Riches of the Heart by June Tate Page A

backed off around the corner, quietly. Then, turning, she hurried away.

Chapter Seven
    ‘Come along home with me, Tom, and have a cup of tea.’ Bill Harris looked at his work-mate with a worried frown. This lad needed taking out of himself, he thought. Ever since his girl had run off, he’d lost his sparkle.
    With a nod Tom said, ‘Thanks, that’s real kind of you.’ He shivered. ‘It’s getting so parky these days, a hot cup of tea is just what I need.’
    When they arrived at his house, Bill opened the door and called, ‘Mary!’
    A tall girl peered around the scullery door. She had a head of riotous black hair and green eyes like a cat. ‘Hello, Dad.’
    ‘This is my mate Tom. Make us a cuppa, there’s a good girl.’ Turning to Tom he nodded towards the scullery. ‘My daughter – works as a maid at the doctor’s house.’
    Tom thanked Mary as she put two mugs in front of them and smiled to himself as he saw the nervous tremble of her fingers. ‘I don’t bite, you know.’
    She was embarrassed. Looking at him shyly she said, ‘I don’t suppose you do.’ Then she left them alone in the room that served as both kitchen and living room.
    Bill lit his pipe and, tamping down the tobacco, quietly puffed on it to set it going. Sitting back in his chair he asked, ‘So how are you these days?’
    Tom shrugged. ‘All right, I suppose. I guess I have to just get on with life, but it isn’t easy.’
    ‘Women are strange creatures, but there’ll come a day when you’ll be able to put it all behind you. Life is for living, lad. You’re a bloody long time dead.’
    As he sat beside the range in the warm cosy room, quietly drinking his tea, Tom felt at peace for the first time since Lily had disappeared. He supposed he had to accept that she really didn’t want to be found. He still couldn’t understand it. He had experienced all kinds of emotions – shock, worry, despair and a sort of grieving for her. Now he was angry. His pride had been hurt and he wondered just how she could do such a thing to him. Offering marriage was a holy commitment, one for life. She’d thrown it back in his face. She couldn’t have loved him – how could she? It had all been lies. Yes, it was time to put it behind him.
    Downing the dregs of his mug, he got to his feet. ‘Best be off. Thanks for the tea.’ He called, ‘Thanks, Mary.’
    She came into the room and said, ‘You’re welcome.’
    He walked towards the door and stopped. Turning around, he asked, ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to come to the pictures with me on Friday?’
    She looked surprised, then glanced over towards her father, who nodded his approval. ‘Thank you, I’d like that.’
    ‘I’ll pick you up about six then,’ he said with a smile that made his eyes crinkle.
    ‘Fine. I’ll see you then.’
    When he’d gone, Mary said to her father. ‘That was a bit unexpected.’
    Bill let out a sigh. ‘Poor chap. He was going to be married, but his girl ran off.’
    She looked thoughtful. ‘Oh dear. Why on earth did she do such a thing?’
    ‘I don’t know, neither does he, but he was very cut up about it. Still, if he’s asked you out, he must be feeling better. He’s a nice bloke, Mary. Be gentle with him, he’s still a bit fragile.’
    ‘He looked man enough to me to take care of himself.’ She walked back into the scullery. Whilst she washed up the dirty mugs, she wondered who would be mad enough to run away from marrying such a good-looking man.
    It was late November and the weather was cold and miserable. In the streets of Southampton, there had been a two-day fall of snow, which was now beginning to turn to slush.
    Lily shivered as she stood on the corner of the street, her feet frozen in the thin shoes that needed repair and let in the wet. She’d been forced to go on the game to keep body and soul together. She was a reluctant whore, only taking a punter when she needed the rent and to buy food. She hated what she’d become, and