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

‘If that’s the case, it’s down to you, Miss Dummitt,’ Jessica said, raising her glass. ‘A toast to Miss Dummitt – or Deadly Dora as she’s known on the q.t.’

Ronnie gasped at Jess’s cheek but Dora grinned.

‘To the wenches,’ Dora said, raising her mug, then slurping a few more mouthfuls. ‘May yous all soon have yer own boats without my nose pokin’ in at yer.’

They all laughed and began chatting amongst themselves, though Ronnie was aware Dora was being a little left out. She finished her sherry and, feeling bold, said, ‘Miss Dummitt, may I ask you something rather personal?’

‘What would that be?’ Dora said, narrowing her eyes at the smoke emanating from her newly lit pipe, which Ronnie privately thought spoilt the effect of the black dress.

‘You hinted before that your lovely evening shoes were special and I wondered what might have been the occasion.’

There was a deathly silence between the two of them. Only the chattering and laughter in the room reminded Ronnie of just where they were. Dora looked at her and pulled her mouth into a bitter line. She refilled her mug from the jug of ale and took some deep swallows. Ronnie wished she could vanish into the air. She’d gone too far.

‘I’m sorry, Miss Dummitt, that was awfully rude of me. Please forget I ever asked.’

‘It’s not the question I’m bothered with, it’s the answer I’m prepared ter give,’ Dora said surprisingly. ‘I never let on ter anyone how them shoes came about.’

‘My mother would be cross with me for asking,’ Ronnie said, mortified. ‘She’d say she hadn’t brought me up to be inquisitive where my elders were concerned.’

‘Yer ma is right,’ Dora said, drinking some more. ‘But I don’t mind yer askin’. But it’s too noisy in here. We’ll go ter that table in the corner if yer really want ter learn Dora’s secret.’

A secret?

Jessica raised her eyebrows when Ronnie and Dora rose from the table, the rest of the contents of Dora’s jug now in the mug she held, her pipe in the other hand.

‘Where’re you going?’ Jessica asked.

‘Dora wants to have a quiet word with me,’ Ronnie said, hoping Jess would think it was the fire warming her cheeks.

‘Mmm. Wonder why. Well, she can’t be going to tell you off as she’s already said how good we’ve been,’ Jessica said, her eyes dancing with curiosity. ‘Let me know later what this is all about.’

Ronnie smiled, and followed Dora to the other table.

‘D’ya want another drink, miss?’ Dora said as Ronnie sat down.

‘No, I think I’ve had enough already,’ Ronnie said.

Dora took up her mug and regarded the contents. ‘Expect yer right.’ Her word were a little slurry. ‘Anyway, here goes.’ She looked directly at Ronnie. ‘Somethin’ you don’t know, miss, but I were born on a boat.’

‘How exciting!’

Dora shook her head vehemently. ‘No, it were somethin’ to be ashamed of. Still is, outside boater folk.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Boat folk are looked down upon as we don’t speak la-di-da, and people who don’t know any better think the boat families keep their boats filthy and their kiddies as well.’

‘But Dolly’s was spotless.’

Dora nodded. ‘Yes, and most of ’em are. But there’re just enough Rodneys – that’s what we call the mucky lot – ter give everyone else a bad reputation.’

‘I see.’ All Ronnie could think of was how ignorant some people were.

‘So where was I?’ Dolly said, relighting her pipe. ‘Oh, yes. The bit about me bein’ born on a boat. I were taken in by another family as I were Ma’s number thirteen kiddie and she couldn’t cope. I were the final straw. I were only a baby so I didn’t know no different and I always called them auntie and uncle. When I were older I crazed ’em ter send me ter school but we was always on the move, carryin’ cargo and that. I just went to class here and there, most no more’n a few days at any one time. But I always wanted ter make somethin’ of meself right from when I were still a kiddie.’ She sucked in a breath and studied Ronnie. ‘This is probably not very interestin’.’

‘Oh, yes it is,’ Ronnie said truthfully. ‘I love hearing about your life.’

‘Hmm,’ Dora said, not sounding too sure. ‘Well, when I were your age I met a lad—’ Her dark eyes settled on Ronnie. ‘I fell hook, line and sinker and he felt the same.’ She paused a moment. ‘He were a boater, too. And six weeks later he asked me to marry him.’

Ronnie gave Dora an encouraging smile, but deep down she knew this wasn’t going to end well.

‘Gosh, that was quick.’

Dora nodded and gave a small smile. ‘O’ course I said yes. We was that happy. We had the weddin’ date fixed and I bought these shoes to go with a dress me friend lent me. I couldn’t afford both things and I wanted them shoes so bad as soon as I saw ’em in the winder. The weddin’ was only a week away when he said he had some news I weren’t goin’ to be too pleased about. He said he’d met a girl before him and me went a-courtin’ and she told him she was up the duff.’

‘What does that mean?’ Ronnie said, puzzled.

‘Bun in the oven – havin’ a kiddie.’ Dora’s voice was impatient.

Ronnie gasped. This was worse than she imagined.

‘What a shock for you.’

‘Yes, it were. I knew how much he wanted kiddies ’cos he was an only one. We’d talked about havin’ no more’n four so’s they could be brung up decent and go to school, but now there’s this girl sayin’ she’s havin’ his kiddie.’

‘Do you think he really was the father?’ Ronnie said.

Dora nodded. ‘No doubt about it. He said he wanted ter stay with me – keep ter the weddin’, but I knew our happiness wouldn’t last. He’d always regret givin’ up his kiddie, no matter how many kiddies he and I might have. Maybe I wouldn’t be