AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can you persuade him?”
“Persuade him?”
“To turn a blind eye,” she clarifies. “After all, if it’s not costing him anything, why would he mind?”
There are lots of reasons, but I don’t go into them all with her. I settle for pointing out that she tried to deceive him. Ethan Savage is a Bratva boss, not a charity. He has a reputation to uphold and he doesn’t like to be crossed.
Jenna sinks into the pillow. “Surely, if he understands what I’m trying to do…”
“I’ll talk to him, “ I concede, without the slightest shred of optimism. I really should have put a stop to all of this while I was there, not let those kids carry on thinking it was going to be okay.
“What about the girls?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“The girls. Mrs Mop. Will he let them keep the cleaning contract?”
“Why would Ethan Savage be interested in who cleans the pub?” For a moment I am genuinely perplexed, then the penny drops. “Ah. They’re part of your little project as well.”
“Not everyone wants to pass exams. They wanted to start their business, so I helped them set up and I gave them the pub contract to get them started. They’re both too young to drive so they need to work locally. I just thought…”
“I don’t need to mention them to Ethan.” Nor the fact that Gregory will be working behind the bar.
“Thank you,” she mutters, her expression only slightly less dejected. “I appreciate that.”
CHAPTER18
Ruth
Jack remainssilent for most of the journey, speaking only to update us on progress. He does, though, let me use his phone again to talk to Willowfield. I am informed that my mother is still with us and knows we are on our way.
“They often manage to hang on until…” Julie falters, clearly unwilling to make a promise she may not be able to keep. “People can be very resilient. Determined to…”
Say goodbye?
I don’t utter the words. Neither does the nurse, but we both know.
“I’ll be there in an hour,” I tell her.
I appreciate Jack’s silence. He lets me become acquainted with my new family without interruptions. The conversation with Beth is prickly. I sense she has mixed feelings about me, about my sudden appearance in her life. I opt to let that go. It must have been a shock, after all.
Faith is a different matter entirely. She’s warm and friendly. She seems genuinely interested in getting to know me and asks a lot about my mum. I find her easy to talk to and I’m glad she’s here.
“We’ll be there in about twenty minutes” the pilot announces.
Faith reaches for my hand. She says nothing, just squeezes.
The helicopter circlesthe large house, once a stately home, now converted to a hospice, and our pilot, Magda, decides she can land on the car park. We touch down, and Jack is first to exit. He helps me to the ground, then Faith, followed by Beth.
“They’re expecting you. Go on.”
“Thank you.” I lift my chin and head for the main entrance.
Faith is at my side, Beth slightly behind.
Julie meets us in reception. “Miss Lowison. I’m so glad to see you. Can you find your own way or do you need me to—?”
“I remember. Same room?”
