7 Sorrow on Sunday by Ann Purser Read Free Book Online Page A

obstinatecreases and rolled-up edges. Clouds of steam hissed, and she folded and pressed as if inflicting a necessary punishment.
    “Shall I do the rest?” Lois asked.
    “Why?”
    “To give you a rest.” This was a recurring conversation, and Lois knew the conclusion, but it made her feel better to ask.
    “If you do them, my dear,” Gran said on cue, “I shall just have to go over them again. So I might as well finish now. Derek loves the way I do his shirts.”
    “Right,” said Lois. “Have it your way. Don’t forget I offered.” She looked at the clock. “I think I’ll just slip down to the shop,” she added. “Something I need to ask Josie, and I think we’re out of eggs. Shan’t be long.”
    Gran did not reply. They were not out of eggs, but it was no good arguing with Lois.
    *   *   *
    J OSIE WAS PREPARING TO HAND OVER THE SHOP TO R OB, who had come home early. “I’ve got work to do in the stockroom,” she’d said, “and it’s so much easier without interruptions.”
    Now Lois came in and lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “Hi Rob, where’s Josie?” she asked.
    “Out the back,” he said. “I’m in charge, so what can I sell you? Josie thinks I’m no good at selling, so you could do me a favour and spend a tenner or two.”
    “Not a chance,” said Lois, laughing. “Just a dozen eggs please. And then I’ll go and have a word out the back. She can carry on working. Just something I need to know.”
    “And I can’t help?”
    “Well . . .” Lois considered for a couple of seconds. “Well, actually, Rob, you might be able to. I need to know about the club scene in Tresham. Needless to say, I don’t know much. But Josie used to go with friends at one time, and I expect you did too. What are the clubs like? Are they both much the same?”
    Rob shook his head. “The Ace of Diamonds is a rough place, with a bad reputation. Kids go there to show how big they are. They buy stuff and get high, and then have to be picked up off pavements and sometimes end up in hospital—and occasionally the morgue.”
    “Why don’t the police close it down?” Lois could not imagine Joe Horsley in this scene. She had a mental picture of him in tweeds and brogues, bluff and pipe-smoking. No, no, not that one. Anyway, she was sure Derek had said the Domino.
    “The Ace is clever. Always got a get-out clause when anything bad comes up.”
    “And the other one?” she asked.
    “The Domino? Ah, now that’s a different kettle of fish. Smart, with excellent music for dancing, no drugs—not on the surface, anyway—and a good class of customer. They have visiting show-biz stars, often ones who make it to the top later. I used to go there a lot at one time, when I could afford it.” He smiled, gesturing towards the stockroom. “Too many expenses now,” he added.
    “Well, you’ve been a help,” Lois said. “I don’t need to bother your expensive partner now. Far be it from me to interrupt a vital part of this money-making business.” She was irritated by his insinuations. She had brought up her daughter to keep an eye on spending, and run an economic household. And what was Rob bringing in? Not a fortune, that was for sure.
    “A joke, Lois,” Rob said, seeing her face. “Your Josie is a wonder. I’m sure she’ll be sorry to have missed you. Shall I call her?”
    Lois shook her head. “No, not now, thanks. I’ll be getting back. Sorry I can’t be a better customer,” she added, picking up the eggs. “Bye.”
    Oops, said Rob to himself, put my foot in it there. Just when I was thinking of popping the question to Josie. I’m not sure I could manage a mother-in-law like Lois. He wondered why she wanted to know about Tresham clubs. Deciding that she was sleuthing again and was not likely totell him, he sat on the stool and picked up a paper to read until the next customer came in.
    *   *   *
    “P UT THOSE EGGS BEHIND THE OTHER ONES IN THE larder,” said Gran when Lois returned.