Sophie

Three months ago

Sophie was serving drinks at the Club.

Her feet ached, her hands smarted to slap some of the lecherous men who thought all women enjoyed being pawed.

She stomped into the kitchen, her tray in her hand when one of the girls stopped her.

“Hey Sophie,’ said the girl as she swayed past,’ You have a visitor. At the back door.’

Sophie trotted across, alarmed. Had something happened at home? Was it about Mom? Or Paddy?

A couple of girls stood, smoking around the doorway and one of them indicated a figure waiting beside the gate set in the wall. The gate opened onto a narrow...