Broken Wings by L J Baker

screw the chef again.”
    Rye kissed Flora’s hand and changed the subject. “Where did you manage to find a
place to trade in the Horrible Holly for a nice model?”
    Flora laughed. “She’s a good kid. She wasn’t in the least horrible. I wish I’d
had a little sister like her. Although, I do realise that it might be different
if I lived with her.”
    Rye smiled. “So? Did you learn why I’m the evil bog monster?”
    “You really need to talk with her.”
    “I tried. It’s hard to do when she keeps slamming doors in my face.” Rye sighed
and shook her head at the memories. “But if I ever get the opportunity, what
should I be talking about?”
    Flora sipped her wine as if considering her words before answering. “I know you
have definite ideas about what you want Holly to do with the next few years of
her life. Do you know what Holly wants?”
    “I haven’t a clue. She just tells me that she hates school. But that’s just a
phase.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m not having her end up in jobs like mine. Once she’s got a good education,
she can choose a good career.”
    Flora patted Rye’s thigh. “Is this how you discuss it with her?”
    Rye bristled. “What are you saying?”
    “Nothing. Easy, lover. I’m not criticising you. Or belittling your parenting
skills. I’m trying to help. Holly doesn’t want to walk out of school and into
any old job, if that’s what you’re worried about. She has given her future a lot
of thought. A lot more than I ever had at her age. It’s impressive how much
talking she’s done with people, and not just her careers counsellor at school.
She’s actually gone to ask people about their jobs. Which I find amazing.”
    Rye frowned. “What does she want to do?”
    “She wants to develop her strong natural talent. She wants to get into fabric
and clothes design.”
    Rye scowled. “She does?”
    “You’re not really surprised? If you remember, we met the evening I handed her
first prize for a fabric creation of hers.”
    Rye downed the remainder of her wine and rose to pour a refill.
    “Holly wants to leave school at the end of this year,” Flora said, “and take up
an apprenticeship. She’s even made a list of people she would like to train
with. She’s dead serious.”
    Rye took a long swallow of wine.
    “What’s wrong?” Flora said.
    “I suppose paying apprenticeship fees will be the same as university enrolment.”
    “Fees? No. You won’t have to pay. And I’d have no problem helping her find a
placement. I know –”
    “No!” Rye’s emphatic gesture spilled wine on the floor. “I pay. I don’t take
anything I don’t have to. I don’t need charity.”
    “Charity? No. I’m talking about a scholarship. And I can talk to people I know
and introduce Holly to them. It’s important she finds the right placement to
suit her and her teacher.”
    “Oh.” Rye scowled down at the stains on the floor. Stains on stains.
“Scholarship?”
    “Yes. Holly is very talented.”
    Rye set her empty glass down and paced. Holly wanted to become an artist? That
wasn’t at all what she had planned. “It’s not exactly a steady job, is it? Not
with proper prospects and security.”
    Flora smiled and spread her hands. “Some of us manage to make a living.”
    “I know. But you’re good.”
    “I’ve been trying to tell you that Holly promises to be very good.”

Chapter Six
    Rye sat on the roughly finished floor and pulled her free copy of yesterday’s
newspaper out of her work bag. Blackie handed her a mug of tea. The boys
dissected last night’s big game while Rye scanned the advertisements for brooms
and work available. Finding nothing, she turned to the front page.
    Treaty Ratified After Heated Debate.  The controversial trade and amity treaty with Fairyland was approved with a
slender majority last night after fierce debate in parliament. The government
stressed the financial benefits that might flow from the new treaty. Opponents
claimed that