Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers by Tim Bradley Read Free Book Online Page A

leaving?’
    â€˜Mr Silverthorne? Yes I think so.’
    â€˜Horrible to think that I wouldn’t have a job now.’
    â€˜Well, you could always work in a bank or drive a train if you wanted.’
    Emily looked at him. ‘How could I possibly do that? It’s man’s work.’
    â€˜Ah yeah – you haven’t come across the Suffragettes then?’ he said.
    â€˜No I haven’t. Are they from round here?’
    â€˜Don’t worry Emily. It’s something that hasn’t happened for you yet. But when it does – it will start to change the way you live.’
    She shook her head as she started preparing the fire. ‘I don’t want change. I like things as they are. “Everyone knows their place and everything in place”. That’s what Mr Dawson has taught us. Sounds right enough.’
    Arnie watched her work.
    â€˜Have you seen the shovel and tongs?’
    â€˜No, sorry,’ Arnie mumbled, thinking about what she had said.
    â€˜I can at least try and get us warm,’ said Emily purposefully, finding a poker lying to one side. She scraped the back of the fireplace and a little soot drifted down.
    â€˜I can see that I’m
definitely
in another time – this was last made by someone very inexperienced! Never would have lasted in my day!’
    Emily built a tidy pile at the back of the grate with shreds of paper, that she found plugging a hole in the skirting board, before topping it off with scraps of kindling wood in the shape of a wigwam.
    â€˜Where do you come from?’ said Arnie.
    â€˜Here of course,’ she said, rubbing a piece of coal with her thumb.
    â€˜No – before,’ he said, ‘which town?’
    â€˜Martlesham. My father is the butcher…or was…’ and she sniffed, looking away for a moment. ‘They’ll all be long dead now.’
    â€˜But they’ll be alive when you get back,’ he said cheerily, trying his best to lift her mood.
    Emily nodded, wiping away a tear. ‘Course they will. I know that,’ and picking up a box of matches struck one, lending it to the paper mountain.
    â€˜You and your aunt,’ she said thoughtfully, ‘do you live with her?’
    â€˜No, but she’s not far from us – me and my dad.’
    Emily turned round.
    â€˜No mother?’
    â€˜She died a few years ago – quite suddenly.’
    â€˜I am sorry Arnie,’ she said sympathetically. He noted that this was the first time she had called him by his name.
    â€˜Don’t worry,’ he said wistfully. ‘It’s ok – I’ve got used to her not being around.’
    Emily looked back to the fireplace and blew a little on the baby flames.
    â€˜I’m not sure I believe you – you must miss her a lot…’
    â€˜I do, but she’s gone now – and there’s nothing I can do about it.’
    Emily looked glum.
    â€˜I’ve gotta look out for Dad,’ Arnie continued, ‘he’s the one who misses her most…’
    â€˜No sisters or brothers?’
    â€˜No. Little orphan Arnie – that’s what it feels like sometimes. Dad’s great – but…’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜I think he must feel quite alone too. I often see him staring out of the window. Wonder what he might be thinking…’
    â€˜Silent type eh?’
    â€˜Mmmm,’ Arnie sighed. ‘Do you mind if we don’t talk about this anymore?’
    â€˜I’m sorry Arnie – I didn’t mean to pick spots…’
    â€˜It’s fine. I just want to forget about it while I’m here.’
    Emily turned back to the grate and stoked the smoking coal.
    â€˜You could have a little lie down while I get this going properly – we’ll soon be ever so nice and cosy.’
    Emily watched him lean back and relax. A single tear ran down his cheek.
    Within a few minutes the fire was crackling heartily and as he sunk