East End Trouble Read Online Free Page A

reception desk, there was a huge bouquet of red roses. The scent of them filled the air.
    “Oh, look at those,” Linda said. “They are so beautiful. I wonder who they’re for.”
    Mrs. McClair, the secretary who sat behind the desk, gave the girls a disapproving look.
    “It’s terribly inappropriate,” she said in a nasal voice. The secretary thought she sounded posh, but Kathleen thought she sounded like she had a constant cold. “They are for you, Kathleen. They arrived this morning, but, of course, I couldn’t interrupt your working hours. I must say Mr. Bevel is very unhappy. He doesn’t believe young women should receive flowers at work.”
    Kathleen ignored Mrs. McClair’s disapproval and gasped with pleasure, turning to smile at her friend.
    “Oh, look, there’s a card.”
    She plucked the card from between the rose stems and read it.
    To Kathleen, sorry about last night, Martin.
    Despite the fact that last night Kathleen had sworn she never wanted to see Martin Morton ever again, she found herself softening towards him. He must be very sorry. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have apologised with such beautiful flowers.
    Linda’s eyes widened as she read the card over Kathleen’s shoulder. “Martin? They’re not from Martin Morton, are they?”
    Kathleen gave her friend a sharp nudge in the ribs to shut her up. She didn’t want Mrs. McClair to overhear. On the other hand, if she thought Kathleen was stepping out with Martin Morton, it might make the snooty cow treat her with a little more respect.
    “Ouch.” Linda rubbed her ribs “What was that for?”
    “I’m afraid I’ll have to leave them here until I go home,” Kathleen said to Mrs. McClair. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem, will it?”
    “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Mrs. McClair said.
    Kathleen rolled her eyes and looped her arm around Linda’s, dragging her friend outside.
    “Sour old cow,” Kathleen muttered under her breath. “She’s just jealous. I bet she’s never had anyone send her flowers.”
    “You’re probably right,” Linda said agreeably. “Hang on a minute…” Linda stopped dead in the middle of the pavement, causing a woman carrying her shopping to almost bump into them.
    “What is it?” Kathleen asked. She wanted to get to the park and eat her sandwiches. She was ravenous after missing breakfast.
    “Isn’t that…?”
    Kathleen looked in the direction Linda pointed. “Oh, my God,” Kathleen whispered. “Quick, let’s go before she sees us.”
    But the girls were too late. Babs Morton was crossing the road heading directly for them.
    “Kathleen Diamond, isn’t it?” Babs Morton asked.
    Babs’ dark hair had been carefully curled around her face. She wore a deep shade of plum eyeshadow, and her lips were painted a dark pink, matching her nails. She wore a heavy gold chain around her neck and a bracelet that looked like it was dotted with sapphires and diamonds.
    Kathleen was dazzled. “Yes, that’s me,” she said in a quiet voice.
    “And I am Linda.”
    Babs ignored Linda completely. “I’ve been hearing certain rumours, Kathleen. A girl like you ought to be careful. Once a reputation is ruined, it’s impossible to get it back.”
    Kathleen didn’t know what to say. She just stood there gaping at Babs.
    “Morton’s club isn’t any place for a lady. You would do well to remember that.”
    Kathleen swallowed hard and then nodded as Babs Morton walked past them, leaving them in the trail of her violet-scented perfume.
    “What was all that about?” Linda asked. “Those flowers were from Martin Morton, weren’t they? Oh, God, Kathleen. If you’re messing about with her husband, Babs Morton is going to kill you!”

Chapter 6
    K eith Parker was sweating buckets , and it had nothing to do with the hot weather. He walked along Blocksy Road and nervously looked over his shoulder. There was no one there. The whole street was deserted.
    Old warehouses lined up along Blocksy Road.