Page 49 - Homestead By Ann Newhouse
P. 49

“I have no plans, I’ll join you if you like,” I had intentions of finding out a little more about John Tirrell.
“Good I’d be delighted. Where is Sofie tonight?” I took the chance and asked. “She is eating with her father and Josh, I believe.”
Although it was midweek the place was quite busy. This time I did the ordering. I could see Johanna was impressed. “So, you’ve got the hang of this place,” she complimented me, smiling. Ordering a couple of beers, we sat and chatted. I decided to take the bull by the horns and asked her what she knew about Sofie’s family.
“I have been living here going on ten years now. I met Sofie at medical school in Truth. Before that her father was home schooling her, as he wanted Sofie to have the best of education. The intention was for her, eventually, to becoming a doctor like himself, so he sent her to a private medical school,” she told me.
“My family lived in New Orleans and wanted to get out of the big City, so they came to Truth. That is how I first met Sofie. We became friends immediately and she persuaded me to go into medicine. My father became ill and my mother spoke to John Tirrell about her concerns. She was afraid we would not be able to continue living in Truth, as my father had to give up work. John Tirrell arranged for them to move here. My parents feel they owe everything to Sofie’s father, as he helped them send me to medical college.”
“How do you see John Tirrell; do you believe him to be a good man?” I knew I was taking a chance asking Johanna this question with her family being indebted to him.
“Ned, you need to be careful who you speak to here on the Homestead, about John,” she warned.
Johanna’s expression told me she had similar thoughts to mine. She suggested we should go for a walk to finish off the evening. I led the way outside and we sat on the steps of the medical hall. We were both silent for a few moments, then Johanna spoke quietly. “I know you and Sofie are courting and I’m also pretty sure Mitch and Josh are also aware of your relationship. I have been out with Mitch and he has hinted at you two being a couple. You know John Tirrell rules his own children’s lives as well as Mitch’s. This is what he does. He virtually buys people by putting them in a position where they are in debt to him. For example, my parents and Mitch’s. I have, so far, managed to keep clear of any involvement. I live in my own cabin and pay my own rent, so he can’t use me against my parents or them against me. I’m paid by the general hospital in Truth so he has no hold over me. I wanted Sofie to go into the general hospital programme. When she told her father what she wanted


































































































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