Rose Marie had the bigger room, with a double bed. She undressed quickly, washed at the marble stand. She was anxious to try out the soft feather mattress. Her bones ached after all that travelling. She turned the bedside lamp low, reluctant to douse it in an unfamiliar room, and snuggled gratefully under the covers, as she was in a thin cambric nightgown.
The light attracted a large moth, which frightened her, though she knew it was harmless. It fluttered round and round the lamp, batting itself against the china globe. When it flew, dazed, into her face on the pillow, Rose Marie let out a muffled shriek.
Instantly the door opened and Russ came in. He had a towel slung round his bare shoulders and toothbrush still in his hand.
‘Help! Don’t just stand there – kill it!’ she cried.
‘Certainly not. I’ll put the poor thing out of the window. You are a ninny!’
She sat up then, indignant. ‘Hurry up, then!’
When he had disposed of the moth and closed the window, he came over to the bed and looked down at her. ‘Don’t I get a reward?’ he said softly.
She knew it was dangerous but she couldn’t help herself. She stretched out her arms. Invitingly. ‘Oh, come on, then!’
Then they were kissing as they never had before, and she didn’t resist when he slipped into bed beside her. He reached out and extinguished the light.
‘Don’t worry, darling, as I said, Sadie gave me some practical advice . . . I’m acting on it. But if you want me to stop right now, well, I will.’
‘Isn’t it too late for that?’ She felt light-headed, breathless. His hands were now caressing her body, after gently unfastening her bodice. She hesitantly touched his bare chest. His skin, too, was smooth, slightly damp due to the excitement of the moment. She thought, this can’t be wrong, I love him so much . . .
At some time during the night he returned to his own room. Rose Marie rolled over into the warm hollow he had left, and pressed her face into the dent in his pillow. She was sobbing, in little gasps; she couldn’t understand why, because she was blissfully happy.
*
They didn’t converse much over breakfast. Every time Rose Marie caught Russ looking at her she felt the telltale tide of hot colour flood her face.
After a while he whispered, although they were on their own in the dining-room, ‘Do you forgive me?’
‘What for? I knew it would happen. I wanted it to. As much as you did.’
‘Most people would say it was too soon, that we’re too young.’
‘If by most people you mean your mother and Florence, yes. But I won’t tell, will you?’
‘You know I won’t. The only thing is, it will be difficult to repeat the experience.’
‘Perhaps that’s just as well,’ she said ruefully. ‘But I guess we won’t be able to stop ourselves . . . we’ll find a way.’
They drove the short distance to the coast. The sandy beach was deserted, the sea rolling. They walked along hand in hand. Rose Marie tightened the belt on her mackintosh and turned up the collar. The spray from the waves was chilly, yet she still felt aglow inside.
‘Time to make tracks home,’ Russ said regretfully. They turned around to retrace their steps to the motor.
*
Rose Marie called in to say goodnight to Florence when she arrived back. Stella had already gone to bed. Florence was sitting in the kitchen with Manny, drinking cocoa.
‘We waited up – wanted to be sure you were safe,’ she said. ‘Like a hot drink?’
‘No thanks. It was such a long drive; I just want to get to bed. Work tomorrow!’
‘Goodnight, then,’ Florence said. ‘Tell us all about it tomorrow evening. Haven’t seen much of Lilli all weekend, but maybe she was tired too. Oh, Stella’s off tomorrow – but again, that’ll keep for now – but it means you can come back to me, if you want to.’
‘I’d best go, too,’ Manny said. ‘Monday morning, early start! For you too, remember.’
Rose Marie gave her sister a hug. ‘You should be in bed,’ she reproved her.
‘As I said, I needed to know you were home safely. Goodnight, my dear.’
When she had gone upstairs, Florence turned to Manny. ‘I suppose I have to face the fact that she’s a woman now. I mustn’t fuss over her so much. Give me a nudge if I do.’
‘I can do better than that.’ Manny surprised himself. He took her hands, pulled her up from her chair, wrapped his arms round her. It wasn’t his usual brief peck on the cheek, but a real kiss, full of warmth and promise, part of a long embrace.
‘We-ell,’ Florence said slowly, as he released her, looking sheepish. ‘I think you had better go, otherwise, who knows where that could lead us?’ And I hope it does, she thought, smiling to show him she wasn’t outraged, but not before we’re wed. Only three weeks to go. A great many pies to make before then, but I’m looking forward to it, with my partner.
*
Rose Marie discarded the crumpled nightdress when she unpacked her bag. No need to look glamorous tonight, she mused ruefully, as she put on winceyette pyjamas. She thought about what Florence had said, about things returning to the way they were. But it wouldn’t be for long, didn’t her sister realize that? She wasn’t a child to be looked after, like Josefina, and, more significantly, Manny would shortly be sharing Florence’s bed, a prospect which rather embarrassed Rose Marie. Not that she thought there would be anything much going on, they were far too old, but they would need their privacy.
ELEVEN
MANNY was concerned that Florence should not overdo it that first morning. She watched with a bemused smile while he made the hot-water pastry and then the pork pies. However, he allowed her to glaze them before they went in the oven.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ she said, as she tapped the hard-boiled eggs for the ham-and-egg variety, Josefina not yet having emerged from her bedroom for her usual task. ‘We really don’t want all this going on in our domestic quarters. Young Yvette’s right, the whole flat smells of pies! When we get back from our holiday, we must plan a new kitchen at the back of the shop and get one of those big, commercial ovens put in. It would make life a lot easier.’
‘Can you afford it?’
‘Soon it will be can we afford it, Manny.’ She hadn’t yet told him about the money coming to her. In any case, that was not certain until after their marriage. ‘Have you any bright ideas of your own?’
‘Well,’ he said diffidently. ‘Maybe we could improve business if we had two or three small tables and chairs in the shop, so that folk could eat their hot pies on the premises, if they wanted to. It’d make more work, of course, but with a proper kitchen we could provide the extras, like bread and butter, mushy peas and mugs of tea.’
‘More washing-up,’ Florence pointed out, ‘but it’s worth considering.’
‘With extra money coming in, you – we could employ someone to do all the odd jobs.’
‘We could indeed.’ She was pleased he was responding to her encouragement.
Footsteps outside, then Rose Marie came in. ‘Morning! I’ve got time, I hope, to wish Stella good luck.’ She skirted the cooking area and went through, calling out, ‘Stella, it’s me!’
‘Come in, excuse the muddle in your room! I just sent Josefina to wash. She doesn’t want me to go, of course, but I’ll be back for the wedding, or earlier, if things don’t work out . . . Florence’ll tell you all about it later.’
‘Stella, I’m sorry if I’ve been a bit moody while you’ve been here—’
‘I can understand that. Bossy older sister – I’ve got one myself!’
‘Oh, Florence! She’s almost perfect!’
‘Not quite, but she’s surprised me lately! Well, have a good day, young Rose Marie.’
Rose Marie embraced her, suddenly tearful. ‘I’ll look after Josefina . . .’
‘I know you will, thank you. I suppose I had her before I was responsible enough to care for her properly. Keep your young man in his plac
e, I should!’
Rose Marie wanted to say, ‘Too late for that.’ But she had no regrets.
‘Must catch the tram. All the best, Stella.’
‘All the best,’ Stella echoed.
*
‘My mother’s going to sing in a club in Bradford, she’s got top billing,’ Josefina told Yvette.
‘What’s that?’ Yvette was curious.
They were on their way to school. Josefina’s consolation gift from her mother was tucked in her pocket, a spinning top and whip, actually a stick with string to wind round the top to set it rotating. Playground toys kept the children’s circulation going in colder weather.
She said in a patronizing way, ‘Don’t you know? She’s got a lovely voice, that’s why.’
‘I thought she sang on stage with your father.’
‘She did, but she’s just as good without him.’
‘Don’t you miss him?’ Yvette asked.
‘Not now. I haven’t seen him for a long time, you see. How about you?’
‘Do I miss my father? Of course I do. But he can’t care about me, or my maman, else he’d come and fetch us home, wouldn’t he?’
Josefina stopped in her tracks, in astonishment. ‘But your father’s dead, your mother said so, to Aunty Florence, when you came to live in our house.’
Yvette realized she had revealed their secret. Her mother would be very cross.
‘Mind your own business!’ she cried. She gave Josefina a shove. Her friend tripped over an uneven paving stone and fell heavily on her arm. Josefina let out a shriek, but managed to scramble to her feet, resisting Yvette’s attempts to help her.
‘You can walk by yourself!’ Josefina stormed off ahead, clutching her right arm to her.
Yvette stood irresolute for a few moments, ashamed of herself. Then she saw the top lying on the ground. She picked it up and stuffed it in her own pocket.
‘I must return you home,’ Miss Darch exclaimed, when she saw that Josefina was in pain. She indicated to the other teachers that they should call the classes into line. ‘Miss Flinders should take you to the doctor’s. The arm could be broken.’ She looked at Yvette, lurking miserably behind Josefina. Miss Darch read the guilty expression, but would not waste time probing now. ‘Into school with you, Yvette,’ she said. ‘I will talk to you when I return.’
Florence was in the shop with Manny. She saw them from the window and rushed outside. Miss Darch placed a comforting arm round Josefina’s shoulders, as the child dissolved into tears from the delayed shock.
‘Miss Flinders, I’m afraid your niece had a nasty fall on her way to school. You ought to take her to the doctor without delay. He will advise you if you need to go on to the hospital. Here.’ She unwound the silk scarf from around her neck. ‘I should have done this right away.’ Together they made a sling for Josefina’s arm.
‘I’ll fetch your jacket and bag,’ Manny said from behind Florence ‘Wait in the shop.’
‘I must go,’ Miss Darch said. ‘Yvette can let me know how she gets on.’
A few minutes later, at the doctor’s surgery, Josefina was the first patient of the day.
The improvised sling was removed, then Florence helped Josefina to slip out of her coat, cardigan and blouse. The doctor examined the swollen arm gently but thoroughly.
‘It appears to be what we call a greenstick fracture. The bone should knit together within a few weeks. She will need a plaster from elbow to wrist. Well, do you feel up to a visit to the hospital again, Miss Flinders? Josefina should be seen there this morning.’
‘I’m very well now, as you can see. I’ll call a cab.’
‘You’ll soon be back at school, plaster and all, and quite a heroine to the other children, eh?’ the doctor reassured Josefina.
She was feeling in her coat pocket with her good hand. She dissolved into tears once more. ‘My top! I’ve lost it – Mummy only gave it to me this morning.’
‘We’ll find it, if not I’ll buy you another,’ Florence tried to comfort her.
‘But that wouldn’t be the same, it wouldn’t!’
Back at the school, Miss Darch spoke to Yvette outside the classroom. She did not raise her voice, that was not her way.
‘Would you like to tell me what happened,Yvette?’
‘We – we had an argument. I got cross because I said something I shouldn’t have and I knew Maman would not like it . . . I gave Josefina a push, but I didn’t mean to hurt her. I didn’t, really, and—’ Yvette was sobbing now.
‘Now, Yvette, I believe you, but you can see what happens when you lose your temper. I’m afraid I shall have to call to see your mother. Will she be home from work, if I accompany you after school?’
Yvette nodded.
‘Where is your handkerchief? In your pocket?’ Miss Darch pulled the hankie out for her. The hidden top fell to the floor. ‘What’s this?’ she asked.
‘It’s Josefina’s,’ Yvette wept. ‘I picked it up after she ran off to school. I didn’t steal it, honestly, Miss Darch.’
‘Did I say you had?’ the teacher said evenly. ‘Leave it with me. I will return it.’
*
Not only were the two small girls subdued that evening, but Lilli was quiet and withdrawn after talking to Miss Darch. She’d learned a few unpalatable facts about her daughter. Yvette was suspected of taking small items from other children at school, such as marbles or hair-slides.
‘I shall do nothing about this, but it must stop, Mrs Bower,’ Miss Darch said. She looked at Lilli, taking in her anxiety. The discussion was between the two of them. Yvette was in her room. Miss Darch added, ‘Talk to your daughter, find out what is troubling her. She is showing signs of insecurity. It is a lot to contend with, losing one parent.’
‘I realize that.’ Lilli felt like crying herself. She called Yvette to say goodbye to Miss Darch.
‘Now, Yvette,’ said Miss Darch. ‘We believe it was an accident, but caused through your impulsiveness. You must prove to Josefina you are genuinely sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
When she’d gone, Lilli hugged her daughter reassuringly. ‘We will talk, but not today, I think. You have had a shock, too. So have I. We’ll have an early night after our supper.’
Downstairs, when Stella rang to say she had arrived safely in Bradford, Florence tried not to make a drama of Josefina’s fall. She didn’t mention the cause of it. She asked Rose Marie when she came in from work, ‘Will you stay with Josefina tonight? She needs a bit of comforting.’
‘Of course I will,’ Rose Marie said instantly. She realized that she would be glad to be back home with Florence, the food was better for one thing, but she was aware that things would change again when Florence was married, and Manny installed in the flat. She added, ‘Though Lilli will be expecting me for supper. I’ll join you later.’
It was short commons for supper upstairs. Lilli hadn’t felt like cooking. Under her instructions, Rose Marie whipped up a quick omelette. Lilli merely said, ‘I shall miss your company, Rose Marie, because I imagine it will not be just one night . . .’
‘I’ll see you often, like I did before,’ Rose Marie said instantly, even as she knew that it would not be the same, because, of course, her weekends now revolved around Russ.
*
The two girls walked sedately to school now, both on their best behaviour. Miss Darch’s wise words had been taken to heart by both of them. Josefina’s plaster was no longer a source of interest to other children, who were eager initially to decorate it with indelible pencil, and she and Yvette were inseparable once again.
Last night, their favourite dolls had exchanged places; it was Yvette’s idea. ‘My Clarice and your Carmen need a holiday, I think. You must be very careful with Clarice, of course, because she is delicate, and I promise to keep Carmen in her dancing pose, on my dressing table, and not to play roughly with her.’
‘I promise to put Clarice on top of my chest of drawers; I’ll tell Rose Marie to move her pot of Pon
d’s cream and ornaments over to one side!’ said Josefina. She was excited to have the beautiful Clarice for a few days because Yvette had not allowed her to even touch the French doll before. She guessed that Yvette was trying to make up for her accident.
There was a black cab cruising slowly along the road beside them, as if the driver was looking out for a particular place. The children glanced over curiously, then Yvette let out a little shriek. ‘It’s my father!’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Josefina cautioned, embarrassed. She saw Mrs Snelgrove looking out curiously from her shop doorway.
The cab stopped and the passenger door opened. A tall man in a dark overcoat came swiftly across the pavement. Yvette shrieked again, then hurtled herself into his arms. Josefina stood there, as if rooted to the spot. She saw the man’s face, with tears rolling down his cheeks. In that split second she registered his likeness to Yvette; the sharp features and pale hair. He had a bushy moustache.
‘Here!’ he called to Josefina, while still holding on to Yvette with one hand. He had a blue envelope in the other. ‘Take this to my wife, Mrs Bower!’ As she stood, irresolute, he threw the letter in her direction. Then he scooped Yvette up and carried her to the taxi. The door slammed, and it drove away, fast. It had all happened within the space of a few minutes.
Mrs Snelgrove came quickly over to Josefina. ‘Who was that?’ she demanded.
‘Yvette said that man was her father!’ Josefina gabbled.
The blue envelope still lay on the ground. Mrs Snelgrove bent to retrieve it.
She called out to her girls, ‘Hold the fort! Need to see Florence right now!’
Florence and Manny were in the shop. Florence hurried out when she saw them.
‘Whatever’s happened now?’ she exclaimed. ‘Not another accident, surely!’
‘Better go upstairs,’ Mrs Snelgrove advised. ‘Don’t want the whole of Paradise to know.’
Florence could hardly comprehend what she was hearing. She repeated several times, ‘But, Lilli lost her husband before she came here . . .’
‘D’you think we should get in touch with the police?’ Mrs Snelgrove asked.
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