This particular batch of alcohol was the roughest produced and therefore by dint was the cheapest to buy in quantity by Nellie. Sold as Ladies Delight – a much smoother gin – the price was the same. It was throat-searing stuff but if folk were daft enough to drink it, who was he to argue?
It was not against the law to sell or drink this foul beverage, and it was up to the individual as to how they spent their hard-earned coin. Besides, this was Nellie’s business, and she didn’t care as long as they spent their money in her saloon.
By lunchtime, all the shelves beneath the bar were fully stocked once more. Nellie had opened up after breakfast and rubbed her hands with glee as people poured in through the door. She had tended the bar throughout the morning whilst Poppy had scalded more bottles and their lunch was prepared by Nancy Sampson, the cook, and Nellie’s long-time friend.
Jack shot into the kitchen for his plate of grey peas and bacon with fresh crusty bread. He was looking forward to the afternoon – he and Poppy would be working the bar together whilst Nellie took a nap.
It was fun to work alongside Poppy; her quick rejoinders to smutty remarks made by drunken customers always made him laugh.
Finishing his food, Jack stepped into the bar and immediately found his name being called by folk waiting to be served.
He smiled. The afternoon shift had begun.
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About the Author
Lindsey Hutchinson is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. She was born and raised in Wednesbury, and was always destined to follow in the footsteps of her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson.
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About Boldwood Books
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First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Boldwood Books Ltd.
Copyright © Lindsey Hutchinson, 2021
Cover Design by Head Design Ltd
Cover Photography: Shutterstock
The moral right of Lindsey Hutchinson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologise for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-83889-401-6
Large Print ISBN: 978-1-80280-434-8
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-80280-203-0
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-83889-403-0
Kindle ISBN: 978-1-83889-402-3
Audio CD ISBN: 978-1-83889-399-6
MP3 CD ISBN: 978-1-80280-269-6
Digital audio download ISBN: 978-1-83889-400-9
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A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane Page 28
