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

‘I’m too tired to wait up for her,’ Ronnie said, putting her hand out to stroke Lucky’s stomach. He’d rolled over on his back against the boat wall, as far away from Jessica as possible. ‘Just a minute, Lucky. Let me have a proper look at you.’ Ronnie leaned closer. ‘Jess, can you pass my torch on the shelf?’ Jessica put the torch in Ronnie’s hand and she shone it on his underside. ‘So you’re not a boy after all,’ she said, rubbing the furry stomach. ‘You’re a sweet little girl pussycat.’ Lucky purred in acknowledgement. Ronnie looked up at Jessica. ‘Lucky’s a girl.’

‘Yes, I heard you tell her,’ Jessica chuckled. ‘Well, boy or girl, I don’t mind you having it/him/her so long as you keep it out of the space we laughingly call the kitchen. They’re not the most hygienic creatures ever to be wandering about where food’s being prepared.’

‘Lucky’s as clean as a whistle,’ Ronnie said, cuddling her.

Her last waking thought was wondering what Rusty would think of the little cat.

When Ronnie woke the following morning May and Jessica were both up and dressed.

‘I can’t believe I didn’t hear either of you,’ she said, as May handed her a cup of tea.

‘We were practically tiptoeing,’ May said. ‘You looked done in, if I may say so, Ron.’

‘I was,’ Ronnie said, taking a deep swallow. ‘Oh, this tastes wonderful. Thank you.’

‘And I see we have a new visitor.’ May jerked her head towards Lucky who was still fast asleep.

Ronnie grinned. ‘I’ve told her she has to be on her best behaviour.’

‘And does she have a name?’ May asked.

‘Her name’s Lucky,’ Ronnie said. ‘Well, it couldn’t be anything else, her being a black cat and being pulled out of the canal when she was drowning.’ She looked at May. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’

‘No, I like cats,’ May said. ‘We always had one at home.’

‘My parents would never let me have an animal,’ Jessica said, spooning out the porridge, ‘so I can’t say I’m used to them, but as long as she’s clean, I’ll keep her secret.’

‘What – away from Dora, d’ya mean?’ May said with a smirk.

‘Yes,’ Ronnie answered for Jessica. ‘Dora will make me give her up and I’m not going to. Margaret fell in the water to rescue her. She’s special.’

‘Poor Margaret.’ May sat at the table while Jessica set down the porridge bowls. ‘Sally said the best place for her was hospital but I’m worried. She looked terrible.’

‘Give her a couple of days rest and I’m sure she’ll be fine,’ Jessica said firmly.

After the three of them had finished a rather sombre breakfast there was a rap on the side of the butty. Lucky startled and jumped off her cushion and Ronnie saw her squeeze into a tiny space near the stove.

Dora slid back the hatch.

‘We need ter plan our day,’ she said. ‘We can’t press on ’til we know about Margaret. I’ve spoken ter the barman, who said the police rang early this morning. They’re keepin’ her in as she’s got a cough. I’m not surprised.’ Dora tutted. ‘This job in’t right for her at all and she knows it by her letter yesterday.’

‘I’d like to go and see her,’ Ronnie said.

‘Certainly not, miss. Yer not goin’ anywhere but stayin’ here where I can keep an eye on yer.’

‘Miss Dummitt, I was the one who found her,’ Ronnie said, quelling her temper as she felt her face flush. ‘I’m asking you please to let me visit her. She’ll be feeling so strange without knowing anyone.’

‘How will yer get there then? The hospital’s more’n five miles away.’

‘I could borrow Margaret’s bike.’

‘Not in this weather, you fallin’ off and another disaster.’

‘Then I’ll walk to the pub. I’m sure someone there would have transport.’

‘Hmm.’ Dora wrinkled her brow. ‘Maybe Jack Soames might. He’s got a van and the old devil can usually find a can of petrol. But I in’t happy about it.’

‘Oh, that would be marvellous,’ Ronnie said, jumping up before Dora could change her mind. ‘I’ll go over straightaway.’ She stopped. ‘Which hospital is she in?’

‘King’s Park. Jack’ll know it,’ Dora said. ‘Don’t stay long, now … an’ tell her we wish her the best,’ she added unexpectedly, as she withdrew her head.

Ronnie dressed hurriedly in her only pair of clean trousers and her usual two thick jumpers, relieved Dora hadn’t spotted Lucky.

‘Anyone seen what the weather’s like?’ she said to May and Jessica.

‘You won’t believe it,’ May said. ‘I went outside before you emerged. The sun’s out. It’s a beautiful crisp morning.’

‘How wonderful. I was getting sick of all the rain and the mud. But I’ll still have to go in my raincoat. I didn’t bring a proper coat. There was no room.’ She didn’t add that there was also no spare money. It would be too disloyal to Dad’s memory.

‘Good luck on your adventure,’ Jessica said as Ronnie left. ‘Tell her to get better soon.’

‘I will.’

Ronnie half ran to the pub, thankful it was so near the mooring. The ground was still soft and squelchy but she hardly noticed. Her main thought was to find out how Margaret was. She was at the pub in less than five minutes.

She heard a motorcar draw up just as she was about to enter the building. She looked round and saw it was a police car. The door opened and Michael Scott sprang out.

‘Ronnie! What are you doing?’

‘I’m looking for Jack Soames. He works in the pub and Dora said he might be able to give me a lift in his van to the hospital.’

‘You’ll do nothing of the kind. I don’t want to see you go off in some rusty old van with a man you’ve never set eyes on. I’ll take you there.’

Ronnie hesitated. Then she nodded. She’d rather be in a car with Michael Scott than Jack Soames, whoever he was, any day.

‘Hop in, then.’ He smiled and opened the passenger door for her.

‘How did you know I’d be here?’ she asked.

‘I