Free Two Blackbirds by Garry Ryan Page A

about that.”
    â€œAssholes,” Ernie said.
    â€œWhen do I start flying?” Molly’s cheeks were red from embarrassment. “Tomorrow morning. I’ll see you here at six,” Sharon said.
    That evening, she opened the door to the cottage and found Linda inside, sitting in the massive wing-backed chair with the floral print. “Come on,” Linda said. “We’re going out for supper. My treat.”
    They drove Michael and Sharon’s MG two-seat sports car with the wire wheels. It carried them to the Shire Horse pub at Littlewick Green.
    Sharon parked outside of the white picket fence in front of the brick pub with its white-framed windows.
    â€œIt’s a beautiful evening. Okay if we sit outside?” Sharon read the chalkboard menu out front of the pub. “They’ve got fresh fish. A real treat!”
    They climbed out of the MG , closed the doors, walked through the gate, and sat at one of the tables outside the pub’s front door.
    After ordering a pint each and fresh fish suppers, Sharon sat back. “So what’s up?”
    â€œYou don’t think I can take you out for supper with no strings attached?” Linda tried to sound offended as she pushed a wayward strand of red hair away from her ear.
    Sharon went to reply, decided to wait, and reached for her pint. It was amber, room temperature, and gentle on the tongue.
    Linda looked past Sharon at the flowers along a two-foot-tall hedge.
    Just wait, she’ll get to it, Sharon thought.
    Linda took a sip from her pint. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?”
    Sharon shook her head and put down her glass. “I give up.”
    â€œWell then, if you must. Honeysuckle is still upset that you’re contemplating moving back to Canada.” Linda crossed her left leg over her right.
    â€œAs I explained to Michael, Rupert McGregor brought it up when we met with him. Sean loves the idea, and I haven’t had the time to give it much thought, to tell you the truth.” Sharon studied Linda’s reaction and saw that her sister-in-law was chewing the inside of her cheek.
    â€œHoneysuckle thinks that if you decide to emigrate, she’ll never see any of you again.” Linda put her hands on the table. Her long fingers reached for the glass.
    â€œMaybe she’d like to come along?” Sharon said, before considering the consequences.
    â€œSo you are thinking about it!” Linda pointed a finger at her friend and sister-in-law.
    â€œLook. I came over here to find my father, saw him killed, became a killer, and found out I had a brother. At my first meeting with my mother’s brother, he tried to rape me. Now he’s doing his best to destroy my reputation. On most days, I might as well be a ghost at White Waltham after the rumours he’s spread about me.” Sharon closed her mouth, surprised at the rage she felt.
    â€œYou also met me, your brother Sean, married Michael, and became part of my family.” Again, Linda pointed her finger at Sharon.
    I wish you would stop pointing that finger at me. Sharon took a deep breath. “Thank you for bringing my dilemma into such sharp focus.”
    â€œBesides, that’s not the only reason I took you out for supper.” Linda looked sideways at Sharon.
    â€œLadies.” They both looked up as the waiter, an ancient man with perfect posture, set two plates of fish and fresh baby potatoes with dill in front of them.
    Sharon stared at the bounty before her. She looked at Linda, who smiled. “With food like this, maybe we are winning the war.” She picked up her fork and waited for her friend.
    Sharon speared a potato and popped it into her mouth. Then she opened her mouth and breathed in cool air. “Hot!” She doused the hot potato with a mouth full of beer.
    â€œI need a favour, and I don’t want any questions.” Linda pointed her fork at her friend. Sharon began to inhale cooler air as she