Free Our Lizzie by Anna Jacobs Page A

Kershaw couldn’t be that short of money. She’d heard that the owners of the brewery had given her something, and the men had taken up a collection, too. It must be just a reluctance to spend and the child would have difficulty changing that. Lips pressed into a thin, tight line, she took out a piece of notepaper and penned a short letter. When she went downstairs, she gave it to young Fred and ordered him to call in at Lizzie’s house when he took the next lot of local deliveries out on his bicycle.
    *   *   *
    Meg heard the knock at the door and grunted in exasperation. Just when she was in the middle of making Percy’s favourite cake, too! She wiped her hands and went to open the front door. “Yes?”
    The lad held out an envelope. “Mrs. Dearden sent this. I’m to wait for an answer.”
    Meg took the missive with a sinking heart. Lizzie must be in trouble. Already! Could that child do nothing right?
    The note was quite brief:
    Dear Mrs. Kershaw
    Lizzie’s shoes are too tight and have given her blisters. I would like to supply her with a new pair immediately, ones which fit so that she can do her work properly. She’s given satisfaction so far and will be continuing here after her month’s trial. I can take the cost out of her wages at a shilling a week, if you like.
    However, I do not approve of the shoes obtainable from the Clothing Club. My assistants are on their feet all day and good shoes wear better in these circumstances and are gentler on the feet. I have an arrangement with Fowler’s Shoe Store for a discount on my staff’s footwear purchases, so I shall take Lizzie across in a quiet moment and get her a new pair, if you do not object? You may tell the errand boy your answer.
    Sally Dearden
    Meg stared at the piece of paper angrily. Lizzie must have been complaining. There was plenty of wear left in those shoes. Plenty. However, you couldn’t offend an employer. Grudgingly, she told the lad to thank Mrs. Dearden and say it was all right to get the shoes.
    But it wasn’t all right. She felt angry and shamed. And it was all Lizzie’s fault. Stanley had spoiled that child, but Meg had no intention of doing so. Her eldest daughter had to learn to buckle down and work hard now, and above all to make things last. They all had. Tears came into her eyes again and she brushed them away wearily. What use was it crying? It didn’t change anything. Stanley was gone and she’d be alone now for the rest of her life. And if she didn’t keep Percy happy, she’d have no one to look after her in her old age. Even to pass the poor house terrified her, always had. They weren’t going to put her in there. She’d hang herself first.
    *   *   *
    When Lizzie came home, still limping, carrying her old shoes wrapped in brown paper, she went straight to show the new ones to her mother.
    Meg ignored them. “How could you shame me like that in front of Sally Dearden?” The anger that had been bubbling inside her all day overflowed and she slapped her daughter’s face.
    The other children, who’d gathered to inspect the shiny new shoes, stared at their mother in shock.
    Lizzie stood frozen for a minute, then said in a wobbly voice, “W-what did you do that for, Mam?”
    â€œTo teach you not to complain to Mrs. Dearden in future.”
    Lizzie burst into noisy, gulping tears.
    The noise brought Percy in from the back yard. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œShe’s been complaining about her shoes, that’s what. And got Sally Dearden to buy her some new ones—expensive ones, too. Shoes we can’t afford!”
    He turned to his sister. “Eeh, our Lizzie, have you no sense?”
    â€œI didn’t complain. Peter Dearden saw me limping and told his mother.”
    Meg gave a scornful laugh. “Oh, yes. It’s a good way to get attention, limping is.”
    Eva