A Sister’s Sorrow. Kitty Neale

sound ungrateful. Truth is, I’ve never seen a fiver before and didn’t know they looked like this. If I’m honest, I’d much rather you paid me in coins.’

      ‘Give it here,’ George said, tutting. ‘I don’t know, you women, there’s no pleasing you sometimes.’ He chuckled.

      As George was sorting out some coins from his money belt, Tommy jumped up from the crate he’d been looking through. ‘Can I have this please? It’s really brilliant.’

      George and Sarah looked at the man-sized khaki army jacket that Tommy was holding up, and both laughed. It almost reached to his feet.

      ‘If that’s what you want, but better check with your sister first.’

      ‘Can I, Sarah … please?’

      Sarah saw the delight on her brother’s face. It wasn’t as if the child had much to be happy about, and she supposed it would at least keep him warm. ‘Yes, all right. Just make sure you thank George.’

      Tommy dropped the blanket to the floor and put on the jacket, then spontaneously ran and threw his arms around George’s legs. ‘Thanks. This is the best coat I’ve ever had!’

      ‘You’re welcome,’ the man said, ruffling Tommy’s brown hair.

      Sarah picked up the blanket, roughly folding it while thinking that George looked quite moved by Tommy’s display of affection. She saw him smile when Tommy began marching back and forth.

      ‘He’s a proper nice lad. A real credit to your mum and dad,’ George said.

      ‘Yeah, he is. But it’s just us two, no mum and dad.’

      ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say anything out of turn. Well, you’re doing a fine job of looking after him.’

      Sarah didn’t think she was and the guilt jabbed at her again. She thought she might burst into tears, but before she could, George handed her the coins and she croaked, ‘Well, it was nice meeting you, but now I’ve got this money I can pay you for the coats.’

      ‘Nah, I’ve got a good deal with the bracelet, so we’ll call them a bonus. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,’ George replied.

      She managed a watery smile then called, ‘Tommy, come on, time to go.’

      Tommy swung round and marched towards her, stomping his feet, pretending to be a soldier. ‘Yes, sir,’ he said in a deep voice.

      Sarah gave George a small wave and, tummy rumbling, turned to head for the nearest fish and chip shop.

      She didn’t look back, but she heard George call out, ‘Don’t be a stranger. Come and say hello next time you’re up the market.’

      Tommy had wolfed down his fish and chips and had even licked the newspaper they were wrapped in. Then the rest of the day had been spent ambling around the park, but now as the sun was beginning to set, Sarah thought about heading back to the shed.

      She had enough cash in her pocket to get a room for a few nights, but thought it best to save the money instead. After all, she didn’t yet have a plan for how to make any more. ‘Come on, Tommy,’ she called to her brother, who was halfway up a small oak tree. ‘Time to go.’

      Tommy whined, ‘Ow, I don’t want to go yet. Can we go to the funfair?’

      ‘No, it’s going to be dark soon, come on and stop answering me back.’

      Tommy jumped down from the tree then minced towards her with a sullen expression. ‘Have we got to go back to that shed again?’

      ‘Yes, we have, but I don’t know why you’re looking so miserable about it. You slept OK and found some treasure in there!’

      ‘I know, but I don’t like it. Please, can we go home? Mummy might not smack me now.’

      Sarah had twelve years’ more experience than Tommy, so she knew only too well that their mother would not have calmed down, and if they walked back through her front door they’d both receive the hidings of their lives. ‘Sorry, Tommy, I’m not risking you getting beaten black and blue. I love you too much to see you get hurt, so like it or lump it, we’re going back to the shed.’

      Tommy didn’t protest, but hung his head as he walked alongside her. They were soon in the alley which led to the back gate. ‘Remember, just like last time, quiet as a mouse,’ Sarah said, and pushed open the gate.

      Once inside, Tommy made himself comfortable on the deckchair. ‘My soldiers, I can play with them now,’ he said as if just remembering them, and pulled the tobacco tin from his pocket.

      As he played quietly and happily, Sarah found an old broom and swept the floor. She pushed the big pile of dust to a corner, and then arranged some of the newspapers to fashion a bed. The moon was veiled by clouds, so the shed wasn’t as illuminated as it had been the previous night. It’s not too bad, she thought, at least no worse than her mother’s flat.

      Half an hour passed, and Sarah strained her eyes in the darkness to see that Tommy had fallen asleep. She carefully took the toy soldiers from his hands and placed them back in the tin, then covered him with the grey blanket. He’d be as snug as a bug in a rug, she thought, grateful for the oversized army jacket George had given them.

      She took her own coat off and lay down on the newspaper, then pulled her coat over her like a blanket. She’d sleep better tonight knowing she had money in her pocket to feed Tommy tomorrow.

       Chapter 10

      ‘Wake up, Sarah. Time to go.’

      Sarah awoke with a start. She rubbed her eyes and tried to focus. The morning sun was beginning to stream through the small window. She looked at Tommy and was surprised to see him still soundly asleep. Who had spoken to her?

      ‘Who’s there?’ she whispered.

      She stood up and tiptoed to the window, but couldn’t see anyone, though she was sure she’d heard someone speak to her. Tommy began to stir and yawned as he stretched.

      ‘Tommy, have you been playing tricks on me? Did you tell me to wake up and then pretend to be asleep?’ she asked, keeping her voice light.

      She could tell from the confused expression on her brother’s face that he didn’t have an inkling of what she was talking about. Time to go, she thought, recalling the words she’d heard. It was a warning, it had to be. They had to get out of the shed, quick! ‘Come on, Tommy, get up, hurry! We’ve got to go.’

      ‘All right,’ Tommy said slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

      Sarah was irritated to see he wasn’t rushing himself. ‘Now,’ she said firmly.

      Tommy stood up, and Sarah grabbed his hand before opening the door. To her horror she saw an old woman coming towards them. The woman’s back was bent and she was walking with a cane, but Sarah was amazed at the speed of the woman’s pace. Her hair was long and grey, which put Sarah in mind of a witch. She knew she should run but fear froze her to the spot. She stood stunned and watched as the old woman stopped just yards in front of her and began to angrily wave her cane, shaking it at Sarah. She had no doubt that the woman was more than capable of hitting her with it.

      ‘Go on, clear orf. I’ve called the police, you thieving bloody gypsies,’ the woman screeched.

      ‘I – I’m sorry … we – we just needed somewhere to sleep,’ Sarah said fretfully.

      ‘Well, you ain’t kipping in my shed. Go on, bugger off.’

      Sarah glanced at Tommy. The child looked terrified. She yanked on his hand, and within seconds they were through the gate, but she could still hear the old woman shouting obscenities.

      Once they were back