Sins of the Father by Kitty Neale Page A

of that could be stopped each week to pay off the arrears.’
    Without thought, Emma flung the door open. ‘Dad, I don’t want to be a cleaner!’
    Mr Bell looked at her briefly, but then his eyes narrowed. ‘Well, Mr Chambers, if Emma isn’t prepared to work for me, I must insist that you now pay the rent in full.’
    ‘I haven’t got it. I can give you this week’s rent and a couple of bob off the arrears.’
    ‘No, that isn’t good enough.’ He then opened his briefcase, taking out a sheet of paper. ‘This is an eviction notice and states that you must vacate the premises in one week’s time.’
    ‘Wait, hold on. What if Emma takes the job?’
    ‘As I said, the arrears can be deducted from her wages. However, this doesn’t mean that I’ll allow any further to accrue. I’ll expect the current rent to be paid on time, each week, without fail.’
    ‘Agreed. Right, she’ll start on Monday. I’ll leave you to sort out the details with her.’ On that note Tom Chambers turned to go back inside.
    Dick held the door open, saying to his father, ‘Hang on. Emma said she doesn’t want to be a cleaner.’
    ‘She’ll do as she’s bloody well told!’
    Emma saw her brother’s face darken with anger and broke in quickly, ‘It’s all right, Dick. I don’t mind.’ In truth she hated the idea, but there was no choice. If she didn’t work for Mr Bell they’d all be out on the street.
    ‘Are you sure, Emma?’
    ‘Yes, I’m sure,’ she said, and as Dick withdrew, he left the door ajar.
    She turned to face Mr Bell and for a moment his eyes roamed over her body. There was something in his expression that made her shiver, but then he spoke brusquely.
    ‘Right, Emma. As I said, I need someone tolook after my house. Here’s my address, and I’ll expect you on Monday morning at eight.’
    She looked at the piece of paper he handed her. ‘Er…I’m not sure where this is.’
    ‘My house faces Clapham Common, and isn’t far from St Barnabas’ Church.’
    Emma swallowed. It was a long walk. Nervously she asked, ‘Could I start at nine? I…I’d like to get the children off to school before I leave.’
    For a moment his lips tightened, but then he nodded. ‘Very well. I’m not a hard man, or a hard employer. I’m sure we’ll jog along nicely.’
    He reached out to pat her arm, and Emma shivered again at his touch.
    ‘Goodbye, my dear. I’ll see you on Monday.’
    He smiled again, this time warmly, and Emma relaxed a little. Maybe it would be all right. She could cope with housework. After all, she’d had plenty of practice.
    ‘I start on Monday,’ she told her father as she went back inside.
    ‘Good. Get the dinner dished up and then I’m off out again.’
    As Emma spooned the stew onto tin plates, she consoled herself with the knowledge that at least the family were safe from eviction. Then another thought struck her and she smiled. Once the arrears were paid off she could leave. After all, what would there be to stop her?

5
     
    On Monday morning Emma was frantically trying to get the children off to school. Susan was unusually compliant, but after the telling-off Emma and Dick had given her, it wasn’t surprising.
    ‘Come on, off you go,’ Emma urged. ‘I won’t be home until after five o’clock, so do as Luke tells you, and don’t forget your little jobs.’
    ‘Don’t worry, I’ll see to them,’ Luke said, and Emma smiled gratefully, again thankful that he was such a sensible and intelligent boy. As they all trooped out she watched them for a moment. Surely, even after Mr Bell taking some of the arrears out of her wages, she’d have enough left to start buying them all some decent clothes. She cast a quick glance around the room, making sure the fire was doused, and then five minutes after the children, she left for her first day at work. It wasn’t what she had hoped for, but even so, she felt a spark of excitement to be out of the dismalflat and facing something new, albeit