Free Lady Lightfingers by Janet Woods

served as a pantry, Celia busied herself, unpacking the basket. ‘Who would have thought it?’ she said a little later. ‘That superior housekeeper of his has put a small bag of tea in the basket, enough for a decent cup or two. And there’s some boiled eggs and half a loaf of bread. You didn’t eat much for tea, would you like an egg now with some of the bread?’
    Alice bit through the thread and placed her work neatly over a chair. ‘I’m not hungry.’ Alice knew that she’d choke on it. She was finding it hard to breathe after their dash through the alleys and she leaned her head on her arms, trying not to panic. If she concentrated on each breath the tightness would soon go away. But it felt as though there was pressure on her chest and it wouldn’t allow air in. She began to cough, and tasted blood. She placed a rag to her mouth, muffling the sound.
    Celia said when the bout of coughing subsided, ‘Ma, are you ill?’
    â€˜It’s nothing, Celia. The damp has got at me.’
    Her daughter wouldn’t be fooled. ‘I’ll ask the doctor to come and see you tomorrow.’
    â€˜We haven’t got the money to pay him.’
    â€˜Yes we have. You’ve got that money Mr Hambert gave you in case the cab fare was extra.’
    â€˜You don’t miss much, do you? I want that for the rent. Besides, I don’t need a doctor to tell me that damp weather makes me cough. Neither do I need you telling me what I should do. Now, finish what you’re doing then get yourself off to bed.’
    â€˜Yes, Ma.’
    Ten minutes later Celia said from behind the curtain, ‘I love you, Ma. One day, when I’m rich and famous – though I can’t make up my mind between becoming a writer or an actress – I’m going to buy you a piano and the most entrancing gown made of blue satin and lace to wear while you’re seated at it.’
    Alice smiled into the darkness. She’d once had the same dream herself, only the gown she’d dreamed of had been a dark rose and she’d worn pearls in her hair. Still, a blue gown would do nicely.
    Alice went out early the next morning, taking the finished trousers to the tailor. Her work earned her three shillings.
    â€˜There will be no more work for the time being, Mrs Laws. I’ll send the lad out with some next week for you.’
    â€˜I’ll be grateful to have it. Do you think you could pay me a little more, Mr Goldstein?’
    The man spread his hands. ‘Times are hard, Mrs Laws. If I sent you some extra trousers, could you work a little faster perhaps?’
    â€˜Impossible.’ Her eyes were nearly dropping out of her head with fatigue already. She jiggled the ring in her pocket, the one she’d taken from behind the brick when Celia hadn’t been looking. It was a risk, but she’d have to sell it.
    Alice wasn’t aware of anything amiss as she wandered from one dingy pawn shop to the next, though she’d probably get a better deal from a jeweller, she thought.
    She was aware that somebody had overtaken her and had disappeared into an alley, but didn’t take that much notice until she was grabbed from behind and dragged behind a cart. Something thudded against the base of her skull and her knees turned to jelly. The last thing she saw as she fell was a flash of red.
    â€˜I found it,’ the lad said to the jeweller a short time later.
    The man examined it then he smiled. ‘Ah yes, I know of this ring. There’s a reward offered for it.’
    â€˜How much?’ the lad said eagerly, but the jeweller just put a whistle to his mouth and blew it.
    The doorway was blocked by a shadow and a heavy hand fell on his shoulder. ‘There’s no reward in it for you, lad. The ring was stolen. You’re going in front of the magistrate.’
    He protested, ‘I didn’t steal it. I took it from one of Bessie’s whores, just a minute