Sing as We Go (8 page)

As they stepped through the huge doors and into the cathedral, Kathy caught her breath. Although it was the second time she had attended a service, she was struck afresh by the magnificence. She walked to her place in the congregation in a trance, drinking in the sight of the huge pillars supporting the vast ceiling. In front of her she saw the intricately carved dark wood of the choir.

‘It’s so beautiful,’ she breathed and even Amy, seeing it all for the first time, was bereft of words, quite lost in wonder.

As the opening hymn began, Kathy let her pure, clear voice soar into the vastness.

For a few moments, caught up in the joy of singing, she even forgot about Tony Kendall.

As they emerged into the pale March sunlight after the service, Jemima said, ‘Well, Amy, you were right about one thing. Kathy certainly has a beautiful voice.’

‘She ought to be on the stage.’

‘Oh now, I don’t think that would be very suitable. Dear me, no, but I think there is a choral society in the city that she might be able to join. Would you like that, Kathy?’ There was a pause before she prompted, ‘Kathy?’

‘I’m sorry. I was miles away. What did you say?’

‘See?’ Amy said. ‘I told you. She’s in a dream world. It must be love.’

Kathy felt Jemima’s shrewd eyes upon her. ‘Dear me, I do hope not,’ she murmured, and Kathy felt a shudder of fear. What would Miss Robinson say if she knew that in only six days’ time she, Kathy, would be having dinner with the manager of the department store?

‘I said,’ Jemima repeated, ‘that I believe there’s a choral society you might be able to join if you enjoy singing. I believe Mr Spencer next door is a member. I could ask him, if you like.’

Kathy thought quickly. If she joined some reputable society, maybe Jemima wouldn’t question where she was going at nights. And if Tony Kendall were to ask her out again . . .

‘Thank you, that would be lovely. I hadn’t realized until today how much I missed singing.’

‘Miss Burton, this is the third time today that I’ve had to reprimand you. Your mind really isn’t on your work. Remember you are still on a month’s trial. You must try harder or I shall be forced to recommend to Mr Kendall that you are not suitable for the position here.’

Kathy opened her mouth to retort that she’d already been told her appointment had been made permanent, but then she bit her tongue and instead said contritely, ‘I’m so sorry, Miss Curtis.’

For the rest of the day Kathy tried hard to banish all thoughts of the handsome young manager. She didn’t want to risk losing this job, for several reasons. But top of her list was now one that she was sure would not have pleased either Miss Curtis – or Miss Robinson.

The week seemed to drag, but at last Saturday arrived. As the store closed, Kathy was eager to get home to wash and to brush her hair, then hurry back to the hotel restaurant on the High Street to meet Tony. But Jemima walked her usual, steady pace and Kathy was forced to match her step.

‘And with whom are you going to the cinema tonight?’ asked Miss Robinson. Her grammar and her diction were always perfect. No trace of the Lincolnshire dialect that must once have been strong in her speech – like her brother’s still was – remained. Kathy wondered fleetingly if she had ever taken elocution lessons.

‘With – with a friend.’

‘A friend? And who might that be? I didn’t know you had any friends in the city.’

Kathy ran her tongue around dry lips. This was getting to be like home. Questions, questions, questions! But she answered Jemima politely. She needed to stay here just a little while longer, although she vowed silently to start looking for a place of her own the very next week. As soon as she could afford it, she’d be out of here, she promised herself.

‘Stella.’

‘Stella Matthews?’

Kathy nodded, regretting the deliberate lie immediately. She was normally a truthful girl. Chin high, she would stand up straight and tell the truth whatever that might be and however it might rebound on her. But this was different. She just couldn’t take the risk. Miss Robinson had the power not only to make her homeless but also to get her dismissed instantly from her employment. Mr Kendall might say he had made her position permanent, but he was not the only one with the power to dismiss her and – even if he overrode such a decision – life could, and would, be made very uncomfortable for her by those with whom she worked. Miss Curtis, for one.

No, for once in her life, Kathy could not be truthful. But lying did not sit well with her. And now she would have to involve Stella in covering up for her too. She wondered if she could rely on the younger girl. Kathy swallowed and then opened her mouth to retract her statement and tell the truth. But the words remained frozen on her lips. Just this one time, she thought. I’ll see how it goes. If this is just a one off, then it won’t matter. But if he should ask me again, then . . . At this moment she didn’t know exactly what she would do if Mr Kendall should ask her to go out with him again. Her heart lurched with excitement at the mere thought.

He was waiting outside the restaurant as they had arranged.

‘You look lovely,’ he smiled, tactfully making no remark that she was still wearing the suit that she wore every day for work.

As they entered the restaurant, Kathy felt awkward and out of place among all the diners dressed in evening clothes, the men in black suits and the women in silks and satins. Heads turned as they were ushered to their table by the head waiter and Kathy blushed in embarrassment.

When they were handed a menu each, Kathy was appalled to find that it was all written in French.

Tony leaned across the small table. ‘Would you like me to order for you?’

‘Yes, please,’ she breathed thankfully.

‘Is there anything you don’t like?’

Kathy giggled nervously and shook her head. She’d never been asked such a question in the whole of her life. Choice had never been an option at home. She’d always had to eat whatever was put in front of her.

When the waiter had taken their order and moved away, she blurted out, ‘I had to tell Miss Robinson a lie. I said I was going to the cinema with Stella.’

Tony leaned his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. He smiled at her. ‘Well, don’t worry about a little white lie. Besides, is Miss Robinson your jailer? Do you have to tell her everywhere you go?’

‘She – she’s been very good to me. Taking me in and getting me the job . . .’

‘You got the job on your own account. I admit I interviewed you initially on her recommendation, but once I saw you – ’ his smile broadened – ‘I couldn’t resist you.’ He reached across the table and took her hand. ‘Now, tell me about yourself. I want to know all about you.’

‘There’s nothing much to tell. I’m just a country mouse come to town and it – it’s all very strange in the city.’

‘Are you enjoying your job?’

‘Oh yes,’ she said at once. ‘I still make mistakes and Miss Curtis is very strict . . .’

Tony released her hand suddenly and sat back in his chair.

Thinking she had made a serious mistake in criticizing her senior, she said hurriedly. ‘She’s very good at her job, isn’t she? I wish I could be like her one day. She’s very smart and beautifully – oh, what’s the word – groomed. That’s it.’

When he still said nothing, she fell silent. She was babbling, but instead of covering her nervousness it only made her feel more foolish. She should have had the strength – and the sense – to refuse his invitation. She was out of her depth in such surroundings, ignorant of even the simplest rules of etiquette.

Tony cleared his throat and said stiffly, ‘Miss Curtis is an excellent employee. She has been with us since leaving school.’ His tone was expressionless and he was using words that he might have done in a letter of reference. There was no warmth, no . . .

He leant forward again and smiled, ‘But let’s not talk about work. I want to talk about you.’

The starter arrived and Kathy waited until she saw which knife, fork or spoon he picked up before she started to eat. And then she suddenly found she wasn’t hungry. Butterflies in her stomach made eating impossible, and though she managed a few mouthfuls, her plate was removed with half the food left on it. She felt embarrassed. What would her father have said if he had seen such waste?

The main course arrived and Kathy’s heart sank as she saw what seemed to her like a mountain of food placed before her.

‘Are you looking for a place of your own?’ Tony asked.

‘Well, yes, but only looking. I really need to save some money first . . .’ She stopped, unsure whether she should be saying such things to him. She really would have to curb her tongue. She was far too outspoken for her own good sometimes.

‘I might be able to help you there. I know one or two people who might have a bed-sitting room, or even a flat. It’d be tiny though, but at least you’d be able to come and go as you pleased and not be subjected to the third degree every time you wanted to go out. Leave it with me. I’ll ask around and—’

The head waiter approached the table. ‘Excuse me, Mr Kendall.’

So, Kathy thought at once, Tony was well known. The thought crossed her mind – I wonder how many other young women he’s brought here? But the waiter was continuing, ‘There is a telephone message for you, sir. Would you like to follow me?’

Tony sighed, threw his napkin on to the table and, without a word, rose and followed the man.

Kathy wasn’t sure what she should do and besides, she was still having difficulty forcing the food down her throat. So, thankful for the respite, she laid her knife and fork down and waited until he came back.

After a few moments, Tony hurried towards her, a worried frown on his face. He did not sit down again but stood by the table. ‘Kathy – I’m dreadfully sorry but I’ve had bad news. My mother has been taken ill. I’ll have to go home at once.’

Kathy half-rose from her chair. ‘I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?’

His answer was swift. ‘No – no, but I must go. Look, you stay and finish your meal. I’ll pay as I leave. Can you get home all right?’

‘Of course, but I—’

He held out his hand, palm outwards as if to prevent her from making any more offers of help. Again he said, ‘I’m really sorry. This is not how I wanted it to be.’

Kathy sank back down into her chair as she saw him approach the head waiter, speak to him briefly and slip something into his hand. The man looked across at her and nodded. As Tony hurried from the restaurant, the waiter approached her table.

‘Mr Kendall has asked me to look after you, madam. I’m sorry your evening has been spoilt, but please enjoy the rest of your meal and let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.’ He bowed obsequiously.

‘Thank you,’ Kathy murmured and picked up her knife and fork, pretending to eat. As he moved away, his sharp glance roaming round the rest of the room to check that no one needed him, Kathy glanced down at the food on her plate. She had scarcely touched it, but now, curiously, she found she was ravenously hungry. She tucked into the food as if she hadn’t eaten for a week!

When she’d eaten pudding and the waiter had poured her a cup of coffee, she sat back and let her glance roam around the huge room. Elegant ladies and gentleman sat at the other tables. Her envious gaze lingered on the luxurious fabric of the ladies’ gowns, their sparkling jewellery and their beautifully coiffured hairstyles. Kathy felt suddenly very much the little country mouse in her dark suit and sensible shoes.

She became aware that a woman at one of the tables on the far side of the room was staring at her and Kathy dropped her gaze in embarrassment. Nervously, she raised her coffee cup to her lips to finish the drink and leave.

A shadow fell across the table and Kathy looked up to see the woman who had been watching her standing above her. Without being invited, she sat down in the chair opposite. At once the head waiter was at her side.

‘Madam—?’ he began, but she waved him away.

‘I just need a word with my – friend here.’

‘Very good, madam.’ He bowed his head and then moved away.

Now it was Kathy who was staring. She didn’t know her from Adam – or rather, Eve. She bit her lip. Oh dear, was it some customer that she should remember? Had she served her and—?

‘My dear, please forgive this intrusion. Perhaps you won’t thank me when you hear what I have to say, but I mean it with the very best of intentions.’

Kathy didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent.

The woman leaned her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together. ‘Tony Kendall. Have you known him long?’

Kathy shook her head saying with careful deliberation, ‘No, not long.’ Then she could not stop herself asking, ‘Why?’ She would liked to have added, ‘What business is it of yours?’ But she still couldn’t place the woman, couldn’t think if she should recognize her. But for once she held her tongue and let the woman continue.

‘You look a nice girl, but – forgive me – rather an innocent one.’

Kathy felt the woman’s glance take in her plain serviceable suit, her home-styled hair, and her face, devoid of any cosmetic enhancement. In stark contrast, the woman sitting opposite her was beautifully made-up, her black hair smooth and shining like a raven’s wing. She wore a blue and silver dinner gown and diamonds clustered at her throat. On the fourth finger of her left hand was the biggest sapphire ring that Kathy had ever seen. Not that she had seen many, she thought wryly. But the stranger’s beauty and poise left Kathy feeling frumpish and plain.

‘What do you know about Tony Kendall?’

Kathy stared at her. She couldn’t believe this was happening. All sorts of ridiculous thoughts flitted through Kathy’s mind, but nothing made any sense. She glanced across at the table where the woman had been sitting. A man sat alone there now, watching them with an amused smile. Was he the woman’s fiancé?

Kathy took a deep breath. Be hanged if she was going to sit here and take this, even if it cost her her new job. A job she really was beginning to enjoy. Her natural feistiness reasserted itself and fleetingly she wondered how she’d become the meek, subservient being she’d been during the last few weeks. Of course, she’d been trying to please Aunt Jemima, trying to hold down a new job and adjust to the strange environment. She’d been trying to please everyone else. Well, it was high time she pleased herself. High time she stopped feeling guilty for keeping her meeting with Tony a secret, as if it were something to be ashamed of. Because it wasn’t. She was attracted to Tony Kendall – yes, she had to admit it, she found him irresistible. Contrary to what she knew would be Jemima’s advice, indeed everyone’s advice at the department store – even against her own better instincts – she’d agreed to come out with him.