Part 8 (1/2)

*That depends how truthful your answers are.' He raised her chin with his cane handle. *And you may be sure that I shall know.'

*Are you the law?'

*I am a gentleman.'

She put protective hands over her tray. *My sister told me to stay clear of them.'

*Mr Grice is a respectable gentleman,' I told her.

She c.o.c.ked her head. *That's the sort she warned me off.'

Sidney Grice chuckled. *Is this your regular place of business?'

*Might be.'

*And were you here on Monday, the day before yesterday?'

The match girl started. *You can't stick that on me.'

*We are not accusing you of anything,' I said.

*Not yet.' My guardian leaned forwards to scrutinize her.

*I was sittink there on my patch all day. Ask anyone. Loads of geezers come by all the time. One of them was a peeler. 'E gave me a happle.'

*What colour was the apple?'

She looked blank.

*That was unkind,' I said.

*And your patch is usually outside the ironmonger's shop?' Sidney Grice asked, unabashed.

*Just where that peeler is now,' she nodded. *He's sittink on my box what Mr Hashby puts out for me. 'E's a gent, Mr Hashby is. Lets me sit there all day 'cause it's sheltered from the rain and my wares don't get wet. I get beaten if they do. 'E brings me water and bits to eat sometimes. 'E gave me a cup of milk just after the eight o'clock bells.'

*How was his manner?'

*Same as ever. 'E's a quiet sort. No side to 'im. No airs. No graces. 'E's a goodun, Mr Hashby is.'

*What was Mrs Ashby like?' I asked, and Sidney Grice clicked his tongue.

The match girl sucked in her cheeks one at a time and said, *Like a lot of fings, she was.'

*What sort of things?'

*Like a miserable dung cow mostly. Always movink me on when 'e wasn't about. 'E caught her pus.h.i.+nk me out into the snow once. 'Ad a good old barney about that, they did. 'Ad lots of good old barneys, they did.'

*What about?'

My guardian groaned. *This is not a ladies' sewing circle.'

The match girl picked her nose and wiped it on her shoulder.

*Everyfink and nuffink, I should fink.'

Sidney Grice walked round her.

*So how was business on Monday?' he asked from behind.

She half turned her head. *I didn't get nuffink. In fact I got worse than nuffink. Some bleedin' bleeder pinched one of my boxes and I got a clout and no supper and 'ave to pay for it.'

*Who stole your matches?' I asked.

*I-'

*Never mind that,' my guardian broke in. *I am hardly likely to take up the case. How was business for Mr Ashby?'

*He didn't get nuffink neeva. Not a soul came in all day or night.'

*You are sure of that?'

*As sure as cats.h.i.+t.'

He came back to face her. *What time did you finish?'

*'Bout midnight. Bit after.'

*But why do you work so late?' I asked.

*There's blokes comink out of the pubs bowf end of this street and there's some of 'em wants a light.'

*And you heard nothing?'

The match girl pulled the remnants of a woollen coat tighter about her chicken-bone shoulders.

*'Course I 'eard somefink. I may be blind but I ain't deaf. You'd better make this worf my while, mister.' Her voice dropped. *I pushed open the door to put the empty milk cup back inside like I always do, when I 'eard Mr Hashby screamink. Oh my Gawd, Sarah. 'Elp! Murder!'

*And then what?' Sidney Grice asked.

*Nuffink.' The match girl spat at her feet. *I scarpered and that's it.'

Sidney Grice reached into his trouser pocket and produced two coins.