by Joan Jonker
Danny was cupping Jenny’s elbow as they walked down the street. He was so elated he couldn’t stop talking, and the words poured from his mouth. ‘There’s so many things happened in a matter of two days, I can’t take it all in.’ He had programmed his brain not to mention the leaving of Tom Phillips in case it upset Jenny. Actually it was his mother who had put the idea into his head, by telling him it was Christmas Eve, a time for enjoyment, and he shouldn’t spoil it by saying anything out of place. ‘It’ll take me a few days to get me head round the changes.’
‘Danny, will yer slow down a bit?’ Jenny asked. ‘I don’t know what ye’re doing the fastest, talking or walking. But I do know yer’ve got me out of breath.’
‘That’s ’cos I’m so excited, Jenny. I don’t usually talk so much. But with it being Christmas Eve, and taking you to the dance with me, well, I feel like a little boy who’s just seen Father Christmas go past on his sleigh.’
Jenny clicked her tongue as she shook her head. ‘We’re only going to Blair Hall, Danny, not to a ball. And in case yer haven’t noticed, I’m not Cinderella.’
But nothing could dampen Danny’s high spirits. ‘I’m glad ye’re not Cinderella, ’cos she had two ugly sisters. And another thing, you are much prettier than Cinders.’
Jenny was just as excited as Danny, and just as happy to be in his company. There were hundreds of butterflies in her tummy, and her mouth was dry. She told herself it was because she wasn’t used to going out on her own with a boy, and was too shy to let him see how she really felt. ‘It’s dark here, Danny, yer can’t see very well. When we get to the dance, in the bright lights, yer might find I look more like one of the ugly sisters. If so, I won’t be upset if yer want to dance with one of yer regular partners.’
‘Not on yer life! I’m taking you to the dance, and I’m staying with you all night. Dorothy and the others will understand. And if Tony thinks for one minute he can hog yer for every dance, then he’s got another think coming.’
‘Danny, ye’re doing it again!’
Looking puzzled, Danny asked, ‘Doing what again?’
‘Talking too much.’
‘If me mam was here, she’d be nodding her head to agree with yer.’ Danny was so overjoyed to have her walking next to him, touching his elbow, he couldn’t contain himself. ‘She once told me that when I was born and the nurse put me in her arms for the first time, I was talking then.’
Jenny couldn’t keep the giggle back. ‘And did yer mam tell yer what yer were talking about?’
‘Apparently I didn’t hold a full conversation, but yer have to remember I’d only just been born. All I said was, “Can I have a drink, Mam, ’cos that was thirsty work.” ’
‘Here’s a tram coming,’ Jenny said. ‘Let’s make a dash for it.’ She would have run on ahead, but Danny’s hand pulled her up short.
‘Hang about a minute, Jenny, till we get something straight. There’ll be another tram along in a couple of minutes.’
‘What is it yer want to get straightened out? Before we left the house yer said yer wanted to get to the dance early, and now ye’re making us late.’
‘I just want to remind yer that this is the season of good will to all men. No arguing over little things like a tuppenny tram ticket. So don’t be making a scene on the tram when I stop yer from getting yer purse out. You’re my date for tonight, and no date of mine is going to sit next to me on the tram and pay her own fare.’
‘But yer’ve paid for the dance ticket, Danny. I can’t let yer pay for everything.’
‘I bet yer’ve never been out on a date with a boy who let yer pay yer own tram fare. If he did, he must have been a drip.’
Jenny looked up into his face, and wondered whether to tell a lie, or tell the truth and shame the devil. ‘Danny, I’ve never been out on a date with a lad before.’
Danny’s surprise had him stepping back a pace. ‘Are yer trying to pull me leg, Jenny Phillips? If yer are, then it’ll be your fault if we miss the first few dances.’
Jenny’s pride began to make itself heard. ‘It’s not that I’ve never had the chance, Danny, ’cos I’ve been asked out on dates loads of times. But I’ve always turned them down before. Not because there was anything wrong with the lads, but because I knew I would never be able to bring one of them home with me because of me dad. I know it’s wrong of me, and I shouldn’t class everyone the same, but my dad is so horrible he’s put me off boys for good.’
There was a catch in Jenny’s voice, telling Danny that if he wasn’t careful about the words he chose, tears would soon be running down her cheeks. And his heart went out to her. But sympathy wasn’t the answer, it would only make her more miserable. ‘Jenny Phillips, are yer telling me yer think I’m horrible? If yer are, I’m going to set me mam on to yer. She’d give yer a right ticking off if she thought yer’d insulted her lovely son.’
Jenny sniffed, a shaky smile on her face. Tears had been very close, and for one dreadful moment she had thought she was going to blubber like a baby. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I had no right to say what I did, and I regret it. Tonight of all nights I should be feeling on top of the world, not miserable. I should put me dad out of me mind now, and get on with me life. I know all men are not like him, Danny. I shouldn’t have said that to yer.’ Again she sniffed, at the same time thinking she’d have to powder her face when she got to Blair Hall, and do it before Danny saw her in the light. Her nose must be as red as Rudolph’s, the reindeer. ‘Here’s another tram, Danny, and I promise I won’t take me purse out.’
He put his arm round her waist and helped her up on to the platform. Then he whispered in her ear. ‘Yer might have to, Jenny, ’cos if I’m not mistaken, I’ve left all me money on the table at the side of me bed.’ His dimples deep, he chuckled. ‘Only kidding, don’t look so worried. We are going to have the time of our lives tonight, Jenny Phillips, I promise yer.’
Danny’s forecast started to come true for Jenny the moment she went into the cloakroom to hang her coat up and repair the damage to her face. For standing in front of one of the mirrors on the wall was Jane Bowers, her next-door neighbour. The girls had never been in each other’s company, they’d only ever exchanged smiles, waves, and the time of day. But as they titivated themselves up in the cloakroom they chatted as though they were old friends. Jane was very like her mother in looks, having Jean’s colouring, dimpled cheeks and friendly disposition. She knew Jenny hadn’t had a happy life because of her father, and when she was told last night that Tom Phillips had left home, she had been pleased for the family in number twenty-two. But Jane was a very sensible girl, and to her Christmas Eve wasn’t the time to rake up something best forgotten.
‘I didn’t know yer came here,’ Jenny said. ‘D’yer come often?’
‘Now and again,’ Jane told her as she patted her nose with a powder puff. ‘But me and me mate like to go to New Brighton Tower, or Barlows Lane.’
‘Is yer mate with yer tonight?’
‘Yeah, she was going out of the door when you came in. She said I was taking too long to get ready, and she’d see me inside.’ Jane grinned at Jenny’s reflection in the mirror. ‘Are you with a mate?’
Feeling embarrassed, Jenny said, ‘My mates from work had brought tickets for the Grafton, so Danny Fenwick offered to bring me here, save me staying in on Christmas Eve.’
Jane’s mouth was as round and wide as her eyes. ‘Well, you lucky beggar! He’s a smashing dancer is Danny, and really handsome. Yer’ll be getting cow eyes off some of the girls tonight, for there’s a lot who fancy him.’
‘There’s nothing in it,’ Jenny was quick to say. ‘I think he just felt sorry for me.’
‘Listen to me, kid.’ Jane’s blue eyes were twinkling. ‘If you get the chance to nab Danny Fenwick, then go for it before somebody else gets their claws into him. A feller like Danny doesn’t come along very often.’
Jenny didn’t think she should be discussing Danny in his absence, so
she closed her handbag and turned towards the door. ‘I’d better go. I’ll probably see you inside.’
‘Hang on,’ Jane said. ‘I’ll come in with yer.’
Leaning against the wall facing the cloakroom were Danny and Tony. And as soon as the girls walked out, the lads came towards them. Danny’s face showed surprise when he saw Jane, but he didn’t express it until he’d laid claim to Jenny by putting his arm round her waist. ‘Hi, Jane, this is a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.’
‘I’m with my friend. We knew everywhere would be packed tonight, so we bought tickets for here to make sure we had somewhere to go.’
Tony had been weighing up the two girls. He’d come to the dance in a fighting spirit, intending to win Jenny’s hand by fair means or foul. But if he was to be honest with himself, he’d have to admit he didn’t stand much chance against Danny Fenwick. And the new girl on the scene was really pretty. ‘Where are yer manners, Danny Fenwick? Are yer not going to introduce me to yer friend?’
Danny was full of apologies. ‘Oh, I am sorry, Tony, please forgive me for my lack of manners. This young lady is a neighbour. She lives in the same street but on the opposite side.’
‘How come that two very pretty girls live in the same street as you, but on the opposite side?’
‘Ah, well, yer see,’ Danny said, grinning, ‘they were crafty. They reckoned they would see more of me if they lived opposite than they would side by side. But let me introduce yer, so we can get in the hall for some serious dancing. Tony, meet Jane. Jane meet Tony. And I can vouch for him, Jane, he’s not dangerous.’
Tony raised his brows at Jane. ‘Would yer like to have this dance with me, or have yer got to find yer friend?’
Thinking the blond boy was quite handsome, Jane said, ‘I’ll have this dance with yer. My mate has probably got a partner by now.’
Sure enough, Jane’s friend, Eva, was enjoying a waltz with a slim, dark-haired, good-looking young man. And when the dance was over, she walked hand in hand with him to join the other two couples, and introduced him as David. From then on it was fun and laughter all the way. Three young couples out to enjoy themselves and have fun. And if Jenny was a little more subdued than the others, nobody noticed except Danny. They swapped partners now and again, but after the interval, when tea and biscuits had been served, they stayed with the same partner. This was brought about by Danny, who was feeling very protective towards Jenny, and was reluctant to part with her. But nobody cared, for they were enjoying themselves so much. Tony was definitely smitten with Jane, and they’d already made a date for the following week. And the signals coming from Eva suggested she’d found a soulmate in David.
Jenny was enjoying the freedom, and the fact that she didn’t have to worry about her mother now, with her father gone. But it would be a while before she was able to let herself go, and be as outgoing as Jane and Eva. The inferiority complex she’d carried all her life would take more than a few days to disappear. She had no idea how pretty she looked, with her thick mop of rich auburn hair, deep brown eyes glistening with happiness, and a permanent smile on her face. Nor did she notice the looks of admiration which came her way from some of the men standing near. And Danny was completely captivated. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She wasn’t as smooth a dancer as Dorothy or Betsy, but he wouldn’t have cared if she had two left feet. She was the only partner he wanted. But he couldn’t tell if she shared his feelings, and he was afraid of pushing things too quickly in case he scared her off.
When the last waltz was announced, there was a mad dash to get on to the dance floor before it became too crowded. It was a romantic number, sung by a member of the band, and the men were holding their partners close, dancing cheek to cheek. But Jenny drew back, putting a little space between herself and Danny. He was sensitive to her feelings, having been involved with her father during two of Tom Phillips’s drunken rages. And the words he’d uttered about his own daughter had so enraged Danny he would never forget them. So he understood it would take time for Jenny’s wounds to heal, but he didn’t mind, she was well worth waiting for. That’s if she would have him, of course. ‘Have yer enjoyed yerself, Jenny?’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Are yer glad yer came?’
Jenny wasn’t to know that when she looked up at him his heart flipped. ‘Oh, yes, Danny, I’ve really enjoyed meself. Thank yer for bringing me.’
‘It was my pleasure. And I’ll make sure yer get home safely. And don’t forget we’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the next few days.’
Jenny looked puzzled. ‘What makes yer think that?’
‘Didn’t yer mam tell yer? Me and me dad, and Mr Watson, are decorating yer living room. I thought yer mam would have told yer.’
‘Me mam did say something about decorating the room, but I was busy getting ready and not really listening. I did hear her say something about the lady who used to live in the house, though.’
‘Yeah, that’s Mrs Porter. She’s coming to see all her old friends sometime over the holiday. I’m looking forward to seeing her, she’s a little love.’
The dance came to an end then, and, to Jenny’s surprise, people were hugging and kissing and wishing each other a merry Christmas. She didn’t mind when Danny gave her a bear hug, but when she saw his lips coming towards her, she turned her head quickly and his kiss landed on her cheek. ‘That was mean, that was,’ Danny told her, pulling the corners of his mouth down to look like a brokenhearted clown. ‘Christmas Eve and not even a kiss.’
Jane was standing near with Tony, who, having been well and truly kissed, was looking like the cat that got the cream. And Jane took pity on Danny. ‘Don’t be so miserable, Jenny, give the lad a kiss. It won’t hurt yer.’
Not wanting to appear a spoilsport, Jenny lifted her face. ‘Oh, go on, then, but only a peck.’
The meeting of the two pairs of lips was more than a peck. It was a kiss that took Jenny’s breath away, and left Danny believing his heart was doing somersaults. He understood what his dad meant now, when he’d said he knew Ada was for him as soon as he kissed her.
‘That was a nice peck, that, Jenny,’ Danny said. ‘I’d say it was the best I’ve ever had.’
Jenny was about to say it was the only one she’d ever had, but thought better of it. Jane was standing near and she didn’t want her to think she was childish. ‘I’m glad yer enjoyed it, Danny. I aim to please.’
He put an arm across her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. ‘Go and get yer coat, babe, I don’t want yer mam after me for keeping yer out late.’ But that wasn’t strictly true. There was method in Danny’s madness. In his mind’s eye, he could see himself standing outside the Phillipses’ front door, and he had his arms round Jenny, kissing her. And it was a proper kiss, not a peck. And, oh boy, was he enjoying it.
‘I’m ready, Danny. What are yer waiting for?’
Danny shook his head to scatter his thoughts. He’d been miles away. And now, the girl he’d been dreaming of was standing in front of him. ‘I’m sorry, Jenny, me mind was elsewhere.’
She tutted and shook her head. ‘That’s not very complimentary, Danny Fenwick, telling a girl yer mind was anywhere but on her. Are yer trying to give me an inferiority complex?’
Danny’s hand cupped her elbow as he led her from the hall into the street. ‘If yer must know, Jenny Phillips, I was standing outside your house, saying good night to yer, and yer were giving me a kiss that was taking me breath away.’
‘Yer were dreaming, were yer, Danny?’
‘I was enjoying meself, yeah! Not for long, though.’
‘Why, what happened?’
‘Yer mam came out and hit me over the head with a frying pan.’
Jenny was giggling when she pulled him to a halt. ‘Danny, I want to thank yer for a lovely night. I’ve really enjoyed meself.’
‘Will yer come out with me again, then?’
‘Ye’re a sucker for punishment, Danny, but if yer want me to come out with yer again, then I will.’
‘How about New Year’s Eve? That’s the best night of the year to go out and enjoy yerself.’
‘Why do yer have to pick the one night of the year that I won’t come out with yer? I’d never leave me mam alone on New Year’s Eve. Especially not this one.’
A tram came along and Danny helped Jenny on to the platform. ‘I understand, and I think ye’re right. All the neighbours get together that night, and they have a knees-up and sing-song in the street. We could join them.’
‘I’ll see what me mam and Ben are doing before making any arrangements. It’s a week off. I’ll see yer loads of times before then.’
‘Jenny, yer’ll be sick of the sight of me next week. I’ll be in yours every night helping to decorate. But just to keep me spirits up, will yer at least promise me another of yer pecks on New Year’s Eve?’
Keeping her voice down, so the people in the seat behind them couldn’t hear, Jenny said, ‘As long as yer make a good job of papering our living room. Is that a deal?’
‘More than a deal, babe, a promise. Your living room will be the best in the whole street. In fact, yer’ll be able to sell tickets just to let people see it.’
Jenny held out her hand. ‘Let’s shake on that, Danny.’
‘Ah, ay, babe! Why can’t we seal it with a kiss?’
‘Let’s wait and see what sort of a job yer make of the room first.’
‘Yer drive a hard bargain, Jenny Phillips. I can see I’ve got some ground to cover before I get a real kiss off yer. But we Fenwicks never give up, I warn yer. We fight to the finish.’
Danny didn’t see as much of Jenny the following week as he’d hoped. For while the men worked like Trojans, scraping, papering and painting, she and her mam went to sit with his mam and Auntie Hetty. Apart from taking drinks over to the men, the women left them alone so they could work to get the room finished by New Year’s Eve. But Danny’s disappointment was forgotten when the room was finished. The looks of surprise and pleasure on the faces of Annie and her two children made the wait and hard work worthwhile.