uder than her father's chewing. Mrs. Kingston poured tea, eyes flicking between her

id at last. His voice was calm, which was worse

a walk," Sop

at bridge," he

snapped up. "H

given you every comfort, every opportunity. Yet you sneak aro

ed around the cup.

he table. The china rattled. "You are

d to smooth her ap

ng to West Bridge with me. We'll discuss a board

th caught. "Y

e said. "A

"Tomorrow night is the charity recital a

nked. "The

ogramme. The trustees

ly. "I promised Lucas I'd

e again. A boy who has nothing

my f

an no longer afford. You'll attend the recital and you

her cheeks. "Sometimes I

she'd spoken a blasphemy. "Yo

Kingston reached across the table and touched her

back. "Then why does

ing room, her mind already

-

far from the chipped mugs in front of him. Through the window he could s

rom the kitchen. "You

led of rain and petrol. His uncle would be furious if he came home late, but Lucas didn't care. Every time So

tall man handing out leaflets. "Easy there, kid

cholarship test in West Bridge - the s

ord it," L

replied. "Apply. Mi

er and shoved it int

was watching him go, still smiling. Lucas shiver

and stared at the water. Somewhere out there was a life big

-

e walls, Isabelle sat cross-legged on the floor, books spread around her.

ing," Isabel

rame. "Math helps you count

her eyes. "You a

a hand to her chest - her sister's quick smile. A smile Mary had not seen since that night years ago. Someti

pulled her back. "Will we

pot. "Why would y

ool talk about West Bridge. The

an happen anywhere," she said

"Then why do you always lo

smile. "Fini

tucked into the frame of the window - a worn picture of herself holding two tiny babies. She reached to stra

-

cas, to feel his hand around hers and believe his promises. As she neared the bridge she noticed a shape leani

ed a smile that made her stomach knot. Then h

whispered i

own heartbeat roared in her ears. Somewhere in the reeds a frog croaked, and a cold d