A Mother's Duty by June Francis Read Free Book Online

That’ll fetch a bob or two.’ His voice no longer contained an American twang and she realised what a good act he had put on.
    ‘I still want five pounds,’ she said firmly. ‘You haven’t been the easiest of guests to look after.’
    Mr Potter sighed heavily. ‘We had to hock everything to buy our tickets home from the States.’
    Kitty strengthened her resolve. ‘Don’t give me any sob stories. I’ve kids to feed. If you wanted charity you should have gone to the Sally Army. Now if you don’t mind – five pounds.’ She twiddled her fingers under his nose.
    Mr Potter glanced at the man looming above him and then at the station clock before delving into an inside pocket and bringing out a bag of coins. He counted five pounds onto Kitty’s palm. She thanked him with a radiant smile and indicated to her rescuer that the portmanteau be handed back to its owner. Mrs Potter gave her a dirty look before hurrying away with her hand tucked inside her husband’s arm.
    Kitty did a little tap dance before looking up at her rescuer. ‘So that’s that,’ said the Scotsman.
    ‘Not quite,’ she said boldly. ‘You’re just the man I’ve been looking for and I’d like you to come with me.’
    ‘How’s that?’
    She could see that she had taken him completely by surprise. ‘You have a monkey – and I’m in need of a strong right arm.’ She thought how despite his lack of kilt and doublet he still cut a wonderfully impressive figure in a well-worn Harris tweed jacket and brown corduroy trousers. He was at least six foot two inches. His face was attractive more than it was handsome, but he had a distinctive nose and a rather nice mouth that made her wonder what it would be like to be kissed by him. He was probably in his late thirties.
    ‘Not mine.’ His smile was puzzled, slightly amused. ‘I’m John McLeod by the way.’
    She stretched out a hand which was immediately swallowed up by his in a grasp that was reassuringly firm. ‘Kitty Ryan. I’m in your debt.’ She decided that she had to continue to be bold. ‘Can I offer you a cup of tea and a bite to eat? I have a hotel up Mount Pleasant and was on my way back there when I saw these two doing the equivalent of a moonlight flit.’
    He did not hesitate, which pleased her. ‘I’d like that fine,’ he said. ‘Here, let me carry that basket of yours. It looks heavy.’
    Even more pleased with him, she handed her shopping over without demur and they began to walk towards the exit. She searched for something to say, wanting discover more about him. ‘You weren’t aiming on catching a train, Mr McLeod?’
    ‘Trains are for people with money, Mrs Ryan. I was just taking a short cut.’
    So he was hard up. ‘You live in Liverpool?’
    ‘For the moment.’
    What did that mean?
she wondered. ‘Are you looking for work?’
    ‘Not really.’
    He had surprised her and she stared at him, wide-eyed. ‘But you were busking! You must be short of cash?’
    ‘Off and on.’ His eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘You mustn’t concern yourself about me, Mrs Ryan. I have enough for my needs and possessions can be a burden.’
    His words flummoxed her because most of her life her mother had instilled in her the need to build a nest and feather it as best she could for her family. But perhaps he had no family? No wife, no children. ‘What did you mean you don’t have a monkey? I saw you with one. Unless, do you have a double, Mr McLeod?’ she said with a touch of humour.
    ‘Ach! What would God be thinking of making two of me?’ he said with a lazy smile. ‘The monkey belongs to my god-daughter. Her mother has a pet shop near Scottie Road. Tell me, Mrs Ryan, is your hotel anywhere near the size of this one?’ He glanced in the direction of the towering edifice of the Adelphi Hotel.
    Kitty’s eyes twinkled. ‘I think you’re trying to change the subject. Do I look that rich? My place could fit into a corner of
that
! Even so I have great plans.’ Her tone