The Cockney Angel Read Online Free Page B

said, tugging urgently at his arm. ‘Let’s get you home.’
    He pulled free from her, and grinning stupidly he tapped the side of his nose. ‘I’m on to a certainty, ducks. You go home and I’ll follow later.’
    Constable Burton seized Billy by the scruff of the neck. ‘You heard the guvner, Billy. Do as he says or I’ll clap the cuffs on you and you can sober up in the cells until the magistrate’s court tomorrow morning.’
    ‘Come quietly, Pa,’ Irene pleaded. ‘Ma’s out of her mind with worry and you know that always makes her rheumatics worse.’ She turned to Kent. ‘I promise I’ll keep an eye on him in future.’
    ‘All right,’ he said coldly, ‘but if I come across Billy Angel in similar circumstances I won’t be so lenient. Burton, you’d best help Miss Angel get her father home.’
    ‘Yes, guv.’
    A floodtide of relief surged through Irene and she reached out impulsively and shook Kent’s hand. ‘Thank you, Inspector. You’re a toff. I won’t forget this in a hurry.’
    He drew his hand away and his expression remained impassive. ‘Take my advice and keep away from your father’s cronies, Miss Angel, or we might meet again in even less fortunate circumstances.’ He turned on his heel and strode off into the dark alleyway.
    ‘Let’s get your pa home, miss,’ Burton said, struggling to keep Billy on his feet.
    Irene took her father’s free arm once again, and wrapped it around her shoulders. ‘Come on, Pa. Please be a good boy and do as the constable says.’
    ‘Damn coppers!’ Billy muttered, changing in a moment from tipsily happy to belligerent. ‘Never trust a cop, Renie. Don’t have nothing to do with ’em, that’s my advice.’
    Irene cast an apologetic glance at Burton, who was looking distinctly wary at Billy’s sudden change in temper. ‘He don’t mean it, Constable. It’s just his way.’
    ‘Don’t you talk to him, my girl,’ Billy said, slurring his words. ‘Remember what I’ve always taught you. Coppers are bad news. If I ever catch you stepping out with one of ’em, I’ll have to disown you, even though I loves you.’

Chapter Two
    CLARA WAS NOT alone in the shop when Constable Burton manhandled Billy through the open door. Irene’s heart sank at the sight of her sister Emily sitting on the chair in front of the counter with her gloved hands folded primly in her lap. Clara uttered a cry of relief as she hobbled from behind the counter to fling her arms around her husband’s neck. ‘Billy. Oh, Billy, you bad boy. You had me so worried.’
    ‘Hold on there, Clara my sweet. You’re strangling me.’
    She drew back, eyeing the constable with some alarm. ‘My Billy’s not under arrest is he, Constable?’
    ‘No, ma’am. Not this time.’ Burton released his grip on Billy, who lurched towards the staircase and sat down heavily on the bottom step.
    ‘Ta for the help, mate,’ Billy said in a slurred voice. ‘You’re a good ’un, and I can’t say that for most coppers.’
    ‘Pa!’ Irene cried, feeling the ready blush rise to her cheeks at her father’s tactless words. She glanced nervously at the young policeman. ‘He don’t mean what he says, and I thank you for helping me to get him home.’
    ‘Happy to oblige, miss.’ Burton headed for the doorway and then hesitated, beckoning to Irene.
    She followed him outside onto the pavement, closing the door behind her so that Emily could not hear whatever it was that he had to say. ‘Yes, Constable, what is it?’
    ‘A friendly word of warning, miss. You’ll keep Billy away from Blue Boar Court and the Sykes gang if you’ve got any sense. The Sykes brothers are a bad lot and we’re keeping a close watch on them and their doings.’
    ‘I will,’ Irene promised. ‘But I’m sure that Pa doesn’t have dealings with the likes of them.’
    ‘I hope not, for his sake and yours, but bear my words in mind, miss.’ With a cheerful salute, Burton strode in the direction of Cheapside. Irene