Free Act of Will by Barbara Taylor Bradford

going to help her dearest friend acquire a family of her very own. And, of course, Charlie was the key.
    All of these thoughts, which had frequently preoccupied Gwen during the past few weeks, had started to swirl around in her head again this afternoon.
    She and Audra were now strolling through the beautiful Valley Gardens. Both girls were glad to be out in the open air, after being cooped up inside the noisy café.
    Gwen cast a glance at Audra as they headed down thesloping path. She decided she would be very hard pressed indeed to find a sweeter or prettier candidate for a sister-in-law. Audra looked particularly attractive today, wearing a primrose-yellow print dress patterned with primroses, and a straw boater with a yellow silk band and matching ribbons fluttering down at the back. The boater gave her a jaunty air, whilst the simple cut of the frock and its sunny colour were flattering to her.
    She might be small, Gwen thought, but she’s quality through and through. And then before she could stop herself she said out loud, ‘Yes, good stuff in a little room.’ Gwen could have bitten her tongue off, instantly regretted repeating this comment Charlie had made about Audra, who hated any reference to her height, or lack of it. She cleared her throat nervously.
    Audra said, with a puzzled look, ‘Excuse me, I don’t quite understand what you’re referring to, Gwen.’
    Deciding it would be better not to mention Charlie, Gwen explained, ‘Oh it was just something my mother said about you—good stuff in a little room means that a small person often has a lot of wonderful qualities. Haven’t you heard the expression before? It’s very Yorkshire.’
    Audra shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t, but it’s a nice compliment.’
    ‘Yes,’ Gwen said, delighted that she had taken it so well, and tucked her arm through Audra’s companionably. ‘And talking of Mum, she says I can have a party for my birthday, so I hope you’ll come and stay with us at The Meadow, the third weekend in September. There’ll be Charlie, Jem and Harry, of course, and I can invite a
few
friends. But only a few. ’Cos Mum couldn’t cope with a big crowd after her illness. You
will
come, Audra, won’t you? It wouldn’t be the same without you.’
    ‘Of course I’ll come. It’ll be a lovely treat for me, and I always enjoy staying at your house. Thank you for inviting me.’
    Gwen laughed gaily. ‘You’ll get to wear your gorgeous blue dress.
Finally
. Why, Audra, you’ll be the belle of the ball. All the boys will be after you.’ Especially our Charlie, Gwen added to herself, and hoped he wouldn’t be rejected.
    Audra glanced up at Gwen, who was a few inches taller, and joined in her laughter. ‘
You’ll
be the belle, after all it’s your birthday party. But I must admit, I am dying to wear my new dress. And what frock are you going to wear, Gwenny?’
    ‘Oh I don’t know. I’ll find something suitable, I expect. Now, who else do you think I should invite?’ Not giving Audra a chance to reply, Gwen hurried on, ‘I’ll tell you what, let’s go and sit over there on that form and talk about the party. You’re so clever, Audra, I’d like your advice about a few things. You know… such as what kind of food and drinks to serve and your suggestions in general. Come on, lovey.’
    Gwen steered Audra in the direction of a park seat positioned under one of the lovely weeping willows which were planted throughout the Valley Gardens. Here the two girls sat themselves down and brought their heads together. They chatted animatedly about Gwen’s twentieth birthday party for the next half hour, covering all the different aspects of it, planning the menu and the guest list.
    Finally Gwen said, ‘Thanks Audra, you’ve been a great help, and I appreciate your ideas, I really do. It’ll be a nice party…’ Gwen left her sentence unfinished as she began to fan herself with one hand, then fished around in her fabric shopping bag for her