Sins of the Father Read Online Free

so long? Cyril had only been on home leave twice in six years. It had been the same for Tom Chambers, but Myra had been lucky, Tom leaving her pregnant on both occasions.
    Tears welled in her eyes. Lucky! How could she think that? The poor woman was dead now, and those kids left without a mother. Surreptitiously wiping her eyes on the corner of her apron, she took a deep breath, hoping against hope that she could do something for at least two of them. ‘Cyril.’
    He looked up from his newspaper, expression impatient. Cyril’s time on the Sunday morning crossword was sacrosanct and she’d disrupted his concentration. ‘What?’
    Now that she had his attention, Alice wasdetermined to plough on. ‘I’m worried about poor Emma.’
    ‘What? Emma upstairs?’
    ‘Who else do we know called Emma?’ Alice asked. Not waiting for a reply, she added, ‘She’s not coping with the kids.’
    ‘Well, that ain’t surprising. Bloody hell, seven of them, and noisy little sods they are too!’
    ‘That’s just it. I think she could manage the older ones, but little Archie is nearly three now and James four. They’re too much of a handful for her.’
    Cyril shrugged, his eyes going back to his newspaper. ‘They’ll soon grow up and join the others at school.’
    Alice stiffened, determined to keep his attention. ‘Tom Chambers isn’t any help. When he’s not at work, he’s in the pub and rolls home drunk all hours.’
    ‘Have a heart, Alice. The man’s just lost his wife.’
    ‘Huh! He’s been like it since he was demobbed. As for losing Myra, it’s been six months now, and if you ask me, things can’t go on the way they are.’
    ‘He had a rough time of it, and Tom’s one of many who can’t pick up the pieces. Anyway, I reckon you should keep your nose out of it. What goes on upstairs is none of our business.’
    ‘Myra was my best friend, and for that reasonI think it
is
my business. I’ve been trying to help Emma as much as I can. In fact, to give her a break so she can keep up with the housework and laundry, I’ve been looking after Archie and James for a few hours every day, but it’s rotten for her in the evenings too. She never gets the chance to go out with her friends now, and from what she’s told me, they’ve all drifted away.’
    ‘I don’t see why the older lads can’t look after the younger ones now and then.’
    ‘Since when have lads taken on babysitting?’
    Cyril pursed his lips. ‘Well, it’s good of you to help her out, but I hope you’re not suggesting babysitting in the evenings.’
    ‘No, of course not.’
    ‘Good, and don’t go wearing yourself out looking after Archie and James during the day.’ On that note he seemed to lose interest, his eyes going back to his crossword.
    ‘Cyril Moon! I’m not an old woman! I’m only thirty-eight and quite capable of looking after a couple of kids. In fact, I enjoy it.’
    ‘All right, there’s no need to shout.’
    ‘Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just that I want to put something to you and I’m all of a dither.’
    His head tipped to one side, brow creased. ‘Well, you’d best spit it out.’
    ‘It’s like this. You see, I’ve been thinking…’ She hesitated, trying to find the words.
    ‘Go on.’
    With a spurt, Alice said, ‘You know I love kids, Cyril, but we ain’t been lucky, have we? We’ve tried and tried, and though the doctor said there’s no reason why I can’t fall, well, it hasn’t happened.’
    ‘We needn’t give up, and anyway, it’s fun trying,’ he said, winking lewdly.
    Alice had to smile, but then her face straightened. ‘Cyril, fun or not, we’ve been married fifteen years and it’s time we faced the facts. We’re never going to have kids of our own.’
    His lips pursed. ‘Yeah, maybe you’re right, but never mind, love. We’ve still got each other.’
    ‘I know we have, but as I said, I’ve been looking after little Archie and James, and I’ve grown very fond of them. I…I was wondering if