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

this pie’s been rolling about in the snow?’ Angela said, her fork frozen in mid-air, her pale eyes staring at Ronnie.

‘There was no damage to the dish,’ Ronnie said. ‘Thank goodness. It would have been embarrassing having to explain to the landlord who cooked it, after his kindness.’

‘I don’t care a monkey’s about the blasted dish,’ Angela’s voice rose. She banged her knife and fork down on the plate and sprang up. ‘I’m going to the motor to warn the others that their dinner’s been in the snow.’ She glared at Ronnie. ‘You’re disgusting.’

‘The snow was perfectly clean, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ Ronnie said, biting back her laughter. ‘There was no sign of any footprints.’

‘And I’m sure that reheating it has probably killed most of the germs,’ Jessica called to Angela’s stocky figure as the woman disappeared through the hatch.

Ronnie couldn’t contain herself any longer. All the pent-up emotion of the day gushed out and she clung on to Jess, screaming with laughter.

‘You little scamp,’ Jessica said, joining in. ‘You said that on purpose.’

‘So did you,’ Ronnie stuttered, another wave of merriment overpowering her again. ‘And she deserved it.’

‘Well, she won’t have much comfort from reporting it to Dora.’ Jessica stood to collect the plates. ‘She will have polished hers off ages ago, the speed she eats. And wouldn’t have cared tuppence about the snow. She’ll have seen far worse in her time. And I bet Sally and May have finished as well.’ She looked at the remains of the pie on Angela’s plate. ‘I hate to waste this.’

Ronnie heard a soft pad as Lucky landed from the top of the coal bunker. She scooped her up and put her nose near the plate. Lucky pawed at it and Jessica laughed.

‘You’d better cut it up for her,’ she said, ‘but don’t let her have any pastry. It’s not good for animals to digest.’

‘I’m going to chop it all up,’ Ronnie said, still chuckling. ‘Lucky doesn’t need us to decide what she should and shouldn’t have. She’ll soon sort it out.’

She cut the pie in small pieces and set it on the floor. ‘And’ – she turned to Jessica – ‘she doesn’t care a monkey’s about it being dropped in the snow.’

That set the two of them laughing again.

When they’d washed up and put the dishes away Jessica was silent for a few moments. Ronnie stole a curious glance. Jessica caught her and smiled, seeming to have come to a decision. ‘Ronnie,’ she said, ‘do you like swing bands?’

‘Yes, from what I’ve heard on the wireless,’ Ronnie said, surprised at the question. Nobody had ever asked her taste in music, although Maman had always tried to get her interested in Suzanne’s classical concerts when she played the violin in the village hall. ‘My sister Suzy is the musician – she’s the one I told you about who sings to the troops. I forget which band she’s with but it’s one of the swing bands.’ She glanced at Jessica. ‘Why are you asking?’

‘A friend of mine’ – Jessica paused and Ronnie noticed her mouth tighten a fraction – ‘sent me two tickets for Jack Payne’s band at the Palais de Danse in Leamington Spa. He was born there so he’s doing a special visit. I think they’re playing there at least two weekends and tickets will be like gold dust. I’ve calculated we should be there about the same time as the band.’ She looked at Ronnie. ‘My friend can’t go after all and I wondered if you’d like to come with me. It’d make a nice change for both of us.’

‘Is he a boyfriend?’ Ronnie’s eyes were wide with curiosity.

‘Not exactly,’ Jessica said abruptly.

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means I don’t want to talk about him.’ Jessica averted her eyes and Ronnie was sure that whoever this man was, he wasn’t treating her very well. But she mustn’t even hint at such a thing as she knew by now that Jess became easily upset.

‘Surely you should be going with a man to this Palais – whatever you called it.’

‘Why must I be going with a man?’ Jessica demanded.

‘Well … oh, I don’t know. That’s what seems right – to have a proper partner.’

‘There’s no law, Ronnie, that says two girls can’t go to a dance together. Friends do it all the time.’

‘But this sounds quite formal.’

‘No, it’s not.’

‘Is your friend working on the day?’ Ronnie persisted.

‘No.’

‘Then why—’

‘You ask too many questions, Ronnie. He wanted to go but I told him we’re finished, so he sent me the tickets he’d already booked and told me I was welcome to take someone else.’

‘He must have been upset.’

‘He was upset?’ Jessica flared. ‘He deserved everything that came to him.’

She was obviously very hurt, Ronnie thought. Maybe that was what upset her that first night when she had the bad dream and woke up crying. And that letter she’d received when one of the tickets had fallen out. Poor Jess. But she didn’t want to take the place of some man.

‘So how about it?’ Jessica stared at her.

‘I can’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘I’ve never been to a dance in my life.’

‘Then it’s time you did.’

It was Ronnie’s turn to be silent. Eventually she said, ‘It sounds a bit posh – a famous band playing in the dance hall. Suzy would be really envious. But I haven’t anything suitable to wear, even if I wanted to go. I didn’t bring anything other than work things except one skirt and blouse I wear for church. It wouldn’t be right at all for the evening.’ She paused. ‘It’s just not me, Jess.’

‘Nonsense,’ Jessica said. ‘You have to start somewhere. I’ll hold you by the hand – see you don’t come to any harm.’

‘I’d only embarrass you.’

‘I’ll take the risk,’ Jessica said, looking her up and down. ‘I’m a lot taller than you, so my things wouldn’t fit, but I’m sure we could find you something when we stop at the next town.’

‘No, I can’t—’ Ronnie started, flushing with embarrassment.

Jessica gave