The snippet focuses on two of my main characters, sixteen year old Dolly, who has the fake name and persona of Delilah Diamond (she left home) and Sid Skinner, who owns the cabaret club in London that she ends up working at. Their relationship is an important feature throughout the story and this is the first time they meet. Enjoy.
Sherry finally returned, with
a man in tow. He wasn't a customer, Dolly could tell, he was too high
a calibre for that. Every single thing about him looked smart, from
his slicked back hair, to his expensive shoes. However it was his
eyes that held the most interest for her. Lots of people she knew had
blue eyes, herself included but his were exceptionally cold and
perceptive. His cheek bones were sharp on his attractive face.
Without him having said a word she felt he was dangerous, her
instincts told her to get as far away from him as possible. Like many
a girl before her she was hypnotised by Sidney Skinner and there was
nothing she could do about it but sit there and pretend he was just
another man, face neutral, not wanting him to know she was affected
by him.
He gave a thin lipped,
half smile and knew if he had a shilling for every time this happened
he would be a rich man, though he already was, money was money and he
could never have enough of it. His smile grew wider still. This bird
was doing well, he thought, impressed at how she had managed to set
her face into a casual mask.
He sat down in the chair
opposite her.
“So you're...Delilah, I take
it? Wonderful name”
Dolly nodded and fidgeted
underneath the table. She knew that he knew she had been creative,
there were few Delilah's in the area.
“I also understand you
can sing like a little lark? Although Sherry could be exaggerating,
we both know how big her gob is”
He smirked at Sherry then,
linking his hands together on top of the table.
Dolly froze, knowing what was
coming next. Inside her head she cursed her friend, who she could see
was rather tipsy.
“I've been told I can
sing, yes” Dolly answered, voice quiet.
“Sing me a line or two of a
tune and I'll tell you for sure”
His eyes glinted.
Looking around, she saw that
the majority of the customers and girls were gone. Clearing her
throat, she sang some of 'all things bright and beautiful' and Sidney
put his hand up to silence her when he had heard enough.
“Good news, you can hold
a tune all right”
He nodded at Sherry and what
Dolly thought was a genuine smile crossed his face, even teeth
showing.
“I have a job offer for
you. You sing here, have your own act, five nights a week, any tips
you get are yours to keep”
He sat back, confident
that he would have her on board, most people asked to work here, not
the other way around.
Dolly's mouth struggled to
work and her hesitation both surprised and irritated him.
“I don't have all night
love...going once...going twice...”
“I'll take it” Dolly
said, hating herself for her cowardice.
“Excellent”
“Thank you Mr...?”
“Skinner, Sid Skinner but
you can call me Sid”
He was all smiles once
more, attempting to be friendly, though Dolly could still feel the
underlying danger of him.
Sid sensed that she was no
longer charmed by him and it rankled. The times he had approached
someone with a job offer they fluttered their eyelashes at him and
thanked him with a huge smile and come to bed eyes. His own eyes
narrowed. She was different he'd give her that.
“You start tomorrow at
seven, I'm sure Sherry will show you the ropes”
He got up, brushed an
imaginary speck of dirt from his suit and walked away without a
backwards glance.
