Free Eve of the Isle by Carol Rivers Page B

take a tip or two from you. I’m relieved she saw the sense in having you here. At least whilst she’s incapacitated.’
    Eve kept her concentration on the dirty dishes, scrubbing them thoroughly. She could hear Peg and the boys in the other room but Harold’s manner made her feel uneasy. The smell of his hair and moustache dressing made her wince.
    â€˜You say she fell on the steps outside?’ Harold asked again.
    â€˜Yes. As I told you, the policeman helped us to bring her in.’
    â€˜I hope we shan’t be seeing too much of the law,’ Harold mumbled. ‘It doesn’t do round here to have them knocking at your front door. People get the wrong idea.’
    Eve had explained all about the dead man and having to identify a corpse but Harold wasn’t bothered about the fact that it might have been her husband.
    He pressed against her. ‘A young woman like you should have a real man to look after her.’
    Eve turned slowly. ‘My Raj was a real man.’
    â€˜Of course.’ He put his hand on her waist. ‘But you must get lonely on your own.’
    Eve froze. ‘I don’t have time to get lonely. I’ve got a family to provide for.’
    â€˜All work and no play, you know the old saying.’ His grasp tightened as he tried to pull her towards him.
    â€˜Don’t!’
    â€˜Come now, my dear. I’m being reasonable in allowing you to stay here.’
    Eve felt like slapping his face, but instead said sharply, ‘You’d better go to your wife. She’s the one who’s lonely.’
    He looked annoyed. ‘So that’s the thanks I get for doing a good deed.’
    Eve’s cheeks were hot with anger. Harold was a dirty old man and she would like to tell him so. The onlyreason he let them stay was in his own interest and they both knew it.
    He wiped his sweating forehead with a handkerchief. ‘We’ll resume this conversation later when you’re in a more – friendly mood.’
    Eve was about to say that he would have a long wait, when Joan’s voice echoed along the passage.
    â€˜Your wife is calling.’
    He lifted his chin and fussily tightened his tie. Tugging irritably at the bottom of his jacket, he left the room.
    Eve gripped the edge of the draining board and closed her eyes. The smell of him was still in the air and made her feel sick.
    â€˜Mum, you going to come in and play with us?’ She swung round. Samuel was standing at the door. ‘We found a box of dominoes in the cupboard.’
    â€˜Yes, love.’ She gave him a big smile.
    â€˜What was Uncle Harold doing?’
    Eve’s heart raced. ‘Nothing, why?’
    â€˜He had his arm round you.’
    â€˜He was just being friendly, that’s all. Now, come on, let’s go and play.’
    Eve took his hand and they went into the other room. Samuel was too young to guess what had been going on. But she would have to be careful in future. Her sons were growing up fast.
    The next morning, Eve listened at the door until Harold left for work. When she heard the front door close, shewaited ten minutes before going to the kitchen. He’d left his shaving soap and brush on the windowsill beside the comb that was glistening with grease. Eve felt her stomach heave. Then quickly looking away, she made a mug of tea and bowl of porridge for Joan.
    â€˜What time do you call this?’ groaned Joan when Eve woke her. ‘Go away.’
    â€˜I’ve brought you breakfast. Something to start the day on.’
    Joan sat up grumpily. ‘Did you see Harold?’
    â€˜No.’ Eve placed the tray in front of her.
    â€˜You didn’t tell him anything?’
    â€˜Only that you had a fall.’ Eve nodded to the breakfast. ‘When you’ve finished, I’ll help you on the po.’
    â€˜I’ll need a bucket after this lot.’ Joan indicated the steaming bowl of porridge. ‘I just have a fag,