The Street. Kay Brellend

think again. They’re out on the streets and I’ll make sure nobody else round here takes them in. They’ll bleeding well suffer fer doin’ this to us.’

      Jack again slammed a hand on Tilly’s shoulder and pushed her down. He swiped fidgeting fingers over his bristly jaw. ‘No need to be spiteful, Til. Seems it’s as much Sophy’s fault as his. Sophy ain’t accused Danny of forcing himself on her.’

      ‘He didn’t . . . I swear . . .’ Sophy squeaked from behind her father.

      ‘Keep quiet,’ Jack barked at her and continued reasoning with his wife. ‘I’d say Bert ‘n’ Margaret are going to be as done in as we are when they find out. They’re not going to want this trouble any more’n we do. They don’t need another mouth to feed any more’n we do.’

      ‘There ain’t gonna be another mouth to feed,’ Tilly spat out. ‘She’s only fourteen ‘n’ she’s getting decent wages down at Star Brush. Whatever needs to be done’ll be done.’

      ‘If you mean what I think you mean,’ Jack said through gritted teeth, ‘you’ll do it over my dead body.’ He glared ferociously at Tilly. ‘Abortionist ain’t getting nowhere near her, and that’s the end of it.’

      ‘We’ll see about that,’ Tilly muttered.

      Tilly got up and this time when Jack made to push her back down she thumped him in the chest double-handed. ‘I’m going round to see the Lovats. If you think you can stop me, just try. I’ll have you first if yer like.’

      ‘Can’t always sort out everything by lashin’ out, Til,’ Jack said quietly. ‘This is our daughter and our first grandchild we’re talking about here. Danny might do his duty by her. They’re both old enough to be wed, if not wise enough.’

      ‘Stupid, sentimental git!’ Tilly exploded. ‘What they supposed to do fer money? Neither of ’em’s got a pot to piss in. We got no room to have them here and the Lovats are worse off’n we are.’

      Tilly transferred her glare to Alice, who had been standing still and silent in a corner of the room, watching and listening in fascinated dread to this latest upset in the Keiver household. Alice had been awaiting this showdown. For weeks past she’d feared it to be looming menacingly just a few days away.

      ‘You know anything about all this?’ Tilly demanded.

      Alice shook her head and her anxious gaze darted back to Sophy. It wasn’t wholly a lie. She’d guessed, of course, at the awful truth as soon as she’d noticed Sophy’s belly getting bigger. But Sophy had said nothing and acted quite normal. She hadn’t confided in her even when she’d hidden the bottle of gin under the bed. Alice had just thought she’d started to drink because she was showing off now she’d got a good job.

      So all the time Alice had hoped and prayed that she was wrong and Sophy was right: her sister might be getting a fat boozer but she couldn’t possibly be pregnant because she’d always done it standing up with Danny, so that was alright.

      It was a Sunday afternoon in late January and despite the freezing cold weather a lot of people would be about in Campbell Road. That wouldn’t stop Tilly causing a rumpus out there in front of them. You kept to yourself and dealt in private with what you could, but when you couldn’t you might as well let the whole world know what you were up to, and why. That way they’d know you weren’t a mug and easily messed with. Tilly started for the door, rolling up her sleeves to her elbows as she went.

      ‘I’ll go next door. You stay here,’ Jack directed her grimly and stepped in front of her. It wasn’t that he feared for his wife’s safety. He knew she could look after herself, as did most people who’d been about The Bunk long enough to get on the wrong side of her. But he was still head of the household and as such it was his place to confront Danny.

      ‘I’ll be right behind you then,’ Tilly said forcefully. She let Jack go out then grabbing Sophy by the wrist she jerked her forward. ‘You can come ‘n’ all,’ she barked. ‘You’ve had your fun, now see what it cost. After that I’m gonna pay you fer this.’

       Chapter Eight

      ‘Looks like trouble’s on its way.’

      Geoff Lovat had made that muttered observation before turning from the window and staring meaningfully at his older brother. Unfortunately Danny missed his warning. He seemed to be lost in a world of his own and continued gazing at the cold tea cupped between his palms.

      Their parents, ever alert to the word trouble, had both shot up from the table and elbowed Geoff out of the way. His mother had got there first. She was faster on her feet than his crippled father. Soon Bert had caught up and was squirming for a space at the window so he could peer out.

      Moments before Geoff had been watching the street scene, yawning. Then he’d spotted the Keivers and his jaw had clacked shut. Jack Keiver was marching ahead with his wife right on his heels, dragging Sophy by an arm.

      Instinctively Geoff had guessed what the problem was. He knew that when their parents had been getting a skinful on a Saturday night in the Keivers’ place Danny had been getting to grips with Sophy in their place. It hadn’t happened for a while now, probably because Sophy had panicked when she’d guessed she was up the duff and put a block on it. Often on a Saturday evening Geoff had been obliging enough to take himself off to give the lovebirds more time alone. Geoff had been glad to get out of the fleapit and hand over responsibility to Danny for their young brothers and sisters while he met a few mates for a crafty drink and smoke.