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.