The Docklands Girls by June Tate

beer and, getting up from her seat, she said, ‘Well, I’d best start work.’
    ‘Think about what I said, coming to work with me, right?’
    ‘I will, Belle, I will.’ She walked out of the door.
    Belle sat and finished her drink, thinking of the many years she’d sat in this bar and others, looking for punters. When one man came over to her and propositioned her, she just smiled at him.
    ‘Sorry, love, I’ve retired.’ Then she left the bar and walked home, made a cup of tea and sat down to read the letters from Jackson Butler that had eventually arrived. She was so relieved that he was alive and well. He didn’t say much about the fighting except that it had been bad.
    But then, Belle, I think about you. The times we had, how you would cuddle into me after we made love. I wish we were together again now.
    She brushed the tears away as she read them. If anything happened to him, she would never know. After all, it would be his family who would be told the bad news, certainly not her. They wouldn’t know of her relationship with their son, and if they ever did, the knowledge that he’d been with a white woman … she couldn’t imagine the effect that would have. With a sigh, she undressed and climbed into bed.
     
    Cora entered the bar of the Horse and Groom just before closing time. She was weary and ordered a gin and tonic. ABritish soldier came over to her. He’d been drinking heavily and his speech was slurred.
    ‘Hello gorgeous! I’ve got a couple of hours before I’m due back at camp and I’m going to spend them with you.’
    ‘No, I’m afraid you’re not,’ she said quietly.
    ‘What’s the matter? My money not good enough?’
    She looked up at him. ‘That’s not the point; I’ve finished working for the night.’
    He became abusive but thankfully the landlord came over and grabbed him by the arm.
    ‘That’s enough, son. Leave the lady alone or I’ll chuck you out!’
    Another soldier came over and apologised. ‘Sorry, I’ll take him back to camp when I’ve finished my drink.’ He led his colleague away and a little later the two of them left the bar.
    Cora was relieved. The last thing she needed was a belligerent punter. She’d been thinking about Belle’s idea and the drunken soldier had helped her come to a decision. Belle was right. It was time to move on. She finished the last of her drink and left the pub.
    There was no moon that night and Canal Walk was darker than ever. She switched on her torch and started to make her way home. She’d passed the Lord Roberts when she was suddenly grabbed roughly by the arm.
    ‘Right you, little bitch! Who do you think you are, turning me and my money down?’
    The smell of alcohol from the man’s breath filled her nostrils and when she shone her torch into his face she recognised the drunken soldier who’d approached her earlier.
    ‘Leave me alone!’ she cried and tried to shake off his hold. To no avail. Now she was really scared, but before she could scream or call out, the man was sent flying and hit the wall behind him, sinking to the ground, unconscious.
    A soft voice said, ‘Let me walk you home, miss.’
    In the torchlight, she saw it was a man she’d seen in the Horse and Groom.
    ‘You’ll be perfectly safe with me,’ he said quietly, taking her arm. ‘Now, which way do we go? The soldier will be out for the count for some time, so don’t you worry about him.’
    Cora didn’t hesitate and let the stranger walk her home. He waited until she’d opened her front door and turned to thank him.
    ‘My pleasure, but you really shouldn’t be on the streets, you are far too good for that.’ Then he walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
    Cora was trembling, remembering how her friend Belle had fared and felt lucky that she hadn’t ended up the same way. Had it not been for that stranger … well, it didn’t bear thinking about.
     
    The following morning, she knocked on Belle’s door in time to catch her before she