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disappeared.
    They made the tea together. Ada set out the china cups and Beryl scooped three spoons of tea from the caddy into the pot. As Beryl poured the boiling water onto the tea leaves she said,
‘Reet, let’s have it. Tell me what’s on your mind, while the tea brews. If you need owt to tide you over, just say how much – it’s there for you, you know
that.’
    ‘Ta, Beryl, I could do with half a crown, if you have it to spare. Paddy lost on the horses again. But that isn’t what I came for. I need your help with Paddy. I want to go out to
work, and I’m wondering if you would talk to him.’
    ‘Ha, Ada, that’s a relief. I thought you were going to ask me to help you cope with his antics; stand in for you, or sommat!’
    ‘You daft ha’porth! Ha, you wouldn’t stand a chance with him. I told you it ain’t like I imagine your Bill is, when he beds you – all gentleness and
thoughtfulness.’
    ‘Oh, don’t tell me any more or you’ll have me blushing. So, you want me to help you persuade Paddy to let you go to work. By, we’ve a job on there. Look, all I can think
of to do is turn a bit nasty with him. Tell him I’m calling in all the loans he’s had . . .’
    ‘Oh, Beryl, he hasn’t been at that game, has he?’
    ‘Aye, he’s up here regular, but don’t let it worry you. He don’t allus get what he comes for. I can handle him. I stopped him that time you had a black eye and told him
if he did it again, he’d get nothing. And that worked.’
    Ada was aghast; she’d had no idea. But Beryl wasn’t right in thinking she’d helped to stop Paddy’s violence. Oh, aye, he avoided her face lately, but she had bruises to
tell the story of many a beating when he was in a foul mood. Hidden bruises.
    ‘So, lass. What do you think then, eh? I’ll tell him he can’t have any more, until he has paid what he owes. Then you tell him you’ve a chance of bringing in some
earnings.’
    ‘It could work – it’s worth a try, anyroad. Thanks, Beryl, and I’m sorry you’ve been bothered by Paddy. I didn’t know of it. And I feel ashamed at you giving
handouts to me an’ all, and on a regular basis.’
    ‘Don’t – you’ve no need. I just fell lucky, that’s all. I got a good ’un in Bill, and you fell for a ne’er-do-well. Though a charming one, I have to
say.’
    This last triggered a worry in Ada. How come Beryl felt so confident that cutting off Paddy’s loans would make a difference? She couldn’t see it herself. If one source of income
dried up for Paddy, he found another. And why hadn’t Beryl ever said about him getting money from her in the first place? It felt like a betrayal.
Me own sister in cahoots with me
husband, behind me back. And the way she said as Paddy was charming . . . Don’t say
—
no, she wouldn’t . . . He wouldn’t. . . would they?
Disgust at the thought
made Ada shiver.
    ‘You alreet, sis? You’ve gone quiet.’
    Aye, I’m fine. I just hate me situation, that’s all. Having to beg money from you and then finding that Paddy’s been doing the same. I think I’ll get off home. I’ve
a queasy feeling in me belly. Forget the half a crown. I didn’t come up here for money, so I can do without it. I’ll see you in a few days. When will you see Paddy?’
    ‘He’ll be up later, no doubt. It’s usually a Thursday when he comes, as he knows that’s the night Bill works late. Mind, Bill doesn’t know owt about Paddy’s
loans, and I don’t want him knowing. Look, take the half a crown – you must need it or you wouldn’t have taken me offer. Go on. I’d feel better if you did.’
    Taking the coin further sickened Ada, but she didn’t have a choice. She didn’t want Beryl to think she was upset about anything other than her situation. Or to suspect what was going
on in her mind. No, she’d let things be as they would normally be. But one thing she knew: she’d a job to do tonight. She’d follow Paddy and see just what was going on.
    The