A Daughter's Choice by June Francis Page B

gone long?’
    â€˜Hours. He’s got a day off and has gone to Rhyl with a friend.’
    â€˜A friend? Wh-what kind of friend? Man or woman?’ Celia’s fingers gripped the reception desk.
    â€˜Are you an old girlfriend of his?’ The girl’s eyes were bright with curiosity.
    â€˜You – you could say that,’ said Celia, her hands trembling. ‘I used to work here.’
    â€˜What’s your name?’
    â€˜I – I don’t know if that’s any of your business!’ Celia’s nerves got the better of her. ‘Who are you anyway?’
    â€˜I’m family. I’m Eileen, Annie’s daughter. If you worked here, you’ll remember my mam.’ She leaned forward across the desk. ‘If you tell me who you are, I’ll tell you who he’s gone out with. You just might know her because her family’s been friends with the Mcleods for years.’
    Annie’s daughter? Celia remembered Annie all right! They had worked together for a while. She made a decision. ‘I’m Celia Mcdonald. Is your mam living here again?’
    Eileen stared at her and then her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. ‘You’re Celia? Fancy that now! You’re going to come as a surprise for some. See, my brain can work fine. I’ve heard of you.’
    Celia’s smile almost dazzled her. ‘I’m glad I haven’t been completely forgotten.’
    â€˜Not forgotten, but I haven’t heard you mentioned either. Where’ve you been hiding yourself?’
    Celia brushed the question aside. ‘Who’s this woman Mick’s out with?’
    â€˜They all call her Sarah O’Neill still but she’s a widow woman. Do you remember her?’
    Remember her? Of course she did! Celia could hardly believe Mick was walking out with that spoilt little madam who’d had so much when she’d had so little. Fury surged through her like a foaming tide. Life was so unfair! The only person who had ever spoilt Celia was her gran, and she’d been dead for years. She felt like smashing something and her hands curled into fists. She jumped when the door to the basement steps opened.
    A girl came through and smiled sympathetically when she saw her. ‘Still chucking it down? Poor you! You’re soaked. Here, let me take your coat.’
    â€˜Katie, she’s not a guest,’ said Eileen. ‘This is Celia. She wants to see your Mick. She knows him from years ago.’
    Katie stared at the pale, raincoat-clad figure and recalled hearing the name before. Hadn’t Ben mentioned a Celia in his quarrel with Sarah? Not a bit like she had imagined. ‘Mick’s out,’ she said slowly. ‘I’m sorry. Listen, why don’t you go into the Smoking Room and warm yourself by the fire? You look like you need a cup of tea. I’ll bring you one in and then I’ll get Ma.’
    â€˜Ma?’ asked Celia.
    â€˜My mother, Kitty Mcleod.’
    Celia did not move but gazed and gazed at her with hungry eyes.
    â€˜It’s on the house,’ Katie reassured her. ‘Perhaps you’d like me to show you where the Smoking Room is?’
    Celia cleared her throat. ‘I know where it is. I knew the place well in the old days.’
    â€˜Great! You just go in then. I know you were close to Mick so I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you,’ she called over her shoulder as she headed for the kitchen.
    â€˜Very close,’ whispered Celia. The kitchen door closed and she thought, So that is my daughter. That glowing girl! And Kitty Mcleod and Mick have had years of her company while I’ve had nothing! Something snapped inside her. ‘Very, very, very close!’ She slammed her handbag on the reception desk. ‘I thought he was dead but now I find he’s alive and going out with bloody Sarah O’Neill! I could tear them apart!’
    â€˜Hell!’ exclaimed Eileen, staring at her in