Free Two Strangers by Beryl Matthews

took a deep breath, her heart heavy with fear. ‘I’m really a girl …’
    ‘We already know that.’ Flo patted her hand and smiled. ‘Victoria, isn’t it?’
    She nodded and glanced up at Harry.
    He held up his hands. ‘I never said a word. It’s obvious to anyone now that you’re not a boy.’
    ‘So you see, Victoria – or do you prefer Vicki?’ Bob asked.
    ‘Vicki, please.’ She felt overwhelmed with disbelief. They didn’t mind? They already knew? They hadn’t told her to get out!
    ‘Right, well, Vicki, we understand why you dressed as a boy. It took a lot of courage to survive your ordeal, and you did the only thing you could. We respect you for that. You didn’t ask for pity – you wanted to work your way out of the disaster you were in, and that showed a sound character.’
    ‘And that’s what we recognized when we saw you.’ Flo poured Vicki a cup of tea and placed it in her hands. ‘There was something about you that made us believe you were worth helping, and I guess that was what made those two strangers reach out to you.’
    ‘Yes,’ Harry nodded. ‘Does this mean I can start a search to see if I can find them? You mustn’t hold out too much hope, Vicki. We have precious little to go on.’

    ‘I know that, sir, but anything you can find out would be helpful. Thank you, sir.’ Vicki didn’t know whether to laugh or cry now – the relief was enormous. Everything was going to be all right! She could hardly believe it. All these months of worry and guilt had been unnecessary.
    ‘So, now that is out of the way, do you want to work with me in the new shop?’ Flo asked.
    ‘Oh, yes, please! Oh, but what about the barber’s? They need someone as well.’
    Bob laughed. ‘I’ve roped Harry in to help until I can get a young lad.’
    ‘You’ll enjoy that, sir. The customers are all so nice.’ She gave him a dimpled smile. ‘They are very generous with their tips.’
    ‘I don’t know about enjoying it, but I’ll try to do as good a job as you. From what I’ve heard, though, that will be close to impossible.’
    ‘Oh, sir, you are funning me.’
    Flo grinned. ‘I’m taking you shopping tomorrow, Vicki. I can’t wait to see you in pretty clothes and style your beautiful hair. We’ll go to Weston’s, up the road.’
    ‘Oh, but they’re expensive. I can’t afford clothes from there.’
    ‘Some new clothes will be our Christmas present to you.’
    The clothes with which Vicki had left the house in Poplar no longer fitted, no matter how much she pulled and breathed in. She had grown quite a lot, and, anyway, they were far too shabby to go into a ladies’ shop with Flo. The frock was torn from squeezing in and out of the tiny window, and the coat was in a dreadful state.
    There was a knock on her door and she opened it, her expression worried. ‘I can’t come out with you like this. I’ll be a disgrace to you, and I can’t wear the boy’s clothes where we’re going. I’ll go and get something from the market. They have a stall selling used clothes. They are cheap, but some garments are quite nice if you search through them.’
    Flo was shaking her head as she studied Vicki critically. ‘No, no, I won’t have you wearing second-hand clothes. But I do agree that you can’t go out like that. Take those things off and throw them away. I’ll see if I have anything upstairs to fit you.’

    ‘I don’t mind them, Mrs Howard. I’ve only ever had second-hand clothes.’
    ‘Well, those days are over. Our ladies’ salon is going to attract a good class of customer, and we are going to look as smart as they are!’
    Vicki watched Flo leave and hurry up the stairs, and then she sat down on the bed with a thump, unable to believe what was happening. Her mind had been in a whirl since yesterday, and a lump came to her throat as she gazed around her room. And it was still her room! She had been terrified about losing this security, and, even worse, it would have broken her