A Sister's Shame Read Online Free

shining, and her pressed grey suit moulded her still slender figure. The pearl brooch slipped through the collar of her jacket had been a wedding
gift from their father.
    ‘You should wear that suit more often, Mum,’ Marie said encouragingly.
    ‘Don’t mind for a special occasion,’ said Ada shyly. ‘Anyway, this is your and Vesta’s treat, not mine.’
    ‘I’m glad we can share it,’ Vesta said as she only picked at her food. Marie knew she was thinking of Teddy. ‘But I wish Dad was coming.’ She looked at her father.
‘Couldn’t you take a night off from busking?’
    Hector quickly swallowed the large mouthful of meat and veg on the end of his fork and waved his hand. ‘You girls won’t miss me,’ he declared. ‘You’ll be too busy
watching the show. And anyway, I’ll see you outside. It’ll be a very good night for custom.’
    ‘Yes, but you should be singing on the stage, Dad, not out in the street,’ replied Vesta, pushing her plate away.
    ‘Now, now, dear,’ Ada interrupted. ‘Your father is quite used to playing to the crowds outside. And missing a night’s money won’t help the larder.’
    Marie saw Vesta give a slight frown of annoyance. She knew that Vesta didn’t care for their father’s profession of busking. It was a big comedown, Vesta felt, from his days with the
travelling theatre and music halls.
    ‘I still think . . .’ began Vesta, but then got a look of warning from her mother as she cleared away the empty plates.
    ‘There’s custard and jelly for afters,’ interrupted Ada sternly. ‘But we’d better hurry up as time is getting on.’
    Hector smiled and winked at his daughters. ‘Custard and jelly!’ Once more he pushed out his stomach and patted it. ‘Your mother certainly knows the way to this man’s
heart!’
    Though they both loved their father dearly, Marie knew that he still lived in the secret hope of becoming a famous performer one day. This upset their mother, who had always urged him to find a
normal job. But Hector had managed to keep on with his busking and keep Ada happy with the little he did bring in. Marie knew he was happy doing what he did, and when he appeared outside the
Queen’s tonight, as they were waiting to go in, their applause would be louder than anyone else’s.
    After their meal and the washing-up was done, and Vesta had gone to change, Marie watched her father stand in front of the mirror wearing his best suit, black cape and silk
cravat. As usual before going out, he twirled his moustache in a theatrical way. After clearing his throat loudly, and reciting a few verses to himself, he gave her a big grin.
    ‘What d’you think of that?’ he asked Marie, returning to his normal voice. ‘Will I knock ’em dead?’
    ‘Course you will, Dad.’
    He looked very pleased, kissed her on the cheek and then marched out, calling over his shoulder, ‘Cheerio, girls! See you later!’
    ‘I’ll just get me bag, then we’ll call for Elsie,’ Ada said as she came out of the kitchen in a fluster, patting her hair. ‘Where’s your sister? Oh, silly
me,’ she grinned, looking along the passage, ‘I don’t need to ask. I’ll go along and give her a shout.’
    Whilst waiting, Marie gazed around her at the room she had grown up in. It was elegant in its own way, with its high ceilings and Victorian embellishments. The view over Sphinx Street from the
big bay window was what she loved most; you could always see what was going on, even quite a long way down the road. If you ignored the peeling wallpaper, damp patches and threadbare carpet, and
looked only at Elsie’s lovely furniture, like the big leather couch and sturdy dining table and four chairs, the room was quite a delight.
    The fire in the grate was unlit and the room was cool, owing to the thick brick walls and heavy drapes. On the mantel was a photograph of the twins as children, just after they had moved here.
Two smiling little blonde girls in ballet dresses that Ada