Read Threads of Silk for Free Online Page B

said flatly and put it back on the table. ‘What you wasting your time with this rubbish for? Won’t be any use to you when you’re working.’ His voice had hardened, heralding one of his swift changes of mood.
    Ellie reached for the painting but Bert screwed it into a ball and threw it across the room. It hit the wall and landed in front of the kitchen range.
    She made a small sound of protest but he pulled her towards him. ‘Your mother tells me your teachers are very pleased with you,’ he said.
    She nodded and smiled tentatively, nervous at the change in tone, realizing from the glint in his eyes that he hadn’t finished with her. ‘All these exams. What’s the point?’
    Ellie had asked herself the same question.
    ‘You don’t need exams. You’re starting work soon. And don’t argue. I’ll not have you letting my old mate down.’ With each sentence, he gave her a little shake.
    ‘But, Dad, Miss Evans said—’ Ellie began.
    ‘Miss Evans – good ’eavens!’ There was no humour in Bert’s voice. ‘That’s all I ’ear about lately.’ He pushed her away roughly so that she was forced to clutch the edge of the table for support. ‘I know she’s been feeding you ideas about college and all.’ He banged the table. ‘Why is it that some stuck-up vinegary old spinster of a schoolteacher thinks she knows better than your own father?’
    As Ellie nerved herself to speak, his eyes narrowed and a spiteful smile creased his thin lips. His hands gripped her arms and he shook her roughly. ‘You’re getting too big for your boots, my girl.’
    The door opened and Bert’s hands dropped to his sides.
    Ellie rushed to take the shopping bags that were weighing her mother down. ‘You all right, Mum?’
    Mary looked from one to the other. ‘I’m fine. What’s going on here?’
    ‘Nothing, Mum. I was just telling Dad about the art exam.’
    ‘Stupid kid’s on about college again.’ He smiled and put on his wheedling tone. ‘Angel, you know sending you to college costs money. You haven’t thought of that, have you? We’re not Rothschilds, you know.’
    Ellie was about to mention the grant but her mother said, ‘Oh, Ellie, we’ve been over it so many times. I thought you’d accepted it.’
    Mary sounded so dejected that Ellie was sorry she’d upset her. She bent to pick up the screwed-up painting. Might as well throw it on the fire, she thought. But something made her hang on to it.
    As she turned to leave the room, her father reached out and pulled her towards him. ‘Look, Angel. Maybe we made a mistake letting you go to that posh school in the first place. But your mum persuaded me you should have your chance.’ He squeezed her waist and she stiffened. ‘Look at it this way. You’re all we’ve got. With his lordship off in the army and that sister of yours up to gawd knows what, it would break your poor mum’s heart if you left us to go away to college.’
    Ellie looked across at her mother, who had sat down at the table. She still looked pale but she gave a small tight smile and Ellie tried to smile back. Mum had done her best, despite Dad’s opposition to her going to the grammar school. He’d thought she was getting ideas above her station, thinking she was too good for them all, even starting to speak differently. No matter how hard she tried to explain, he’d never understand.
    Bert seemed to sense that the fight had gone out of her and he reached out and touched her hair. ‘You know it makes sense, love. Besides, you’ll like working at the club, you know. Meet lots of posh people, film stars even.’
    Ellie felt the anger stir again. As if that would make up for everything. She managed to swallow her feelings. He stroked her arm and she was glad she was wearing a long-sleeved blouse. To an onlooker the gesture would probably seem innocent enough, but her knees were starting to shake. And he had that funny look in his eyes again. He wouldn’t do anything while her mother was there