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

was taking the job he'd offered him. Principles in this life cost too much. He had left Gina to find his freedom. Now he had none at all. Micky promised that just one job would buy that coal yard he'd seen. A substantial man's business he could work up and show Gina exactly what he was really made of.

Lenny hurried out into the summer night, pushed his way past the women on the corner and headed for the Fortune.

Chapter 23

The party was in full swing despite the damp and rainy August day. As Bella had promised the children, they were having a double celebration for their birthdays. Dolly's twins were dancing around the room, with paper hats on their heads, followed closely by Emma and Victoria Brown from next door. In hot pursuit was their seven-year-old cousin, Peter. All had to be restrained as the moment came to blow out the candles.

Bella clapped her hands. 'Are you ready?' She had made two iced sponges. One was decorated with six blue candles and the other, pink.

'I'll blow softly,' said Teresa as she bent forward careful not to dirty the front of her new party dress. The table had been cleared of debris now that everyone had eaten, but the lemonade glasses were still fizzing.

'And I'll blow strong.' Michael puffed out his cheeks, flushed from having chased the girls.

'On the count of three, then.' Bella lit the last candle and all the children were suddenly silent. 'One, two, three!'

Every candle extinguished and the children clapped, filling the room with laughter. Bella began to slice the cakes whilst Dolly set the portions on plates and handed them out.

'I'll take your mum a slice,' Dolly said as she came back to the table. 'Do you think she's enjoying herself?'

Bella glanced across at Mary who was sitting in one of the fireside chairs, watching the children play. She wore a floral dress and smart sandals and no one had been more surprised than Bella when she had said she would attend the party. 'She's been chatting to Emma and Victoria's mum as though she has known her years,' Dolly added. 'I even heard her talking about vegetables!'

'Well, you can guess why,' Bella said meaningfully.

'You mean, the man who fumigated her house?' Dolly's eyebrows shot up. 'What's he like? Does Teresa like him?'

'Yes, it seems he's a good influence, as Teresa says she gets real carrots and greens on her plate, something unheard of before.'

'He's not married is he?' Dolly asked with a frown.

'His wife died years ago, apparently. He told me all about himself one day when I was round there. He was born and bred on the island and worked for the council all his life. He seems to have taken a liking to mum and she to him.'

'Has he got a car?'

'No. Only a bike and shanks's pony. He's coming to meet her this afternoon and stop for a cup of tea.'

'But I thought she couldn't walk far.'

'Her legs seem to be better now.' Bella smiled ruefully. 'As you can see by the stockings and nice sandals.' Bella glanced again at Mary. In a soft voice she said to Dolly, 'And she's still keeping the prefab clean. I always have a look around when we call for Teresa to go to the park. You should see the back garden as well. Even your dad would be impressed. All sorts of vegetables growing there just like - '

'Doctor Carrot and Potato Pete!' both girls said at once and giggled together.

Bella's smile disappeared as she met Mary's gaze. 'You'd better take this over, Dolly.'

'Is one slice enough?'

Bella caught the tease in Dolly's eye. As she watched Mary accept the cake and smile up at Dolly, she wondered if the improvement in attitude was down to the appearance of Gus. But whatever had brought about the change, Bella hoped it would continue. She wanted peace for the children's sake.

As the eating and drinking ended, Bella decided it was time for a game. She had wrapped some toffees in paper, making a huge ball tied up with string. She gave it to Terry who was sitting on a stool in the corner.

'Give this to one of the children Terry,' she told him. 'We'll play pass the parcel and you can work the wireless.'

Terry clutched the big parcel and took it over. He loved being with the children but Bella knew he hadn't spoken to Mary. Not that she seemed to have noticed as she sat drinking and eating and enjoying the attention showered on her.

Bella reminded the children of the rules, leaving Terry in charge of the wireless. He liked music and knew that he was to turn the volume up and down at Bella's nod.

The music that burst forth was Guy Mitchell's popular hit, She Wears Red Feathers and a Hula Hula Skirt.

Dolly, Daisy and Mary began clapping along. Bella was astonished as suddenly her mother stood up and did a little twirl, waving her hands and singing loudly to the tune, obviously enjoying the party as much as the children.

It was almost dark and Micky looked both ways along the street before walking up to terraced house in Hoxton. It wasn't a very salubrious area, but then Alfred Freshwater himself wasn't a very salubrious character. Bent from the toes upward, he was a man of many trades.

'What d'yer want?' A small woman opened the door cautiously. She looked like everyone's old mum, but she was unique in the fact that it was said she could also turn out a fiver or two. In the background he could hear a dog snarling.

'I want word with Alfred, Mrs F.'

'What sorta word?'

'A quick one.' He added with a wink. 'To do with what we was talking about last week if you get my meaning.'

The old girl squinted, peered over his shoulder, then let him in. Micky paused in the gloom waiting for the smell of boiling cabbage and dogs. The Freshwaters kept a beast. And here it