Dream a Little Dream Read Online Free Page A

appreciate your work. We’d be devastated if you left us.’
    ‘While yer were being devastated, yer’d be bleedin’ hungry as well, ’cos there’s not one of yer would know what to do with a pan. Except Miss Abbie, of course, at least she does try. But that’s your hard luck, nowt to do with me ’cos I’ve had a bellyful and I’m off.’
    Edwina caught up with her at the door. ‘Please, Agnes, I beg of you. We’d be broken-hearted if you left. Come back and let Victoria apologise.’
    ‘If she was sorry she’d have said so before now. And an apology is no good if it’s got to be dragged out of someone. Perhaps she’ll watch what she says in future, ’cos once words have been spoken, yer can’t take them back.’ The housekeeper pulled her arm free. ‘She’s looked down her snotty nose at me for the last time.’
    There were tears streaming down Abbie’s cheeks as she jumped to her feet. ‘I’m going to fetch my dad because this is so unfair.’
    ‘You stay right where you are,’ Victoria warned. ‘Or you’ll be sorry.’
    The girl ignored her and made for the door. ‘I don’t care what you say, I’m going for my dad.’ She pulled the door open and walked straight into her father’s arms. ‘Oh Dad, Agnes said she’s leaving us.’
    ‘There, there, now, dear.’ Robert gave her a brief hug before walking into the room. ‘I don’t need an explanation because I heard everything. I had left my cigars on the small table and I’d come to collect them. And I can honestly say I’ve never been so ashamed in my life. Victoria, you will come and apologise right this minute.’
    ‘It’s no good, Mr Robert, she wouldn’t really mean it and what’s the good of that?’ Agnes was untying the bow in the back of her apron. ‘Yer don’t have to worry about me, I can walk into another job tomorrow.’
    Robert ignored her words. ‘Victoria, this instant!’
    His daughter had been regretting her words since she realised Agnes was serious about leaving. She didn’t want the woman to go, she was fond of her in her own way. The house was always immaculate, there were never any complaints about clothes being left on the bedroom floor instead of hung in the wardrobe, and there was no doubt she was a wizard in the kitchen. But having to say sorry to a person she looked on as her inferior, didn’t come easily.
    ‘I’m sorry, Agnes,’ she said stiffly. ‘I should not have been so rude. I would very much like you to stay.’
    ‘Words are cheap, Miss Victoria, and not always sincere.’
    Robert took the housekeeper’s arm. ‘Come to the study with me and we can talk in peace. My wife and daughters will see to the dinner, which I presume is ready to serve?’
    ‘It is, Mr Robert, but I’m not serving it.’
    ‘I don’t expect you to. My wife is quite capable of seeing to her family for once. In fact, when she brings my dinner through to the study, she may as well bring a plate for you. For once in ten years, Agnes, you can be our guest.’ The look he gave Edwina before he led the housekeeper away held a warning that she would be advised to do as he said.
    Robert handed the housekeeper a glass containing a generous measure of whisky. ‘This is not a bribe, Agnes, I need a drink as much as you. I am so ashamed that a daughter of mine would talk to you in such a manner. But a lot of the blame lies at my door for not seeing that she and Nigel were growing up into snobs. If I’d been at home more, perhaps things might have been different, but when you have a business like mine, you have to keep a close eye on things. It was hard graft getting where I am; I’m not about to let others ruin it for me.’ He held his glass high. ‘Here’s to me and you, Agnes, and no more talk of you leaving. If you went, Abbie and I would follow you. We couldn’t do without you, and you must know that we are both very fond of you. What happened today was unforgivable and will never happen again, you have my