Kay Brellend

The Campbell Road Girls


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      KAY BRELLEND

       The Campbell Road Girls

      For Susan, Carole, Jackie, Gary – with love.

      Table of Contents

       Title Page

       Dedication

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Chapter Twenty-One

       Chapter Twenty-Two

       Chapter Twenty-Three

       Chapter Twenty-Four

       Chapter Twenty-Five

       Chapter Twenty-Six

       Chapter Twenty-Seven

       Chapter Twenty-Eight

       Chapter Twenty-Nine

       Chapter Thirty

       Chapter Thirty-One

       Epilogue

       Acknowledgements

       Read on for the Next Compelling Novel

       About the Author

       Also by Kay Brellend

       Copyright

       About the Publisher

       Prologue

       Summer 1930

      ‘You can’t mean it!’ Sophy Lovat stared at her youngest sister in astonishment. ‘You’re planning on handing in your notice and going back to Campbell Road? You gone nuts, Lucy Keiver?’

      ‘Course not. I won’t be there for more’n a few days, not if I can help it,’ Lucy replied defensively. ‘I’ll stop with Mum and Reg just while I’m between things. I can keep Mum company while I’m sorting this out.’ She drew from her serge skirt pocket a piece of paper and, having unfolded the crumpled scrap, scanned the advertisement for an assistant lady’s maid in a mansion in Bloomsbury. ‘Got an interview early next month, and if I get offered the job, I’ll be living in straightaway.’ Lucy could tell her explanation hadn’t impressed her sister. ‘Move back to the Bunk for good?’ she scoffed in an effort to save face. ‘I’m not that daft!’

      ‘After all I did to get you took on here!’ Sophy protested indignantly. ‘And you’ve done all right for yourself with my help. Out of the kitchen and upstairs in no time at all, weren’t you?’

      ‘It was different before, when the mistress was still alive.’ The staff at Lockley Grange still called their employer’s late wife ‘the mistress’. His current spouse was referred to as ‘the madam’, and invariably in a disparaging tone.

      ‘You can’t throw it all in ’cos you’ve had a bit of a disagreement with Mrs Lockley.’ Sophy was prowling back and forth outside the stable block while reasoning quietly with her sister; she was aware they might be overheard.

      ‘Weren’t a bit of a disagreement.’ Lucy’s wry grimace emphasised her point. She was also keeping a weather eye out in case any ears were flapping in the vicinity. ‘She called me an insubordinate wretch who should keep to her place. So I told her ...’ She hesitated and guilty colour stole into her cheeks. ’I told her a few home truths, so even if I don’t chuck it in, I’ll probably get chucked out.’ Lucy defiantly tilted her chin. ‘She’s never liked me and I know I ain’t alone in not liking her. Nobody here took to her from the start.’ Lucy stepped closer to hiss in her sister’s ear, ‘We all know she got John Drew sacked from the stables, and Edna couldn’t wait to work out her notice before she quit. If you’re honest, you know you ’n’ Danny don’t like her either.’

      Sophy struck a finger to her lips and steered her sister roughly against the cover of brickwork.

      Lucy had