Two Strangers Read Online Free

There were curtain materials, tools, household items and many more odds and ends.
    Vicki soon had the job done and stood back to survey her handiwork. ‘Is this how you want it, Doris?’
    ‘Lovely and neat, lass.’ She nodded her approval. ‘All we want now are the customers. I couldn’t miss a day’s trading, but I didn’t know how I was going to manage on my own. Now, before we start getting busy, go to the cafe and get us both a mug of tea. I’m gasping for a nice strong cuppa. Oh, and make it a bun each, as well.’
    Vicki wasn’t hungry yet, but she wasn’t going to say no to any food. It could be wrapped up and saved for later, she thought, taking the money from Doris and then running across the road to the little cafe all the traders used.
    By the time she was back, the market was starting to throng with shoppers, and the sounds of traders shouting their wares began to fill the street. Determined that she was going to earn her keep this day, Vicki stood in front of the stall, doing her utmost to entice customers.
    Doris was smiling as she served the people Vicki had persuaded to stop.
    Trade was steady, and the day went well. After they had packed everything away, Doris gave Vicki the promised shilling. ‘Will you need help tomorrow?’ she asked, hopefully.
    ‘I expect Ted will be all right by then, but come along, just in case.’

    ‘Thanks. I’ll do that.’ Happy that she had been able to get work for the whole day, Vicki ran across to the cafe. Now that she had more money in her pocket she felt able to spend the tuppence Bill had refused to take. She bought a pie for her supper, and the owner kindly filled an old bottle with water for her. The pie and the bun she had saved would fill her stomach nicely for the night.
    Arriving back at the warehouse, she was relieved to see the small window hadn’t been touched. She checked that she wasn’t being watched, then squeezed through the window and rushed over to inspect her barricade, letting out a sigh of relief to see it was still in place. She should be safe again tonight and, hopefully, she would be able to get some sleep because after such a busy day she was tired. Before settling down, though, she would read some of the book Bill had left with her. She had promised him she would, and as he had been so kind to her, it would be wrong not to try to do what he had suggested. If she spoke better, she might be able to get a proper job.
    Vicki glanced around at the squalid surroundings and pulled a face. She must try very hard to get out of this awful place. Pulling the book out of her pocket, she propped herself up against the wall under the window to get the best light, and began reading.
    An hour later she gave up. Not only was it now too dark to see clearly, but she hadn’t been able to make any sense of what she’d read. Clutching the book to her, she bowed her head and muttered, ‘Oh, Bill, whatever made you think this would help me? I’m just a kid from the slums, with poor schooling. I know I was way ahead of the other kids, but the teachers didn’t even try to give me harder lessons. They only worried about the slower ones, so I never got any further, and they threw me out at twelve.’
    The book was put away safely, and Vicki sat munching her food, deep in thought. It was going to be hard, but she would keep trying. If she gave up, then the life in front of her would be bleak, and probably short. There were many damaged men back from the war roaming around, and she would never be safe living like this. She had to get out of here as quickly as possible.
    The early morning sun was streaming through the window when Vicki woke up. Not wanting to miss the chance of another day’s work, she washed quickly and ran to the market.

    It was a terrible disappointment to see Ted there. Not that she wanted him to be sick, but she had hoped he would take another day to rest.
    ‘Hello, Vicki.’ Ted smiled. ‘Thanks for helping Doris