Cherry Blossoms Read Free Page A

she embarrassed him.
    “ Darius is teaching me how to play twenty-one, Mum. I’m getting quite good at it, I think we should play for money next time,” he said, indicating the pile of matches in front of him.
    “ Perhaps I should quit while I’m losing,” smiled Darius. “Now that your boat’s sinking, have you got somewhere else to stay?” he asked conversationally.
    “ We’re living here,” said Jay, still excited about their new home. “It’s a great place. Do you want to see it?”
    “ I think Darius must have things to do, Jay. And it’s supposed to be a bit of a secret where we’re staying.”
    “ Now you’ve got me intrigued. Why don’t I get us a cup of coffee and you can tell me all about it.” Darius stood up and was about to wander across to the bar.
    “ No, not for us, thank you,” called Cherry. “I’m still officially at work for another hour and a half. I could be in deep trouble with the owner, so I’ll keep a low profile, if you don’t mind.”
    Darius shrugged. “Okay. Catch you later, Jay. Watch out, I’m going to win next time.” Jay giggled as Darius sauntered off.
    * * *
    Cherry didn’t work at the weekends because of Jay. The two of them rose late on Saturday and lazed around the chalet. Jay arranged his toys and clothes in the cupboards in his bedroom, and Cherry made a shopping list for a trip to town later.
    “ What would you like to do after lunch, Jay? Anything special?”
    “ Don’t mind.” He lay on his stomach on the sofa, gazing wistfully into the distance. Cherry sat on the floor near him and pushed the hair off his forehead.
    “ Shall we go down to the river, then?” She watched in distress as his little face crumpled. Gathering him to her, she whispered, “Poor old you. You’re missing the boat, aren’t you?”
    Jay nodded furiously and pushed his head closer to his mother. “Will we ever be able to go back, Mum?” he asked unsteadily.
    “ I don’t see how. The boat’s gone. I’ve arranged for it to be towed to the yard, but I can’t afford to have it repaired.” She felt it best to tell the truth, even though it would upset him. If he found out later that she’d lied, he’d never forgive her. “We can go along to the lock-keeper’s cottage if you like, he’d let you help open the lock if a boat came. Would you like that?”
    “ Yes, I would,” said Jay, brightening.
    “ Then after we’ve done the shopping, we could play cards,” said Cherry, checking her son’s reaction. “I’d better put matches on the shopping list.”

Chapter Three
    “What do you know about the owner of the hotel, Pat?” asked Cherry one morning during a coffee break. She hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind and wanted an opportunity to talk about him.
    “ Oliver? He’s a lovely man. I saw him quite a bit when he was younger, but he stopped coming to see his mother here. I think they met up in London occasionally, although they didn’t seem close,” said Pat, putting her feet up on the chair opposite her. “Didn’t you call him a gorgeous hunk?”
    “ Umm,” Cherry said, dreamily. Then she sat up straight and said, “What do you think he’d say if he knew I was living here?”
    “ Yes, my goodness,” Pat cried, spilling coffee over her cream blouse. “I’ve been thinking about that. He’s a bit pre-occupied right now, let’s not add to his problems. Please, Cherry, just try and keep out of his way.”
    Out of his way? That was the last thing Cherry wanted to do, but she could see the sense in it. Changing the subject, she said, “I went over to the lock-keeper’s cottage with Jay at the weekend. He’s found someone who might be interested in buying the boat. I might as well give it to him as there’s so much wrong with it.”
    Pat put a sympathetic hand on Cherry’s arm. “You’ll get through this. You’re resilient and young, not even thirty yet. You’ve got a lot to look forward to.”
    Looking at her watch and standing