Riches of the Heart Read Online Free

pair of shoes. Now all she needed was a roof over her head. She couldn’t go back to the hotel. The night porter was sure to keep an eye out for her and she certainly wasn’t going to sleep in the park. Looking across at the Royal Pier, she thought that was as good a place as any. There was no shelter, but it was quiet, away from the pubs.
    It was too early to stake her claim to Southampton’s Royal Pier, however, so Lily strolled around the old walls and up the steps towards St Michael’s Square. She wandered past Tudor House and made her way to St Michael’s Church. The evening sun shone on the stained-glass window and the tall spire towered against the skyline. The heavy door was slightly open and she ventured inside.
    She was immediately aware of a sense of peace and quiet. A pungent scent of incense hung in the air. Standing at the top of the aisle, she looked in wonderment at the tall ceilings, the graceful arches and, in the distance, the large gold-coloured cross standing on the altar.
    Sitting in a pew, she felt a strange calm as she surveyed the surroundings. It was the first time she’d ever entered a church and she found it an awesome experience. This was the house of God. She knew that from the scriptures of her schooldays. God was never spoken of in the confines of her own home.
    Would He want her here? she wondered. After all, hadn’t she committed a wicked sin with her father? Perhaps she should go – but she wanted so badly to stay. If only someone could tell her what she should do.
    As if in answer to her thoughts, a quiet voice beside her said, ‘Good evening. I’ve not seen you here before.’
    A middle-aged man dressed in a long black cassock stood beside her. His hair was greying at the temples and he had kind eyes. At Lily’s look of anxiety he said, ‘I’m John Page, the vicar.’
    ‘Is it all right for me to sit here?’ Lily asked uncertainly.
    ‘Of course, my dear. All are welcome in God’s house.’
    Frowning, she said, ‘Even those who have sinned?’
    ‘Especially those who have sinned. If you’re worried about it, why don’t you pray and ask Him?’
    ‘I don’t know how.’
    With a gentle smile he said, ‘Just talk to Him. That’s all a prayer really is. A conversation between you and God.’
    Lily wasn’t convinced. ‘But someone might hear what I say.’
    ‘Then think your conversation in your head. Then it will be for God alone. I’ll leave you to it.’
    She watched him walk towards the altar. He bowed, crossed himself and disappeared through a doorway at the side. She was alone.
    Kneeling on the worn hassock, she put her hands together. ‘The vicar said it was all right to talk to You. I’m sorry that I have sinned, but You know it wasn’t my doing. I couldn’t help it.’ She paused as the thoughts tumbled through her brain. ‘I’d like to ask You something. If You’re really God, why didn’t you stop my father?’ There was no sound to be heard. I suppose God only talks to saints, she thought and, with a wry grin, muttered, ‘Well, that definitely lets me out … I’ve got a job,’ she continued, ‘but I don’t get paid till the end of the week. Please take care of me. I’m a good girl really. Thank You. Amen.’
    That night, Lily slept outside the Royal Pier. She wasn’t molested or disturbed, but during the night it rained heavily. When she awoke, she was soaked to the skin.
    Wringing out the water from her skirt, she looked up at the sky, shivering with cold and shook her fist. ‘I said take care of me, not bloody drown me!’

Chapter Two
    Lily kept her head down as she walked along The Ditches. She knew she looked a fright. Her shoes squelched with each step and tears of indignation pricked her eyes. Muttering angrily she said, ‘Bloody funny kind of God you are. What’s Mrs Cohen going to say when she sees me?’
    Her concern was justified, for when she arrived at the shop, her new employer was appalled. Looking askance at Lily, Mrs Cohen