Free Eve of the Isle by Carol Rivers Page A

‘Ain’t you got no sympathy at all?’
    â€˜As much sympathy as you had when we turned up on your doorstep last night,’ retaliated Peg.
    â€˜Oh, get out the lot of you. I don’t want you in me place. Bugger off to somewhere else.’
    Eve grasped Peg’s arm. ‘Come on, let’s do as she says. I’m tired of feeling unwanted. We’ll go back to the Sally Army, find that young Clara again and ask her to help us.’
    As they all began to file from the room, Joan called out, ‘Wait!’
    Eve returned to the bed. ‘What do you want, Joan?’
    â€˜I’m in pain. I need a wee and can’t move.’
    Eve turned to Peg and the boys. ‘Wait for me by the front door. I’ll help her on the po before we leave.’
    As Eve helped Joan out of bed, the grunting and groaning was excessive. After sliding down Joan’s drawers and supporting her on the po, Eve got her back into bed.
    â€˜You’ll have to ask Harold to help you tonight.’
    Joan closed her eyes and sobbed. ‘He’ll chew me off something rotten.’
    â€˜Why? Doesn’t he know you enjoy a tipple?’
    â€˜He’s dead against it,’ Joan lifted a shaky hand to wipe away a tear.
    â€˜Well, that’s your problem, Joan.’
    â€˜You could tell him it was just a trip.’
    â€˜But we won’t be here.’
    Joan sniffed and gulped at the same time. ‘You can stay a bit longer if you like.’
    â€˜I don’t know about that now. I’d rather my boys be put up at the Sally Army than stay here where we’re not wanted.’
    â€˜It ain’t them I don’t want, it’s
her
.’
    â€˜How can you say that about your own sister?’
    â€˜You don’t know the past,’ Joan whimpered. ‘Oh, me back!’
    Eve pushed one of the pillows under her hip. ‘Is that easier?’
    â€˜Yes, a bit.’ Joan looked up under her puffy lids. ‘Just keep her out of me way, that’s all.’
    Eve was greatly relieved but wasn’t going to show it. Clara Wilkins was kind, but only a young girl without much authority. Eve didn’t fancy sleeping on the street in some doorway just because her pride wouldn’t let her stay under Joan’s roof.
    â€˜And remember, I don’t want Harold knowing,’ Joan mumbled looking slyly up. ‘Get rid of that.’
    Eve glanced at the empty bottle that Peg had left on the cupboard. ‘All right.’
    â€˜What about
her
, old loose lips?’
    Eve sighed. ‘Look, Joan, I don’t know what’s gone on in the past, that’s yours and Peg’s business. But she’s your sister and your blood. She’s not going to say anything to drop you in it.’
    For the first time, Joan hesitated. Then after a while she shrugged. ‘You can help yourself to a bit of food, I suppose. Harold will want his meal at half past six, and don’t forget, keep that so-called sister of mineaway from the room as she does me head in.’
    Eve didn’t respond but left the room quickly before Joan changed her mind.
    That evening, Harold returned to a meal of cold beef, cabbage and mashed potatoes followed by oven-browned rice pudding. Eve had taken care to feed them all before he arrived home. She had managed a miracle and eked out enough without making the larder look empty, intending to replace the food as soon as she could. She didn’t want Joan’s charity or to be obliged any more than she already was. She would repay the debt as there was two pounds in coins in one of her bottles at home. It was kept aside for an emergency but in the rush to leave she had forgotten to bring it with her.
    â€˜Very nice, my dear, you’re an excellent cook,’ said Harold after he had eaten. His small, alert eyes were watching her as she washed up at the sink. Standing close to her, he placed his plate on the draining board. ‘My wife could