Free The Reluctant Sinner by June Tate Page A

she would be a whore just like all the others.
    ‘What do you mean, it’s not enough?’
    ‘One of those young officers once told me he would be willing to pay twenty pounds to sleep with me when he realized I was a virgin and I’m sure you could find a man who would pay more. No, ten pounds is not nearly enough.’
    ‘Considering you’re new to the business, you’ve got some nerve, laying down the law to me.’
    Daisy wasn’t at all thrown. ‘I may not know about being a whore, but I’ve learned enough being behind the bar to know what goes on and what men want. I’ve been propositioned enough times. And the moment I step from behind the bar and sit with the others, I know I’ll be in demand. And you know it too!’
    Flo started to laugh. ‘Well, I never did! Daisy Gilbert, I didn’t know you had it in you.’ There was a look of admiration in the older woman’s eyes as she asked, ‘Is there anything else?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Daisy. ‘I don’t want the butcher as a client. I refuse to let him touch me.’
    With raised eyebrows Flo said, ‘He’s never allowed near my girls. Don’t you worry, girl, I’ll be very particular as to who I’ll choose as your punters.’ She looked knowingly at the girl and said, ‘Of course you know that I take a cut from your earnings?’
    ‘How much?’ demanded Daisy.
    ‘You don’t beat about the bush do you?’ said Flo with a chuckle.
    ‘How much?’ Daisy repeated.
    ‘Four shillings in the pound. After all, I supply the room and thebar, and make sure before you take them to your room that they spend a lot on drinks. You ask for a gin and tonic and—’
    ‘I know, I’ll be served straight tonic water with a slice of lemon. Don’t you think I’ve served up enough drinks to know that?’
    ‘Of course you have, I’d forgotten. Now what I want you to do is continue to work behind the bar all this week while I sort you out a rich punter.’
    ‘All right but I want some money up front to pay my dad’s bills.’
    ‘How much?’ asked Flo.
    ‘I want twenty pounds and not a penny less.’
    Flo took another ten-pound note from her wallet and handed them both to Daisy. ‘Now you are committed. There’s no backing out, I hope you realize that?’
    ‘Yes, I know that,’ and she put the money away, stood up and said, ‘I’ll be on duty in the bar as usual on Thursday evening.’
    Flo rose to her feet and walked her to the door. ‘No, you start on Tuesday. You won’t regret this,’ she said. ‘I’ve been down this road and it’s not all that bad, honestly.’
    Daisy didn’t answer. But as she walked down the street, she felt sick. What had she let herself in for? And having done so, how could she find the courage to keep her bargain? She knew that she was now committed to becoming one of Flo Cummings’ girls. She had no other choice.

Nine
    As Daisy walked away, she felt as if a wet blanket of despair had enveloped her. She had now made the choice to walk down a road full of unknown dangers. Whatever Stella had told her about being a whore and had implied it wasn’t as bad as she imagined, Daisy’s mind was full of pictures of the men she would have to take to her bed in a strange room at the club. She was terrified. What did she know about sex? Absolutely nothing! Yet here she was waiting for Flo to find a man who would pay the highest price to take her virginity! How strange, she thought. Her purity had never meant anything of great importance before. She’d never even thought about it, yet it was obviously something of great value … but for all the wrong reasons.
    It would destroy her mother if she ever discovered that her daughter was to become one of Flo’s girls. Tears welled in her eyes as she imagined her mother’s shame if she ever found out. But taking a deep breath she told herself that it didn’t matter, as it was for her father and the end justified the means. But it didn’t really make her feel any better.
    As she put the key into