Daisy's Secret by Freda Lightfoot Read Free Book Online Page A

pots, string netting, bamboo canes, old pairs of boots and other gardening items. It seemed odd to store such things in a bedroom and Daisy guessed that that was its real purpose - for storing things , not children. There were no curtains at the narrow windows, no rug on the stone floor, simply a tatty piece of straw matting. There were only two beds in the room, for which Miss Pratt did not apologise, merely commented that she’d prepared for two vacees, not three.  
    ‘Oh, we can manage, thank you.’ Daisy had expected to be taken upstairs where there must surely be half a dozen bedrooms, though perhaps this was how the old lady lived, all on one floor, even in a big house like this. Miss Pratt’s next words explained everything.
    ‘It’s not much but I dare say it’s better than you’re used to, so you won’t notice. Can’t have you sleeping in my best beds, dear, though I accept it’s not your fault if these children are verminous and semi-literate. So would anyone be, coming from the slums.’
    The remark brought a flush of annoyance to Daisy’s cheeks, and for some reason she recalled her mother’s frequent remark, “we might be poor but we have our standards.” But she cast her eyes down, willing herself not to reveal these thoughts. The old lady was opening up her home to complete strangers, after all.
    ‘There aren’t really any ghosts are there?’ Megan timorously enquired, a slight frown puckering her brow. The two children were hovering at the kitchen door, unwilling to venture any further in, remove their coats and berets, or even set down a single bag until these concerns had been dealt with. Trish’s mouth had taken on the shape of an upside down U as if she might burst into tears at any minute.
    Allowing no time for Miss Pratt to open these flood gates with horrific tales of headless horsemen or clanking chains, which would surely give the children nightmares, Daisy barged in with, ‘Course there aren’t. You’ll be nice as ninepence here, won’t they, Miss, once they’ve settled in?’
    ‘I’ve certainly come to no harm living in this house, child. No harm at all. And if you hear any odd noises in the night, pay no attention.’
    Megan said, ‘What sort of noises?’ Trish gave a little whimper, but this was apparently as much sympathy as they were going to get.  
    Daisy had half expected some dragon of a housekeeper to emerge, such as those who occupied the pages of the penny novelettes she devoured from Boot’s Library. Or Gladys, the woman who ‘did’, if she hadn’t already gone to her sister’s house in Edinburgh. No such person appeared and Daisy’s longing for a mug of hot, sweet tea was becoming overwhelming. She ached to put up her feet and rest, feeling bone weary after the sleepless night and the long walk from the station. She could feel a sticky residue of blood between her legs and thought even more longingly of a hot bath and clean underwear. Not that she dare mention any of this, of course, but at least they’d arrived at last and soon these needs and longings would be attended to.
    Trish gave her sleeve a little tug, pulling Daisy down to her level so she could issue a fearful whisper in her ear. ‘You won’t ever leave us on us own here, Daisy, will you?’
    Daisy squeezed her hand, as much to reassure herself as the child, and exchanged a cheery smile with Megan. Both little girls looked nervous but at least they were moving about more freely now, as if they couldn’t quite make up their minds whether to be excited by this unexpected turn of events, or turn tail and run home to their mam. Deep inside, Daisy felt much the same way.
     
    That first day was a nightmare. They stowed their personal belongings in a wooden trunk with a heavy lid that stood between the two beds. It was not ideal since it smelled of mildew, but there was nowhere else.
    ‘What now?’ Megan asked in fearful tones, voicing all their thoughts.
    ‘Oh, I’m sure Miss Pratt has