Chapter Five

Almost an hour later Ivy returned carrying so much stuff that Holly wondered how she had managed to get it all up the stairs. She was obviously much stronger than she looked. She had even purchased a small bag of coal and instantly set to getting the grate cleaned out and a fire lit while Holly looked on. She had no idea how to go about it, but Ivy was used to doing such chores.

Once the fire was going, Ivy hunted about and found an old kettle beneath the sink, which she filled with water and set on the fire.

‘Now, while that’s getting’ hot I’m goin’ back out to buy us some new beddin’.’ She rubbed her hands down her skirt and nodded towards the bed. ‘I don’t know about you but I don’t fancy sleepin’ under them manky things, do you? Though I’ve no doubt they’ll be fine when they’ve had a good wash.’

Holly hastily handed her some more money.

‘An’ while I’m at it, I’ll get us some groceries, an’ all. Milk, tea, bread an’ perhaps some cheese fer supper, eh? We’ll be ready for sommat to eat by the time we’ve got this place clean.’

Within seconds she was gone again and, determined to do her bit, Holly went through the cleaning things Ivy had bought and soon had her very first go at cleaning a window. Ivy and the staff back at home had always done this sort of thing and it came to her what a sheltered life she had led. Usually at this time, she’d probably be having tea with her mother and her heart hurt at the thought of her sitting alone with no one to talk to. She hoped she wasn’t missing her too much.

It was pitch-dark by the time Ivy arrived back again, once more loaded down with bags.

‘There’s a market sells all sorts not far away,’ she told Holly breathlessly. ‘I got these pillows an’ blankets off a second-hand stall there but they’re nice an’ clean, look.’

She looked approvingly at the clean window and the floor which Holly had almost finished scrubbing then said, ‘By, it’s lookin’ better already wi’out them cobwebs in the corners an’ wi’out all the dust flyin’ up every time you walk across the room.’

Two hours later the room, although still very basic, was clean as a new pin.

‘We could perhaps get some curtains and a rug for in front of the fire tomorrow to make the place look a bit more homely,’ Holly suggested as they sat sipping a welcome cup of tea.

Ivy looked a bit concerned. ‘But that’ll cost yet more money,’ she pointed out.

‘I know, but we can take anything we buy with us when we move and I’ve got plenty to be going on with,’ Holly assured her. ‘All we need to do now is find ourselves a job.’

Ivy frowned. ‘But what sort o’ job will you be able to do? I mean, it’s easy for me, I’ll be quite happy cleanin’ or somethin’ but you ain’t been brought up to do jobs like that. Perhaps you could try to get a position as a nanny or somethin’?’