‘It’s just a trial,’ he hurriedly reminded her.
‘Oh, she’ll fly though it,’ said Jenny confidently. ‘Pity she’s asleep, or you could go and tell her now, but you will first thing tomorrow, won’t you?’
Solly nodded reluctantly.
Gem smiled at her husband as she sat back down at the table. ‘I’m proud of you, Solly. It might turn out that Julie isn’t up to the job, but at least you’re giving her a chance to prove whether she is or not.’
The women exchanged glances that said that Solly had really had no choice if he didn’t want a female uprising to deal with. The men had got to start moving with the times. Women were making inroads into positions in the workplace that previously only men had been allowed to occupy, and were proving themselves just as capable, and fairground women were not going to allow their menfolk to keep them stuck in the dark ages because of their antiquated attitudes.
Chapter Sixteen
Julie was so overwhelmed by Solly’s proposal that it took him a while to convince her it wasn’t just a trial for a place in the team he was offering her, but the chance to be in charge. But then she was still struggling to come to terms with the shocking demise of her husband less than a day ago, and wasn’t completely compos mentis.
Out of respect for Dicky, he would have preferred to wait a while before appointing someone in his place, but Jenny had told him that Julie was worried there would be no job for her once the new leader started, and he felt she had enough to contend with without worrying about her future as well. He told her he wasn’t expecting her to take up her new role until after the funeral, and in the meantime the rest of the team would manage the shows.
Despite his reservations about putting a woman in charge of a team of men, as the fair-minded man he was, he sincerely hoped she succeeded. After being cajoled into agreeing to her trial, he had given the matter much thought and had come to the conclusion that this could prove a fortuitous move on his part. Julie had proved a novelty as a rider and helped to swell the audience for the Wall of Death, so as leader she could expand it even more, especially by attracting more females to the shows. A woman succeeding in a man’s world was more than a novelty; it was a phenomenon. How the team would react to having a young, attractive female as their leader remained to be seen, but Solly reminded himself that he was overall boss of the fair, and if they decided to walk before giving her a chance, then that was their choice.
As soon as Solly had left, Julie tackled Jenny with her concerns.
‘I can’t believe your father is giving me this chance. I’m determined to make sure he doesn’t regret it. But what if the lads aren’t happy with me as their leader?’
Jenny shrugged nonchalantly. ‘Then they can leave and my dad will take on riders who will be.’
Julie heaved a worried sigh. ‘But I’ve never been in charge before and have no idea how to go about it.’
‘Well to start with, you definitely don’t have the attitude that your husband had or they will all be walking. Think of how you’d like a boss to treat you and be like that. When I worked in an office before I came here, I had a couple of jobs where it was like working for the Gestapo. What the bosses said went and you didn’t speak until you were spoken to. Woe betide if you were a minute late or started packing up your desk a second too early. But one office manager I had when I worked for a printing firm was wonderful.
‘Miss Almond, her name was. She looked after her elder brother who was an invalid and that’s why she never married. But she appreciated that those she was in charge of had brains in their heads and she used to encourage us to put forward any ideas we had for improving how we worked, and if she thought them good, she’d put them into practice. She used to have an awards ceremony at tea break on the last Friday of the month and give out prizes, bought out of her own pocket – just things like bath cubes and chocolates and bars of nice-smelling soap – for things like the typist who had typed the most letters, or the best timekeeper that month. She never told us off for laughing and chatting together as long as we did our work to her high standards. She believed a happy office was a productive one. I was sorry to leave that job, but that was when my adopted mum was very ill and needed looking after full time.’
Julie had been listening intently. ‘That last boss you had is the type I want to be,’ she said resolutely.
Jenny smiled at her. ‘And you’re going to be a great one, Julie. Just start as you mean to go on and don’t take any nonsense from the lads. Remember you’re the boss.’
Good advice. Julie just hoped she could put it into practice.
* * *
Having been given leave from work for a couple of days to support her friend through this dreadful time, something Julie was extremely grateful for, the next day Jenny accompanied her to a local funeral parlour to make arrangements for Dicky’s funeral. After deliberation, Julie decided not to have him buried, as it seemed wrong to leave him in a town he had no associations with. Instead she opted for cremation, with the idea of scattering his ashes when she felt she’d found a suitable place. The ideal one would be the track at a motorcycle stadium, but she doubted any owner would give consent.
Unfortunately, the fair was due to leave for its next destination in three days’ time: a small town called Brighouse, fifteen miles away from Huddersfield. So once the police released Dicky’s body after they had finished their investigation into his death, the undertakers would keep it until the funeral, which Julie and the mourners would travel back for. Usually the whole community would have attended the funeral of one of their members, but due to the travelling involved – and after all, none of them could afford to lose a day’s earnings – only Julie, Jenny, Ren, Gem and Solly together with the Wall of Death riders would be attending. There would be food and drink afterwards in a nearby pub.
Having lived for the last eight years with Dicky’s unpredictable moods, never knowing when she would say or do something to ignite his temper, these last two days staying with the good-natured Jenny had been pure bliss for Julie. Regardless, she did not want to abuse her friendship or overstay her welcome, so reluctantly she would need to think about returning to her own van soon. There were reminders of Dicky everywhere, and it seemed insensitive to clear them out so soon after his death and make the van her own. But being reminded of him did not conjure up happy memories for her; rather, it brought back years of living in fear. If she wanted to put those miserable times behind her and build a new and happier future for herself, those reminders needed to go, whatever people thought of her. She would never forget Dicky, though. Despite his ways, she had loved him and there would always remain a piece of her heart that belonged to him, though if she ever met a man in the future that she felt was possible husband material, she would make sure that he possessed none of the bad character traits that Dicky had had.
She knew that Jenny would understand her need to cleanse the van of him so she could begin afresh, so she asked her for her help. Her friend was only too happy to oblige, and also assured Julie that in the meantime she could stay with her for as long as she needed. She had thoroughly enjoyed her company, and in fact had the van had two bedrooms she would have seriously considered asking Julie to share with her permanently.
* * *
It was two evenings later that Tom tapped on Jenny’s van door.
The two women had spent a couple of hours that day making a start on disposing of Dicky’s belongings, bagging them up to take to a local men’s hostel, which they felt sure would be grateful for them. Dicky had dictated where the furniture was placed in the van, so they had rearranged it as much as possible in the small space in an effort to give it a different look. He hadn’t liked ornaments or pictures, but had agreed to Julie displaying a photograph of the two of them on their wedding day, which stood in a silver frame on the mantel. After putting that away, they had stood and thought about what Julie could buy to make the van homely and to her taste rather than his. Pleased that they had made good pr
ogress towards giving Julie her fresh start, they had then gone over to Solly and Gem’s to have dinner. They had not long returned to Jenny’s van, and she was in her bedroom sorting out some washing she needed to do when the knock on the door came.
She called out to Julie in the living area, ‘Will you answer that for me?’
Julie willingly obliged. She laughed when her caller looked surprised to see her and told him, ‘It’s all right. If it’s Jenny you’re after, you have got the right van. I’m just staying with her at the moment.’
As she was speaking, Tom realised who she was and said, ‘I’m so sorry for your loss.’ He felt awkward, as he hadn’t had anything to do with her before now, just seen her around the place in her motorbike leathers.
Julie smiled her appreciation for his sentiment. ‘I’ll get Jenny for you,’ she said.
Jenny’s eyes lit excitedly when Julie went to tell her. She quickly checked her appearance in the mirror, wishing she didn’t look such a mess in old clothes she had put on to help Julie clear out her van. She just hoped he didn’t notice, as there was no time to make improvements.
Tom’s eyes too lit when she appeared in the doorway. ‘Hello, Jenny.’ He looked decidedly nervous as he went on. ‘I’ve… er… come to see if you’re still interested in accompanying me out. I’ve finished my work with Mr Givens for the day and your father has told me that my services won’t be required tonight, so I have it free.’ He paused before quipping, ‘I do wonder if he would have given me the night off had he known I was going to be asking his daughter to join me.’
Jenny’s face was a mask of seriousness as she responded. ‘If he did know, he’d be shadowing us armed with a shotgun to make sure you don’t try anything funny.’
He looked aghast. ‘Oh, I wouldn’t dream of…’ Then he chuckled as he realised she was joking. ‘So are you free tonight?’ he asked hopefully.
‘I’d really love to come out with you, Tom,’ she began ruefully, ‘but—’
She was cut short by a call from behind her. ‘Have you got a minute, Jenny?’
She frowned, wondering what Julie could possibly want her for, and said to Tom, ‘Sorry about this. I won’t be a moment.’
Inside the living area, Julie grabbed her arm. ‘Don’t you dare turn down a date with him because of me,’ she whispered. ‘You’ve not left my side since Dicky’s accident and I am really grateful, but to be honest, I could do with a few hours’ break from you. So, you ask him what time he wants to meet and I’ll help you get ready.’
Jenny smiled and gave her a hug. ‘Thanks, Julie.’
‘Now don’t keep him waiting any longer or he’ll think you’re giving him the brush-off and leave.’
They arranged he would call for her at seven thirty and he told her he was happy to do whatever she wanted. On the drive to the site last Sunday, Jenny had noticed a pub about a mile away that had a garden by a river. He was most amenable to her suggestion to visit it.
Julie helped her pick out a navy-blue skirt with netting underskirt, and a short-sleeved boat-necked blue and white spotted blouse with a broad navy belt emphasising her trim waste. She wore black stilettos on her feet. Julie assured her that Tom couldn’t fail to be proud to be seen out with her. His eyes told her that that was indeed true when she opened the door to him at the appointed time. Her eyes too lit up when she saw him looking casual but smart in a pair of light-coloured trousers and a white shirt under a blue crew-necked jumper.
They fell into step beside each other, talking easily about a range of subjects, from what they had done that day to their tastes in music, and that continued throughout their whole time together and didn’t stop until Tom saw Jenny back to her van steps at just after eleven. Somewhere on the mile walk home, their hands had become joined together. Jenny was delighted when Tom asked her if she’d like to have another evening out soon. There was no hesitation when she told him she’d be pleased to.
Julie only had to look at Jenny’s face when she entered the van to see that she had thoroughly enjoyed Tom’s company and was very much looking forward to a repeat. She laid down the novel she had been reading and said knowingly, ‘No need to ask if you had a good time; it’s written all over your face that you did.’
Jenny plonked herself down on her small sofa and said dreamily, ‘I’ve never known time to pass so quickly. He’s a lovely man, Julie. Just… well, nothing like any man I’ve ever met before. We got on so well together. I can’t wait to go out with him again.’ She heaved a deep sigh and eyed her friend regretfully. ‘I’m heading for trouble, I know I am. A broken heart is what’s in store for me. But I couldn’t stop myself if I wanted to. It’s like when you know you’re going to be sick if you eat too many sweets but you can’t stop yourself because they’re just too yummy.’
Julie reached over and placed a hand on her knee. ‘Enjoy it while it lasts, Jenny. I don’t like to think of you having a broken heart, but me and Ren will be there to help you.’
Just then there was a tap on the door and the little woman herself, dressed in her nightclothes, burst in to throw herself down next to Jenny on the sofa. ‘I was watching out for you coming back and had to come over to find out how it went,’ she blurted. ‘Donny tried his hardest to persuade me to wait until tomorrow, but I knew I wouldn’t sleep from wondering. Oh, I do hope it went well. So, come on, chapter and verse and nothing less.’
Julie laughed. ‘You’ve arrived just in time, as she was just about to give me all the details.’
Jenny smiled, only too happy to oblige her two dear friends.
* * *
Tom also knew he was heading for trouble. Jenny was unlike any other girl he had met before. Humour, intelligence and sincerity were just three of the traits he had learned she possessed, and they were more endearing her to him the longer he spent in her company. He already knew that when the time came for him to leave the fair, it would not be easy; that more than likely he would be nursing a broken heart. But he couldn’t stop himself from seeing her. It was like she was a magnet and he a nail being drawn towards her. He would deal with what was in store for him when the season ended, but meantime he was going to savour every minute he could spend with Jenny.
* * *
The police came to visit Julie the next day to inform her that their investigation into Dicky’s death was now complete. The bike had been thoroughly examined by their experts and nothing was found that could have caused the engine to suddenly stall. Nothing had been found wrong with the wall either. Dicky’s death was declared accidental due to rider error. His body would be released so his funeral could take place.
Although no one had expected the verdict to be anything other, they were still relieved to have it confirmed.
The funeral took place the following Wednesday, which Julie and the rest of those attended travelled back for, and once it was over, Julie felt it was time she got on with her future by taking up her new responsibilities. Despite Jenny and Ren’s reassurances that she was more than capable of doing a job that previously had only been deemed suitable for a man, she was extremely nervous the first morning she faced the team as their boss. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy proving her worth to them, gaining their respect, but she was determined to do it; to show Solly Grundy too that he had been right to give her this opportunity.
They were all awkward with her when she arrived that morning, especially Ray Jenkinson, a veteran rider in his early forties who wasn’t at all happy that this chit of a girl was going to be ordering him about and was determined he was going to make life very difficult for her until Solly saw the error of his ways and brought a man in to lead them. Julie, though, took the wind from his sails by informing the team that she appreciated that they all knew their jobs and what was required of them, and as far as she was concerned, they would all work together to bring the best shows they could to the public. Any ideas they had to improve the shows would be most welcome, and if they had merit, she would implement them and make sure that the
contributor got fair recognition. Every man, even Ray Jenkinson, went off to start work both surprised and impressed by their new leader’s attitude and feeling it only fair they give her a chance.
Chapter Seventeen
Jimmy Grundy took after his father in many ways, inasmuch as he was a good-natured, very congenial young man, hard-working and loyal, but he’d also inherited traits of his Uncle Sonny, very aware of his good looks and the charm that had never failed to attract any woman he took a fancy to. Every girl that caught his eye, albeit aware of his Casanova reputation, regardless still believed she’d prove to be that special one who’d claim his heart, only to be left desolate when he tired of her as quickly as he had of his previous conquest. He was, however, about to learn a hard lesson that women were not always swayed by good looks, but by what lay beneath.
It was a Sunday afternoon in mid-June. A warm sun shone down from a bright blue sky, fluffy cotton-wool clouds lazily drifting across. The fair had just arrived in Keighley, a small town near Bradford. The move had not been without its share of problems but, as always, the community pulled together to ensure the fair was ready for opening at two o’clock the next day. Whilst the women were clearing up after the communal dinner and catching up on household chores, all the community men were employed seeing to any last-minute repairs to the rides and stalls.
21-year-old Jimmy was sitting with his younger brother Robbie on the steps of the carousel having a break from painting duties – touching up chips and cracks on the brightly painted horses and the rest of the ride. Placing a roll-up cigarette between his lips, he lit it, took a long draw and blew out a plume of smoke. ‘I’m looking forward to the party tonight,’ he said. ‘Be fun having it in the clearing in the woods down the road. That way we can make as much noise as we like without the old folk bellowing at us to keep the noise down. Hopefully that new girl, Zena, will be coming.’ A smile kinked his lips before he added meaningfully, ‘She’ll be glad if she does.’
All is Fair Page 19