A Crimson Dawn Read Online Free

‘What about the other lass?’
    â€˜Nell? She’s much more robust. Must be nearing leaving school. I had it in mind to offer her cleaning work at the surgery.’
    Just then, the back door banged open to a clatter of boots and loud voices. Flora turned to see two youths in filthy jackets and caps stamp into the kitchen. Their faces were so smeared in coal dust, it was impossible to tell their ages.
    â€˜Boots off, lads, before you take another step,’ Helen ordered.
    They stopped and stared at the well-dressed visitor. The slighter one pulled off his cap to reveal a thatch of dirty fair hair. He blushed and bent to untie his boots. The taller one with the curling dark hair gave Flora a keen gaze.
    â€˜Are you the speaker for the night, miss?’
    â€˜I’m afraid not,’ Flora smiled, ‘though it sounds interesting. I belong to the Women’s Suffrage Society in Gateshead as it happens.’
    â€˜Fancy that!’ Helen exclaimed. ‘These are my sons, Rab and Samuel.’
    Flora introduced herself, gingerly taking the grimy hand that the elder boy thrust at her.
    â€˜Boots off, Rab.’
    But he carried on staring. ‘Would you like to gan to the meetin’? You could put in your penny’s worth. There’s plenty’ll argue against you.’
    â€˜Rab, leave her be,’ Helen warned.
    â€˜I’d like nothing better,’ Flora said, ‘but I have calls to do this evening.’
    Rab nodded. ‘You could come and speak another time. We like to hear what’s ganin’ on in the towns. If Oliphant had his way, there’d be no newspapers or books in Crawdene, save the Bible to read.’
    â€˜Really?’ Flora felt uncomfortable. Should she mention her connection with the coal-owner’s family?
    â€˜Aye, he’s the ogre that owns everything round here—’
    â€˜Rab!’ his mother said sharply. ‘You’ll get us all into trouble with that tongue of yours.’
    Rab grinned as he pulled off his boots.
    Helen looked apologetic. ‘Major Oliphant’s the landlord - owns the Liddon pit and several others round here. You’ll not repeat my son’s words, will you? He’s just having a joke.’
    â€˜Of course I won’t,’ Flora assured her as she rose to go. Now would not be the time to confess a friendship with Charles. ‘I can see you have much to do. I’ll leave my address and you can send word when it’s convenient for Emmie to come and stay once you’ve had a chance to talk it over with Mr MacRae.’ It still seemed possible to Flora that the patriarch Jonas might say no.
    â€˜Who’s Emmie?’ Rab asked.
    Helen raised a hand to silence him. ‘I’ll explain after.’
    â€˜I’m very grateful,’ Flora said, taking the woman’s hand. ‘I can see you are good people.’
    Rab laughed. ‘That’s not what they say about us down the chapel.’
    His mother glared at him. ‘Take no notice,’ she sighed at the doctor.
    Flora turned at the door with a smile for the mischievous Rab and his bashful brother. They grinned back. As she left, a small skinny boy appeared at the loft hatch overhead and peered down at them.
    â€˜That’s our pet ferret,’ Rab joked, as the boy dodged out of sight.
    â€˜Our Peter, he means,’ Helen said with a roll of her eyes. ‘He’s a bit shy - not like some.’
    On the way home, free-wheeling down the bank from Crawdene, Flora had pangs of doubt again. Was the house too small? Where would Emmie sleep with all those boys? And that Rab - so quick to speak his mind, like a moth flying at a flame. And she had not met the infamous Jonas, who was no doubt ten times more outspoken.
    Then she shook off her worries. Helen MacRae was warmhearted and caring. She would welcome Emmie with open arms and that’s all that mattered. She could not wait to tell Charles all about her