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

face getting hot. Michael was staring at her as though he could tell the way Will had kissed her that time.

‘And he never mentioned he could get you items such as stockings?’

You let me know if you want some nylons. It’s not just the Yanks that can get ’em.

Ronnie bit her lip hard.

‘Well?’ The inspector’s eyes bored into hers.

‘I think he did mention something once about stockings but I just laughed and said where would I wear them when I’m working on the canals all day.’

‘I see.’ The inspector rose and went to the cupboard. ‘And you say you’ve never seen this camera found in the saddlebag of your bicycle?’ He set it in front of her.

‘No, I’d never seen it before until Sergeant Sandford showed it to me when I was at home.’

‘That’s correct,’ Michael said. ‘It was all in the report, sir.’

‘I know. I have it here,’ the inspector said impatiently. ‘But the note tucked in with the camera and initialled W.D. sounds to me as though young Will thinks of you as his girlfriend.’

‘Well, I’m not,’ Ronnie snapped. ‘I’ve never even been on a date with him and he’ll tell you the same.’

Don’t look at Michael even though he’s watching me.

‘We’ve already spoken to him,’ Inspector Jackson said.

Ronnie saw Dora’s back stiffen.

‘He said he bought the camera and wanted to give it to you but you were away, and one of the trainees told him to just leave it in your saddlebag.’ He paused. ‘I think that makes you his girlfriend, doesn’t it? Giving someone an expensive camera looks to me like he knows you quite well – even knows you’re interested in photography. Doesn’t that prove he considers you his girlfriend?’

Ronnie shook her head.

‘He said you’d asked for a camera … for your birthday.’

She stiffened. ‘I said nothing of the kind.’

Why had he lied?

‘The camera was part of a haul of stolen goods,’ the inspector said, ‘and Will Drake has admitted he stole several of the items along with the camera. He had to confess. We had more than enough evidence.’

Shock waves bounced up and down Ronnie’s spine. Will was a common criminal. She shifted in the hard chair and gave Michael a surreptitious glance. He was scribbling in a notebook. Well, the inspector had certainly made it clear Will was not to be trusted. Her glance strayed towards Michael’s mouth. She fancied she could still feel the touch of his lips when he’d kissed her after the dance and told her she was beautiful. And now their next meeting was taking place in this horrible room. And he wasn’t saying anything to stick up for her.

The inspector looked across at Dora. ‘Not only were the goods stolen but we also have evidence he’s mixed up in this black-marketing ring and we want to know who else is involved. It’s not a pleasant situation for a young girl to be in so I’d be grateful, Miss Dummitt, if you’d answer a few questions.’

Dora looked back without blinking.

The inspector cleared his throat. ‘Miss Dummitt. I believe you know Will Drake. Is that correct?’

‘I’ve seen him around, same’s I have all the other boat folk.’ Dora’s tone was curt.

‘But he doesn’t work on the boats, so how is it that you know him?’

Dora’s expression was stony.

The inspector waited. ‘Miss Dummitt?’ He paused, then said very deliberately, ‘Or do I mean Mrs Drake?’

Chapter Thirty-Five

The room fell into shocked silence. Her jaw slack, Ronnie twisted her head to look at Dora.

Mrs Drake? Good gracious – Dora must be Will’s auntie!

‘Is that correct?’ the inspector demanded. ‘You’re Mrs Drake, are you not?’

Dora stared at him. ‘Yes,’ she stated loud and clear.

‘And you are Will Drake’s mother?’

Ronnie almost fell off her chair. Will’s mother! It couldn’t be. No one looked or acted less like a mother than Dora. She felt Michael’s gaze on her as though to see how she was taking this news. There was another pause. Then Dora answered.

‘That’s it.’

‘You are confirming William Drake is your son? Please answer yes or no.’

‘I told yer, didn’t I?’

‘And his father is Leonard Drake? Is that correct?’

‘It looks like it, don’t it?’

The inspector gave a deep sigh. ‘And are you in contact with Mr Drake?’

Dora’s head jerked. ‘Him,’ she spat. ‘I haven’t a clue where he is. We in’t no longer wed, s’far as I’m concerned. He never was no cop—’ She broke off with a snort. ‘Sorry, that sounds funny sayin’ that in a police station. Anyway,’ she went on, ‘he were always in and out of jail. Treated me like dirt once he got what he wanted. Lied ter get his own way. Bullied me if he didn’t. And Will’s off the same block as the old man – goin’ exactly the same way. Never would listen ter me. In and out of reform school from eleven. I couldn’t never control him. At fourteen he were as tall as any man, always stealin’ from my purse, mixin’ with a load o’ bad uns, breakin’ inter houses and worse. When I threatened ter go ter the police he hit me.’

Ronnie gasped.

‘The second time he did it he put me in hospital. That were when I told him he weren’t no son of mine and I didn’t care if I never set eyes on him again.’ Dora blew out her cheeks. ‘No wonder the name “Drake” turns my stomach.’

She looked at the two policemen. ‘But I can tell yer for a start, Ver-ron-eek here is innocent. She in’t involved in no black-marking, nor stolen goods, nor nothin’ like it. Yer barkin’ up the wrong tree.’ She took out her pipe again. ‘I’m lightin’ up, so don’t go saying it’s agin the rules. I need this for me nerves.’

Ronnie saw the inspector give a slight nod to Michael who produced a lighter.

Dora shook her head. ‘No, I’ll use me matches, if yer don’t mind. The lighter’ll burn the baccy.’ She struck a match and lit it, then gave a few puffs