Tessie pressed her back against the cold alley wall and looked toward the courtyard. She had to get out of the Nichol. Standing in a stranger’s boots and her home commandeered, her chest sank with the pressure of it all as the rumblings of voices wafted down the alley.
Slipping in behind a family and walking in step towards Bethnal Green Road, Tessie's mind wandered to where she might find refuge as a hand gripped her shoulder and spun her around. It was Moses. His dark eyes shot through her.
"There you are!" He dug his fingers into her arm and dragged her to him. She could smell the alcohol on him again. "I seen ya come out of the stairwell, thought that couldn't possibly be you. What a gift!"
Tessie struggled as his hand gripped harder, yanking her toward the back of the building.
"L
