Mermaids Singing by Dilly Court Read Free Book Online Page A

and a little dribble sliding down her chin, Polly smiled her lop-sided smile and nodded.
    ‘I can’t stay long,’ Kitty said, glancing at the lantern clock on the bureau. ‘I’ve got to be back in Dover Street afore six or I’ll be mincemeat.’
    ‘I hope they’re treating you right,’ Betty said, pouring the tea and frowning. ‘I asked Mrs Brewster to keep a special eye on you.’
    ‘It’s fine,’ Kitty lied. ‘I got me own bedroom and three meals a day, what more could I want?’
    ‘Well, now, that’s lovely.’ Betty handed her a cup of tea. ‘And I swear you’ve grown an inch since you left here.’
    ‘Have you seen Maggie?’ Kitty’s hand shook a little as she took the teacup. ‘And the nippers – have you seen them?’
    Betty shook her head. ‘No, dear, I thought it best to keep away from Sugar Yard for a while in case I bumped into you-know-who. But I have had a letter from Jem.’ Taking a scrap of paper from her pocket, Betty handed it to Kitty, smiling proudly. ‘He’s doing ever so well, although he’s not a great one for letter writing.’
    In Jem’s typical style, the letter was short, to the point, and ended saying that he was having a fine time, had seen sights that would make their eyes pop out and was getting the hang of things. He missed them all and hoped to be home in the spring.
    ‘I’m ashamed that I haven’t written to him,’ Kitty admitted, handing the letter back to Betty. ‘I couldn’t bring meself to write after what happened, but now I’m settled in me new position I will write to him.’
    The clock ticked on relentlessly and, all too soon for Kitty, it was time to go. She kissed Polly and hugged Betty. Then delving into her pocket, Kitty brought out her purse and tipped a couple of coins into her hand, holding them out to Betty.
    ‘What’s this then, Kitty?’
    ‘It’s not much, just a couple of shillings, but I want you to see that Maggie gets it.’
    Betty’s eyes widened and she shook her head. ‘After what she did to you?’
    ‘It’s for the nippers,’ Kitty said, trying not to shame herself by crying. ‘I think about ’em all the time. Just tell our Maggie it’s for the nippers.’
    ‘You’re a good girl. I don’t know many as would be so forgiving when they was treated so bad,’ Betty sniffed, fumbling inside her sleeve for her hankie.
    Next morning, after the breakfast things were cleared away, Kitty was stoking the range when Olive and Dora stalked into the kitchen. Mrs Dixon was with her ladyship, discussing the menus for the day and Florrie was in the larder, checking the stores. George was chopping sticks in the yard. Kitty knew that she was alone and at their mercy. She slid the iron lid back in place, turning to face them, bracing her shoulders. Maggie had always told her to stand up to bullies; she wouldn’t let them see that she was dead scared.
    They came towards her; two she cats stalking their prey. Kitty thrust her chin up and held her ground as they circled her, tweaking at her cap and pulling her hair.
    ‘What a dirty little bitch we have here,’ Olive said, prodding Kitty in the stomach.
    ‘Leave us alone or I’ll bop you one,’ Kitty said, balling her hands into fists.
    ‘You and whose army?’ sneered Dora, tugging off Kitty’s mobcap so that her hair tumbled down over her shoulders.
    ‘Leave me be,’ Kitty cried, making a grab for her cap.
    ‘Look at this dirty girl’s hair.’ Olive grabbed Kitty by the hair. ‘I bet she’s brought a head full of nits back with her from the slums.’
    ‘I can see them all hopping about,’ Dora cried in mock horror. ‘You know what you’ve got to do, Olive.’
    ‘Indeed I do,’ Olive said, taking a pair of scissors from her pocket. ‘Hold her still, Dora.’
    Kitty fought and struggled but Dora was taller and much the stronger; every time Kitty wriggled or kicked, Olive tugged mercilessly at her hair, nicking Kitty’s scalp with the sharp points of the scissors. Snip