Free Winners and Losers by Catrin Collier

for ever.’ He changed the subject. ‘Victor said Megan’s taken a job in Joyce Palmer’s lodging house.’
    â€˜He’s not happy about it.’ Sali sensed that Lloyd had mentioned Victor and Megan because he was tired of talking about a situation that was proving increasingly impossible to resolve.
    â€˜So I gather.’ Lloyd had left Victor and their father in the kitchen discussing the implications of Megan’s new job.
    â€˜I could go to Pontypridd tomorrow and ask the trustees of Gwilym James to give Megan a job in the department store.’
    Sali’s casual conversational tone didn’t fool Lloyd. ‘When you told me that your great-aunt had left her entire estate and Gwilym James’ department store in trust to Harry until his thirtieth birthday and that you and he could draw allowances until then, we agreed you would keep the money for Harry and yourself. You made a solemn promise that not one penny would come my way, or the way of my father and brothers. You assured me you’d give us no expensive presents, no help with the rent or food, or pay for anything other than Harry’s education -’
    â€˜I’m not talking about money. Just a job for Megan,’ she remonstrated.
    â€˜Which doesn’t exist.’
    â€˜Not at the moment, no,’ she admitted reluctantly.
    â€˜So you’d have to invent one.’ He unbuttoned his shirt. ‘No charity, Sali. I have my pride, and so do my father and brothers. It’s bad enough watching you going cap in hand to the men who control Harry’s trust fund for food for the soup kitchen.’
    â€˜That’s not charity. That’s common sense and good business,’ she countered indignantly. ‘Gwilym James would go bankrupt without the patronage of the colliers. And when this strike is over they’ll remember who helped them when they most needed it.’
    â€˜And if this strike lasts much longer, Gwilym James might just go bust along with all the other businesses who are giving credit to the colliers.’ He winced as he rose from the bed.
    â€˜Last time I spoke to Mr Richards,’ Sali referred to the solicitor who advised her on business matters, ‘he said Gwilym James could hold out for years if it had to. In fact, just before the strike the trustees were looking to use the trust’s reserves to invest and expand the business by opening new stores.’
    â€˜In Tonypandy?’ Lloyd enquired facetiously.
    â€˜They were considering it.’
    He tossed the flannel back into the bowl and took off his waistcoat and shirt. ‘Don’t try and tell me it’s still an option.’
    â€˜Perhaps not at the moment ...’ She saw him smile and lost her temper. ‘Be serious, Lloyd!’
    â€˜I am, my love. But whatever you and the trustees decide to do with Harry’s inheritance is none of my business.’
    Hating the thought that her and Lloyd’s marriage was dependent on Owen Bull’s execution, she said, ‘Harry already looks on you as his father.’
    â€˜All the more reason for me, my father and brothers,’ he added uncompromisingly, ‘never to touch his money or ask him for any favours. And as for finding Megan a job, it’s not only Victor and me who would think it smacks of charity. Megan would too, and before you say another word, you know it.’
    Sali tossed her shawl over the footboard and slipped between the sheets. ‘You’re a hard man, Lloyd Evans.’
    â€˜You complaining?’ He pulled his vest over his head, unbuckled his belt, dropped his trousers and drawers, and pulled them off together with his socks. Ignoring the cold, he folded them neatly on to a chair.
    â€˜No, Lloyd, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the strike and the effect it’s having on the valley. Fights between colliers and the police and the army are bad enough, but it’s worse when