Free Daughters of Rebecca by Iris Gower Page A

wrongs inflicted on the poor, women in particular.’
    â€˜Well put! Your vocabulary has improved greatly. And such high ideals, Shanni. I hope you keep them.’ She paused, her brow furrowed in thought. ‘Perhaps you would like to come to a meeting tomorrow. I shall ask permission for you to have tea with me, if you wish. I’m sure Mrs Mainwaring wouldn’t mind. And as I live so far out she might even allow you to stay overnight. After the meeting you shall be introduced to some of my friends.’
    â€˜Oh, please, I’d like that!’ Shanni said.
    â€˜Very well, it shall be done. But now, back to your task. Show me how you transpose the little tune you’ve memorized from the key of F to the key of G.’
    Madame Isabelle sank into a chair and closed her eyes. There was a satisfied smile on her face.
    â€˜This pattern is selling well.’ Watt held up a plate decorated with daffodils with trails of green leaves around the border. ‘At least there are not so many problems with potteryware as there were with the porcelain.’
    â€˜Good heavens, Watt, it’s years since the Mainwaring pottery produced porcelain.’ Llinos took the plate to the window of the paint shed and Watt watched as she held it to the light. ‘The colour is a little intense, don’t you think?’ She returned the plate to Watt. ‘Perhaps you cantell the artist to mix the colours a little more subtly.’
    Watt nodded. ‘I’ll speak to him before the next batch is painted and fired but we must remember that this pottery is designed for general use, not special occasions. Perhaps extra expense on painting would not be justified.’
    â€˜Still, the product we sell should be of the best quality we can manage, and that means in the painting department as well as in the potting.’
    Watt followed as Llinos moved to the door. ‘May I take the afternoon off, Llinos?’ he asked. ‘I would like to visit Rosie. I’ve sent her a letter so she will be expecting me.’
    â€˜You go and see her at any time you like, Watt,’ Llinos said. ‘I know the pottery runs like silk because you have organized the workers so well.’
    â€˜Thank you.’ Watt was thinking how beautiful Llinos was. She still looked as fresh and lovely as she had in the old days when together they had struggled to make the pottery survive.
    â€˜Why are you staring at me?’ Llinos asked, standing in the yard, hesitating. ‘Was there something else?’
    â€˜No, I was just thinking you’ve never changed since the day I first saw you. Straight from the orphanage I was, and terrified of your mother.’
    â€˜Aye, and even more terrified of that awful Mr Cimla! Why my mother let herself be taken in by a good-for-nothing like him I’ll never know. Poor Mother, that awful man was the death of her.’
    â€˜Far-off days, Llinos,’ Watt said. ‘We’ve both come a long way since then.’ He put his arm around her shoulder. ‘I’ll always be grateful toyou. You gave me a new start, hope for the future and a job I love.’ He kissed her cheek and she flapped her hand at him.
    â€˜Go on with you!’
    â€˜Right, then, I’ll go home, get washed and changed, then go up to see Rosie.’
    â€˜Give her my love and tell her she’s welcome to visit any time she wants.’
    Watt watched as Llinos went back towards the house and then he turned towards the gates of the pottery. His heart fluttered as he thought of seeing Rosie. How he loved his wife! It was just a pity he had taken so long to realize his true feelings. Now it might be too late.
    He had meant well when he married Rosie, not understanding that a girl of her tender years needed love and care. That was something in all his reasoned reckoning he had not taken into account: how Rosie would feel. Watt had seen only that Rosie’s mother was in trouble. Pearl had been