The Lie Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’m not sure. I don’t know what else it could be – but Clay or Henry might. You know they wouldn’t tell me anything important.’
    â€˜They still think you’re a little girl, I expect, but you’re not little Emmy anymore.’
    â€˜No, I’ve grown up.’
    â€˜Working for the Fire Service I hear?’ Daniel smiled at her. ‘I expect that keeps you busy.’
    â€˜There aren’t many days without several call-outs,’ Emily said, and gave him a wry smile. ‘But we don’t want to talk shop – How long are you home for?’
    â€˜Three months, I think,’ he replied. ‘I’ve got to see my own doctor next week and have regular check-ups, and then I’ll go back for a medical at the military hospital. After that I expect they will find me a job of some kind.’
    â€˜Then at least you will be here for a while – unless you want to stay with friends?’
    â€˜Most of my friends are here,’ Daniel replied, with a little frown. He didn’t want to think about other friends, friends who had died – suddenly, some of them; others in slow agony, waiting on that beach. ‘I can’t do much on the farm or I would offer to help, but I’ll give Henry a hand with the accounts if he wants.’
    â€˜Dad’s lawyer wanted to talk to you when you were fit,’ Emily said. ‘I suppose it’s to do with  . . . well, the land and things. I’m not sure how things have been left. Apparently, there’s a small trust for me, but I didn’t go to the reading so I don’t know the rest. Henry probably knows.’
    â€˜Yes, I expect so,’ Daniel said. ‘I suppose I’d better come down now. It will be time for dinner soon and I could do with something, even if it’s only a drink.’ He frowned. ‘I had better say hello to Margaret. We haven’t met yet  . . .’
    â€˜Stop dreaming, Miss Searles,’ the sharp voice of her supervisor cut through Emily’s thoughts. ‘I’ve asked you twice to come into my office.’
    â€˜Yes, Miss Brown.’ Emily came out of her reverie and got to her feet just as her phone started to ring. ‘Shall I  . . .?’
    â€˜Leave it to one of the other girls. I want to talk to you now.’
    Now what had she done wrong? Emily knew that she had been lost in her thoughts when her supervisor called her, but she’d only answered three emergency calls that afternoon. For once they were having a quiet time of it, only a couple of small domestic fires and a potentially more serious one at the jam factory.
    â€˜I’m sorry if I wasn’t listening, Miss Brown,’ Emily said, as she entered the office. ‘My brother came home yesterday. He was wounded at Dunkirk and has been in hospital for weeks.’
    â€˜I’m sorry to hear that he was wounded, but having had experience of the reality of war yourself, Miss Searles, perhaps it will help you to understand why we need to transfer you.’
    â€˜Transfer me?’ Emily stared at her in surprise. ‘I don’t understand – have I done something wrong?’
    â€˜Quite the opposite,’ the supervisor said, and her sharp features relaxed into a smile. ‘I think you are ready for more responsibility and more demanding work, Emily. They are crying out for girls like you in the big industrial cities, and I want to put you on my transfer list. You might be sent to Coventry or Liverpool, Southampton – or even London. How would you feel about that?’
    â€˜I’m not sure  . . .’ Emily was so surprised that she hardly knew how to answer. ‘Yes, I suppose – if you think I could be of use?’
    â€˜Wonderful. I was sure you would agree, but some girls refuse to go because of circumstances at home.’
    â€˜No, I don’t have that kind of a problem,’ Emily said. Margaret