Sadie Was A Lady Read Free Page B

Apart from a rickety old wooden chair and the beds, there wasn’t another item of furniture in the cramped room. Even if I had any decent clothes, I wouldn’t have anywhere to hang them, Sadie thought as she turned on her side and tried to make herself comfortable so she could go over the events of the day in her mind.
    She could picture her dad, sitting in the chair, half-drunk, saying he’d lost all his money. She’d really hated him at that moment. And her mam was no better; neither of them cared that she’d worked all week for nothing. They weren’t worried that Brenda would be left standing outside the picture house like one of Lewis’ dummies. The only ones they cared about were themselves, and they made damn sure they never went short. They’d proved tonight just how selfish they were. When she’d got in about nine o’clock it had been to find Dot minding the children while her parents were up in the pub. They didn’t have her pocket money, but they had money enough for their beer. It was no wonder the children were wild and out of control; they’d been left to fend for themselves ever since she started work. Up till then she’d been mother to them and skivvy to her parents. Now the role had been handed over to Dot, who was ill-fitted for it. She was more likely to give the younger ones a clout than a hug.
    Sadie plumped the pillow with her fist. Why couldn’t her parents be like Brenda’s, or Harry’s? Brenda was happy and contented because she came from a loving home where there was constant laughter. And the Youngs next door were always laughing – she could hear them through the walls. A long sigh came from deep within Sadie. There was no contentment in this house, no love and no laughter. She felt sorry for her sisters and brothers; it wasn’t their fault they were cheeky and ignorant. They’d had to be tough to survive in a home that resembled a pigsty, where their tummies were always rumbling with hunger and the clothes were falling off their backs.
    Full of anger, hurt and resentment, Sadie vowed to make a new life for herself as soon as she was old enough. She’d get a little place of her own and she’d keep it spotlessly clean and cheerful. And she’d never get married and have children because the man might turn out to be like her dad. She wouldn’t put any defenceless young child through the fear and shame she’d experienced because of him. Not all men were the same, as Harry had rightly said, but she didn’t intend taking a chance.
    A picture of Harry’s face flashed through her mind, bringing back the memory of her first kiss. Had she enjoyed it? She knew Harry had, because she’d opened her eyes when his lips were on hers and she could tell by the look on his face and his low groan of pleasure. Herself, she didn’t think it was anything to get excited about, but she’d do it again for the money. In fact, she’d be more than willing to do it every night if she got sixpence each time. She’d be able to buy herself some decent clothes and shoes, and wouldn’t have to be ashamed of wearing the same dress day in and day out, or walk around with the soles hanging off her only pair of shoes. And she’d be able to go out on a Sunday instead of being stuck in the house wearing one of her mother’s old dresses while she washed hers ready for work the next morning.
    Sadie’s eyes began to close and she drifted into sleep seeing herself walking down a street with her head held high, wearing a pretty dress and a pair of stylish high-heeled shoes. And a smile came to her face as, in her dream, she stopped halfway up the street in front of a little house where the step was pure white, the windowsill red-raddled and polished, and crisp curtains showed behind the gleaming glass panes. And Sadie saw herself putting the key in the lock and opening the door of a place of her very own.

Chapter Two
    On the Sunday morning, in the cold light of day, Sadie bitterly regretted taking the money