The Reluctant Sinner Read Online Free PDF Page B

to go to the cinema and Daisy insisted on paying for them to go to the upper circle. ‘It’s my treat,’ she insisted, trying to make up to Jack for her absence. They settled in the back row, and as the film started, he put his arm around her.
    ‘Now this is more like it!’ he said.
    The film, The Kidnapped Bride, was a comedy with young Oliver Hardy and soon had them chuckling loudly. The pianist playing in the pit was excellent; he matched the music to the movement in the silent film with flare which added greatly to their enjoyment, and as the credits rolled at the end of the programme, Jack kissed Daisy tenderly before the house lights came on.
    As they walked home, Daisy felt guilty lying about working at the Solent Club, but she knew he would be furious if he knew the truth. But she did wonder how long she would be able to keep up this subterfuge.
    Jack held her close to him as they arrived at her home. ‘I’ll see you next Sunday then,’ he said and kissed her goodnight.
    Vera, her mother, was tidying up when she walked in to the room.
    ‘Dad in bed?’ asked Daisy.
    ‘Yes he went up early, but he’s asleep now.’ With a frown Vera said, ‘He’s worried about going away, but I’ve explained he’ll get good treatment there and he does realize this, of course.’
    Daisy knelt by her mother. ‘We’ll miss him too, but you’ll be able to go every day and I’ll pop in some evenings when I’m not working.’
    ‘I worry about you working at that place,’ said Vera. ‘God knows what sort of men go there.’
    ‘You’d be surprised, Mum. They are mostly decent chaps. We had several ships’ officers there the other night. They are away from home and are lonely.’
    ‘Are they married?’
    Daisy laughed. ‘I’ve no idea and I’m certainly not going to ask them!’
    ‘I hope they don’t think you’re on the game too,’ Vera stated, outraged at her own thoughts.
    ‘Believe me they know I’m there to serve drinks only. I’ve not had any worries in that respect – and besides, Harry the barman looks after me like a father.’
    Vera rose from her chair. ‘Well come on, love, let’s get to bed or we’ll be too tired for anything in the morning.’
    As she undressed in her own room, Daisy couldn’t help but think about Bert Croucher and his mate. Now they were not nice men and she hoped they wouldn’t be a problem if they used the club frequently. They made her nervous as soon as they walked in the bar. She climbed into bed knowing that she would be busy in the workroom in the morning but at least she had her evenings free until Thursday. Any private work she had could be done in the safety of her own home. But at least her father would be cared for. That was the most important thing right now.

Five
    The workroom was very busy as Madam had received a large order. One of her clients was sailing to India to join her husband who was in the army and recently stationed there. The wife needed a complete new wardrobe, made up with cotton and linen materials, to meet the tropical weather – and everyone was working flat out.
    A new girl, Jessie Brown, had been hired to join the workforce to help cope with the work in hand. She was a good needlewoman but was loud and chatty.
    ‘If you could sew with your mouth, Jessie,’ snapped Madam, ‘our workload would increase a hundred per cent!’
    The others sniggered. None of them liked the new girl and enjoyed seeing her put in her place.
    ‘Go on, ’ave a good laugh, why don’t you,’ she cried after Madam had left the room. ‘As if I give a shit what you lot think.’
    ‘Don’t you let Madam hear you swear,’ warned one of the girls, ‘she’s very particular about such things. She says we are serving ladies of quality and must behave accordingly.’
    ‘Ha! Ladies of quality? I saw Flo Cummings come out of here with a package and she certainly is no lady of quality!’
    ‘That’s not for you to say, Jessie!’ Madam stood in the doorway,