Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

Samantha, who thought the world owed them a living. Even Maggie worked and, if she got the sack – which was more often than Kathy cared to remember – she found another job, and so it went on. She didn’t laze at home all day feeling sorry for herself. ‘Knowing you, Samantha, sooner or later you’ll meet some rich fool who’ll lay the world at your feet.’

      ‘Right! I’ve asked you in a civilised manner and you won’t listen.’ She was in no mood for a lecture. ‘I’ll see a solicitor, that’s what I’ll do!’ Though she knew it would be of little use. Her only chance was to frighten Kathy into doing what she wanted. ‘You’ll be made to sell this house, or take a loan against it, so I can get what I’m entitled to. I warn you, Kathy. I mean to fight for what’s rightfully mine, and I will win. You can be sure of it.’

      Shaken to her roots, all of Kathy’s fears were suddenly confirmed. There was absolutely no doubting the real reason for her sister’s visit.

      In a quiet, controlled voice Kathy told her, ‘I’m going to see a friend. I want you packed and gone by the time I get back.’

      Going to the mantelpiece, she took down a small vase. Reaching inside, she drew out the folded ten-shilling notes and handed them to her. ‘This is money for paying bills and keeping the wolf from the door,’ she said. ‘But you’re the biggest wolf of all. Here! Take it. I dare say it doesn’t seem much compared to what you’re used to. But it’s all I’ve got. If you’re careful, it should be enough to tide you over until you get yourself a job.’

      ‘This is peanuts!’ Samantha held the money at arm’s length, as if it was tainted.

      ‘Take it or leave it, I don’t care which.’ Kathy just wanted her out of there. ‘Just remember what I said: by the time I get back, I want you gone. And I never want to see your face again.’

      Samantha had never seen such resolve in her younger sister’s face before. Usually she was able to cajole or bully her into doing whatever she wanted. Only now, Kathy had grown stronger, more confident. It was a real setback to her plans.

      But she would not give in. ‘I intend to get this house, or part of it,’ she warned again. ‘I always get what I want, you should know that.’

      Kathy tried to ignore the fear that bubbled up inside her. Looking her straight in the eye, she smiled. ‘Do your worst,’ she said and, turning away, she went out of the room and up the stairs.

      In the privacy of her own bedroom, she sat on the bed, head in hands, her heart aching. It was true. Samantha had a way of always getting what she wanted.

      Out of the corner of her eye she saw her father’s photograph, his smiling, happy face looking up at her. ‘Did you hear all that?’ she asked wryly. ‘Your eldest daughter wants this house, and to tell the truth I’m not sure if she has a claim or not.’

      The harsh exchange with Samantha had only made her all the more determined, though. This house was too special. It had been her father’s place of contentment and now it was hers. And Tom would help her, she knew he would. ‘She won’t get it!’ she whispered. ‘I’ll burn it to the ground first!’

      Pushing it all to the back of her mind for now, she began getting herself ready to visit Mabel at the hospital.

      Twenty minutes later, as she passed the sitting room, she could see Samantha pacing the floor. ‘That’s it!’ she muttered. ‘Work out what you’re going to do, now that I’m onto you.’ She didn’t doubt for one minute that Samantha was already cooking up some mischief or other.

      All the same, now that she was armed with the facts, she was ready for her.

      But for now, she had a friend to see.

      A brisk walk down the street, a ten-minute bus ride, and she was at the hospital.

      She could see the change in Mabel already. Though the bruises were still evident – mellowed to yellow and purple now – they were on the way out; that dear woman was recovering fast from her ordeal. She wasn’t yet able to eat by herself but, thank God, her strength was returning.

      Mabel’s ready smile greeted Kathy as she came in the door. ‘I’ve something to tell you,’ she said.

      Kathy gave her a kiss. ‘Something exciting, is it?’

      Mabel revealed her little secret. ‘I told you I had a brother I hadn’t seen in years, and I had no idea where he was any more,’ she said animatedly.

      ‘Yes, I remember.’ Kathy settled herself into the chair beside the bed. ‘So, have you heard from him?’

      Mabel’s eyes shone. ‘It seems that eventually he found out where I lived, and went there. The next-door neighbour heard him knocking and told him what had happened … how he didn’t believe that I’d fallen down the stairs, and that my husband had beaten me twice before, that he knew of.’

      She paused to take a breath, before going on. ‘Well, my dear, Eric, that’s my brother, he went to the café and gave that bully a real roasting. He warned him that, if he had his way, I wouldn’t be going back there to be his skivvy.’

      Exhausted now, she had to stop for a moment.

      Kathy waited for her to recover before asking softly, ‘And did he?’

      ‘What?’

      ‘Did he get his own way … about you not going back there to be his skivvy?’

      Mabel chuckled. ‘Oh, Kathy, I’m that excited. When I get out of here – in a few days, they say – Eric will have a car to take me away from here. Apparently he never married. He tried many a time to find me, but never could.’

      Taking a moment to calm herself, she smiled. ‘I’m not sure I believe that,’ she said wisely, ‘but at least he’s found me now, and that’s all as matters. He’s done well for himself. After he got demobbed he set up a taxi business. He’s got a nice house and he’s not short of money, or so he tells me.’ Again that wide, happy smile that gladdened Kathy’s heart. ‘He wants me to go and live with him, and I’ve said yes.’

      She giggled like a naughty schoolgirl. ‘I’ll be shot of the café and I’ll be shot of that big bully! Oh, Kathy! I can’t believe my good fortune.’

      Kathy was delighted for her. ‘You deserve it,’ she said warmly, but added, ‘You’ll have to tell me where you’re going, Mabel. I don’t want us to lose touch.’

      ‘That won’t happen,’ Mabel promised. ‘Look in that drawer.’ Pointing to the bedside cabinet, she waited for Kathy to open the drawer. ‘There! That piece of paper.’

      Kathy found it.

      ‘Read it, my dear,’ Mabel urged. ‘It’s my new address.’

      Kathy read it aloud. ‘The Grange, Pleasington, Blackburn, Lancashire.’

      ‘That’s where you’ll find me,’ Mabel told her.

      ‘But that’s North – inland, isn’t it, Mabel? Won’t you miss the seaside?’

      ‘No.’ Softly, Mabel slid her hand into Kathy’s, her eyes swimming with tears and her voice quivering with emotion. ‘I’m going home, lass,’ she told her. ‘Me and Eric were born in Blackburn. It turns out he went back there after the war, and I wish to God I’d done the same. But, oh, you don’t know how glad my old heart is that, after all this time, I’m going back where I belong.’

      The next half-hour was filled with talk of Mabel’s new-found family, and of her great excitement at going home to Blackburn.

      Kathy made no mention of her own troubles. She was glad for Mabel, and wished her well, but was sad for herself. She had grown extremely fond of Mabel, an older woman whom she could trust and admire in a way she never could her own mother.

      Just before she left, Kathy met Mabel’s brother, who had come to tell her of his plans. They hugged and held onto each other and Kathy thought