Free Riches of the Heart by June Tate Page A

short-tempered with the customers, telling one woman who was unable to make up her mind over a dress, ‘Take it or leave it, missus! If you don’t want it, someone else will.’
    When the woman walked off in a huff, Rachel pulled Lily roughly into the shop. ‘You just lost me a sale. I can’t afford to lose money, now pull yourself together. What’s up with you?’
    Lily apologised. ‘I’m sorry. Tom has gone away, back to Ireland to see his sick mother.’
    ‘Humpf! That’s no reason to get snotty with the paying customers. He’s coming back, isn’t he?’
    Lily nodded.
    ‘Then I suggest you go out there and work harder. You had better make up the loss by the end of the day, girl, or you’ll get a tongue-lashing from me.’
    With a sardonic look Lily said, ‘I thought I’d just had one.’
    That evening, Lily walked down to the Esplanade, thinking the sea air might blow away her troubled thoughts. En route she saw her friend Amy.
    ‘Blimey! You look as if the end of the world is near. If you were to wear a placard saying so, no one would doubt it.’
    ‘I’m in a lot of trouble, Amy.’
    ‘You’re not up the spout, are you?’
    ‘No,’ said Lily. ‘It’s worse than that.’
    ‘Oh my God,’ said Amy, looking worried. ‘Here, let’s sit on this bench and you can tell me about it.’
    ‘Tom’s gone to Ireland and I told him when he comes back, we’ll make a date to get married.’
    ‘Christ Almighty! Is that all? I should have such a worry.’
    ‘But you see,’ continued Lily, a deep frown creasing her forehead, ‘I’m not old enough. I can lie about my age, but they’ll need a birth certificate.’
    ‘That’s right, love. Even with your parents’ consent. Oh I forgot, you ain’t got none, have you?’
    Looking at Amy, Lily drew in a deep breath. ‘Well, I have, but I don’t want to see either of them ever again.’
    Laying a hand on her friend’s arm Amy said, ‘You don’t have to explain to me, love. Now I can see you do have a problem. Maybe I can help after all.’
    With a look of disbelief, Lily asked, ‘How?’
    Leaning closer, Amy lowered her voice. ‘Well, dearie, in my game you meet all sorts, and one of my punters is into a bit of forgery now and again. He owes me a favour – I’ll see what I can do. Just give me a few days.’
    Hugging Amy, Lily said, ‘Oh, thanks! I was going out of my head with worry.’
    ‘Well, just keep your fingers crossed. Come on, let’s go and have a drink. Cheer us both up.’
    The following morning, Lily was singing as she worked. Rachel, watching her, shook her head. ‘So yesterday you were hell in shoes, today a canary. What’s the story?’
    With a smile that could light up The Ditches Lily said, ‘I’m going to marry Tom.’
    ‘ Mazel tov! ’ Putting her arms around Lily, Rachel hugged her and said, ‘That’s wonderful news. So why yesterday’s long face?’
    With a shrug she said, ‘There was a little problem, but now it’s solved.’
    ‘So my dear, at last you’ll get all your dreams. A man, marriage, a home and respectability. I’m so happy for you.’ Rachel clapped her hands together in delight. ‘At lunch-time, take a jug to the pub, and fetch home some beer. We’ll celebrate. Am I invited to the wedding?’
    ‘Of course you are.’
    Looking suddenly crestfallen Rachel asked, ‘Does this mean you’ll be leaving me?’
    ‘Why should it? I can still work for you. I don’t see what difference getting married will make.’
    ‘Have you discussed this with Tom?’
    ‘No, why should I?’
    With a knowing look Rachel said, ‘You don’t know men, my dear. It strikes me that Tom McCann might have different ideas.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘That Irishman has a lot of pride. He’s got a good job, he may want you to be at home, waiting on him.’
    With a derisive snort Lily said, ‘I’m going to be his wife, not his bloody slave.’
    Rachel’s laugh was hearty. ‘Ay yi! I can see this marriage is going to