This Friday my Freebits are again taken from part 1 of Remnants of Dreams.

 

To visit Remnants of Dreams page on KINDLE click on the cover

 

Remnants of Dreams moves from the horrors of the 1914-1918 war to the 1990s, and paints an unforgettable picture of a changing world and of working class people in North London whose only riches are love and the knowledge that they did their best.

Alicia's indomitable spirit sustains her and her large family through two wars, illness, death and loss. From her mother's example Sara finds the courage to escape an intolerable situation and forge a new life in a new country. 

Now here's this week's six paragraphs (cheated a bit as it's seven but the first three are very short:

 

The soft knock heralded the arrival of their guest the following Sunday afternoon.

"You invited him. You answer the door," Alicia said, and Fiona pulled a rude face at her before complying.

"Hello, Mathew. Come on in." Fiona smiled warmly, holding the door wide.

Alicia's stomach did a somersault as he moved into the cramped space and gave her a brief nod. "This wasn't my idea. You probably have more important things to do with your time." The nervous tension that had built up inside her made Alicia curter than she'd intended, and she twisted her hands together, feeling awkward.

Mathew shook his head and that wayward curl fell over his forehead. "I haven't anything better to do with my time." He sounded as nervous as she felt. He had one hand behind his back and as he brought forward a bunch of golden headed chrysanthemums she felt ashamed of the tartness in her greeting. Presenting them sheepishly, he said, "I know you didn't issue this invitation yourself, but I'd like to thank you for having me."

She took the proffered flowers, scowling at Fiona, who had a silly grin on her face. Alicia took great pains to avoid touching the strong hand with the black hairs on its back.

"Thank you," she muttered. "You shouldn't have done that." To hide her fluster she knelt to rummage behind the curtain covering the shelf where she kept her saucepans and crockery. Finding a jar, she went out to fill it with water. When she came back Mathew was seated at the table and Fiona was offering him a slice of fruitcake. Alicia had made it that morning, and she suddenly had the thought that he might think she'd gone to special trouble just for him. Her cheeks flamed. 

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