Sunlight on the Mersey Read Online Free PDF Page B

tidy you up a bit and change those pillowcases before the doctor comes and we’ll see what he says about the idea and when he thinks you will be well enough to go.’
    Dr Mackenzie thought it was a very sensible idea and assured Kate that Rose would be fit to travel in about two weeks, depending upon how quickly she recovered, and Kate determined to write to Gwen that very evening asking would she be kind enough to have Rose to stay for the summer months.
    That evening the news of Rose’s proposed convalescence in Wales was received with astonishment by Iris and a little resentment by Charlie.
    ‘And she’s quite happy to go, Mam? For the whole summer?Won’t she get bored stiff after a couple of weeks?’ Iris asked, wondering just what her sister would find to keep her occupied for months in a tiny village with the nearest town over ten miles away.
    ‘She’s delighted with the idea,’ Kate replied firmly, folding up the gingham tablecloth and putting it away in a drawer of the dresser. ‘And I’m sure she has no wish to see that . . . that Harper lad again.’
    ‘Oh, I’ll bet she is! She’ll be spending her time getting waited on and reading those penny dreadfuls she’s always got her nose stuck into,’ Charlie muttered, wondering who was going to pay for Rose’s extended holiday – for that’s what it appeared to be to him. He did feel some sympathy for Rose, she was ill and she had been hurt by that young fool, but surely she had to learn to take the knocks life dealt? He certainly had.
    Kate rounded on him. ‘Charlie! You know our Rose has always been delicate. She won’t be getting waited on and she’ll be helping in the shop.’
    This information did nothing to mollify Charlie. ‘And who is going to pay for her keep? Miss Roberts can’t be expected to foot the bill and I don’t think it’s very fair to either me or Iris if we have to contribute to this . . . this . . . holiday of Rose’s.’
    Kate pursed her lips, annoyed by Charlie’s words. ‘It’s
not
a holiday and no one is expecting you or Iris to pay a penny towards it.
I
will make the financial arrangements with Gwen. Now, I don’t want to hear any more of your complaints,Charlie. And, Iris, don’t you go upsetting her by telling her what he said or putting her off the idea. It’s for the good of her health.’
    Iris nodded her agreement whilst casting her brother an annoyed glance. ‘I won’t, Mam. I think it’s a great idea as long as Rose is happy about it. I have to admit that it would drive me mad living in the country – all that
silence –
but she might enjoy it and Aunty Gwen’s nice and she knows everyone in that village.’
    Kate smiled at her eldest daughter. There wasn’t a jealous bone in Iris’s body but she wished Charlie could be a bit more sympathetic. He’d changed, she thought sadly, he’d never been as moody or self-centred before. It was the fault of the war. Would they never be free of its shadow?

Chapter Three

    I RIS DISCUSSED HER SISTER’S visit to Wales in detail with her best friend Florence Taylor, who worked in the accounts office of Frisby Dyke’s. Florence’s father was a successful coal merchant and they lived in a far better area of the city than the Mundys; her friend had received a far better education than herself, which was why Florence had a responsible job in the office and Iris was just a counter assistant. They had become friendly when Florence had asked her advice on some lace she wanted to purchase and after that they’d begun to spend all their breaks together and walked to the tram stop each evening. Florence was much quieter and more reserved than Iris was; she’d been almost as shocked as Iris’s mam when she’d had her hair cut short.
    ‘Oh, I just wouldn’t have the courage, Iris. What if itdoesn’t turn out right and looks awful?’ she’d exclaimed when Iris had informed her of her intention to visit Marcel’s, a very modern hairdressing establishment in the