by Tania Crosse
‘All right, thanks, Jimmy,’ she found herself saying.
‘Come on, then. Quickly!’
He put his hand on the wet arm of her coat, his fingers tingling with delight, as he directed her through the traffic to the other side of the road. The queue of people waiting at the tram stop had already climbed aboard, and Jimmy and Hillie had to jump onto the platform as the tram began to move off.
‘Standing room only,’ he grinned at her, and his heart soared as the tram lurched and he put a steadying arm about her as she was using both hands to close down her umbrella and couldn’t grab hold of the rail.
‘Thanks,’ she smiled at him, and he thought he’d gone to heaven.
‘Where’s Gert this morning, then?’ Jimmy asked after he paid their fare.
‘Oh, she’ll be in at the usual time. She knew I wanted to be early. Need to call into the office for a minute. They got my wages wrong last week,’ she lied. She didn’t want Jimmy knowing the truth, of course, in case it got back to her father, and she wasn’t going to explain to Jimmy the reason why she wanted to keep her application a secret. As it was, her dad hadn’t batted an eyelid when she’d left early, and she wanted him to remain unsuspecting!
‘Underpaid you, no doubt.’ Jimmy gave an ironic laugh. ‘Not the other way round.’
‘How did you guess?’ Hillie smiled back. Wasn’t so bad, after all, was Jimmy. ‘It’s a job, though, isn’t it? We should be grateful when there’s so many out of work.’
‘Yeah, I guess so. People will always need candles despite gas and electric. And you can burn a night-light for hours for a fraction of the cost. Started off in the night-light wicking room, I did.’
‘Really? That’s even more boring than packing. At least we have lots of different shapes and sizes to deal with, and boxes to match. And then putting on the labels. My favourite’s doing the fancy candles, though. You know, like the ink-printed ones we do at Christmas, and putting them in pretty boxes rather than plain cardboard ones.’
She stopped abruptly, wondering quite why she was engaging in polite conversation with Jimmy Baxter, of all people. But she was saved any further awkwardness as the tram came to yet another rattling halt.
‘Here we are, then,’ Jimmy announced. ‘Don’t take long on the tram, do it?’
Having had to stand on the platform, they were the first to get off. Jimmy jumped down in front of Hillie, then astounded her by turning round to take her hand and help her step down. No one had ever treated her like that before. Like a lady. Or was it all part of Jimmy’s using his false charms on her?
‘Thanks, Jimmy,’ she said with cool politeness when they reached the opposite pavement next to the vast buildings of the factory that fronted the road. ‘I’m very grateful.’
‘My pleasure,’ Jimmy smiled, since it genuinely was. ‘Good luck in the office. And I hope you get some pretty candles to pack today.’
He doffed his cap, and they went their different ways, Hillie shaking her head in confusion. But she had better things to ponder just now, and went off to find Mrs Harrington and hand in her application form.
*
Hillie didn’t have fancy candles to pack that day. Instead she was wrapping up plain white utility ones, a dozen in each packet. But rolling them up in the thick paper, pleating the ends neatly and sticking labels on top to hold them in place made a change from stuffing boxes. The process required skill and concentration as fingers worked with deft swiftness, and it was lunchtime before she knew it. Rain was still streaming down outside, so Hillie and Gert went to the canteen to eat their sandwiches and get themselves a cup of tea to wash them down.
‘Don’t let him fool you,’ Gert warned with a wise nod of her head when Hillie told her how Jimmy had rescued her from the rain. ‘I mean, it was nice of him. I got blooming soaked, so I wish I’d been with you and got a free ride meself. But we all know what he’s like.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Hillie reassured her. ‘Forewarned is forearmed. But I think there’s a kind side to Jimmy nobody’s ever given him credit for. Oh, talk of the devil,’ she said quickly as she happened to glance across the busy canteen. ‘Don’t turn round, but he’s coming over.’
‘Oh, blimey,’ Gert groaned, rolling her eyes. ‘Last few days, you can’t turn a flipping corner without him being there.’
‘Hello, ladies. You both look a bit glum. Bad morning?’
Hillie swivelled her eyes up to Jimmy’s smiling face, and for some strange reason, her heart felt lighter. ‘No, not especially,’ she answered amiably. ‘Just the weather. Makes you feel miserable, and it’s supposed to be summer.’
‘Well, look at it this way. It can rain all it likes during the week, so long as the sun comes out at one o’clock on Saturdays and stays out till Sunday night.’
‘Put in your order, have you?’ Hillie teased.
‘Of course! One o’clock on the dot.’
Jimmy had kept a serious face and now he astounded the girls by standing back from the table, turning his feet out and, with a theatrical flourish, opened up an imaginary umbrella. He then walked up and down a couple of times in a perfect impersonation of Charlie Chaplin, straight-faced and with little jerky movements of his head. He stopped before the two girls, put his free hand to his ear as if listening to a clock chiming, consulted his watch, gazed skywards whilst holding his palm out beyond the reach of the umbrella which he proceeded to close down, and then he swaggered on, using the umbrella as a walking stick.
It had all been executed so perfectly that applause broke out from those who’d been near enough to see the brief amusing mime. Jimmy turned round and gave a couple of exaggerated Chaplinesque bows before coming to sit with Hillie and Gert.
‘That was very good,’ Hillie giggled. ‘Never knew you could do that.’
‘Ah, well, there’s a lot you don’t know about us,’ Jimmy said mysteriously, and then he laughed. ‘Comes of a misspent youth going to the pictures all the time. When I first got me freedom and discovered films, you couldn’t keep us away. You and me could go, if you want.’
He said it with his eyes flickering between both girls, but they came to rest on Hillie’s face, and she felt her heart give a little jerk of pleasure. When Gert said, ‘Nah, not me,’ her voice came to Hillie as if from afar as she returned Jimmy’s smile.
‘Maybe,’ she replied enigmatically since she wasn’t sure herself if she meant it or not.
‘I think they’re gonna be showing Brother Alfred again,’ Jimmy answered, looking more than pleased with himself. ‘That comedy with Gene Gerard and Molly Lamont. I missed it when it came out in the spring. I’ll find out what time it starts if you fancy it. And now I’ll leave you to finish your lunch in peace.’
He folded his arm across his chest and gave a short bow before walking, deliberately pigeon-toed, to the end of the row of tables, swinging his imaginary umbrella in circles as he went.
Hillie chuckled at his back, shaking her head. ‘Didn’t realise he could be so funny.’
Gert’s response brought her back down to earth. ‘Don’t you get taken in by him,’ she said fiercely. ‘And how could you say you’d go to the flicks with him?’
‘I didn’t. Well, not exactly.’ Hillie felt herself turn on the defensive, even though doubt had set into her mind.
‘Well, I’d say he’s expecting you to go now! Must’ve taken leave of your senses. He’ll only hurt you. And you know what goes on in the back row. This is the first time you’ve ever been asked out, and I don’t want you getting carried away.’
‘Don’t worry. I’m not some stupid, giggly little girl. Nothing will go on in the back row with me! If I go to the pictures with Jimmy Baxter, it’ll be to watch the film and have a good night out. I’ve no intentions of becoming romantically involved with him.’
Hillie saw the look of horror on Gert’s face but misinterpreted it, and it wasn’t until a hand landed on her shoulder, fingers digging in painfully as he pulled her round, that she realised Gert
had been trying to warn her that her father had come up behind her.
‘I saw all that,’ Harold hissed into her face. ‘And I tell you, no daughter of mine’s going out with that cocky young sod. Get you up the spout before you know it and then expect me to provide for it. Though God knows why he’d wanna look at you in the first place! But I’ll beat you black and blue if I see you anywhere near him.’
The sinews in Harold’s neck were standing out like knotted ropes he was so cross. Just the sight of him made Hillie heave with rebellion, and chips of ice formed in her eyes.
‘Don’t you trust me?’ she snapped back. ‘And when has any girl ever accused Jimmy of getting her in the family way, eh? Tell me that!’
She saw her dad’s head retract on his neck, and knew she’d beaten him. But he wasn’t going to back down so easily. His fingers clamped even more tightly around her thin shoulder making her fight to stop the pain reflecting in her face.
‘You just keep away from him, or else, d’you understand me?’
His eyes bore into hers like red-hot coals before he released his hold with such force that her chair nearly overbalanced. Hillie watched him stride down the gap between the rows of tables, several shocked faces turning to follow him. For a few awkward moments, Hillie wasn’t the only one holding her breath. But muted conversations were starting up again, and Hillie turned back to Gert with a mixture of embarrassment and lingering defiance.
Gert’s eyes were still stretched wide. ‘Bleeding hell, your dad don’t muck about, do he? I’d be bloody terrified of him.’
‘He’s a bully and no mistake,’ Hillie answered between clenched teeth. ‘But I’m not going to let him run my life. If it wasn’t Jimmy, it’d be anyone else I wanted to go out with. Thinks he’s still in the army and expects us to obey his every command.’
She flexed her shoulder, wincing at the discomfort Harold’s vice-like fingers had caused. Gert tipped her head sympathetically.
‘I know your dad’s a pig,’ she dared to say, ‘but I have to agree with him about Jimmy.’
Hillie gave a light laugh, feeling the tension ease, and squeezed Gert’s hand. ‘If I can handle my dad, I’m sure I can look after myself as far as Jimmy’s concerned! But you can’t blame me for wanting a bit of fun in my life.’
‘No, I suppose not. But you be careful, Hillie.’
‘Of course I will,’ she promised. ‘And anyway, Jimmy might not actually ask me out. But if this rain keeps up and he wants to pay my fare home on the tram as well, I’m not going to say no, am I? And if you stay next to me and play your cards right, you might get a free ride and all!’
‘Well, I wouldn’t say no to that!’ Gert grinned back.
*
‘That was a lovely evening, Jimmy. Thanks ever so much.’
As they walked up the main road the following Saturday night, the diffused light from the street lamps allowed Hillie to see Jimmy pull a face. ‘Not the best film I’ve ever seen, but it was funny in places.’
‘Oh, you were laughing your head off whenever I looked at you,’ she teased merrily.
‘Maybe that’s ’cos I was in a good mood, having such a pretty girl next to us.’
Hillie felt herself flush. She didn’t want any compliments from Jimmy, and Gert’s warning flashed across her mind. ‘Well, it was very kind of you to take me out,’ she said politely.
‘You make it sound like the evening’s over. It’s not half past ten yet.’
‘But I need to be in by eleven, or my dad’ll have my guts for garters.’
‘He’s a right bastard from what I’ve heard.’ Jimmy’s voice rang with bitterness now. ‘Everyone at the factory says so.’
‘Do they, now?’ Hillie grimaced.
‘Well, not everyone, of course. But those what know him. Or know of him. And don’t forget, in my job, delivering stuff all over the site, I see and hear all sorts. Keep most of it to meself, mind.’ He paused to tap the side of his nose with knowing pride. ‘Never know when some bit of knowledge might come in handy. Like when someone’s got something what’s fallen off the back of a lorry, for instance. For a bob or two, I can pass it on to someone to sell down the market.’
Hillie gasped and her eyes opened wide. ‘But, Jimmy, that’s against the law, handling stolen goods.’
‘Yeah, I know,’ he shrugged, though Hillie noticed that he had the grace to look a touch abashed. ‘It’s only petty stuff, mind, and not so often. People shouldn’t be so careless. A big factory owner’s not going to miss the odd box of silk stockings, is he?’
‘You don’t… take the odd box of candles, do you?’ Hillie was aghast.
‘Course not.’ Jimmy sounded affronted. ‘What, and risk me job? I’m not that bloody stupid. Oh, I’m sorry, Hillie. I shouldn’t have told you. I can trust you, though, can’t I?’
‘What? To keep quiet? Yes, of course you can,’ Hillie answered, though she was quite astounded at herself for saying so.
‘Good. I thought as much. Anyway, what fun’d life be without a bit of excitement, eh? Look at you, sneaking out with me and telling your dad you was going out with Gert!’
Hillie’s heart suddenly leapt into her throat. ‘You won’t tell him, will you? Or anyone else? He’d kill me if he ever found out. From now on, you keep completely away from me at work. No conversation, nothing. I can’t risk anything getting back to my dad.’
‘Yeah, course. I understand. I’m not an idiot. Besides, it makes us even, don’t it? Having a secret of each other’s to keep.’
‘Yes,’ Hillie agreed reluctantly. ‘But I wish you wouldn’t… do what you do. What if you got caught?’
‘Would you care if I did?’
Hillie stopped in her tracks, her pulse racing as she turned to face him. She felt her emotions turning somersaults, but one thing was certain: she had enjoyed Jimmy’s company that evening.
‘It’d be your own fault, but yes, I would,’ she told him honestly.
‘Then I promise not to do it ever again. If you promise to come out with us again next week.’
The teasing lilt had returned to his voice, and Hillie wasn’t sure if he was being serious or not. ‘D’you mean that?’ she quizzed him. ‘That you’d stick to the straight and narrow just for me?’
‘Cross me heart and hope to die.’ He made the accompanying gesture with such solemnity that Hillie was inclined to believe him. But then his teeth flashed in the darkness as he grinned at her. ‘And I might just die if I don’t get something to eat. Fancy sharing a bag of chips? Have to be quick. They’ll be closing any minute.’
‘As long as I’m back by eleven.’
With that, Jimmy dived inside the fish and chip shop they were passing. Hillie waited outside, her mind spinning in circles. But soon they were making their way through the backstreets in the direction of home, and Hillie thought she’d never tasted anything so good as they walked along in the still night air.
‘We’d better say goodbye here,’ Hillie said reluctantly as they reached the corner two streets from where she lived.
‘You sure?’ Jimmy sounded genuine enough. ‘Don’t like the idea of you walking home alone in the dark.’
‘Safer than if my dad finds out I’ve been out with you.’
She heard Jimmy release a sigh. ‘All right, then. But be careful.’
‘I will,’ she assured him.
‘See you Monday, then.’
‘Yes, but we ignore each other, remember? In case—’
‘Yeah, I know. Your dad. See you, then.’
He turned and walked away. Hillie wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed that he hadn’t so much as given her a peck on the cheek. Oh, well. She walked on in a state of confusion until the vision of going indoors and the lies she’d have to tell her father stole menacingly into her mind.
What she didn’t know was that once she’d rounded the corner, Jimmy turned back to follow her at a distance all the way home to make sure she got there safely. He didn’t like the id
ea of her having to bluff her way through her dad’s inquisition, but there was nothing he could do about that. At least he’d seen her go indoors safely, and turned on his heel to make his way back to his own rented room.
He shouldn’t have told Hillie about his little dealings on the side, he considered as he turned the key in the lock to the front door of the house. He’d just felt so relaxed and happy with her by his side that he’d let down his guard. Could he keep his promise to her? Just now, he felt he was on top of the world. If it meant he could have Hillie as his girl, maybe even more in time, he felt he could do anything!
*
Hillie was making her way across to the toilet block. Although it was mid-morning and they weren’t really supposed to leave the workbench, it was her time of the month and she could feel she was leaking through her sanitary pad. She had stomach cramps and both her back and head were aching, and the thought of standing up at her work for the rest of the day filled her with misery. But she had no choice. She was lucky to have a job and couldn’t risk losing it by going home. Three and a half million people were out of work, although the problem was more in the north of the country, and she could imagine her dad’s wrath if she were to join the ranks of the unemployed just because she had a bit of stomach ache! She’d taken some aspirin and once that started working, she’d hopefully feel better. At least the worst would be over by Saturday evening when Jimmy wanted to take her out again. He said he planned on treating her to something a bit more special than the pictures, and she wanted to feel her normal self by then.