The Favourite Child Read Online Free PDF Page A

‘staged’ since the police were largely sympathetic to the plight of the working man being put on the wrong side of the law just because he wanted to place a threepenny each-way bet. They’d also no real wish to be made unpopular, acting as a ‘spoilsport’ by enforcing the letter of the law too harshly. Every now and then, however, the Chief of Police would take it into his head to send out a surprise raid, a genuine one; usually to please a magistrate or make the arrest sheet look better. Today was one of those days.
    Arriving in force, the police spotted Harold, who was duly arrested and carted off to their van. As on previous raids it proved impossible to catch Quinn, or any of his other runners as doors mysteriously opened and were as quickly found locked shut, with no sign of the perpetrators of this ‘crime’ anywhere. Quickly losing interest in the chase, they gave up the search and withdrew, content to at least have one victim to show to their Chief.
    Len, back at his lookout post and watching events over a corner of the back yard wall, said, ‘You realise this was Harold’s third offence. It’ll cost you fifty quid to get him out.’
    ‘Fifty quid?’ Quinn stubbed out his cigarette and lit another before continuing to check betting slips. ‘Over my dead body. He can do three months instead.’
    ‘But his wife and childer. You said ...’
    Quinn paused in his counting, glanced up at Len through those half-closed eyes. ‘Did ye have something to say on the subject?’
    Len swallowed. ‘Nay. Not me. I know nowt about owt, me.’
    ‘Then ye’d best keep it that way.’ And Billy Quinn returned to conducting his business as usual.

Chapter Three
     
    Mrs Stobbs had tried Gregory powder, liquorice, Fenning’s Little Healers and California Syrup of Figs on her eldest, yet still the child complained of stomach ache and pains in her head. She also had no appetite and was sufficiently flushed to indicate a temperature. Bella was fast coming to the conclusion that a doctor should be called, yet knew she’d have a hard job persuading the mother of this fact. Doctors cost money and with nine other children to care for, Mrs Stobbs had little enough to spare.
    As if reading Bella’s mind she said, ‘My friend Gladys give me this tonic for her to try. That’s all she needs. A pick-me-up.’ Mrs Stobbs went on to explain how she’d already tried rubbing the child’s chest with vinegar and goose fat, administered a purgative to clear the bowels and purify the blood as well as wrapping a stocking soaked in tea leaves about her sore throat. All to no avail.
    Bella was privately of the opinion that the awfulness of their surroundings may have something to do with the ill health of the children, that and the fact they all lived in this one room; the whole family sleeping together in one, not over-large, bed. Bugs fell from the ceiling, damp soaked through the walls, a pitiful fire burned in the grate. Only the newspaper covering the shelves and small wooden table were put on clean every day, thanks to Mr Stobbs fondness for the Evening News . This was Mrs Stobbs idea of hygiene.
    Bella examined the bottle which claimed to contain an ‘elixir for good health and a strengthener of the blood.’ Taking off the glass stopper she sniffed. A noxious aroma assailed her and she screwed up her nose in disgust. ‘You’ll never get Lizzie to take this. It smells revolting.’
    Mrs Stobbs almost snatched the bottle from her grasp and began searching the cluttered table for a spoon. ‘She’ll take it if she knows what’s good fer her.’
    Bella drew a spoon from her bag and rubbed it clean on her pocket handkerchief. There was no sink or water in the house and she quailed at using the contents of the jug set by the bed. ‘I still think a doctor would be best, Mrs Stobbs. She’s running a fever.’
    Bottle poised over the spoon the woman glanced across at the child huddled in the chair by a puny fire, her gaze haunted,