Riches of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

they’re missing a bargain?’
    Laughing he said, ‘How can I resist?’ His gaze made her heart race. He bought the suit, plus a shirt and a tie, chosen by Lily. Handing over the change, she said, ‘Thanks.’
    ‘Now, Lily Pickford, if I dress meself up as a gent, would you come out for a walk and a spot of tea with me tomorrow afternoon?’
    Immediately thinking of her own shabby clothes she said, ‘No, thanks. I don’t go out with strangers.’
    ‘I’ll just have to get to know you then. My name’s Tom McCann and I’ll be back.’ With a cheeky wink he walked away, clutching his purchases under his arm.
    Lily watched the stranger as he disappeared down the street. His shoulders were broad, his figure upright, like a soldier’s. There was a gleam in her eyes as she remembered his smile, his soft voice.
    Rachel Cohen had been standing in the doorway listening to the conversation. ‘Why did you turn him down, a good-looking man like that?’
    ‘How could I accept, Mrs Cohen? I don’t have any decent clothes to go courting.’
    ‘You could always borrow a dress and coat from the shop.’
    ‘You’d let me do that?’
    The older woman said, ‘Why not? I can’t get my Manny married off, but perhaps I can help you. Mind you, spill anything on it and you’ll have to pay for it.’ In unison they said, ‘So much a week out of your wages.’
    Lily loved working in The Ditches. It was a lively place, and all manner of life could be observed here. It was particularly festive on Saturday nights, when meat, fruit and vegetables were sold off cheaply. Business for all was brisk. But she found the most fascinating aspect of The Ditches was watching the local prostitutes at work, parading up and down outside the pubs.
    She would watch them approach a punter and hear their spiel. ‘Hello, darlin’, you’re looking lonely. Out for a bit of fun, are you? You come with me and I’ll show you a good time.’
    With a shiver, she would remember her own experience, as she watched them lead the men away to some shabby room nearby. She didn’t condemn the women – everyone had to survive. She just didn’t understand how they could do it. Not by choice.
    She said as much to Amy, one of the prostitutes who bought her clothes from the shop. As Amy slipped a dress over her shoulders, she said, ‘There’s nothing to it, girl. Blimey! So many of the poor buggers are so eager to shove their pricks somewhere, it’s all over in five minutes.’
    Lily coloured, but couldn’t help laughing.
    ‘Look, love,’ said Amy as her tousled dark hair emerged from the neck of the dress, ‘it’s just a job like anything else. What’s wrong with fucking for a living?’
    ‘But it’s dangerous.’ Lily frowned. ‘What happens if you get someone violent?’
    ‘I squeeze his balls till he screams.’ Smoothing the dress down over her hips, Amy asked, ‘What do you think?’
    ‘Looks lovely on you …’ But Lily couldn’t leave the topic alone. ‘Don’t you ever get someone you can’t handle?’
    ‘Sometimes. It’s a chance we all take. One girl got her face cut last week by some crazy bastard. Some of the girls have a pimp to look after them, but I’m not passing my hard-earned cash over to some man to piss up the wall. Of course, I could have worked for The Maltese, in luxury, but that’s still pimping. I want all of what I earn for myself.’
    Lily felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of Vittorio. ‘This Maltese … I was told he was a dangerous individual.’
    Amy’s countenance became serious. ‘You heard right. He’s into all the rackets – gambling, prostitution, loan-sharking. Not a man to be messed with.’
    Lily shuddered.
    Late one Sunday morning, Lily carefully locked the shop door behind her, aware of the responsibility she held. Mrs Cohen had warned her: ‘You forget to lock up once and you’re out on your ear.’
    She made her way to the Royal Pier, glad of the coat she’d borrowed as the wind