Free Eve and Her Sisters by Rita Bradshaw Page A

and Eve felt a wave of terror encompass her. This was their last hope, it was nearly dark, and if he walked away what were they going to do? Against everything she had observed during the afternoon, she spoke first, saying, ‘Please, sir.’
    He turned, his face expressing surprise. ‘Yes?’
    She didn’t know what to say now that she had got his attention. Only the knowledge that she had to try or they were lost forced the words out of her dry mouth. ‘We . . . my sister and I are looking for work, any kind of work.’
    He nodded, his gaze moving to Nell and then back to her before falling on Mary.
    In answer to the unspoken question, she found herself beginning to gabble. ‘This is my other sister, she’s small but she’s stronger than she looks.’ Mary chose that moment to cough convulsively but, ignoring her, Eve carried on, ‘My da and brothers were killed at the pit and it was a tied house so we had to leave. We didn’t have anywhere to go and so we’re looking for work.’ She had already said that. Desperately she searched her mind for something to say that would keep him in front of them.
    ‘How old are you?’
    She didn’t falter as she said, ‘Fifteen, sir, and my sister’s thirteen.’
    His face expressed his disbelief but his voice was flat when he said, ‘And the bairn?’
    She could tell the truth about Mary. ‘She was ten in July.’
    ‘You say you had nowhere to go?’
    ‘No, sir.’
    ‘So where are you staying at present?’
    For answer, she said, ‘Last night we slept in a barn.’
    He didn’t speak for a moment but looked the three of them over again. Eve could tell he was uncomfortable and wanted to move on but she had run out of words.
    ‘I was only looking for one domestic to work in my inn.’
    ‘I see.’ Her voice had a dull note to it.
    ‘Isn’t there somewhere or someone who could take the child off your hands? Your sister and yourself would find work then.’
    ‘I don’t want her off my hands.’ She had answered more sharply than she’d intended. Weakly now, she added, ‘We’re staying together, the three of us. We-we’ll find somewhere.’ She didn’t know why she had said that, perhaps it was because he was looking so ill at ease. She almost felt sorry for him.
    He nodded, turning from her and walking on. Her shoulders slumped but then she brought herself straight as he swung round and came back. ‘There’s only one attic room at the inn for the three of you and I can’t offer much but if you are both prepared to work then perhaps I can take you on.’ He was speaking quickly as though he was already regretting the offer. ‘My mother isn’t too well, you see. Up until now she worked in the kitchen. I take it you can cook?’
    ‘Aye, yes. My mam died years ago and I was running the house up until - until the accident.’
    ‘I’m talking about cooking for more than a handful of people. Can you do that?’
    She nodded vehemently. ‘Yes, sir, and Nell can help.’
    ‘And you say you’re used to running a house? Washing, ironing and the like? There’s a daily who comes in but my mother did her share too. I’m not sure how she will be over the next little while. She may not get better.’
    ‘We can do it, we’ll do anything.’ Nell chimed in, her round face alight. ‘Won’t we, Eve?’
    The shadow of a smile touched the young male face. ‘It’s long hours and hard work but there’ll be as much food as you can eat and a warm bed at night. Like I said, I was only looking for one person so the most I can offer is five shillings.’
    Five shillings. A shilling less than she had been earning at the vicarage and for that he got Nell too. But the three of them would have their meals and a roof over their heads. For that she would have worked for free. Her face beaming, Eve said, ‘Thank you, sir. We accept.’
    His smile widened. ‘Oh, you accept, do you?’ It was as though she had said something amusing. ‘Where are your things?’
    Eve nodded at the