One Rainy Day (38 page)

‘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.’

‘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!’

Poppy’s heart was beating faster. ‘You’ve got the job, haven’t you? I can tell by your face.’

Jean had never looked so alive in all the years Poppy had worked with her. Her eyes were bright, and her voice was filled with emotion and excitement. ‘Oh, Poppy, I am so happy. Charlotte is certainly my good luck charm. I passed
the interview and test with flying colours.’ Happiness had Jean wanting to tell her friend everything, so she could be happy with her. ‘They were so kind, Poppy, they treated me as though I’m someone special. Mr Wilkie-Brook is one of the nicest men I have ever met. Considering I was a complete stranger, who was only there because his daughter had no doubt talked him into it, well, he was brilliant. He’s obviously a very wealthy man, but he’s certainly no snob. He is down to earth, treats you as an equal, and has a really good sense of humour.’

‘You can fill me in with the details at dinnertime, Jean, but I am so happy for you. If we weren’t standing in the street I’d give you a big hug and a kiss. But before we go in, tell me when you’re to start the new job?’

‘The secretary who is leaving will be going in three weeks. But the man I’ll be working for, Mr Robert Blakemore, wants me to start the week before she leaves, so she can acquaint me with the running of the office.’

Poppy’s mouth gaped. ‘That means you’ll have to give your notice in this week! Ooh, I’m so pleased and excited for you. And you are right about Charlotte being your good luck charm. She’s changed your whole life.’

‘I haven’t finished yet, Poppy. Wait until you hear this! I get three pound a week here, and that is for slaving for a man who is ill mannered, bad-tempered, and a devil. In my new job, I will be paid the princely sum of five pound a week, and my boss will be a real gentleman. How about that!’

Poppy began to mount the steps. ‘Come on, you lucky blighter, or Mr John will spoil your happiness.’ She pulled Jean into the building. ‘The day you get your first wage packet, lunch is on you. And because I’m jealous, filled with envy, I’ll insist on a cream cake after our soup.’

When they’d taken their coats off, and hung them on the stand in the office, the two friends looked towards Mr John’s office. There was no sound from it, and no sign of him through the glass door. ‘His lordship isn’t in yet,’ Poppy said, rubbing her hands in glee. ‘I can’t wait to see his face when you hand in your notice in two days’ time. Oh, how I wish I was in a position to do it with you. Two staff giving their notice in at the same time would have Mr John’s father asking the reason why. And I’d be only too happy to tell him the truth.’

They heard a door closing and both girls made themselves busy at their typewriters. But the atmosphere was brighter than it had ever been. Not that a bad-tempered Mr John noticed when he barged in and barked his orders.

Charlotte had been given a good talking-to by her father the night before about being too impetuous, and told she must in future think before she acted. And she agreed, or half agreed, that Papa was right. But all she could think of, as she waited for her two friends to come out of the building, was that if she hadn’t been impetuous, Jean would never have got away from that dreadful man. And another thing Charlotte had achieved, which was all part of the plan, was the meeting between her father and Poppy. He’d been very struck by her looks, and when he’d said so Andrew had wholeheartedly agreed. In fact he’d been so wholehearted, Papa had raised his brows.

‘There she is, I knew she’d be here.’ Jean grabbed Charlotte in a bear hug, tears stinging her eyes. ‘Oh, my dear, how can I ever thank you enough for what you’ve done for me?’ Then, after one or two sniffs, she held the girl at arm’s length. ‘How lucky I am to have met you. Without your help I would never
have been brave enough to seek another job. I’m a coward at heart, you see, afraid of my own shadow.’

Poppy coughed. ‘Would you mind if we moved on to the café? I’m the only one who doesn’t know all the details, ’cos I’m sure Charlotte will have heard them last night from her father.’

‘It’s my treat today,’ Charlotte said, giving a nod to stress she had made up her mind. ‘We have to celebrate your good fortune, Jean.’

‘It’s me who should be treating you, not the other way round. But I can’t stretch my pennies that far today, so you’ll have to wait two weeks, until I’m in the money.’

‘No, let me pay, please.’ Charlotte wanted to celebrate her own victory. It hadn’t been part of her main plan, but she was delighted she’d had a hand in Jean’s change of fortune. ‘Andrew gave me the money to buy lunch for the three of us.’

Poppy wasn’t happy about that. ‘Indeed not! Why should your brother pay for our lunch? He doesn’t even know Jean, and he doesn’t know me very well.’

‘Oh, I met Andrew,’ Jean said. ‘Yes, his father took me along to his office and introduced us. He thought it would be easier for me if I knew some of the staff. And Mr Andrew’s secretary was really nice and friendly.’ She smiled at Charlotte. ‘Your brother is very handsome.’