The Cockney Angel by Dilly Court

out the words with such passion, but Kent seemed to have the uncanny ability to draw the truth out of her. She tossed her head. ‘Artie and me have known each other since we was nippers.’
    ‘Then I’m sure you won’t want to see any harm come to him or to your father.’
    There was no arguing with the logic of this, and Irene knew that she was beaten. ‘All right, I’ll do what you want, Inspector, but only if you give me your word that you won’t arrest Artie.’
    ‘You have my word.’ He put his hand in his pocket and took out a handful of coins. He selected a florin and a silver sixpence and laid them on the counter.
    ‘What’s this? Are you trying to bribe me?’
    ‘Certainly not. I’d like to purchase a jar of piccalilli and a bottle of mushroom ketchup, if it’s not too much trouble.’
    She was not certain, but she thought that she had seen a flicker of amusement in his eyes and she suspected that he was teasing her. ‘Is your wife a good cook, Inspector?’ she said lightly as she turned away to select the items from the shelf.
    ‘I’m unmarried.’
    ‘Now why doesn’t that surprise me?’ Irene said, forcing her lips into a polite smile. ‘No offence meant, but you don’t strike me as the marrying kind.’
    ‘I expect you’re right.’
    She picked up the sixpence but pushed the florin towards him with the tip of her finger. ‘That’s too much.’
    ‘Call it an advance on expenses.’ He turned to leave the shop, but she called him back.
    ‘Inspector, you’ve forgotten your pickle and sauce, and you still haven’t told me what you want me to do.’
    He paused in the doorway. ‘I’m on my way to court. I’ll collect my purchases tomorrow and we’ll arrange a meeting place then. You can tell Mr Greenwood from me that I expect him to pass on anything that he hears concerning the activities of the Sykes brothers, however trivial it may seem.’ Setting his hat at a precise angle on his head he stepped outside onto the pavement, closing the door behind him.
    Irene stared at the money on the counter. She had to decide whether to spend it on food and rent or to buy new stock. It was a difficult choice but she would not think about it now. If Pa repaid the money he had borrowed her problem would be solved. She tucked the florin into the top of her stays. She was not going to make the mistake of putting it in the till and risk losing it to Pa if his luck failed him yet again. There was no sign of any customers and she went upstairs to rekindle the fire and make a pot of tea and some toast.
    She had just finished eating her frugal midday meal when the shop bell jangled and she ran to the top of the stairs. ‘Pa,’ she cried, running down to greet him. ‘You’ve come home.’
    Billy took off his hat and tossed it onto its peg with expertise of long practice. He shrugged off his coat and smiled. ‘And where would I go, my poppet, except home?’
    ‘You aren’t still angry with me about last night?’
    ‘Irene, my love, I have only myself to blame. I know that and I am sorry for shouting at you, and blaming you for your mother’s sudden decision to abandon me. I can see now, in the rational light of day, that a little holiday with Emily will do her the power of good. I was being selfish, and I am a callous brute – a miserable wretch – for making my little angel unhappy.’
    Irene eyed him suspiciously. ‘What have you done, Pa? There’s something you’re not telling me.’
    ‘Is there tea in the pot? My throat is so parched I can hardly speak.’
    ‘I’ll make a fresh brew as soon as you tell me why you are looking so pleased with yourself.’
    He hung his coat on the peg next to his hat. ‘Well, to be honest, my pet, I’ve had quite a good night …’
    ‘And you can pay back the money you took from the till?’
    ‘That and more, my darling. I’m off to make our fortune at Doncaster. I have a certainty running in the St Leger tomorrow and I’ll be leaving as soon as