Читать книгу Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection - Josephine Cox - Страница 74

‘ARE YOU SURE you don’t mind me going early?’ In the last hour there had been a continuous flow of customers, and Amy was concerned about leaving her mother to deal with them on her own. ‘With four people to serve and probably more on the way, it wouldn’t be fair to leave you on your own, Mam.’

Marie waved aside her concern. ‘I’m more than capable.’ She lifted the bag of dolly-blues from the cupboard. ‘You get off and meet Daisy.’ She glanced at the wall clock. ‘If you don’t get away now, you’ll miss the tram and she’ll think you’ve let her down.’ Giving her a gentle prod she added cautiously, ‘With the way things are between her parents, you’re the only light in that girl’s life, so be off with you!’

‘Only if you’re sure.’ Amy couldn’t help but feel guilty.

A sharp voice interrupted them. ‘Are you serving us, or what? We’ve been waiting ages and I need to get back. My sister’s coming up from Buckingham, and I’ve not even got her bed ready!’ That was old Alice, complaining as usual.

‘Well, you are a lazy bugger, Alice.’ That was John Tupp, a wily old fellow from Whalley Banks, on the way to Clitheroe; he often came into the shop to have a chat. ‘It were Monday last when you told me your sister were coming to stay, and here you are not even got her bed ready. By! What the devil do you do with your time, eh? That’s what I’d like to know.’

‘I reckon she’s got a man tucked away somewhere.’ Tiny Mrs Jacobs was the pawnbroker’s wife. ‘If you ask me, there’s more to Alice than any of us know.’

‘Gerraway!’ A bit of a randy devil himself, Ronnie Leatherhead had been through more relationships than all the neighbours put together. ‘A man would have more sense than to link up with Alice. She’s too bloody mean and crotchety.’

‘One thing’s for sure,’ Alice bit back, ‘you’d never get the chance to “link up” with me, not in a month o’ Sundays!’

Chuckling at Alice’s remarks, Marie propelled Amy to the end of the counter. ‘Get yourself ready and catch that tram,’ she said. ‘I’ll be fine on my own. Just you go and enjoy yourself, lass. Lord knows, you’ve earned it.’ She was amazed at how hard Amy worked, from the minute they opened the shop, to the minute they cashed up. Tireless, she was, and thorough with it.

As Amy went out of the shop and into the living quarters, she heard her mother chiding the customers, ‘Hey! That’s enough of the arguing. Now then, who’s first?’

There was a span of shocked silence, before the arguing started again.

A short time later, Amy returned to the shop, to find the customers quietly behaved and her mother dealing with them in her own calm, collected manner. ‘Give Daisy my love.’ She gave Amy a peck on the cheek. ‘And mind you don’t spend all your hard-earned money.’

‘You look nice, lass.’ Old John’s eyes lit up. ‘By! I wish I were young again. Off to see young Daisy Robertson, are you?’

‘Yes, she is!’ Marie pushed Amy towards the end of the counter. ‘And if you keep her talking, she’ll never catch her tram.’

To Amy she murmured, ‘He’s right though, lass. You do look lovely.’ Amy had on a pale pink blouse with loose neck and long sleeves, and a brown straight skirt that showed off her curves. Her hair was bouncy and her eyes were shining, and altogether she looked lovely.

‘Thanks, Mam.’

Amy was really looking forward to spending a few hours with Daisy. ‘I wonder if she remembers where we’re meeting this time?’ she remarked with a hearty chuckle. ‘Last time we arranged to meet, she waited on Ackeroyd Street instead of under the market-clock. It was nearly an hour before she remembered. Then it started raining and by the time she got to me, the pair of us were all wet and bedraggled.’

Marie laughed out loud. ‘That’s Daisy for you!’

As Amy went out the door, she heard the old man telling Marie, ‘I feel for that young Robertson lass. Her father is a right bad lot, and as for the mother, well … every man in Blackburn knows how she earns her spending money.’

When the other customers joined in to condemn Daisy’s parents, Marie wisely and light-heartedly put a stop to it. She knew what they were saying was the hard truth, but it wasn’t the kind of banter she wanted to hear; especially not when Daisy was her daughter’s best friend.

The shouting and screaming had gone on for a full hour.

‘Get your hands off her, you bastard!’ Painted with rouge and lipstick, her hair bleached to the roots and wearing a dress that revealed too much for comfort, Daisy’s mother knew how to handle herself.

Taking the poker from its stand, she confronted Daisy’s father. A mountain of a man, he had Daisy pinned to the door, his two arms folded across her neck and his considerable weight pressing against her. ‘You’re going nowhere!’ he growled. ‘Not till you tell me who was in here last night. And don’t try lying through your teeth, because I know she had a bloke in here. I might be thick, but I’m not bloody stupid!’

Her face stained with tears, Daisy stared him out. ‘I’ve already told you,’ her words came out in a strangled muffle, ‘I don’t know anything.’

‘You’re a madman! Let go of her!’ Daisy’s mother screamed, prodding him repeatedly with the poker. ‘There’s been no fella in here … not last night or any other sodding night! There were only me and Daisy. Now let her go, or I swear to God, I’ll do for you!’

In a sudden move that left her buckled against the door, he threw Daisy aside and, grabbing hold of the woman, wrapped his hands about her neck. ‘So! You’ll “do for me”, will you?’ he laughed. ‘Well now, let’s see you try, eh?’ Wrenching the poker from her hands, he grappled her to the ground. There then followed a lot of shouting and threats as they tore at each other with blind hatred.

Suddenly there was a bang on the wall, and a neighbour yelled, ‘If you don’t stop the racket this minute, I’m fetching the police!’

‘See what you’ve done now, you silly, jealous bugger!’ As he continued to bear down on her, Daisy’s mother fought like a tiger. ‘You’ll be getting us thrown out on the streets with your shenanigans!’

‘Aw, come on, tek no notice of them buggers next door.’ Stroking her breast he gave a knowing grin. ‘What say we make up, eh?’

In a matter of minutes, the two of them were rolling about on the floor, laughing and teasing, and blatantly petting each other.

‘You make me sick!’ Disgusted with what was now happening before her eyes, Daisy ran to the scullery where she sobbed for a while. Then she washed her face, tidied her hair, straightened her tight little dress and checked her stocking seams, then, going out the back door, prayed the neighbours would not stop her as she ran down the street.

‘I hate them!’ she muttered. ‘I wish they’d kill each other!’

Twenty minutes later, she stepped off the bus at the market square, where Amy was patiently waiting under the clock.

‘Daisy!’ Catching sight of her, she ran forward. ‘Where in God’s name have you been? I began to think you weren’t coming.’

Daisy hurried to meet her. ‘No you didn’t,’ she teased. ‘You thought I’d forgotten and gone to the wrong place again, didn’t you?’

Amy laughed. ‘The thought did cross my mind.’

‘Well, I’m here now,’ Daisy told her, ‘so stop nattering and let’s get going.’

Amy hesitated. In spite of Daisy’s jolly manner, she could see she’d been crying and, knowing how Daisy was sometimes reluctant to talk about what was going on at home, Amy offered all the same. ‘You can tell me what happened if you like?’

Daisy shrugged. ‘Who says anything happened?’

‘I can see for myself. All I’m saying is,’ Amy gently assured her, ‘if you want to talk about it, I’m here for you.’

On the way to the shops Daisy outlined the cause of the trouble. ‘It’s always the same. He keeps accusing her of having a fella in the house when he’s not around. Oh, I’m not defending her, because she’s a disgrace – one man after another, and no shame to go with it. But she never brings them home … not as far as I know, anyway.’

‘Why don’t they split?’ It seemed a natural solution to Amy. These were two people who already seemed to live separate lives, with each carrying on with whomever they fancied. Yet they fought over each other like a pair of crazed animals, with poor Daisy caught in the middle of it all.

‘They’ll never split,’ Daisy answered. ‘They love each other – at least that’s what they say.’

‘But it doesn’t make sense.’ Amy had never been able to understand it.

Daisy was quiet for a time, then in a sombre voice she confessed, ‘Sometimes, Amy, I hate them so much it frightens me.’

Then suddenly, and before Amy could answer, Daisy was running ahead. ‘Come on, slowcoach!’ she cried. ‘Let’s get a move on, or the shops will be shut before we get there.’

Realising it was Daisy’s way of telling her she didn’t want to talk about her parents any more, Amy went along with her. ‘Race you to the Co-op!’ she called, and the two of them ran down the street as though everything was right with the world.

They wanted new dresses to wear to a dance that evening. But the Co-op, even in the town centre, didn’t carry much stock, so could not really help.

‘We haven’t got such a big dress selection,’ the assistant told them, ‘but we’re looking to move to larger premises soon, and when we do, we’ll have much more room for a clothes department.’

Leading the way, she ushered them into a small area at the back of the shop. ‘There.’ Pointing to the rack of garments, she said confidently, ‘I’m sure you’ll find something suitable.’

As the assistant walked away, Daisy sniggered. ‘Bloody Nora! Now there’s a frightening sight, I must say.’

Amy discreetly glanced at the woman. ‘As long as she helps us to find what we want, she’s all right by me.’

Though Amy had to admit she hadn’t felt altogether comfortable in the woman’s company. With her straight black skirt, starched white blouse and her dark hair scraped back so tightly it threatened to spring from the roots, the woman really did look quite unfriendly.

It didn’t take long for the girls to realise they would not find what they wanted here. After fifteen minutes of rummaging through the rack, they had seen and tried all the frocks, and none of them was right.

‘Have you found anything suitable?’ The woman was back, arms folded and a grim look on her face, as though she was ready for a fight.

Amy shook her head. ‘Sorry, but there’s nothing there we fancy.’ It was no use beating about the bush, she thought.

The woman was not pleased, and it showed. ‘If that’s the case, you might as well leave, because that’s all we have, I’m afraid.’ That said she turned her back on them and began straightening the dresses, all the time muttering and complaining.

‘I wouldn’t like to meet her on a dark night,’ Daisy said as they made their way out.

‘Happen she wouldn’t care to meet you neither!’ Amy quipped.

They were in merry mood as they burst into the second-hand shop.

‘We’re looking for party dresses,’ Daisy informed the proprietor. ‘We’d like something pretty and cheap, with no stains or holes.’

‘Well, now …’ Bald-headed and round as a pumpkin, the man looked like a leprechaun perched on a stool. ‘You’ve come to the right place, ladies.’

When he showed them through to the back room, they were confronted with three racks of dresses in all sizes, colours and styles. He left them to browse.

‘We’re gonna have a good time here, lass!’ Laughing, Daisy wasted no time in sorting out four dresses to try.

‘They’ve all been cleaned and pressed,’ the odd little man informed them on his return. ‘So don’t go wiping lipstick and powder on ’em, or I’ll have to charge you for the cleaning!’ With that he loped out and left them to browse further.

Daisy and Amy had the time of their lives trying on the dresses.

‘What do you think to this one?’ When Daisy came out from behind the curtain, Amy almost collapsed in hysterics. Tight across her stomach and loose about her chest, the crimson dress clung to her backside, and when she bent down Amy could see her knickers.

‘Put it back, for God’s sake!’ Amy urged. ‘If you go out like that, you’ll get arrested!’

‘Does that mean you don’t like it?’ Daisy groaned, feigning disappointment.

‘Trust me,’ Amy laughed. ‘Wear that and you’ll have a trail of dogs behind, wherever you go.’

Daisy giggled naughtily. ‘Men-dogs, or dog-dogs?’ she asked.

‘Both!’ Amy answered.

For a bit of fun, Amy tried on a green dress with a trailing hem that reached halfway across the room, and a feather boa.

‘If you keep messing about we’ll never find what we want,’ Daisy chided. ‘Let’s get on with it.’

‘Are you ladies all right in there?’ the leprechaun enquired from the front room.

‘We’re fine,’ Amy answered. ‘You’ve got so many, it’s difficult to choose.’

‘I knew you’d be pleased,’ he replied smugly. ‘Take your time; we don’t shut for another hour.’

In the end, Amy chose a straight, pale blue dress with stand-up collar and belted waist, which fitted as if it was made for her.

Daisy too was delighted with her find: a pink floating thing with low neckline, and also with belted waist, it fell to a swingy hem that kicked out as she walked.

‘I feel like a film star,’ she told Amy, and Amy was glad to see she had forgotten her troubles, at least for now.

When the dresses were parcelled and paid for, they thanked the little man and left.

‘I’d best get the bus,’ Daisy said. ‘So, what time d’you want to meet at the Grand?’

Hearing a tone of regret in Daisy’s voice, Amy told her, ‘You don’t have to go home if you don’t want to.’

Daisy’s smile returned. ‘Really?’

Judging by the relief in Daisy’s voice, Amy knew she had done the right thing. ‘Yes, really. I’d love you to come home with me. By the time we’ve had a bite to eat, we’ll need to get ready, and then it’ll be time to make our way into town.’

‘But what will your mam say?’ Daisy knew what her own mother would say, if she took a friend home unexpectedly. ‘Won’t she be angry?’

‘Course not! She’ll say exactly what I’ve said – that it seems silly you spending money on the bus fare to go all the way home, when you’re already here.’

‘But I haven’t got any lipstick. And I need to change my shoes and all that …’ She would have gone on, but Amy stopped her.

‘You take the same size shoes as me, so borrow a pair of mine. And I’m sure you’ll find the right colour lipstick, because you’ve borrowed it often enough when we’ve been out. Oh, come on, Daisy, I promise you’ll look beautiful …’ She chuckled. ‘Well, passable, anyway.’

She got a playful dig in the ribs for that cheeky remark, but Daisy was grateful that she wouldn’t be going home just yet. ‘By the time I get home tonight, they’ll have calmed down,’ she said, and if Amy needed any convincing that she had done the right thing, that remark did it.

Linking arms they walked home together, with Amy wishing she could change things for Daisy; and Daisy thanking her lucky stars, for having found the best friend in the whole wide world.

Amy was right. Marie and Dave welcomed Daisy with open arms. They had their tea: thick meat butties of home-made bread, and a delicious apple pie with ice-cream to follow.

‘I’ll be so full I’ll not be able to dance,’ Daisy groaned, tucking in happily none the less.

Afterwards the girls went up to Amy’s room.

‘Oh, Amy, I do like your room.’ Daisy had seen it before, and never failed to admire it. Pretty as a picture, with its rose chintz curtains and a cream-coloured rug, the room was furnished with just a wardrobe, bed and dressing table. Being at the back of the house it was not the lightest of rooms, but the light painted walls and the lovingly chosen seascape paintings created a sense of space and light that belied the smallness.

‘One of these days we’ll decorate your room,’ Amy promised, ‘if your parents will let me through the door, that is.’ Last time Daisy had taken her home, there had been a terrible row and ever since then, Amy had been reluctant to visit.

‘Thanks all the same, but you needn’t bother,’ Daisy replied. ‘As soon as I can afford a place of my own, I intend leaving that house for good.’ And from the tone of her voice, Amy knew she meant it.

‘Right then!’ Taking Daisy by the arm, Amy propelled her towards the dressing table. ‘You don’t want your room decorated, so we’ll have to see what we can do with your face instead.’

‘I don’t want to be looking like a clown,’ Daisy declared fearfully.

‘Now, would I do that?’ Amy’s mischievous little grin got Daisy worried.

‘I mean it, Amy! If you make me look ridiculous, I won’t set foot outside this room.’

Ignoring her protests, Amy found enough make-up to suit Daisy.

A few minutes and a lot of grumbling later, she looked especially pretty. Her lips were lightly painted in the softest pink so as not to clash with the vibrant colour of her hair; a thin coating of powder on her skin and just the merest touch of mascara against her lashes and she was finished.

‘Now then, what do you think?’ Amy asked. ‘Have I made you look like a clown, or have I made you pretty as a picture?’

Daisy was delighted with the result of Amy’s handiwork. ‘It’s lovely,’ she said, ‘but what can we do about this?’ Pointing to the marks on her neck, she reminded Amy, ‘The dress has a low neckline, so folks are bound to see the bruises.’

Amy had not realised the extent of Daisy’s injuries until now. ‘Oh God, Daisy. That looks nasty.’ She lowered her voice, although no one would hear. ‘Did your father do that?’ she gasped. It beggared belief that a man could do that to his daughter.

Daisy nodded. ‘He had me pinned to the wall with the crook of his arm.’ Under her breath she uttered the word, ‘Bastard!’

Amy knew about Mr Robertson’s temper but hadn’t realised he was so vicious. She squeezed Daisy’s arm in silent but helpless sympathy. Then: ‘Don’t you worry, sunshine.’ She had an idea. ‘Stay there a minute.’

Going to the wardrobe, she took out a box and from that she withdrew a pretty necklace. It had been a present from her father, something to help cheer her after Don left. Thick-banded with dangling pink stones, it was perfect for what she had in mind. ‘This will not only go with your frock, it’ll hide the blemishes as well,’ she pointed out.

Draping it round Daisy’s neck she fastened it at the back. One look in the mirror told her that it had done the trick. ‘There you are. Now stop your moaning!’

Daisy gave a sigh of relief. ‘You’re a clever little bugger, aren’t you?’

Amy chuckled. ‘I do my best. Now, come out of my seat and go and get your frock on. It’s time for me to get myself ready.’

‘I’ll not be long.’ Taking her frock with her, Daisy went away to the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later, her wild, wavy hair was brushed to a golden shine, and she looked so lovely, Amy leaped out of the seat and, coming to turn Daisy round and round, she told her, ‘By! Every bloke in the room will want to dance with you.’ Tutting loudly, she grumbled, ‘The rest of us won’t even get a look in!’

‘Are you telling me the truth, Amy?’ Over the years Daisy’s parents had dented her confidence until, now, she needed constant reassurance. ‘Do I look nice? Do you really mean it?’

‘Of course I mean it, Daisy,’ Amy answered warmly. ‘You look beautiful.’

She observed Daisy’s bouncy mop of auburn hair and the pretty freckles that danced about her nose and eyes, and she meant every word.

At half-past seven, looking pretty as two pictures, they came down the stairs to a round of applause.

‘You look a treat!’ Dave was proud of them both.

Marie was so impressed, she vowed to visit the second-hand shop next time she went into town.

‘Mind you behave yourselves!’ Marie fussed as they went out the door. She made them put on a coat each and warned, ‘It’ll be chilly by the time you come out of there. And don’t be back late,’ she told Amy. Addressing Daisy she offered, ‘If you want to come back and stay the night, you’re very welcome, lass.’

‘Better not,’ Daisy declined gratefully. ‘My dad might take it into his head to come looking for me, and I wouldn’t wish his presence on anybody.’ Staying out until the early hours was one thing, but staying out all night would cause trouble and she daren’t risk it.

Chatting excitedly, the girls set off for the Grand. ‘I wonder if there’ll be any good-looking blokes there?’ Daisy mused aloud. ‘Somebody who’s rolling in money and looking for a girl like me.’

‘You’ll not find anybody rolling in money in this town,’ Amy declared, ‘except the mill-owners and businessmen, and they’re all fat, bald and married.’

‘Not all,’ Daisy corrected her. ‘I’ve heard that Luke Hammond is a real knockout.’

Amy was surprised. ‘Dad works for Hammonds, but he never talks too much about his work, or his boss.’

‘Men are useless!’ Daisy declared scornfully. ‘The poor devils just don’t know how to gossip. All I know is what I were told, and they say he’s a real good-looker.’ Her eyes widening with anticipation she glanced about. ‘D’you reckon he comes in here?’

‘I shouldn’t think the poor man goes anywhere, what with running the factory and then his wife to look after. Remember she was beaten up, and needs constant care?’

Daisy felt little sympathy. ‘He’s rich, isn’t he? And if he’s as caring as you say, I’m sure he’s arranged for her to have the best of everything.’

‘I’m sure he has.’ Amy felt both sympathy and curiosity. ‘It’s a terrible thing, though, don’t you think – him having such a burden, and for his wife too … It can’t be easy for either of them.’

Daisy agreed, though she had to have the last word. ‘It’s a damned sight worse if you’ve not got money. My old grandad fell over one Friday night. Drunk as a lord he were … broke both his legs and lost his false teeth down the grating. Months he had to wait for a new pair. His sodding legs were mended afore he got his new teeth.’ She laughed. ‘Two crutches and no gnashers – what a state to be in!’

As always, Amy had to laugh. ‘You’re a wicked bugger!’ she chuckled. ‘Anyway, what were we saying?’

Daisy reminded her, ‘We were saying how all the rich blokes are either fat, bald, or wed.’

‘That’s true, an’ all,’ Amy replied. ‘So, even if they do cast an eye in your direction, they’d only be after one thing, and we all know what that is, don’t we?’

Daisy gave a knowing wink. ‘It means they’d be after a bit of “how’s your father”.’

‘Right,’ Amy confirmed.

‘I’m not really sure I’d mind either,’ Daisy answered. ‘I’d mek the buggers pay top whack for their entertainment. Then I’d get my own place a damn sight sooner!’

‘Behave yourself,’ Amy told her. ‘We both know you wouldn’t sell yourself like that. Look, we’re here now, and don’t make eyes at every man in the room, or they’ll get the wrong idea.’

‘Trust me,’ Daisy said.

Linking arms with Amy, she pushed her forward. ‘I don’t want no trouble. I’m just here for a good time. All right, lass?’

‘So make sure you stick to that,’ Amy said. She knew from experience that when she and Daisy went out together, the evening could end unpredictably.

As they went through the doors and into the bar, Amy glanced at Daisy, who was already casting her net for any good-looking, unattached young men.

She smiled inwardly. Daisy was Daisy and try as you might, you would never change her.

‘By heck!’ Daisy gave Amy a sly little dig with her elbow. ‘Look, lass!’ Grabbing Amy, she then drew her aside, at the same time pointing to the two young men at the bar. ‘It’s them!’

Following Daisy’s gaze, Amy heart sank when she recognised the two blokes they’d tangled with last spring. ‘You’re right,’ she whispered. ‘It’s them all right.’

Daisy began backing away. ‘We’d best get out of here, before they see us.’

‘No!’ Standing her ground, Amy declared, ‘We’re not leaving. We’ve as much right to be here as they have.’

Daisy couldn’t believe her ears. ‘Bloody hell, lass,’ she groaned. ‘Have you forgotten what happened?’

‘I haven’t forgotten,’ she replied defiantly, ‘nor have I forgotten what that devious little squirt was up to when I interfered. For all I know he meant to have you by any means he could, and if I hadn’t dived in, he probably would have done. No, Daisy. We’re staying! If anybody needs to leave, it’s them.’ With that she marched forward to the bar, with Daisy clinging on to her arm for all she was worth.

In a strong, clear voice Amy ordered, ‘Two sarsaparillas please, barman, and a packet of pork scratchings.’

Daisy whispered, ‘What did you order them for?’

‘Because we always have pork scratchings.’

Daisy groaned. ‘Well, you can pay for ’em, and you can eat ’em. I ate enough food at your house to last me all week.’

Addressing the barman, Amy said, ‘Forget the scratchings. We’ll just have the sarsaparilla.’

Grumbling and groaning he replaced the packet of scratchings on the shelf. ‘Women!’ he muttered. ‘Never can mek their mind up.’

Catching sight of the two young men out the corner of her eye, Daisy tugged at Amy’s sleeve. ‘Don’t look now, lass, but they’re coming this way!’

Wishing they had given the Grand a miss tonight, Amy told her, ‘Ignore them, and they’ll go away.’

But they didn’t, and a moment later they were standing before the girls; the tall one looking unsure of himself, and the other one braving it out as though nothing had happened. Amy couldn’t believe the nerve of them.

‘Well! Would you believe it?’ It was the short one who spoke first. ‘We meet again, eh?’ Encouraged by the twinkle in Daisy’s eyes, he reminded her, ‘I’m Roy Williams.’ Gesturing to his friend, he addressed himself to Amy. ‘This ’ere’s my mate, Jack Tomlinson.’

Angered by his bare-faced cheek, Amy confronted him. ‘I think you’d best clear off,’ she answered haughtily, ‘before I call somebody to have you thrown out.’

His mate quickly stepped forward. ‘There were misunderstandings on both sides. What say we call a truce?’ Looking from one to the other, he waited for an answer.

‘Depends.’ Daisy spoke out. It was clear she was still attracted to the other young man, who by now was giving her the wink.

‘On what?’ Appraising Daisy from head to toe, the smaller man smiled confidently.

‘On two conditions.’

‘And what might they be?’

‘Firstly, you apologise for what you did.’

Looking uncomfortable, he dropped his gaze to the floor. ‘I was carried away. I didn’t mean anything by it.’

‘That’s not an apology!’

‘All right! I’m sorry.’ He turned to his friend. ‘We’re both sorry.’

‘That’s right,’ Jack readily agreed. ‘We’re sorry about what happened. It ruined what seemed like the start of a good relationship.’

‘Now then! Is that enough for you?’ Roy asked Daisy.

‘Yes. Your apology is accepted.’

‘So we can be friends, can we?’

‘Not yet,’ Daisy reminded him. ‘I said there were two conditions.’

‘So, what’s the second?’

Daisy surprised them all with her quick smile and her bold answer. ‘Now that you’ve apologised, you can dance with me.’

‘DAISY!’ Drawing her aside, Amy was flabbergasted. ‘What the devil are you playing at?’

‘Look, Amy, if they want to make friends, why can’t we?’ Giving her glass of sarsaparilla to Amy, Daisy reasoned, ‘I think they’ve learned their lesson.’

‘Well, I don’t! That Roy fella is arrogant as ever.’

‘Don’t worry, lass,’ Daisy whispered. ‘I can handle him now.’

Amy couldn’t help but worry and said so.

Daisy wasn’t listening. ‘I’ve seen the other blokes on offer round here,’ she said, ‘and I wouldn’t give ’em house room.’

Just then the music struck up; Roy asked her if she wanted this dance, and like the devil-may-care creature she was, Daisy fell into his arms and quickly led him onto the dance floor.

‘Well, I never!’ In spite of a niggling worry in the back of her mind, Amy had to smile. ‘I can talk till I’m blue in the face, and she takes not one blind bit of notice.’

‘And what about you?’ Suddenly, Jack was standing before her, his warm gaze inviting. ‘Fancy a twirl on the dance floor, do you?’

‘No, thanks all the same.’ She had a feeling he was genuine in his apology but she felt embarrassed about the whole incident and didn’t want reminding.

Excusing herself, she walked the few paces to a nearby table where she set the drinks down.

He followed her. ‘Do you mind if I sit beside you?’

She was annoyed yet curious. ‘Sit where you like,’ she said, ‘but don’t think you’re forgiven for what you and your mate did.’ Best to face it out, pretend she hadn’t panicked.

He sat down. ‘Can I ask you summat?’

Taking a sip of her drink, Amy shrugged. ‘Ask away.’

‘Will you please tell me what I did wrong that night?’

‘What d’you mean?’

He explained, ‘Just now, you said I mustn’t think I’m forgiven for what me and my mate did. So. All I’m asking is, what exactly did I do that was so wrong?’

‘When he was attacking Daisy, I thought you went in to help him,’ she answered lamely. But even at the time she hadn’t been certain that was the way it had happened.

‘You’re wrong.’ He sounded sincere. ‘Like you, I saw what was happening and needed to put a stop to it. When I got between you it wasn’t to help Roy, believe me. It was your friend I was trying to help.’

‘If that’s the case, I’m sorry for what I did,’ she admitted reluctantly. She’d felt embarrassed about it long enough. It was time to make amends.

He gave a wry little laugh. ‘You’re a dangerous woman, though.’ He observed her slight build, the mop of brown hair and those bright blue eyes, and his heart turned over. ‘I would never have guessed you could throw like that,’ he said admiringly.

Amy smiled, aware that he was teasing her. ‘Neither did I.’ Under his intense scrutiny she felt neither embarrassed nor angry, but curiously warm inside.

‘You managed to put me out of action for three days,’ he told her, exaggerating so she knew he was laughing with her. ‘What’s more, I had to lie to my boss. If I’d told him what really happened, the men would have taunted me mercilessly.’

As he talked and smiled and looked back with amusement at what she’d done, Amy began to see a different, pleasant side to him. ‘I might have been a bit too quick in throwing that brick,’ she confessed. ‘But I really thought you were as bad as your friend.’

His smile was all-embracing. ‘You don’t think that now, do you?’

Amy shook her head. ‘I’ll admit, I’m beginning to see you in a different light.’

‘Is that good or bad?’

‘Good … I think.’ In fact she had thought about that night often, and each time she was increasingly certain she’d got it wrong where he was concerned.

‘So, will you dance with me?’ he asked, and Amy agreed.

In spite of Amy’s earlier worries, the whole evening was surprisingly enjoyable, and by the time they were preparing to leave, their relationship was developing fast.

As for Daisy, her attraction for Roy was strong as ever. ‘I’m as much to blame for what happened,’ she told Amy in the toilets. ‘I must have given him the idea that I wanted it every bit as much as he did.’

‘That’s no excuse for coming on like he did.’ Amy wasn’t happy that Daisy had forgiven him so easily. ‘If you ask me, there’s a darker side to him than meets the eye. I know I can’t tell you what to do, but I’m asking you to stay on your guard. Will you do that for me?’

Daisy groaned but promised all the same. ‘All right, mother hen,’ she quipped cheekily, ‘I’ll stay on my guard.’

Then she laughed her impulsive, hearty laugh, and Amy couldn’t help but laugh with her. ‘You’re incorrigible!’ Amy said, and Daisy told her she didn’t even know what the word meant.

When they returned to their table, Jack was at the bar getting more drinks, while Roy was impatiently pacing the floor. ‘At last!’ He threw out his arms in frustration. ‘Whatever it is you women do when you go to the toilets together, it seems to take you one hell of a long time! What do you do, anyway?’

‘That’s for us to know and you to find out!’ Daisy retorted.

‘Hmm! You’re a brassy bugger and no mistake!’ He had fallen for Daisy hook, line and sinker.

They drank their drinks and danced until their feet ached. When the last waltz was over, they made their way outside.

‘Which way are you headed?’ Jack asked Amy.

‘Let’s just walk.’ Heading off in the direction of the marketplace, Amy wasn’t altogether happy about telling them where she lived. Since Don Carson had let her down she’d got out of the habit of trusting men. ‘Me and Daisy will soon have to make our way home,’ she warned amicably.

As they walked they chatted, and the more they chatted the more they found friendship.

‘What kind of work are you two in?’ Jack asked the girls.

Amy hesitated while Daisy answered in a rush, ‘Amy runs Atkinsons’ Corner Shop with her mam, and I work at Tooley’s Café.’ Puffing out her chest, she added proudly, ‘I’m in charge most of the time, on account of Ma Tooley’s forever gadding about. She likes the men, y’see? Goes off for days on end and leaves me to it. Mind you, I like being on my own. That way I don’t get nagged at every five minutes. Besides, when she’s not there, I get to use the old chip pan an’ grill.’

‘Use the old chip pan and grill, eh?’ Roy laughed out loud. ‘I can’t think of anything more exciting.’

‘Hey! Who asked you?’ Daisy gave him a sharp dig in the ribs for his cheek.

Jack smiled down on Amy. ‘So? You run a corner shop with your mam, eh?’

Amy wished Daisy hadn’t told them, but now there was no use denying it. ‘That’s right,’ she said.

‘What about you two?’ Giving Roy another nudge in the ribs, Daisy asked, ‘What work do you do?’

‘We both work at Hammonds, only I’m a mechanic and he’s the foreman, lucky bugger! And if yer don’t mind, I’d like you to keep yer elbows to yerself. I’ll be black and blue all over if you keep digging me in the ribs!’

‘I’m not a “lucky bugger”, as you put it,’ Jack protested half-heartedly. ‘I’ve worked hard for what I’ve got, and anyway, you’ve only been there for a year, while I’ve been there ever since I left school. All you have to do is knuckle down and your time will come.’

‘Hmm! Like hell it will.’ Roy had no self-worth.

Because of Roy’s complete lack of confidence in his future, Jack confided a snippet of information. ‘You’re already in the manager’s good books. I know for a fact he’s had a word with Mr Hammond on your behalf.’

Roy’s face lit up. ‘You’re kidding, aren’t yer?’

‘No,’ Jack answered, ‘you’ve been noticed. So from now on, you’d best watch your p’s and q’s.’

Having now arrived at the meat-pie stall alongside the marketplace, Roy dug his hand in his pocket and drew out a cache of coins. ‘Right! Meat pies all round, is it?’

Amy and Daisy declined politely, exchanging secret looks of horror at the idea of more food.

A few minutes later, they were all seated on one of the empty stalls, swinging their legs, the two men chewing on their meat pies with Roy slavering all the way.

‘Ugh! You mucky pup!’ Daisy gave Roy a playful push. ‘You’ve dripped gravy all down your front!’ The gravy ran from his chin to his shirt and over part of his lapel.

Wiping his hand over it and making matters worse, Roy turned to Jack. ‘Has he really had a word with Hammond?’

Jack nodded. ‘I’ve already told you. I heard him saying what a good worker you’d turned out to be. According to him, it wouldn’t be too long before you were moved up a notch or two.’ He wagged a finger. ‘But you don’t know anything about it, all right? I never told you.’

As a rule he would never have divulged such privileged information, but he had long suspected that Roy was ready to pack the work in and look for something else, and he needed encouragement to carry on. ‘Keep on the way you’re going, and there’s a future for you at Hammonds, that’s all I know.’

Roy grinned like a Cheshire cat. ‘Right, matey! Enough said.’

Daisy put paid to his grinning. ‘Look at that, you sloppy devil!’ Pointing to his shirt, she groaned, ‘Now, there’s a lump o’ meat stuck to your collar.’

He slid an arm round her. ‘So, I’m a sloppy devil. Does that mean you don’t love me any more?’

‘Gerroff!’ But this time she didn’t push him away, so he kept his arm round her shoulders, delighted when she didn’t complain.

Daisy too was secretly delighted. We’re two of a kind, she thought, and was happier than she’d been in ages.

‘I can’t believe you both work at Hammonds,’ Amy told them. ‘My dad works there, driving wagons. He travels so far, he doesn’t usually come home during the week.’

‘Well, I never! That’s what I want to do,’ Roy informed her. ‘I’d really like to drive the wagons. I’ve asked for training, but I’m last in the line, seeing as I was last into the factory.’ Plucking the lump of meat pie from his collar he popped it into his mouth. ‘I thought I didn’t stand a cat in hell’s chance, but after what Jack just told me, I’m over the moon. What’s more I wouldn’t care if I was out all week.’

Daisy didn’t think much to that. ‘What about your sweetheart?’ she asked. ‘How do you think she’d feel about that, eh?’

‘I’ve not got a sweetheart,’ he said cunningly, ‘so it won’t matter, will it?’

Searching for some reassurance as to her own standing, Daisy was reluctant to let the matter go. ‘You might not have a sweetheart now, but what about in the future?’

‘I don’t expect I’ll have one in the future,’ he winked, ‘unless o’ course, you’re offering to be my sweetheart?’

Daisy’s eyes shone. ‘We’ll have to see, won’t we?’

‘Looks like those two were made for each other,’ Jack whispered in Amy’s ear.

Amy agreed. ‘They got off to a shocking start,’ she said, ‘but you’re right. They do seem to be getting on really well.’

She had believed Roy to be a bad lot, but now, she wondered if maybe Daisy had been honest when she said how that first evening had ended was as much her fault as Roy’s. Even so, she told herself now, that wasn’t to say he was an angel.

Recalling the previous conversation between herself and Amy, Daisy saw the chance to get an opinion from Roy. ‘What d’you think of Luke Hammond?’ she asked.

‘He’s all right,’ Roy said casually. ‘Mind you, we don’t see much of him on the shop floor. He tends to get on with other things, though he does walk through the factory every day, talking to the foreman and managers and such. He’s not one o’ them bosses who leave others to do his work. He likes to know what’s going on … keeps his finger on the pulse, as they say.’

‘That’s right,’ Jack readily agreed. ‘And if there’s ever any trouble he soon sorts it out, when nobody else can.’ He lowered his voice in respect. ‘If you ask me, he’s got more than his fair share o’ troubles at home. I expect you’ve heard how his wife got beat up and now she’s got some sort of brain damage … has these weird moods …’

‘Aye, that’s right,’ Roy chipped in. ‘Once she came round the factory, looking for him, asking questions and causing trouble. Stunning-looking woman, though. You’d never think she were round the bend.’

Choosing to change the subject, Amy asked, ‘So you think Luke Hammond is a nice bloke?’

‘The best boss I’ve ever worked under,’ Roy said. ‘He keeps the factory rolling and keeps his workforce informed as to what’s happening. I expect your dad’s told you how we all thought we were for the high jump some time back, but it was exactly the opposite. When work got tight, Hammond went out and snatched a contract from under the noses of the big boys; enough to keep all of us in work for the foreseeable future. He gets my vote, I can tell you that!’

Curious about Amy’s father, Roy asked, ‘What did you say your Dad’s name is? Atkinson?’

‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ Amy thought it was one thing them knowing where she and Daisy worked, but it was another thing discussing her father.

Sensing a deal of hostility, Roy realised he had not yet redeemed himself in Amy’s eyes. ‘Just curious, that’s all.’

Feeling uneasy, Amy turned to Jack. ‘I’ll have to say good night,’ she said. ‘It’s time me and Daisy were headed home.’

But Daisy had other ideas. ‘If it’s all right with you, lass, I won’t be coming home with you tonight.’

Amy didn’t like what she was hearing. ‘So, where are you going?’

When Daisy hesitated, Roy answered, ‘She’s coming home with me.’

Amy’s fears grew. ‘Won’t your mam and dad have summat to say about you bringing a stranger home without warning?’

‘I’ve got my own place,’ he said. ‘But don’t you worry. She’ll be all right with me.’

Seeing how worried Amy was, Daisy assured her, ‘It’s all right, Amy … really.’

Amy didn’t like it. ‘I’d be happier if you came home with me, Daisy.’

Daisy shook her head. ‘Not tonight, lass. Me and Roy have a lot to talk about.’

As always, whatever Amy said, Daisy’s mind would not be changed.

Jack also had a word with Roy, but he and Daisy were adamant. ‘We’re not kids. We know what we’re doing.’

Amy and Jack watched them walk away. ‘I’m really worried,’ Amy said. ‘He tried to go too far with her once before. He could easily do it again, and we won’t be there to help her.’

‘He won’t do it again.’ Jack was certain. ‘The two of us have talked often about that night and I know he regrets it. Deep down he’s a good sort. I’ve never known him take to anybody the way he’s taken to Daisy.’

Unconvinced, Amy was all for going after them, but he stopped her. ‘Trust me,’ he said, ‘he respects her. He won’t harm her.’

‘How well do you know him?’

‘Well enough.’ Cupping his fingers about hers, he took the liberty of tucking her arm through his.

‘You feel cold,’ he told her, and though her first instinct was to draw away, she found herself leaning into him. It was a curiously comforting feeling.

Strolling down the street, Daisy and Roy had already agreed to forget what happened that night. ‘I overstepped the mark,’ Roy explained. ‘I honestly don’t know what came over me.’

Every time he looked at Daisy, he felt a surge of need he had never felt with anyone else, but it wasn’t like before, when he had wanted to rip off her clothes and take her where she stood. Now, however, he had a deal of respect for her. There was something special about Daisy, he told himself. And somewhere beneath the laughter and bravado, he sensed a frightened, nervous creature who needed taking care of.

‘Amy thinks you’re trouble,’ Daisy remarked slyly. ‘Are you?’

Roy smiled. ‘You’ve got a good friend there,’ he evaded answering.

‘So, are you trouble … like Amy said?’

‘I can be, yes.’

‘Should I avoid you then?’

‘I hope not.’

‘Give me a good reason?’

‘Is this good enough?’ Grabbing her by the shoulders he kissed her on the mouth, a rough, exciting kiss that sent her weak at the knees.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, she laughed. ‘It’ll do for starters.’

With his arm round her shoulders he drew her backwards to the wall. ‘I’ve done some bad things,’ he hesitantly confessed. ‘I’ve fought with everybody who ever disagreed with me … even put a fella in hospital once. I’ve stolen other fellas’ sweethearts just to prove I could, and I’ve led girls on, just to get what I wanted … if you know what I mean? I’ve broken into houses and stolen, and I’ve lied through my teeth whenever it suited me …’

Now, as he saw how she was beginning to pull away, he held on to her. ‘NO! Please, Daisy, hear me out.’

‘Amy’s right!’ Daisy cried, struggling. ‘Yer really are a bad lot! Gerroff me, yer lying git!’

‘LISTEN TO ME!’ There was desperation in his voice. ‘Why d’you think I’m telling you all this? I wouldn’t do that if I was only after one thing, would I? I’ve tekken a real liking to you, Daisy … you’ve got to believe me.’

‘Why should I?’ For one glorious moment she had thought he was everything she’d ever wanted and now she was finding out he was a worthless good-for-nothing. ‘Go on!’ she challenged. ‘Tell me why I should believe a single word you say?’

For a moment he held her, his hands clamped round her shoulders and his gaze melting into hers. ‘I think I’m falling in love with you,’ he murmured. ‘I’ve never felt like this about any girl before. That’s why I need you to know the truth about me – so that if you hear it from somebody else, you’ll know I’ve told you all there is to know.’

Daisy wondered if she should walk away before she got hurt. Then she looked at his face and read the truth in his eyes, and she knew she could never walk away.

‘Why?’ she asked softly. ‘Why did you do all them bad things?’

‘I don’t know …’ He shrugged. ‘Anyway, what does it matter?’

‘It matters to me,’ she said. ‘If you’re being truthful with me, I need to know all of it. What made you so bad? Tell me.’

‘I can’t …’

Daisy was angry. ‘Why not?’ she demanded.

‘Because if I do, you’ll walk away. You’d be crazy not to.’

Daisy smiled. ‘I can be crazy at times, or haven’t you noticed?’

Her smile was infectious. ‘Yes … I’ve noticed.’

‘So, tell me.’

He told her how his father had been mixed up in a robbery. ‘I knew nothing about it until afterwards, when Mam told me. It was an organised gang, who had already pulled off a number of jobs. The police had been after them for some time, but they always managed to get away. This time, though, the robbery went wrong and they all went to prison.’

His voice fell to a whisper. ‘In the prison, there were accusations and threats among them. One day a fight started and my dad was stabbed to death – a piece of metal, they said, straight through the heart.’

‘God Almighty, how awful!’ Daisy was shaken. ‘It must have been a terrible shock to the family.’

‘There’s no family,’ Roy corrected her, ‘just me and Mam. Mam was in a bad way when she heard – shouting and crying … desperate she was. After a while, she went upstairs, packed a bag and left. She never came back, and I never found out where she’d gone. I was twelve years old.’

Daisy began to understand. ‘No wonder you turned bad,’ she said. ‘How did you manage? What did you do? Did they let you stay in the house, or did you go to relatives?’

‘Relatives didn’t want to know,’ Roy said sombrely, ‘so I took off. I had no idea where I were going or what I might do. I managed to get work here and there – told them I were fifteen and nobody questioned it. I managed to pay for board and lodgings and didn’t go hungry.’

He smiled, but it was a poor, lonely smile. ‘I even went looking for my mam, but I never did find her. After a time I gave up and just got on with my life.’

‘Didn’t you have any friends?’

‘Just one,’ he said. ‘I was seventeen and in with a bad lot. Don was one of ’em, but he turned out to be a good mate. If it hadn’t been for Don, I might have got into even more trouble, but he watched out for me. Then we parted ways and I didn’t see him again until just recently. We bumped into each other at the pub and got talking. I told him I needed a regular place to stay, and he got me a room in a house near to him, in Johnson Street.’

Daisy had a reason for being curious. ‘What does he look like, this Don?’

‘He must be about twenty-five, I reckon … fairly well built; kinda handsome, in a rough-looking way.’ He smiled. ‘He’s good at charming the ladies, so I won’t be introducing him to you, that’s for sure.’

Daisy’s curiosity grew. ‘What’s his surname?’

‘Carson.’ He gave her a quizzical look. ‘His name is Don Carson. Why are you so interested?’

‘Don … Carson.’ Her eyes grew wide and bright as marbles. ‘Bugger me, Roy, it’s him! Don Carson is Amy’s ex-fiancé. They were due to be wed and he dumped her days beforehand, the swine!’

Though shocked that Daisy should know of his old friend, and that he was once engaged to Amy, Roy was not surprised.

‘He’s not the marrying kind,’ he told her. ‘What’s more, if you ask me, Amy had a good escape. He’d make the worst husband imaginable. He likes a drink and he loves the ladies, and, as far as I know, there’s never yet been one woman that could hold him.’

‘Well, I never!’ Daisy couldn’t get over it. ‘I wish you hadn’t told me now.’

‘It were you that asked,’ Roy protested light-heartedly.

‘I know that, and I wish I hadn’t.’

‘Will you tell Amy?’

‘I don’t know,’ Daisy answered. ‘If I did, what purpose would it serve?’

‘None that I can see, except for her to realise what a lucky escape she’s had.’

‘Oh, look, all that aside, I’m sorry I forced you to tell me all those other things … about you and your dad and that. But I’m glad you told me,’ Daisy said. ‘I understand you a lot better now.’

‘I’m glad too,’ he replied. In truth he was relieved to have told her.

Daisy went on, ‘You have to believe that what happened was not your fault. I know what it’s like for parents to do bad things that frighten you, and sometimes you get the blame. It makes it difficult to think you can rely on people, but, you know, you can trust me, Roy.’

He gave a small, harsh laugh. ‘Don’t be so quick,’ he urged. ‘You don’t know me well enough to think I’m worth the effort yet.’

‘What else is there for me to find out?’ Daisy asked. ‘You haven’t murdered anybody, have yer?’

‘No.’

‘And you haven’t set fire to anybody’s house, have yer?’

‘Not that I know of,’ he laughed. ‘Though I’ve slept in a few places where burning them down might be an improvement.’

‘And is there anything else you need to tell me?’

‘You’ve heard it all,’ he promised. ‘And I can see from your expression that you don’t like what you’ve heard.’

‘You’re right there,’ she answered honestly, and looming in her mind was Don Carson.

Roy’s face crumpled. ‘I knew it would turn you against me. That’s why I didn’t want you knowing,’ he groaned. ‘I knew you’d run a mile, the minute you heard what a bad ’un I’ve been.’

Raising her hand to touch his face, Daisy asked softly, ‘Do you see me running?’

When he looked at her now, she could have sworn there were tears in his eyes. ‘No.’ Wrapping both his arms round her, he held her. ‘So why aren’t you? I’m no good, Daisy. Happen I never will be. So why aren’t you off down the street, like a cat with its tail on fire?’

‘You’re right,’ she admitted. ‘If I had any sense that’s what I’d be doing all right – putting as much distance between you and me as I could. But then, I’ve never been known as a sensible person, so I’m not running and I don’t know why, so don’t ask me. But I’ll tell you something,’ she went on. ‘You mustn’t feel sorry for yourself, and you mustn’t think you’re the only one who’s ashamed of their parents.’

Now it was time for her to confess. ‘Mine fight and squabble all the time. They swear at the neighbours and they hurt each other until they draw blood. They’re selfish, shameful, and half crazy, and sometimes I wish I was a million miles away.’ Inclining her head to observe his reaction, she asked, ‘Is that all my fault, d’you think?’

He shook his head in disbelief. ‘Is it true … about your parents?’

‘True as I stand here.’

‘It’s not your fault,’ he murmured.

‘That’s right,’ Daisy agreed, ‘same as what happened to you is not your fault.’

‘D’you know what I think?’ he whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder.

‘I expect you’ll tell me.’ Reaching out, she laid her hand over his and kept him there.

He smiled appreciatively. ‘I think you and me were made for each other.’

‘You could be right,’ she said. ‘We’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?’

Now that the air was cleared and they understood each other, they went off down the street hand in hand, making plans together – and beginning to fall in love.

Not too far away, Amy and Jack had also been getting to know each other.

‘It’s good that we’re friends again.’ Ever since leaving the Grand he had longed to take her in his arms, but there was something about her that warned him off. ‘You do trust me now, don’t you, Amy?’

‘I think so,’ she answered, smiling up at him. ‘I can’t say you’ve done anything tonight to make me think bad of you.’

‘I’m glad about that.’ He smiled down at her.

She wasn’t the prettiest girl he’d ever walked home, he thought, but she was lovely. She was kind and thoughtful, and very caring; he had seen that side of her when she was so concerned about her friend Daisy. There was a warmth about Amy that shone through, and those deep blue eyes were enchanting. No, he thought, she had more about her than mere prettiness.

‘I’d like to see you again … if that’s all right with you?’ he asked tentatively.

Amy nodded. ‘I’d like that, yes.’

Before he could go on, she drew to a halt. ‘We’d best part company here.’ They were already at the foot of Montague Street. From here it was only a step or so to Derwent Street, and though she thought she liked him, she didn’t want him to know where she lived, at least not yet.

‘I don’t like to leave you in the dark like this,’ Jack said worriedly. ‘Why don’t you let me take you all the way home? You never know who’s about this time o’ night.’

Touched by his concern, Amy assured him, ‘I’ll be fine. I’ve walked up this street in the dark so many times I’ve lost count, and I’ve never yet been worried.’

Her remark brought a smile to his face. ‘I’d chase you at the drop of a hat.’ Looking at her now, he thought he’d gladly jump in the River Ribble for just one kiss.

‘Besides, I only live five minutes away.’

‘Are you ashamed of me?’ he asked.

Amy was taken aback. ‘No. What made you say that?’

‘Because this is the first time a girl hasn’t let me take her right to the front door, so there has to be a reason. Either you’re ashamed of me … or you still don’t trust me. Which is it?’

Amy laughed. ‘I’ve no reason to be ashamed of you,’ she answered.

‘Ah! So that means you still don’t trust me.’

‘It might,’ she admitted. ‘Oh, look, it’s just that, for now, it might be better if you didn’t know where I lived, that’s all.’

‘What? So I’ll not be able to come knocking and worrying you to go out with me?’

She laughed again. ‘Something like that.’

‘What if I followed you?’

‘You won’t.’ She had learned enough about him to know he wouldn’t stoop to such a thing.

‘No, you’re right. I wouldn’t do that. If you don’t want me to know where you live, that’s an end to it.’ Placing his hands on her shoulders, he asked hopefully, ‘You will see me again, though, won’t you?’

‘Yes, I’d like that.’

‘All right … when?’

She gazed up at him, her heart beating fast as their eyes met. He had such sincerity, she thought. ‘I’m not surprised you made it to foreman,’ she remarked. ‘I’m sure with your dogged attitude it won’t be long before you make manager.’

‘Next year,’ he remarked casually, ‘I intend making manager next year.’

‘Oh? So you’ve set yourself a target, have you?’ Amy was impressed.

‘Aye,’ he declared confidently. ‘And one day I’ll have my own factory, you see if I don’t!’

‘I expect you will,’ she said mischievously. ‘Happen you’ll have more than one – happen you’ll have them across the length and breadth of Lancashire.’

Throwing back his head he laughed out loud, a deep, musical laugh that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. ‘One thing at a time, if you please,’ he said. ‘Let’s not run before we can walk.’

They set off walking again, but slower this time, with Jack persisting, ‘You didn’t say when we could meet again?’

‘Next Saturday?’ she suggested. ‘Unless you’re busy doing something else?’

Again, he drew her to a halt. ‘If I was – though it happens I’m not – I’d cancel whatever it was,’ he promised. ‘To tell you the truth, Amy, I don’t think I can wait a whole week before I see you again.’

‘Well, you’ll have to,’ she replied firmly. ‘Saturday is the best time for me, so it’s that or nothing.’

‘Then it’ll have to be Saturday,’ he conceded. ‘And will you change your mind about letting me walk you home?’

She smiled. ‘One thing at a time,’ she mimicked, wagging a finger. ‘Let’s not run before we can walk.’

His face wreathed in a gentle smile, he nodded. ‘You’ve got me there,’ he acknowledged.

‘Good night then, Jack.’

‘Good night, Amy.’

As Amy turned away he laid his hands on her shoulders and tenderly swung her round. He didn’t say anything and neither did she, but she knew he wanted to kiss her, and she wanted the same.

When he bent his head towards her, for a brief moment she remembered the man who had kissed her and betrayed her, and she wanted to turn away, but a deeper instinct kept her there. She raised her lips to his and when the softness of his mouth was pressed against hers, she enjoyed the experience to the full.

When it was over, he dropped his arms to his sides, his voice tender. ‘Good night, Amy.’

Amy nodded, and walked on, her heart beating fifteen to the dozen and her lips tingling from Jack’s kiss. ‘That was nice,’ she murmured. But that’s all it was, she thought. At that vulnerable moment the image of her ex-fiancé had come into her mind. She wasn’t ready for a serious relationship just yet. She quickened her steps.

‘AMY … WAIT!’

Coming to a halt she turned to see Jack running after her. ‘I forgot to ask … where will we meet?’

She’d forgotten as well. ‘I’ll be up Corporation Park … about half-past two,’ she laughed. ‘Oh, and don’t forget to bring a bag o’ bread when you come.’

When he looked at her in disbelief she explained, ‘We often feed the ducks on a Saturday, me and Johnny.’

‘Who’s Johnny?’

‘A fella I know. Good-looking and fun to be with, he is.’

‘And I’ll get to meet him on Saturday, will I?’ The tiniest hint of jealousy showed in his voice.

‘You’ll like him,’ she went on. ‘He’s not the easiest of people to get on with. He’s a bit wary of strangers, y’see? If he likes you, he’ll be your friend for life. But if he doesn’t take to you straight off, he’ll have nothing to do with you at all.’

‘Hmm! He sounds a moody sort of a fella to me.’

Amy left him wondering. ‘See you Saturday,’ she said, and hurried towards home smiling to herself all the way.

She wondered what Jack would think of little Johnny and, more to the point, what Johnny would think of him.