The square was as busy as she remembered, and she self-consciously began to search the faces of the crowd.
“His pals usually hang around near the steps of the town hall for a while at the beginning of the night.” Kenny was looking toward the large building. “I can see Gordon Naylor, so Bradshaw won’t be far away.”
Hazel’s eyes followed Kenny’s pointing finger, and her heart leapt in her chest as she saw the familiar features of her sweetheart. “I see him!”
Hazel hurried through the throng of young people. She could feel Eunice was right behind her and knew Kenny would be by her side. Having her friends close gave her the extra confidence she needed to approach Glenn.
As she drew close, he turned and saw her and their eyes locked. She smiled tremulously, feeling her knees shaking, but she lifted her chin. “Hello, Glenn.”
“Petal!” He swaggered down the stone steps. “Where have you been hiding?”
Eunice stepped beside Hazel. “Her dad died suddenly, but you wouldn’t know owt about that, would you, ‘cause you’ve not been near in weeks!”
Hazel cringed inside. “Eunice, please, don’t!”
“No, Hazel! You’ve been going through hell, and he deserves to know!” Her friend turned back to Glenn. “Why didn’t you come to see why she wasn’t coming out? Did you think about why she wasn’t at work? Do you even care why you haven’t seen her for weeks?”
Glenn put his hands out to ward off the verbal abuse. “Hey, what’s with the all this anger?”
“Explain yourself, Glenn Bradshaw!” Eunice stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the man.
A few people in the crowd were taking an interest in the commotion, and Hazel wanted to slink away. She got a feeling she’d been here before. “I’m sorry, Glenn. I should have come to meet you that Saturday but—.”
“But, it’s as I said,” Eunice piped up again. “Her dad died!”
Hazel looked at Eunice. Her friend was lying. Her father died the night after, but she realised Glenn wouldn’t know that and began to understand that Eunice was giving her the perfect excuse. By twisting the facts, just a little, she wouldn’t have to explain how she’d decided not to see Glenn because of her doubts about Raymond’s attackers.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Petal.” Glenn moved close. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Glenn.” Hazel realised it was the truth. Just having him near her was sending shivers down her spine.
Eunice took Kenny’s hand. “Job done. I’ll see you later, Hazel.”
“Thanks, Eunice.”
Her friend winked, tossed her head and walked away, holding Kenny’s arm and swinging her small bag by the handle.
“She can be a feisty one, can’t she?” Glenn stared at the young couple walking off through the crowd.
“She’s only looking out for me. I hope you weren’t offended.”
“Has she lost weight? She looks different.”
“Eunice had her hair cut,” she told him. “And I think she’s wearing some makeup tonight.”
“She can scrub up well, can’t she?” he commented. “But she’s still got a right mouth on her.”
Hazel smiled wryly. The crowd began to turn away. The spectacle was over, and she breathed a small sigh of relief.
“I’m glad she put me straight. I’m sorry about your dad, Petal. If I’d known, I would have been round to yours in a flash.”
Hazel smiled. He still loved her. It was written all over his face. “Would you?”
“I can’t believe you’re here. Let me touch you.” He reached to stroke her cheek with the back of his fingers.
His smile warmed her insides, and his touch sent shivers of delight to her heart. “I’ve missed you so much,” she told him.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.”
“I had Mam and my brother, and there were Eunice and her family. We’re all close, and we all helped each other.”
“Sounds as if you didn’t need me, then.” Glenn cocked his head to one side as he looked at her. “Did Raymond Simpson offer you his comfort?”
“Ray’s moved away, Glenn.” Hazel felt a wave of sadness as she told Glenn his rival had gone. “He’s taken a job on the south coast.”
“Has he now?” He seemed surprised. “What brought that on? Scared of getting another beating was he?”
Hazel bit back the sharp retort that sprang to her mind. Raymond was no coward. “He took a job down there. It’s a great opportunity for him.”
“What’s he going to do on the coast?” Glenn sniggered. “Build sand castles on the beach?”
Hazel ignored the childish gibe. “He’ll be making fighter planes for the defence forces.”
“Well, I don’t think that job will last long. He’ll be wasting his time to go all that way.”
“He thinks there might be another war brewing.”
“Aye, I heard as much. The lads at work talk about that Hitler chap spoiling for a fight, but it won’t happen.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to war. My mam said Chamberlain wouldn’t let it happen.”
“I’m with your mam on that score, love.” Glenn took her arm. “Come. Walk with me. I want to kiss you in private.”
She fell into step beside him. Glenn was obviously beginning to think about making love to her, but she was wondering how she could broach the subject of the baby and couldn’t think about being intimate with him while that secret still hung over her.
“Too many men died in the last war.” Glenn seemed to be in a thoughtful mood. “I don’t want to be cannon fodder in the next one.”
“Oh, don’t say that, Glenn. I wouldn’t like to think of you fighting in a war.”
“It won’t ever happen, love. Don’t worry about it.” He patted her hand that was linked through his elbow.
As they moved over the road and into the quieter streets, Hazel knew she would have to tell him about the baby sooner rather than later. If she left it too long, until after the kissing and caressing, he might feel she’d trapped him in some way. She wanted to get her secret out and decided now would be the best time, before he began making love to her.
“I hope you’re right, Glenn, because I wouldn’t want to bring our baby into a world where there might be a war.”
He stopped abruptly and turned to her. “What did you say?”
“I’m having a baby, Glenn.” She looked into his puzzled face and thought she should make it clearer. “I’m having your baby.”
“You can’t be! We did it standing up!”
“That’s not a recognised method of preventing babies, Glenn. It’s an old wives tale, and it isn’t true.”
“Well, it’s always worked for me!” he insisted.
“Until now.” She felt hurt that he’d referred to his previous conquests but decided to let it go. This was going to be one of the most important conversations she would have in her life. She had to get it right. She had to persuade him to stand by her.
“Are you sure? I mean, it’s not a mistake or anything?”
“I’m sure, Glenn. I even had a doctor examine me. I’m just over three months. The baby is due in January. You can work it out if you like, but I know the exact night it happened, and so do you.”
“But we’ve only done it the once!” Glenn ran a hand through his slick hair. “It was your first time, for God’s sake! You can’t get pregnant the first time!”
“Another old wives tale, Glenn.” She took his hand and began to guide him through the streets. She had an idea to help bring him around to ask her to marry him. “I’m having your baby, so you’d better get used to the idea.”
“You seem happy about it. Aren’t you upset?”
“I admit, I wasn’t happy at first, but I’ve had a few weeks to get used to the idea, and I think I’d like to have a baby who looked just like you.” She grinned and looked into his eyes. “If it’s a little boy, he’ll be adorable.”
“A baby boy!” Glenn threw back his head and lau
ghed. “You’re daft! I can’t be a father!”
“Why not?” Hazel kept the smile on her face with difficulty. She had known it wouldn’t be easy, but she had to win him around. “I’m going to be a mother in six months, and my baby will need a dad. I can’t think of a better one than you.” She guiltily thought about Raymond but dismissed the thought quickly. She couldn’t afford to dwell on what might have been. It was difficult enough coping with the reality of the here and now.
“Wait a minute, how can you be sure I’m the father?” Glenn shook off her arm and stepped away from her.
“How can you doubt it, Glenn?” angry tears sprang to her eyes. “How dare you suggest that I’ve allowed anyone else to touch me?” She knew she had to play this part to her best ability. She had to convince him, and she hoped she knew just how to reach him. “How could I let anyone near me after you? Nobody could possibly make me feel pleasure the way you can, Glenn. I couldn’t! No! I wouldn’t think about doing that wonderful thing with anyone else.”
He seemed to pause in his stride and then he looked at her. “Is that how you really feel?”
“I love you, Glenn.” As she said the words, she convinced herself they were true. “I love how you make me feel, and I’ve missed you so much.”
“Do you mean that?” Glenn stepped closer to her.
“With every beat of my heart, Glenn. I want to feel like that again. Where can we go?” She wasn’t afraid of getting pregnant. The damage was done. She wasn’t afraid of anyone seeing her. The shop doorways were dark havens for lovers. She did want to make sure Glenn would stand by her and what better way than to let him make love to her again. If she could show him what he was missing, and play to his ego, she might get what she wanted.
He grabbed her hand, and they ran through the streets. She giggled as he took her to the familiar shop doorway. She knew what to expect this time, and accepted his kisses with eagerness.
He unbuttoned her dress and slipped his hand inside to cup a breast. She sighed as his hands pressed gently against her flesh. Her breasts were tender, but his touch sent rivers of desire through her body. She boldly reached to touch him as she had done before.
“Oh, Petal, you know how to fire me up, don’t you?”
Hazel giggled nervously. “Am I doing it right?” she asked.
“I think you’d better stop before I make a mess of your dress. I already owe you one posh frock.”
Hazel’s heart sang. Glenn remembered her fine dress and had already said he would buy her another one. He was considerate, and her heart warmed to him.
“Does this dress unbutton all the way down?”
She nodded and helped him unfasten them. When she opened to him, he reached for her thighs and pulled her closer. “I want you so much, Petal. Are you ready for me?”
Hazel nodded. Her privates were throbbing with an intense need. She wanted to feel him inside her.
Glenn paused and asked, “I won’t hurt the baby, will I?”
Hazel hadn’t thought about that. She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Not if we’re careful.”
“I’ll try to be gentle. Open up, sweetheart.”
Minutes later, she was riding the crest of a delightful sensation, and wishing it might never end. Glenn was taking his time, and his slow and considerate movements were rocking her into a delicious ecstasy. A moan of pleasure escaped her lips. “Oh, Glenn, you are wonderful!”
Moments later, they were gasping for breath as the final tidal wave rolled through their joined bodies.
“Oh, Petal, that was amazing!”
“Really?” Hazel was pleased he felt the same way as she did. “I thought so too. What was it like for you?”
“I want to make love to you every night for the rest of my life. That’s how good it was, sweetheart.”
Hazel couldn’t believe what she’d heard. Was Glenn proposing to her? “Do you?”
“I don’t suppose it would be too difficult to be a dad if I got to do this with you as often as I like.”
“Do you mean that, Glenn?”
“I think I do, Petal.” He kissed her throat and nuzzled her ear.
Hazel wanted to be clear about what Glenn was saying. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I suppose I must be.”
“Do you mean it, Glenn?”
He drew away and looked into her eyes. “Marry me, Hazel Harris. Let me make an honest woman of you.”
“Oh, Glenn, I’d be happy to.” The wave of happiness was mixed with overwhelming relief. She wouldn’t have to give birth to a bastard. Her baby would have a father. The slight apprehension she’d felt, about tying herself to a man like Glenn Bradshaw, was fading. She had to make this work. The physical side of things was perfect. She wouldn’t object to Glenn making love to her if he made her experience bliss like this every time. He made her feel loved and cherished, but a niggling doubt crept into her mind as Glenn continued to caress her. Would this be enough?
She shrugged away her fears and decided that marrying Glenn would not be so bad after all.
Chapter 24 – Making Plans
Glenn was invited to tea the day after he’d proposed, and he charmed her mother just as easily as he’d charmed Hazel. Even Norman was fascinated by the muscular miner with the deep voice.
“What’s it like to work in the pit?” Norman had asked. “Is it dark and scary?”
“No, young lad, we have lamps down there. Didn’t you know?” Glenn smiled and ruffled Norman’s hair.
The boy didn’t protest or duck away, and Hazel knew Glenn had another admirer. Norman didn’t let anyone ruffle his hair without a complaint.
“Well, you’ll have a job for life there, won’t you?” Martha asked while slicing the cake. “Our Hazel won’t have to worry about paying the bills, will she?”
“Mam!” Hazel was embarrassed by her mother’s crass remark.
Martha’s face was red, but she pulled back her shoulders. “Well, I don’t have your father here to question your young man, and someone has to make sure he’ll provide well for you and the child.”
“You don’t have to worry, Mrs Harris. Hazel and the baby won’t go short. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.” She passed Glenn a slice of cake.
“When will you have the wedding?” Norman asked. “Mam bought me a new suit for Whitsuntide, and I’ve only worn it for my dad’s funeral. I could wear that to be your pageboy, Hazel, couldn’t I, Mam?”
“Well, you’re a bit old to be a pageboy, lad,” Glenn said, smiling. “But I suppose you could be an usher at the church.”
“What’s an usher have to do?” Norman asked.
“They tell people where to sit,” Hazel explained. “The bride’s family and friends sit on the left, and the groom’s family and friends sit on the right.”
“But I don't know Glenn’s family.” Norman looked worried. “How can I tell them where to sit if I don’t know who they are?”
“That’s easy.” Glenn grinned. “Anyone you don’t know, just sit them on the right.”
“Oh, yes!” Norman sighed with relief. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“I suppose Eunice will want to be a bridesmaid,” Martha said.
“I don’t want a big fuss, Mam.” Hazel began to think that everything was happening too quickly. She’d just introduced Glenn to her mother, and already the wedding was being planned without asking her opinion. “It doesn’t seem proper, under the circumstances, with dad not cold in his grave yet. It wouldn’t be right, would it?”
“People are going to talk no matter how we arrange things.” Her mother smiled softly. “You might as well make the most of it, love.”
“I agree.” Glenn surprised Hazel with his easygoing attitude. “Hazel deserves the best. I don’t want a hushed up, hiding our heads in the sand kind of do. We love each other, and that’s all that counts. Let’s have a wedding to remember.”
Hazel felt a small thrill to hear Gl
enn confess his love for her, but still felt she should make a stand. “But, you’re not listening to me!” She didn’t want to be the talk of the town. “Don’t you think we should keep things quiet, for my dad’s sake, if nothing else?” She turned to her mother for support. “We’re supposed to be in mourning, Mam! A big wedding with all the trimmings might not go down well with the neighbours.”
“She has a point, Glenn,” her mother conceded.
“Who cares what the neighbours think?” Glenn reached for Hazel’s hand. “But I hear what you’re saying, Petal. We should respect the loss of your dad.”
She sighed with relief and smiled her thanks at Glenn. “I’m glad you understand.”
“But I want to see you in a posh white frock carrying the biggest bunch of flowers we can find.”
“I think that can be arranged,” Martha said, smiling.
“Where will you live afterwards?” Norman asked. “Mam said our Hazel would be moving out when you two get married.”
“Don’t you worry about that, young man.” Glenn grinned. “I’ll find us a place soon enough.”
“Will you?” Hazel was surprised at Glenn’s rapid acceptance of everything her family were throwing at him. “Do you have somewhere in mind?”
“I know of some pit cottages near where I work. I’ll ask whether any are coming up for rent. I heard they recently laid some older men off so we might be in luck.”
Hazel remembered one of her customers at the café. Mr and Mrs Brown were a nice couple. She wouldn’t like to think they were being put out of their home as well as losing Mr Brown’s income. Cynthia’s words echoed in her mind. She couldn’t imagine the older couple ending up in the workhouse. “What happens to the workers when they’re put out of the cottages?” she asked.
Glenn shrugged. “I suppose they move in with relatives. I never thought about it.”
Hazel knew the Browns had grown-up children and began to relax. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to move into a pit cottage with Glenn.
Later, after Glenn had left, she slipped across the road to see Eunice. Hazel couldn’t wait to tell her friend that everything was turning out just as she’d hoped. Glenn had agreed to marry her and had already charmed his way into her mother’s affections.
Happiness for Hazel Page 23