The Shopkeeper's Daughter by Dilly Court

Author:Dilly Court
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

‘You gave that hateful creature a job?’ Shirley stared at her sister in disbelief.

‘She’s working for nothing,’ Ginnie said with a casual shrug of her shoulders. ‘Free labour. I’d be crazy to turn that down.’

Mildred slapped a plate of food down on the table in front of her. ‘I wouldn’t trust her an inch. That girl tried to ruin the business.’

‘And now she’s making up for it, Mum.’ Ginnie picked up her knife and fork. ‘She might prove useful because she’s got contacts. If she puts her mind to it she could bring in the class of trade we’ve never had.’

Mildred took her seat, eyeing her snoek fishcake with distaste. ‘Your dad told me all about their sort. They come in all high and mighty, demanding this and that and thinking they’re something special, but when it comes to paying that’s another matter.’

‘It’ll be cash on the nail, Mum. I’m not allowing credit to anyone.’

‘That’s right, dear. But you’ll have to keep an eye on that Olivia. I don’t trust her.’

‘She’s my sister-in-law, Mum,’ Shirley said, pushing her plate away. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t eat this, it’s making me feel sick.’ She jumped up from the table and ran from the room.

Mildred frowned. ‘What did I say?’

‘She used to think that Livvie was her friend, Mum. It must be hard for Shirley with Laurence in hospital and his family refusing to have anything to do with her.’

‘I could say that she brought it upon herself, but I wouldn’t be so unkind.’ Mildred stared down at her plate. ‘I’d give anything for a lamb chop and garden peas. I’m glad that my Sidney isn’t here to see us living like paupers. He was a good provider and I miss him . . .’ She broke off and left the table without finishing her meal.

Left alone in the dining room Ginnie looked disconsolately at the empty places and sighed. Their future was in her hands now and it was up to her to make a success of the business. She glanced at the photograph of her father in pride of place on the mantelpiece. ‘I’ll do it, Dad. I won’t let you down, I promise.’

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