The Silent Touch of Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

much she scrimped and saved, Melissa hadn’t been able to scrape together enough to satisfy the bank or building societies she’d approached. It was incredibly frustrating.
    ‘Well, then, it seems to me I have the perfect solution,’ Dorothy announced. ‘Why don’t you move in with me?’
    Melissa and Jolie stared at the old lady in stunned silence, before exclaiming inelegantly in unison, ‘What?’
    ‘Are you serious?’ Melissa’s hands were suddenly shaking and she had to put her teacup down before the contents spilled out onto her lap.
    ‘Yes, of course I’m perfectly serious. I have to admit it is why I invited you down here. Well, that and because I wanted to get to know you, of course.’ Dorothy smiled, but wouldn’t quite meet Melissa’s eyes.
    ‘But surely you wouldn’t want us cluttering up your home? And we’ve only just met.’ There was something going on here that Melissa didn’t understand. She was also rather embarrassed by this kind offer. Although she’d told Dorothy about her difficulties following her recent divorce, she didn’t want to be seen as a poor relation needing assistance. She was doing just fine by herself. Well, more or less. If only Dad hadn’t gambled away all his and Mum’s savings on the wretched horses, leaving Mum with a house mortgaged to the hilt, then I might have had at least a small inheritance now   … But there was no use crying over spilt milk.
    ‘Nonsense,’ Dorothy was saying. ‘It’s not much fun living here all alone. It’s been very quiet since dear Charles died. I would welcome the noise and someone to talk to occasionally. And there is plenty of space; this house is really too big for just one person. If you want to bring your own furniture, I’m sure we could come to some arrangement. There’s a lot of old stuff here that could be got rid of.’
    ‘No, I really don’t think   …’
    ‘Oh please, Mum, it would be brilliant and I could see Russ every day,’ Jolie pleaded, her face taking on an expression Melissa knew only too well. ‘We could even buy a puppy, couldn’t we, Aunt Dorothy?’
    ‘Why not? I’m sure Russ would like a friend. Seriously, you would be doing me a favour, Melissa,’ Dorothy added. ‘I would feel much safer knowing there was someone I could call on for help if I needed it. I’m not getting any younger, I’m seventy-two you know. Unfortunately, Charles and I were never blessed with children.’
    Melissa hadn’t thought of that aspect. Of course Dorothy must be lonely and in need of assistance with the big house. Despite having a cleaning lady once a week, it was probably too much work for her.
    ‘You don’t have any other relatives? On your husband’s side, I mean.’ Melissa knew perfectly well there was no one left in her own family.
    ‘No, there is no one. Charles was an only child.’
    ‘But, no, really we couldn’t impose on you, Dorothy. It wouldn’t be right.’
    ‘Oh, Mu-um   …’ Melissa cut short Jolie’s protest with a stern look. She would prefer them to discuss the matter in private later on. They hardly knew Dorothy. The idea of moving in with someone who was almost a complete stranger seemed like madness. And yet, she couldn’t deny it was tempting.
    ‘When exactly does your lease expire?’ Dorothy asked.
    ‘At the end of this month.’ Melissa was uncomfortably aware that time was running out. It was only the second of February, but that still left only four weeks, as it was such a short month.
    ‘And have you seen any flats you like?’
    ‘No, that’s the problem. There are very few available in our area at the moment. At least of the kind I’d consider suitable and at a reasonable price.’
    ‘Well then?’
    Melissa hesitated, then shook her head. ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to think about this before rushing into anything.’
    ‘Of course, I’m sure it is all a bit sudden, but please do consider it. Honestly, I’d love to have you both.’
    The old lady