A Stitch in Time by Amanda James Read Free Book Online Page A

and Violet talked of rumours going around about the best place to get fresh meat and even a turkey for Christmas.
    The living area was spotlessly clean, but tiny. Again, Sarah knew that houses like this were small and cramped, but to actually step inside one was a different matter. There was a ceramic sink and draining board under the window, a row of cups on hooks next to it on the wall, a kitchen table and chairs, upon which a teapot and sugar bowl sat, two wing-back chairs either side of the fire, and a few shelves, mostly empty save for a few items. These items were a jar marked flour, a smaller jar which looked to be jam, and various pickles.
Must have a cellar; that’s where the cheese, milk, eggs and any cold meat would be.
Centrally on the floor was a large piece of flowered carpet that had definitely seen better days.
    ‘So what’s this about you being funny then, lass?’ Violet was saying, sitting opposite.
    ‘I think I have a bit of amnesia, think I bumped me ’ed when I fell on t’ice,’ Sarah said, noting that her Yorkshire accent had suddenly become much broader than it was normally.
    ‘Oh, dear. Well you know who I am, don’t you?’
    Sarah nodded. ‘Auntie Violet.’
    ‘Well, she knows that only ’cos I told her,’ Albert butted in.
    ‘And how long have you lived ’ere with me?’ Violet ignored Albert.
    Sarah shrugged.
    ‘By ’eck, you don’t know?’
    ‘That’s nowt, Violet; she didn’t even know what year it was!’ Albert said, taking his hat off and running his hands over his balding pate.
    ‘Alright, Albert, can’t you see that you’re upsetting the poor lass? Look, love, you came to me nearly twenty year ago when your mum, my sister, passed on. She got tuberculosis. Your dad died of it five years before that.’ Violet leaned across and took Sarah’s hat off. ‘We’ve been great company for each other ever since. You were on your own, and so was I, after my poor Billy was killed in t’ Great War. Now, do you remember ’owt of that?’
    ‘Err … yes, a bit. I think I’m starting to remember now,’ Sarah said. She figured that if she said no, they may cart her off to the hospital. That thought made her shudder.
    ‘She’s not that bad, Albert. Now you best be off, your Aggie will be wondering where you are.’
    Albert remained where he was. ‘I think she is, Violet. Ask ’er summat’; you’ve not asked ’er ’owt yet. And didn’t you say you were baking bread? Thought I’d ’ave a slice before I went home.’
    Violet laughed. ‘Him and his bread, says I bake the best bread in t’ yard. ’Ee’d better not let Aggie ’ear him say that.’
    ‘Aggie’s his wife and they live next door?’ Sarah said, hoping she’d guessed right.
    Violet’s eyes twinkled and a huge smile lit up her face. ‘That’s right, love. Well, next door but one.’
    Albert shook his head. ‘Any fool could ’ave worked that out. I still think she needs looking at.’
    ‘Be off with you, Albert. I ’aven’t got round to making bread yet. I’ll do it in a minute. Pop back in a few hours, should be ready then.’
    Albert looked a bit crestfallen but did as he was bidden. ‘Alright, I’m off then. I’ll bring our lad round for a slice before we go out.’
    After Albert had gone, Violet busied herself making a pot of tea. ‘You’ll feel much better after this, love. And I’ve a bit of tripe we can ’ave. I’ll boil a few onions to it; you know it’s one of your favourites.’
    Sarah smiled politely but tried to stop the bile rising in her throat. Wasn’t tripe cow’s stomach?
God, if she puts a plate of that in front of me, I swear I’ll puke.
    ‘I’m not that hungry thanks, Violet; just a cuppa will do
.
’
    ‘Nay, you must ’ave summat, lass. What about a bit of cheese on toast? I’ve got a bit of cheese on t’ cellar head.’
    Sarah nodded. She had got a cellar, then. The cheese may not be as fresh as she’d been used to, but anything would be preferable to