Read Online The Best of Sisters by Dilly Court - Free Book Online

clients.’
    ‘And I wouldn’t stay in this filthy hovel one night longer, madam.’ Dr Prince held his hands out to Eliza and Millie. ‘Come, my dears, the sooner we’re out of here, the better.’
    ‘Good riddance, that’s what I say.’ Turning on her heel, Mrs Tubbs stalked out of the kitchen, pausing at the door to shoot a malevolent glance at Maisie. ‘And you, you drunken slut, get cooking them joints or I’ll have your guts for garters.’
    Outside on the pavement, he paused to set his bowler hat at a rakish angle on his head and, having peered at his reflection in the grimy window, he picked up his portmanteau and the case containing his medicines. ‘All right, Eliza. Show me where you live.’
    Eliza looked at him doubtfully. ‘You won’t really leave poor Millie at the workhouse will you, doctor?’
    ‘I can’t see any other course open to me, I’m afraid.’
    ‘Dolly and Ted will look after her,’ Eliza said stoutly. ‘They took me in and treated me liketheir own. I even think of them as me mum and dad.’ A twinge of pain in her lower back made Eliza grimace and clutch her stomach. She could feel the warm, stickiness between her legs and once again panic seized her.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ cried Millie, clutching her hand. She cast Dr Prince an anguished glance. ‘If you’re a doctor, sir, then you’d best help her.’
    Freddie started walking. ‘This isn’t in my field of expertise. You’ll be fine, Eliza, just lead the way home.’
    Dolly opened the door just far enough to peer outside. ‘Who is it?’ Her voice was tremulous and the tips of her fingers white as she held tightly to the door.
    ‘It’s me, Eliza, I’m not well.’
    The door opened but Dolly’s expression changed subtly as she squinted at Dr Prince. ‘Heavens above, what’s going on?’
    Doffing his hat, he executed a nifty bow. ‘Dr Frederick Prince at your service, ma’am. But my friends call me Freddie, which I much prefer.’
    ‘A doctor!’ Dolly’s eyes opened wide. ‘What’s wrong with Eliza?’
    ‘If I may come in for a moment?’ Freddie put one foot over the threshold.
    ‘I’m really sick,’ Eliza said, unable to prevent her bottom lip from wobbling, although she wastrying hard to be brave so as not to frighten Millie.
    ‘A woman’s condition, ma’am,’ Freddie said, dumping his cases on the floor. ‘Not within my powers to advise.’ He tapped the side of his nose, winking.
    ‘Oh! Yes, I understand.’ Dolly put her arm around Eliza’s shoulders. ‘Come into the scullery with me, Eliza. And you, doctor, please take a seat and your little girl too.’
    ‘Not my child,’ Freddie said, clearing his throat. ‘Another matter for discussion between yourself and Eliza.’
    Suddenly businesslike and seemingly forgetting her invalid status, Dolly took Eliza into the scullery and, while she tore an old cotton sheet into strips, she told Eliza that she must expect this situation to occur monthly, although she was a bit vague as to the cause and became flustered when Eliza tried to ask questions.
    ‘We mustn’t keep the good doctor waiting,’ Dolly said, making a pad from the rags with a quick demonstration as to how to fasten it. ‘There’s nothing wrong with you, dear. It’s just one of the torments that we women have to suffer. It will go away in a day or so. You can clean yourself up at the pump and fill the kettle when you’ve done. We must offer our guest a cup of tea. Oh dear, I think my palpitations are returning; perhaps the doctor can give mesomething for them. Hurry up, dear. Don’t just stand there.’
    Still not much the wiser, but feeling relieved that her condition was not going to prove fatal, Eliza went out into the yard and drew water from the pump. Having completed her ablutions, she filled the kettle and took it back into the house. She found Freddie sprawled in Ted’s chair by the range and Dolly perched on the edge of her seat listening enthralled to the medical