One Step at a Time Read Online Free PDF Page B

strawberry cake slid on to Ben’s plate. ‘I’m not too proud to take it.’
    ‘Nor me.’
    They grinned at each other, knowing full well that many people considered them mad. It didn’t bother them one tiny bit.
    When they couldn’t eat another mouthful they went back to the party. Sheila made a great show of dancing with them, but she soon lost interest when she found they didn’t know all the latest dances.
    As soon as it was polite to do so, they left, carrying a large parcel from the cook.
    Ben didn’t give a damn what anyone thought or said about him. He was a good artist and one day his talent would be recognized. And one day, too, he and Howard would have their own gallery as a showcase for their work.
    Curled up in the armchair like a contented kitten, Amy listened to her mother reading. Dolly often stumbled or hesitated over words, but Amy didn’t mind as she always lost herself in the story. One day she was going to be able to sit and read to herself. She was determined. Her mum was doing well this evening; she’d been reading for a long time.
    ‘That’s enough for tonight.’ Her mother closed the book. ‘I’m tired now and think I’ll go to bed.’
    Amy stretched and stood up. It was only half pasteight, but her mum was pale, her hands shaking slightly. ‘Thanks for reading to me, Mum. Would you like a cup of cocoa or something? I’ll bring it in to you if you like?’
    ‘That would be nice. I’ll have tea please, Amy.’ Dolly stood up and began to cough, holding on to the table for support.
    Filling a glass with water, Amy gave it to her, watching her sip it until the coughing stopped.
    ‘Shall I help you to bed, Mum?’
    ‘I’m all right now.’ She gave a tight smile. ‘Read for too long, I expect.’
    ‘Oh, that was my fault. I’m sorry.’ Amy felt guilty about asking her mother to read so much.
    ‘No it isn’t.’ She straightened up and faced her daughter. ‘Nothing’s your fault, Amy. You’ve been dealt some rotten cards in life and you’re not to blame for that. You did well today finding work when there’s so much unemployment around.’
    Amy watched her mother go to the bedroom and glowed with pride over the rare compliment. She was glad now that she wasn’t going back to school and having to face the other children’s cruelty. Where she was going no one knew she couldn’t read properly, and they never would. It was going to be her carefully guarded secret from now on.
    She made her mother the tea, pouring one for herself before she went to bed. She mustn’t be late on her first day.
    After taking the tea in to her mother, she wentback to the scullery to drink her own, feeling happier than she had ever done. Her mum said she was going to look after herself now Amy wouldn’t be able to spend so much time at home. If she ate properly and rested when she was tired, she would soon get better. And when her dad came home her mum would be happy again.

4
    It was twenty minutes past seven when Amy arrived at the factory for her first day, but there was already a crowd of women and girls waiting for the boss to come and open the doors. Amy was nervous about starting work and hadn’t been able to eat any breakfast. She had put extra in her lunch box though, knowing she would be starving by the time they had a break.
    Hanging back shyly, not daring to speak to anyone, she waited, hoping she wasn’t going to be sick with worry. If they wanted her to read something perhaps she could say her eyes were bad? That might work.
    ‘You starting here today?’
    The girl in front of her had turned and smiled. She was slightly older than Amy, had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. She was also about three inches taller than Amy, who was no more than five feet one. Her smile was bright though, making Amy smile back at her.
    ‘Yes.’ It had come as a shock to be spoken to in that friendly way, and she blushed uncomfortably.
    ‘My name’s Gladys.’ The girl pointed to the lunch box Amy