Taster from my book :)

From march to may of this year, I managed to write a novel. I've just finished editing it for a second time tonight and after this I'm hoping to be able to publish it, probably on amazon so people can buy it for their kindles. So at least there's always that option to self publish, its meant to be the easier route to go down. Anyway, I thought I'd post a little taster on here so that you'll all be dying to buy my book, haha.
    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.