Free Love Changes Everything by Rosie Harris

to refuse to do it without getting Fred’s back up. Whatever happened she knew she mustn’t do that in case she jeopardised her job; her father would kill her if she got the sack.
    When she had mentioned to her mother the fact that Fred had said that there was going to be a deduction from their wage packets each week Maggie had looked dismayed.
    â€˜Don’t mention anything about it to your father, not till you’re quite sure it’s going to happen,’ she cautioned. ‘You never know, he may have been just sounding you all out to see if everyone was in favour of the idea.’
    â€˜A lot of them aren’t,’ Trixie admitted. ‘Some of the women seemed to be dead against the idea.’
    â€˜That’s because they probably need every halfpenny they earn for something or other to keep their family going.’ She sighed. ‘Why else would they be working in a place like that if they didn’t need the money?’
    â€˜No, you’re probably right, mum. Some of them are probably no better off than we are.’
    â€˜A lot worse off, in all probability,’ her mother agreed. ‘Most things, from coal to bread, seem to be going up in price; everything, that is, except wages.’
    Now, Trixie reflected, she was not only going to have to tell her mum that there definitely would be a deduction, but also break the news that she was going to be the one looking after all the money.
    Her mother looked as concerned as she was. ‘It’s not right, expecting a young girl like you to be accountable for other people’s money. One of the clerks from the office should be responsible for that sort of thing, not someone on the assembly line. I wonder how Fred Linacre can manage to get away with such an idea.’
    â€˜I’m wondering what Dad is going to say. I suppose I ought to tell him before that Fred does, otherwise he’ll think I’ve been holding out on him.’
    â€˜The best thing to do is to wait till he comes in from the pub tonight. He should be in a good mood by then, and if you tell him about it while he’s eating his supper, you can go straight off to bed so there won’t be time for any arguments,’ Maggie advised. ‘I still think you’re far too young to have a burden like this placed on your shoulders and I can’t understand what this Fred is thinking about,’ her mother said over and over again.
    â€˜Oh, I know what he’s up to,’ Trixie told her bitterly. ‘He’s hoping I’ll make a mess of the whole thing and then he’ll have something else to taunt me about.’
    â€˜I don’t understand why he’s taken against you like this in the first place. It’s all very strange because your dad claimed that he was a good friend of his.’
    When Sam walked in the door just after ten o’clock that night his first words stunned them both. ‘What’s this I hear about you from Fred Linacre, then?’ he demanded. ‘He tells me that everyone is putting sixpence a week away for Christmas and that you’re the one in charge of all the money?’
    â€˜Yes, Dad, that’s right. I’ve waited up so that I could tell you about it.’
    â€˜Right fool I looked when he spouted it out and I didn’t know a damn thing about it.’ He grabbed hold of Trixie by the shoulder and shook her hard. ‘Why the hell didn’t you tell me about what was going on?’
    â€˜I was going to do so if you gave me a chance,’ she retaliated, her eyes filling with tears of pain. ‘Why do you think I’ve waited up till now?’
    â€˜Don’t you answer me back, my girl!’ Sam thundered. ‘You might be able to cheek Fred, but don’t you give me any of your lip here at home, not with me, at any rate, or you’ll find the back of my hand across your face.’
    â€˜For heaven’s sake, Sam, stop shouting at the girl. She only