Read Online The Dollmaker's Daughters by Dilly Court - Free Book Online Page B

kiss on her cheek, Joe strode past Granny, dropping a kiss on the top of her grizzled head and wrapped his arms around Ruby in a bear hug. ‘Merry Christmas, Ruby.’ He brushed her cheek with his lips, whispering in her ear, ‘You ain’t said nothing?’
    ‘No, of course I didn’t,’ Ruby hissed. ‘What d’you take me for?’
    ‘It’s rude to whisper,’ Sarah said, taking the plate of porridge from Granny before she had time to start eating and pressing it into Joe’s hands. ‘Sit down, son. Have some breakfast and I’ll make a fresh brew of tea.’
    ‘Here,’ cried Granny, glaring at Joe. ‘That’s mine, you cheeky young bugger.’
    Joe gave it back to her. ‘Don’t worry, Gran. I ain’t hungry.’
    ‘I’ll make the tea, Mum,’ Ruby said, picking up the teapot. ‘You sit down and take it easy. Joe can give us a hand.’
    Sarah sat down, smiling happily. ‘Well, now I know it’s Christmas.’
    Dragging Joe into the scullery, Ruby shut the door. ‘Don’t you go upsetting Mum.’
    ‘You worry too much, Ruby,’ Joe said, giving her hair a playful tug. ‘It’s Christmas and I’vebrought presents.’ Shoving his hand deep in his coat pocket, he brought out several packages wrapped in brown paper and handed one to Ruby. ‘Ta, for what you done last night. You saved me bacon.’
    Staring down at the small parcel lying in the palm of her hand, Ruby shook her head. ‘I don’t want nothing bought with stolen money.’
    ‘It ain’t what you think.’
    ‘You was with the gang. You stole that money.’
    ‘No, I swear I didn’t get none of it.’ Joe seized her hand, closing her fingers over the present. ‘You got to believe me. I was there, yes, but I had no choice.’
    ‘Of course you had a choice.’
    ‘You don’t understand.’ Joe’s voice broke in a hoarse whisper. ‘I got into bad company, Ruby. I lost money at the gaming tables.’
    Ruby stared at him aghast. ‘Gambling! Joe, you never.’
    ‘Once you get started on that route you can’t stop. You wins a bit and then you loses and you think you can win it back easy. Just one more time and you’ll stop – but it don’t work like that. Afore I knew it I was in too deep to get out. Aunt Lottie lent me a stake …’
    ‘Aunt Lottie! Oh, Joe! You should have knowed better. Gambling’s done for her good and proper.’
    ‘She tried to straighten me out. But I’d lost apile of money in Jonas Crowe’s place. I couldn’t honour me debt and it was only then I found out he was running a street gang. He said I’d have to do a job with them or get me legs busted.’
    Before Ruby could answer, Sarah opened the scullery door. ‘What’s going on? What are you two nattering about?’
    ‘Just catching up, Mum,’ Ruby said, filling the kettle from the tap. ‘Won’t be a tick.’
    ‘Oh, you two!’ Sarah said, smiling. ‘You was always thick as thieves. We just need Rosetta to turn up and it’ll make my day. Give us the kettle and I’ll stick it on the hob.’ Taking the kettle, she bustled back into the living room.
    ‘How could you be so blooming stupid, Joe?’ Ruby demanded through clenched teeth. ‘Have you any idea what you’ve got yourself into?’
    ‘Don’t fuss, sis. I can sort it. I ain’t a kid.
    ‘No, you’re an idiot. I’m furious with you, Joe, for being so – so pathetic.’
    Slipping his arm round her shoulders, Joe gave Ruby a hug. ‘Come on, it’s Christmas. Don’t be mad at me, Ruby.’
    Dashing angry tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, Ruby shook her head. ‘The women at Bronski’s lost their wages in that robbery, Joe. There’s families that won’t have anything to eat because of it.’
    ‘I really am sorry for them and I know I was a mug, but I swear I’ll make it right somehow.Can’t we forget it for just one day, Ruby? After all, it is Christmas.’
    Unable to resist his winning smile, Ruby nodded. ‘All right, but you haven’t heard the last of this, Joe Capretti.’
    Hugging