With sudden violence, Annie grabbed his wrist and tossed it to one side. Then, stepping back she twisted herself free from the arm that nestled on her waist. “A wife with no ring. Tha can’t have thy cake and eat it Charlie Hardwick”. Her eyes flashed again, a deep threatening emerald that pierced the air as sharply as her tongue. “Think on this. When Mary drops her child tha’ll have another well on the way. Another mouth to feed…How long before tha decides which of us tha wants most?” Placing her hands on her hips and responding to his non committal expression with a hard, driving stare, she spoke with dark, cynical malice. “Mebbe this time God will decide”.
“How much longer Ma?”Sighing, Emma crossed her arms and rested her chin on her hands.