by Joan Jonker
George cleared his throat. ‘Do you remember several weeks ago, my dear, Andrew told us he accidentally knocked a young lady over with his brolly?’
‘I vaguely remember the incident, but surely it’s more than a few weeks ago? I had completely forgotten. Why do you ask?’
Lies, lies, and more lies, George thought before answering. ‘Because I happened to make her acquaintance this afternoon, my love, and she is the most stunning girl I have ever seen. She has the most open face, with laughing eyes and perfect features. And one can sense she is a fun-loving young lady with a remarkable sense of humour.’ He patted his wife’s knee. ‘Of course, my darling, it goes without saying that she can’t hold a candle to you. Not in my eyes.’
‘How did you come to meet this young lady, who seems to have captivated you?’
‘Well, you know Andrew and Charlotte made her acquaintance in circumstances in which many people would actually have sued for damages, claiming they’d been injured, or their clothes ruined. This remarkable young lady did neither. Anyway, I was talking to Andrew outside the office when the young lady came by, and Andrew introduced us.’ George turned his head to draw on his cigar, and remembered the saying about what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive. How true it was. For he was having to lie to his dear wife again. He couldn’t risk Charlotte or Andrew’s coming in and telling a different story. ‘It turned out that her friend was the woman being interviewed to take over from Robert Blakemore’s secretary. You remember, I told you she was leaving to get married? Robert interviewed the woman, whose name is Jean Slater, and he was more than satisfied she would fit in very well.’
‘The other girl, the one you said was stunning, what is her name and pedigree?’
George turned his head sharply. ‘We are not talking about animals, Harriet. That remark was uncalled for and does you no credit.’
‘I’m sorry, my love. You are quite right to chastise me. I really meant no harm. Your description of the girl intrigued me, and I wanted to hear more about her. She sounds very interesting.’
‘Her name is Poppy Meadows, and I can’t speak for her being interesting, for I hardly spent any time in her company. What I can say with certainty is that she would stand out in any crowd.’ George could feel a headache coming on, caused by his dislike of telling lies to his wife. He was going to have a good talk to his daughter about this helping hand of hers. He was pleased she was kind and caring, but he must insist she put him in the picture before plunging into her good deeds. ‘I need to have a word with Andrew about business, so I’ll go up to his room now, before it gets too late.’
When Peter called for her that night, only Poppy saw that his eyes looked a little puffy, as though he hadn’t slept well. Nobody else noticed, for her mother chatted away to him while they were waiting for David to finish shaving. And when Sarah arrived just at the moment when David came downstairs, there was so much talking that no one noticed that Peter’s smile held no warmth.
After introducing Sarah to Peter, Poppy headed the foursome out of the door. David walked in front with Sarah, who had known him all her life, and was at ease with him. His presence helped steady the nerves she’d been suffering from all day at the prospect of going to her first big dance hall.
Poppy and Peter walked behind, and they were at the top of the street before either of them spoke. He had his arm round her waist, and he said softly, ‘You’re very quiet, babe.’
‘I didn’t think you’d feel like me jabbering away, Peter, for you look tired. Have you not slept well?’
‘On and off, that’s all. I’ve had a permanent headache for days now and it just won’t go away.’
‘I can’t say I know how you feel, Peter, only you know that. But my advice would be to take things as they come. You’re seeing Kate tonight. Perhaps you’ll feel differently after you’ve been with her for a while. Don’t push her out of your life until you are certain of your feelings.’
‘She won’t let me push her out of my life, babe. She’s been to see my parents twice and phoned several times.’
They reached the bus stop then, where David and Sarah were standing, and Poppy turned her head so her words couldn’t be heard by them. ‘She must love you very much, then, Peter, and unless you are very sure, don’t throw that love away. It only comes once in a lifetime to most people, so take heed.’
The bus came then, and David and Sarah opted for the top deck, while Poppy and Peter sat near the door.
‘What about you, babe?’
‘This is not about me, Peter, and I’d rather not get involved. I don’t want to settle down for a few years yet. I have told you that several times. But not wanting to get involved doesn’t mean I’m not interested in what happens to you, because I am. I want what is best for you. And I feel the best thing is for you to take your time, and not rush anything. You don’t have to decide right away, so take it slowly. A few dances with Kate tonight should help.’ But because she didn’t want Peter to think she was eager to get rid of him, and was pushing him into Kate’s arms, she added, ‘But not all the slow foxtrots, please, ’cos you and me do a very professional slow-fox.’
When they walked into the entrance hall of the Grafton, a playful argument started between David and Sarah over who should buy the tickets. ‘No girl ever pays for herself when she’s with me, even if she does live next door.’
Poppy had spotted Kate standing on her own, her eyes on the entrance, and thought the girl must really love Peter to run after him the way she was doing. She really was wearing her heart on her sleeve. ‘Peter, you get my ticket while I sort David and Sarah out. Our David can be as stubborn as a mule when he puts his mind to it. Oh, and will you see if Kate has a ticket? She’s standing on her own by the cloakroom.’
When the tickets had been sorted out, Poppy took Sarah along to the cloakroom. Passing Kate, Poppy said, ‘Are you coming in, Kate? We may as well stick together. This is a neighbour of mine, Sarah.’
Kate had begun to comb her hair in front of the mirror on the wall before she said, ‘It’s very kind of you to be so friendly, under the circumstances. Most girls would tell me to get lost.’
‘I have no intention of interfering, Kate. You and Peter have to sort your own affairs out. Now let’s get back to the men. My toes are itching to get on the dance floor.’
The band were playing a slow foxtrot when the girls pushed open the door of the dance hall, and Peter hurried to Poppy’s side. His hand out, he said, ‘Come on, babe, this is our dance.’
David hadn’t been introduced to Kate, so he didn’t think it rude to ask Sarah to dance. He thought she was a novice, and had made up his mind to be patient with her. But he certainly had his eye wiped for she was a fantastic dancer. She floated like a dream, and David was delighted. ‘I was under the impression you were a beginner, Sarah, with your mother saying you hadn’t been to a big dance hall.’
‘My mam always gets things wrong, David, you should know that by now. I’ve never been here before, but I go to loads of dances.’
Poppy had seen Jim on the dance floor with a girl she’d never seen before, and she had an idea. She waited until they were passing, then over Peter’s shoulder she mouthed the words, ‘Next dance with me.’
Jim grinned and nodded. He’d be delighted to dance with Poppy. She was a good dancer and fun to be with.
The next dance was a waltz, and Jim was over like a shot to claim Poppy, while David, unaware of the situation, led Sarah back on to the floor, leaving Peter and Kate standing awkwardly a few feet apart. Poppy kept her eyes on them, even while talking to Jim, and she saw Kate close the distance between herself and the man who had once loved her. ‘Are you going to ask me to dance, Peter?’
Without a word, Peter reached for the hand she was holding out, and led her on to the floor. And as Poppy watched, he danced as stiff as a board for the first two or three circles of the floor, and then seemed to relax and dance as he always did, steps and rhythm perfect.
/> ‘Who is the girl your boyfriend is dancing with?’ Jim asked. ‘It seems unusual for him to dance with anyone but you.’
‘Her name is Kate, and she’s an old friend of the family. That’s all I know about her, really, except she seems a nice friendly person. With regard to Peter, I’ve told you a few times, Jim, that we are not courting! Good friends who enjoy dancing and being in each other’s company, that’s all.’
‘So he won’t object to my asking yer to dance again, then?’
‘Not at all. And the girl our David is dancing with lives next door to us. You’re more than welcome to ask her to dance. She’ll be delighted as it’s the first time she’s been here.’ While she was talking, Poppy kept glancing at Peter and Kate. They danced well together, and it was easy to see they were used to each other’s body movement and steps. So far so good.
‘By the way, Jim, what happened to the girl you told me about? I know you said she was going to a dancing class, but surely she should have learned enough by now to come here with you? Once she had the basic steps, you could teach her the rest.’
Jim gave a sigh. ‘Woe is me, Poppy. It’s just my luck to find a girl I like, then it turns out she can’t dance. She didn’t learn anything at the classes, because she has no sense of rhythm and two left feet.’
Poppy chuckled. ‘That doesn’t stop her from being a nice girl, Jim! She’s probably good at something else, like baking, or knitting.’
‘I’m only twenty-one, Poppy. I don’t need fairy cakes or knitted cardigans. I love dancing and don’t want to go through the rest of my life not being able to do the thing I like best. You know yerself, when dancing is in yer blood it’s hard to stop.’
‘I know the feeling,’ Poppy said. ‘As soon as I hear dance music my body moves in time with it.’ She laughed. ‘It makes it very awkward when you’re sitting in the picture house and start swaying in the seat. I get some funny looks.’
The music came to an end and Poppy moved away. ‘Next waltz, please, Jim?’
His face lit up. ‘Yeah! You bet!’
When the interval came, Peter stood between Poppy and Kate, addressing Poppy more often than Kate. But David was puzzled by the situation, for the stranger never took her eyes off Peter, even when he was on the dance floor with Poppy. So when the opportunity came to speak to his sister alone, he asked. ‘Who is Kate, sis? She seems to have a crush on Peter.’
‘I’ll explain it tonight when we get home. There is a story attached to her and Peter, but now is not the time to tell it. I’ll tell you and Mam about it tonight, over our bedtime cup of tea.’ Poppy turned to Sarah and a change of subject. ‘What do you think of the Grafton, Sarah? Does it live up to your expectations?’
‘Oh, yeah, Poppy. It knocks spots off the other dance halls I’ve been to. It’s much bigger, and the floor is smashing to dance on. I’ll be coming here again, that’s for sure.’ She bent towards Poppy’s ear and whispered, ‘Ay your David isn’t a bad dancer. I didn’t know he ever went to dances.’
‘He doesn’t go as often as me, ’cos he enjoys a game of cards with his friends. When he does go dancing, he goes to the Tower at New Brighton, or Barlows Lane. Like here, both of them have sprung floors, much better to dance on.’
The strains of a slow foxtrot started up, and Peter held out his hand. ‘Our dance, babe.’
Poppy didn’t even think of refusing. She wasn’t going to push Peter into going back to his old flame; he had to decide for himself. But she was happy when she saw Jim asking Sarah up, and David followed with Kate.
‘How is the shorthand going, babe? Are you winning?’ Peter slowed down to look into her face. ‘I don’t want to lose track of events.’
‘You asked for it, Peter, so I’m going to blow my own trumpet. The teacher said I’m good enough to apply for a job as a private secretary, and he’ll give me a good reference. I’m going to start looking around. It may take a while to get a job, but I’m going to do my best to get away from where I am now. You know the girl I work with, the one I’ve told you about who has been so good to me? Well, she went for an interview today, and I’ll know tomorrow if she’s got the job. If she leaves, then I’ll leave the same time as her. I’m not staying with a boss like the one we’ve got. If Jean goes, then I go.’
‘I’ve told you my father could help you find work, babe. Why won’t you let me ask him?’
‘I want to do it on my own, Peter. I’ll get there eventually, you’ll see. But thank you for the offer. You’re very kind.’
‘I’d do anything to help you, babe, you should know that. And no matter how things resolve regarding me and Kate, I don’t ever want to lose touch with you. I’ll want to know where you are, and what you are up to, all the time. You are a wonderful, beautiful woman, Poppy, and I’ll always love you.’
She smiled up at him. ‘Love comes in many forms, Peter, remember that. Like the love you had for Kate. That is still there in your heart, you just don’t want to admit it, because you were hurt. The girl made a bad mistake, but don’t punish her now. I think she’s suffered enough. Let yourself go, loosen up, and give her another chance.’
‘I’m trying, Poppy, I really am. But I don’t want to lose you.’
‘You’ll never lose me, Peter. We’ll always keep in touch and see each other. And let’s change the subject for now, until you have sorted your life out. It’s not fair to Kate for us to be so close. Be friends with her, and take it from there. At least let her into your life.’
‘I’ll take her home after the dance, babe, since you’ll be with your brother and Sarah. So when will I see you again?’
‘I’ll be here on Friday, as usual. I’ll get David to come with me, so we’ll be a foursome.’ Poppy raised her brows. ‘It’s a start, Peter. Give it a chance.’
Poppy waited until they were seated at the table with their bedtime cup of tea in front of them. ‘I’ve got something to tell you, Mam, and you David. It’s about Peter. I know you were curious about Kate tonight, David, why she was at the dance with us, and who she was. Well, she is an old flame of Peter’s, who I’ve known about for a while.’
Eva and David showed surprise at first, then settled down to listen in silence until Poppy had told them everything. She had left nothing out.
‘How do you feel about it, sweetheart?’ Eva asked. ‘Are you disappointed, or sad?’
Poppy shook her head. ‘No, Mam. I’ve known all along that Peter wasn’t the man for me. I do have strong feelings for him because he’s a wonderful person. But the love I feel is like a love for a brother, not a husband. There was no romantic spark there for me. Kate adores him, and I’m hoping Peter will slowly find the love he once had for her seeping back into his heart. She’ll be good for him because she really loves him. She hurt him badly, but she shouldn’t be punished for the rest of her life.’ She sat back in her chair. ‘I’m seeing them again at the Grafton on Friday. I agreed because I think Peter needs time to get used to courting Kate again. But we’ll always be friends, I’ve promised him that. So you’ll be having visitors when their lives are running smoothly.’ Poppy yawned and stretched her arms above her head. ‘By the way, David, don’t make any plans for Friday, because you’re taking your sister to the Grafton.’
Chapter Twenty-One
‘Why are you in such a rush this morning, sweetheart?’ Eva asked as she watched Poppy pushing her empty breakfast plate away. ‘Yer wolfed that toast down so fast yer’ll have indigestion all day. And you’ve got plenty of time, you’re not running late.’
‘I want to be very early this morning, Mam, not just on time. An extra ten minutes to talk to Jean, that’s what I’m hoping for. I can’t wait to hear whether she got the job or not. Once we’re inside the office we won’t be able to talk to each other with Mr John prowling round like a bear with a sore head.’
Poppy stood in front of the mirror and ran a comb through her hair, before turning to face her mother. ‘I hope she got the job, Mam, because she’s been so good to me,
and she’s a very good secretary.’
‘And a good friend.’ David swallowed a mouthful of tea, then went on. ‘You’ve said yourself you couldn’t have got so far in such a short time without her. Anyone who will give up part of their lunch break to help … well, there’s not many would do that.’
‘You’ll miss her if she does leave, won’t yer, sweetheart?’ Eva was clearing the breakfast table as she spoke. ‘They’ll have to take someone on to fill her place, and it won’t be the same with a stranger, not after working with Jean for nearly four years.’
‘I won’t be losing touch with Jean, Mam, not ever! She’s the best friend I’ll ever have. Like I’ll keep in touch with Peter, I’ll keep in touch with Jean. We’ve already said that no matter what happens, we’ll meet every day for lunch.’ Poppy fastened her coat up and reached to the sideboard for her handbag. ‘I’m on my way, Mam. I’ll let you and David have all the news tonight. Ta-ra.’
‘Tell Jean we were asking after her, sweetheart, and have been keeping our fingers crossed for her.’
‘Will do.’ Poppy banged the door and walked smartly up the street to the bus stop. And all the way into the city, as the bus swayed from side to side, she kept saying under her breath, ‘Oh, please let the news be good, she really deserves it.’
Poppy stood outside the office building waiting for sight of Jean. She was ten minutes early, and hoped her colleague would be along any minute. There’d be no chance to talk once they got in the office, for if Mr John got wind of what was going on he’d sack both of them on the spot on some trumped-up charge of bad behaviour and refuse to give them a reference.
‘Oh, there you are!’ Jean was puffing, out of breath with hurrying. ‘I couldn’t see you with all the people passing on their way to work. I’m glad we’ve got a few minutes to spare. I have so much to tell you!’