Page 45 of The Winter Bride

The shock of seeing him was beginning to wear off and for the first time she noticed that he looked rather dishevelled and not at all his usual immaculate self. The cuffs of his shirt were frayed and his jacket was creased. His hair needed a good cut too.

‘And why the sudden urge to marry me after all this time?’ she asked coldly. ‘You didn’t even bother to attend our daughter’s funeral.’

He shrugged. ‘I know, and I’m sorry about that. I suppose I’ve realised how much I miss you.’

‘The rest of your girls found a new pimp, have they?’ Her voice was laced with hate. ‘I wondered how long it would take them to see through your lies. And if I married you, where would we live?’

‘Well, I thought I could move here to live with you.’

Susan laughed mirthlessly. ‘Oh, I see. You’ve lost the apartments as well, have you? Too much gambling again?’ She’d always viewed Theo through rose-coloured spectacles, but finally she was seeing him in the harsh light of day, and she didn’t like what she saw. He’d broken her heart and almost broken her spirit, but she was stronger now. She walked to the door and held it open. ‘I suggest you leave immediately. And please don’t come back. The part of my life that I shared with you is far behind me. And you should know I am getting married the day after tomorrow to a decent, kind man. A man that is everything you aren’t.’

The smarmy smile slid from his face. ‘You’re getting married?’ He sounded incredulous. ‘But who would marry you? You’re nothing but a whore!’

‘My husband-to-be is quite aware of what I was in my past life,’ Susan replied calmly. ‘So once again I suggest you leave.’

With an effort Theo forced a smile back to his face. ‘How about you give me a loan then? Just for old times’ sake. I’m a bit down on my luck at present. Just a few hundred would tide me over.’

‘You’ll not take another penny from me!’ Susan’s eyes flashed angrily as she stared at this wreck of a man who had once meant the whole world to her. How could she have been such a fool?

He suddenly surged forward and took her arm in a vice-like grip and for the first time Susan felt a flutter of panic in her stomach.

‘All right, just a few pounds then? Surely you can manage that!’

At that second Peggy appeared and, recognising Theo and seeing how he was hurting Susan, she hurried forward.

‘Get your filthy bloody ’ands off ’er!’ she snarled, angry colour flooding into her cheeks. ‘An’ get out of ’ere right now else I’ll ’ave the coppers on yer! Ain’t you caused this woman enough ’eartache? Go on, clear off an’ find yerself some other poor unsuspecting soul to live off afore I put me foot up yer arse to ’elp yer on yer way!’ Rushing across the shop she lifted a broom from behind the counter and advanced on him menacingly.

Seeing that he was wasting his time, Theo let go and sneered. ‘Don’t worry – I’m going,’ he spat. Then he looked back at Susan. ‘And just know that I never had any intention of marrying you, especially once you’d given birth to that . . . that—’

With a roar Peggy rushed forward and Theo slammed out of the door and strode along the street, his face red with rage.

Only when he was out of sight did Susan dare to breathe again as the tears came thick and fast.

‘Now that’s enough o’ that, my girl,’ Peggy scolded as she closed the door and led Susan to a chair. ‘If yer did but know it, he’s just done you a favour showin’ you ’is true colours like that. Think what a lucky escape you ’ad! Come on, we’ll ’ave us a nice strong cup o’ tea, eh?’

She bustled away to put the kettle on as Susan composed herself. Peggy stayed with her for the rest of the day just in case Theo returned, but when they turned the sign on the door to ‘Closed’ late that afternoon there had been no further sign of him.

‘Just put ’im from yer mind once an’ fer all,’ Peggy urged. ‘An’ look forward to yer weddin’. This will be a new start for yer wi’ a decent man.’

Susan nodded in agreement. Peggy was right; she’d had a very lucky escape.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Susan and Tim were married two days later in Chilvers Coton Church. Susan was radiant as she walked down the aisle on Levi’s arm, with Tim’s two little girls following her as bridesmaids. The short service was beautiful and Tim looked proud as Punch whenever he glanced at his new bride. It was going to be a brand-new start for both of them, and everyone was sure they were going to be very happy.

On leaving the church the couple was showered with rice, and the procession that made its way to the hotel for the reception was joyful.

Annie couldn’t help but feel a little envious as she watched the newly-weds – they were clearly very much in love. Unbidden, a picture of Alex Gordon floated in front of her eyes, but she blinked it away. In two hours’ time, she, Nancy, Adam and Alfred would be aboard the train on the way to their new life and she had mixed feelings about it. She was greatly looking forward to her new business venture, but she was going to miss the people she was leaving behind hugely.

The day before, the Taylor-Lloyds had visited to say goodbye to Adam and had made it more than clear that they were not happy about her decision to move. Thankfully there was nothing they could do to stop it. Annie had lied and told them they would all be staying with a friend for a while as she didn’t want them to have her address in London. The best thing about moving would be not having to see Reggie every time she turned around. With Marie’s permission she intended to give them her address. Then if they decided to visit, they would be none the wiser as to where she was.

‘Penny fer your thoughts, you were miles away,’ Peggy said as they walked along.

Annie smiled. ‘Oh, I was just thinking how hard it’s going to be to leave you all.’

Peggy gently squeezed her arm. ‘Yer can always come back if it don’t turn out to be what yer want,’ she pointed out. ‘An’ as I said, yer only a train ride away. Yer can always stay wi’ us when yer visit. It’ll be a bit of a squeeze, but we’ll manage. Are yer beginnin’ to have second thoughts?’

‘It’s not that.’ Annie shook her head. ‘I suppose I’m thinking that once I leave, I’ll never find out who my real parents are.’