Free Turning Point by Lisanne Norman Page A

hint to her father that he was prepared to do that would be enough.
    A slow grin spread across his face. Why not do it now, while the idea was fresh in his mind? Peter Hamilton would be alone in his greenhouses at this time of day. He crossed over the main street to the Inn, whistling a jaunty little tune, well pleased with his strategy.
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    Carrie stormed into the kitchen, coming to rest beside the table.
    â€œThat man!” she hissed at Meg, “he gets more arrogant and overbearing every day!”
    Meg looked up from the list of foodstuffs she was compiling.
    â€œHad another row with David, then?” she asked sympathetically.
    â€œRow? You can’t argue with a man who believes he’s God’s gift to women!” Carrie muttered, taking her coat off and flinging it in the general direction of the pegs by the door.
    â€œHe’s not a bad man, Carrie. He’s got many good qualities. You could do a lot worse, you know.”
    â€œNot you, too,” exclaimed the thoroughly exasperated girl. “You’re as bad as Father. He can’t wait to get me married off either.”
    â€œNo one is trying to force you to marry him. It’s only that he can offer you a way of life that none of the younger men can. You aren’t strong enough to work in the fields despite what you think,” admonished the older woman.
    â€œYour father only wants to make sure you’re settled with someone who will look after you properly. You’ve got to marry, you know. You’re past the age set by the Council. If you don’t choose soon, they’ll choose for you.”
    â€œThere’s far more to life than just marriage, and if that was what I wanted, I wouldn’t choose David Elliot! I came all the way from Earth to Keiss for what? To lead a more restricted life here than I did there?” She shook her head. “No, Meg, I want more than that. If all of you don’t stop going hysterical whenever I sneeze, and don’t stop pushing me into a marriage I don’t want, I’m going to leave here. There are other settlements, you know. I want to do something worthwhile with my life.”
    â€œReally, Carrie,” chided Meg, getting up. “There’s no need to be so melodramatic. You’re beginning to sound like your sister! Marriage is a very worthwhile occupation for a woman, and you’ll not find it any different in the other settlements. We lost too many people in the Crossing. We need a new generation of children now if we are to survive on Keiss.”
    â€œSurvival isn’t enough. I want something for me, Meg, and I don’t mean marriage and children.”
    â€œWhat sort of thing did you have in mind?” Meg asked.
    â€œI fancy working with Jack, studying the animal life. He’s got some field trips planned which sound as though they might be quite interesting.”
    â€œI don’t know about the field trips,” replied Meg, going over to the stove to put on the kettle. “If I were you, I’d take one thing at a time. You were a very sickly child, always ill, and you seemed to take everything more severely than the other children.”
    â€œYou’re only going on hearsay!” exclaimed Carrie. “Didn’t anyone think to tell you that half my illnesses were Elise’s? They didn’t, did they? They only told you what they wanted you to believe. I’m tired of being told I’m a chronic invalid. I’m as healthy as anyone else in this bloody valley!”
    Beside herself with rage, Carrie rushed out of the kitchen and upstairs to her own room, Kusac bounding after her.
    The door firmly shut behind her, she strode over to her clothes cupboard and began hauling out a couple of changes of clothing and footwear.
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    Kusac, crouching near the door, watched her with growing apprehension. Since he had begun teaching her how to use her Talent, he had found his mind linked permanently to hers in