Read Online Cinderella Sister by Dilly Court - Free Book Online Page B

Nell’s department, Matt. You’ll have to ask her.’
    ‘I will, as soon as she gets home.’ He turned to her with a grateful smile. ‘You’ve done well, Lily. I know it’s an almost impossible task, but saving young Labrosse might be the answer to all our problems.’
    ‘What problems?’ Lily stared at him nonplussed. ‘You said that before. Can’t you tell me what’s wrong?’
    ‘It’s nothing for you to worry your head about, Lil. Let’s just say that Labrosse’s father is an important man, and I’ve just found out that he has shares in the dock company.’
    ‘I don’t understand. What has that to do with us?’
    He was silent for a moment, eyeing her speculatively.‘If I tell you something will you promise not to mention a word of it to the others?’
    ‘Cross my heart and hope to die,’ Lily said, making the appropriate sign with her hand.
    ‘This is strictly between the two of us, but I’m hoping that a word in the right quarter from an influential man like Labrosse’s father might give us more time to find other accommodation.’
    ‘What do you mean by that?’ Shocked and startled, Lily stared at him in horror.
    ‘Leave it at that, Lily. No one knows a thing about this, except Nell.’
    ‘What don’t they know? You’re scaring me, Matt.’
    ‘To put it in a nutshell, the dock company have given us notice to quit the house. I’ve only just found out about it myself, but they’ve written several times to Grandpa and he’s ignored the letters. We’ve got until the end of the year and then we’re out.’
    ‘I don’t understand. I thought that Grandpa had the house for the rest of his natural.’
    ‘So did I, but it seems the new dockmaster isn’t happy with his present accommodation and this house should be his by rights. The dock manager called me into his office, and it seems that the original arrangement with Grandpa, which he neglected to mention, was that he could have this house for a period of five years after his retirement. That time will be up at the end of December.’
    Lily could hardly believe her ears. ‘There must have been some mistake. Did you ask Grandpa?’
    ‘Of course I did, but he went off in one of his ragesand denied ever receiving any letters from the dock company. He seemed to think that it was a plot by some unknown enemy to humiliate him. I’m afraid he’s going a bit doolally.’
    Lily sank down on the edge of the bed. ‘I know he’s a bit odd at times, but he’s not out of his mind.’
    ‘I think Pa’s death affected him more than he would admit. I know he loves the old house but unless a miracle happens we’ll have to leave. The dock manager made it perfectly clear that he wants us out, which is why I was hoping that Labrosse senior might be persuaded to put in a good word for us, and at least give me more time to find somewhere suitable for us to live.’
    ‘And what if he can’t or won’t help us?’
    ‘We can only hope that he’ll be grateful to us for looking after his son, which is why we must put in every effort to pamper the fellow.’
    ‘But if the worst happens, where will we go, Matt?’
    ‘I’ll find somewhere. If all else fails there are a couple of rooms to let above the shop next door to the fire station.’ Matt moved swiftly to her side and ruffled her hair. ‘Don’t look like that, Lily. Your big brother will look after you. Now, I’m going to fetch Labrosse and we’ll make him comfortable. I just hope that he won’t remember anything about the attic when he is himself again.’
    He hurried from the room and Lily sat for a moment, stunned by what she had just learned. She had been born in this house, as had all her brothers and sisters; it was the only home she had known. The thought ofleaving in such a manner was horrible and quite terrifying. She had seen down and out people living beneath railway arches and curled up in shop doorways at night, roosting like pigeons. She rose slowly to her feet, the weight of