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Back The Dazzle of the Light Save as PDF
Chapters (55)
  1. Praise for Georgina Clarke
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10
  12. 11
  13. 12
  14. 13
  15. 14
  16. 15
  17. 16
  18. 17
  19. 18
  20. 19
  21. 20
  22. 21
  23. 22
  24. 23
  25. 24
  26. 25
  27. 26
  28. 27
  29. 28
  30. 29
  31. 30
  32. 31
  33. 32
  34. 33
  35. 34
  36. 35
  37. 36
  38. 37
  39. 38
  40. 39
  41. 40
  42. 41
  43. 42
  44. 43
  45. 44
  46. 45
  47. 46
  48. 47
  49. 48
  50. 49
  51. Historical Note
  52. Acknowledgements
  53. Also by Georgina Clarke
  54. About the Author
  55. Copyright

They repeat this activity twice more, working swiftly, but make no attempt on the fourth property when they hear a low whistle of warning from one of the men.

Three out of four is not bad. The letters may contain money, cheques that can be altered and cashed or information that may be useful to housebreakers. Ruby, with her slender arms and hands, will be paid for her work. This thought almost makes up for the ache in her shoulder blade.

Once they are safely away from the street and have separated from the men, Maggs becomes her usual self, laughing about something or other. Ruby’s attempt to keep her own cash – and the vicious twisting of her arm – are forgotten. By Maggs, at least. Maggs always forgets about that sort of thing. Instead, she loops her arm through Ruby’s and drags her to meet up with other members of the Forties on Oxford Street for an afternoon of hoisting, promising a pot of tea and a plate of cakes at Maison Lyons on the way.

11

11

Thursday afternoon

They walk in pairs down Oxford Street, keeping at a distance from one another. Ruby is full of cream buns and has her arm threaded through Edith’s. She enjoyed the buns so much that she’s even feeling kindly disposed to Edith, whose shoes are pinching. Edith is bellyaching about her blisters. It serves her right; the shoes are new. They’re smart, so Ruby can’t help but admire them. Perhaps she can persuade Edith to let her have them – once she’s worn them in and softened up the leather. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s benefitted from Edith’s cast-offs.

Ahead are Maggs and Alice, followed by Daisy and little Florrie. Florrie is thirteen and already an experienced lifter in the smaller shops. This is her first outing with Maggs’s cell in a large department store and, even from several paces behind, Ruby can hear that she’s twittering like a canary. Daisy is allowing her to chirrup on, making occasional noises so that Florrie won’t think her rude. Ruby can remember what it was like, going out hoisting with the older women for the first time. Daisy will remember, too, and she won’t want to dampen Florrie’s excitement. Even so, she is quieter than usual and her shoulders are sagging. Maggs will be annoyed if she turns around and sees it.