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

a little out of breath, ‘but I had a good partner – much older than me but he was a dab hand and I really enjoyed it.’ She looked at Ronnie. ‘How about you? Did my brother give you a twirl?’

Ronnie felt Jess and Penelope’s eyes on her, then to her embarrassment they both glanced at Michael’s hand still warm on her own.

‘Yes, he did,’ she said, quickly pulling her hand away. ‘He played it down about his dancing and never once stepped on my bare toes.’

She bent to put on her boots and when she straightened up she caught Penelope watching her closely. The woman immediately busied herself lighting another cigarette.

‘Ronnie left her shoes on the bus because there’d been an accident,’ Michael said, turning to Ronnie. ‘You know, it’s not terribly late. Why don’t we get a cab and go to the bus depot where they have a Lost Property desk? You said everyone had to vacate the bus so I’m sure the conductor would have noticed the bag and handed it in.’

‘It’s very kind of you,’ Ronnie said, feeling herself stutter with embarrassment under Penelope’s gaze, ‘but—’

‘No buts,’ Michael said. ‘If we go now and get them, you won’t have to spend time tomorrow chasing them when Dora will need all hands on deck, so to speak.’

Ronnie admitted Michael had a point. If she left it until tomorrow she’d have to confess. Dora would be furious and resent time wasted when they needed to press on to Coventry. She saw Penelope’s eyes narrow.

‘I think it’s a good idea, Michael,’ Kathleen said. ‘Don’t worry about us – we’ll be fine.’

‘But such a shame to break up the evening we’d all been looking forward to.’ Penelope inhaled on a fresh cigarette and blew out a stream of smoke rings over their heads.

Michael glanced towards her and Ronnie detected a tightening around his eyes as though he didn’t approve of the woman. For some reason she felt an unexpected stab of triumph.

‘What about Jess?’ she said.

‘She comes too. Then the cab will drop you as near as possible to where you’re moored – it’ll be quicker and safer. But if we’re going, we need to go right away,’ he added, ‘so I’ll go and find her.’ He vanished.

‘Oh, Jess, I’m sorry to drag you away but—’ Ronnie began when Jessica reappeared.

‘Don’t worry about me,’ Jessica cut in. ‘Michael’s explained. In fact, he rescued me from the most awful partner. He had bad breath and kept trying to kiss me. I turned my cheek and ended up with his drool. Ugh.’ She fished in her bag and brought out a handkerchief and wiped both cheeks. ‘Oh, that’s better.’ She grinned at Ronnie and Michael. ‘Well, what are we waiting for?’

‘It was very nice to meet you, Kathleen,’ Ronnie said sincerely. She glanced at Penelope and gave her a curt nod, then followed Jessica to the cloakroom, Penelope’s peal of laughter sounding in her ears.

A cab was waiting for them when she and Jessica stepped outside, Michael holding the rear door open. The three of them climbed in and Michael pulled down one of the single seats to sit facing them.

‘The bus depot’s only a few minutes away,’ he said.

As they arrived, the man at the Lost Property desk was just rolling down the shutter.

‘Sorry, mate,’ he said to Michael. ‘Yer too late. You’ll have ter come back tomorrow – we’re open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.’

‘Wait a moment—’ Michael began.

‘No arguin’, mate. I’m closed.’

Michael produced a leather case and flipped it open, then held it up to the man’s face.

‘Constable Scott,’ he said. ‘And I’m asking you to open up.’

The man’s eyes widened. ‘Why didn’t you say you was the police?’

‘You’re wasting my time.’ Michael’s voice was firm. ‘Just open up and tell me if a bag has been handed in, containing a pair of ladies’ shoes.’

‘What sorta bag?’

‘A cotton drawstring bag,’ Ronnie said.

‘What time was it?’

‘About an hour ago,’ Ronnie said. ‘The bus driver or the conductor would have brought it in.’

‘You’ll have to give me a minute. I don’t work here – I’m just doin’ a favour to close up.’

He rolled back the shutter and peered amongst the shelves, taking out left items and putting them back. Ronnie thought she would scream with frustration.

‘A drawstring bag, you say?’

‘Yes.’ Ronnie’s eyes roved over the shelves, then excitedly she pointed to one of the pigeonholes. ‘That’s it!’

The man removed a cotton bag and Ronnie pounced on it. She opened it and pulled out a silver shoe which glittered in the dim electric light.

‘Oh, thank goodness, it’s hers.’ She looked happily up at Michael.

‘Goodness, I can’t see Dora in these,’ Michael grinned. ‘But if you say so.’

‘Oh, I do.’

‘Please sign here, sir,’ the man said, putting a book in front of Michael. ‘And the date and your address.’

‘I’ll note down my police number,’ Michael said. ‘That should be good enough.’

‘Quite, sir.’

‘Thank you very much,’ Ronnie said, smiling and taking Jess’s arm, her other hand firmly gripping Dora’s shoe bag.

‘You were lucky, Ronnie,’ Jessica said. ‘So come on, Cinders. Let’s get home so that Michael can return to the dance hall.’

Ronnie looked at him curiously.

‘I’m seeing you both back to the boats and then I’ll catch the train straight back to Oxford,’ he said. ‘Even for a policeman, I think I’ve had plenty of excitement for one evening.’

For some inexplicable reason, Ronnie felt a quiver of satisfaction. He wasn’t going to dash back to Penelope.

The cab dropped the two girls as close to the boat as possible. Michael got out and gave a hand to Jessica, then Ronnie.

‘Goodnight, Michael,’ Jessica said. ‘Thanks for coming to the rescue. I can’t imagine what Dora would have said to Ronnie coming back without her precious shoes.’

‘All in the line of duty,’ Michael grinned.

A little embarrassed that Jessica had patently left her alone with Michael, Ronnie said, ‘It was awfully kind of you to go out of your way like that. You’ve saved my life.’

‘Knowing the little