Paradise Court (35 page)
Authors: Jenny Oldfield
But if she thought Florrie would pack her bags and toddle meekly back to Brighton, she was making a big mistake. She, Florrie, was made of sterner stuff, and there was many a slip between this moment and, âDo you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?' Florrie chuntered on to herself. She had of course turned down umpteen decent offers in her own time. It was the only dignified course for women in their situation.
Still, congratulations for both couples poured in. âI ain't gotta call you Ma, have I?' Robert winked at Annie.
âYou do and I'll knock your block off,' she said.
âI see marriage ain't gonna soften you up none,' Arthur Ogden observed. âNot that it does in most cases, if you ask me.' He looked ruefully at Dolly.
âIt ain't gonna change nothing,' Annie insisted. âI'll run my stall of bits and bobs, and Duke will run this place like before. We ain't gonna live in each other's pockets, don't you worry.'
The men slapped Duke on the back, bought him drinks and admired his nerve.
âWell, we're living in dangerous times,' he told them. âIt makes a man feel reckless, don't it?'
Hettie, Frances and Sadie came across to complete the family group. The Parsons were back together and the heart had been restored to Duke Street and Paradise Court, They might have been posing for a picture as the music struck up. They stood, arms intertwined, a fading photograph in an album, seen through a haze of smoke, features already beginning to blur. They held position for a moment in time, in harmony, completely happy.
First published in 1995 by Macmillan
This edition published 2014 by Bello
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Copyright © Jenny Oldfield, 1995
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