Shattered Dreams Read Free Page B

lifestyle also. Drawings for self of fifty pounds each week is a bit over the top, surely?”
    “I have the girls’ education, a servant, a gardener, my wife’s household expenses and the car. I’ll need a new lorry shortly and I’ve my elder daughter’s wedding. All got to be paid for somehow.”
    “Can I give you a word of advice, Johnny? And this is between you and me. That pair of semi’s you own on the corner of your avenue, sell one of them and put the other in your wife’s name. I have it on good authority that unless things improve in the economy, the bank will recall your initial loan. It’s not just your business, it will be all sorts of businesses that will be going to the wall. I think there could be another depression in a year or so and it would be wise to draw in your horns. Perhaps cut the size of the development down, or make your men work twice as hard.”
    J.C. walked back to his car in a daze. He lit a cigarette with trembling fingers as he took in the import of the manager’s words. It wasn’t possible. The man was scaremongering; he’d been reading the wrong sort of broadsheet. It was propaganda in the newspapers that had caused him to speak as he had. This was the 1930’s. Hadn’t they built a new world fit to live in, with the blood of his brothers shed in the Great War? Still, perhaps he should restrict his spending a little and maybe follow the advice on the semi’s he owned. Gladys would be delighted when he presented the house deeds to her and he’d get a decent lorry for Eddie to drive.
    Gladys. It would break her heart if they had to change their lifestyle. Last time there had been a recession, she had sold her little sweet shop to pay his builders merchant bills. It had been her bit of independence, something she could call her own. Though he could say this was her repayment, a house that would be in her name. She’d like that, something to tell those friends of hers, how generous her husband had been. What a loyal and supportive wife he had in Gladys, or Glad as he liked to call her. Bearing all his children without complaint, running the house like clockwork, always up at the crack of dawn. And they’d had a good marriage, J.C. thought to himself. He had been an adequate provider most of the time and a devoted husband to his admirable wife. But don’t forget that other matter, the voice of his conscience said, don’t forget that other matter that made you fall from grace !

CHAPTER TWO
    Irene was thinking about the coming weekend. She usually met Eddie at the local dance that was held in the village hall on a Saturday night. She would have liked him to call for her at her Aunt’s bungalow, but he always gave some reason for why he couldn’t. She had asked him once why he didn’t come and collect her? His answer had been a jokey one. Why bother, when she knew the way to the dance hall without him herself! That was Eddie all over she had found. No commitment, no promises for the future, just took it for granted that she was his girl.
    She remembered back to when she had first met him. Aunty had worried that Irene had no social life, so had asked her neighbour’s son where the young people of the village went on a Saturday night. There had been various answers; the tennis club, or go to see a show at the Argylle Theatre, drinking in the local pub or visiting the houses of friends. Though he sometimes went to the village hall where there was a social evening. At the moment they danced to the music from a gramophone, but the committee there were thinking of inviting local bands. Would she like him to take her niece there?
    Irene had danced with the boy when they had got there, but unfortunately he had spotted a few of his friends and disappeared from her view. She had been left to watch, as others twirled on the dance floor, wondering if she should make a quick exit. It was embarrassing sitting on her own, not knowing another soul.
    Eddie had come to her rescue. He was the