Prologue
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In the local pub of Durham Coalfield, North East England, a man sits with one of his best friends from school, downing one lousy drink of beer. The dim light of the small room casts a dark shadow upon his face, highlighting his deep wrinkles of stress and age.
Jackie takes another swig of his beer, mouth screwed in dissatisfaction, "I don't know what he's thinking anymore. Ever since Jenny died, none of my boys seem," he thinks for a moment, "happy."
"Sounds like you need a maid," his mate, Jim, speaks up, his dark brown eyes staring into his half-fill beer.
Jackie lightly snorts, swirling his glass around, "With what money could I afford a maid?"
In the dark lights of the pub, Jim's eyes seem to spark with an idea. He pats his large hand upon Jackie's sulking back and grins with a full set of teeth.
"I might be able to help you out there."
Jackie snorts again, eyes dropping once more to his beer. His shoulders slump and he mutters a, "Don't kid yourself man."
"Hear me out," Jim pushes, placing his drink down on the counter and swivels to face his depressed friend, "She's a worker at the store, just out of school, needs a place to stay and is very mature and kind."
"I'm not sure Jim."
"You won't need to pay her. She'll work for a room."
Jackie lifts an eyebrow in thought.
"Maybe."
Perhaps this girl could help out in the departments which he cannot. His beloved Janine had always kept the house running, warm breakfast on the table before he could even get out of bed.
And everyone knows that Billy is too young not to have a motherly-figure to ask for guidance. And he still burns their morning toast.
Without even saying it, Jackie's mind is made up.
This is going to be a good step for his struggling family.
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A/N
This is an updated chapter.
Hope you enjoy it, since I haven't touched this story in a couple years...
More chapters to come soon, I promise!