The Silent Country Read Online Free PDF

shortly.’
    ‘I get to choose,’ squealed Sarah, dashing ahead to the bedroom as Sophie started wailing, ‘Me choose . . .’
    Veronica went past the kitchen. ‘Sue, I’ll see if I can quieten them down then I’ll help you with the food, okay?’
    ‘Thanks. When they’re settled, go and talk to the boys. Nothing to do in here, I got Indian take-away.’
    ‘Sounds good.’ Veronica couldn’t help noticing the smart kitchen with all its modern appliances looked as though a small army had invaded, leaving dishes and glasses and open cartons everywhere. For someone who was meticulous, a detail person and thorough in her work, Sue was unbelievably messy at home, thought Veronica. But then so was their mother, Joan, who ran an employment agency but always paid people to keep the family home tidy especially as their father, Roger, travelled a lot as a marketing executive.
    As Veronica settled the girls into their adjoining beds, smoothed the covers and pulled a chair between the two beds to read them a story, it occurred to her that although her parents had never spent a lot of time with them, she and Sue never felt neglected. There were babysitters and lots of visits from their two grandmothers. Unfortunately for Sue, their mother still worked, so there were fewer visits for her daughters to enjoy.
    Sue stuck her head in the door. ‘You all right, girls? Now be good and quiet for Auntie Vee. Dinner won’t be long.’
    ‘We’ve had dinner. It was yukky,’ said Sarah.
    ‘Well, we won’t get that dish again from the Yummy Tummy Shop,’ said Sue. ‘Poor Auntie Vee and Mummy and Daddy and his friend, we haven’t had our dinner.’
    Veronica glanced at her watch. It was quarter to ten. She was feeling past food. ‘Sue, do you remember when our grannies used to visit, look after us? They always cooked us stuff, read stories, sewed things, didn’t they?’
    ‘God, yes. Mum loved it. When she and Dad came back the cupboards were tidy, all the ironing done, freezer full of home-baked goodies, though I think we might have worn the old dears out.’ She smiled at her two daughters. ‘A bit like you two. Okay, ten minutes and then lights out.’
    The little girls argued with Veronica when she finished the story, but she was firm and walked out of their bedroom, shutting the door behind her, ignoring their complaints.
    ‘Phil, I’m ready for that drink now.’ Veronica moved toys off a lounge chair and sat down.
    ‘I’ll get it. What would you like?’ Ben jumped to his feet as Phil went to find plates and cutlery.
    Sue carried the take-away containers to the table. ‘I’m not fussing with platters, we’ll just help ourselves.’
    ‘Saves washing up,’ said Phil. He grinned at Ben. ‘I told you this was casual, just family.’
    ‘How about I light a candle?’ Veronica took a small candelabra from a sideboard and put it on the table in a gesture to dress up the meal.
    Ben was pleasant looking, with a good job. He was earnest and asked questions about her work and tried to appear interested in her brief answers. Veronica knew he was trying to make a good impression and she tried to be interested in his work but she felt they had little in common and there was simply no chemistry.
    Driving home later, Veronica chided herself for not making more of an effort. Many of her contemporaries would have had at least one date with him to test the waters. What was wrong with her, she wondered. The damage from her relationship with Eddie must have had affected her more than she suspected and she felt the hurt and resentment towards him resurface. Or was it something else? Veronica understood very well the pace at which Sue and Philip lived, their drive to provide for their family, but it didn’t feel right. She was always glad to see them, but she always came away feeling exhausted. She didn’t think that she could live in such chaos. Veronica knew that she didn’t want her life to be as complicated as theirs.

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