The Bad Penny by Flynn Katie

Author:Flynn, Katie [Flynn, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781446410820
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2011-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Patty woke late next day because she had slept straight through the alarm, and as a result had to scramble through her ablutions. As she dressed herself in a clean, starched uniform, she could hear Maggie and Merrell chattering away in the kitchen and was glad that the children did not know of her ordeal the previous night. Merrell was far too young to understand but Patty had a shrewd suspicion that Maggie would understand all too well and determined to spare the child a story which could only upset her.

Examining herself in the piece of mirror propped up on her chest of drawers, she decided that very little of her ordeal showed in her face. To be sure, there was a bruise on the side of her jaw and her upper arms and calves were black and blue, but her black lisle stockings disguised her legs adequately and the cuffs and sleeves of her dress performed the same function for her arms. Satisfied on that score, Patty brushed out her hair. She was conscious, as never before, that soft and shining hair attracted men of the wrong kind and was determined never to wear it loose again. Then, making her way towards the kitchen, she chided herself for such thoughts. How ridiculous she was being! The men had been drunk and had been eager for a woman – any woman – with whom they could have their way! If it had not been her, it would have been someone else, regardless of length and colour of hair, bareness of shoulders or elegance of dress. She remembered Selina and sick horror arrowed through her. Men were beasts, no better than animals; if she kept that in mind and steered clear of them in future, she would be as safe as anyone could be.

Entering the kitchen, she smiled gratefully at Maggie, who was pouring tea from the big brown pot into two enamel mugs. Swathed in one of Patty’s big calico aprons, the child looked a real little woman and it struck Patty that even Maggie, who was only twelve, was not safe from the attentions of such men as Baldy and Red Face if she happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Oh, God, Patty thought fearfully, I must warn Maggie, make sure she’s safe. She’s a pretty kid now she’s properly fed and looked after … what can I do to keep us all safe?

‘Mornin’, Patty,’ Maggie said cheerfully, pushing one of the mugs of tea towards her. ‘Did you have a good time at the dance? I’ve put Mrs Clarke’s dress in to soak – what happened? Did you have a fall? It were pretty dirty. I’ll make you some toast because you won’t have time for anything else, will you?’

Patty took the cup of tea gratefully and subsided into a chair. Now, she told herself, was the time to warn Maggie about men without frightening the child or making it too obvious. She said carefully: ‘Yes, I did have a fall.

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