That's what they thought in them days, 'Boys don't bring the trouble home so let things go'. They didn't bother you know so much with boys as daughters. And I tell you what a lot of the older women did do these illegal abortions. I do know one girl, she was engaged to a fellow in the Navy, I don't think it belonged to him. She got pregnant, she had an illegal abortion and she died. They took her to the infirmary too late. Now someone knew something about that didn't they. Yes. 

We knew one woman, we used to call her Mrs Stop'um. They said she used crochet hooks - now isn't it wicked - come to think of it you know. And even taking stuff, you're poisoning something aren't you? Oh no, it was hush hush 'cos they could have been had up couldn't they? 

They tried to find out who done it with this girl but she never spoke. It was common knowledge - I don't know how many people in Shilton remember it now. Some families weren't talked to but this family weren't disliked, it wasn't a wicked family you see.

My mother said, 'What you going to do?' so I said, 'I think I'll be a hairdresser.' I never thought about going in an office 'cos it wasn't very well paid in those days - office kids only got ten shillings (50p) I think. 

There was a lady hairdresser in Shilton but she wanted paying and there weren't a lot of scope then - I should have had to have gone to Leicester - and my mum said no way are you going to Leicester, so I had a month where I didn't go to work did I, 'cos I didn't want to go work; so some lady, I mean, I could smack her really, she said, 'You got any work?' So I said, 'No' - I hadn't been after any - so she says Bradburys the hosiery want girls. So my mum done no more than turns round and takes me there, 'cos you went with them then you know, like little dogs, so I went with her. 

'Oh yes, we'll set you on, start on Monday'. I didn't say I didn't want to go - I went. I didn't want to go at all, I didn't like it at all, but I got on and I was earning about 36 shillings (£1.80) a week which was good 'cos my dad's farm labourers were only getting that. I only had ten shillings for start but when they put me on my own time, you see I was with a lot of older women, I earnt 36 shillings, mind you they were on £2 odd.