The Docklands Girls by June Tate Page A

left for the factory. Her friend was surprised to see her.
    ‘What the hell are you doing here at this hour? Are you alright?’
    Cora quickly told her what had happened the previous night. ‘So I wondered if I could come to the factory with you and apply for a job?’
    Belle shut the door and grinned broadly. ‘Well, you’re full of surprises! Yes, come with me, I’ll introduce you tothe foreman and put in a good word for you.’ She tucked her arm through Cora’s and they set off.
    The foreman was delighted to have another worker and when Belle left them to go to her machine, the foreman took details from Cora and asked, ‘You able to start now, love?’
    ‘Yes, if you like.’
    ‘Then come with me.’ He led her to the factory floor, introduced her to Hildy and left the two of them to get on with an introduction to the machine which Cora would learn to use.
    ‘I have used a similar machine before,’ Cora said, ‘but it was a long time ago.’
    ‘Well, let’s see you get on,’ Hildy replied.
     
    At lunchtime in the canteen, Belle joined the two of them over lunch. She smiled at Cora. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am that you decided to work here. It’s alright, isn’t it?’ she turned to Hildy for confirmation.
    ‘It’s not at all bad as jobs go these days. You can earn more money by working overtime – once you are able to work on your own, of course. You’ll be fine, you’ll see.’
    ‘Hildy is a good teacher,’ Belle said, ‘mind you, don’t let her catch you slacking because she can be a bit hard.’
    ‘It’s part of my job,’ Hildy explained. ‘Some girls try it on … but only once. If they don’t pull their weight they’re out of a job. But I know I won’t have any trouble with you two.’
    And so Southampton lost two of their ladies of the night.

Chapter Eleven
    Hildy let herself into her flat at the end of her working day. She undressed, ran a bath and soaked her aching body in the hot water. She’d worked overtime and was weary, but she was saving her money for the time that she went to America and married Milt.
    She lay back in the bath, slopping water over her shoulders with the wet sponge. God, she wished he was here now, she missed him so much, but at least she was now receiving mail from him. He sounded cheerful. The men in his company were doing a good job and he was proud of them, but of course, like her, he couldn’t wait for the war to be over so they could start a life together.
    For her part, she was relieved that her mother had taken in a lodger and was proving that, when necessary, she was well able to look after herself. Hildy hadn’t called on her. What was the point? She’d only be met with verbal grief. The day she’d walked out of the family house she felt as if a weight had been removed from her shoulders and when the day came that she sailed away from Southampton to a new life, she would haveno feelings of guilt. She’d served her time as a daughter and been unloved by a woman who could only think of herself.
     
    Joe Keating was walking along the street when he saw the young woman he’d saved from the attentions of the drunken soldier the other night. She had a cigarette in her mouth and appeared to be searching for a light. He stopped beside her and handed her his lighter.
    ‘Here, try this.’
    Cora looked up and smiled when she recognised him. ‘Thank you. You’ve come to my rescue yet again!’
    ‘I’d hardly call this a rescue. That sounds far too dramatic … Miss?’
    ‘Cora Barnes, and you are?’
    ‘Joe Keating, at your service. Where are you off to?’
    ‘I’ve just finished work and am going in search of a good cup of tea.’
    Looking at his watch, he said, ‘Twelve o’clock. You’re starting early, aren’t you?’
    For a moment she puzzled over his remark, then she started to laugh. ‘I have a new job, Mr Keating. I am working in a factory these days.’
    ‘You are?’ He looked surprised, yet pleased. ‘I’m happy to