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

even noticed her effort on the highly polished brass work or the copper kettle, which she was particularly proud of.

After everyone disappeared Dora surprised Ronnie by saying, ‘I’ll come and help yer in the engine room. I don’t expect yer to do all of it on yer own, being so new, like. But I wanted ter see yer reaction.’ She gave one of her terrifying grins. ‘Yer pull a good face, no doubt of that.’

Ronnie burst into laughter. ‘You weren’t supposed to see it.’

‘There’s not much Dora Dummitt misses,’ Dora said, removing her pipe. ‘And that goes for Will Drake this mornin’ takin’ advantage of yer.’

Here it comes. Dora was going to give her a lecture.

‘He’s bad news, girl. And I should know.’

Ronnie stared at her and Dora stared back.

‘What he needs is a firm hand. A boss who sees he’s kep’ occupied. But s’far as I know, he don’t have no job.’

‘What does he do?’ Ronnie asked curiously. Dora at least seemed in a mood to talk without being so angry for a change.

‘What don’t he do is more like,’ Dora said, her unlit pipe bouncing up and down as she spoke. She thought for a minute. ‘Well, he’s worked in several pubs along the cut. Then he were at a greyhound race-track lookin’ after the dogs – he loved them dogs, I’ll say that for him. But he had to report some cruel goin’s-on with the poor beasts. He couldn’t stomach it. They got rid of him but for once it weren’t his fault.’ She took her pipe out, thrust her thumb into the bowl and struck a match. ‘When he were a lad he used to help his dad – ’til his dad—’ She looked away, then back again. ‘His dad were one of the lock-keepers around these parts when he weren’t—’ She paused long enough to get her pipe going. ‘Well, least said, soonest mended about him. But I always thought young Will liked everything ter do with the boats – he were a natural when he were a kid. But no, it weren’t enough for him. He wants ter be like them rich kids he hangs around with.’ She shook her head and tutted. ‘He don’t stick at nothin’ for long. Same with girls – just like I warned yer. The best thing for him is when he gets called up.’

So he wasn’t even eighteen. At least that will keep May and Jessica quiet when I tell them.

‘You must have known him a long time,’ Ronnie said, trying to get Dora off the subject of Will’s other girls, which made her stomach clench.

‘You might say that.’ Dora rolled her eyes. ‘Anyway, we’d better put a move on.’

They worked together almost in silence, with Dora occasionally breaking it to show her how to do yet another maintenance job. The mudbox was exactly as she’d feared. It was full of slime and grease. Dora ordered her to give it a good clean out when she’d got rid of the contents.

‘It’s a weekly job,’ she said, ‘so yer don’t want to get landed with it each time. Make sure Jess and May take their turn. Yer know what ter do now.’ She disappeared.

Ronnie was not at all sure that Jessica would take her turn, even with the perpetual gloves she always insisted upon wearing so as not to ruin her nails. Heaving a sigh, Ronnie tipped the slime overboard, gagging at the stench. After working at the vet’s she ought to be used to this sort of thing, she thought, but this was particularly foul. She swilled water through the box and a splash of disinfectant, but if anything the smell was worse. She’d let it soak a bit.

While she finished cleaning the engine room, Ronnie turned over in her mind all that Dora had said about Will Drake. Dora obviously knew him very well and didn’t have much time for him, but at least she’d said how Will loved the dogs at the stadium, although she’d gone on to list more faults. Well, he didn’t seem that taken with her either. Ronnie shrugged. It wasn’t important so there was no point in dwelling on it.

She rinsed her cloth for the last time and bent low to hang it near the engine, then pulled upright in a swift movement only to feel her head spin.

‘Ronnie, you all right?’

Ronnie opened her eyes. She was looking at the ceiling. She blinked. Sally was leaning over her.

‘What happened?’

‘I heard something fall over. It looks as if you might have fainted. Just stay there quietly for a few moments.’

‘No, honestly, I’m all right, thanks,’ Ronnie said. She looked up at Sally. ‘Weren’t you on the tiller?’

‘Yes, but I handed over to Jess when I heard the noise.’

‘Then go back to it.’

‘I should tell Dora—’

‘Oh, please don’t say anything to Dora. She thinks I’m a liability as it is.’

‘I’m sure that’s not true. But she needs to know—’

Ronnie struggled up. ‘Look, I’m fine.’

‘I think you need to lie down for a while in Penelope.’ Sally glanced round. ‘It looks like you’ve finished here anyway. Trouble is, we’re on the snubber so we’re going to have to wait for a bridge hole and hop onto the butty as it passes.’

It was twenty minutes or so before they spotted a bridge hole. Still a little unsteady on her feet, Ronnie jumped onto the butty after Sally, at the same time grabbing hold of her extended hand. May was steering and immediately wanted to know what was wrong. Sally quickly told her and then pulled down the folding bed.

‘In you get,’ she ordered. ‘I’m going to make us all a strong cup of tea.’

Sally boiled the kettle and minutes later she handed Ronnie a mug.

‘I’ve given you extra sugar … good for shock.’ Sally nodded towards the mug. ‘And I promise it’s sugar and not the alternative you put in Deadly Dora’s cup,’ she added, grinning.

Ronnie giggled. ‘I’m saying nothing.’

‘Only because you know you’re guilty,’ Sally