Page 45 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

‘That’s great. All the school books eventually end up here. It’s sort of a book swap meet really. Actually, when you have one of the schools coming by, if you let me know, I can make sure they get some of the books.’

‘Yeah. I’ll do that.’ Bree liked the idea of a book swap. She had a few books, novels mostly, she would be happy to add to the mix. ‘Coming, Vicki?’

They made their way back to Matt. ‘Look, Daddy.’ Vicki held her book up for inspection.

‘I’ve got a few books at home I’m going to add to the library shelves,’ Bree said. ‘I want to start opening up for school outings soon. The kids might like to read about the animals first.’

‘That’s a good idea. The library isn’t just for the Ridge—a lot of small towns around here depend on it. And the schools share resources through it.’

‘In fact—’ Lou had descended the stairs behind them, ‘—there’s the annual fundraising dance coming up in a couple of weeks. I do hope you’ll come, Bree.’

‘I’ve got an even better idea.’ Deb Fraser appeared from somewhere. ‘Matt, why don’t you bring Bree? Then she won’t feel like a stranger walking into the hall.’

‘Oh, no.’ Bree held up a hand. ‘Matt. Don’t feel you have to.’

‘Have to what?’ Sally’s voice was sharp as she joined them.

‘Daddy’s taking Bree to the library dance.’

Sally’s face froze for an instant, before she turned a harsh glare at Bree.

Bree looked helplessly at Matt and as she did, she realised two very important things. She did want to go to the dance with Matt, but only if he invited her for the right reason.

‘Bree? Will you come to the dance with me?’

‘Well … I …’

‘Please.’

How could she resist that sweet tone and the smile that lit his face? ‘I’d love to.’

‘Yay!’ Vicki jumped up and down on the spot.

Matt’s smile was genuine and Bree started to feel better.

‘It will be great to have you join us. Get to know more of the people here.’ Deb and Lou wandered off towards the refreshment bench.

‘Let’s go and find your grandfather,’ Sally said to Vicki in a voice that sounded like she was talking through gritted teeth.

Matt and Vicki went to find Brian, but a hand on Bree’s arm stopped her. She turned to look into a face full of anger.

‘I know what you are trying to do,’ Sally hissed, ‘and I won’t hear of it. Understand? I won’t have it.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘I know you went to my daughter’s house. I know you flung yourself at Matt. Kissing him in front of Vicki. That’s unacceptable. You stay away from them.’

The vitriol in the woman’s voice was shocking. Bree wanted to defend herself. More than that, she wanted to defend Matt, but everything in Sally’s face told her to do so would only make matters worse. Bree’s heart went out to Matt and Vicki. This woman was poison. Had she always been like this? She could see many struggles ahead for Matt and she didn’t want to make things worse for him but at the same time …

She pulled her arm away and stepped back. ‘I think you are out of line. What I do is none of your business.’

‘When it involves my granddaughter, it is my business.’

Bree had no idea how to answer the woman. There was a passion in Sally’s eyes that was wild and disconcerting. Did Matt know about this? She guessed he didn’t. But he should, because everything about Sally said she was not going to step back and allow him to raise his daughter as he wished. And what about Brian? He had seemed a reasonable man. Was he aware that his wife seemed to be on the brink of losing her self-control?

‘I think you should talk to Matt about that.’ Bree walked away, feeling Sally’s eyes burning into her back. Matt and Vicki were chatting to Brian a short distance away. Vicki waved to Bree and she waved back, but turned towards her car. It might hurt their feelings that she didn’t say goodbye, but under current circumstances, that was the lesser evil.

CHAPTER

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