A House Divided: An Easterleigh Hall Novel Read Online Free

but why did no-one say anything to Tim when he behaved like that? Were they scared he’d leave for good if they did? It was the first time she had asked herself that question and was frightened at the possible answer, because she couldn’t bear never to see him again.
    Evie almost ran back to her, saying in a voice low and fierce, ‘How dare you, Bridie Brampton? Really, how damned dare you? We’ve all talked about this over the last few months. We will not make a judgement about Tim, do you understand, or are you too high and mighty to do as Uncle Jack has requested?’ Her mother ended on a hiss.
    Bridie rested her head in her hands for a moment, wanting to run from the whole lot of them. But then she looked up. ‘You swore then, Mam, so it’s not damn well fair.’
    Her mam raised her finger, shaking it. ‘Not one more word, Bridie, unless it is an apology, and keepyour voice down. This is not your day, and I won’t have you ruining it.’
    ‘But Mam, he was so arrogant.’
    Evie raised her finger higher.
    Bridie wanted to bat it away, but instead felt her fury turn to an awful sort of silent sobbing in her chest. She swallowed, and again. Above her the cedar branches were moving in the breeze. She felt chilled, and alone. She whispered, ‘I’m so sorry, but he used to like me. He was always there, the three of us. He made me feel safe, us feel safe. It’s not the same now and it’s as though . . . Oh, I don’t know. It’s all just empty, it’s changed us all. Poor Uncle Jack, poor Aunt Gracie, and I’ve made it worse, and I hate it without him. Hate it. Hate him.’
    The photographer was calling and beckoning to the family members, who came to life and began to move as directed. James looked over at her, and winked. She felt weak with relief. Good old James, at least they still had one another. He’d help her through the next few hours, even if everyone else was furious.
    Her mother was saying quietly, ‘Stand up straight, wipe your tears, put on a smile. Your uncle and aunt are married, and as Grandma used to say, far too often, “All will be well.” But that, of course, will be after you’ve apologised to everyone.’
    They straightened their shoulders, smiled at one another, and headed off to join the group. At that moment her mam squeezed her hand. ‘It will bealright, Bridie, and you’re right, he was horribly superior. If you hadn’t said anything, I fear I would have done, so that makes me a hypocrite for snarling at you. What a pair we are. Now let’s smile for the camera and remember that Tim is probably very muddled at the moment. Who wouldn’t be, having a real mother coming back into your life? Let’s keep thinking of that, and understand.’
    Bridie wished that Grandma Susan and Grandpa Bob were still alive, because they wouldn’t have put up with Tim’s behaviour for one moment. Or would they? She didn’t really know about much any more. She gripped her mam’s hand, tightly. She couldn’t bear it if Evie wasn’t her real mother, and she hadn’t thought of it like that before. Pity for Tim overwhelmed her, and as they reached the wedding party, she began her apologies. The first was to him, and heartfelt.
    He smiled, and shrugged. ‘Don’t give it another thought. I won’t.’ Again there was that sneering harshness. She walked away.

Chapter Three
    The wedding guests circulated within the marquee, or lingered outside where they smoked, talked, or just admired the herbaceous borders. Tim stood alone, and ground out his cigarette on the lawn, checking that Young Stan, the head gardener, wasn’t looking. Instead he was talking to someone who had been introduced by Tim’s da, Jack, as Herr Bauer.
    Apparently Jack and he had met when Bauer was an officer at Da’s German prisoner of war camp and had helped out Jack and his marras. They had kept in desultory contact since then, and as he was in the country he had accepted an invitation to today’s wedding.
    Young Stan was