Page 74 - Homestead By Ann Newhouse

glass light fittings were blinding against the night sky, glaring white light, against the paler warm glow from the cabins. Sofie ran down the steps to greet us, as we approached.
“Oh Ned, Johanna, it’s so good to have you finally home. I was worried you would not make it before my father’s return.” She hugged Johanna and ran into my arms kissing me full on the lips.
“I must go away more often,” I joked as we entered the big house. We sat at the kitchen table eating a supper Sofie had prepared for us, with an enough food to feed an army. I opened the conversation. “We spoke to Mrs.Tully and Liz. Shelly was delighted to discover that there is a possibility Mitch is her missing son and he is alive and well, but also realised she could not rush into a relationship immediately until it was confirmed. Your father has kept this secret from you all this time about the whereabouts of Mitch’s biological mother. This is the hold he had on them. As for Josh, his relationship with Liz could not be allowed because your father knew who she was, and Josh would find out about the terrible secret. Some might say he was protecting Mitch. But he threatened Liz’s family, and I know he beat Josh. Liz and Josh are planning to get married.”
‘Sofie this is no way to live and I’m not staying another day under your father’s rule and I want you to come away with Johanna and me as soon as possible,” I could see Sofie was looking at me in disbelieve.
“Johanna please tell Ned he is overreacting,” Sofie cried pleading to her friend.
“Sofie I’m so sorry, but Ned is right. Your father is a bully and I feel I also have to go. I hope to speak to my family and get them to leave too.”
“No, Johanna . . . please we can speak to my father,” Sofie cried allowing a flood of tears flow down her pale cheeks. Turning to me she pleaded,
“Ned . . . we can talk to him; tell him we can sort something out. Maybe Mr. & Mrs. Tully can come and talk to my father,” she added sobbing. . . .
“It’s no use. He cannot take back all the threats, bullying, and hurt he has caused over the years. His actions have resulted in heartache for many families. Some have lost partners, under suspicious circumstances.”
I could see how upset Sofie was, but I found it hard to comfort her as she did not want to accept the truth about her father. I decided to change the subject
“Tomorrow before your father returns, we need to sort out Mrs. O’ Neilson’s sale of her property. I’ll collect any wage Mitch and Josh are due. They will need cash to get them by until they find work,” I explained to a rather upset Sofie.