Free Love or Duty--A saga set in 1920s Liverpool by Rosie Harris

on her face.
    â€˜You surely haven’t forgotten that we have a court booked for this evening for a doubles match with Isabel and Tony,’ he said tetchily as he checked his watch.
    â€˜Oh!’ Penny clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘I’m so sorry, Arnold, I forgot all about it. Give me a moment and I’ll change into my tennis skirt and collect my things. First though I’d better ask mother if she will keep an eye on Kelly while I’m out.’
    â€˜Kelly? You surely don’t mean you have that slum child here, in your home!’
    â€˜You don’t have to sound so surprised. You know that I was planning to bring her here so that I could look after her until her leg was better.’
    â€˜Yes, and I suggested putting her in a convalescent home of some kind and your father agreed with me. In fact, if I recall correctly, he even offered to foot the bill.’
    â€˜Well, I didn’t agree with that and she’s here,’ Penny retorted with a tight smile.
    â€˜Not a good idea, surely,’ Arnold frowned. ‘Anyway,’ he shrugged dismissively, ‘we’re late so we haven’t time to discuss it now; we can talk about it later.’
    â€˜Did I hear Arnold’s voice? Why have you left him in the hall?’ her mother asked when Penny burst into the dining room to explain what was happening.
    â€˜He’s called to take me to the tennis club and we are running late. I’m afraid I will have to miss dinner,’ she told her mother apologetically.
    â€˜Oh dear, that’s a shame because we are having one of your favourite dishes; are you sure you haven’t time? There’s plenty so Arnold is very welcome to eat with us.’
    â€˜Sorry, Mother but we have a court booked. All I wanted to do was ask if you would listen out for Kelly and check on her sometime during the evening to make sure she is all right.’
    â€˜You are asking me to look after that dreadful child,’ Mrs Forshaw exclaimed in an exasperated voice, ‘No, Penelope, that is quite out of the question.’
    â€˜Kelly’s already in bed and she’ll be asleep in a few minutes. All you need do is look in on her and see that she is all right,’ Penny repeated.
    â€˜No, Penny. She’s your responsibility; we made that quite clear when you defied your father’s wishes to put her into some sort of home.’
    â€˜Very well, I’ll asked Mary or Mrs Davies if they will do it.’
    â€˜Oh no, that is also out of the question,’ her mother retorted her lips tightening into a disapproving line.
    â€˜There is really nothing to do,’ Penny persisted. ‘She’s already had her supper, I’ve given her a wash and changed her into her nightdress. She’ll probably be asleep within half an hour. It’s simply a case of looking in on her later to check that she is all right,’ Penny repeated.
    â€˜And that is your responsibility,’ her mother affirmed.
    â€˜Does that mean I am going to have to stay in every evening all through the summer even though there are other people in the house?’
    â€˜Yes, unless you take the child along with you whenever you go out.’
    â€˜Mother, don’t be difficult. How on earth do I explain that to Arnold whenever he wants to take me out?’ Penny questioned in dismay.
    â€˜That’s something you should have thought about and sorted out with him before you committed yourself to such an undertaking,’ her mother retorted.
    â€˜Obviously,’ Penny sighed. ‘Look, do you think you could do it just for this once? Or can I ask Mary to help out, so that I don’t have to upset all Arnold’s arrangements for this evening.’
    â€˜The answer remains the same, Penny. The child is your responsibility. If you go out with Arnold this evening then you must be prepared either to take the child with you or else leave her to her own devices. Perhaps you