Read Once Upon A Winter for Free Online Page B

shook her head. ‘If you don’t count Abe Golding, who was like a grandfather to me, then no. Dad, you’ve forgotten, I’m not actually divorced. I don’t feel . . . single.’
    Her father grimaced, as if his whisky tasted sour. ‘I’m not going to get into an argument about this tonight. I don’t want to go on this trip knowing we’re not the best of friends. My solicitor could have sorted all this out for you by now, but if you’re still not ready . . .’ He shrugged. ‘Like I said, I don’t want a row.’
    Nell felt the knot in her stomach slowly unwind with relief. The last thing she wanted was an argument herself. They would only go round and round in circles, without resolving anything.
    ‘Dad,’ Nell broached, trying to change the subject, and then wondering if she was actually digressing that much at all, ‘why did you rent out the Annexe to Daniel Guthrie? It wasn’t for the money, surely.’
    ‘No, money wasn’t the issue. Not for me, anyhow. I only charge Daniel a basic rent. Just enough so that he doesn’t feel he’s taking liberties. He’s proud. Stubborn. He wouldn’t want to be considered a charity case.’
    ‘Yes, but, why? Why should he be a charity case? And why didn’t you tell me about it?’
    ‘Emma said not to,’ answered her father briskly. ‘Because of all that daftness in the past, which I told her you were well over. Teenage games, that’s all it amounted to. Cruel and senseless and not worth dwelling on, because people grow up. They change.’
    ‘Do they?’
    ‘Yes.’ He faced her squarely. ‘Look in the mirror, Ellena. You’re not the same girl you were back then. You’re not even the same girl you were seven years ago. And I don’t just mean outwardly.’
    She clenched her jaw, and gave an obstinate tug on the bottom of her jumper. ‘OK. Point taken. But you still haven’t said what Daniel Guthrie’s problem is? He’s Deputy Head at Harreloe Primary. Why does he need charity?’
    ‘Maybe not charity, as such. Just a helping hand. Some friends around him.’ Her father hesitated. ‘He’s just gone through a divorce, and although I know it wasn’t acrimonious, as such, he’s still having a hard time of it.’
    ‘Oh . . .’
    ‘He’d been with Lauren for years,’ her father went on. ‘Well, you know that. Anyway, I used to treat their cat. It was only ever Daniel who brought him in, that’s how I got to know him. Daniel, not the cat. And then of course, the fact he’s friends with Emma and Gareth . . . Well, it made sense to rent the Annexe out to him. Just for now, till he gets back on his feet again.’
    ‘He’s friends with Emma and Gareth?’ Nell echoed, taken aback, and smarting with something close to betrayal, however out-of-proportion it might have seemed to anyone else. ‘Emma’s never mentioned him. I meant to speak to her before, but she was out shopping when I dropped the girls back. I’ve been too busy unpacking the rest of the day . . .’ Nell took a deep breath. ‘So - was she friends with Lauren as well?’
    ‘Emma was never friends with Lauren, as such. More Daniel. Lauren has always been . . . How can I put it . . . ?’
    ‘A total bitch?’ offered Nell helpfully. ‘I take it she hasn’t changed that much?’
    Her father’s silence only confirmed Nell’s suspicions, because he never spoke unkindly of anyone if he could help it. 
    ‘Mum?’ A drowsy voice sounded from the hall.
    Nell jumped with surprise, and then sprang to her feet, instantly alert. ‘Josh? I’m in here - in Grandpa’s den . . .’
    The door was pushed open completely. Joshua stood there, rubbing his eyes. ‘I was asleep, and then I wasn’t. And now I can’t get back off. And my bed’s wet.’
    Nell glanced with dismay at the dark patch on his pyjamas. ‘You went to the loo before bed, didn’t you?’
    He nodded. ‘Yes, but I drank cola when we were making the lasagne.’
    ‘It was decaffeinated,’ said his grandfather quickly, ‘and