by Mary Larkin
‘What about you? Is Jim your estranged husband?’
She laughed ruefully, ‘Oh, Donald, there’s so much I must explain to you. And I will, I promise. But not now. Later! We have three whole weeks to talk. That is, if you don’t mind me trekking about with you?’
‘I’ll be very glad of your company, Susan. Remember, I’ve never been to Ireland before, so I’ll need a guide to show me around.’
Contented, she relaxed back in her seat with a sigh and started pointing out places she thought might be of interest to him during the rest of the drive.
When they arrived at the house Jim declined her invitation to stay for a meal, saying he needed to have a shower and a change of clothes if they were to go to the Orpheus that night.
Clapping a hand to her mouth in dismay, Susan cried, ‘I completely forgot to mention the dance. Perhaps you’re too tired to go, Donald, after travelling all day?’
Her eyes questioned him and he was quick to respond. ‘Not too tired to see this famous dance hall of yours.’ He had a feeling Jim would expect Susan to go, whether he went or not, and he had no intention of losing out.
‘That’s smashing! Jim and I go every Saturday night.’
‘I’ll pick you up then, a bit later than usual, eh, Susan? Give you both a chance to get ready. Say about half-eight? ’
‘That’ll be fine, Jim. And thanks for all your help and for letting me drive your car to Larne.’
‘No problem.’
Without another glance she climbed the steps, as her mother appeared at the door with William in her arms and her father hovering in the background.
Donald watched her, a slight frown on his brow, feeling that she was being very abrupt with Jim. ‘Thanks for all your bother, Jim. See you tonight,’ he said before following Susan up the steps.
‘Donald, this is my mother and father.’ She reached for William as she introduced them.
‘Come in, son.’ Rachel stepped aside and motioned him inside. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you at last.’ Seeing Jim turn away, she said in surprise, ‘Are you not coming in, Jim?’
‘No, I’ll see you and Mr Cummings later. Bye for now.’
Trevor gripped Donald’s hand. ‘Glad to meet you, son.’
‘The pleasure’s all mine, Mr Cummings. Thanks for putting me up.’
‘Uncle Billy had him a bit worried about you, Dad.’
‘No doubt! We never did see eye to eye. How is Billy and Edith?’
‘Well! Very well. They send their regards. And this must be William.’ Tentatively Donald touched a chubby arm and was rewarded with a toothless grin. ‘He’s beautiful, Susan. The photographs you sent over don’t do him justice.’
‘Tell me, why do we always stand about in the hall when someone visits?’ Trevor complained. ‘Come into the lounge, Donald, and sit down. Would you like a lager before your meal?’
‘That would be appreciated, Mr Cummings.’
‘While you pour the drinks, Trevor, I’ll check on the dinner.’ Rachel bustled off in the direction of the kitchen.
‘While Mam and Dad are busy, fetch your bags in and I’ll show you up to your room,’ Susan offered.
Donald disappeared and returned loaded down with parcels. ‘These are all presents. Most of them are from Edith and Billy. A small gift from me for the baby and a box of Thornton’s continental chocolates for your mother. Edith says you can’t get them over here?’
‘No. Maybe some day they’ll open a shop over here, but not so far. Mam will be delighted.’
‘That one in the blue wrapping paper is from Margaret and Jack.’ He glanced at Susan and they shared a smile.
‘Just leave them all on that coffee table in the corner there, Donald,’ she said, suppressed laughter in her voice. She could imagine Margaret making a big thing out of getting the gift to Donald. ‘We’ll enjoy opening them after dinner. It’ll be like Christmas, so it will. Meanwhile, get your bags in and follow me.’
Ascending the stairs behind her, he couldn’t keep his eyes of her slim, tanned thighs and well-rounded calves. She turned on the landing to await him and he blushed as she caught his appraising glance.
A smile played about her wide, sensuous mouth. ‘In here.’ She threw open the bedroom door and stood aside for him to enter.
He gazed around Alison’s room in admiration. ‘This is lovely. Are you sure your sister won’t mind?’
‘Not in the slightest. You will be more comfortable here than in the guest room. It’s much bigger. As you can see, I’ve put on plain bedclothes. I trust you won’t be too overwhelmed by the flowered curtains and pink carpet, will you?’
He moved closer and whispered, ‘It’s a secret fetish of mine, to be surrounded by feminine things.’
Eyes wide, she whispered back, ‘Don’t tell me you wear women’s underwear as well?’
‘No, I’m fighting that urge. But I think I’m slowly losing the battle.’
They enjoyed a good laugh together and she was struck anew by how easy he was to get on with, and by just how much she liked him. ‘We had better go down or your beer will be flat and Mam will be getting worried in case the dinner spoils.’
He held out his arms. ‘Let me carry William down for you, he looks a right handful.’
She handed the child over and Donald hugged him against his chest. Her heart was sad as she watched him cuddle her son. This was no act put on for her sake! It was obvious he was genuinely fond of children. If only Jim could be more like Donald it would solve a lot of her problems.
After dinner her parents disappeared into the kitchen and, rising to her feet, Susan said, ‘Alas, time marches on. I’m afraid I won’t have time to open the presents now. Mam and Dad can go ahead and open theirs if they like. Donald, I’m sorry about this. I should have realised we’d be pushed for time, but I can’t let Jim down. Would you prefer to stay here and rest yourself?’
‘To be truthful, I’m looking forward to the dance. The presents can keep until tomorrow. Shouldn’t I offer to help with the dishes?’
‘They just have to be loaded into the dishwasher and Mam will have all that organised by now. Here she is now. Mam, if I leave William’s things out, will you get him ready for bed? We’re running late.’
‘You know I will! You two away and get ready.’
‘Thanks, Mam. Donald, come on and I’ll show where everything is and you can have a shower while I decide what to wear. I think we can just about make it for half-eight. So let’s get a move on.’
Jim arrived on the dot and Trevor crossed the hall and admitted him as Susan came down the stairs looking flushed and happy. Donald joined them from the lounge, where he and her parents were getting to know each other.
‘I’ll just say good night to William and then we’ll go.’
‘Here he is!’ Rachel came from the lounge with William in her arms. ‘Donald was nursing him and he’s almost asleep.’
They all kissed the sleepy baby, except Jim, who was aware of Donald’s appraising look but was unable to do anything about it. Lately he had made tentative attempts to include the child in outings with him and Susan, but she didn’t seem to notice. As for suddenly becoming all loving towards him in front of her parents, that was beyond him. They’d only think him a hypocrite.
To his relief they were at last outside and climbing into the car. The Orpheus was packed, but the doorman recognised Jim and Susan as regulars and allowed them through.
Claiming priority over her, Jim asked for the first dance. With a smile of apology at Donald, she followed Jim on to the floor. ‘You look lovely tonight, Susan.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You suit that colour.’
She wore a pale primrose-coloured cotton dress. Short-sleeved and full-skirted, it showed off her tan and called attention to her slim legs. Glancing down at it, she smiled. ‘One of last year’s, I’m afraid. I have to be careful with my savings now I’ve William to think about. I can tell you, I’ll be glad to get back to work and earn some extra cash.
That’s another thing, Jim. If I was to consider your proposal, I’d forfeit all right to my job. There’s no way they would keep it for another year.’
‘But if we were married, you wouldn’t need to work.’
‘With William not being yours, I’d always feel the need to be independent.’
‘You’re talking nonsense now, Susan. When we marry I’ll be responsible for him.’
‘If we marry!’ she reminded him. ‘Please don’t be counting on it, Jim,’ she warned.
A frown puckered his brow. ‘Susan, I’ll still see you while Donald is here, won’t I?’
‘I don’t see why not. Donald is unlikely to want me hanging around him every night. I shall show him the sights during the day and we’ll be going to Enniskillen to visit Grannie and Grandad for a couple of days. Edith has sent presents over for her parents. But other than that, I’m sure Donald will want to do his own thing.’
Jim wasn’t so sure about this. ‘Will you make a point of seeing me as usual on Tuesday and Thursday for your driving lessons?’ he asked anxiously. ‘You won’t want to miss out now that you’re doing so well.’
‘I don’t think you need worry about my lessons, Jim. I’m sure Donald will let me have a go behind the wheel when the roads aren’t too busy.’
‘You know that’s not what I’m worried about! I must see you, Susan, on a regular basis, otherwise how can I hope you will change your mind and marry me?’
‘I never made any promises, Jim,’ she cried in dismay. ‘You said we could be friends.’
Before he could reason with her the music ended and she quickly left his arms and headed to where Donald was waiting. The next dance was a foxtrot and Donald, with a flourish, led Susan on to the floor. Jim watched bleakly as they executed the steps together in perfect harmony. So much for hoping that Donald had two left feet. He was as good a dancer, if indeed not better, than himself.
They danced in silence for some minutes, giving themselves up to the joy of the music. Susan found that she wanted to move closer to Donald and this confused her. She was inclined to keep Jim at arm’s length now, not wanting to give him any false impressions. But surely, if she loved Jim, she would be unable to resist contact with him?
To resist the urge, she broke the silence. ‘Well! What do you think of the Orpheus, then?’
‘It’s not what I expected. From the way you spoke of it, I thought it would be more like the Pali.’
‘No, that’s the Plaza ballroom you’re thinking of. Here and the Club Orchid are where we usually dance.’
‘Ah, I remember now. The Plaza is where all the servicemen go. Isn’t it?’
‘That’s right.’
The music once again drew to a halt and she reluctantly left Donald’s arms and crossed the floor towards Jim.
Jim noted her reluctance and greeted them abruptly. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Yes, please. Excuse me while I go and powder my nose.’
The two men headed for the bar. ‘What would you like to drink, Donald?’
‘Allow me, please. What will you have?’
‘Just an orange juice, thank you. Remember I’m driving. ’
‘What about Susan?’
‘She usually has a pineapple juice.’
Donald ordered the drinks, and whilst they waited for them to be poured, he said tentatively, ‘Look, Jim, if I’m in the way, tell me. I don’t want to trample on anyone’s toes.’
‘I’ll give it to you straight, Donald. I go to America in about nine weeks’ time. I’ve asked Susan to marry me and accompany me to the States. We were once very close, but I’m afraid I made a mess of it. However, I’m still hoping she’ll change her mind and come with me.’
‘I see.’
‘I hope I can depend on your cooperation?’
‘Is she divorced, then?’
‘Divorced? What are you talking about?’
‘I was under the impression she was married and seeking a divorce.’
Susan caught the tail-end of this sentence as she joined them. Red-faced, she said, ‘Hi! I’m here. Is that my drink?’
Donald lifted the drink from the bar and handed it to her. His eyes questioned her, but she refused to meet them. Jim watched them both, completely in the dark. What was Donald talking about? Surely Susan couldn’t have married over in England? Was her lover English? Impossible! William was conceived while she was dating him. Of that he was certain!
During their next dance together, Jim showed his bewilderment. ‘What on earth’s Donald talking about? He seems to think you’re married.’
‘I know. I’ll have to explain to him later on. You see, Aunt Edith thought it would look better if I wore a wedding ring while living with her. Just to keep tongues from wagging. It made no difference to me what people thought, but since I was living in her house I wore it to please her. And it had its purposes. It kept Donald from thinking of me in a personal way. If you know what I mean.’
‘Was he interested?’
‘No. He was suffering from a broken heart. The girl he was to marry ran off with my cousin Jack. Donald was devastated. He was lonely and so was I. We were good company for each other.’
His voice tight, Jim asked, ‘Was that as far as it went?’
Taken aback by his forthrightness, she retorted, ‘Not that it’s any of your business, but there was never anything but friendship between us.’
He nuzzled his face in her hair and his voice was heartfelt. ‘Thank God for that! I don’t think I could bear for you two to be under the same roof if you had ever been intimate.’
Thinking how close it had been many a time, she allowed Jim to continue to hold her close. She was afraid of him seeing the guilt she knew was written all over her face, even though she and Donald hadn’t actually gone the whole way.
The next dance she forestalled Donald when he opened his mouth to question her. ‘Donald, I’m well aware I owe you an explanation. But this isn’t the time, or the place. I promise I’ll tell you all when we get home tonight. All right?’
Noting how close she and Jim had been dancing, he was inclined to think he had unwittingly been the cause of this and was annoyed, and showed it. ‘I suppose it will have to be!’ he said abruptly.
She didn’t blame him for being annoyed and said soothingly, ‘I promise to tell you all I can tonight.’
‘That sounds as if I’m not going to learn everything?’ he grumbled.
‘No. Not quite everything. As I say, I’ll tell you as much as I can.’
The house was in darkness when they arrived home. Jim had been very quiet since her disclosure about the wedding ring and now Susan asked tentatively, ‘Are you coming in for a cup of coffee, Jim?’
Aware that she had no intention of lingering outside with him for a while, like she usually did, he considered her offer. He was cold sober, but Donald, although far from drunk, had sunk a few beers. He didn’t particularly want to go in and watch them together. It was obvious that Donald thought a lot of Susan, and if he happened to do or say anything in the least out of place, Jim knew, the mood he was in, that he would be likely to punch him. However, he decided he had better accept Susan’s offer of coffee or she might think he was in a huff. And who knows, perhaps after what he had told Donald about hoping to marry Susan, Donald might retire and leave them alone. Jim was doomed for disappointment.
Inside, Donald slumped into a chair and showed no intention of going to bed. He felt quite tipsy. That was because he was tired to start with, after all the travelling. Then the heat of the Orpheus and all that dancing hadn’t helped him relax. On top of all that, a few pints were enough to intoxicate him.
Jim followed Susan into the kitchen and watched as she poured milk into a pot to make the coffee. ‘I’m afraid it will have to be instant coffee. I like mine made with milk - what about you?’
‘That’s fine by me.’ He stood drumming his fingers on the table. ‘Donald’s quite drunk. Will it be safe to leave you alone with him?’ he
asked apprehensively.
Turning from the stove, she gaped at him in amazement. ‘He only had three pints.’
Ah, so she’d been counting! ‘Sometimes if you’re tired, as he obviously must be after all that travelling today, even one pint is enough.’
‘I don’t understand? Enough for what?’
‘I think you know what I mean! What if he tries it on?’
‘He won’t! But even if he does, it takes two, you know.’
Jim shrugged his shoulders slightly in frustration, but she took offence at what she thought he was implying. Moving closer to him, she hissed into his face, ‘You really do have a very low opinion of me, Jim Brady! You must think I have the morals of an alley cat.’
‘Susan, I think nothing of the kind! Do you think I’d want to marry you if I thought that?’ He wrapped his arms around her and gripped her close. ‘I love you, Susan, and I’m afraid to leave you alone with him. It’s obvious he likes you.’
‘That shows how much you trust me.’ The milk boiled over on the stove and, breaking away from him, she ran to rescue it. ‘Now look what you’ve made me do.’
‘Can I be of any assistance?’ Donald stood blinking in the doorway. Although unable to hear what was said, he had been aware of the heated whispered conversation in the kitchen and had forced himself alert to deal with anything unexpected.
Jim threw him a look that verged on loathing. ‘No, I was just about to leave. See you Tuesday night, Susan.’ Without another word to Donald he left the house.
‘What’s got into him?’
‘Jealousy.’ Susan’s voice was grim as she mopped angrily at the overflow of milk.
‘I should have gone on up to bed and left you two alone.’
‘It wouldn’t have made any difference! I never bring him in on a Saturday night. I do love him, you know, and I don’t want to be tempted to do something I might later regret. If I ever do marry him, it will be because I’m sure he wants to be a father to William, not because I was frustrated enough to lose my self-control. We say good night in the car and that’s as far as it goes.’
‘He told me earlier on he wants to marry you, soon.’