by Joan Jonker
‘He’s a flipping scream, he is.’
Nigel was busy taking his courage in both hands. ‘I won’t blame you if you say no, Milly, but would you like to dance?’
She did a little curtsy. ‘Thank you for asking, kind sir, I would be delighted. And don’t worry, I don’t have any corns.’
Abbie was concentrating hard, trying to follow Bobby’s footwork. One of these days she’d be able to dance as well as he did, and then she’d show him what for. She was so busy keeping up with him, she didn’t realise he was speaking to her until he squeezed her hand. ‘Relax, Abbie, and let your body go limp.’
When she met his eyes, she felt her heart miss a beat and her tummy did a somersault. She couldn’t understand why, but he appeared to be staring at her with a far-away look in his eyes. The silence seemed to last for ever, but in the end she pulled herself together. ‘Your body can only go limp if you’re in a faint, Bobby.’
‘Oh, don’t faint on me, please, ’cos your Nige would kill me. Couldn’t yer just go into a half-faint, like?’ They were walking around the room now which wasn’t like Bobby at all. He wouldn’t waste time walking when he could be dancing. ‘We’re coming to a corner now, so when I tell yer, spin around.’
‘Which way?’
‘Which way? Yer’ve got me there.’ He screwed up his eyes. ‘Let’s see now, if I turn to the right, that means you’re turning left.’ His face split into a grin. ‘I’ll tell yer what. Seeing as ye’re me mate’s sister, I’ll let yer stand on me toes so yer’ve got to go the same way as me.’
‘What about the little toe on your left foot?’
‘Ye’re getting very personal now, talking about me little toe. I’m surprised at yer, Abbie Dennison.’
They were laughing so much they did the spin without either of them realising they had performed it perfectly. And they were still giggling when they walked off the floor.
‘How did yer get on, Nige?’
‘I think you should be asking Milly that. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my feet being trodden on.’
‘He didn’t step on my feet once, take no notice of him,’ Milly said. ‘He did really well.’
For the rest of the evening they swapped partners for each dance. Except when it was an excuse-me, then they didn’t see much of Bobby because the girls all made a bee-line for him. And much to her amazement and horror, a tall, dark, handsome boy excused Abbie in a quickstep when she was dancing with Bobby. He wasn’t very happy about it, and asked the boy if he had any corns.
‘No, I haven’t got no corns.’ The boy was tugging Abbie towards him. ‘What’s it got to do with you, anyway?’
‘It’s got nothing to do with me, mate, whether yer’ve got corns or not. But Miranda here, she likes a boy with corns.’
‘Is that your name, Miranda?’ the boy asked when he finally prised Abbie loose. ‘It’s an unusual name.’
Abbie couldn’t speak or she’d have burst out laughing, so she just nodded. And after a few spins around the dance-floor, the record came to an end and she was able to join her friends.
Milly couldn’t contain herself. ‘Oh dear, oh dear, Miranda!’
Nigel thought it hilarious. ‘Where on earth did you get that name from, Bobby? I’ve never heard it before.’
‘That’s nothing,’ Abbie told them, through hiccups brought on by laughter. ‘He asked the poor lad if he had corns!’
They were driving home when Nigel said, ‘That’s the happiest, and most enjoyable time I’ve had since we moved away from Balfour Road. It made me wonder if we wouldn’t have been better staying there.’
‘I’ve thought that many times. But we really didn’t have much say in the matter, did we? Anyway, none of us knew the way things would turn out. Especially Father, he thought he was doing the best thing for his family.’ Abbie had been told by her father about the divorce. He had sat her down in the study and quietly told her what he had set in motion. ‘I feel really sorry for him because he’s put up with Mother for years without complaining. And while I know it’s a terrible thing to say, I don’t feel sorry for her. In fact, I have no feelings for her at all. She’s never been a real mother, not like Milly’s or Bobby’s. I’m eighteen years of age and cannot remember ever having been kissed by her. That isn’t natural.’
Nigel took her back to a happier subject. ‘So you enjoyed yourself tonight?’
‘Oh, yes, my tummy’s still sore from laughing. I had a marvellous time and can’t wait for Wednesday.’
‘Same here. But I’m seeing Bobby tomorrow night for another driving lesson.’
Chapter Nineteen
‘There’s none so queer as folk, is there?’ Agnes had her hands wrapped around her cup and there was a look of resignation on her face. ‘Miss Edwina is the only one eating at seven-thirty tonight, but she insists on everything being set as though the whole family were present. Silver serving dishes – the lot.’
‘How come she’s the only one in?’ Kitty asked. ‘Where’s everybody else going?’
‘Well, it’s Mr Robert’s day for Chester, then he said he’s going straight on to the club to dine with friends. Mr Charles is taking Miss Victoria to a party somewhere, and it’s dance night again for Mr Nigel and Miss Abbie. They’re having their meal as soon as they come in from work.’
‘It’s ridiculous you having to set that big dining table just for the Missus,’ Pete said, with a look of disgust on his face. ‘Yer’d think she’d have more sense.’
‘She hasn’t got no bleedin’ sense, so how can she have more?’ Kitty’s legs were swinging faster to match her feelings. ‘Wouldn’t yer think she’d let yer have an easy night with the others all going out? The miserable cow!’
‘Oh, yer haven’t heard the best yet,’ Agnes told them. ‘I’ve got to get dolled up in me lace hat and pinny, as well! “We mustn’t lower our standards.” That’s what Miss Edwina said to me. “I insist upon keeping to a routine, otherwise there’d soon be a deterioration in the running of the house. And that I will not allow”.’
‘I’ll stay behind tonight, Aggie, and give yer a hand,’ Jessie said. ‘I could wash the dishes for yer, and yer’d be finished in half the time.’
‘That’s good of yer, sunshine, but I can manage. Don’t forget, yer’ll be very late tomorrow night. It’s the dinner party and we’ll be rushed off our feet. I know Miss Edwina’s a bloody nuisance, and a bit not right in the head. I mean, fancy sitting in state in the dining room, all on her own, talking to four bleedin’ walls! But if that’s what she wants, if it keeps her happy, then she can have it. But she’s getting her supper at a quarter to ten whether she likes it or not, ’cos I’m going next door to spend an hour with Tilly. I’ve got to keep up with all her news.’
‘She’s got a good boss, hasn’t she, queen? Not a pain in the arse like ours. I mean, she wouldn’t be asked to set a table for five when there’s only one person going to eat, would she? Not bleedin’ likely she wouldn’t.’
‘Yeah, she’s got a good boss, sunshine, but then so have we. Yer won’t get a better boss than Mr Robert, no matter where yer go.’
Kitty nodded in agreement. She had cause to know how good her boss was. There was no more walking to work for her now, not since he gave her the half-a-crown a week rise. And he always asked Aggie to make sure there was food for her to take home every night. But the cleaner had to voice the truth, as she saw it. ‘He’s a cracker, is Mr Robert, I’ll grant yer that, queen. But still, it’s a pity about his bleedin’ wife.’
‘I dunno, she doesn’t get me down so much now.’ Not a word would cross the housekeeper’s lips about Robert’s private life. What was told to her was in confidence, and that’s how it would stay. ‘There’s been a big change here in the last couple of weeks which you probably wouldn’t notice as much as me. And it’s mostly down to the two youngest children. They are full of life, and seeing their happiness has made Mr Robert happy. Breakfast-time now is the best part of the day for me, because the four of us n
ever stop laughing. The biggest surprise is Mr Nigel, he has altered beyond recognition. This friend of his, Bobby, can take the thanks for that, and I can’t wait to meet him ’cos he sounds a real funny character. Mr Nigel took him for another driving lesson last night, and we were all in stitches at the things he got up to. Not that he’s too daft to learn to drive, but the sayings he comes out with.’
‘Tell us some of them, queen, so we can have a laugh.’
‘I can’t think of any of them off the top of me head, sunshine, but I’ll see if I can remember some of them to give yer a laugh at dinner-time.’
‘I hope yer do, queen, ’cos yer’ve already let me down once this morning.’ Kitty put on her hard-done-by look. ‘I was really hurt when yer said breakfast-time is the best part of the day for yer. I mean, it doesn’t say much for us three, does it?’
‘Ah, well, yer see, I don’t count you three when I’m talking, ’cos ye’re me very best mates, aren’t yer? I’m with yer all day, and ye’re like family to me. And nobody can make me laugh more than you, sunshine; ye’re me very own laughter-maker.’
‘That’s nice of yer, queen, ’cos if haven’t got you, I haven’t got no one.’
‘You’ve got me, Kitty,’ Jessie piped up. ‘I’m yer friend, and I think ye’re the funniest person I’ve ever met in me whole life.’
Kitty’s grin couldn’t have been wider. It wasn’t often she got compliments, except off her Alf, of course, so she treasured them. She glanced down the table to where Pete sat. He had his head down and was deep in thought. ‘Ay, buggerlugs, can’t yer hear me getting praised to high heaven? Yer might at least agree with them.’
‘I’m sorry, Kitty, I wasn’t listening. I can’t get over the Missus making Aggie set a table for five people when she’s the only one having dinner. There’s something wrong with the woman.’
It was Agnes who answered. ‘The way I see it, Pete, we have three happy, normal members of this family, and two who are not quite with it, like. They live in a world of their own. Miss Victoria is her mother all over. Self first, last and always. If yer were dying of thirst they wouldn’t give yer a drink. And if yer fainted at their feet, they’d just step over yer. And when yer came round, they’d tell yer off for daring to faint on their carpet. Sometimes I don’t know whether to laugh at them or cry me bleedin’ eyes out.’
‘Ay, Aggie, d’yer think this Charles feller will marry Miss Victoria? That would be a blessing, wouldn’t it? At least we’d be shut of her.’
‘He’d be signing his own death warrant if he married her. Not that I’ve much time for him, like, but at least yer get a smile out of him, which is more than yer get out of her. She really thinks she’s someone special, who just has to sit and order people around. For example, yesterday lunch-time, she spilt a drop of tea on the table. All she had to do was mop it up with her napkin, but no, she wouldn’t lower herself to do something so menial, she had to ring for me. And she doesn’t ask me to wipe it up, she points a finger and says, “Clear that, Agnes”. Never a please, thank you or by-your-leave. And that is the way she always is. Talk about a cut above the rest, that’s what Miss Victoria thinks she is. And God help any man who marries her ’cos he’ll be letting himself in for a life of hell.’ The housekeeper put down her cup, clasped her two hands together and cast her eyes to the ceiling. ‘Please God, I don’t mean no harm, but if You do find someone daft enough to marry her, will You make sure he’s got a whip in his hand, ’cos he’ll need one.’
‘Ay, queen, while yer were at it, yer should have asked for someone with the patience of a saint, ’cos he’ll need that as well.’
‘I don’t like asking for too much all at once, sunshine, it looks greedy. But next time I’m saying a little prayer, I won’t forget to mention about the patience.’
‘And will yer tell Him not to take His time about it, ’cos our patience is running out.’
Once again the housekeeper’s eyes were raised to the ceiling. ‘Dear God, take no notice of what we say, we’re not laughing at You, but with You. We know You must have a sense of humour ’cos You put people like Kitty on this earth to make people laugh and be happy.’
‘That was nice, that, queen, real lady-like yer sounded. And thanks for putting in a good word for me. I’ll re – er . . . recop – recup – oh, blow it, I’ll return the favour when I say me prayers tonight.’
‘The word yer were looking for, sunshine, was reciprocate.’
‘Thanks, queen, I’ll do that as well.’
Victoria looked at the people sitting near their table in the restaurant, and there was a look of disdain on her face. Why, would be hard to understand, because all the women were very expensively dressed, as were their companions. No one dined at the Adelphi unless they had a healthy bank balance. But even to a few acquaintances who smiled and waved, she merely inclined her head. Charles didn’t miss this haughty gesture and thought what a dull bore she was. But another thing he didn’t miss were the admiring glances of the men when he’d led Victoria into the restaurant. What she lacked in some things, she more than made up for in looks. Especially her figure, which was shown off to perfection in the deep lilac dress she was wearing – low-cut at the neck and nipped-in at the waist. If only she had a bit more life in her, smiled occasionally as though she meant it and had a sense of fun, he might even consider marrying her. But she had none of those qualities, and to tell the truth he was always bored stiff in her company. He didn’t intend to be bored tonight, though, that was for sure.
‘More wine, my sweet?’
‘Really, Charles, you’ll have me drunk. It doesn’t take much to get me tipsy, but I’m sure that’s not your intention.’
‘Of course not, my lovely,’ Charles lowered his voice as he refilled his glass. ‘I want you to be very alert when we retire to our room. Your passion will be helped by a bottle of the finest champagne served in this establishment.’
Victoria wasn’t in the least shy or embarrassed by his reference to what was to follow. She wasn’t looking forward to the actual deed, where his hands would no doubt be all over her body, but while she might find it distasteful, she certainly would not be embarrassed. But her favour wouldn’t come cheaply. For his couple of hours of fun, she expected nothing less in return than a proposal. Perhaps not tonight, but in the very near future. And she would work to that end.
‘You spoil me, Charles.’ She flirted with him across the table. ‘And I can’t resist falling for your charms.’ Her eyelids fluttering, she asked softly, ‘I hope I am having the same effect on you, my love?’
‘Oh, absolutely! So much so, my sweet, I can wait no longer. I suggest we dispense with coffee and retire to our room.’
Determined that he should find her so irresistible tonight he would give some indication that he wanted her in his life permanently, Victoria said coyly, ‘My, you are eager, Charles.’
‘Never more so, my sweet.’ They made a striking couple as he cupped her elbow and escorted her from the room, and many heads turned their way. Victoria noticed this and was delighted. And when they entered the lift to go to the suite Charles had booked on the second floor, she was in very high spirits.
‘The meal was very enjoyable, my dear, thank you.’ Robert was sitting on the couch when Maureen came through from the kitchen. ‘Leave the dishes for a while and come and sit next to me.’ He was pleased to see she was wearing the locket he’d bought, which she had been delighted with, and said she would wear every day.
Sitting beside him Maureen reached for his hand. ‘It’s lovely to see you again so soon, almost as if we were courting.’
‘Which is what we are, my dear. I intend to court you until the day I am a free man, and then I’ll be proud to ask you to be my wife. I hope we can marry as soon as possible after my divorce comes through. Would you want a big wedding, or a quiet service in a register office with just our closest family and friends attending?’
‘A quiet wedding would suit me fine. I’m too old to want a big
fussy affair. And as I don’t have any family, and very few friends, the church would be noticeably empty my side, and full yours.’
‘Would you like to know how many family and friends I have? I believe you’ll be surprised at the people I regard as my real friends. My family would consist of Nigel and Abbie, plus my mother and father-in-law, whom I look upon as my own parents. Then, closest to me, is Jeff and his family. I’m hoping Jeff will be my best man because we’ve been friends for so many years. They are the ones I would like present at the service. But I would like to have the wedding reception in my home, with all my friends there.’
Maureen lowered her head, and her voice held a trace of sadness. ‘I don’t even have anyone to act as my maid of honour.’
Robert put his arm across her shoulders. ‘Oh, you will, my darling, you will. Long before that day arrives you will have met Nigel and Abbie, and all my friends. And you will learn to love them as much as I love them.’
‘I’m longing to meet your children, but a little apprehensive. What if they don’t like me?’
‘How could they not like you? How could they not adore you, as I do? They don’t even know of your existence yet, except for Jeff, and I think it too soon to tell them. I’m hoping my wife and Victoria will be living elsewhere in the next month or so, and when they are gone I will not only mention you, I will take you to my home to meet Nigel and Abbie, and the staff whom I regard as friends – Agnes, Kitty, Pete and Jessie. You have heard me talk so much about each and every one of them, they won’t feel like strangers to you.’
‘I wish this was all going to happen soon, Robert, I want so much to be part of your life. I’m grateful for the last three years, they’ve meant a lot to me. But now I know our friendship is able to move on, I want more. To be able to walk down the street with you without worrying about neighbours peering through their windows. To link your arm, to show we are more than just friends. That’s what I want now, Robert, and it can’t come quickly enough.’