Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ reckon we’ll have to make our way home,’ Derek said as he finished his meal and sipped his tea. ‘I can’t see the weather brightening up.’

      Pearl didn’t mind. She had seen the sea, it was etched into her memory, and once again her fingers itched to paint. Derek paid for the meal and, head down against the driving rain and wind, they hurried to the railway station.

      In the waiting room, a small fire burned in the hearth and they made for the nearest bench, hands in pockets as they huddled inside their coats. Fortunately they didn’t have long to wait for a train back to London, the carriage empty as they climbed inside. As they sat down, Derek put his arm around her and Pearl sank against him, the smell of his damp clothes assailing her nostrils.

      ‘Shame about the weather, but at least you’ve seen the sea now.’

      ‘Yes, and it was wonderful,’ Pearl said. She yawned, her eyes closed, and then she knew no more until they arrived at Clapham Junction.

      ‘Wake up, sleepy head, we’re home.’

      Pearl opened her eyes, for a moment bewildered, and then realising that she had slept for the whole journey, she stumbled to her feet. ‘Oh, Derek, I’m so sorry.’

      ‘Don’t be daft, love. I think working the tables on your own in the café must be wearing you out.’

      Derek took her arm as she alighted from the carriage, but as her feet touched the platform, she swayed.

      ‘I don’t think this is just tiredness, Pearl. I think you’ve caught a chill or something. Come on, let’s get you home.’

      She knew Derek was right, but as the only waitress in the café they’d be in a terrible fix without her. Maybe Mo would have a couple of aspirins or something, and if she went straight to bed, she’d be all right in the morning.

      Pearl did feel better the next morning, and though she couldn’t face food, she felt strong enough to go to work.

      The breakfast rush was almost over when a woman came into the café, Bernie greeting her. ‘Hello, Madge, long time no see. How are you?’

      ‘I’m fine, and I’ve come about the job.’

      ‘Blimey, are you sure?’

      ‘Yeah, I’ve had enough of working evenings and weekends.’

      ‘Right, you’d better have a word with Dolly.’

      Bernie went to the kitchen, whilst Pearl surreptitiously studied the woman. She looked to be in her mid-to-late forties, her eyes small, but bright. With short, coarse brown hair and a thin face, she reminded Pearl somewhat of a fierce terrier dog.

      Dolly came bustling out of the kitchen, a smile on her face. ‘Madge, nice to see you. Bernie tells me that you’re looking for a job.’

      ‘That’s right.’

      ‘After being a silver service waitress, it’ll be a bit of a comedown.’

      ‘All the functions are in the evening or at weekends. My boys are grown up now and I’d rather do day work.’

      ‘What about the money? I can’t pay you what you’re used to.’

      ‘With two of my lads at work, they’re stumping up their keep. I don’t mind taking a drop in wages.’

      ‘Well, if you’re sure, Madge, the job’s yours. It’ll be nice to have you working here.’

      ‘Smashing, and if you like I’ll start straight away.’

      ‘With only one waitress, it’d be a godsend.’ Dolly turned, beckoning Pearl to her side. ‘This is Madge Harding, my cousin.’

      ‘Hello,’ Pearl said shyly.

      ‘Nice to meet you, love. Perhaps you could show me the ropes?’

      ‘I’d be pleased to.’

      ‘Right, I’ll leave you to it,’ Dolly said brusquely. ‘I’ve still got Gertie and Mo working for me, and once the tables are cleared we’ll have a gossip over a cup of tea.’

      As soon as Dolly was out of sight, Madge turned to Pearl again. ‘How do we split the tables?’

      ‘We split them in half, one section at this end, and the other nearest the kitchen.’

      ‘Well, as I’m the last in, I suppose I’ll be doing this end.’

      ‘Er … well, no, not if you don’t want to.’

      ‘Bless you, love, I don’t mind. In fact it’s only fair. Now, what else do I need to know?’

      Pearl told Madge all she could think of, both women working happily together as they cleared the tables. Despite her fierce demeanour, Madge turned out to be a friendly soul, and when they took the stacks of crockery out to the kitchen, both Gertie and Mo greeted her with delight.

      Dolly told Pearl to fetch them each a cup of tea, and when she returned it was to hear Madge saying, ‘That Pearl seems a nice girl, but where on earth did you find her? She talks like she’s got a plum in her mouth and certainly doesn’t come from these parts.’

      ‘As she’s right behind you, why don’t you ask her yourself?’ Gertie chuckled.

      ‘Gawd, sorry, ducks,’ Madge said, her face red as she turned. ‘Well, at least I wasn’t running you down. I’m a nosy old biddy and must admit I’m curious about where you hail from.’

      ‘I was brought up in an orphanage in Surrey.’

      ‘You poor kid. Don’t you know who your parents are?’

      ‘No. I was left on the steps.’

      ‘Christ, that’s awful. So you haven’t any family at all?’

      ‘None that I know of.’

      ‘Where do you live now?’

      ‘I have a room in Mo’s house.’

      ‘Yeah, and she’s fast becoming one of the family. Her and my Emma are now as thick as thieves.’

      ‘That’s nice,’ Madge said. ‘What about you, Gertie? How are you doing these days?’

      ‘I ain’t too bad, but my stomach still plays me up now and again.’

      Dolly spoke, her voice sharp. ‘You and Mo are both Mrs Neverwells. You’re never out of that doctor’s surgery and he must be sick of the sight of the pair of you.’

      ‘Now then, Dolly, don’t exaggerate,’ Gertie protested.

      ‘I ain’t, but enough gossip for now. You can get on with that washing-up, and you, Mo, get back to the vegetables.’

      Madge winked at Pearl, the two of them going back to the dining room. ‘I see Dolly’s as bossy as ever. СКАЧАТЬ