A Crimson Dawn by Janet MacLeod Trotter Read Free Book Online Page B

I’ve chosen the eiderdown and curtains - blue and pink flowers. Just think of that - a place all to yourself! And Mrs Raine’s a canny cook. She won’t stand for any mess, mind. You’ll have to keep your room tidy and she’s a bit bossy, but I can get round her. And we’ll gan shoppin’ together - we live walking distance from the shops,’ Nell enthused.
    â€˜Is there a park?’ Emmie asked.
    â€˜Park? Aye, there’s one not far away. Sometimes gan there for a stroll around on a Sunday with Dolly - eye up the lads,’ Nell giggled. ‘And there’s a boating lake, but that costs money. Mind you, you’ll be doing some of my jobs around the house, so Mrs Raine’ll probably give you some pocket money of your own. I’ll be stoppin’ cleanin’ at the surgery soon,’ Nell preened, ‘cos I’m ganin’ to learn book-keepin’ and get a job in an office. Aye, and Mam always thought you were the clever one.’
    At the mention of her mother, Emmie’s eyes welled with fresh tears.
    â€˜I miss her, Nelly,’ she whispered. ‘I never got to see her again.’
    â€˜Aye, well,’ Nell glanced resentfully at Helen, ‘you should’ve come home as soon as you were better.’ She dropped her voice low. ‘Don’t know how you’ve stuck it here so long. Crawdene’s a dirty dump.’
    Helen intervened. ‘Emmie, why don’t you gan up to Louise’s and say goodbye? You could take Nell with you. Get a bit fresh air - it’s too hot to stay indoors.’
    Emmie nodded and stood up quickly. But Nell smoothed out her skirt and sat back.
    â€˜No, ta, I’ll wait here. Wouldn’t mind another of your tasty scones, Mrs MacRae,’ she smiled prettily.
    An hour passed and Jonas offered to show Flora around his allotment. Again Nell declined to move. Helen was irritated by the girl but tried not to show it. She got on with making the tea, with no offer of help from Nell.
    Eventually Nell asked, ‘Where are the older lads?’
    â€˜Still at the pit,’ Helen told her. ‘Be back in a couple of hours.’
    Nell’s face fell. She grew impatient to be gone.
    â€˜Where’s Emmie? How long does it take to say ta-ra to someone? I want to gan home.’
    â€˜Louise has been a good friend to your sister,’ Helen pointed out. ‘It’s not easy for the lass to leave.’
    â€˜She’s only been here a few months.’ Nell was dismissive. ‘Me and Emmie’s been friends all our lives. She doesn’t need this Louise - she’s got me.’
    Helen bit back a retort about the world not revolving around Nell Kelso. But the girl had just lost her mother; she mustn’t judge her too harshly. Still, she could not help feeling that Nell just wanted Emmie there as company in a house of adults, someone to boss around and do her bidding. Perhaps she was wrong.
    â€˜Let’s go up to Denmark Street and fetch her, eh?’ Helen suggested.
    Nell looked at her sulkily, then with a big sigh got to her feet. They walked up the hill in the sunshine, Helen trying to draw Nell out of her moodiness.
    â€˜Don’t suppose you see much of Dr Jameson, with her being that busy?’
    Nell shrugged. ‘I work at the surgery, so I see her plenty.’
    â€˜And in the evenings?’ Helen asked.
    â€˜Aye, we eat together. Or sometimes I have to meet her at the Settlement if she’s got a meetin’ or lecture.’
    Helen nodded. ‘Jonas heard Keir Hardie speak there once.’
    Nell looked at her blankly. ‘I hate ganin’ there,’ she said with distaste. ‘It’s in a dirty, smelly part of town down by the docks. The people who gan there smell an’ all. I can’t see what posh people like Mr Oliphant want to live there for.’
    â€˜Mr Oliphant?’ Helen said in surprise.
    â€˜Aye, Charles Oliphant,’ Nell