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

her a pointed look. ‘Is money the problem, Ronnie?’

Ronnie nodded miserably.

‘Leave it with me,’ Jessica said mysteriously. ‘I’ll come up with something.’

The ‘something’ was in the shape of May.

‘I hear you’ve been invited to the ball, Cinders, and haven’t a thing to wear,’ she giggled, holding a carrier bag. ‘So I’m your Fairy Godmother.’ She removed a bundle of deep cherry-red material and shook it into a dress, then held it up against Ronnie.

‘Perfect,’ Jessica said. ‘It looks fabulous against your dark curls.’

‘I knew it would,’ May grinned. ‘The colour suits your dark hair better, but I love wearing it because it clashes with my red mop. I just hope it fits as it’s the only dress I’ve brought with me in case I sang a few songs in a pub and needed to look the part. It’s not really an evening dress – more a tea-dress – but I think it would do the trick.’

‘I wouldn’t feel right borrowing it,’ Ronnie said.

‘Why not? If you had something I needed, wouldn’t you lend it?’ May challenged.

‘Yes, of course I would.’

‘There you are then. You can’t hurt it, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s not new.’

‘Try it on, Ronnie,’ Jessica urged, ‘but take those boots off first. I don’t think they’d be doing the dress any favours.’

There was barely enough space to pull it over her head, but with May’s help it fell into place, the pleated top snuggly fitting over Ronnie’s curving bust, skimming her waist, then the skirt swinging in soft wide pleats to just below her knees.

May stepped back. ‘You look a treat,’ she said. ‘You fill the top out better than me with my little fried eggs.’ She cupped them in her hands and patted them. ‘I have to stuff my bra with cotton wool. D’ya know, Ron, you’ve changed from a tomboy into a flirty woman in one easy movement of sliding a dress over your head,’ she giggled.

‘I agree,’ Jessica said. ‘The transformation is amazing. I love the V neck. Tantalising.’

‘I don’t want to be tantalising … or flirty,’ Ronnie protested.

‘Don’t be daft. It’s not cut low enough to show off those gorgeous breasts,’ Jessica said. ‘It just gives the beholder a hint.’ She turned to May. ‘Oh, dear – I’ve made her blush.’

‘Jess is teasing you, Ron,’ May said. ‘Don’t take any notice.’ She pursed her lips as she looked at Ronnie. ‘If only we had a proper full-length mirror.’

‘You know, I’ve got something that would make it look more evening.’ Jessica searched for a minute or two in her toilet bag. ‘Here it is,’ she said triumphantly. In the palm of her hand was a glittering brooch in the shape of a swan. ‘I’ll pin it on one of the lapels.’

‘No, don’t,’ Ronnie protested. ‘If I lost that …’

‘You won’t,’ Jessica said as she pinned it on. ‘And they’re not real diamonds. I keep those in the safe at home.’ Ronnie raised her eyebrows. ‘Just kidding,’ Jessica chuckled. ‘There – all nice and firm.’ She cast a critical eye. ‘Yes, that was exactly what was missing for an evening do. What do you think, May?’

May nodded. ‘You’ll be the belle of the ball.’

‘I won’t have to dance, will I?’ Ronnie said, her heart beating with terror.

‘Oh, no,’ Jessica said. ‘The two of us are going to stand around the edge like ruddy wallflowers.’ She snorted. ‘Of course we’re going to dance – if anyone asks us, that is.’

Ronnie’s heart squeezed at the thought. She imagined Will walking towards her, looking at her with admiration in those dark eyes, asking her to dance. No, it was too much.

She swallowed. ‘I’m sorry, May, it was a lovely idea and so kind of you, but I can’t go.’

‘Why not?’ May and Jessica chorused.

‘I haven’t got the right shoes. Unless I go in my wellies?’ She pointed to them, thick with grime and caked mud.

‘You could start a new craze,’ Jessica grinned.

‘What size are you?’ May said.

‘Four.’

‘No good looking at me,’ Jessica sighed. ‘I’m a seven.’

May tutted. ‘I’m a five. Damn.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I’ll ask Sally. And don’t worry, I shan’t mention this to Angela.’

‘She’d be the last person to lend me anything,’ Ronnie said. ‘You’re all very kind but really it’s not me, this dance band stuff. The only dancing I’ve ever done was at school and it was horrible. Boys treading on your toes, seeing their pimples close up. Ugh!’ She shuddered at the memory. ‘Why don’t you go with Jess, May?’

‘I’m more at home in a pub than on a dance floor,’ May said, ‘but you’re different, Ron.’

‘How?’

‘I don’t know.’ May shrugged. ‘The way me and you’ve been brought up, I s’pose.’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘You’re such an innocent, Ronnie,’ Jessica cut in. ‘I’m determined to get you there by hook or by crook – even if you have to be dragged there on bare feet!’

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ronnie woke with a start. That noise! A terrific banging and cracking, sounding as though the boat was breaking up beneath her. Alarmed, she shot up in bed. Something terrible must be happening. She fumbled for her watch under her pillow, but it was too dark to make out the time. The creaking and cracking noise was even louder.

Gingerly, she pulled back the blanket, stepping over Jess, and managed to put her feet down in the tiny space. If she was careful she wouldn’t wake the others while she pulled on her trousers and jumpers over the top of her pyjamas.

‘What are you doing waking everyone up at this time of the morning?’

Damn. She’d woken Angela. Jess was still breathing steadily. She seemed to be able to sleep through anything.

‘I was woken up by the noise.’

‘What noise?’ Angela demanded. ‘It’s probably the damned cat. I’m itching all over with his fleas.’

‘Lucky doesn’t have fleas. It’s more likely your bedbugs.’

‘I know bedbugs – if you remember, I’ve had them before.’ Angela’s tone was sour.

Ronnie glanced over to her, then grinned. ‘They’ve obviously taken