The Docklands Girls by June Tate Read Free Book Online

afford. One evening, I saw the girls working and got talking to one, found out I could earn more money as a brass and so I changed jobs.’
    ‘But you once told me you were married.’
    Belle gave a wry smile. ‘Yes, another bad move. I met this man, managed to keep from him as to how I earned a living – I said I worked in a shop – and indeed, after a while, I left the streets and got such a job in a general store. We married and it was fine for a couple of years until he found out about my past and wanted me to go back on the streets because I could earn more money that way … that’s when I kicked him out.’
    ‘But you returned to doing tricks.’
    ‘I did and made more money – but it was all mine. I’ve been doing it ever since. Like you, Cora, I’m saving, but for my retirement. I want a little bungalow with a small garden. I might even have a cat. Maybe open a B & B. I don’t want to live with a man again. Sod that! And as for sex, well love, I’ve had enough of that to last two lifetimes.’ She doubled up laughing until her stomach ached, then poured another drink.
    But as she lay in bed that night, she silently admitted to herself that the things she’d told Cora about living alone were not strictly true. She was lonely. Yes, she had friends, but what she really wanted was to find a man who truly loved her, whom she could love back. A man to care for her – care about her. Someone she could lean on for a change. A man with whom she could sit quietly in the evenings, his arm around her shoulders, listening to the wireless.
    She turned over with a deep sigh and shut her eyes, telling herself everyone had to have a dream or life would be unbearable. At least she’d have a bungalow to look forward to and that was more than most people aspired to.

Chapter Six
    In the following weeks, life continued in Southampton. More troops were moved into camps around the town and every evening people listened avidly to the news, relieved to hear that Allied troops had taken Monte Cassino. It seemed that the Germans were now on the run. Newsreels in the cinemas were full of pictures of this success and Winston Churchill with his V-sign and famous cigar did much to cheer the population.
    Life on Southampton’s streets didn’t change. The black market thrived, queues for food seemed to get longer, women spent time in the shops set up by the WVS, swapping and buying second-hand clothes – and the National loaf remained as unpalatable as ever.
    The GIs who frequented the local pubs in The Ditches were generous enough with small food items, which they bought in their PX stores, and the children could be heard asking, ‘Any gum chum?’ whenever they saw an American uniform. Yet beneath this was the expectation and fear of the invasion.
     
    Cora hadn’t seen anything of Hank, which didn’t surprise her but still made her sad. However, as the days passed and her nights were busy, she put the experience behind her until one evening, he walked into the Lord Roberts. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him.
    He walked straight up to the bar and ordered a drink, then picking up his glass he walked over to her and sat down.
    Cora was sitting in silence and looked at him, wondering what he was going to say.
    ‘Hello Cora. How are you?’ he asked quietly.
    ‘I’m fine, thanks. I’m very surprised to see you in here,’ she said.
    He stared at her. ‘To be honest, I’m surprised too. But I can’t get you out of my mind and it’s driving me crazy!’
    Her heart seemed to miss a beat. ‘I didn’t think you wanted to see me ever again after the last time,’ she said.
    ‘To be frank, I hate what you do. I hate every man you’ve taken to your bed, but I couldn’t keep away any longer.’
    ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ she asked nervously.
    ‘I guess I still want you to be my girl.’
    She was stunned. ‘Hank, how can that be when you know the business I’m in?’
    ‘Well, I’ve given a lot