‘You can say that again!’ Cissie answered glumly. Then she laughed. ‘Ne’er mind, eh? There are worst troubles at sea, as my mam sometimes says, whatever that means.’
‘Yes, it’ll all come out in the wash,’ added Val. ‘That’s one of my mum’s favourites. Don’t worry, Cissie. It’ll all sort itself out,’ she said, with a meaningful look at her friend.
The taxi, driven by the same man who had brought them the week before, was at the door of Florabunda at nine o’clock, in good time for them to catch their train back to Halifax. Janice’s parents seemed sorry to see them leave although they were, in reality, only two visitors among the many who had stayed there that summer. Mr Butler carried their cases to the car, and Mrs Butler kissed both of them on the cheek.
‘It’s been nice to meet the pair of you,’ she said, ‘and we hope we’ll see you again. Take care now. Janice will give me news of you, I’m sure.’
Janice hugged them both, and their goodbyes to one another were a little tearful.
‘You’ve had a good time, have you?’ asked the taxi driver as they set off. ‘It sounds as though you have.’
‘Yes, smashing, thanks,’ replied Val.
‘And you’ve behaved yerselves, have you?’ he said, grinning. ‘I’ve got a lass about the same age as you two.’
‘Yes, of course!’ said Cissie primly. ‘We’re good girls, aren’t we, Val?’
‘Most definitely,’ said her friend.
‘That’s alright then,’ said the driver. ‘I can tell who are well-brought-up lasses when I see them … Look after yourselves,’ he added as Val paid the fare. ‘I might see you again next year, who knows?’
The station was crowded with returning holidaymakers, but there was no problem in finding their train as Blackpool was the end of the line. It was ready and waiting to depart.
The train was crowded but they managed to get a seat opposite a middle-aged couple at a table for four. The man obligingly heaved their cases on to the rack above their seats, but once they had thanked him they did not enter into conversation. Val and Cissie tried to read, but each of them was wrapped up in their own thoughts about what had happened that week, and what might be to come.
Not all the passengers were travelling as far as Yorkshire. The couple opposite them left at Blackburn, and by the time they reached the Pennine hills the train was far less crowded. They found, though, that they still had very little to say to one another. The silence was companionable, however, such was their closeness and understanding of one another.
They had to take yet another taxi when they arrived at their destination. It would be the last time for some while, though, that they would avail themselves of such an extravagance.
Val knew that her parents would already have arrived back from their holiday as the coach tour to the Cotswolds was from Sunday to Friday. Cissie did not know what time to expect her parents to be back from their holiday with their friends, the Clarksons, but she guessed it would be later in the day.
‘Come in and have a bite to eat with us,’ said Val when the taxi pulled up at her house. Both girls were feeling rather hungry as they had not taken sandwiches to eat on the train this time. ‘My dad will carry your case home for you later – it’s only just up the street.’
But Cissie refused. ‘No, ta,’ she said. ‘I’d best get home. I don’t suppose there’ll be anything much to eat in the house, so I’ll have to nip out to the corner shop and get some milk and bread, and maybe some boiled ham. I expect Mam’ll bring some meat back for our Sunday dinner. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be OK.’
‘Alright then, if you’re sure?’ Val was concerned for her friend. She would not get the warm welcome at home such as she, Val, would receive. She kissed Cissie’s cheek. ‘Here’s my share of the taxi fare, you settle up with the driver. And I’ll see you on Monday …’
‘Yes, see you …’ said Cissie, giving her friend a quick hug.
Val’s dad was already coming out of the door to carry his daughter’s case, with her mother close behind. They both waved cheerily to Cissie as the taxi drove away. She could not help but feel slightly envious, knowing how Val was cared for and cherished.
The driver carried her case to the door, and she let herself into the house. It felt cheerless and empty, and chilly, too, although it was still summer, but a far colder summer day than it had been at the start of their holiday. The place was very tidy, however. Her mother would never go away and leave the house without everything being in its proper place.
She flopped down in the nearest chair feeling forlorn and miserable. It had been such a wonderful holiday … apart from one little episode, one foolish mistake she had made. But that had happened because she and Jack cared about one another … hadn’t it? Now the lovely time had all come to an end so suddenly, and she felt dreadfully alone, and lonely. And whatever was she to do about Walter?
Cissie put her head in her hands and burst into tears.
ELEVEN
Val and Cissie did not meet again until they finished work on Monday. Cissie’s shift had started earlier in the morning but they finished at roughly the same time. Val waited for her friend outside the main entrance.
She was pleased to see that Cissie looked quite cheerful. She had seemed really down-in-the-dumps when they had parted on Saturday. As for herself, Val had every reason to feel on top of the world, but she knew better than to blurt out her exciting news until she saw how things were with Cissie.
‘So, how’s it going?’ she asked. ‘Did your parents get back alright?’
‘Yes, middle of the afternoon. I’d been out to the corner shop to get some things we needed, so I was able to make ’em some ham sandwiches, and that put Mam in a better mood than usual. As you might know, they’d had a wonderful time with the Clarksons. I don’t suppose I’ll ever hear the last of it.’
‘And did she like her scarf?’
‘I think so, you can never tell with Mam. She said, “By heck! They’ll see me coming in this, but at least it’s patriotic – red, white and blue.” Anyroad, she wore it when she went to church, so I think she was quite pleased. What about your mam and dad? Did they enjoy the coach trip?’
‘Oh yes, they were thrilled to bits with it. They’re already planning the next one, probably to Devon, next year.’
They were quiet for a moment before Cissie said, ‘And Walter came round last night, you might know!’
‘Oh … and what happened? Did you say … anything?’
‘About the holiday? About … Jack, you mean? No, I couldn’t very well, could I? He was real nice and friendly. Me mam pushed Dad out of the room so as we could be alone, an’ he said how much he’d missed me. He gave me some Kendal mint cake an’ a big box of fudge. So I gave him his scarf, an’ he said he really liked it, then he started getting all lovey-dovey. I told him to stop it ’cause Mam might come in. Anyroad, I’ve said I’ll see him on Wednesday night. What else could I do? But I ’spect I’ll have heard from Jack by then, so I shall have to tell him.’
‘He won’t like it, Cissie …’
‘Then he’ll have to lump it, won’t he? I’ve been trying not to think about that other little problem. Val, you don’t really think I could be … pregnant, do you?’
‘It’s highly unlikely, but if you keep worrying it might make it worse. Worry can play havoc with the way your body works, you know.’
Cissie nodded. ‘I’ll try not to worry then. But I shall keep me legs crossed in future, I’m telling you! Anyway, what about you? I don’t suppose you’ve seen Sam yet, have you?’
‘Actually, I have,’ said Val, trying to curb her feeling of elation.
She told Cissie how he had come into the office midmorning and asked the supervisor if he could have a word with Miss Horrocks. The other girls had stared as she went out into the corridor with him, and had been all agog when she went back, wanting to know what it was all about. She hadn’t told them anything much, just said it was a query his brother had about a
letter she had written. But he had really come, as he had promised he would, to assure her that he wanted to see her again.
‘So he’s calling for me on Wednesday night, and we’ll go for a drive in the country and have a drink somewhere,’ she said casually, but it was hard to quell the excitement she was feeling at the prospect.
‘You mean … calling for you at your house?’ Cissie sounded surprised.
‘Yes. He says he wants to say hello to my parents and make it all above board.’
‘And have you told your mam and dad about him?’
‘Yes. I told them on Saturday. They were rather wary about it, and Mum said the usual things about not wanting me to get hurt, and what about his family and all that.’
‘So what about them then, Sam’s family? All the Walker clan. Is he going to take you to meet them?’
‘I don’t know,’ Val replied doubtfully. She didn’t know the answer to that. ‘But first things first,’ she added. ‘I trust Sam, and that’s the most important thing.’
They had arrived at Cissie’s house now, so they said goodbye and ‘See you on Wednesday.’ Their shifts did not coincide the next day.
When they met on Wednesday to walk home from work together Cissie appeared a little worried.
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Val, although she had an idea as to what it might be. ‘Aren’t you happy about seeing Walter tonight?’
‘No, you’re dead right I’m not,’ snapped Cissie. ‘I’ve told you how I feel about him. But it’s not just that … I haven’t heard from Jack yet, and he said he’d get in touch with me. I thought I’d have heard from him by now.’
‘It’s only Wednesday,’ said Val. ‘We’ve only been home four days, and he’ll have to write, won’t he? He can’t contact you by phone. It’s early days yet.’ But she understood why her friend was worried.
‘I won’t be able to tell Walter, though, that I don’t want to go on seeing him, not till I’ve heard from Jack. It wouldn’t be right if I was to go out with both of them, would it? I wouldn’t like it if anybody did that to me … I don’t know what to do.’
‘Just go out with Walter tonight and be nice and friendly. There’s no point in upsetting him, not until you know how things are with Jack.’ Val had her doubts about that young man as she had had all along, but it would only upset Cissie even more if she voiced her misgivings.
‘Yes, I suppose I’ll have to,’ said Cissie. ‘But I shall make sure there’s no … you know what! I’ve learnt my lesson there.’
‘Well, try to enjoy your evening,’ said Val as they parted. ‘Walter’s not so bad, and at least you know him and everything about him.’
‘S’pose so,’ agreed Cissie, looking as though she understood what her friend meant. ‘You enjoy yourself an’ all. See you soon …’
When Walter called for Cissie that evening she was surprised to see that he was in his father’s car. He had passed his test, but his father very rarely lent him the car and he could not yet afford one of his own. So despite her ambivalent feelings about Walter Cissie found it quite pleasant to be chauffered around instead of walking as they usually did, especially as the evening was chilly. The weather had changed since their return from holiday and was feeling far more autumnal.
‘Where d’you want to go then?’ he asked. ‘I thought we’d go and have a drink somewhere.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Cissie, ‘You decide; you know these places better than me.’ He often cycled out into the countryside with his friends; whereas she seldom went far from the town, apart from an occasional trip to Bradford or Leeds.
‘We’ll go to Hebden Bridge, then,’ he said, turning to smile at her. ‘There’s one or two decent pubs there.’
She smiled back cautiously. She had decided that she must make the best of the evening and try to be friendly towards Walter and, for the moment, put all thoughts of Jack to the back of her mind.
Walter was quite a good-looking young man, in a dark, swarthy sort of way, she thought now. His hair was very dark brown, almost black, dead straight and always sleek and well groomed. His eyes were dark brown, too, with well-defined eyebrows. His nose was very slightly aquiline, and he had a haughty look except when he smiled, which he did only when he was very pleased about something.
Cissie could not help her thoughts turning to Jack as she compared the two of them. Jack could not be more different, with his tousled mop of fair hair, and his blue eyes that twinkled mischievously as he laughed. He was continually finding something to amuse him or to make a joke about.
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Walter. ‘Don’t you fancy that?’
‘Yes, of course I do,’ she replied hastily, realizing that she had been wool-gathering instead of answering him. ‘That’s fine. I was just thinking that it’s ages since I was in Hebden Bridge,’ she said, in an effort to excuse her rambling thoughts.
Walter did not say much as he drove, carefully, as he always did, the short distance, to the nearby small town. Hebden Bridge was a picturesque place, though somewhat stark and forbidding-looking in the sunless evening. A hump-backed bridge spanned the River Calder between rows of dark greystone houses. Numerous mills were crowded together in the valley bottom, with the wild moorland towering above.
They found a parking place without much trouble, and went into a pub on the main street which Walter said served good ale. Cissie was glad of the warmth from the fire burning in the grate. There was a homely feel to the inn. A golden spaniel was sleeping on the hearth and there were dark oak tables, spindle-backed chairs, and wooden beams on the ceiling.
‘What are you having then?’ asked Walter, when they had found a quiet table in an alcove.
Cissie shuddered inwardly as she remembered the gin and limes that had been her downfall. ‘Something that’ll warm me up a bit,’ she said. ‘It’s real parky tonight.’
‘OK. What about a drop of whisky, then? Whisky and ginger. How about that?’
‘Thanks fine, thanks,’ she replied. ‘Not too much whisky, though …’
‘It’ll do you good,’ said Walter.
He returned in a few moments with her drink and his own glass of strong Yorkshire ale. ‘Cheers,’ he said, raising his glass.
She did the same. ‘Yes … cheers, Walter,’ she said. ‘This is a nice change. I’ve not been here before.’
‘So … tell me about your holiday,’ he said, looking at her keenly. ‘How was Blackpool? You’ve not told me anything about it, and what you got up to.’
‘That’s because I haven’t seen you,’ she replied, a little flustered. ‘Not on our own, I mean. And you haven’t told me about your holiday neither.’
‘Oh, we cycled till our legs nearly dropped off. We enjoyed the scenery and the good weather, then we had a slap-up meal every night and a good night’s kip. Nothing all that exciting, but it was good being with the lads … I missed you, though, Cissie. I want to go away with you next time. Did you miss me?’
‘Course I did,’ she replied hastily. ‘But I was busy with Val. We did all sorts of things. There’s so much to do in Blackpool – the Pleasure Beach, an’ the prom, an’ the piers, an’ the Winter Gardens, an’ the Tower. We went dancing there … Everybody does,’ she added, possibly a shade defiantly, knowing what he would say.
He picked up on her remark straight away. ‘Oh, so you went dancing, did you? And who did you dance with?’
‘Oh, just a few chaps, that’s all. There’s an RAF camp near Blackpool, and the lads go there on Saturday night, so there’s no shortage of partners.
‘I see. So you danced with some RAF blokes, did you?’
Cissie shrugged. ‘One or two. But we really went to see the ballrooms at the Winter Gardens and the Tower. Both of ’em are fantastic. There’s nowt like that round here.’
‘So I’ve heard.’ He was looking at her questioningly, waiting, it seemed, for her to tell him more.
She had wondered whether or not to tell him about Val and her encounter with
Samuel Walker. She decided now that she would do so, if only to take his attention away from herself.
‘Oh … and I must tell you,’ she said eagerly. ‘You’ll never guess what happened!’
‘Go on then. Surprise me. What have you been up to?’
‘Not me,’ she answered hurriedly. ‘It was Val. She got friendly with Mr Samuel from the mill. He asked her to dance, but he didn’t know who she was. She knew him, of course, right away. Anyroad, she told him where she worked and they’ve got real pally. She’s calling him Sam as though she’s known him for ages. In fact she’s seeing him tonight. I don’t know where they’re going, but she’s getting real keen on him, I can tell you.’
‘Well, good for Valerie, but I’m glad it was her he took fancy to and not you.’
‘She works in the office, though, a cut above what I do. Don’t suppose he’d want owt to do with a mill girl such as me. But he’s quite nice when you get to know him, not all stuck-up and superior. I thought he might be havin’ her on, like, and that he’d drop her after the holiday, but it seems that he wants to go on seeing her.’
‘Yes. I’ve always found Mr Samuel much easier to get on with than his brother,’ said Walter. ‘But never mind about him. What did you do while Valerie was off hobnobbing with the boss? Were you on your own, eh?’
‘Oh no, she only saw him a time or two. We all went to the Tower together, him and his mates and Val and me, an’ he paid for both of us. But we got friendly with a girl who works at the hotel. Well, she doesn’t really work there all the time, she’s the landlady’s daughter. So I wasn’t on me own. I went out with her. Janice she’s called. I went to the pictures with her, and we all went to see the show at the Opera House, Janice and Val and me.’ What Cissie was telling him was mostly the truth, but she was not telling him all of it. Now was not the time. She was sure to hear from Jack soon, then it would be time enough to face up to reality.
‘So a good time was had by all,’ said Walter. ‘But the next time you visit Blackpool it will be with me; you can be sure of that.’ He put his arm around her in a proprietorial way. She was trying not to encourage him but it seemed that he was determined, tonight, to make it clear to her that she was his girl.
One Week in August Page 13