Free Diamonds in the Dust by Beryl Matthews

bothered you with our problems.But we didn’t know what else to do, and I’ve got enough to put up with, without receiving the sharp end of your tongue. My mother’s disappeared. I’ve got Tom and Lily relying on me and I’ve lost my job. How am I going to manage, I ask you? How am I going to keep my family together …?’
    Tears of rage and despair began to gather in her eyes, so she spun away from the ungrateful man before she disgraced herself by sobbing.
    As she reached the door strong hands rested on her shoulders, stopping her flight.
    ‘I’m sorry. Please forgive me. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. You were right to come to me, and I’m glad you did.’ Stan tightened his grasp and turned her to face him. ‘What do you mean, you’ve lost your job?’
    ‘They’re moving to Scotland at the end of this week, on my eighteenth birthday would you believe, and I don’t know what I’m going to do. Most households want maids who live in, and I can’t do that.’
    ‘You’re an intelligent girl, you can do something else.’
    ‘What? Looking after other people is all I’ve ever done. I won’t be able to pay the rent on our house for long. We’ll have to move to a cheaper place.’ All Dora’s suppressed fears were tumbling out. ‘Mum worked hard to get us out of the slums and we could end up back there again. I don’t want that for Tom and Lily. I’ve got to find another job. I must, but what am I going to do? Don’t shout at me, Stan. I can’t take any more.’
    ‘I won’t, I promise.’ Stan propped himself against thedoor-frame and gathered Dora into his arms. ‘You must be out of your mind with worry, but we’ll work something out. It’ll all come right in the end, you’ll see. If the worst comes to the worst you can move in here, and I’ll inflict myself on Win and Reg.’
    ‘Oh, you can’t do that.’ Dora lifted her head, eyes troubled. ‘I wouldn’t allow you to give up your home. It wouldn’t be right. I’m letting my fears run away with me. I’ll soon get another job. I can be very determined when I have to be.’
    ‘I’m already finding that out.’ He brushed his lips over the top of her head. ‘I think you said something about a pot of tea?’
    She nodded, and helped him back to his chair, wondering how on earth he’d managed to get across the room without support. Then she noticed the grim set of his mouth, and knew he’d reached her at some cost to himself. She placed his leg carefully back on the stool and stood back, feeling breathless. He was quite a disturbing man to be close to. ‘Have you changed your mind about something to eat? It wouldn’t take me long to prepare a meal for you.’
    ‘That’s kind of you, Dora, but I had a huge lunch with Reg.’
    ‘Just tea then.’
    Stan took hold of one of her hands as she went to turn away, brought it to his mouth and kissed it gently. ‘I really am sorry. I’ve overdone it today and it’s no one’s fault but my own. I’m inclined to snap and snarl with frustration at times.’
    ‘So I’ve discovered.’ She removed her hand and smiled. ‘I’ll make that tea.’
    Alone in the kitchen, Dora rested her hands on the sink and bowed her head. One large tear trickled down her cheek. She was so frightened, but had managed to keep it under control until Stan had snapped at her. Then every worry had come to the surface. Her fears had all been for Tom, Lily and herself, but now Stan had been included. He was pushing himself too much for them, and he just wasn’t fit enough. Thank goodness the police were now involved. She must get him to leave it to them. That thought made her pull a face. He would probably shout at her again for trying to tell him what to do, but it was a risk she would have to take. She cared about him.
    With the tea made, she put it on a tray and took it into the front room. Stan hadn’t moved. He smiled when she handed him a cup, but it couldn’t erase the lines from his face, or the