Easterleigh Hall Read Online Free PDF Page A

to talk amongst themselves again, and always the music played. Jack hesitated and turned back to Simon. She dragged at his arm, speaking urgently. ‘I have another job, that’s all. I’m to be assistant cook for the Bramptons. I have a plan. I need Easterleigh Hall. I am going to use them. I want a training, for us. I’ll explain but not here. Come on.’
    Simon moved to help her. She stopped him. ‘Howay, Simon. Let it be.’ She held up her hand to Martin too, who had started to approach again. He stopped, uncertain. It was like herding a load of sheep, for pity’s sake.
    She thought she’d reached Jack because he let her lead him from the shooting range, well away, slipping through the throng. Some of the men they passed were smoking roll-ups, some of the children were eating toffee apples. Now the sweet smell of boiling sugar vied with suckling pig.
    Jack let her slip her arm through his as they approached the swing boats but in the fading light he stopped, drew himself erect, staggered, pulled away and turned to her, stared and then spat full in her face. He wiped his mouth with his hand. ‘You too, my Evie. You as well. And I had to hear it from someone else.’ He staggered again. His nose was bleeding properly now. He wiped the blood away, but it continued to flow.
    As he spoke again his teeth gleamed red. ‘At least Da had the courage to tell me to me face. You’re serving them, stuffing food in their gobs. You could go anywhere but you are working for that bastard. I don’t have a choice but you do. You could go anywhere for your . . . training.’ He was sneering.
    She interrupted, ‘I can’t go anywhere else. I owe Miss Manton so much. I made a promise . . .’
    He waved her silent, snatching off his cap, punching it into his other hand. ‘You know how I feel about them. First Da and now you. Don’t you understand, you’ve both tethered me? How am I going to fight the bosses now? If I do, you’ll lose your job, because they’ll know you’re a Forbes, and Da’ll lose his for the same reason and we’ll be out of the house.’ He drew breath, and now his voice was quiet and cold. ‘I hate you, Evie Forbes. I’m glad you’re going. You’ve got options, Da’s got options, I’ve got bugger all.’
    His spittle was rolling down her cheek, sliding on to her jaw, and then her neck, her collar. She wiped it and out of habit checked for black phlegm. It was clear. Simon came running then, pushing between them, panting, ‘That’s enough, Jack.’ He seemed slight against Jack’s strength. ‘That’s more than enough, man. Go and sober up.’
    Jack’s eyes were glazed and full of tears as he stared at her long and hard and then turned away, walking erect, not a stagger, not a sway. She called after him, ‘I’d already thought about my name, it’s all right. I used Anston. Da’s already explained to you what he will do when it comes to a strike. He’ll resign. You can go on with your union work.’
    Jack didn’t break stride, just kept on walking, away from her. The crowds parted before him, and closed in his wake. Martin stumbled after him, catching him up, hooking an arm over his shoulder. Jack shrugged him off but Martin took no notice. They were marras. They worked the seam side by side. They belonged together, always. His arm went round Jack’s shoulders again and this time it stayed.
    None in the crowd looked at either Jack or Evie. They gave them their privacy because they were their marras and neighbours. The music was still pounding, laughter was in the air.
    She wanted to call, to run after him but she felt Simon’s arm around her shoulder, his sleeve wiping away the remaining spittle, his face close to hers, so close. She felt his breath as he said, ‘Leave him for now. I’ll follow and make sure he’s safe, and