Magda's Daughter Read Online Free Page A

parties than studying for her GCE examinations, she had been forced to repeat her fifth year in the Grammar School.
    â€˜Penny has discovered art and decided to make a career of it. I haven’t dared ask in what branch. But the school seems to think that if she works, which your mother and I are realistic enough to know is a big if, she might get a place at art college.’
    â€˜And Evan?’
    â€˜You know Evan. All he’s interested in is music, or what passes for music these days.’ Andrew offered Ned a cigar.
    Ned shook his head. ‘Last I heard, the Royal Academy of Music wasn’t taking pop or rock musicians.’
    â€˜He’s not aiming that high. But he’s taken up the violin again. Although that hasn’t prevented him and his friends from making an almighty din in the barn behind the house every evening with their electric guitars. They call it practice. I call it cruelty to all living creatures within earshot.’
    â€˜I can’t wait to see him, Penny and Rachel.’
    â€˜Magda invited them to supper, but Saturday nights are sacrosanct. The management of the Regent Ballroom wouldn’t bother to open if the Johns ceased to patronize the place.’
    â€˜It seems a million years since I was there,’ Ned mused.
    â€˜Spoken like an old man. You ready for General Practice after the excitement of a hospital?’
    â€˜Coughs, colds and minor injuries will be a welcome relief after two years in a city casualty department.’
    â€˜More like miners’ chests, rheumatism, arthritis, emphysema, housemaid’s knee, and the bugbear of a GP’s life, the hypochondriacs.’ Andrew lit his cigar.
    â€˜You get many of those?’
    â€˜Our fair share,’ Andrew replied evasively. ‘When do you want to start?’
    â€˜How soon do you want me?’
    â€˜A week Monday? That will give you time to buy a few things for your new house and get it sorted the way you and Helena want it, as well as do last-minute things for the wedding. If the lists Alma, Magda and your mother were compiling over supper are anything to go by it will take you and Helena a week to run all the errands they’ve earmarked for you two. By the way, your mother and I thought you might need a bit extra to furnish the house. It would be false economy to dip any more into your trust fund, so we put five hundred pounds into your bank account to cover it.’
    Ned was overwhelmed by his father’s unexpected generosity. ‘Five hundred pounds, Dad …’
    â€˜You’ve your grandparents to thank for it. You weren’t the only one they left money to, and we’ve done no more for you than we will for your sisters and brother. You haven’t too heavy an overdraft, I hope?’
    â€˜Nothing I can’t handle.’
    â€˜Good.’ Andrew knew better than to probe deeper. ‘Just remember to buy quality, not quantity, when it comes to carpets and furniture.’
    â€˜Helena has very definite ideas. She prefers old to new.’
    â€˜Wise girl.’ Andrew looked up as Helena returned with the other women. ‘We were talking about your house. Ned said you prefer old furniture to new.’
    â€˜He’s right, Doctor John,’ Helena smiled shyly. Despite the warm welcome Ned’s parents had given her, and their friendliness towards her, she was still slightly over-awed by them.
    â€˜How about calling us Andrew and Bethan instead of Doctor and Mrs John?’ Bethan suggested.
    â€˜I’ll try if you want me to.’
    â€˜That’s not an order, Helena!’ Andrew smiled as he left the table. ‘Marvellous meal, Magda, thank you, but I’m afraid we have to go. I’ve an early meeting with the Welsh Regional Hospital Board tomorrow.’
    â€˜On a Sunday?’ she asked in surprise.
    â€˜It’s the only day that suits all of us.’
    Bethan reached for the cardigan she’d draped on the