Love or Duty--A saga set in 1920s Liverpool by Rosie Harris Page B

tightened. ‘No, that is not possible, Arnold. I’m afraid Captain Forshaw won’t countenance it,’ she said primly.
    â€˜I’m sure you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on the child during the evenings once she is in bed?’ he said in a persuasive tone.
    Leonora Forshaw squared her shoulders and shook her head firmly. ‘No, Arnold. I have already told you that it is quite out of the question. We made it quite clear when we permitted the child to stay here after the car accident that she was Penelope’s responsibility.’
    â€˜I know, but do you realize that Penny is my fiancée and that she hasn’t been out with me for the whole of August,’ Arnold pointed out in an exasperated voice.
    â€˜I am well aware of that, Arnold, and it is one of the reasons why I have begged her to take the child back to its mother. In fact, if she had done this when I asked her to do so a couple of days ago then the child would never have fallen over and broken its arm.’
    â€˜Mother, her name is Kelly; I do wish you would stop referring to her as “the child”. As for taking her back to her home I did try to do that before the new term started as you very well know.’
    â€˜In that case why was she still here with you when your new term started?’ Arnold asked irritably.
    â€˜Her mother said she was unable to cope until Kelly is capable of walking unaided.’
    â€˜Absolute rubbish! She would have managed well enough if you’d left the child there,’ her mother asserted. ‘As it was you brought her back here and took her with you to school even though you were asked not to do so – and look what happened. You’ve brought all this on yourself, Penelope, because you are so stubborn and won’t listen to reason or to what we tell you. I have nothing more to say on the subject,’ Mrs Forshaw added in an indignant voice as she swept out of the room.’
    â€˜I can’t believe that you can be so obstinate, Penny,’ Arnold said tetchily the moment they were on their own. ‘You’ve ruined my summer and now it looks as if you are intent on spoiling all my chances with the drama group as well.’
    Penny bit her lip. ‘As I said before, you managed to find someone to partner you at tennis all through the summer so I’m quite sure you won’t have any problems finding someone to take on the leading lady role in the play,’ she stated.
    â€˜That’s true enough,’ he agreed. ‘Katy Wilson was hoping for the part so I’m sure she will be delighted to step into the breach when she hears that you have let me down.’
    Penny felt hot colour staining her cheeks. Katy had been her rival in most things when they were at school and even now whenever they met she always took a special delight in flirting with Arnold. In the past she had always ignored this but now, remembering some of the gossip her mother had said she’d been told by some of her friends, Penny felt a surge of jealousy because she wasn’t too sure about Arnold’s feelings for Katy.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Arnold; I would have loved to have played opposite you but I’m afraid that it is out of the question,’ she repeated reluctantly.
    She laid a hand on his arm and reached up to kiss his cheek but he shook her hand off irritably and pulled away from her.
    â€˜Well, that’s it, isn’t it? You prefer to put this child before me. Since the situation looks like lasting for some considerable time I can see it is a complete waste of my time trying to make any plans for our future together.’
    Penny stared at him in stunned dismay. ‘What are you implying, Arnold?’
    â€˜I would have thought that I was making myself crystal clear,’ he said abruptly. ‘Since it appears that you intend to make your own arrangements about this child without any consideration for me—’
    â€˜That’s not