A Sister's War by Molly Green (best books to read for self improvement TXT) 📗

been used. It looks like the candle toppled over and set fire to the shelf.’ She swung round. ‘Do you realise you could have set the whole boat on fire – and ours as well?’

‘What’s going on?’ May sat on the edge of her folding bed and rubbed her eyes. ‘Oh, it’s you, Angela. What d’ya want?’

‘To tell you to be ready by seven,’ Angela snapped. ‘But I’m more worried about Ronnie and her lighted candle last night. Do you know anything about it?’

May shook her head. ‘Why should I? We were out, if you remember.’ She sniffed the air. ‘Oh, you’re on about the burning smell. We had some toast when we came in last night and burnt the first round.’

‘Don’t give me that.’ Angela looked from one to the other. ‘Ronnie’s already told that lie. Just have a look at that shelf. I’m going to have to report this.’ She turned to go up the steps.

‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Angela,’ Jessica said, her voice steely. ‘It was an accident and no harm done.’

Ronnie shivered. Even in the dim light Jessica’s eyes were flashing dangerously.

‘That’s hardly the point.’ Angela’s voice was cool. ‘Ronnie was careless to the point of stupidity, and you know it, Jessica. Heaven knows what she might do next. She certainly doesn’t act like a responsible adult. And quite frankly, I don’t believe for one minute she’s eighteen next month. I think that’s another lie. But that will be easy enough to confirm. And get her sent home to her mummy.’

She was gone before Ronnie could open her mouth to reply.

Chapter Nine

‘I want a word in private with yer about last night.’ Dora Dummitt surveyed Ronnie from the roof of the Persephone as she puffed on what looked like an unlit pipe. She’d beckoned Ronnie over just before they were ready to let go.

‘Miss Dummitt, I can explain—’

‘I hope yer can. And while the others are gettin’ the next lock sorted yous’ll have the opportunity.’

Ronnie’s heart sank. Angela was acting like the school bully and must have already reported her.

The hour dragged by for Ronnie until they came to the first of several locks. Angela and Margaret were trudging along the muddy towpath to get it ready. This time Sally was at the tiller with Dora warning her not to bash the sides of the boat in what would be another narrow space and Jessica and May were preparing lunch in Penelope.

‘She’s all yours,’ Dora told Sally as the boat was safely inside the lock and the water was streaming out. ‘Hold it steady until the level’s the same as outside.’ She paused. ‘Ver-ron-eek, me and yous’ll sit at the table. I want ter know what’s bin goin’ on.’

Sally sent Ronnie a swift glance, then looked away, chewing her lip, making Ronnie feel even more nervous.

‘So, miss …’

Dora Dummitt sat without interrupting, only tapping her pipe on the table while Ronnie recounted the accident. Ronnie had already made up her mind there was no point in lying to the woman. The burnt shelf was proof enough. But she didn’t mention Angela.

‘Yer know yer coulda set the butty on fire,’ Dora said icily. ‘And it coulda spread to the motorboat.’

Ronnie bent her head. ‘I know,’ she mumbled. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t snuff it out. But I’ve never been so tired in all my life. That’s why I fell asleep without even realising.’

‘No excuse,’ Dora snapped. ‘By the end of the week yer goin’ ter be worse tired than that. Yer need to keep yer wits about yer, girl, and remember everythin’ I tell you. It’s like I said yesterday – there are all sorts of dangers on the cut besides drownin’. Folks’ve lost fingers when workin’ the paddles, slippin’ on the roof and breakin’ a leg – that’s happened before – yer never know what’s round the corner. Often another impatient boater tryin’ to squeeze in front. Yer have to be ready for it.’ She gave Ronnie a hard stare. ‘Are y’up to it?’

Mrs Hunter had asked her the same question. But did this mean Dora was going to give her another chance?

‘Yes, I am. I promise.’

‘How old are yer, miss? And don’t give me no lies.’

‘Seventeen … next month,’ she added.

Dora frowned, then seemed to come to a decision. ‘All right. I won’t say nothin’ ’bout you bein’ underage. A month is neither here nor there, s’far as I’m concerned.’ She gave her hideous smile. ‘Maybe I’ll make a boater out of yer one day!’

Ronnie forced herself to look at Dora Dummitt. She couldn’t believe she’d been let off so lightly. Angela must have even told the trainer she didn’t believe Ronnie was seventeen, but Dora obviously had her own way of dealing with such matters and was not going to be swayed by anyone. Ronnie wondered what Angela would say. Angela had strongly hinted Ronnie would be sent home.

‘Right, that’s it,’ Dora said, leaping up. ‘We’ve work ter do but let me tell you, miss, I’ll be watching yer closely.’

‘Thank you, Miss Dummitt. I won’t let you down.’

‘See yer don’t,’ Dora grunted. ‘Now get the kettle on and make the tea. Two sugars for me – an’ don’t go puttin’ no salt in it, mind.’

‘We’ve just used the last of the condensed milk, Miss Dummitt,’ Jessica said when she and May joined them and Ronnie had set a mug in front of everyone. ‘We need to top up on food. Can we stop somewhere today?’

Dora nodded. ‘Tring. It’s a village. We’ll be there about four if we put a move on.’

‘Is it far from where we tie up?’

‘No.’

‘I’ll go, Miss Dummitt,’ Ronnie said, feeling the need for a normal walk to stretch her legs instead of the trudge along the towpath in the mud to the next lock.

‘I’ll go, too,’ Jessica said. ‘In the meantime, I’m going to make some soup for lunch, and wash these mugs – if that’s okay with you, Miss Dummitt.’

Dora nodded and stood.