KITTY NEALE
A Daughter’s Courage

Copyright

Published by Avon an imprint of

HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

1 London Bridge Street,

London, SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Publishers 2018

Copyright © Kitty Neale 2018

Cover photographs © Getty Images/ Alamy

Cover design © Debbie Clement 2018

Kitty Neale asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008191702

Ebook Edition © April 2018 ISBN: 9780008191719

Version 2017-11-24

Dedication

For my dad, the first man I ever truly respected.

You’ve always been there for me offering quiet strength, dependability and security.

Thank you for everything you have done for me, and for your continued support.

We rarely share soppy sentiments, but I know you love me very much and you’re proud of me. I love you dearly too, and am so proud to call you my dad xxx

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Keep Reading…

About the Author

By the Same Author:

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

Battersea, London, 1956

Crimson nail polish was the only splash of colour in the dank kitchen as Dorothy Butler painted her nails in preparation for her date with Robbie Ferguson. It was mid-September and she was sitting at the battered kitchen table. While waiting for the varnish to dry, she watched as her mother, Alice, flicked soapy suds from her hands before wiping them down the front of her washed-out apron.

Now twenty-two years old, Dorothy had been a child when her father returned from fighting in France, a broken man, unable to resume his work as a groundsman in Battersea Park. Since then, with only a small army disability pension to live on, her mother had taken in washing, which helped to pay the rent and buy the coal needed to warm the house during the long winter months. It was all Alice could manage as her fear of going outside kept her a prisoner in her own home. However, constantly leaning over the sink and scrubbing clothes had damaged her back, and Dorothy saw her grimace as she stirred the three cups of tea she’d just made.

Dorothy winced at the sight of her mum’s hands. They looked blistered, red raw, and she wished she could do more to ease her burdens. Her own job as a baker’s assistant didn’t pay well and, though they had sufficient to eat, there was only just enough money left to pay the bills.

‘Dottie, be a love and take this cuppa through to your father, will you?’ Alice asked.

Dottie blew on her freshly polished nails, hoping they were dry, as she obligingly took the weak tea which had seen the leaves stewed three times. She carried it through to the sparsely furnished front room. She wasn’t surprised to find her father Bill in his usual place, sat on a faded brown wing-backed armchair, staring up at the bare light-bulb hanging from the ceiling rose. Dorothy knew that her mother didn’t believe in luxuries, neither could she afford them. If it wasn’t practical or didn’t serve a purpose, then it wasn’t needed, and lampshades came under the latter heading.

‘Here you are, Dad,’ Dorothy said gently as she knelt next to her father’s chair. ‘I’ve brought you a nice cuppa.’

She studied her father’s pale face. His skin was almost translucent and etched with lines. He had an especially deep furrow across his brow which Dorothy thought had been caused by a constant frown. He looked in a permanent state of anguish and rarely spoke or acknowledged anyone. She wondered if her father even knew who she was. It had broken Dorothy’s heart when she had first seen him in this state, but it was something she’d now become accustomed to.

Having got no response from her father, she returned to the kitchen, where her mother was putting some freshly washed clothes through the mangle. For the umpteenth time she tried again to challenge her.

‘Mum, why won’t you let Dr Stubbs get some treatment for Dad? He’s not getting any better and this has been going on for over eleven years now. It’s pretty obvious that he’s out of his mind.’

Alice wiped her forehead with the back of a ravaged hand as she turned to look at her daughter. Her greying hair was held in a loose bun with thin strands hanging scraggily down. Though only in her forties, the hard life she’d been forced to live had prematurely aged her, and she said wearily, ‘I’ve been through this with you before, Dottie. I won’t have your father put in one of them places ’cos you know what they do to them in there. They electrocute them! He just needs lots of love and patience from his family. You’ll see, one day we’ll have your dad back to how he was, but if he goes into that nuthouse, that’ll be the last we ever see of him.’

‘What if you’re wrong, Mum? What if he never gets better?’

‘He will, love. You know that Mrs Brigade, the woman from up Lavender Hill with the nine boys all with ginger hair, well, I saw her the other day in the haberdashery shop. She told me that three of her sons had come home from the war as very changed young men and it took years to get back to normal. The point is, they did eventually, and remember they’re a lot younger than your father, so of course they would get better quicker. But mark my words, gal, your father will be back to his silly old self soon enough.’

Dorothy wasn’t convinced and would rather have put her trust in modern medicine but she didn’t want to push her mother any further. ‘If you say so, Mum. I reckon it’s a bloody travesty though. The army should never have sent him home like that. They should have sent him to one of those centres first, you know, the ones where they have special head doctors to sort out soldiers with that combat stress thing.’

‘Perhaps you’re right, love, but at the end of the day they washed their hands of him. Many years ago I did apply to have his pension increased, but they turned the application down.’

‘You could try again.’

‘No, love, your dad isn’t physically disabled and, as they sort of hinted that he could be putting it on, it would just be a waste of time.’

‘Of course he isn’t putting it on,’ Dottie said indignantly.

‘You know that and I know that, but I’m not going to put him through one of those medicals again. Now come on, go and do something with your hair before that lovely young man of yours arrives. Is he taking you dancing tonight?’

Dorothy couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Robbie, even though she knew her mother was changing the subject, which she always did whenever Dorothy brought up her father’s health or his pension. ‘He is, and tonight there’s a band on who sound just like Bill Haley and His Comets. I’ve made myself a smashing pencil skirt to wear, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to dance very well in it.’

‘I don’t know, you youngsters and your funny fashions. Don’t get me wrong, Robbie’s a lovely lad, but those trousers he wears are so blinking tight they’re nearing indecency, and as for his daft floppy hair …’

‘His hair is just like that film star Tony Curtis, and I don’t hear you knocking him. And as for his trousers, well … I think he looks dishy in them!’

‘Dishy? What sort of word is that?’ Alice asked, laughing.

Dorothy joined in and then left her mother at the mangle as she skipped up the stairs to her bedroom to change her clothes and plait her long blonde hair.

Alice was so pleased to see the joy Robbie had brought to her daughter’s life over the past few months. After all, the girl didn’t have it easy. She worked long hours in the bakery and deserved a bit of fun.

A pang of guilt struck Alice again, the same feeling she’d harboured since Dottie first started work aged fifteen. Her daughter was such a beautiful girl and could easily have been a model, but instead she’d had to take the job with Bertie Epstein, the baker in town. Dorothy never failed to hand over most of her wages and she never complained about it. Alice tried hard to contribute herself, but couldn’t earn enough to cover all the household expenses from taking in washing.

She was grateful to her neighbours for helping her out. It wasn’t as if most of them could afford the privilege of someone to do their dirty laundry, but still they rallied around, paying a few pennies where they could for Alice to wash their clothes and sheets. She had a couple of clients from the posh houses facing the park, but they were proper skinflints and didn’t pay much. She wanted to ask for more, but was too scared of losing the work. She paid a lad threepence to pick up the laundry and return it, and though it ate into her earnings, she was reluctant to add to her daughter’s load by asking her to take on the task.

It was a hard life, but Alice wouldn’t grumble. Bill couldn’t help being how he was. He was all right physically. He could walk and with a push from her he would wash, dress and feed himself, but she knew that left to his own devices he would just sit in his own muck.

Alice sighed. It wasn’t as if he’d deliberately sent himself mad, and when she tried to imagine what her husband must have witnessed to send him over the edge, a shudder went down her spine. He’d always been such a good provider, but when war broke out, being loyal to King and country, he had immediately put himself forward to ‘do his bit’. Yet look at him now, rocking backwards and forwards in his chair, mumbling to himself and still screaming out in bed when the nightmares haunted him.

Alice yearned to help him recover but Dorothy’s questions still rang in her ears. What if he never gets better? Alice stiffened with resolve. In sickness and in health, that’s what she had vowed on her wedding day, and come what may she would stick to her promise to Bill.

Chapter 2

Dorothy’s heart was beating nineteen to the dozen as seven o’clock approached. Robbie would be calling for her and butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she checked her reflection in the cracked mirror on her small oak dressing table. She applied a slick of red lipstick, using it as blusher too to rosy her cheeks. Her blue eyes were framed with jet-black mascara and a red satin bow held her long plait in place. She was strikingly pretty, with long legs that put her three or four inches taller than most of her friends, yet she was a humble girl who didn’t realise how attractive she was to men.

Satisfied with her appearance, Dottie went over to the window and saw Robbie walking along the street, his hands tucked firmly into his trouser pockets and a roll-up hanging from the corner of his mouth. With a clap of glee, she grabbed a cardigan before racing down the stairs to open the front door.

‘Hello, Dottie,’ Robbie greeted her, flashing a wide smile. ‘You’re a sight for sore eyes! You look ravishing as always. Come here and give me a kiss.’

Dorothy giggled and pulled away from Robbie’s tightening clinch on her. ‘Pack it in, will you, my mum’s just round the door,’ she said, indicating with her head at the front room. ‘She’ll hear you.’

‘Well, I don’t mind if she does. I’ll tell her what a gorgeous daughter she has and how I can’t keep my hands off her lovely bum.’

Hoping her mother hadn’t heard Robbie’s remark, Dorothy yelled a hasty goodbye, grabbed her coat and quickly closed the front door behind her as she heard her mother call back a warning. ‘Don’t be late and behave yourself!’

Robbie and Dorothy both held their breath until they got safely out of earshot, but then burst out laughing. ‘Behave yourself,’ Robbie parroted as he pulled her into his arms again. ‘I hope there’s no chance of that.’

Dorothy tingled as Robbie lowered his head to kiss her passionately on the lips, and she squirmed with excitement as his tongue explored her mouth. Breathless, she untangled herself from his arms, aware and embarrassed that the neighbours might see them cavorting in the street. ‘Let’s get a move on,’ she urged. ‘We don’t want to miss the best dances.’

Robbie threw his arm over her shoulder and led her down the street. She felt so proud to be with him. He was different, well spoken and from a nicer part of the borough than where she lived. She admired him, though she’d heard rumours about Robbie seeing other women. She quickly quashed her niggling doubts, looking forward to meeting up with their friends in the local church hall.

As they got closer to the dance venue, the sound of rock ’n’ roll floated through the air. Dorothy felt her excitement increase and was eager to dance with Robbie, but then she heard shouting over the sound of the music and recognised the raised voice of her friend Jimmy. It sounded like he was having an argument with Kimberley, his old school sweetheart who was now his wife.

Robbie and Dorothy rounded a corner and came face to face with the quarrelling couple. She noticed that Kimberley quickly hung her head.

‘Talk of the devil,’ Jimmy spat.

‘It sounds like you two are having a bit of a tiff,’ Robbie said.

‘I wonder why that might be,’ Jimmy answered sarcastically. ‘Care to shed any light on it?’

Robbie shrugged. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Don’t play the innocent with me, Rob. I’ve heard all about you sneaking round to mine when I’ve been out and getting up to all sorts with my missus.’

‘I haven’t been getting up to anything,’ answered Robbie as he took Dorothy’s hand and pulled her towards the entrance of the church hall, ‘and if your missus says any differently, then she’s a lying bitch.’

Jimmy arched his shoulders back. ‘Don’t talk about my Kimberley like that.’

‘Huh, one minute you’re accusing her of doing the dirty on you and now you’re defending her. Get your facts straight, Jimmy. I popped round last week to help her out with a leaky tap which it seems you couldn’t fix. I was just doing you a favour, mate.’

There were a few moments’ silence and Dorothy looked again at Kimberley, who, with her head still hung low, quickly flashed her a sideways glance. In that split second Dorothy was sure she had seen something in Kimberley’s eyes … something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Jimmy broke the silence. ‘Is that true, Kim? Was that all he was doing?’

‘Yes,’ Kimberley answered quietly, her head still low.

‘Then why didn’t you just say so?’

It was Robbie who answered. ‘She never said anything because she didn’t want to hurt your pride. Come on, Jimmy, get a grip.’

‘All right, all right. Just don’t keep stupid secrets from me again, either of you,’ said Jimmy, looking back and forth between Robbie and Kimberley.

Tensions seemed to lower and the two couples made their way through to the filled hall, but those niggling doubts that had bothered Dorothy earlier were in her head again. She didn’t want to spoil the evening, but she had to know the truth.

Half an hour later, Dorothy was finding it difficult to be heard over the loud music in the small hall as she repeated for the third time, ‘I said, tell me the truth, Robbie. Have you been seeing any other girls behind my back?’

‘I can’t hear you properly,’ Robbie answered close to her ear. ‘Come outside.’

Dorothy followed him out and then he led her down an alley between the hall and the church. ‘Now, what were you saying to me?’ he asked as he gently pushed her against the brick wall.

The alley was dark, the moon being the only illumination, and it wasn’t the sort of place Dorothy would venture alone, though she felt safe with Robbie. ‘I feel silly now, but I need to know. Have you been seeing any girls behind my back?’

Robbie pressed his firm body up against hers as he cupped her face in his large hands. ‘Don’t be daft, woman. You’re the only girl for me.’

He kissed her in the way that always made her tingle and slowly slipped his hand up inside her sweater to gently cup one of her small breasts.

‘Robbie, stop,’ Dorothy forced herself to say. ‘You know I’m saving myself.’

‘Marry me then, Dottie. Be my wife,’ Robbie said breathlessly.

Dorothy was astounded and could feel Robbie’s excitement rising in his tight drainpipe trousers.

‘What?’ she asked. ‘Did you just ask me to marry you?’

Robbie kissed her harder. ‘Yes, marry me,’ he said, between necking her and rubbing her erect nipple.

Dorothy tried to answer, but Robbie’s mouth was firmly on hers and his other hand was yanking her skirt up to her hips. Her head was giddy but eventually she managed to whisper, ‘Yes, yes, I’ll marry you, but, Robbie … stop, we’re not married yet.’

‘Oh, Dottie, please, why wait? I love you and I’m going to be your husband. Let me get inside you.’ Robbie had his hand at the top of her thigh and was sliding it inside her knickers.

‘No, Robbie, we can’t. I don’t want to get pregnant.’

‘You can’t get pregnant the first time,’ he husked, while doing things to her that made her gasp.

She had been dating him for five months and had held out against his advances until now, but he had never mentioned marriage before. Now, Dorothy couldn’t believe she was going to be his wife. It wasn’t the most romantic of venues for a proposal, but she found her body responding to Robbie’s caresses and, with her head spinning, she wrapped her legs around his waist.

As he pounded her against the wall, she buried her head in his neck, enjoying the pleasure of feeling him pushing into her. He began to move faster, harder, and then threw his head back, letting out a long groan.

‘Dottie, yes, yes,’ he quietly moaned and then with a final thrust he finished, leaving her feeling thrilled yet strangely dissatisfied. It hadn’t been like she thought it would, but who cares, she thought, as her head filled with images of herself in a wedding dress.

He pulled away from her, took a roll-up from his pocket and drew a long breath as Dorothy adjusted her clothing. ‘I can’t wait to get back inside and tell everyone about us getting married,’ she said enthusiastically.

‘Whoa, hold up,’ Robbie answered quickly as he blew smoke up into the air.

Alarm bells rang in Dorothy’s head and she suddenly feared she might have been duped into losing her virginity. ‘What do you mean? You are still going to marry me, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, yes, of course. But before you go announcing it to the world, don’t you think I should get you a ring first?’

Dorothy felt her panic subside and was relieved to hear that Robbie’s reluctance to announce their engagement was only because he wanted to ensure it was done correctly. ‘OK, but you had better get me one soon ’cos I can hardly contain myself. I’m going to be Mrs Ferguson. Mrs Dorothy Ferguson.’ Yet, as she spoke, Dorothy noticed that Robbie’s expression didn’t seem to be as blissful as hers.

Robbie threw his roll-up to the floor before slinking back inside the hall with Dorothy. He couldn’t believe he’d asked her to marry him, but in the heat of the moment he knew it would persuade her to give in to his lust.

He liked her, quite a lot in fact, but she was so prim and proper, unlike the other women he visited around here who were only too happy to open their legs to him. Robbie knew he was good-looking, and he easily charmed women, but usually if they weren’t forthcoming he’d just drop them and move on. It was easy, too easy, and maybe that’s what attracted him to Dottie. She was a stunner, and the fact that he had to try harder made her more of a challenge.

Then a thought struck him. Dorothy wanted a ring and he was totally broke. He’d only been paid yesterday, but already most of his week’s wages had been blown in a card game. He was in debt to a couple of loan sharks, and he also owed money to his brother Adrian. If he was going to buy Dorothy any sort of ring, he would have to come up with a plan to get his hands on some cash, or be forced to go cap in hand to his brother yet again.

Dorothy had made a run for the ladies’ toilets when Kimberley sauntered up to him with a knowing look on her face. He glanced around to make sure that Jimmy hadn’t noticed.

‘Keep your mouth shut, Kim, and make sure you stick to our story. I don’t want Jimmy or Dottie finding out about us. What happened earlier was a bit too close for comfort.’

‘Don’t worry. I don’t want Jimmy to know about us any more than you do, but someone up our street saw you leaving our house and had a word in his ear. He’ll be going out on Tuesday night to darts, but best you come round to the back door. If it’s all clear I’ll leave my bedroom curtains closed, but if they ain’t drawn, you’ll have to scarper.’

Robbie wasn’t sure if he still wanted to risk it with Kimberley, but then again she did things for him that very few of the others would. She liked to take control and would lead the way in the bedroom, which Robbie found was a real turn-on for him.

‘OK, I’ll see you then, and make sure you’ve got that little black lacy number on, the one you told me you wore on honeymoon with Jimmy.’

When Dorothy quietly closed her front door that night, Alice was waiting in the kitchen for her. She never went to bed before she was sure her daughter was home safely.

‘Did you have a nice time? Judging by that big grin on your face, I’m guessing you did,’ Alice asked, pleased to see Dorothy looking so happy.

‘Oh, Mum, you won’t believe it. I’m not meant to say anything until it’s official but I’ll burst if I don’t tell you. Robbie asked me to marry him and I said yes!’

Alice was genuinely pleased for her daughter, but had been secretly fearing that this day would come. Her heart sank. She could help to make Dorothy’s wedding dress, but, suffering from agoraphobia, she doubted she’d be able to get to the church to see her walking down the aisle. These damn stupid fears, she thought, cursing the affliction that would cause her to miss her only child’s wedding day.

Not only that, but Alice didn’t know how she’d cope without Dorothy. She hadn’t left the house since before the Blitz, not even to take shelter as bombs had dropped around her, razing houses to the ground. Thankfully Dorothy had been evacuated to Devon and Alice’s neighbours had rallied round, getting her shopping and anything else she needed. She had missed her daughter so much, but when the war ended and Dorothy was old enough, the young girl had taken over any outside tasks that Alice had been unable to do.

She had tried to step over the threshold of her front door on many occasions, but her phobia had always beaten her and she had retreated back into the safety of her home. Though she knew it was selfish, Alice worried how she would manage without Dorothy’s wage. She felt sure that Robbie wouldn’t want to live with his in-laws, especially in this part of Battersea. Their house didn’t have any of the modern conveniences like an inside toilet, and, from what Dorothy had told her, Robbie lived in the posh part of the borough. Apart from anything else Alice knew that they would want to start a family soon, and then Dorothy wouldn’t be able to work.

As if sensing her qualms, Dorothy quickly spoke.

‘It’s all right, Mum, you won’t have anything to worry about. Me and Robbie will make sure you and Dad are well looked after. We’ll have two salaries coming in, and I reckon he must earn a good one working as a mechanic. Whatever happens, I’ll still get your shopping in, and as for my wedding day, we’ll sort something out, even if it means I have to get married in the back yard.’

Guilt flared again at her daughter’s words, but Alice was so proud of Dorothy. What a thoughtful girl to be thinking about her mum and dad! Robbie was a lucky man, and she hoped he realised it.

Dorothy was far too excited to sleep that night, tossing and turning as she began trying to plan her wedding dress down to every fine detail. She pulled the thin blankets up under her chin and shivered. She wasn’t sure if the tremble was down to the chilly night or the memory of Robbie’s touch and what had happened in the alley. All her good intentions of losing her virginity on her wedding night had gone out of the window, but at least the man who had taken it was destined to be her husband. It hadn’t hurt like she’d heard it would. Actually, looking back she’d found it very enjoyable and couldn’t wait to be living with Robbie, sharing a bed with him every night.

But that was something to ponder on, and, though she had reassured her mother, Dorothy wondered what she was going to do about her parents. She couldn’t just abandon them. With her mother too afraid to leave the house, her father mentally unstable and no other family to share the burden, it would be down to her to ensure their security. Yet Dorothy was sure that Robbie would be understanding and supportive. He was fully aware of her situation so she wondered if he might consider moving into their home. It was an idea, but when she thought about the house that Robbie shared with his older brother Adrian she feared he wouldn’t agree. It was much larger and grander than this place, and in a better area too. She’d been surprised when she’d first seen the house and met Adrian. He was very different from his brother. Whereas Robbie was tall and good-looking, Adrian was short, tubby and balding, though his face was nice to look at.

Her mind drifted back to where they would live. If she could persuade Robbie to move in here it would be the perfect solution, at least until they were ready to start a family. They would have to rethink the situation then as there was nothing she wanted more than a child of her own, lots of them in fact – a house filled with little Robbies. Dorothy thought about how gorgeous they would look if they took after their father with his dark hair and big brown eyes.

She remembered how her dad used to play with her when she was a child. He was always so attentive and such fun to be with. Now, though, her dad’s illness was the only shadow in her landscape, but maybe holding a grandchild in his arms would bring him back to them.

Dorothy smiled, hoping her dreams would all come true as she pictured her future with the man she was going to marry and loved with all her heart.

Chapter 3

Adrian replaced the telephone receiver and turned his attention to Robbie, who was looking agitated as he paced the office floor. Adrian knew they would never be taken for brothers. Robbie was tall, slim and dark with swarthy good looks, whereas Adrian knew his weight detracted from his pleasant face – and they were poles apart in character too.

Before his younger brother had a chance to speak, Adrian guessed that Robbie would be asking for money again. He took a deep breath, resolving that this time would be different; he wouldn’t be a pushover. He would stand his ground and be firm. It was about time he gave the young man a few home truths. He knew it would be difficult but it needed doing as Robbie’s finances appeared to be spiralling out of control.

‘Hello, Rob. Why aren’t you at work?’

‘It’s a bit slow today. We haven’t got any vehicles in so Roger sent me off early, not that I’m complaining. He doesn’t dock my wages and I bloody hate working in that greasy pit.’

Adrian sighed. ‘I told you to continue your education, Rob, but would you listen? No. You insisted on leaving school and in fact you’re lucky to be in your position. Lots of people would love to be a mechanic and earn the money you do. So stop complaining.’

‘Yes, but I wish I’d listened to you now.’

Adrian narrowed his eyes. That remark was enough for him to know that his brother wanted something and he could guess what it was. ‘So what brings you here?’

‘You couldn’t see me straight for a few bob, could you?’

Adrian looked at his brother’s confident stance and couldn’t believe his audacity. He didn’t even look sheepish about asking. He just came straight out with it.

‘I’m sorry, Rob, but no. You still haven’t paid me back from last time, or the time before that. I suppose you’ve been gambling again, but it’s about time you knocked that card playing on the head and took responsibility for yourself. I’m fed up with bailing you out all the time. You’re twenty-six years old, a grown man, and it’s time you acted like one.’

Adrian spoke firmly. He didn’t like being so harsh, but knew it was the right thing to do. Since their parents had died of influenza when Robbie was thirteen, Adrian had become very protective of his younger brother. However, Robbie was trying to take advantage of his generosity one time too many and his patience was wearing thin.

‘Don’t be like that, it’s not like you can’t afford it. This business of yours makes you a fair packet.’

‘Whether I can afford it or not is irrelevant. I’ve worked hard to build Ferguson Haulage up to what it is today, and to be honest, Rob, it’s not just about the money.’

‘What are you on about?’

‘I’m always clearing up the mess you leave behind with your reckless behaviour. Christ, man, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to console an upset woman because you’ve led her a merry dance with your lies and philandering. Not to mention the many times I’ve reimbursed the money you’ve swindled out of them. I’ve had it up to here with you.’

‘But that’s just it … I’m getting married! I’m going to change, I swear, and that’s why I need some money. I want to buy Dottie a ring.’

Adrian pushed his chair back from his desk, his thoughts turning. Could it be true? Was his brother really going to settle down? He doubted it, which could only mean one thing. ‘Oh, God, please tell me you haven’t got Dottie in the family way?’

‘What do you think I am, stupid? Of course I haven’t, but now I’ve asked her to marry me, I’ll need to get her an engagement ring. So if you lend me the money I promise I’ll pay you back this time.’

‘I’ve heard it all now. Does she have any idea about your debts? Just how on earth do you think you are going to support Dottie and her parents? Because from what you’ve told me about them before, they will need looking after too.’

‘Don’t you worry about that,’ Robbie answered slowly with a wry grin. ‘It’s going to be a very, very long engagement.’

Adrian’s blood began to boil. He couldn’t believe how unprincipled his brother could be, and though he’d only met her a couple of times, Dottie seemed such a lovely young girl. It wasn’t as if Robbie had been brought up this way. Their parents had worked hard in instilling in them the difference between right and wrong and, after they had passed away, the boys’ elder sister Myra had taken up the reins. She had cared well for Robbie until her move to Scotland, back to their family roots.

‘I don’t suppose Dottie knows that she’ll be waiting a long time before she’s walked up the aisle? No, I suspect not. Another one who’s had the wool pulled over her eyes. Why do you do it, Rob? What are you getting out of her? Because I know it can’t be money.’

There was a silent pause but the lascivious look on Robbie’s face told Adrian all he needed to know. ‘You can be such a ruthless bastard.’

Robbie just laughed. ‘So are you going to lend me the money or not?’ he asked.

‘Not,’ said Adrian.

Robbie approached Adrian and leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk. ‘Honestly, I’ll never ask you again if you just do this one thing for me.’

‘The subject is not open for debate. I won’t be any part of this. If you want to mislead that girl, then you will have to do it without my help. For goodness’ sake, Rob, our mother would be so ashamed of you.’

Adrian saw a black look come over his brother’s face, the same expression he had seen when Robbie was a teenager and would fly into an uncontrollable rage. Myra had always been able to calm him and he seemed to have grown out of his outbursts, but, seeing that same look now, Adrian braced himself. He was right to do so because without hesitation Robbie swept his arm across Adrian’s desk, sending paperwork and pens flying.

‘How dare you bring our mum into this!’ he screeched as he brought his fist down heavily on the wooden desk.

Adrian sat transfixed in his chair, waiting for his brother’s next move. He knew he’d gone too far with his last remark and instantly regretted it, but it was too late to retract it now. He watched as Robbie kicked a wastepaper bin, sending it soaring into the air, and then pushed over a shelving unit with such force that it skidded across the wooden floor. Then without a glance back his brother stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. Adrian was left shaken – but glad that Robbie had gone.

As he surveyed the mess around him, the door opened again, filling him with dread. Much to his relief it was only Joe, one of his drivers, though it was customary for his employees to knock before entering.

Joe was a burly looking chap yet even he looked shocked at the state of the office. ‘Are you all right, guv? Only I saw that bloke just leave and he didn’t ’alf bang that door.’

‘Yes, everything’s fine, Joe. He’s my brother, nothing to worry about,’ Adrian said hurriedly as he scanned the paperwork on the floor, picked up a piece and handed it to Joe. ‘Here you go, this is the ticket for your next collection. You’ll have to get a move on if you’re going to be at the drop-off on time.’

Joe looked at him for a moment with narrowed eyes, but said nothing. He took the ticket, stepped over the scattered furniture and strewn papers, then left quietly. Adrian sat down at his desk again, still shaken, and struggled to pull himself together.

It had unsettled him to see Rob’s anger. He’d thought his brother had learned to control his temper, but now he found himself anxious about living with a grown man who could be prone to such violent eruptions.

After leaving Adrian’s office in a rage, Robbie decided that, though he didn’t have the money for a ring, he had enough in his pocket to call in to the Union Arms on Battersea Bridge Road to have a pint or two and calm down. Adrian had always been a pompous git, but he shouldn’t have brought their mother into the conversation. Though, if he was honest, his anger was mainly at his brother’s refusal to lend him any money.

Robbie supped on his ale, savouring the smooth liquid. Two scruffy-looking men stood further along the bar and, as Robbie caught some of their conversation, all thoughts of Adrian and his condescending manner went out of his mind. The men were huddled quite close together, obviously hoping that no one could hear what they were saying, but as they swayed on their feet it appeared the pair were pretty full of beer and didn’t realise how loudly they were talking.

Robbie listened intently as he heard the smaller man in a flat cap say, ‘I’m telling you, George, it’ll be a piece of cake. My cousin said that it’s all about the timing. As long as we get it right we’ll be home and dry, and we’ll be at least a couple of hundred quid or more better off.’

‘Run it by me again,’ George slurred, ‘and slowly this time.’

The man in the flat cap leaned against the bar. ‘It’s easy. You know my cousin works in Leonardo’s, that posh jeweller’s over in Knightsbridge? Yeah, well, she’s gone and got herself up the duff so she’ll be out of a job soon, but in need of some quick bucks. She said she watched old Leonardo put money in the safe and clocked the combination. We had a right laugh when she told me. The old boy must be losing the plot ’cos you’ll never guess what it is.’

George scratched his head, ‘I ain’t got a clue. Go on, tell me …’

‘It’s only left four, right three, left two, right one. He must have set it up like that so he doesn’t forget it, but neither will we,’ the man in the flat cap said and laughed. ‘She reckons he puts the day’s takings in the safe on Saturday when they close, and it just sits there ’til Monday when he banks it. So all we’ve got to do is break in on a Sunday and Bob’s your uncle.’

George nodded but then asked, ‘What about alarms and all that? He must have a place like that belled up so how are we gonna break in? If we smash a window, or jemmy the door, the Old Bill will be straight on to us.’

‘Don’t you worry about that, I’ve got it all covered. My cousin said there’s a small attic skylight on the roof. It’s not alarmed so we just need to lever it open, drop down inside and then head for the safe. We’ll grab the cash and then leave the same way. No one will know we’ve been in there until Monday morning when Leonardo goes to his safe and finds it empty.’

‘Bloody hell, it’s genius! When we gonna do it? This Sunday?’ asked George.

‘Well, we could, but I’ve already promised my mum that I’ll bring Ginny and the kids over this weekend, and you know my life won’t be worth living if I let either of the battle-axes down.’

George groaned. ‘Yeah, I know what you mean. Next weekend it is then.’

The two men shook hands as Robbie inwardly smiled. This was the answer to his worries. Lady Luck must be smiling on him because it had been handed to him on a plate. All he had to do was get in there this weekend to beat the two old drunks to the stash of cash. It sounded fail-safe and he would never have to go to his brother again for money. He’d be able to pay back all that he had borrowed and that would get Adrian, along with others, off his back.

Grinning, Robbie ordered another pint, well chuffed that all his money problems would soon be over.

Chapter 4

Dorothy gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek before she dashed out of the door to meet Robbie. He was taking her to the cinema and she was really hoping that tonight would be the night when he would present her with the engagement ring she was so eagerly anticipating. After all, it had been over a week since he’d asked her to marry him.

As she walked along the street of small terraced houses, she caught sight of her reflection in the window of the newsagent shop on the corner. Her dress was homemade, as were most of her clothes, but she was pleased with her creations and was always up to date with the latest trends. Her long jacket was finished with a velvet collar, and though she would have preferred to be wearing a pair of high heels, she couldn’t afford to buy any. Still, she’d made an extra special effort with her hair so was relieved that it was a dry evening, meaning her curls wouldn’t be washed out. It was important that she looked her very best as she was sure that at some point during the evening Robbie would get down on one knee and formally propose.

As Dorothy quickened her pace and got closer to the bus stop, she could see that Robbie was already there, but her heart sank as she saw he was talking to a group of three young women. He looked a little too close to them, particularly one of them. Dorothy could see the woman placing a cigarette in her mouth, looking up into Robbie’s eyes as he lit it for her.

‘Hello, Robbie,’ Dorothy called. She was trying her best to sound unfazed and cheerful, but in reality she was feeling very insecure and self-conscious in her homemade clothes, which couldn’t compare with the sophisticated appearance of the women. They cast their eyes over her as though they were looking down their noses, making Dorothy squirm inside. She saw Robbie wink at the woman with the cigarette before he sauntered towards Dorothy and kissed her on the cheek.

‘Hello, darling. These ladies are heading for the Junction too, but their car has broken down so I’ve told them to join us on the bus.’

Dorothy feigned a smile. She was irritated and a little jealous of the woman with the cigarette. Along with the elegant outfit, she was wearing high heels and appeared to have grabbed Robbie’s attention, but before Dorothy had time to dwell on it the bus arrived and all five of them clambered on board.

Robbie, being the gentleman he always was, paid for all their fares and entertained the three ladies for the length of the journey. Dorothy did try to join in their conversation, but the topic was politics, which she knew nothing about, and though Robbie’s knowledge normally impressed her, this time she felt left out and sat pouting in silence.

Once they arrived at the Junction, Robbie said farewell to his new-found friends but Dorothy was vexed when the cigarette lady gave Robbie a flirty smile and said, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then, Robert.’

Dorothy quickly alighted from the bus and stomped along the pavement, but Robbie soon caught up with her and marched in time at her side.

‘Hey, slow down, Dottie. What’s got into you?’

‘What was all that about, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Robert”? Since when has anyone called you Robert?’ she said, seething.

‘Calm down. I’m a mechanic, her car’s broken down and I’m going round tomorrow to fix it. You want a nice ring, don’t you, so I need the extra cash. And she called me Robert because I told her my given name as it sounds more professional.’

Dorothy suddenly felt very embarrassed about her little sulk. Robbie had only been thinking about her and, even though she obviously wouldn’t be getting her ring tonight, it warmed her inside to think that Robbie was willing to work on a Sunday to buy her one. That proved how much he must really love her.

‘I’m sorry, Robbie,’ she said. ‘I don’t mean to act like a spoilt brat. It’s just that I love you so much and can’t stand the thought of losing you to another woman.’

‘That’s never going to happen. I’ve told you before, you’re the only girl for me. Now put a smile on those sexy red lips, and don’t be expecting to see much of this film tonight as we’re going to be busy in the back row.’

Dorothy knew that this meant lots of kissing and that was fine with her. She would much prefer smooching with Robbie to watching a film. Of course they could only kiss and cuddle. There could be no funny business, not in public, but the thought of his touch made her shiver with delight.

Robbie was glad to see there wasn’t much of a queue for tickets. He’d been paid and so far he still had a full wage packet, which meant that, once inside the cinema, he could go to the kiosk and buy Dottie some chocolates to soften her up.

Pleased to see her smile at his gift, Robbie then avoided the usherette and gently pulled Dorothy to a back row in the far corner of the cinema. He had sat in these seats before with Martha Jones and knew it was a dark spot. He could get away with being frisky without worrying about being caught.

The auditorium only half filled and the film began to flicker on the big screen. Robbie wasted no time and as Dorothy stared wide-eyed at the glamorous film stars, he began to run his hand up her leg.

‘Robbie, no,’ Dorothy protested.

‘Come on, Dottie. I’m not really here to watch The Green Man.’

‘We can’t do anything, someone will see us.’

Her naïvety annoyed him sometimes, but he put up with it because she was such a stunner. ‘Look around you, there’s loads of couples having a snog, so stop worrying,’ he urged and kissed her in the way he knew she liked.

Dorothy responded, but when he took her hand and placed it on his unzipped trousers where his manhood was bulging through his pants, she just left it where it rested. It added to his annoyance. He’d been hoping that she would at least give him a rub, so he tried again to get his hand up her skirt, and though she didn’t brush him away this time, she kept her legs clamped tightly together. ‘Come on, Dottie, relax, will you,’ he urged.

‘It doesn’t feel right, doing this in here,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t like it with all these people around. It’ll be different when we’re married and living together.’

Robbie’s frustration was bursting. He jumped up, zipped up his trousers and pulled Dorothy to her feet. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here,’ he barked, ignoring the hurt look on her face.

Once outside, his mind raced as he tried to think of an excuse to get rid of her. She was a beautiful woman, there was no question about that, but he had a big job to do in the early hours and before he set out to do it he had to relieve some of his tension. It was obvious that Dottie wasn’t going to be the woman to do that for him tonight.

‘I’m not feeling all that clever,’ he lied. ‘My stomach is churning something rotten. I think it would be best if I drop you back home and then get myself off to bed. I’m sorry, sweetheart, I’ll make it up to you next week.’

‘Is that why you suddenly dragged me out? It wasn’t because I didn’t want to do it in there?’

‘Yes, it just suddenly came over me and I felt all hot and sweaty. I bet it was that ham I had earlier. I thought it smelt a bit iffy.’ Robbie couldn’t believe how easy this girl was to manipulate. She didn’t seem too upset, which made his life much easier.

They sat in silence holding hands on the bus ride home, but Robbie could feel his jaw clenching as he mulled over his plans for later. He was like a wound-up coil and decided that, once Dottie was safely deposited back at home, he would call in to see Cynthia. She was quite a bit older than Robbie, but always made him very welcome. Cynthia wasn’t much to look at, but she was good with her hands and he knew he would get a tantalising all-over massage. Just the ticket, Robbie thought, and afterwards he’d make his way over to Knightsbridge. He’d decided that if he waited until well after midnight there’d be fewer people about. He’d never attempted a burglary before and had to admit to himself that he was more than a little nervous about the whole thing. From what he’d heard, though, it was going be straightforward enough, and boy, did he need the money.

Of course he could have put off paying Adrian back, but the loan sharks were after him for what he owed and it wouldn’t be long before his excuses wore thin with them. He didn’t want to end up taking a pasting, so stealing what he hoped would be at least two hundred pounds would easily sort out all his debts. If there was more in the safe he might even be able to buy a decent second-hand car. A nice motor would impress the birds too, and Dottie would more than likely be up for a bit of fun on the back seat.

Robbie’s jaw relaxed as he thought about what else he would spend his stolen money on. Any fears he had about the prospect of getting caught and ending up behind bars in a stinking prison were quickly pushed to the back of his mind.

Alice sat quietly in the dim living room listening to The Archers on the radio. It was the omnibus edition and Alice was looking forward to the rare hour of relaxation. With Bill being the way he was and sitting in silence, the characters on the radio were all she really had for company on a Saturday night.

She heard a key turn in the front door and was surprised to see Dorothy walk into the front room. She hadn’t been expecting her home for a while yet.

‘Hello, love, you’re early. Did you have a nice time with Robbie?’

‘Not really. He wasn’t feeling too well. No official proposal tonight but he did talk about doing some extra work to buy me a nice ring.’

‘Oh, well, that’ll be something nice to look forward to then. There’s some warm milk on the stove if you fancy a hot mug of cocoa. You can come and sit with me and listen to my programme if you like?’

Dorothy smiled. ‘Thanks, Mum, but I think I’ll pass on that and finish off hemming the dress I’m making.’

With that, Dorothy left the room like a whirlwind. Alice wished she had the same energy as her daughter, but years of toiling over the kitchen sink had left her spine bent and the constant pain had been really wearing her down lately. Oh, well, she thought, trying to be positive, it wouldn’t be much longer until Bill recovered and then things would be back to where they were before the war. Alice reached across to pat the back of Bill’s hand. She just hoped he would be well enough to see his daughter get married.

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