East End Angel by Carol Rivers Read Free Book Online

Street. Surprised you don’t remember that.’
    Pearl felt as though someone had hit her. She didn’t remember Gladys but she could remember her dad reading out a sad article in the newspaper. ‘Wasn’t it an accident?’
    ‘It was made out to be, for the family’s sake. But it was his fault.’
    ‘Ricky’s?’
    ‘Danny came round my house the day he found out she was pregnant. Gladys’s dad thought Danny was responsible, but Gladys admitted who the real culprit was. Had to really, as she and Danny hadn’t done nothing. So her dad and Danny goes round to Winters and he laughs in their faces. Said Gladys was up for it and more fool them and they can’t prove a thing. So they give him a good hiding, don’t they, but a hiding don’t mend the damage he’d done to an innocent kid. Gladys’s parents never said anything because they didn’t want their girl’s name dragged in the mud.’
    Pearl shivered. She knew how Gladys must have felt with a baby on its way. But she must have been desperate to jump into the river and end her own life.
    ‘So you see, there’s no love lost between Winters and me. I don’t know how he had the gall to walk in your parents’ house. He hates my guts and I hate his.’
    Pearl listened to Jim’s voice filled with bitterness. ‘But what can I do?’ she asked. ‘Ruby thinks she’s in love.’
    ‘Then you’ll have to snap her out of it.’
    ‘Jim, how can I?’
    ‘You’ve always looked out for her. Can you really stand by and let her make such a mistake?’ He stood up and pushed his hand through his untidy hair. ‘If Ruby gets tangled up with him, she’s not the sensible girl I thought she was. Though it has to be said that most women seem to be fools where he’s concerned. Her heart will be broken, I guarantee it. I want nothing to do with him, Pearl, and I don’t want him near you.’ He held out his hand. ‘Now, give me that kiss we haven’t had.’ He took her in his arms and kissed her. But it wasn’t with the same passion they usually shared. Once again Ricky had come into their lives and poisoned it.

Chapter 4
     
    All through July, Pearl listened with dismay to the reports on the wireless. The Russians were fighting bravely and resisting the Germans but what was to become of all those poor people caught in the crossfire? To Pearl it seemed as though everyday a new conflict had been added.
    One August evening Jim came home with not one but two newspapers. He was intrigued by world events and would sit and pore over the news. ‘Listen to this,’ he said as his dinner grew cold and he buried his head in the newspaper. ‘Winnie and Roosevelt have met in secret. They’ve made a pact. They ain’t gonna let the Nazis walk all over us any more.’
    Pearl sat down at the table. ‘All it says,’ she frowned, tracing the line of text with her finger, ‘is that they met on a fishing trip to discuss the situation . . .’
    Jim gave a howl. ‘Read between the lines, love. Take my word, we’ll soon have the Yanks on our side.’
    Pearl gazed into her husband’s bright eyes. ‘So, if the Americans are with us, that’s good, isn’t it? They’ll frighten Hitler off.’
    ‘Not without us, they won’t.’
    ‘As long as you aren’t involved.’
    He took her hand. ‘Pearl, me heart is involved already.’
    ‘What does that mean?’
    ‘No bloke worth his salt will stay at home.’
    ‘Don’t say that!’
    ‘If things come to a head, I’ve got to put me hand up.’
    She froze as tears filled her eyes. ‘Jim, you’re scaring me.’
    ‘Do you want us to win?’
    ‘Yes, but I don’t want to lose you.’
    ‘Who says you’ll lose me?’ He smiled, that lovely white smile that had the power to light up her insides. ‘Anyway, I’m not gone yet.’
    She threw her arms round him. ‘I won’t let you go.’
    ‘Oh, Pearly-girl, I love you so much.’
    ‘If you love me you wouldn’t be talking like this.’
    ‘I’ve got to. The war is coming