Free Anne Douglas by Tenement Girl

having to write us all references because her ma’s no’ up to it.’
    ‘And what’s going to happen to Miss Rosemary, then? Has she any money of her own?’
    ‘Some, no’ much. There’s a trust fund her dad left, but that can’t be touched till she’s twenty-five.’
    ‘But she’ll have friends to help out, like her ma?’
    Jemima shook her head. ‘A few friends have stuck by her but most, she says, just melted away when they heard what had happened. Anyway, she’s very independent and doesn’t want help from friends. Wants to manage by herself if she can.’ Jemima’s eyes had suddenly begun to brighten. ‘She has asked me, though, if I can advise.’
    ‘You? What can you do?’
    ‘Tell her how to find a cheap place to live, she said, where she can just take refuge – that’s what she called it, refuge – until she can get a job and make a new life.’ Jemima laid her hand on Lindy’s. ‘And you know what I’m going to do? Get her into that wee flat that’s empty next to ours. Couldn’t be better, could it? Just where we can be handy to show her the ropes. And it’s dirt cheap into the bargain – just what she’s looking for!’
    Lindy’s eyes on Jemima’s were enormous. ‘Are you crazy, Jemima? There’s no way you can bring someone like her to number nineteen! It would be impossible.’
    ‘Why? It’s what she wants – she’s said so. Somewhere cheap, where she can just lie low till she’s got a job.’ Jemima’s eyes were narrowing as she stood up and brushed down her skirt. ‘Anyway, where we live, it’s no’ so bad. Ma and me, we’ve done our best, and we can make that other flat nice as well. I think you’re being a bit unfair, Lindy.’
    ‘Oh, I didn’t mean that your flat wasn’t nice!’ Lindy said hurriedly. ‘It is, it’s lovely, much better than anywhere else in the house. All I’m saying is that number nineteen is no’ the sort of place this Miss Rosemary is used to, and it might be too much of a shock.’
    ‘You’re thinking of the neighbours and the noise, eh?’
    ‘And Saturday nights and the drink. Fights and black eyes. No’ to mention whose turn it is to clean the stair. Can you see your Miss Rosemary cleaning the stair?’
    ‘Och, no one will expect her to do that! Anyway, Ma and me, we’re going do what we can. Cooking and that sort o’ thing.’
    ‘Cooking?’ Lindy shook her head in disbelief. ‘Look, I’m sorry for the lassie, but if she says she wants to be independent why no’ let her try it? Why try to look after her all the time?’
    ‘Why not? I’ve nothing else to do,’ Jemima answered bitterly.

Fifteen
    Concerned though she was about losing her job, Jemima’s spirits rose as soon as it was confirmed that Miss Rosemary had secured the empty flat at number nineteen and the way lay clear for the spring-cleaning work to begin. First would come the washing and scrubbing of the walls and floors, she told Lindy, with painting and wallpapering to follow, and then some curtain-making and maybe a cushion or two before the furniture came over. Miss Rosemary, it appeared, had been able to salvage a few pieces of furniture from the creditors – at a cost, of course – which was a piece of nonsense. Her ma’s own furniture, eh?
    ‘Still, I think she’ll find it comfortable enough here,’ Jemima finished with pride. ‘There’s no bathroom, but she’s got a hip bath coming with the furniture, so she’ll manage, eh?’
    ‘Oh, yes, she’ll be fine,’ agreed Lindy, wondering if it was true. ‘How long is all this going to take, though?’
    ‘Couple of weeks. When Ma and me get going we don’t waste time, and we want to be quick. I know Miss Rosemary’s dying to get into her own place.’
    ‘Where is she now?’ asked Lindy.
    ‘With one o’ the friends who’s stayed true, but the thing is, she’s so sympathetic Miss Rosemary says it’s driving her crazy. It’s her poor ma that’s the invalid, no’ her.’
    ‘And how is Mrs