Our Lizzie Read Online Free PDF

she was absolutely determined about that. But she’d have to have a good reason for refusing, or they’d push her into it. Why was Sam Thoxby taking such an interest in them all of a sudden?
    He picked up the bowler hat he had left behind on purpose and walked out, whistling softly, mightily pleased with himself. It had been easy to take the rent money and purse while he was helping Percy get the house ready. No one had noticed a thing. Eeh, they were a soft lot, the Kershaws, when it came to looking out for themselves. Fancy leaving money lying around like that with a house full of people coming and going!
    He beamed up at the blue sky. And now the Kershaws would have even more cause to be grateful to him. Like the Harpers. He strolled back home where his good humour evaporated rapidly. Gran wasn’t in, of course, the sink was piled high with dirty dishes and there was nothing in the house for tea, not even a loaf. It’d have to be the chip shop again. When he was married, he’d make sure his wife always had his tea waiting for him. And kept the place nice, too. He wasn’t going to live like this for ever.
    It was then that he decided to extend his additional activities, remembering how easily he’d diddled the Harpers out of half the proceeds of the sales, and how easily he’d picked up the purse and rent money at the Kershaws. Folk were just asking to be robbed, they were so trusting. And only fools worked themselves into an early grave.
    He looked round and anger mounted in his throat and belly. This place was a sodding mess! He was going to get himself something better before he was through, a lot better. And he was going to marry Lizzie Kershaw, too. She’d really taken his fancy, that cheeky little lass had. He could afford to wait for her to grow up, though. In fact, it wouldn’t be convenient for him to get wed now.
    By the time Sam had dumped a paper full of fish and chips on the kitchen table and started eating its contents with his fingers, he had cheered up. When he wanted something, he usually got it. One way or the other. He just had to work it out in his head and make a few plans.
    *   *   *
    An hour later, Lizzie decided she couldn’t stand being cooped up indoors any longer. She went to see her mother, who was sitting in the front room, looking lost and weary. “Can I go out for a breath of fresh air, Mam?”
    â€œNo.”
    Percy, sitting in their dad’s armchair opposite, frowned at his sister.
    â€œPlease, Mam. Just for a few minutes.” Tears filled Lizzie’s eyes. “I feel,” she patted her thin chest, “as if I haven’t been able to breathe properly all day.”
    Meg roused herself to look at her eldest daughter, noting the drooping shoulders and reddened eyes. For once, she let the child have her way because she’d felt like that today as well when the house was full of people. “All right, then, you can run me an errand. Percy, have you still got a few coppers? Thanks. Go down to Dearden’s, Lizzie, and get me some more milk. It all got drunk up this afternoon. I was going to use a tin of condensed, but it never tastes the same.”
    â€œThanks, Mam.” She was out of the house before anyone could change their mind.
    Meg gulped back a sob and looked sideways at her son. “I’m s-sorry about the Technical School, love. I know how set you were on going there. Maybe in a year or two we’ll manage something.”
    â€œMaybe.” He went to sit beside her, putting his arm round her thin shoulders. “I know you’ll miss Dad, but I’ll look after you. Always.” Look after your mam , his dad had often said. Don’t let her tire herself out. She’s not strong .
    It was up to him, Percy, to keep an eye on things now. The children would need supporting for years yet. He wouldn’t even be able to marry, he realised suddenly. Well, not unless he met