Secret Suffragette by Barbara Mitchelhill

Author:Barbara Mitchelhill [Mitchelhill, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andersen Digital
Published: 2019-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-seven

When I arrived, Mrs Stanbury was in the shop stacking handbills on the counter.

‘Hello, Daisy,’ she said. ‘The papers are in the bag for you. They’re all ready.’

I was disappointed not to see Mum, but then Mrs Stanbury opened the door that led into the back room and called, ‘Mrs O’Doyle. There’s someone here to see you.’

My heart beat so fast, I thought it would burst as Mum came hurrying into the shop wearing a large ink-stained apron. ‘Daisy!’ she said, her face breaking into a great big smile. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you.’ And she gave me a huge hug, which meant I got splodges of ink on my face – but I didn’t care.

‘I did what I promised, Daisy,’ Mum said. ‘I came round here this morning and Mrs Stanbury has looked after me – just like you said.’

‘I had to make her an extra-strong cup of tea when she arrived,’ said Mrs Stanbury. ‘She was cold to her bones after a night out in the park. I told her, she should have come round to my house. She could have had a bed for the night.’

Mum smiled. ‘You’ve been very kind, Mrs Stanbury, and that cuppa did the trick. Thank you.’

‘Your mum’s been really useful to me all day,’ Mrs Stanbury said. ‘I don’t know how I’d have got things done if she hadn’t been here.’

It turned out that Mum had helped with sorting the pages of this week’s Dreadnought and watching over the printing machine.

‘I’ve enjoyed it,’ Mum said. ‘Though you can see it’s a bit messy. I just wish I could read what they’re printing. I’m sure it’s all very clever and makes a lot of sense.’

‘There are plenty who’ll teach you to read,’ said Mrs Stanbury. ‘You’re a clever woman, Mrs O’Doyle. You’ll soon learn.’

Mrs Stanbury made us a cup of tea and all we chatted for a while until I said, ‘I think I’d better go and deliver the papers now. I don’t want to be late back.’

Before I left, Mum told me she’d come home and talk to Dad later that day. ‘Don’t you worry, my lovely Daisy,’ she said. ‘Dad’s tempers never last long. I’ll be home to look after you before you know it.’

I did the paper round in double-quick time. I couldn’t wait to tell Lily that I’d seen Mum.

Back at home, Lily and me tidied up the front room and played with the twins while we waited for Dad. We waited ages but he didn’t come. We were wondering where he was and getting a bit worried, when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

A chill ran up my spine. That couldn’t be Dad. He wouldn’t knock. He’d walk straight in. I thought the worst. Something bad had happened. He’d had an accident at the factory or he’d been taken ill.

I ran to the door and flung it open. But it wasn’t somebody from the factory, it was Mum. She was standing there, looking pale and worried.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.