Eve of the Isle by Carol Rivers Page B

along the passage and out the front door. She dreaded to think what would have happened if Albert hadn’t appeared. She couldn’t have cried out. Joan might have heard. The atmosphere was bad enough between the two sisters without making it worse.
    Eve woke Samuel, leaving Peg to sleep. In the grey light of dawn she could see the lavatory was filthy. The roaches were busy scuttling around the walls and the smell of urine was overpowering. At least at home, Eve thought, they had a decent toilet. But in BamburyBuildings, no one troubled to clean up or leave squares of newspaper on the string.
    â€˜I don’t like it here,’ said Albert as they returned along the balcony.
    â€˜When can we go home?’ asked Samuel.
    â€˜Soon,’ said Eve, and knowing what she did about Harold now, she couldn’t wait for the time to come.
    When they returned to the passage, Eve stood in silence with the boys. They looked up at her.
    â€˜Aunty Joan ain’t awake yet.’
    â€˜Uncle Harold said we should make her a nice cup of tea.’ She would take Harold’s advice about making herself useful.
    â€˜Is there anything to eat?’ asked Albert.
    Eve squeezed his hand in hers and nodded. ‘We’ll have a look.’
    But the truth was, Eve was reluctant to wake Joan as she was certain to be told to clear off.
    Eve slowly pushed open the door of the room Harold had come out of. She had left the two boys in the kitchen with Peg, drinking weak tea and eating bread and dripping. She couldn’t let them go hungry and had helped herself to the bread and dripping in the larder which had been surprisingly well stocked. There had been a shin bone with beef on it, probably left from yesterday’s dinner, a wedge of cheese under a gauze cover, several eggs, a large loaf and a china potof dripping. There was a shelf overflowing with vegetables and the rest of the bread pudding in an enamel baking tin. But she had not touched any of this; she hoped Joan would understand how hungry the boys were.
    Eve pulled the curtains. The room smelt musty and sweet. She made her way to one of the twin beds positioned far apart. Harold’s bed was neatly made, but Joan was fast asleep in hers. Eve lowered the cup and saucer to the bedside cabinet.
    The snoring was loud. Eve stood back, unwilling to wake her. Then suddenly Joan started. She threw back the clothes.
    â€˜What are
you
doing in me bedroom?’
    Eve pointed to the cup. ‘I’ve made you tea.’
    Joan leaned up on one elbow, pushing back her frizzy hair from her face. She looked tired and worn without make-up. ‘I thought you’d be gone.’
    â€˜It’s early yet.’
    â€˜Well, you know where the front door is.’
    Eve felt a lurch of her stomach. ‘Joan, Harold said he heard our roads are still flooded.’
    â€˜Well, you ain’t staying here. Now bugger off, I’ve got a flaming great headache and want to sleep.’
    Eve stood there, uncertain what to do. When Joan pulled the sheet over her head, she quietly left. Harold had said it was possible to influence his wife but Eve was doubtful.
    She just wished she knew what was going on in theoutside world, so at least she’d know how long they’d have to stay here.
    Suddenly there was a hammering on the front door. Eve jumped and Peg, Samuel and Albert all rushed from the kitchen.
    â€˜Who is it?’ demanded Peg, squinting through the small pane of opaque glass.
    â€˜Officers of the law,’ came the reply.
    â€˜They might have come to tell us we can go home!’ Eve opened the door immediately. Two policemen stood there.
    â€˜You’re the bottle and stopper from yesterday!’ exclaimed Peg to the younger man.
    â€˜Mrs Kumar?’
    Eve nodded.
    â€˜I am Sergeant Moody and this is P.C. Merritt. I understand from a Miss Wilkins at the Salvation Army that you was brought here from Isle Street?’
    â€˜Yes, that’s