Ultimate Justice Read Free Page B

looked at Kakko and followed her. “Listen,” whispered Jalli, “and learn.” They each took a cubicle and listened to the conversation between the women at the wash basins.
    â€œThat sod of a section boss has got really stroppy since last week. He’s really down on anyone who supported the union.”
    â€œI didn’t go along with anything. Not any of the protests myself, but he’s just so cocky now. Reckons he’s a special friend of Big Plo.”
    â€œAll we asked for was proper safety procedures.”
    â€œYeah, but that evacuation drill occupied most of the morning. It’s rumoured that Big Plo has ordered that we all work an extra shift to make up for lost production.”
    â€œAnd whatever he says, goes. The company has us all trapped. Me and my hubby, we tried to find somewhere of our own but with what they pay us we will have to live in a company flat for ever… Going to eat?” she asked as they stood at the drier.
    â€œYes. Company food. Can’t afford anything else.”
    â€œModern day slavery, that’s what I call it!”
    â€œIt
is
, Yknan, they
own
us!”
    Kakko and Jalli washed their own hands and decided to follow the women into the canteen.
    They stepped inside the door and Kakko saw them making their way to the hot foods section.
    â€œThey are the women we’ve just overheard,” said Kakko.
    â€œHow can you be sure? You didn’t see them; you were inside a cubicle.”
    â€œOh. I did see them. I popped my head over the top.”
    â€œKakko!”
    â€œOh. It’s safe. People don’t look up. Anyway, they had their backs to the cubicles.”
    â€œLooking into the mirrors! And how ever did you manage to see over the door?”
    â€œI stood with my feet on the edge of the pan.”
    â€œYou should be careful you don’t fall in!”
    â€œNever have – I’m safe.”
    â€œ
Never
have! How often do you stand on the rim of a toilet pan to look over the door?”
    â€œWe used to do that all the time at school. You stand on the pan and drop bits of wet loo paper on the heads of the people in the next one. That was always good for a laugh.”
    Her mother just stood and gaped. “You didn’t learn that from me!”
    â€œOh, Mum. Don’t be so stuffy!”
    They caught up with the women at the hot food counter. Jalli had no idea what the convention was here but she guessed she did not need to pay for this. She copied what the women did and she and Kakko both took a tray. When it was their turn to order, Jalli simply said, “Same please.”
    â€œAnd me,” said Kakko, “and can I have some of that too?”
    The woman behind the counter just tipped a reddish looking splodge beside the yellow one she already had.
    â€œI hope you’re going to eat all that,” said her mother.
    â€œMum!”
    â€œOh. OK. I’ll stop nagging.”
    â€œPromise…”
    â€œThat depends… oh, alright but just behave yourself.”
    They traced their way across the canteen. The women in front of them had chosen a free table at the far end beside a large window. Jalli followed.
    â€œExcuse me,” she said, “do you mind if we join you? This is our first day here and we’re a bit lost.”
    â€œSure. Sit down,” said a buxom woman with a toothy smile. “Your first day. Where have you been?”
    â€œEr… we don’t live close. I… we… this is my daughter, Kakko…”
    â€œPleased to meet ya… Estap. Name’s Estap. And this here is my friend Yknan.”
    Jalli held out her hand. To her surprise Estap took it with her left, and so did Yknan. Kakko extended a left hand.
Good
, thought her mother,
she’s watching
.

3

    Estap and Yknan led Kakko and Jalli to a large bench in the centre of the workshop. In the centre of the bench was a wide gap along which ran large, upturned, round-ended