for ever.â He changed the subject. âVictor said Meganâs taken a job in Joyce Palmerâs lodging house.â
âHeâs not happy about it.â 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.
âSo I gather.â Lloyd had left Victor and their father in the kitchen discussing the implications of Meganâs new job.
âI could go to Pontypridd tomorrow and ask the trustees of Gwilym James to give Megan a job in the department store.â
Saliâs casual conversational tone didnât fool Lloyd. âWhen you told me that your great-aunt had left her entire estate and Gwilym Jamesâ 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 youâd give us no expensive presents, no help with the rent or food, or pay for anything other than Harryâs education -â
âIâm not talking about money. Just a job for Megan,â she remonstrated.
âWhich doesnât exist.â
âNot at the moment, no,â she admitted reluctantly.
âSo youâd have to invent one.â He unbuttoned his shirt. âNo charity, Sali. I have my pride, and so do my father and brothers. Itâs bad enough watching you going cap in hand to the men who control Harryâs trust fund for food for the soup kitchen.â
âThatâs not charity. Thatâs common sense and good business,â she countered indignantly. âGwilym James would go bankrupt without the patronage of the colliers. And when this strike is over theyâll remember who helped them when they most needed it.â
âAnd 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.â He winced as he rose from the bed.
âLast time I spoke to Mr Richards,â Sali referred to the solicitor who advised her on business matters, âhe 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 trustâs reserves to invest and expand the business by opening new stores.â
âIn Tonypandy?â Lloyd enquired facetiously.
âThey were considering it.â
He tossed the flannel back into the bowl and took off his waistcoat and shirt. âDonât try and tell me itâs still an option.â
âPerhaps not at the moment ...â She saw him smile and lost her temper. âBe serious, Lloyd!â
âI am, my love. But whatever you and the trustees decide to do with Harryâs inheritance is none of my business.â
Hating the thought that her and Lloydâs marriage was dependent on Owen Bullâs execution, she said, âHarry already looks on you as his father.â
âAll the more reason for me, my father and brothers,â he added uncompromisingly, ânever to touch his money or ask him for any favours. And as for finding Megan a job, itâs not only Victor and me who would think it smacks of charity. Megan would too, and before you say another word, you know it.â
Sali tossed her shawl over the footboard and slipped between the sheets. âYouâre a hard man, Lloyd Evans.â
âYou complaining?â 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.
âNo, Lloyd, but Iâd be lying if I said I wasnât worried about the strike and the effect itâs having on the valley. Fights between colliers and the police and the army are bad enough, but itâs worse when