DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 41 - Friends

 A month later, Dawn was finding her way round Perth quite confidently. She felt strangely liberated coming and going as she pleased and not having five brothers checking up on her. Working for her aunt proved to be more rewarding than she ever thought it would be. Not only was she enjoying learning the skill of dressmaking but her relationship with her aunt had improved beyond all recognition. They were more than just civil to each other, the catty remarks from her aunt had ceased and Dawn’s rude responses had stopped.

Steven Grey was amazed when he found the two of them out to lunch together and actually enjoying each other’s company. He breathed a sigh of relief now that his daughter had finally found a mother figure in his sister. Something he had always wished for after his wife died and left him with a new born child… a daughter without her mother.

It had not been easy bringing her up in a house full of boys so he was really grateful for his sister’s help and he thought she’d done a really well especially as she’d never married or had children of her own. Now his little girl was all grown up and finding her own way in the world. He was thankful his sister was still keeping a watchful eye on her without her realising it.

When he met them for lunch that day, he counted his blessings for the two most important women in his life since his wife had died.

“So Dawn, Eve tells me you have settled in well and have a natural flare for sewing. Does this mean I won’t have to continue supporting you financially, now you’re making your own money?” He winked at his sister.

“Dad, you can’t cut me off completely, well not till I’m earning enough to pay rent and bills, please.”

“Well as soon as Eve tells me you’re earning enough to keep your head above water, I think you need to try it on your own, but you do know I’m always here if you come unstuck.”

“Thanks Dad.”

After lunch Dawn and Eve walked back to the boutique and Steven went off to do shopping for the farm. When Dawn walked in the receptionist handed her a message.

I’m in town for a few days and would really like to see you. Can we meet for coffee? James.

“He was here?” Dawn asked the receptionist.

“Yes, I told him you had gone to lunch with your Aunt.”

“Thanks. He never left a contact number?”

“No sorry. He said he would be in touch.”

“Mhmm, I wish he left a number. If he should come in again and I’m out, please ask him to leave a number.”

The receptionist nodded. “Yes, I will.”

Dawn spent the next couple of days wondering when James would contact her. She was knee deep in fabrics when the call came. The receptionist rang through to the sewing room and Eve answered. Without saying anything she handed Dawn the phone.

“Hello.”

“Hi Dawn.”

“James, hi. How are you?”

“I’m fine thanks. How are you doing?”

“Better thanks James and thank you for keeping your distance and giving me space. I really did need time to myself.”

“So do you feel up to meeting me for coffee sometime this week?”

“That would be lovely thanks.”

“Great, shall we say on Wednesday after work? I’ll pick you up at five.”

“James…”

“You don’t have to say anything Dawn, it’s just coffee.”