The wet cobblestones reflected the dull glow of the gas streetlights. Rain was fitful, squalls and dry spells. Ruby's step father walked down with her as she started work for the first time.
"Now thee know what to do," he asked urgently, "When thee makes ten bob bring back home or thee might get mugged."
"Yes our Dad," she said.
Tommy Acort looked on, he waited in Timothy Whites doorway as Ruby passed by.
"Thee dropped thee knickers didn't thee, can't run from the rozzers with knickers round thee anchors," he queried.
Tommy waited for him to bugger off, "Evening our Ruby, you gone on the game then?" Tommy asked.
"What's it to thee?" she asked.
"I got a horn, how much to stick it up thee?" he asked
"Five bob," Ruby replied
"Here you are then," Tommy replied as he handed over two half crowns.
"Thing is I haven't done it afore, except wi me step dad, and he only poked me ass," Ruby replied.
"You a virgin then?" he asked.
"No, I had me fingers up," she confesed, "Dad said I could have got ten pounds for it."
"I suppose," Tommy replied, "How's about we have a bag of chips first?"
"Me Dad want's me to make a few bob not hang around with the likes of you," Ruby replied.
"And you," Tommy asked, "Do you want to fuck some old bloke down an alleyway for five bob a time?"
"No," Ruby admitted, "But I ant got no choice have I?"
"You could tell thee dad to fuck his self." he suggested.
"He would chuck me out on street," Ruby protested.
"He already has from where I'm looking on," Tommy observed, "Why don't thee come home with me, we has a spare room you could use as a brothel and I could be your pimp."
"What's in it for you?" Ruby asked.
"I could have it away with thee when ever I want," he suggested.
"Out the frying pan into the fire," Ruby sighed, "Give us five bob and have your end away I need to get on."
"I just shot me load in me pants sorry," Tommy apologised.
"Well thee caan still give me five bob." Ruby protested.
"What's all this then young Ruby," P C Nobby Noble asked as he strolled by, "You gone on the game then."
"No we are going for a bag of chips," Tommy replied.
"Nice try lad, I knows thee dad or step dad, he's a rum bastard, he put you up to it?" Nobby asked.
Ruby nodded.
"He been fucking you up he ass ent he?" Nobby asked Ruby nodded.
"Do you reckon he would like a truncheon rammed up his ass hole?" Nobby asked, "Do you reckon he's a queer?"
"He fucks me mam every which way but up," Ruby replied.
"Pimps her out too I'll wager," Nobby suggested. Ruby nodded. "I'll be back, can't have queer pimps walking the street can we?"
Nobby turned to Tommy, "Give her one from me lad, and be respectful like," he said.
Ruby was confused, she thought Nobby arrested prossies and had his wicked way with them instead of them getting fined.
"What's up with him?" she asked Tommy.
"He hates thee dad, everyone hates the lazy bastard, putting thee mam and sister on't game and lazing round on profits," Tommy said.
"He's not me real Dad," Ruby explains.
"I know," Tommy agreed, "Well thee mam was a prossie so no one knows who thee real dad is do they, not even thee mam."
"No, I suppose not," Ruby agreed.
"I need to get washed up Ruby," Tommy explained, "I'm all sticky, do you want to come home with me and have a brew while I change me pants?"
Ruby considered this life changing decision for at least ten seconds, "That would be nice."
"After that I can give thee one if me mam don't kick off," Tommy offered.
"Cuppa would be nice," Ruby confirmed.
Tommy took Ruby home, "Is Kettle on Ma?" he asked shouting up the stairs as his Mam tended to stay in bed all day.
"Who for?" Mrs Acort asked.