by Kitty Neale
She didn’t miss those days, she thought, as she scanned the shops looking for the three brass balls. Then she unexpectedly heard George’s voice.
‘Hey, Sarah.’
As she stopped and turned, to her surprise, Tommy yanked his hand from hers and ran towards the man, clearly very pleased to see him.
‘Hello, little man,’ George said to Tommy.
‘We found more treasure!’ he squeaked.
‘Did you indeed? What did you find this time?’
‘We found a silver clock, didn’t we, Sarah? Show George our clock.’
Sarah suddenly felt very embarrassed. George would never believe she wasn’t a thief and had found the watch in the Thames. She could hardly believe it herself.
‘Let’s have a look at it then, Sarah,’ George said.
She fumbled in her pocket, then held out the watch on the flat of her palm.
‘Wow, this is a nice piece,’ George said, as he took the watch from her hand. ‘You say you found it? The same place where you found the bracelet?’
She knew George would question her and she looked for suspicion in his hazel eyes. As he stared back at her, she couldn’t see any doubt, but suddenly felt awkward and looked at the ground.
‘I reckon you’ve hit lucky twice. The watch ain’t working, but I bet this is solid silver. Where are you taking it?’
‘I was looking for a pawnshop.’
‘I don’t think you’ll be able to sell it in there. Guaranteed they’ll think you’ve nicked it. Tell you what, save you getting into trouble, how about I sell it on my stall for you?’
‘Really? You’d do that for me?’
‘Of course I would, but it’ll cost you,’ George said and winked at Tommy.
‘I knew there’d be a catch. How much?’ Sarah asked.
‘A date … with me.’
Tommy giggled, but Sarah was taken aback. How could she possibly go on a date with anyone? She had Tommy to look after, and she had no clothes or anything, not even so much as a hairbrush. ‘I’m sorry, George, but I can’t.’
‘Go on, Sarah, yes, you can,’ Tommy urged.
‘Shush, Tommy. Who’d look after you, eh?’
‘Tommy can come too, it’ll be fun,’ George said.
Sarah still didn’t think it was possible. George knew nothing about her and had no idea they were destitute. Even if she could accept his offer, she didn’t really want to. He was a kind man, but she found it difficult to see past the dreadful scars on his face. ‘No, George, I can’t. Thanks for the offer, but can you tell me where the pawnshop is? I’ll offer it to them and the worst they can say is no.’
Tommy looked disappointed, and George must have noticed too, because he patted the boy’s head and said, ‘Don’t worry, Tommy. Your sister doesn’t want to date me, and who could blame her, but we’re still mates and I can still sell that watch for you.’
Sarah had upset George; she could see it in his eyes and his tone of voice didn’t sound quite as cheery, yet he was still willing to help her out, and she was grateful. ‘I really appreciate you doing this for us, but I think it would be fair if you take a cut from the profits of the sale,’ Sarah said, and held her head high. They might be penniless, but she still had her pride.
‘What, you mean like a commission?’ George asked.
‘Yeah, I think that’s what it’s called. That way, we both benefit from it.’
George rubbed his chin, as if deep in thought. ‘OK, I can see that would work. What sort of percentages are we talking here?’
Sarah’s eyes widened. She’d never understood percentages and didn’t know how they worked, but she didn’t want George to think she was stupid. ‘What would you suggest?’ she asked.
‘How about I take ten per cent, so, say I sell this for ten pounds, I’d take a pound and give you nine.’
Sarah was pleased that George had explained the numbers to her, and she thought it seemed more than reasonable. ‘That sounds fair to me. Thing is though, George, I really need the money, so how quickly do you think you can sell it?’
‘I can’t make any promises, but I’ll give it my best shot and hopefully I’ll soon make a sale. Come on, let’s get back to my stall and you can help me work out the best way to display it.’
Sarah walked through the market with renewed vigour and self-esteem. She wasn’t a beggar or homeless, she was a businesswoman. Once she had the money from the sale, she’d find some half-decent furniture for their new home, and then set her mind on a plan to keep the cash coming in.
Then a light-bulb seemed to switch on in her head. If the watch sold for good money, maybe she could use some of it to buy stock for George to sell on commission. Yes, that could work, she thought, and remembered her mother’s warnings about keeping her legs shut. Whatever the future held, she knew she’d never sell her body like her mother did.
Chapter 12
The next morning, George was washed, dressed and ready to leave for work. As he ran down the stairs in the house he shared with his mother, he had a definite spring in his step. He knew Sarah would be coming by his stall today to see if the watch had been sold.
‘Morning, love,’ Lena said as George came into the modern kitchen. ‘There’s tea in the pot.’
‘Morning, Mum. Thanks, I’d love one,’ George replied as he sat opposite his mother at the kitchen table. He thought she looked very trendy in her close-fitting cream-coloured dress with her brown hair styled in mid-length waves. She’d always looked younger than her years, and didn’t have a grey strand on her head. Her smooth skin veiled her real age, and though she was over fifty, she could quite easily be mistaken for a woman in her early forties.
Lena poured a cup from the teapot. ‘What are you so happy about? You look like the cat that’s got the cream,’ she asked, as she eyed her son suspiciously.
‘Nothing. It’s just a nice sunny morning and I’ve got a feeling today is going to be a good day,’ George answered, taking a swig of his tea.
‘So how come you’re wearing your best shirt?’
George would have liked to have said to his mother that he’d met a beautiful girl and had fallen in love, but as Sarah had turned him down, there was nothing to tell. However, as his mother always said, he was the eternal optimist and he hadn’t given up hope yet. ‘Leave it out, will you? Can’t a fellow look good without getting interrogated?’
‘I know you, George Neerly, and it’s more than a bit of sunshine that’s put that twinkle in your eye! I hope she’s a nice girl,’ Lena said, and smiled warmly at her son.
‘She is, and her name is Sarah, but she ain’t interested in me … yet.’
‘Give her time, George. I know it’s difficult for you with women, but once she gets to know you and your shining personality, I’m sure she won’t be able to help but fall head over heels in love with you.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ George said wistfully.
‘I am, son. Trust your old mum,’ Lena said, then scraped back the kitchen chair and smoothed down the front of her dress. ‘I’m off now. I’m going to pop in and see Mrs Harris before I go to work. I’ll see you later … oh, and good luck with your lady friend.’
George waved as his mother left the kitchen to go to her job in the local grocery corner shop. It’d been three years since she’d started working there, and George thought it was the best thing to have happened to her. After the death of his father, she had sunk into a depression, hardly bothering to even get out of bed, but since working at Bosco’s she’d come out of her shell. It seemed his mother loved the local chit-chat and gossip, and would often relay tales to George about her at number seventeen or him from the candle factory.
George heard the front door close, and sat back in his chair. He took Sarah’s silver watch from his pocket and stared at it, knowing there was little chance of him selling it down the market. He didn’t want to disappoint her though, and she looked as if she needed the money.
If his mother knew, she would call hi
m a fool in love, but undeterred he made his way back to his bedroom and from the bottom of his wardrobe he pulled out a carved wooden box. He picked up the bracelet he’d bought from Sarah, and then took two five-pound notes from his small savings, which he stuffed into his trouser pocket. Then he placed the bracelet back in the box and the silver watch alongside it.
She’s worth it, he thought, hoping he’d see her breath-taking smile again.
Sarah awoke to the musty smell of mould, which made her nostrils twitch. She threw her coat off, pushed herself up from the bare concrete floor, and walked across the room to open the curtainless window. Though the sun was shining, it was cold outside, but a blast of freezing fresh air would be better than the awful smell of damp.
The room she’d rented for her and Tommy wasn’t much. In fact, it reminded her of the room she’d grown up in with her mum, only this one had more black mould growing up the walls than she would have liked. Unlike her mum’s flat, which was in a purpose-built block, this was a ground-floor room in a small house, and she could hear footsteps walking back and forth above her. The shared bathroom was at the back of the house, but Sarah had found the taps over the bath had ceased to work, and the sink was cracked. At least the toilet flushed and was clean.
They didn’t yet have any furniture, but the floor with a roof over their heads was better than the streets, and, having been found in the shed, she didn’t have any other options. The small sink under the window had a cold tap, so at least they could have a bit of a wash. When she’d first turned the tap, the water had been a murky brown colour, but after leaving it to run it had cleared. The water was icy cold, but at least she didn’t have to resort to going to the public toilets on Bog Island to clean them both up now.
Thankful for this small mercy, Sarah gently woke Tommy. ‘We’ve got work to do today, so come on, lazy bones, time to get up.’
Tommy opened his eyes, and Sarah was delighted to see him smile widely. ‘Are we going to see George today?’
‘Yes, and fingers crossed he’s sold our watch,’ Sarah said, and after a chilly wash, she did her best to tidy their hair with an old comb she’d found.
‘I’m hungry,’ Tommy moaned.
‘All right, we’ll get something to eat before we go to see George.’
By the time they arrived, the market was a hive of activity, and Sarah spotted George shoving a jumper into a woman’s shopping trolley. He hadn’t seen Sarah as he had his back to her.
‘See you next week, Ethel,’ George called as the woman walked off looking happy with her purchase.
‘Hello, George,’ Sarah said.
George spun round to look at her, and once again Sarah was reminded of his terrible disfigurement. Though she’d seen him a couple of times now, she was still shocked by the scars on his face, though she tried her best to hide it.
Tommy didn’t appear to be the least bit bothered by George’s appearance, and gleefully greeted the man.
‘Hello, you two,’ George replied, ‘how are you both?’
‘Do you want to see my soldiers?’ Tommy asked.
‘Yes, mate, I’d love to,’ George answered, and scooped Tommy up in his muscular arms.
‘Have you managed to sell the watch yet?’ Sarah asked.
‘Blimey, give us a chance,’ George replied. ‘Your sister, eh, what’s she like?’
‘She’s like an ice-cream,’ Tommy answered.
‘How’s that?’ George asked, looking bemused.
‘Well, she’s a bit cold sometimes but she’s all soft and creamy really, and I really like ice-cream.’
Sarah felt her heart melt. If only her mother could have opened her eyes to see what a wonderful son she’d had.
‘I like ice-cream too,’ George said, and Sarah noticed him looking at her in a way that made her blush.
George put Tommy down and fished in his pocket for some coins. Then he handed them to Tommy and pointed down the road. ‘See that ice-cream shop over there, De Marco’s? – best ice-creams in Battersea. I know it’s cold today, and a bit early, but go and get you and me a nice cornet, any flavour you like. Would you like one, Sarah?’ George asked.
‘No, thanks, George. We’ve not long had something to eat, but I won’t stop Tommy having a cornet. Mind you, straight there and back, Tommy, no mucking about.’
Tommy skipped off, and George turned to Sarah. ‘I’ve sold your watch, but not for as much as I would have liked. We got six pounds for it, so I hope you’re not too disappointed with this?’ George said as he handed Sarah her money.
Sarah took the cash, and was more than delighted with the amount.
‘That’s great, thanks, George. I was thinking—’
‘Oh, no,’ George cut in, ‘this could be dangerous.’
Sarah smiled and continued, ‘I wondered how you’d feel about selling more of my stuff? On commission, not for free.’
‘Have you got more stuff then?’
‘Well, no, not at the moment. But I was thinking, I could use some of this money to buy some.’
‘I’d be happy to. After all, it’s easy money for me and no skin off my nose, but what sort of stuff are you thinking of buying?’
Sarah was pensive. She hadn’t really thought it all through, and even if she had a plan of what to buy, she’d no idea where to buy it. ‘I’m not sure yet. More jewellery, I suppose. It seems to sit nicely with your clothes. What do you think?’
‘I reckon that’s a smashing idea, but make sure you don’t buy nothing too fancy,’ George answered. ‘My customers aren’t flush with money, but they might be tempted by some beads or brooches, stuff like that to dress up an outfit.’
‘Yes, good idea,’ Sarah said, but as they shook hands to seal the deal, a large clap of thunder exploded overhead. I hope that’s not a bad omen, Sarah thought worriedly.
As the skies opened and rain began to pour, George suddenly sprang into action and began pulling tarpaulin over his stall. Sarah ran around to the other side to help. In her haste, she bumped into Roger who was hurriedly trying to cover his stock.
‘Sorry,’ she said, and caught her breath as she found herself looking into the most striking blue eyes she’d ever seen. Tommy had blue eyes, but this man’s were ice-coloured and rimmed with black eyelashes.
‘That’s all right, love. You must be Sarah?’
‘Er … erm … yes …’ she managed to stutter, feeling like an absolute idiot. She thought the man was gorgeous, and could feel her heart rate quicken as butterflies flitted in her stomach.
‘I’m Roger. George has told me all about you. Nice to meet you.’
Sarah found herself unable to speak, and instead just gazed at him. She heard Tommy call her, and was pleased to realise that hearing her little brother had brought her back down to earth. She spun around and saw her brother with water dripping off his oversized coat and flat cap, holding a cone in each hand. The rain had washed away the ice-cream. He must have been disappointed, yet still had a huge smile on his face.
Sarah, George and Roger all chortled at the lad, which in turn gave Tommy the giggles. This is nice, thought Sarah. It had been a long time since she’d laughed so hard and she wasn’t going to let a thunderstorm dampen her spirits. George had agreed to her business proposition, and at last her future looked brighter.
Chapter 13
Two weeks passed, and George hadn’t seen Sarah. He was beginning to worry about her. She’d appeared very keen to purchase stock and have him sell it, so he wondered why she’d not been back.
‘Why are you sitting there looking like you’re chewing a bee?’ his mother asked as she dished up a plate of sausages and mashed potatoes.
George folded his arms across the kitchen table. ‘I’m all right, Mum, just thinking.’
‘What you thinking about?’
‘That girl, Sarah. I said I’d sell some gear for her on my stall, but that was a few days ago and I ain’t seen her since.’
‘Oh, well, son, it’s her loss. Now stop b
eing so blinkin’ maudlin and eat your tea before it goes cold. I haven’t stood over that hot stove for you to waste good food.’
‘Yep, sorry, Mum,’ George said, then scooped up a large forkful of mash. ‘This is lovely, got any more gravy?’
‘In the pan,’ she answered. ‘So this Sarah, is it purely business between you two, or do I need to be buying meself a new hat?’
‘Pack it in, Mum. It’s business, that’s all. I’m just helping her out, though I would like it to be more. Thing is, I think I’m barking up the wrong tree. I saw the way she looked at Roger and she ain’t never gonna look at me like that.’
‘There’s no getting away from it, that Roger is a good-looking man, but he ain’t a patch on you. Once you get past his pretty face, there isn’t much left. Shallow, that’s what he is, and from what I’ve heard, he’s a right womaniser too. Any girl worth her salt would be well advised to stay clear of that man. I knew his father, he was a friend of your dad’s, and I’m telling you, Roger is a chip off the old block. His father was terrible to his mother. He’d knock about with all the local tarts and made no secret of it! Poor Viv, I’m sure him carrying on like that sent her to an early grave.’
‘Cor blimey, Mum, you don’t ’alf go on sometimes,’ George said with a smile.
‘I’m just saying she’d be an idiot to pass you over for that Roger.’
He knew his mother was right. Roger often bragged about his latest conquest. ‘Love them and leave them,’ he would say, and freely offered tips to George on how to bed a woman.
George wasn’t interested in playing the field. He understood it would take a special woman to see him for himself, and not just his burned face. He thought any woman who could love him would be a keeper, and he hoped it would be Sarah.
Tommy jumped up and down on his bed while Sarah was busy cooking Spam fritters.
‘If you break that, you won’t be getting another one,’ she called over her shoulder.
‘I love my new bed. I’ve never had my own one before,’ Tommy said.
It wasn’t new, but it was to Tommy. It had been delivered earlier, along with a bed for Sarah, two armchairs, a small stove and a coffee table.