Kay Brellend 3-Book Collection: The Street, The Family, Coronation Day. Kay Brellend

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      ‘So what you after this time?’ Connie asked Louisa. ‘And if it’s money you can sod off along with her.’ She flicked her head at Sarah.

      ‘Want a decent dress ter borrer if you’ve got one going spare.’

      Sarah stuffed a fist to her mouth to stifle her spontaneous hilarity. ‘You’ll never squeeze in Con’s dresses, you silly fat mare.’

      ‘Ain’t fer me, is it?’ Louisa snarled, her face contorting in rage and her fists clenching. ‘It’s for me friend, Sonia. She’s got a special on tonight and needs to look the part.’ Louisa knew that a ruckus in Connie’s lovely sitting room was out of the question. She visibly made an effort to control herself and turned her back on Sarah.

      ‘Sonia?’ Sarah echoed. Inwardly she digested that Sonia must be Louisa’s lady friend who tonight had a special punter to entertain.

      Sarah hadn’t seen or heard from Louisa in many months. And that was the way she liked it. They might be sisters but Sarah was quite sure she hated the ugly slob. She’d been on the receiving end of most of Louisa’s bullying over the years. Connie was closer to Louisa in age and had been able to give back almost as good as she got. And that was encouraged in Bunk kids. It was their duty, as far as their parents were concerned, to stick up for themselves. It was especially true when family pride was at stake and they were expected to win scraps with neighbours’ kids. Children were often to be seen being dragged up or down the street by their elders to confront an opponent and settle an argument with their fists in full view of an appreciative audience. Louisa and Lenny, God rest his soul, had been their father’s pride and joy in that respect.

      ‘Give us the cash so’s I can get on me way,’ Sarah pleaded.

      ‘Christ’s sake! How times I got to say I don’t have a fiver!’ Connie automatically reached for her glass, forgetting it was empty. She banged it down on the table again in frustration. ‘Here! Have something to take down the pawnshop. But you’d better make sure it comes back sharp.’ She twisted about, eyes darting here and there, then snatched up a figurine from the mantelshelf and thrust it at Sarah.

      Sarah contemptuously waggled the shepherdess in her hand. ‘That’s no good! How much is it worth?’ She studied the porcelain more carefully.

      ‘I dunno, do I?’ Connie fumed. ‘Well take this ‘n’ all! Just get lost before Mr Lucas turns up and kicks the lot of us out!’

      Sarah stuffed the two ornaments into her bag. She could tell Connie was getting frantic and close to tears. Louisa was looking anxious too. They all wanted the same thing: Mr Lucas kept sweet for as long as possible, so he’d keep Connie for as long as possible, and they might all benefit from the randy old goat.

      ‘I’ll get you something out me wardrobe,’ Connie flung at Louisa. She whirled towards the bedroom door, knuckling her eyes. Before she disappeared she hissed over a shoulder, ‘Then get going and don’t come back here no more.’