finished. As you know, Caitlin and Larry will need somewhere to live when they’re married because the house that they were going to have in Nutmeg Avenue has fallen through.”
    Eddie’s face had been getting redder and redder as he listened to his mother’s words. The bastard, the effing bloody bastard, he’d been working on this place for months and now it was being taken away!
    “Where is he, Mother?” he asked in a dangerously calm voice.
    “Who dear?”
    “My father, of course. I’ll bloody well swing for him. I’ve worked on this place in all my free time, given up going out with my mates, only seen Irene on Saturday nights and here he is saying I’m not getting it!”
    “I think I would calm down if I were you, Eddie. I wouldn’t go doing anything hasty. I know it has come as a shock to you, but your father is allowed to do whatever he likes with his land and property and remember you only work for him. Nothing will be yours until he dies.”
    “The way I’m feeling, Mum, I could choke the life out of him. But you’re right, all of this is his anyway. I’ll go and speak to him straight away, because I’m not doing another hands tap for him again.”
    “Just be careful what you say to him, darling, he’s not in the greatest of moods at the moment, I’m not sure why. Something to do with that appointment he had a while back with the bank manager. Did I tell you that your father is putting a house in my name? Well, it was going to be a pair of semi’s in my name, but your father has decided to sell one of them and raise some money for Caitlin’s wedding.”
    “Bully for Caitlin. I bet he won’t do anything for me and Irene.”
    “I’m sure he won’t, dear. You’ll have to make do with a civil wedding if you marry a Protestant and I’m sure you won’t want that to happen, will you, Son?”
    There was no answer from Eddie. He had shot off out of the bungalow and left Gladys to clear up the picnic.
    J.C. was locking up his car on the driveway as Eddie ran through the gates and caught him by the shoulder. His father looked in surprise at his son’s belligerent face, then brushed his hand away resignedly.
    “Someone’s told you then,” he sighed. “What can a man do, when it comes to keeping his head up high in the community? I promised the girl somewhere to live and the bungalow will have to do.”
    “Have to do?” snarled Eddie. “You’ve loads of property you could put them in. Why pick the one that I’ve worked on since the footings? Let me tell you, Dad, if you give that bungalow to Caitlin, you and me are finished. I’ll walk out of here and you’ll never see me again.”
    “Hah, brave talk from a young whippersnapper, who’s relied on me since he’s been dirtying his cloths. I’ll find you another plot of land and you can start building something else and be damn grateful I’m letting you.”
    “What!” Eddie exploded.“So you can give the next one away to Sheena or Rosalind? I don’t think so. What do