A Sister's War by Molly Green (the reading strategies book txt) 📕

should keep you from starving. Anything more, you’ll have to come back.’

‘What about dried egg?’ Ronnie said, knowing it was rationed and crossing her fingers.

‘You’ve not learnt much from your mother, have you?’ the woman snapped. ‘It’s rationed as well. One tin only every two months.’

Jessica stepped forward.

‘Allow me to deal with this, Ronnie.’ She stared the woman in the eyes. ‘We’re working hard to get coal to you and everyone else so you don’t freeze to death this winter. I think you can trust us to come back tomorrow with the blasted coupons.’

‘There’s no need to blaspheme,’ the woman said, her eyes beady with anger.

‘I’m not,’ Jessica shot back. ‘I’d just be grateful if you could use a bit of wartime spirit, that’s all. We’re all in this together, in case you haven’t heard.’

‘I’ve heard, all right.’ The woman’s mouth became a grim line. ‘Take some potatoes and a cabbage. You’ve got the milk. That comes to one and eleven pence ha’penny.’

Jessica slammed two coins on the counter. ‘Keep the change,’ she growled as she flung the items into her basket. ‘Thank you for your most kind help.’

‘What a sarcastic young woman,’ the woman said, looking at Ronnie. ‘I sometimes don’t know what people are coming to.’

‘What time are you open tomorrow?’ Ronnie asked, ignoring the shopkeeper’s remarks.

‘Eight o’clock.’

‘I’ll be there on the dot to collect the other items,’ Ronnie said over her shoulder as she followed Jessica out of the door. When they were out of earshot, Ronnie said, ‘Dora’s not leaving ’til half-past eight because we had all those locks, one after the other. Even she can see there’s a limit to how many hours we can keep going.’ She grinned at Jessica. ‘While you’re having a lie-in, I’ll be getting the rest of the stuff.’

‘It’s not absolutely necessary, Ronnie. There’s bound to be somewhere else on the way that’s open tomorrow.’

‘But Dora said specifically we only stop every three days for food shopping. She won’t want to waste time again. And we’d have to tell her we forgot the coupons … and her blasted “baccy”. No, let me do it my way. But for goodness’ sake find me the coupons now, so I don’t have to search for them in the dark in the morning.’

Jessica chuckled. ‘All right. I don’t suppose you can come to much harm at that time of day.’

Chapter Ten

Ronnie walked briskly towards the village, pulling the fresh air into her lungs, her thoughts whirling. She still couldn’t quite get over Dora not sending her home. Maybe Dora’s bark was worse than her bite. She couldn’t help smiling, although this train of thought led her to Rusty – and how he was getting on with Maman. Even though her mother had conceded to look after him, Rusty would still miss all the cuddles and conversations he was used to. Well, she’d be home for three days after the training period, although that was still more than five weeks away. Strange. She’d only left home three days ago, yet it seemed much longer.

She looked at her watch. Coming up to five to. It was going to be tight getting the rest of the order and back in time. She just hoped the miserable old bat would be punctual. It occurred to her it would probably have been sensible if she’d arranged to borrow Margaret’s bicycle with its roomy saddlebag, but the girl seemed loath to ride it herself let alone lend it to anyone. Maybe it was just as well. Ronnie half ran the last few hundred yards and it was exactly eight when she arrived, a little breathless, outside the village shop. The sign on the door said OPEN. Thank heavens. At least the old bag was punctual.

The bell tinkled as Ronnie pushed the shop door to. No one was in sight. She waited a few minutes, impatiently tapping her foot, then called: ‘Anyone there?’ She was just about to call again when the same dour woman came through a door at the back of the shop. Even though she must have recognised her she made no sign.

‘Yes?’

‘Do you remember I came in with my friend yesterday and we forgot the coupons so we couldn’t buy much?’

The woman nodded.

‘Well, I have them here, and the list.’ Ronnie slid the ration book and Jessica’s shopping list across the counter.

The woman was efficient, you could say that about her, Ronnie thought, watching as she swiftly put the items into the string bag. She used a short stubby pencil to tot up the bill.

‘That’ll be five and three,’ the woman said.

Ronnie handed her a ten-shilling note and waited for the change, checking her watch. Just gone quarter past and Dora liked to meet five minutes before letting go. She’d barely make it, even if she ran all the way. And the bag was heavy. It was then that she heard the sound of a motorbike roaring to a halt outside. Seconds later the shop bell sounded and the rider breezed in. Instinctively, she turned and looked up. A pair of sparkling brown eyes met hers. One of them gave her a saucy wink as he whipped off his tweed cap that he’d been wearing back to front. It made his black curly hair stand comically at all angles. He was maybe just a few years older than herself and wearing what looked like Raine’s flying jacket. He grinned at her.

Reluctantly she dragged her eyes away from his gaze and turned back to the woman who was silently watching.

‘What will it be, Will?’ The woman behind the counter looked even grimmer, if that were possible.

Will. So that was his name.

‘Come on, Flossie, give us a smile. It’ll take years off yer.’ He strode up to the counter.

Flossie’s mouth tightened into a thin line.

‘I’ll take no cheek from you, lad,’ she said. ‘What is it yer after?’

He turned to Ronnie, his grin widening.

‘It can wait,’ he said, not looking at the woman but keeping his eyes