Winds of Change Read Online Free PDF Page B

the tears fall.
    She couldn’t believe this. If Sebastian was involved and if this Mr Tressman was as clever as his father, she was sure the money would be tied up so tightly no one could break the trust. But perhaps she could still have the kind of life she longed for? The sort of home she craved. ‘Well, then, I want to buy a small colonial house with a garden, preferably in a country town.’
    â€˜Ah.’ Sebastian and the lawyer exchanged glances.
    â€˜Ah, what?’ She watched her brother take a deep breath.
    â€˜Well, the thing is, Minnie, we’ve already bought you somewhere to live. We did this a few months ago, with Father’s approval. It’s a flat in a very upmarket block, built only three years ago, excellent location, bound to rise in value. And don’t worry, the block of flats has gardens and they’re really well maintained so you’ll look down on to flowers. We snapped it up at a bargain price when the housing market dropped. I gave the tenant notice as soon as Father died and you can move in next month.’
    â€˜I don’t want to live in a flat. I hate flats.’
    â€˜You won’t hate this one. It has city views and great potential, financially. Besides, the market’s still not buoyant. It’d be foolish to sell it now.’
    â€˜
I do not – want to live – in a flat!
’
    Regina came across and patted her arm. ‘Minnie, living in the country is just an impractical dream. You won’t want to be stuck there in the middle of winter, believe me, you’ll want to be near theatres and restaurants, places where you can meet people.’
    â€˜How can you say that when you live in a small country town? You must enjoy it and I’m sure it’d suit me too.’
    â€˜Well, it’s a bit late for that. Sebastian is very shrewd financially and you should take his advice. Maybe you can sell the flat when the market picks up.’
    Miranda looked at Sebastian’s face and knew the answer to that. She got up and walked out, unable to take any more. Her dreams were ruined. Her life was never going to be her own.
    She found she was still clutching her handbag as she strode down the street, though she didn’t remember picking it up. When a woman she passed stared at her, she realized tears were running down her cheeks, but she didn’t even try to brush them away, just walked on.
    No one followed her. Well, they didn’t need to. They knew she had nowhere to go except the house where she’d been born and where she’d been virtually imprisoned for the past twenty-six years.
    Sebastian would probably be amused by her outburst, would feel it justified the way the money had been left.
Poor Minnie, so impractical. She’s never learned how to handle money. But we’ll look after her.
    She could hear them saying it.
    She couldn’t bear to go straight home, so made for her usual refuge.
    Regina looked at Sebastian. ‘It’s not fair, you know. She should be treated the same as me.’
    â€˜She’d do something foolish, fritter away the money.’
    She didn’t try to argue with him, knowing he’d not change his mind. She preferred avoidance tactics to beating her head against a stone wall, which was why she’d moved to England. They couldn’t interfere in her life there.
    She made a play of looking at her watch. ‘I’m going to phone Nikki. I should just catch her before she goes to school.’
    â€˜Use our phone,’ Sebastian said, waving one hand, generous now he’d got his own way with poor Minnie.
    â€˜Thanks, but I’ll ring from my bedroom. My mobile’s got international dialling.’
    She waited impatiently for her daughter to pick the phone up. ‘Ah, there you are. How are you, Nikki?’
    â€˜All right.’
    â€˜Have you made an appointment with the doctor yet?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜I’m back next week.