Free Memories of You by Benita Brown

She heeded Eva’s warning as she tiptoed through the gloomy hall to the front door. The milk was waiting on the step. Back in the kitchen she found that Eva had already placed the teapot on the table and was reaching for cups and plates from the dresser.
    â€˜What’s it to be then?’ the older girl said.
    â€˜I’ll have the same as you.’
    â€˜Go on then – get the dripping from the pantry in the scullery. There’s a new loaf in the bread bin, I always buys it on the way to work, but it’s not for us. Bring what’s left of yesterday’s.’
    The two girls sat companionably at the table. The tea was hot and sweet and the jelly at the bottom of the bowl of dripping was rich and dark. ‘Put plenty pepper on,’ Eva said. ‘I do.’
    When they had finished Helen rose and carried her dishes to the sink. ‘Leave them,’ Eva said. ‘You’d best get off to school. It will be a long walk for you, won’t it?’
    â€˜Yes . . .’ Helen put her coat on, picked up her bag then hesitated at the door.
    â€˜What is it?’
    â€˜What am I supposed to do at lunchtime?’
    â€˜Oh – I quite forgot. The missus says you’re not to come home and she’s left you ninepence to get a pie or something at the nearest baker’s shop.’
    â€˜Ninepence?’
    Eva raised her eyebrows. ‘What’s wrong with that? Ninepence is far too much for a bit lunch if you ask my opinion. Not that it’s any of my business.’
    â€˜No, you don’t understand – I’m not complaining. It’s just – well – I’m surprised.’
    â€˜Here . . .’ Eva rose from the table and crossed to the dresser. She opened one of the drawers and took out a sixpence and a threepenny bit. ‘It’s a good job you asked. Sorry,’ she added a little awkwardly as she gave Helen the coins. ‘Mrs Roberts will give you the same every school day – and I must say, the old skinflint’s being very generous for a change. I don’t know what’s come over her. But after all, you are family and she wouldn’t want people to think she was neglecting you. If anyone ever asked, that is.’
    Helen would have liked to say that the only person who might ask was their old neighbour Mrs Andrews and that was unlikely. Furthermore she didn’t feel a bit like family. However she just smiled her thanks and slipped the coins into her pocket.
    â€˜You’d better go out the back door,’ Eva told her. ‘Can’t have the sound of the front door closing and waking her majesty up.’ Suddenly she gave a genuine smile. ‘To tell you the truth, the hour or two I have to myself in the mornings is the only good thing about this job. Keeps me sane.’ Suddenly she looked rueful. ‘There’s never any peace and quiet at home, you know. Last week I actually missed coming here, especially as I didn’t get paid, but she said she didn’t need me while she was at your place.’
    â€˜I’m sorry.’
    â€˜There’s no need to be. It was hardly your fault. Now get away with you or you’ll be late for school. Oh, hang on a minute – how did she manage?’
    â€˜Manage?’
    â€˜Your aunt – with the cooking and the cleaning?’
    â€˜I did the cleaning and as for my aunt’s cooking . . . well . . . I suppose she must be out of practice.’
    â€˜Nuff said!’
    The two girls grinned at each other and Helen left for school.
    It was just past eight o’clock and the school bell would ring at quarter to nine. In the past Helen’s walk to the girls’ grammar school had taken about ten minutes but now she had much further to go. The air was chill and damp and it was still quite dark. As she sped along the suburban avenues the streetlamps went off, leaving the way ahead smoky with mist. Helen could hear the footfalls of other early