A Daughter's Courage

by Kitty Neale

  ‘I wouldn’t want to upset him so he doesn’t need to know. I’ve got a bit of money saved, enough for you to rent somewhere, but we’ll have to meet here again tomorrow. With Nelly staying with us, it’s best you don’t come to the house.’

  ‘With Nelly the News around, that’s understandable,’ Robbie said, and smiled. ‘I really do appreciate this, Dottie, and I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.’

  ‘There’s no need. I’ll see you here tomorrow at midday, if that’s OK?’

  ‘That’s fine,’ Robbie replied.

  They said their goodbyes and Robbie headed for the nearest pub for a celebratory drink. He’d thought Dottie would be easy to manipulate, but that had proved even easier that he’d expected. She’d near enough thrown her cash at him, begging him to take it, and was happy to give him more.

  Robbie smiled to himself; perhaps Dorothy marrying his brother was the best thing that could have happened. He had two potential sources of income lined up now and his future was suddenly looking much brighter.

  Chapter 31

  Early the following morning, Yvonne yelped and grabbed some cotton wool. It was the third time in a row she’d prodded her eye with the mascara brush. When Cynthia had done it she made it look easy and Robbie had been pleased with the results when he’d seen her, but now Yvonne was struggling to apply the make-up herself.

  She thought it was ever so nice of Cynthia to leave her a couple of bits. She liked the shiny blue eyeshadow and the red lipstick, though she wasn’t so keen on the block of mascara.

  At last she managed to apply the final touch but, as she gazed at her reflection the mirror, Yvonne could have sworn she was looking at someone else. She hardly recognised her painted face, and wasn’t sure if she liked it or not. Still, as long as Robbie approved, that was all that mattered. The mascara stung her eyes and her lips felt greasy, but she would have to put up with it now while she was waiting for Robbie to arrive. He was ever so good-looking, just the sort of bloke her sister would’ve fancied. She couldn’t wait to start working for him and get enough money together to go to see her mum and sister. They would never believe she was working for such a dishy fella, or that she was all glammed up now.

  Robbie had told her she was pretty. In fact, he’d said she was the prettiest girl in Battersea. No one had ever said that to her before. She’d only known him a little while, but Robbie made her feel special. It was an unusual feeling for Yvonne, but one she was relishing. She wondered what sort of work she’d be doing for Robbie, especially as Cynthia had been adamant about wearing the make-up. She looked at her reflection again and it suddenly came to her: modelling. Robbie must be a photographer. Of course, it all made sense now – he thought she was pretty and wanted to take photos of her. As much as Yvonne had enjoyed working at Stanford’s, she was excited and looking forward to putting her pencil-packing days behind her and starting her new job.

  Who knows, she thought, she could soon have her picture on the front cover of Vogue!

  Robbie had said he would call in that morning, so at nine o’clock when there was a gentle tap on the door she hurried to answer it.

  ‘Hiya,’ she said happily as she let him in. ‘What do you think of my make-up?’

  ‘Yeah, lovely,’ Robbie replied, though he didn’t seem very interested, his eyes scanning the room instead of looking at her properly. ‘I suppose this place will do for us for now,’ he said, ‘but we’ll move out of here as soon as I can raise the money for something better, maybe a nice flat down by the river.’

  ‘What do you mean, Robbie?’

  He turned to look at her and his eyes sparkled as he said, ‘If we’re going to be working together, it makes sense that we live together. You must admit this place is a bit of a dive, and I can’t have my girl living in a dump. You just leave it to me and I’ll soon be able to find us a nice little pad.’

  Yvonne’s head began to swim. Robbie had said she was his girl and they would live together, but surely that wouldn’t be right? She knew a bit about what went on between a man and a woman, but not very much, only that when you married a man you would have a baby. She liked the idea of that, but Robbie hadn’t said they were getting married. ‘Li-live together?’

  ‘Yes, it makes sense,’ Robbie said.

  ‘Bu-but …’

  ‘Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. Just leave it all to me. I’m meeting someone later who can provide me with the money I need to buy a few nice new bits of furniture for this place. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?’

  Yvonne’s head was in a whirl. This was all happening so fast but she didn’t want to let Robbie down. She was out of her depth but believed she could trust him; after all, he was very sophisticated and, apart from her old boss Mr Stanford, Robbie was the only man who had ever shown any interest in her. ‘Yes, I’d like that, Robbie.’

  ‘That’s my girl,’ he said, grinning. ‘Now I’ve got to go, but I’ll get my stuff together and see you again later.’

  Yvonne was still struggling to take in all that Robbie had said as he left. He was going to buy some furniture, and if he was going to move in with her, that must mean another bed.

  Nelly awoke late to the sound of Dorothy humming in the kitchen. She wondered what had put her friend in such a good mood, especially considering her dad was still in hospital. She struggled to her feet, sorted out her crutches and headed for the toilet.

  ‘Good morning, Nelly,’ Dorothy called as she passed the kitchen, ‘or should I say afternoon?’

  ‘You cheeky moo. It’s only nine-thirty.’

  ‘Do you need any help?’

  ‘No thanks, I can manage, but my mouth feels like the bottom of a budgie’s cage so—’

  ‘You could do with a cuppa,’ Dottie finished for her.

  ‘Yeah, thanks, sugar,’ Nelly said, smiling as she continued on her way, but she was shivering with the cold by the time she made it back to her bed.

  ‘Here you go,’ Dottie said, soon coming in with a tray.

  ‘Thanks, love. I can’t help noticing that you’re full of the joys of spring this morning. Is there something you want to share with me?’ Nelly asked suspiciously.

  ‘No,’ Dorothy answered, ‘should there be?’

  ‘I don’t know, you tell me. I haven’t seen you this jolly for a while and I’m wondering what’s happened to make you so happy. You aren’t pregnant, are you?’ Nelly asked, but when she saw the smile vanish from Dorothy’s face, she instantly regretted her question.

  ‘I wish I was,’ Dorothy replied, ‘but no, still nothing.’

  ‘So what is it then?’ Nelly asked, though if Dorothy wasn’t pregnant she guessed there was only one other thing that would have this effect on her friend. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve seen Robbie?’

  ‘No, of course I haven’t,’ Dorothy said, avoiding eye contact as she turned to walk back to the kitchen.

  Nelly eyed her retreating back worriedly. It was obvious to her that Dorothy wasn’t telling the truth, and with Robbie back on the scene, Nelly feared it was all going to end in tears.

  Later that day, Dorothy began fidgeting as the bus drew nearer to the hospital. She drummed her fingers on her handbag and briskly tapped her foot as her leg jigged up and down. She felt terrible about lying to Nelly and keeping secrets from Adrian, but if she was honest and told them about Robbie it would create a barrage of questions. They weren’t questions she felt able to face at the moment, so she’d decided that until she could look them both in the eye, with no trace of guilt, she would keep quiet. As her mother used to say, ‘Least said, soonest mended.’

  The bus stopped and Dorothy got off, but it crossed her mind to jump back on again. Her deceit could cost her dearly as she risked losing her husband and her best friend, but her reservations were forgotten the instant she saw Robbie walking towards her.

  ‘Hello, Dottie. You’re looking as gorgeous as ever.’

  ‘Thanks, but I don’t think you should say things like that to me,’
Dorothy replied, though secretly cherishing his compliment.

  ‘Yes, you’re right, sorry. I take it you haven’t told Adrian about our arrangement then?’

  ‘No, of course not. Like you said, he wouldn’t approve. For the moment, what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.’

  ‘Thanks, Dottie. I really appreciate you doing this for me.’

  They walked to the café and sat at the same table they had the day before. Dorothy took a small bundle of notes from her bag and handed them to Robbie. As he reached for the money, his fingers brushed her hand, causing Dorothy to catch her breath.

  ‘There’s seventeen pounds,’ she managed to say as she quickly pulled her hand back.

  ‘That’s amazing, Dottie. I wasn’t expecting that much.’

  ‘It’s just sat in a tin at home doing nothing. I’m sure you’ll find it helpful.’

  ‘I will. I’ll be able to pay enough rent up front to keep me going until I find work. Thanks again,’ said Robbie, and tucked the money away in his pocket.

  ‘So did you sleep in your car?’ Dottie asked.

  ‘I thought I’d have to, but thankfully an old friend, Cynthia, came to my rescue. She lives in Grant Street and her place is a bit of a fleapit, but she told me the room above hers on the top floor is empty. It isn’t much, but better than my car, and now, thanks to you, I’ll be able to rent it.’

  Cynthia, there’s that bloody name again, thought Dorothy as jealousy consumed her. She remembered Nelly telling her that Robbie had stayed with the woman the night he’d disappeared. She’d never spoken to Cynthia, but had heard the woman talked about. There weren’t many people in Battersea who didn’t know of Cynthia and her questionable reputation. Surely Robbie wasn’t involved with someone like that? The woman was old enough to be his mother.

  ‘I can see by your face what you’re thinking, Dottie, but there’s nothing going on between us. Cynthia’s all right, and she’s been a good friend to me. That’s all she is though. A friend.’

  ‘It’s up to you what you do, Robbie, and it’s none of my business,’ Dorothy answered, feigning indifference. She felt consoled to hear Robbie say Cynthia was just a friend, and then reprimanded herself for allowing her feelings to get the better of her. ‘I’ve got to go before visiting time ends. If you don’t find work and need more money to tide you over, I can get you some next week.’

  ‘That would be great, Dottie, but it isn’t just the money. Do I really have to wait a whole week until I see you again? Couldn’t we meet up sooner?’ Robbie urged earnestly.

  Dorothy lowered her eyes and stared at her lap. She had to resist him, but it was so hard. ‘Please don’t, Robbie,’ she begged quietly. ‘I can’t do this … I just can’t.’

  Robbie didn’t say anything, but she stopped herself raising her head. If their eyes locked, she could be lost. A minute passed and at last she looked up, but the seat opposite was vacant. Robbie had silently slipped away.

  A tear fell from the corner of Dorothy’s eye and she fumbled in her bag for a handkerchief. The delicate white hanky with lace edging had been a gift from Adrian and was embroidered with her initials, DF … Dorothy Ferguson. She stared hard at the hanky and the pink cotton embroidery as her mind raged. Dorothy knew that despite everything she still loved Robbie and wished with all her heart that she had been more patient.

  A sob escaped her lips. He had come back at last, but it was too late. She had made her bed and would have to lie in it, yet in her heart Dorothy knew she had married the wrong brother.

  Chapter 32

  After meeting Dottie, Robbie went back to Cynthia’s, sorted out his stuff and then went upstairs. When Yvonne let him in he dumped his suitcase on the floor and pulled the bundle of notes from his pocket. Yvonne’s eyes bulged as though on stalks. She probably hadn’t seen so much money before and watched in awe as he peeled off five one-pound notes.

  ‘There you go, Yvonne. Treat yourself to something to wear that’s a bit more grown-up and sexy.’

  ‘What! Spend all this on clothes?’

  ‘Yes, of course. You just stick with me. There’ll be plenty more where that came from,’ Robbie said, winking at her.

  ‘Thank … thank you, Robbie,’ she gushed.

  It irked Robbie to give Yvonne his money but she’d be earning her keep soon enough, and in the meantime he had to gain her confidence. She looked delighted with the cash and Robbie grinned to himself, pleased with what he saw. The bit of make-up she was wearing made her look a little older, and the dark mascara enhanced her green eyes, which were now rather striking. She’s quite a looker, he thought, albeit a bit on the dim side. Robbie walked across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Come and sit next to me,’ he coaxed.

  The girl looked nervous, but did as he asked and as she sat down he said, ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, I don’t bite.’

  ‘Dogs bite. You’re not a dog.’

  ‘No, you’re right,’ Robbie said softly as he gently brushed her brown hair from her cheek. ‘So do you want to be my girl?’

  Yvonne kept her eyes lowered but nodded her head.

  ‘Good. You just do as I tell you, and everything will be fine. I’ll treat you like a princess and you’ll have more money than you’ve ever dreamed of. You trust me, don’t you?’

  Yvonne nodded her head again.

  ‘Have you ever been with a man before?’ Robbie asked.

  Yvonne quickly shook her head this time.

  ‘Well, don’t worry. It only hurts a bit the first time, then you’ll like it after that.’

  ‘But my mum said to wait ’til I get married,’ Yvonne said anxiously.

  Robbie contrived laughter. ‘That’s a bit old-fashioned and you’d better stop being so naïve if you want to be my girl. Everyone’s doing it these days,’ he lied. ‘The trick is not to get caught out, you know, up the duff.’

  ‘The duff? What’s the duff?’

  Robbie heaved a sigh. The girl didn’t seem to have a clue. ‘Yvonne, do you know how women get pregnant?’

  ‘Yeah, a man puts his thingy in the woman. My sister told me about it but said only a husband can do it to his wife. I … I don’t know what a thingy is though,’ Yvonne said, her cheeks flushed.

  Robbie found her innocence suddenly quite sweet. ‘Your sister was right about some of it, but not all of it. The thing is, if you want to be my girl and earn lots of money, you’re going to have to get used to doing it with men. But you won’t have to worry about a thing because I’ll be looking after you, do you understand?’

  ‘No … I don’t,’ Yvonne said, looking confused.

  ‘You said you trust me, so trust me. I promise you, Yvonne, it’ll be a piece of cake.’

  ‘My sister said that women who let men do it to them before they’re married are tarts, and I don’t want to be no tart.’

  ‘Oh, Yvonne, honestly, love, your sister, though I’m sure she’s a lovely girl, hasn’t got it right. Not only that, it seems that she’s left you here to fend for yourself, and though I know you’ve tried, you haven’t coped very well, have you?’

  ‘N-no.’

  ‘Right then, forget everything she told you and listen to me. You’re my girl and I’ll look after you from now on,’ Robbie assured her and, gently touching her cheek again, he softly pulled her face around. ‘Close your eyes, I’m going to kiss you.’

  Robbie gently brushed his lips over hers, and then pushed his tongue into her mouth. Yvonne didn’t respond, so he began running his hands over her body, then squeezing her breasts. Still nothing, and his own excitement was beginning to wane. He pulled away from her. ‘Yvonne, you’ve got to join in. There’s nothing to be scared of,’ he said and moved his hand under her skirt and up her bare thigh.

  ‘But I … I am scared. Nobody has done that, touched my … my … and I … I don’t know what to do.’

  For a moment, Robbie thought she was going to cry, and that would put him right off. ‘Hey, relax. It’s perfectly normal and I’ll show
you what to do. I’ve told you, I’ll look after you, so come on, take off your top, bra and knickers, and then lie back.’

  Yvonne was nervous but did as Robbie said. He lay by her side and looked her over. She had rounded, pert breasts and soft, milky skin. With her long brown hair fanned out around her head, she really was a picture. ‘You’re gorgeous,’ Robbie said huskily, and slowly traced his fingers across her flat stomach, up her body and over her nipple then back down again. He was pleased when he saw her nipples become erect so he repeated the movement.

  ‘That feels nice. You like that, don’t you?’ he whispered.

  Yvonne nodded.

  ‘I knew you would. Now close your eyes and open your legs. If you like what I just did to you, then you’re going to love this,’ Robbie said and used his tongue to work his way down from her stomach to between her legs.

  Yvonne gasped as Robbie pleasured her with his mouth and soon she was writhing on the bed and moaning in delight. He felt pleased with his efforts and could feel himself bulging in his trousers. The thought of taking her virginity and breaking her in added to his excitement.

  She winced a bit at first, but Robbie was gentle with her, and after some further reassurance from him, she relaxed and dug her fingers into his back until Robbie was ready to finish. He made sure that he quickly pulled out in time. Satisfied, he flopped to one side, panting. ‘See, I told you it would be all right. You liked that, didn’t you?’ he asked, and stood to pull his trousers up from around his ankles.

  Yvonne was coyly pulling her clothes over her naked body. ‘Yes, Robbie. It wasn’t like I thought it was going to be, but why do you want me to do it with other men?’

  Robbie took a roll-up from his pocket and lit it before answering. ‘Stop asking daft questions. I told you I’d look after you and that’s all you need to know for now. Get yourself dressed and I’ll be back later with a friend. You just have to do exactly the same thing with him.’