Page 87 of The Stolen Child

‘Ailsa?’ Elsie exclaimed. ‘That’s her name? I would not have got that if you’d given me a hundred guesses.’

Sally nodded. ‘It’s pretty, isn’t it? A Scottish name, apparently, and she told me that she’s named after her grandmother.’

‘Goodness, you are chummy now!’

‘I like her,’ Sally replied truthfully. ‘Anyway, enough about me. Tell me all your news. How’s Cyril and the girls?’

‘Mary’s up the duff again. Cyril said us women would be the death of him.’ Elsie started to cackle with laughter.

‘Ah, that’s lovely news. Please give her my best. And Reggie, how’s he?’

‘Lying low,’ Elsie said, then leaned in closer to whisper, ‘He did a job for you-know-who, and the Old Bill are everywhere, trying to pin it on someone. Probably won’t see much of him for a week or two.’

‘That worries me,’ Sally admitted with a frown. ‘I like Reggie. You know that. He’s a fun guy. But you deserve someone who can give you more than that. Don’t you want that for yourself?’

Elsie looked around the modern semi-detached home, from the half-prepared food on the countertop, to Sally’s bump. ‘Like you have here?’

‘Yes. Or a version of this,’ Sally said, smiling. ‘Do you remember all those nights we’d whisper to each other, our hopes to marry two brothers, and live next door.’

‘Not sure I want that any more,’ Elsie replied sadly.

‘Why?’ Sally demanded, feeling her stomach sink at Elsie’s comment.

‘I don’t know. Maybe I wouldn’t be a good mother. Not everyone has the maternal gene, like you do,’ Elsie said as a shadow passed over her face.

‘You would be a great mother, Elsie. You took me under your wing the first moment you met me. I would never have survived Sunshine House without you.’

‘Yes you would. I keep telling you, you’ll always be okay. You’re a bright light that will never go out.’ Then she frowned as she asked, ‘Is Ian good to you? Does he treat you right?’

Sally nodded immediately. ‘He loves me. I’m happy, honestly. Ian is good to me.’

And, in the main, this statement was true. She pushed aside the nagging thought that followed – that Ian was good to her as long as she did as he demanded. On the occasions she resisted, Ian did not respond well.

Elsie raised an eyebrow as she searched Sally’s face. Then she shrugged, and said, ‘Look, it doesn’t matter what either of us think about our boyfriends or husbands, as long as we’re happy, right?’

‘Exactly!’ Sally replied.

‘We might not get your dream of living next door to each other, though. Not if I stick with my Reggie, that is. Can you imagine Ian and Reggie cutting the lawn, side by side?’ Elsie added, with a cheeky wink, making Sally snort with laughter.

And that’s all it took for them both to regain their equilibrium. Friendship was restored. But, as they caught up with each other’s news, Sally forgot the time. She only realised that it was six o’clock when the creak of the front door opening announced Ian’s return.

‘Damn it, Ian’s back and the dinner isn’t cooked,’ Sally said, holding a hand to her face.

‘You can get a takeaway,’ Elsie said reassuringly. ‘He will understand.’

Ian didn’t understand, though. His face turned to thunder when he saw the two friends sitting side by side at the kitchen table.

‘All right for some, sitting on their backsides all day gossiping, while others are out working hard.’

Sally jumped up and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes, darling.’

‘I called unexpectedly. Sally didn’t know I was coming,’ Elsie said, locking eyes with Ian. ‘And I’m leaving, so don’t worry – your precious dinner will not be delayed a moment longer by me.’

‘You should call in advance the next time. Some would say turning up unannounced is bad manners,’ Ian said. Then he turned his back on her before Elsie could respond.

Once Sally had said her goodbyes to Elsie, apologising for Ian’s rudeness, she returned to the kitchen. She had to make Ian see that he could not speak to her friends like that. But before she had a chance to relay this to him, she felt a sharp blow on her cheek. Stunned, she turned to see Ian lowering his hand.

‘You . . . you slapped me,’ Sally stammered, feeling heat rush to her cheek as it throbbed from the impact.