Peace In My Heart by Freda Lightfoot

Author:Freda Lightfoot [Lightfoot, Freda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-01-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

In the days following, Evie was delighted that Megan slowly came round to being a little more friendly towards her, perhaps as a result of this lovely Christmas and the jolly excursions she’d taken her on before that. It had not been an easy time in other respects, electricity and sufficient coal still not available. Evie would make sure her daughters, son and husband wore several layers of clothing as well as providing them each with a hot water bottle to warm their feet when they went to bed. But even those would go cold by the early hours, the worst part of a winter’s night. Now, as she called at clients’ houses to collect more debts owed to Harold Mullins, she struggled to decide how best to challenge him on these dreadful issues he might well have created for them. She very much feared it was not an easy decision to make, all too aware what a difficult man he could be. Maybe she should take the responsibility for paying domestic bills, and find a lock for their coal-place.

As evening approached and the moment she had to deliver the debt payments, she hovered by his door still struggling to find the necessary courage. It was then that she saw her niece’s friend, Brenda, walking towards her. She was a young girl she’d got to know through Cathie and for whom she’d done much to help, having heard a little of what she’d suffered in France during the war. Just as she’d helped her niece cope with her problems too.

Brenda gave her a cheerful smile and asked if she’d enjoyed a merry Christmas. ‘You look a bit irritated. Do you have a problem?’

Giving a sigh, Evie swiftly explained how she believed Harold Mullins had messed things up for them by robbing them of electricity and water. ‘Mebbe he’ll put the blame on me since I work for him.’ Blushing, she hesitated, not wishing to explain exactly what this illegal job entailed, carefully slipping the list of clients into her pocket.

‘Don’t blame yourself, it should definitely be his responsibility as the owner of that house. I agree he’s not an easy man but you’re a most protective and caring lady so don’t lose faith in yourself.’

‘Thank you, dear. Actually, my son said he saw Harold in our yard and suspects he also nicked our coal, all of which had vanished. Sadly, I don’t have proof of that, so I’m striving to find the courage to tackle him on that subject too,’ she said, nibbling her thumb.

‘Ah, I live in a flat just a few doors away and saw him carrying a wheelbarrow loaded with coal the evening before Christmas Eve. I did wonder where he’d got that from.’

‘Oh, my goodness, is that true?’

‘It is indeed. Why would I not tell you what I saw?’ Brenda said. ‘You’ve been so helpful to me over the years, I’m happy to help you too, Evie. Stand up for what’s right. If you need my support on this point, just let me know.

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