Free A Sister's Shame by Carol Rivers Page B

time she would ever see them.
    ‘Please take care of them, Hector.’
    ‘Course I will, Ada.’ Hector was wearing his long black cape and big theatrical floppy hat. Marie knew he wanted to look the part in front of Mr Scoresby. ‘They won’t be
out of my sight for a moment. Now just you enjoy your chat with Elsie. We won’t be late home.’
    At Teddy’s knock they all rushed into the hall.
    ‘Do you mind if Dad comes with us?’ Vesta said quickly, blushing as she looked into Teddy’s dark eyes.
    ‘Well, no, but Mr Scoresby doesn’t like—’
    ‘Just to give them a bit of moral support,’ interrupted Hector with a wink, pushing out his chest in a robust manner.
    ‘I’ve allowed them to go this time,’ Ada added sternly, ‘but only because Hector is with them.’
    Marie saw Teddy’s surprised expression, but he said no more and led the way out to the car. Marie climbed in the back with Vesta whilst Hector sat at the front beside Teddy. Marie glanced
over her shoulder through the wide glass window and they waved to Ada.
    When they were out of sight, Vesta whispered, ‘I was really embarrassed when Mum said Dad has to be with us.’
    ‘She let us go and that’s what counts.’
    ‘I had to starve for a whole morning before she agreed.’
    Marie smiled. ‘You got your way in the end.’
    ‘Of course,’ whispered Vesta with a grin. ‘I always do. Even so, it’d be nicer if we was on our own without Dad tagging along.’
    Unlike Vesta, Marie was glad Hector was with them. What harm was there in his being at their sides? In fact, if this new world was full of dangers, as Ada feared, Hector would soon put them
right.

Chapter 10
    Teddy parked the car in Duke Street, Poplar, a road full of light, hustle and bustle with the evening traffic going by and the usual crowds making their way to the
Queen’s for the evening performance.
    ‘The staff use the back entrance,’ Teddy told them, walking past the two big green doors over which there was a sign saying ‘The Duke’s’. ‘Follow
me.’
    He led them round to a dark alley filled with the stench of the dustbins from the café close by. Halfway down, just visible beyond all the rubbish strewn across their path, was a badly
lit doorway. Teddy pushed the door open and one by one they filed down the flight of narrow steps. Marie heard the sound of a piano playing, together with the familiar tap of dancing feet.
    As they entered the basement, they were met by a thick fog of cigarette smoke. Through this Marie could just about see a line of four girls dressed in shorts and blouses. They were dancing on a
small wooden floor in front of a raised dais, which she took to be the stage. Here stood an upright piano, and the man seated in front of it with a cigarette dangling from his mouth was playing the
popular melody ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’.
    Marie gazed around at the big, noisy room with a low ceiling lit by dim lights. Chairs and tables were set out around the small dance floor. A long counter went round the bar in a banana shape.
A row of mirrors hung behind the racks of optics. The ashtrays on the top of the counter were full of squashed butts. A young woman, wearing a turban and low-cut blouse, was trying to clear up the
mess. A broom stood to one side, a pile of litter ready to be swept away. The air smelled of stale beer and tobacco, but Marie didn’t find it unpleasant. In fact, it was all rather
exciting.
    ‘Wait here,’ said Teddy sharply. ‘I’ll go and find Mr Scoresby.’
    They stood still, watching the dancers, who did a few more steps, then one of them signalled an end to the pianist and they dispersed. A blonde girl with lots of make-up sat at the bar and
smoked. The others went to sit at one of the tables. In no time at all, they were smoking too.
    Hector placed his hands on their shoulders. ‘Well, this is a little different from the Queen’s, I have to say.’
    ‘It’s exciting,’ breathed Vesta. ‘I hope we’ll be