“I don’t think I really want to know...but where did you get these?” Her tone was serious and Emma winced. Kate bit her lip and put her hands on her hips. “Come on, Emma, they must’ve cost a fortune. Look at the label. Nobody shops there unless they’re loaded and we’re far from that. I don’t understand.”
“They’re for you, for your date with Stephen. I want you to be happy, Kate. I worry about you y’know. Sometimes I admire you because you seem so strong, and then sometimes… well, there are times when you’re a real drip. You let things happen to you. It’s almost as if you think you deserve to have a horrible life, so you don’t fight back. Mum beats you up whenever she feels like it and you let her. She gets away with it every time. You have to fight it and you have to stop her because one day,” she paused to take a breath, “one day she’ll kill you, I just know it.”
Kate sunk down onto the bed next to the clothes and covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know what to say to you, Emma.” She turned and looked at her. “If I could change things for the better you know I would, don’t you? And you say you worry about me. Well I worry about you and the things you say and do. You’re so young.”
“I’m not that much younger than you. I’ll be sixteen soon.”
“Yes I know but I'm the eldest and I feel responsible for you.” She gave her sister a little smile, her voice softening. “I know you were thinking of me when you got these,” she said, her hand resting lightly on the beautiful clothes, “but can’t you see? I’m worried sick about where you got them from or where you got the money to pay for them. I have to ask you.” She paused for a moment, her eyes fixed on Emma’s face. “Where did you get them?”
Emma stared at the floor, studying the pattern on the lino and tracing it with her big toe.
“Emma, please don’t make this harder than it already is. You must tell me. I’m waiting.”
“You sound like you're my mother.”
“Emma.”
“I stole them.”
“How? They’re in bags with receipts. Somebody paid for these and I’m guessing it wasn’t you.” Emma shook her head.
“I hope there’s nothing else,” she said. Emma paled.
“Oh no, Emma. Please say there’s nothing else.” Emma went to her wardrobe and pulled out a pair of knee-high, black suede boots with a one-inch platform, a perfect match for the outfit. Kate was astonished. “Jesus. How did you get away with it? I just don’t believe this.”
“Well, I can’t take them back now, anyway,” Emma said crossly.
“Why not?” Kate demanded.
“Because I took them from the back of a car so I don’t know who they were or where they live. They’ve been paid for haven’t they? I mean, somebody paid for them in the first place so...what does it matter?” she cried with her arms outstretched. Kate was confounded by Emma’s muddled logic.
“Yes, Emma, but not by you. You didn’t pay for them did you? It’s still theft. You’ve stolen from someone. Doesn’t that bother you?”
She closed her eyes, picturing the scene of Emma rushing up to a car and snatching the bags then running for her life. She opened them and found Emma watching her.
“What are we going to do about it? No, never mind that, what are you going to do about it?”
“You could wear them.”
“What,” cried Kate. “I’m not wearing stolen clothes.”
“I can’t see why. Look, Kate, the car I stole them from was really posh, y’know the sort. They’ve obviously got pots of money. They probably buy clothes like that every week and they won’t even notice it. It’s easy-come-easy-go to people like that. I don’t know what you’re worrying about anyway.”
She began picking up the clothes from the bed, shoving them back into their carrier bags. “I’m like Robin Hood,” she said. “Robbing the rich to give to the poor, and you’re poor so I’m giving them to you. Now go and have your bath and put your make-up on. You look really plain without your make-up.”
“Emma, I want you to promise me that you’ll never do anything like this again. Promise me,” Kate demanded. “All right,” Emma said grudgingly, pulling a face.
“No, that’s not good enough. Say the words. Say, I promise.” Emma sighed. “I promise.”
Kate left her putting the bags back in her wardrobe. She looked up grinning, her eyes on Kate’s back as she went out of the door. “Sort of.”
Chapter 9
“What are you reading?”
“Pride and Prejudice.”
“What?”
“Pride and Prejudice, Emma. You know, Jane Austen? You can borrow it after me if you like.”
“Oh, right.”
“What're you reading?”
“Jackie. And you can’t borrow it.”
“Thanks.”
The boots pinched her toes. They were too small for her size-five feet but they looked lovely. Kate felt guilty and nervous about wearing something that didn’t belong to her. She couldn’t stop thinking about the person who had chosen them. What was she like? she wondered. Was she young and wealthy without a care in the world? Or maybe someone had bought them as a present for a much loved daughter or girlfriend.
Her fingers played with the receipts. She'd stuffed them in the coat pocket so if anyone challenged her she would have them to prove her innocence. As she stood at the door of The Coffee Kisses Cafe trying to pluck up the courage to go in she tried not to think about the girl who never got to wear those beautiful boots.
The suede dress and full-length coat fitted perfectly.
“It’s as if you’d chosen them yourself,” Emma had cried joyously when Kate tried them on. After much persuasion she’d given in to Emma’s logic that if she didn’t wear them it would be a complete waste. What Emma had done was in the past no matter how badly Kate felt about it, so she might as well make the most of them while she had the chance.
They left the house at the usual time. Emma had hidden the boots in the side-alley so they could pick them up when they left. A brown carrier bag concealed the dress and coat. She’d pushed it to the bottom of a shopping trolley that Angie had used in the old days. As they were about to leave, Angie sidled out of the living-room and leant against the kitchen door with her arms folded. She eyed them suspiciously. “What we having tonight, elephant?”
“The bags get a bit heavy sometimes, Mum,” Emma answered quickly. “We thought we might as well take this.”
“Really,” Angie said, in a voice sharp with sarcasm. She turned to look at Kate. “You’re usually the one with an answer for everything. Cat got your tongue?” Kate said nothing.
“OK,” Angie said, bored with the conversation, “but don’t take all day about it. There’s work needs done in the house.”
“That was close,” said Emma as they walked towards town. “For a minute I thought she was going to stick her nose in the trolley. The game would have been up then, wouldn’t it?” Kate nodded. “She frightens me to death sometimes. She’s always around when we don’t want her to be. I’m sure she spies on us. I reckon she’s got a tape-recorder hidden somewhere recording everything we say. Did you get the boots?”
“Yeah, don’t worry. I put them in the trolley.”
As they walked towards town they met Ivy Daly walking back. “Well I must say, you two girls are looking happier today,” she called. “Come up on the football pools have we?” They laughed. “Kate has,” Emma cried. Kate elbowed her sister’s arm.
“You go and enjoy yourselves,” Ivy said, winking at them.
“I really like Aunty Ivy,” said Emma softly. “I wish Mum was like her. She’s all warm and comfortable, d’you know what I mean. It doesn’t sound silly does it?”
“It’s because she’s so motherly and caring. When I was at her house the other day it was like being in heaven, at least I hope heaven’s like that, all cosy and secure. Honestly, I could have stayed there forever. They’re so lovely.”
“Yeah, and then I came and ruined it f
or you.” Kate laughed. “Yeah...you did.”
The Coffee Kisses Cafe was at the opposite end of the town’s centre to Sunningdale Terrace. This meant that walking down Willowbridge’s main thoroughfare was unavoidable if they wanted to get there on time.
“I’ve just had a really bad thought,” exclaimed Emma.
“What’s that?”
“What if you see Stephen before you get to Coffee Kisses? Or worse what if he sees you before you’ve had a chance to change and you don’t see him. It’ll be dead embarrassing.”
“I was going to change in the toilets before he got there.”
“Yeah, but if he’s early as well, you won’t be able to change because he’ll be there already.”
“Oh, great,” Kate said sighing. “You and your foolproof plans...I don’t think.”
“Quick.” Emma grabbed hold of Kate’s sleeve and pulled her towards Kendalls, a large department store in the High Street. “Go in here. They’ve got a powder-room. You can change in there.” Kate didn't like the idea. “Emma, I can’t. What if someone notices me go in as I am now, and then come out again looking all different. They might think I’ve stolen the clothes.” Emma looked at her scathingly. “Just do it, Kate. If Stephen sees you it’ll spoil everything.”
Kate reluctantly made her way to the powder-room. Kendalls was an upmarket department store and the people who shopped there didn’t come from The Smithy, the town's estate. No one from there could afford Kendalls’ prices. The well-heeled shoppers in the store stared in amazement at the dishevelled girl who had the audacity to enter their beautiful store. Kate could feel their eyes on her, like daggers piercing her back. She quickly found the room she was looking for and pushed open the door. She gasped in wonder. Never before had she seen such a beautiful room.
As soon as she stepped over the threshold her feet sunk into the thick cream shag-pile carpet as she stepped through the door. Ornate art-deco mirrors on each wall reflected her from every angle. Small bowls of pot-pourri, delicately scented with essential oils sat on the shelves. Boxes of powder-pink tissues were strategically positioned for the use of the patrons, and padded velvet stools were provided to give the feet of the town's rich a short rest from spending their money. The walls and ceiling were decorated in shades of plum and gold and the curtains were held back with huge gold tassels. She shook her head. “How the other half live,” she said out loud. She quickly changed, feeling uncomfortable and out of place in the gorgeous surroundings. She brushed her long black hair until it gleamed, left the powder-room and went back into the store. In the beautiful, well-cut clothes she looked like a girl who often frequented such a store. She walked through the shop and out of the etched glass double-doors complete with commissionaire virtually unnoticed. Emma grinned when she saw her. “You look fantastic.”
Kate’s hair fell from a centre parting to just past her shoulders and shone like jet in the watery winter sunlight. Her make-up, carefully applied in fashionable shades of plum and beige accentuated her deep violet eyes. A deep burgundy lipstick finished the look.
“Oh, my God, you look brilliant,” cried Emma. “He’s going to fall for you hook, line and sinker. Make sure you catch him, Kate.” Kate frowned, her face shaded with annoyance. “I don’t know him, Emma. I might not even like him.”
“What does that matter?” Emma said, tossing her thick blonde hair over her shoulder. “Just find out how well off he is. Come on or you’ll be late. I’ll meet you afterwards at the cafe with your other clothes. You’re going to have to change back again before we go home. I can just imagine Mum’s face if she sees you in that getup.”
***
Kate pushed the glass door of the cafe open and stood in the doorway, searching the tables for Stephen. She looked at the clock above the counter. Ten minutes early. Reaching into her pocket for her purse she checked the contents. Inside was the princely sum of three pence. “Yes, my darling. What can I get you?”
Aldo, Coffee Kisses' proprietor, was smiling at her with a line of huge, crooked teeth, his eyes canopied by eyelids that drooped so far over his eyes he looked like a bloodhound. Glancing up at the menu board next to the till, she took her time choosing. She hadn’t bargained on buying her own lunch. Aldo waited as patiently as he could. “Miss,” he whispered. “I have other customers waiting. Please make up your mind.”
“I...I’m sorry,” she said. 'Um, how much would a small coffee be?”
“I’ll get that.” Kate turned to find Stephen standing behind her. She smiled, her heart lurching when she saw him.
“And we’ll have two ham and cheese toasted sandwiches and two doughnuts to follow. Oh, and add another coffee to that please, Aldo.” He turned to Kate. “I hope that’s all right for you Kate, ordering for you I mean? Would you rather have something else instead?”
“No, it's fine. Thanks.”
“Do you want to sit down?” he asked her, indicating one of the tables. She smiled and nodded.
As she sat at the table she looked up and Stephen’s eyes were on her. He grinned. “I’m glad you came. I had a feeling you weren’t going to turn up. You seemed a bit shy last time we met.” Kate felt herself going red. She looked away, cursing her ability to blush at just about everything he said to her. She played with a paper napkin on the table to occupy her hands.
“You look fantastic. Those clothes are amazing. Do you always look so gorgeous?” Kate’s guilty conscience began to surface and she could feel a pulse beating in her neck. Her throat suddenly went dry and she swallowed hard before answering. “I love fashion. I love clothes. I...like to look nice.” She smiled at him hoping she’d pleased him. “And these were a present from my mother...for Christmas.”
How easily she had found the lie. It was becoming too simple these days to construct a lie to get out of trouble. It was something she’d never had to do before. Silently she cursed Emma while Stephen nodded his approval. “I don’t know anything about you, Kate. Why don’t you tell me something about yourself?” She looked down at her hands again. “Well, you know how old I am.”
“You’re sixteen.”
“Yes, well, nearly seventeen, she said, wishing she could be as interesting as he thought she was. Stephen sighed. “Well, that’s a start. What does your father do?” She remembered what she’d told Mrs. Forsythe, the headmistress at Willowbridge Comprehensive. “He’s in America at the moment, working on the new space rocket...” Her voice trailed off and she lowered her gaze. Why did she say that? You stupid idiot, she chastised herself. Get yourself out of that one. She didn’t know anything about rockets. Why didn’t she say he was a farm-hand, which was the truth? Stephen’s eyes lit up with interest. “The space programme? You’re kidding. How exciting. So much is going on in that field at the moment. The nineteen-seventies have produced great progress in the way of space technology. I’d love to meet him. Will he be coming back to this country soon?” Aldo placed a tray on their table. “I hope you enjoy this, Stephen and beautiful new friend.” Stephen laughed. “Thanks, Aldo. I’m sure we will.” Kate realised with relief she was off the hook. She vowed there and then never to be so stupid again, praying he wouldn't mention it later. She made a mental note to read up a bit on space travel just in case.
The hour with Stephen passed quickly and Kate knew she would soon have to leave. Anxious she was running out of time she looked round the crowded cafe for Emma. She'd been very definite about meeting Kate inside but there was no sign of her. She frowned.
“Is everything OK, Kate?” Stephen asked her, taking her hand across the table.
“Yeah, yes everything’s just great Stephen but I’ll have to leave soon. I’m going out with my mum later and I must be back in time.” He looked disappointed. “Oh, really. That’s a shame. I thought I might take you out in my new car and show you the Big Hill. Everyone hangs out there. We could sit up there for a while and watch the world go by.” She smiled nervously, not really listening to what he was saying, her eyes straying to the clock
above the counter. Pulling her hand away from his, she got up. “Thanks for lunch. I really have to go now.”
“Can we meet again? I would really like to see you?”
“Yes...OK,” Kate answered, becoming increasingly agitated, willing Emma to turn up with her other clothes.
“When?” Stephen asked eagerly. “When can we meet? Next week...same time?”
Kate agreed quickly, her anxiety to get away clouding her reasoning; stopping her from thinking it through properly. She walked hastily to the door and hurried into the street. Aldo wandered over to Stephen’s table, distractedly polishing a glass with a cloth.
“She’s a beautiful girl. Did you get lucky, son?” he asked Stephen, his mouth pulled into a huge conspiratorial grin.
“Not this time, Aldo,” he answered pulling a packet of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. He crossed one leg over the other and leant back in his chair, a smug look on his face. Tapping the tip of a cigarette on the table, he looked up at Aldo, winked and smiled.
“Early days yet.”
***
Kate ran quickly down the street looking down every turning, searching frantically for the errant Emma. “Where the hell is she?” she said under her breath as she stopped at the corner of High Street and Henry Street. She stood there for a few minutes hoping her sister was just running late and would turn up any second, but still she didn't show. Kate checked the Town Hall clock. It was a quarter-past-one. Something must have gone wrong, she thought. “Emma, please don’t do this to me,” she said, nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Again she glanced at the Town Hall clock. Another five minutes had passed. It was no good. She would have to go home and hope she would see Emma on the way. In the fifteen minutes or so it took her to reach Sunningdale Terrace there was no sign of Emma. Kate nervously pushed the back door open hoping Angie would be asleep so she could slip quietly up to Emma’s bedroom. I'll wipe the floor with her, she thought.
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