Fractured (Dividing Line #4) Read Free

lips and fingernails turned grey I told him to go to a doctor or I’d castrate him. So he did, stupid sod,” she muttered.
    “But it’s a treatable condition. Is he on any medication?”
    “Inhaled steroids to help his breathing but he can’t use them for too long, they cause worse symptoms than the emphysema and he’s learnt some breathing exercises that help. If the worst comes to the worst they’ll talk about a bloody lung transplant,” she exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “My Vince has never had a day’s illness in his life. Well, one day actually. He said he had a bad back but I think he was putting it on to get out of mowing the lawn. He’s stopped smoking and I’m telling you he’s a right grumpy bastard for it too. I said it was better when he couldn’t talk.” Despite her harsh words Rachel could see the pain in her eyes. Dee adored her Vince. “The doctor said it would be best to get away from the city, move to the country where the air’s cleaner and fresher but we’re too old to start over again. We’ve lived in Manchester our whole lives, our kids and grandkids are here. What the hell do we do?”
    “I know all about moving away from friends and family and rather than be intimidating it can be great too, a fresh start.”
    “You’re young Rach, you’ve got your life ahead of you. Mine and Vince’s are nearly behind us.”
    “This isn’t like you Dee. I’ve never known anything defeat you.”
    She looked up at Rachel, white-faced. “I’m scared Rach. I can’t lose my Vince.”
    Rachel hugged her tightly and she clung onto her as she cried into her shoulder.
    “You won’t lose him, he’s a stubborn bugger, remember? You said so yourself. I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you and Vince come to Devon? You can have a look around and see what you think. I could use someone I know down there to help run the businesses.”
    Dee stared up at her in surprise. “You’d do that?”
    “Course I would. You’re one of my best mates Dee, you’ve helped me out so much. Now let me help you.”
    “But Devon’s so far.”
    “We live half an hour from Exeter airport and it’s an hour’s flight to Manchester. We set off at eight o’clock this morning and were in Manchester by ten.”
    “I can’t argue with that.”
    “It’s so beautiful Dee, lots of wide open spaces and fresh air.” She did invite Dee and Vince to come and stay once and they were all packed and ready to go when their daughter had a bad fall at work and injured her back, so they’d had to stay behind to help with the grandkids and never had the chance to reschedule. “Is Moira’s back better?”
    “Oh yes. She still gets twinges, I think she will for the rest of her life, but at least she can cope now.”
    “Come and stay. You can have one of our hotel rooms free of charge. I’ve got a new restaurant that’s begging for a good manager.”
    Dee actually smiled. “You don’t half like throwing me in at the deep end; managing three nightclubs then a casino now a restaurant. I don’t have a clue about posh nosh.”
    “You’re a very fast learner, I’ve every confidence in you and it won’t be as demanding as this place or the clubs. It’ll shut at midnight at the very latest, you’ll only work five days a week and you’ll have the days free to spend with Vince. I’ve got a gorgeous cottage you can stay in with plenty of room for the grandkids when they visit. What do you say?”
    Dee hugged her tight. “What would I do without you Rach?”
    “Is that a yes?”
    “Course it bloody is,” she grinned.
    Rachel was delighted. It would be wonderful to have one of her best friends back.
     
    The morning of the funeral Rachel dressed carefully in a floaty black knee-length dress that splayed out at the bottom with a wide black belt at the waist. It looked like something from the nineteen fifties, not her usual style at all, but she loved it. A short black suede jacket and knee-length boots completed the