Cockney Orphan (36 page)

‘Not with the way things are in Europe.’

‘Oh, you poor thing,’ Ada said, glancing over her shoulder at Connie. ‘What will you do with yourself at Christmas?’

‘With luck, sink a few Jack Daniels if I can rustle me up a bottle or two.’

Ada sighed. ‘If I was staying, I’d ask if you’d like to take me out on the town.’

‘Why, that’s real nice of you, ma’am, and I would have said yes, I sure would,’ Clint chuckled.

‘I’ve just had a wonderful idea!’ Ada suddenly gasped. ‘Why don’t we
all
go out on Friday night? Your mum and dad, Ken and Sylvie and Len, too. Why
don’t we celebrate Christmas early?’

Connie didn’t know what to say. What would her family think of the idea? ‘Mum’s still upset about Billy joining up,’ Connie said doubtfully.

‘I know, which is why she could do with a night out,’ Ada decided confidently.

There was no time to answer, as Ada grabbed hold of their arms and dragged them towards the truck.

F
or the next half-hour they sat in the front room squeezed on to the couch, listening to Ada trying to persuade Olive into the idea. But eventually
Olive pleaded a headache and went to bed. With a deep sigh, Ebbie folded the newspaper and tucked it under the cushion.

‘I know you mean well, Ada, but Billy’s departure was a shock for Olive. She’ll get over it but it’ll take time.’

‘Sorry, Mr Marsh. I was only trying to cheer her up.’

‘I know, love. It’s not your fault.’ He stood up and smiled as Clint rose to his feet, extending his hand.

‘I sure hope she feels better soon, sir.’

‘She will. Came at the wrong time, really, Billy going. But I don’t see why us not coming should make any difference to you lot, ’specially with Ada leaving us on Sunday. You
young people should go out and give her a good send-off.’

Ada glanced at Connie. ‘What do you think, Con?’

‘I’ll have to ask the others first.’

Clint slid on his cap and stood up. ‘Well, I’d better be going. Goodnight, folks.’

‘Goodnight, son, and take care of yourself.’

Ada accompanied Connie and Clint into the hall. ‘So Friday’s on then?’ she whispered excitedly.

‘I don’t know—’ Connie began, but Ada threw her arms around her.

‘Thanks, Connie. It’ll be a wonderful send-off.’ She glanced up at Clint. ‘Can you bring your truck and we’ll all squeeze in?’

‘Sure will.’

Ada did a little dance, then ran lightly up the stairs. At the top of them she turned and blew a kiss from the palm of her hand.

‘Don’t come out, it’s cold,’ Clint told Connie as he put on his heavy coat.

‘I wouldn’t mind a breath of air. I’ll walk you to the gate.’ She reached up to the peg to lift her coat but his fingers were there before hers.

‘Thank you,’ she mumbled, opening the front door quickly.

‘My pleasure.’ The night air closed around them as they walked down the path.

‘I get the feeling Ada hustled you a little today.’ Clint smiled as they came to the gate.

‘It was all a bit quick.’ She nodded. ‘You know Ada when she gets a bee in her bonnet. Still, it will be a good send-off, as she said.’

He stood quietly, then asked, ‘Where would you like to go?’

Connie shrugged. ‘To a pub, I suppose.’

‘You mean for what you British call a knees-up?’

She grinned. ‘Yes, that’s what we call it.’

‘Well, then, maybe Friday we can forget our troubles for a while.’

‘I didn’t know you had any.’

He laughed. ‘Just being downright homesick, I guess. Now don’t take me wrong. I’m so grateful for the friendship you Brits extend, but I still miss home.’ He laid his
hand gently on her arm. ‘Though you, your family and friends make me remember what it’s like to be part of a family. And, you know, I’d like to return the favour somehow. Even if
it’s only a shoulder to lean on when the going is tough. Just remember, I’m here whenever you want me.’

His breath curled into the misty air and a soft smile flickered on his full lips. Then he squeezed her hand gently and strode away to the truck.

Was that what she wanted right now – a shoulder to lean on? she asked herself as she went back inside. She shivered in the darkness. Dad had extinguished all the lights.

Connie smiled to herself as she went upstairs. She knew Ada would be waiting, all ears.

She wasn’t wrong. She found her friend lying in Lucky’s bed, pinning her hair into curlers. ‘What did he say?’ she asked eagerly, staring at Connie. ‘Did he give
you a cuddle?’

Connie grinned. ‘Now that would be telling.’

‘Oh, Con, don’t keep me in suspense.’

‘No, he was the perfect gentleman.’

Ada groaned. ‘How bloody boring. Now if that was me—’

‘He would have been lucky to escape with his boots still on.’

Ada roared with laughter, then clapped a hand over her mouth. ‘It’s not his boots I’m interested in,’ she whispered, eyes dancing. ‘He could have kept them on and
we’d still have had fun.’

Laughing softly, Connie began to undress. It was nice having Ada around. Just like old times again.

All week Ada planned what to wear on Friday. On Thursday morning she walked up to Cox Street and bought two winter dresses, some underwear and a pair of dark blue shoes.

‘It was the last of me money,’ she admitted to Connie that evening as they were deciding what to put on. ‘I’ve got five pounds left to give your mum and enough for the
train fare on Sunday.’

‘What are you going to do for work when you get to Kent?’ Connie watched Ada turn up her nose in disgust at the bulge on the big toe of the second-hand shoes.

‘Dunno. War work of some kind I expect.’ Ada giggled. ‘Look, the person that wore these must have had bunions as big as footballs.’

‘Did you try them on when you bought them?’

‘Yeah, but I was too busy eyeing up the bloke on the stall who looked like Humphrey Bogart.’

‘You could stuff newspaper in them.’

‘I don’t like the dresses much either.’

‘Why don’t you wear that lovely blue one that Freddie Smith gave you, or is it bad memories?’

Ada frowned. ‘If we was going somewhere nice I would. I’m really mad that I left all me nice stuff at Freddie’s. Are Kev and Sylvie still coming?’

Connie nodded. ‘And Len. He’s bringing Jenny.’

‘In that case, I will wear me blue.’

Connie smiled as Ada hurried off to prepare. Not that she need worry about being upstaged. No doubt Jenny would be dressed in her usual skirt and blouse and sensible shoes.

The truck arrived at half past six on Friday evening. Ada and Len embraced, throwing insults at one another immediately. To Connie’s surprise Jenny looked beautiful in a
soft green dress over which she wore a new and fashionable coat. Her brown hair was set free from restraint and bounced lightly on her shoulders.

‘I’m pleased to meet you.’ She smiled brightly at Ada.

‘Likewise,’ said Ada, fluttering her eyelashes.

Kevin and Sylvie sat in the back of the truck where the baggage was usually stowed. Connie noticed how pretty Sylvie looked too. She wore a dark coat and her hair was drawn up into a wave on one
side. Every time she looked at Kevin, her big brown eyes sparkled. Kevin seemed to have grown taller and slimmer in his smart dark jacket and flannels.

Connie wore her lilac suit and wound Billy’s scarf into the V-shaped neck. Like Ada, she felt a little overdressed, though as Clint drove them through the darkened streets no one had
thought to ask where in particular they were going.

‘We’re at Aldgate, aren’t we?’ Ada suddenly cried.

Clint smiled. ‘I’m taking you to a little club I know. Do you feel like listening to some great jazz?’

Everyone shouted yes! ‘What, like you played at the party last year?’ Len asked.

‘You bet.’

Ada grabbed hold of Connie’s arm. She whispered excitedly, ‘Thank goodness I wore me dress!’

The Starlight was full of American servicemen and their English girlfriends. They sat at a table with crooked red lights right next to the dance floor. No one cared about the
rather uncomfortable seating as couples crowded on to the small circle of floor below the stage.

Clint introduced them to his friends and told them about the four musicians who were playing that evening. ‘The big guy is Ed Gorman, tenor sax. Next to him Jimmy Cutts on trumpet and Hal
Farraday, who plays a mean clarinet.’ He nodded to the man sitting at the black piano. ‘That’s Shooter. Gets his name from the way his fingers move over the keys, like shooting
stars.’

‘This is a bit different from the turns up at the Queens,’ Len said admiringly. ‘The beat really gets in your system.’

Clint smiled, flashing his white teeth. ‘Some say it’s an acquired taste, like oysters or caviar.’

‘We’ll try them next then.’ Kevin nodded.

‘You seem to know everyone in here,’ Ada said as she sat squashed up to Clint’s big body. ‘Are you gonna play your trumpet tonight?’

‘Maybe, honey.’

‘Oooh, I love the way you say that.’ They all laughed as Ada looked under her lashes. ‘Can we dance?’

‘I thought you’d never ask,’ Clint said ruefully, taking her hand.

‘What about you, Con?’ Len asked politely.

‘No, you two enjoy yourselves,’ Connie said. ‘I like listening to the music.’

She was content to sit and watch them as the memories flooded back of that wonderful night with Vic at Valentino’s. It had felt so romantic as he had swirled her round the floor, his
strong embrace making her feel so loved and cherished. Her thoughts drifted slowly to the passionate hours they had spent in each other’s arms at Gran’s. How tender he had been with her
when they made love. Sometimes she wondered why she hadn’t become pregnant. Their lovemaking had been so intense. She had willingly taken the risk and didn’t regret one precious moment.
At least she had those memories now to console her. Connie closed her eyes to prevent a tear from escaping.

‘Connie, would you like to dance?’

Her eyes flew open. Clint was staring down at her. Ada collapsed on to her chair. ‘Have a dance, Con. My feet are dropping off.’

‘I don’t know the steps.’

‘You don’t need to, just throw yourself about.’ Ada giggled.

‘Come on, Connie. Let your hair down.’ Clint beckoned her with a big smile. ‘Just one dance.’

Reluctantly she stood up. Clint took her hand and they made their way to the floor. The rhythm began to slow and the couples merged together.

‘This is called “Body and Soul”,’ he smiled, taking her gently in his arms. ‘Do you remember it?’ He drew her against him. ‘I played it at
Dalton’s party, the night I danced you off your feet?’

She nodded. ‘Yes – I remember.’

His movements were easy to follow as he guided her round the floor. ‘I don’t know if this is the right time to mention it,’ he said after a while, ‘but I’m real
sorry to hear about your fiancé.’

She hesitated. ‘I suppose Len told you.’

He looked into her eyes. ‘You know, a pal of mine by the name of Ricky Delahay was captured by the Japs at Guadalcanal in ’42. His unit found his dog-tag three months later, buried
in the mud. Half of it was shot away, and as our planes had flattened the area, it was assumed there were no survivors. In March this year a crazy man walked out of the jungle, straight into a
marine corps. He turned out to be Ricky and they cleaned him up and shipped him home all in one solid piece.’

‘Do you think there’s others like him?’

‘I sure do.’

‘I won’t give up hope.’ Connie felt tears behind her eyes again. She didn’t want to cry, but it was a relief to know that amazing things really did still happen.

‘Don’t cry, honey,’ he whispered when he saw the tears in her eyes. ‘I should have kept my big mouth shut.’

‘I’m not sad,’ she answered with a shaky smile, ‘you’ve just made me happy. At least happier than I have been in a long while.’

‘Then swell,’ he murmured and pressed her close as he tightened his hand over hers. ‘If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.’

She laid her head on his shoulder and discreetly smoothed her wet cheek. As her body relaxed, he pulled her a little closer and began to hum. His deep voice was husky in her ear as the top of
her head rested against his jaw. She felt him draw in breath, so that automatically she inclined against him. Her body felt warm and tingly as slowly he turned his mouth into her hair and breathed
against her scalp. ‘Connie, you were wearing this suit the day we met, remember? You were such a tiny little thing, so beautiful that my heart stopped when I looked into your face.’

Connie felt her breath catch. Even her skin felt as though it was trembling as he increased the pressure of his hand against her waist. ‘Something told me it wasn’t the last time
we’d meet. Do you know what that kinda feeling is like? Deep down in your gut, very deep down – it’s real strange . . .’

His words were lost in a sudden burst of trumpet. The tempo changed and all the couples disengaged. She pulled away and he released her. ‘Do you want to sit this one out?’

She nodded and he guided her back to the table. Ada was staring at them curiously.

‘What was going on between you two?’ she whispered as Clint made his way over to the piano.

‘Nothing.’ Connie felt her face redden as she sat down. ‘We were only dancing.’

Ada lifted her eyes. ‘Don’t get all huffy.’

‘I’m not.’

‘He’s a good dancer.’ Ada nudged her arm. ‘He’s gonna play the trumpet. Look.’

Connie raised her eyes. Clint rested one muscled thigh on a tall stool and clicked his thumb and middle finger in time to the beat. His eyes were closed as he played, the beam of light above him
pouring down on to his spiked silver hair. The intensity on his face was clear as he juggled the notes with such dexterity that people stood up to applaud.

‘More!’ Len shouted, jumping to his feet as Clint grinned, saluting to their table.

Clint held out his hand. ‘Can I take a request from the good folks I came with?’

Connie didn’t know any jazz and nor did the others. Then, gathering her courage, she stood up. ‘I know it’s not jazz, but can you play “Dancing In the
Dark”?’