Til Death Do Us Part Read Online Free PDF Page A

Maisie, I’ve a good mind not to step foot into the bloody lock-up until that evil old bitch is gone from it for good.’
    â€˜Don’t be daft, my duck. The lock-up’s your wedded home and you’re the mistress there now, not that rotten old cow. And Tom ’ull be heart-broke if you don’t share his bed this night, and he’s too nice a man to do that to, aren’t he?’
    â€˜That’s his trouble sometimes,’ Amy complained ruefully. ‘He’s too soft-hearted for his own good, and for mine as well.’
    â€˜You won’t be thinking that when you’re in bed with him tonight, wi’ you still being a virgin, and wanting him to be all soft and gentle and patient wi’ you.’ Maisie puckered her lips suggestively. ‘I’m sure he’ll give you a sweeter breaking in than that bugger who took my maidenhead give me. Bloody hell, it hurt!’
    Amy’s angry mood dissolved into blushing, giggling protest. ‘Breaking me in? You’re making it sound as if I’m a horse!’
    Her friend laughed and whispered, ‘Well you’m certainly a proper nag at times, my wench. But for your sake I hope that Tom is hung like a stallion so that’s he’s able to really pleasure you. That’s what I’ll be looking for in my husband when I gets one.’
    As always on such festive occasions, urchins, idlers and curious passers-by had collected on the street outside to peer through the latticed bullseye windows at the noisy gathering within.
    One passer-by had spent a considerable time studying the glass-distorted features of the people in the room. Now with a satisfied smirk he hurried away, and entered a narrow alleyway at the far end of which stood a small alehouse.
    In the alehouse two men were sitting at a table intent upon their hands of playing cards. The incomer pulled up a three-legged stool and sat down with them.
    â€˜How’s your luck, Rimmer?’ one of the players greeted him, and pitched his cards down on the table with a disgusted growl. ‘Because mine’s fuckin’ terrible.’
    â€˜Well now, Porky, me old mate, come nightfall that’s going to change.’ Rimmer smirked.
    â€˜How so?’
    â€˜Because I’ve just been taking a close gander at that wedding party in Fatty Fowkes’ place.’
    â€˜Taking a gander at a fuckin’ wedding party, how’s that going to change our luck? You’m getting puddled in your old age, you am, Rimmer,’ Porky jeered derisively.
    Rimmer was unfazed by this reception of his news, and smirked confidently.
    â€˜The bloke who’s just wed Amy Danks is Tom Potts, aren’t it; and Ritchie Bint and Josiah Danks am there in the Fox with him, aren’t they. So it’s certain sure that none of them will be out on the prowl later because they’ll all be pissing it up at the party. So the Grange job is on for tonight. And on our way up there we can lift that one from Willie Tyrwhitt’s place as well.’
    â€˜What about Willie Tyrwhitt? What’s to stop him coming out to see why the dogs am barking?’
    â€˜I’ll tell you what’s going to stop him coming out. I spotted him and his missus sitting in the Fox as well. So they’ll be in there pissing it up while we’re doing the business.’ Rimmer paused and bared rotting, greenish-brown teeth in a triumphant grin. ‘Like I told you, Porky, your luck’s just turned.’

FIVE
Redditch Town
Monday, 14th January
Midnight
    T he festivities were ended, the guests dispersed. The newly-weds, both very tipsy with wine, were being escorted by some of their equally tipsy friends towards the lock-up at the eastern point of the triangular Green.
    When they reached the compact castellated structure that served as the Parish prison, with cells on the ground floor, and living quarters of the Parish Constable on the floors above, Amy tugged Tom’s