Free Daughters of the Mersey by Anne Baker Page B

Greenways lived at Beechwood only four houses further along the Esplanade. Colleen Greenway drove her own Austin Seven and offered them a lift home. The same thing happened the following afternoon and as they got to know each other, Colleen realised that Leonie’s shop made it difficult for her to collect Amy from school. She offered to pick her up with Pat and take her home to Steve. More often than not Amy walked back along the Esplanade to play with Pat for an hour or so before June and Milo came home, but as time went on Leonie often failed to find her when she got home and had to send June or Milo out to look for herat mealtimes. Though Steve knew when Amy came home from school, he took little notice of what she did or where she went. Leonie began to worry that the child had too much freedom.
    Amy didn’t always see having a brother and sister so much older than her as an advantage. It was like having two mothers and two fathers, there was always somebody on hand bossing her around.
    Amy knew Pa had taken a dislike to Pat, he said she was cheeky. ‘You mustn’t go off with her,’ he said, ‘unless you first ask permission. Your mother is worried about what you get up to.’
    ‘That isn’t fair.’ Amy was indignant. ‘Me and Pat are both six years old and she is told to go out and play by herself.’
    ‘Well, I’m telling you to stay at home now and play with June.’
    ‘June doesn’t want to play with me,’ she fumed. ‘Pat has three older sisters and not one of them wants to play with her. Can I ask her in to play here? We want to be together.’
    ‘No, you’ll make too much noise.’
    ‘Pa, I want to—’
    ‘I won’t say it again. Do as you’re told, go and play with June.’
    With bad grace Amy gave up. June was doing her homework and took no notice of her. She went to Milo’s room. He was sucking a humbug. ‘Can I have one?’ she asked.
    ‘Sorry, I haven’t any more,’ Milo said. ‘Duggie gave me this one in school.’
    It took Amy some time to accept he was telling the truth. ‘I’d like some sweets.’
    ‘Go andask Pa for a penny then.’
    ‘He’s cross with me – in a bad mood.’
    ‘He won’t eat you, go and try.’
    ‘Why don’t you ask him?’
    ‘He won’t give me anything. You’re the youngest and his favourite, he’ll give you money.’
    Amy doubted she was his favourite. June was in the next room and heard them. She came in.
    ‘He likes you best, June,’ Amy said. ‘You’re his favourite.’
    June shook her head. ‘He gave me twopence yesterday, it’s your turn. Come on.’
    June’s hand pressed into her back, propelling her to the door of Pa’s study, ‘Go on,’ she whispered and pushed the door open for her. Pa was deep in his newspaper again.
    ‘Please, Pa,’ she asked, ‘will you give me a penny for sweets?’ With his attention still on his paper, Amy was pleased to see his hand go absent-mindedly to his trouser pocket, but there was only a halfpenny on his palm when it came out.
    ‘Please, a penny,’ she wheedled.
    He seemed to have forgotten their earlier exchange. ‘Sweets will rot your teeth.’
    ‘Please, Pa. June wants sweets too.’
    Another halfpenny came out. ‘Thank you Pa,’ Amy grabbed it and ran for the door where her half-siblings were waiting.
    June smiled as she took the coins from her. ‘I’ll look after them for you.’
    Milo and June each took one of Amy’s hands and swung her between them as they ran to the nearest sweet shop. All three paused to glory at the mouth-watering display in the window.
    ‘What d’you want to buy, Amy?’ June asked.
    She chose carefully. ‘A stick of liquorice and a halfpenny bottle of red pop.’
    They shook their heads. Amy knew Mum would do that too, she didn’t allow soft drinks other than orange squash and thought all sweets except caramels and boiled sweets were rubbish.
    ‘It would be better to choose something else.’ Milo was always diplomatic. ‘I fancy sherbet