One Step at a Time (24 page)

‘I’ll tell them I’m Howard Palmer, sculptor.’

‘Good idea.’ John picked up the painting he’d just bought. ‘Let’s go and see the sculptor and his assistant, shall we?’

Completely absorbed in painting a spotty dog, Amy didn’t hear the door open. With the tip of her tongue peeping out of the corner of her mouth, she carefully daubed a brown patch around one eye.

‘What do you think, Howard?’ Looking up she found three pairs of eyes fixed on her face, and she immediately noticed the parcel under John’s arm. ‘You’ve bought one, then?’

He nodded. ‘It will look lovely in my bedroom.’

‘What did you choose?’ She knew Ben had quite a lot of paintings upstairs. He was a prolific painter, always working on something. And she loved them all.

‘Well…’ John patted the parcel. ‘There were so many to choose from, and I couldn’t resist the lovely portrait—’

‘Ben!’ She was immediately on her feet. ‘You didn’t sell it, did you?’

‘No, of course not, Amy.’ His mouth twisted in a wry smile. ‘I was sorely tempted, though, but I wouldn’t break my promise to you. Not even for
such a large price. John’s got more money than sense to accept an amount I quoted in jest.’

John shrugged. ‘It was worth every penny of that. If you ever decide to sell, please give me first refusal.’

‘That’s a promise.’

Howard couldn’t contain himself. ‘How much did he offer, Ben?’

‘Two hundred pounds.’

The vase Amy had picked up to paint next crashed on to the floor, scattering in small pieces around her feet. She pushed them under the table with the toe of her shoe, muttering, ‘Now look what you’ve made me do.’ Her eyes were wide when she looked at Ben. She didn’t like the idea of that painting being in anyone else’s house – it was too personal – but she shouldn’t have made him promise never to sell it. ‘You can’t turn down money like that.’

‘I can, because it isn’t something I can easily part with. John wanted the one I’ve got hanging in the studio. I did that painting immediately after sketching you by the river. I believe it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.’

‘But you’ve painted others.’ She felt awful now.

‘You didn’t tell me you had more of Amy.’ John put the painting down and shook his head. ‘I thought I’d seen everything you had up there.’

‘I’ve got more of her stacked in a cupboard.’ Ben held up his hand to stop John returning to the studio. ‘But they aren’t full-face portraits like the one you saw, and I won’t sell any of them. One day I shall
have an exhibition showing Amy through the years.’

Amy’s mouth dropped open. This was the first time he’d mentioned the idea. But it was ridiculous! He was always pulling her leg. He must be joking. She gave an inelegant snort. ‘You’re daft, Benjamin Scott, do you know that? No one would come to see paintings of me.’

Ben smiled knowingly. ‘We’ll see.’

‘I’ll do a couple of busts of her as well.’ Howard winked at Ben. ‘That should bring in the crowds.’

They were looking highly amused now. How they loved to tease her, and she found it hard to keep a stern expression.

‘Just look at that face.’ Ben leant on Howard. ‘Is it any wonder I can’t stop painting her?’

John joined in with the easy banter. ‘Let me know when you’re giving the exhibition and I’ll be first through the door.’

‘You’re all as daft as each other.’ Amy was laughing openly now. ‘Why don’t you go to the pub and have a drink? I’ve got work to do.’

‘Good idea.’ Howard brushed dust from his sleeve. ‘Will you join us, John?’

‘Love to.’

Wiping imaginary sweat from his brow, Ben said, ‘We’ll have a couple to steady our nerves for tomorrow.’

‘What’s happening tomorrow?’ John picked up his painting again.

‘Amy’s taking her driving test.’ Howard pretended
his hands were shaking. ‘I think we’d better make it three pints. My nerves are ragged already.’

When she made to lurch at them with a rather large bowl in her hands, they shot out of the door, calling, ‘Bye, Amy.’

‘They’re potty.’ She settled down again to paint, but there was a smile on her face. She loved the way they teased her.

21

‘Stop shaking, Amy, there’s nothing to it. You’ll pass easily.’

‘It’s all right for you to look so smug, Howard; you took your driving test last week. But suppose I can’t read the road signs, or I turn left instead of right?’ She hadn’t been worried about the test yesterday, but now it was almost here, she was terrified.

‘Which hand have I put the ring on?’ Mrs Dalton asked, pouring her another cup of tea.

Amy admired the lovely pearl and coral ring Mrs Dalton had loaned her for today. ‘My right hand.’

‘Remember that and you won’t make a mistake.’ Mrs Dalton smiled reassuringly.

Ben leant back in his chair, making the front legs leave the floor. ‘We’ve been over and over the area they use for tests, and you know all the roads.’

She nodded. The last few weeks Ben had been making her drive all the time, and as soon as Howard had passed his test, they had both taken her over the route. ‘Suppose they take me somewhere different – somewhere we haven’t been?’ She worried her bottom lip. ‘And what about the Highway Code, suppose I can’t remember that?’

Ted picked up the booklet, opened it and fired
questions at her. She answered every one correctly. ‘You’re worrying over nothing.’

She stirred her tea. That was true; they had all taken turns in reading it out to her until she knew it off by heart, but if she panicked it would all disappear from her memory. Things had a habit of doing that. Oh, she would be so relieved when this was over.

‘Time to go.’ Ben stood up. ‘Come on, you’re going to do just fine. I have every confidence in you.’

The teasing of last night had gone and they were giving her all the support she could want.

‘I’m coming too.’ Howard joined them. ‘Mrs Dalton’s minding the shop until we get back.’

Amy walked to the car with Ben and Howard on either side of her. She was old enough now to have learnt a bit about life, and Mrs Dalton had had a frank talk with her about what happened between a man and a woman, but there was nothing sexual between her and the boys. They had always treated her like a sister, and it was that kind of love they shared. She knew they went out with girls from time to time, and she prayed they would both find themselves good wives one day. She adored them so much, especially Ben, and she only wanted the best for them.

She looked from one to the other. ‘I won’t let you down.’

‘You’ll never let anyone down, Amy.’ Ben spoke gently as he opened the car door for her. ‘You drive.’

Before pulling away from the house she waved to
Mrs Dalton and Ted, who were standing on the step. ‘Good luck,’ they called.

With another wave she drove up the road towards the dreaded test. She knew that if she failed she could take it again, but she wasn’t going to fail!

The examiner was quite stern-looking; he said little, and Amy longed to have Ben or Howard with her to give her confidence. She concentrated hard, trying to remember everything she had been taught.

The test itself was just a blur; her nerves had jangled all the way through, but she had done everything he’d asked her to. Was it good enough?

When they finally stopped she watched him writing, wishing she knew what it meant. Then he turned to her and actually smiled.

‘I’m pleased to tell you that you have passed, Miss Carter.’

‘Oh, thank you.’ She could have hugged him, but controlled herself. Not the thing to do at all!

When the examiner got out and went back into his office, she erupted out of the car and rushed towards Ben and Howard who were standing only a few yards away, waving her certificate in triumph. ‘I’ve passed. I’ve passed!’

She was swung off her feet and passed from one to the other. Neither of them had any trouble lifting her.

‘This calls for a celebration.’ Ben put her back on the ground. ‘We’re taking you somewhere special tonight.’

‘Oh, where?’ She was beside herself with excitement.
She had done it, actually done something this difficult. She remembered her struggles at school; this would have seemed impossible to her then.

‘Wait and see, nosey.’

‘Let’s go and tell Mrs Dalton and Ted.’ She would never have got through this without their help and support.

‘Where are we going? You can tell me now, can’t you?’ Amy was finding it difficult to stop chattering. All five of them were going out together. Mrs Dalton was wearing her best hat, and when Amy had tried to return the pretty ring, she had been told to keep it as a gift for passing her test first time. She had never owned anything so lovely.

‘We’re going to the cinema.’ Mrs Dalton smiled as Amy helped her on the bus. They had decided to travel like this instead of taking two cars.

‘Oh, lovely.’ It was a long time since she’d been to the pictures. The last time had been with Gladys. Amy’s expression sobered for a moment as the memories flooded in, but the sadness didn’t linger. The past was over and done with, and she was too happy to dwell on that awful time. ‘What are we going to see?’

Ben leant over from the seat behind. ‘Charlie Chaplin in
Modern Times
.’

‘I like Charlie Chaplin.’ She looked across the aisle at Ted. ‘Where’s it showing?’

‘In the West End. The boys know where.’

*

The scene when they arrived was enough to take Amy’s breath away. Everything was bright with coloured signs and lights. There was an air of lively enjoyment among the people thronging the streets, all going to theatres, cinemas or restaurants, she guessed. And the clothes? Wow! Her head was turning this way and that way, determined not to miss a thing. She walked straight into John, who was standing outside the cinema.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she exclaimed, before realizing who it was.

‘That’s all right.’ He smiled down at her, still holding her arms, steadying her after the collision. ‘Congratulations on passing your test.’

‘Thank you.’ She took a little step back. ‘Are you going to the pictures as well?’

‘Ben invited me to join you for the celebration. Do you mind?’

‘Er… no.’ Catching sight of the huge picture of Charlie Chaplin twisting his cane, she couldn’t help laughing. ‘Are you all sure you want to see this?’

‘It will be fun.’ Ben took her arm and they went in to buy the tickets.

John managed to sit beside Amy, and during the first half he spent more time watching her animated face than he did the screen. From the first moment he had set eyes on her in the gallery, he had felt a strong attraction towards her. She had an unusual beauty all her own, and he could understand the artist in Ben
wanting to keep painting her. There was an innocence and vulnerability about her. Ben had hinted that she’d had a troubled past, and he was curious to know what it was. However, it was obvious that everyone in that house loved her and would protect her from any further hurt if they could. She was unique and if it hadn’t been for his punishing schedule he would have made more time to see her; to get to know her. He knew how young she was – not eighteen until December – so he could bide his time, qualify as a doctor, and then try to take her out a few times.

In the interval he bought them all ice creams and, as they chatted, he again watched her enjoying the treat. Her pleasure in small things was infectious, almost childlike, and he couldn’t help wondering again what kind of a life she’d had. Had someone hurt her? That thought angered him. He began to glimpse how the others felt and why they protected her so fiercely.

The lights dimmed as the main feature began and he sat back to see what the film was like.

It was incredible, and when it came to an end and the lights went up, Amy’s face was glowing, her eyes appearing dark green in the soft lighting.

‘Wasn’t that wonderful?’ She sighed blissfully. ‘Thank you all so much for bringing me.’

‘It was a pleasure, Amy.’ Ben was in an aisle seat to give him enough room for his long legs. He uncurled himself and stood up. ‘Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.’

As they all laughed, Ted muttered, ‘Now there’s a surprise.’

It was agreed that fish and chips would go down a treat, so they headed for a place John knew about ten minutes’ walk away. The restaurant was modest compared to the one he had taken Amy to, but the food was very good, and they had a large pot of tea to wash it down. Amy enjoyed that much more than all the fancy drinks. John had them in fits of laughter about some of the pranks they got up to at the hospital, prompting Ben and Howard to relate some of their escapades at university. She loved to hear them talk like this – it was such a different world to the one she had grown up in – and she couldn’t remember being so happy before. Passing the driving test had been a huge step forward for her, making her feel more confident and quite grown up. She’d have to remind the boys that she wasn’t a kid any more. That thought made her smile to herself, as she imagined the teasing it would produce.

She watched John talking, totally relaxed and at ease with her ‘family’ – and that was what they were to her now. Ted and Mrs Dalton were the steadying influence in her life, offering affection and encouragement, and Ben and Howard were her friends, constantly urging her to try new things – making her grow.

‘We must get going.’ Mrs Dalton broke up the chatter. ‘Otherwise we’ll miss the last bus.’

Outside they said goodbye to John and made their
way home. It had been an exciting day, and a really lovely evening, Amy thought, and she had adored the film. She hoped John had enjoyed it as well; he’d certainly seemed to. He was terribly nice, but he made her feel shy the way he looked at her.

As soon as they were home, Mrs Dalton urged them all into her kitchen. ‘We’ll have a nice cup of cocoa to round off the evening, shall we?’

They readily agreed, knowing there would probably be a slice of homemade cake to go with it. Amy wasn’t at all hungry, but none of them ever refused Mrs Dalton’s cakes.

‘What a nice young man John is.’ Mrs Dalton smiled her approval. ‘He’s quite taken a shine to our Amy.’

‘Oh, he hasn’t!’ She felt herself blush. ‘He’s made friends with Ben and Howard, that’s all.’