you gave me a turn. You look just like your mother. Where did you get those clothes?’
‘Alice gave them to me.’
‘Have you found a job?’
‘Not yet. Susan was sent home from school and I had to stay with her.’
‘Bloody kids,’ he muttered, flopping onto his chair. ‘You’d better find a job soon, my girl.’
Shortly after there was a tap on the door and Emma went to answer it.
‘Is your father home now?’ Mr Bell asked.
‘Yes, I’ll get him.’ But when she turned round, her father was already on his feet.
‘I’ll speak to you outside,’ he told the landlord, stepping into the hall and pulling the door closed behind them.
They heard raised voices and Dick put his fingers over his lips, pointing to the door. It hadn’t closed properly, so both of them moved to the small gap, listening to the conversation.
‘I can’t pay all the arrears today, but you’ll get the rest next week, I promise.’
‘You said that last week, and the week before. I’ve been lenient, but there are still eight weeks outstanding. Either you pay me in full now, or I’ll be forced to evict you.’
‘Have a heart, Mr Bell. Since my wife died things have been hard, but my daughter is looking for work now. As soon as the girl gets a job there’ll be more money coming in.’
‘Emma? Are you talking about Emma?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
There was silence for a moment, and then a cough. ‘What sort of work is she looking for?’
‘She’ll do anything, shop work, a factory.’
Again there was a short silence, and then Emma’s eyes rounded like saucers when Mr Bell spoke again. ‘I too have lost my wife, Mr Chambers, and since then my house lacks a woman’s touch. I’ve been considering employing someone as a cleaner-cum-housekeeper and, as Emma is looking for work, maybe she’d like the position.’
‘What sort of pay are you offering?’
‘It will depend on how many hours she works but approximately one pound ten shillings. If you’re agreeable a portion of that could be stopped each week to pay off the arrears.’
Without thought, Emma flung the door open. ‘Dad, I don’t want to be a cleaner!’
Mr Bell looked at her briefly, but then his eyes narrowed. ‘Well, Mr Chambers, if Emma isn’t prepared to work for me, I must insist that you now pay the rent in full.’
‘I haven’t got it. I can give you this week’s rent and a couple of bob off the arrears.’
‘No, that isn’t good enough.’ He then opened his briefcase, taking out a sheet of paper. ‘This is an eviction notice and states that you must vacate the premises in one week’s time.’
‘Wait, hold on. What if Emma takes the job?’
‘As I said, the arrears can be deducted from her wages. However, this doesn’t mean that I’ll allow any further to accrue. I’ll expect the current rent to be paid on time, each week, without fail.’
‘Agreed. Right, she’ll start on Monday. I’ll leave you to sort out the details with her.’ On that note Tom Chambers turned to go back inside.
Dick held the door open, saying to his father, ‘Hang on. Emma said she doesn’t want to be a cleaner.’
‘She’ll do as she’s bloody well told!’
Emma saw her brother’s face darken with anger and broke in quickly, ‘It’s all right, Dick. I don’t mind.’ In truth she hated the idea, but there was no choice. If she didn’t work for Mr Bell they’d all be out on the street.
‘Are you sure, Emma?’
‘Yes, I’m sure,’ she said, and as Dick withdrew, he left the door ajar.
She turned to face Mr Bell and for a moment his eyes roamed over her body. There was something in his expression that made her shiver, but then he spoke brusquely.
‘Right, Emma. As I said, I need someone to look after my house. Here’s my address, and I’ll expect you on Monday morning at eight.’
She looked at the piece of paper he handed her. ‘Er…I’m not sure where this is.’
‘My house faces Clapham Common, and isn’t far from St Barnabas’ Church.’
Emma swallowed. It was a long walk. Nervously she asked, ‘Could I start at nine? I…I’d like to get the children off to school before I leave.’
For a moment his lips tightened, but then he nodded. ‘Very well. I’m not a hard man, or a hard employer. I’m sure we’ll jog along nicely.’
He reached out to pat her arm, and Emma shivered again at his touch.
‘Goodbye, my dear. I’ll see you on Monday.’
He smiled again, this time warmly, and Emma relaxed a little. Maybe it would be all right. She could cope with housework. After all, she’d had plenty of practice.
‘I start on Monday,’ she told her father as she went back inside.
‘Good. Get the dinner dished up and then I’m off out again.’
As Emma spooned the stew onto tin plates, she consoled herself with the knowledge that at least the family were safe from eviction. Then another thought struck her and she smiled. Once the arrears were paid off she could leave. After all, what would there be to stop her?
On Monday morning Emma was frantically trying to get the children off to school. Susan was unusually compliant, but after the telling-off Emma and Dick had given her, it wasn’t surprising.
‘Come on, off you go,’ Emma urged. ‘I won’t be home until after five o’clock, so do as Luke tells you, and don’t forget your little jobs.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll see to them,’ Luke said, and Emma smiled gratefully, again thankful that he was such a sensible and intelligent boy. As they all trooped out she watched them for a moment. Surely, even after Mr Bell taking some of the arrears out of her wages, she’d have enough left to start buying them all some decent clothes. She cast a quick glance around the room, making sure the fire was doused, and then five minutes after the children, she left for her first day at work. It wasn’t what she had hoped for, but even so, she felt a spark of excitement to be out of the dismal flat and facing something new, albeit someone else’s housework.
The June day was warm and Emma’s feet were already aching from the long walk as she approached Mr Bell’s street, but
