Christmas to Come: a heartbreaking coming of age saga set in London's East End Carol Rivers (best sales books of all time .txt) 📖

The little girl looked sadly up at Bella. 'I got bread and dripping for supper. It was lovely.'

'Did you buy her any clothes?' Bella asked.

'What? How am I supposed to walk all the way up the market after a hard day scrubbing floors?

'I'll take her then,' Bella offered, 'and save you the trouble.'

'We ain't no charity cases – ' Mary began, but Bella put up her hand.

'You know I can help you and I will. But on my terms, I won't stand here and argue. I've had enough of that. It's either yes or no, your choice.'

Mary's white face reddened as she spluttered, 'You've still got a tongue like a knife.'

'If I have, you know where I got it from.'

'Ah, have it your own way, girl. I don't give a toss what you do.'

'I'll call for her at nine tomorrow.'

Mary laughed scornfully. 'You'll be lucky. I don't draw breath till noon.'

'Teresa can open the door and let herself out.' Bella smiled down at the child. 'Would you like to come to the market with Michael and me?'

The little girl looked up at her mother. 'Can I, Mum?'

Mary shrugged and walked back into the house.

'See you in the morning then, Teresa.'

The child nodded and watched them go.

Michael took hold of Bella's hand as they walked back to Piper Street. 'Can we have pie and mash at the market?' he asked.

'Yes, and lemonade too.'

'With Auntie Dolly and Anne and Irene?'

'Yes, of course.'

As they walked home Bella realised she had almost forgotten the quarrel with Micky and the fact that he hadn't come back last night.

Michael and Teresa were playing around the stalls. It was Saturday and already very busy. Bella had arrived at market before Dolly in order to shop at the clothes stall. She had found a nice assortment for Teresa and the stallholder had let them change by the warmth of an open brazier. The lady helped Bella by holding a sheet around them so they had some privacy.

Bella would have liked to wash Teresa first, but she had no way of doing so. It was a cold December day, not wet as it had been all month, but very seasonal and excitement was in the air. Christmas was coming and all the stalls were covered in holly and some in sparkling decorations. When Teresa was dressed, Michael peeped round the sheet.

'Are you finished yet?'

'Don't look yet,' Teresa giggled.

'All you need is a pair of shoes,' Bella remarked as she gathered Teresa's old clothes and placed them in her bag. She would give them a good wash when she got home. There were always dozens of second-hand shoes at the market. Lots of them were deformed where people had corns or bunions. Some didn't have proper soles, just lots of Blakey's. But there was an occasional bargain and as Bella looked at Teresa, she was pleased with what she had found. 'You look very pretty in your new coat.'

'I like blue.'

'It will be just right for school in the cold weather.'

'And it's the right size. That feels funny.'

Bella knew what she meant. As a child, she had lived in the same old clothes that were never washed or mended. It was only when she started work at Dixons that she had been able to take a pride in her appearance.

'Go with Michael and play, but don't go far. Some new friends will be arriving soon for you to meet.'

'Who are they?' Teresa asked doubtfully.

'Two nice little girls the same age as you.'

The lady put away the sheet and smiled as the two children ran off. 'You can have that little lot for two bob, dear.'

'Thanks. I'll need some more as well. A navy blue gym slip and raincoat in the same size and a change of underwear.'

'Leave it to me, do your shopping and I'll sort them out.'

Bella was crossing to the pie and mash stall when she saw Dolly. The two girls looked immaculately dressed in their identical pink coats. Michael and Teresa came running up. The four children gazed at one another. In a matter of seconds Michael was introducing his new friend to Dolly's girls.

'Well I'm blowed,' Dolly gasped, her hazel eyes wide under her big brown hat with a velvet bow. 'So Teresa is your half-sister?'

Bella had poured out her story as they sat on upturned boxes watching the children play. 'Yes, she is.'

'She has your big brown eyes and same colour hair, just a shade more coppery. And she could be Michael's sister too, except he has blue eyes.'

'Dolly, I felt terrible when she wet her drawers. Mum didn't even notice.'

'Oh Bella, the poor little soul.'

'I asked the woman on the stall to throw away her underwear. It was filthy.'

'She looks lovely now.'

'I wanted to wash her. I don't suppose she's had one in weeks. That's why the other kids were laughing. I got a knot in my stomach. It brought back everything.'

'What does Micky say about it?'

Bella looked guilty. 'I haven't had time to tell him. Well, that's not exactly the truth. He just hasn't been home to tell.'

'What's he doing then?' Dolly looked anxious.

'He's bought a club.'

'A what?'

'A hostess club in Soho called the Fortune.'

'But what about the garage?'

'Milo is running it with Terry.'

'What does Terry do?'

'He washes and cleans the cars.'

'You're in a difficult position, Bella.'

'I know. Micky and me had an awful row over the club. Since then we haven't really talked. He says he has to work late at the club and what makes it worse – ' Tears filled Bella's eyes and she brushed them quickly away. 'There's this woman he introduced me to, a girl called Suzie. She's a singer and very glamorous. I know she's sweet on Micky.'

'How do you know that?' Dolly stopped drinking her tea.

'It was the way she looked at him.'

'You can't know for sure, Bella,' Dolly said gently. 'You might just be jealous.'

Bella nodded fiercely. 'I am.