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  “Can’t you sneak out?”

  “You are joking, aren’t you? Mam watches me like a hawk. I’m not even meant to meet you after work. Anyway, what will yah dad say?”

  “What he don’t know, won’t hurt him,” she winked. “Besides, he’ll be in the pub.” Nora flung her arms around her and gave her a quick hug. “I’ll think of som’ert. If not, then I’ll just have to give yah all the gossip. See yah tomorrow.”

  “See yah,” Jenny replies, watching her go on her way, waving at her over her shoulder.

  As soon as Jenny stepped into the house, her mother appeared. Her grey flecked hair was scrapped back into the tightest of buns, that sat at the nape of her neck, making her face look even harsher than normal. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes stormy green and her mouth was so firmly pursed together, it was a wonder you couldn’t hear her teeth cracking from the pressure.

  “What time do you call this Jennifer?”

  “Sorry mam, it took a bit longer to clear up today.” Jenny felt a small pang of guilt in her stomach, but then pushed it away as she wasn’t lying. Not really.

  “So, you’re telling me you haven’t seen that Nora?” her tongue lashed out the words like a venomous snake.

  “I bumped into her on the way home,” Jenny snapped back. “Why do you have such a hatred for her mam? It’s not like she’s ever done anything to you.”

  “Because she’s a trollop, she’d give herself up to any Tom, Dick or Harry. I don’t want you being influenced by her wickedness. In fact, I forbid you seeing her.”

  “Mam,” she screeched. “She’s my best friend.”

  “Best friend indeed. She’s got a right mouth on her, and her father, he’s just a no-good drunk, letting her run wild he does. It’s a disgrace. No wonder her mother left them.”

  “Stop!” Jenny yelled. “How dare you say that. Nora’s dad does the best he can. Three kids, three kids she left him to look after. Didn’t bat an eyelid, just took herself off with no thought about any of them.” Enough was enough. She couldn’t take anymore of her mother’s holier than thou shit. Jenny took to the stairs at speed, her shoes making a clomping sound on every step.

  “I forbid you, do you hear?” Her mother hollered from below, and Jenny took great pleasure in slamming her bedroom door behind her.

  Jenny threw herself face down onto her bed at an awkward angle, her legs dangling over the side. The frustration that bubbled inside her, had her screaming into the wool blanket that laid over her cotton sheets. Normally she wouldn’t dare talk back to her mother, she would just keep her gob shut and walk away, but she was sick of being treated like a child. She was nearly eighteen for god sake, an adult, and it was about time she got the chance to act like one. Come to think of it, maybe a good start would be to go to a dance.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning, Jenny was up uncharacteristically early. She’d even skipped breakfast, so she could avoid another tongue lashing from her mam. Quickly and silently, she got herself ready for work, slipped on her shoes and jacket before tiptoeing out of the front door, making sure she made as little sound as possible. It was earlier than she’d normally set off to the shop. There was a definitive chill in the air, causing her to pull her jacket tighter, wrapping her arms around herself, in an attempt to retain her body heat. In the cold light of day, her anger and determination that had burned so strong last night, was nothing more than a smoulder now. Her mind replayed the conversation she had with her dad, when he had come to her room after he’d had his tea.

  “So, what’s going on with you and your mam that’s got you hiding up here?” He asked, his big frame nearly filling the doorway. Edward was six-foot-tall and built like a brick outhouse, but he was a gentle man, ‘an anything for a quiet life’ type of man.

  “Nowt,” Jenn replied in a hushed voice.

  “Come on lass, you can tell your dad and there’s no need to whisper, she’s gone down to see’t vicar.”

  “I’m fed-up of her treating me like a kid, dad. It’s suffocating. And now, can you believe it? She’s trying to stop me from seeing Nora. I’m not having it dad… I’m not.”

  “Love, you know what she’s like. If a lass wears kegs, does a man’s job and isn’t in church a Sunday, then she isn’t right.”

  “But dad…”

  “I know lass, I know. Look, step carefully, try keep out of trouble for a bit, and I’ll have a word with her.” He rarely spoke up against his wife and never criticised how she ran the house, but when it came to Jenny, well, she was his everything. The time had come where he had to intervene, because he knew deep down that if things didn’t change, she’d be gone. And that would simply break his heart. “Now, tea’s mashin’ and you must be famished, so why don’t you get thissen downstairs and get sommat’ to eat before yah mam gets back.”

  Jenny had sat on the floor beside her dad’s armchair for a half hour, dipping toast in her hot tea, while listening to the crackling music on the wireless. She could have stayed there all night, she loved spending time with her dad, but she had kissed him on the cheek and taken herself back to her bedroom before her mam had returned home.

  So, her plans to go against everything her mam preached, was just hot air that was now as cold as the morning mist.

  Jenny went around the yard at the back of the shop, knowing that the front would still be locked up. Looking through the window, she could see the misshaped outline of Betty through the frosted glass, moving around in the back room. Jenny knocked lightly on the glass, not wanting to make her jump. The dark outline moved from view. As the backdoor opened, a waft of warmth and the smell of freshly baking bread hit her.

  “Morning Jenny, did you wet bed or sommat?”

  “Avoiding me mam,” Jenny sighed, while breathing in the delicious aroma.

  “Oh dear, like that, is it?”

  “Yeah, better to keep out of her way. If she asks, you asked me to come in early this morning.”

  “Jenny!” Betty exhaled. “Bloody hell, it’s Friday, she’ll be in this afternoon and she’s bound to question me. I don’t like lying to her.”

  “I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t face another row.”

  “Alright, but just this once.”

  “Ta.”

  “While I go sort out the shop, you better get on with making some biscuits. Do me a favour, keep an eye on them bread cakes, they should be done in about ten minutes.” Betty instructed, before disappearing down the hall.

  When Jenny eventually stepped into the shop, she found Nora head to head with Betty, talking in whispers.

  “What you doing here?” Jenny asked. Afraid that she was missing something she added, “What you chelpin’ about?”

  “Nothing, I just called in for my ciggies,” Nora replied innocently.

  “Yeah and I’m a monkey’s uncle. What’s going on?”

  “Nora was just telling me about the dance in Halswood,” said Betty. “The one they’ve arranged for the GI’s.”

  “That Jenny won’t go to.” Nora pursed her lips and flashed Jenny a look of distain.

  “Bugger off Nora!” Jenny snapped, her hands firmly placed on her hips. “I can’t go and that’s that. Me mam would have nowt to do with it, so just forget it.” She stormed off into the back room before Nora even got a chance to say another word.

  It wasn’t until she heard the door chime go, that she risked going back into the shop.

  Nora may have gone, but someone else had arrived.

  Teddy smiled as soon as he saw her. In return, she blushed, dropping her gaze and started straightening the newspapers on the counter top, that were perfectly laid out already.

  “Hello Jenny.” His deep voice made her tingle right to where she knew it shouldn’t, but bugger if it didn’t feel good. She took a deep breath before she dared to answer him.

  “Hello,” she replied. “Have you come for more tea?” Stupid, stupid, stupid. Jenny chanted in her head, wanted to kick herself. He hated the tea, so why the
hell did she mention it.

  “No, but I’ve brought my own coffee, if I could trouble you for some hot water, and of course some of your delicious cookies.” Teddy moved his attention briefly to Betty. “That’s if it’s okay with you ma’am?”

  “Of course. Why don’t you both go through. Jenny has made a fresh batch this morning.”

  Teddy moved swiftly towards Jenny, at which she quickly turned, knowing full well she was already flush faced. His musky scent made her aware of just how close he was to her as they made their way through the hall and into the back room.

  “I’ll put the kettle on,” she said, moving towards the sink, trying to put a little distance between them. His closeness was doing nothing to slow her pounding heart, or the pulse that was building between her legs. God, he made her senses reel and her body hum in ways that she’d heard about, but thought to be just silly girly gossip.

  “Those cookies smell damn good.” Teddy spoke so close to her ear, that it made her jump. So much so, that the grip she had on the kettle that she was about to place on the stove, was lost. Quick as a flash, Teddy put his hand over hers, re-engaging the hold that she had. His hand was warm and firm, yet the skin was softer than she’d expect for a man. “Steady there,” he whispered, his soft breath blowing the loose wisps of hair forward and across her cheek. Teddy was tempted to sweep them away with his finger, but he checked himself. Just having his hand laid over hers, was making his cock jump. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be displaying a full-on bulge in his pants to her, not yet anyway he thought mischievously.

  Jenny slid her hand from under Teddy’s a little reluctantly when he released his hold, the kettle now safely in its place. She liked the way it made her skin tingle.

  Teddy put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small round metal tin.

  “Here,” he said handing it to Jenny. She took it from his hand and read the label on the side…

  COFFEE, INSTANT.

  1 OZ NET WT.

  HILLS BROS

  Chicago, ILL.

  “Oh, I erm,” Jenny stuttered after opening the tin to find a brown powder. She breathed in the distinctive odour that smelt lovely, much better that the thick liquid stuff that they were used too. “I’ve not made this kind of coffee before.” She looked at him with wide eyes.

  “Hey, let me show you,” he laughed lightly. “In fact, why don’t I make you a cup of coffee.”

  Jenny watched as Teddy spooned coffee into two cups. When she went to grab two saucers, he shook his head giving a gentle no, and they stood waiting for the water to boil.

  “Jenny, there’s a dance tonight, in the next village. I was kinda hoping that you would allow me to take you?”

  “Oh, erm…”

  The steam of the kettle hit the whistle, taking both of their attention and also saved Jenny from having to respond to his invitation.

  If truth be known, she would have loved to go with Teddy, but in reality, it just wasn’t going to happen.

  Teddy filled each cup with hot water, leaving half an inch clear at the top. The steam rolled and swirled upwards, bringing with it the strong aroma. Jenny leant forward, closed her eyes and inhaled.

  “That smells so good,” she hummed.

  “Now I like mine black, but some people prefer it with creamer,” Teddy explained. “But you need to let it cool a little first.”

  “Oh, well, why don’t you sit down, and I’ll get you some bisc… cookies.”

  Table set and coffee cooled, Jenny took her first sip. The bitterness hitting her taste buds, had her screwing up her face and shuddering.

  “You don’t like it?” Teddy laughed. “Here, try it with a little sugar.” He popped a sugar cube into the cup and stirred it a few times before removing the spoon. “Try it now?”

  “Ugh!” Jenny spluttered. “That’s not much better.”

  “Maybe you should add a little milk?” he poured a little from the milk jug and stirred again.

  “More.” She held her cup to him after taking a sip.

  “Damn, your mistreating good coffee here,” but he added a little more anyway.

  “Mmm, that’s better.”

  “And cold no doubt.”

  For a change, Jenny was quite forward. She asked him about the base that had been set up on Coppers Farm and the other GI’s that had come over with him. She reckoned, if she asked him questions, then it was only polite that he answered. Therefore, not giving him a chance to ask her that certain question again.

  “So, where in America are you from?”

  “I live in New York, but I have family scattered all over the south. What about you?”

  “Me, I’ve lived here all my life. Yorkshire born and bred.”

  “So, you’ve never travelled?”

  “Not unless you call a day trip to Scarborough, travelling.”

  “That’s over on the east side, yes?”

  “Yes, it’s still in Yorkshire though, so hardly a mad adventure.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “Why’d you say that?”

  “No reason, just that the world is a might big place that’s all.”

  “Who knows, maybe when this war is over, I might go to London, see the Queen.” Jenny giggled. The cups were empty, the biscuits eaten, so Jenny rises to her feet and starts to clear the table.

  “Jenny,” Teddy says softly, as he stands and moves towards her.

  “I, erm, if you go through and see Mrs. Armstrong to settle your bill,” she says a little curt. “Just let her know that it was just the two cookies that you owe for.”

  Teddy gives her a nod and a smile, clearly disappointed at her brush off, before walking from the room.

  As she places the cups into the sink, she dropped her head in disgust at her rudeness towards Teddy. He had been really kind and didn’t deserve been dismissed in such a rude manner. Dropping the tea towel back on the counter, she hurriedly made her way back into the shop. A bag of sweets was already waiting under the counter for when he came into the shop again. She didn’t mind giving up her rations, the one thing her mam did allow her. Teddy was already on his way out of the door when she got to the counter. Grabbing the paper bag from its hiding place, she scooted across the shop floor at speed, yanking the door open.

  “Teddy,” she shouted causing him to turn back to face her. “You’re candy.” Walking back up to where she stood, he cupped her laden hand with his and squeeze it gently. Leaning into her, he placed his lips to her cheek and kissed it softly.

  “Come to the dance with me Jenny?” his gaze was full of heat and when her eyes met his, her stomach flipped. Her head was saying yes, yes, yes. But her voice came out on a sigh.

  “I can’t” to which she spun on her heels, closing the door behind her.

  The look on Betty’s face and the way her mouth was shaped, told Jenny that she was about to ask questions, but she just turned her head and flounced into the back before she even had a chance.

  “For god’s sake,” an already irritated Jenny mumbled under her breath, when she saw her mam stood at the other side of the counter. She was still mad at herself for her behaviour earlier, and for still not having the guts to do something wild and adventurous.

  “What was that Jennifer?” Her mother snapped.

  “Good to see you, mam. What can I get you?”

  “Nothing from you, thank you very much,” her mother huffed obviously still simmering from last night’s clash. “Mrs Armitage has seen to me, but you can bring the sugar and flour home when you’re finished here. No dawdling, straight home.”

  “Oh, I was wondering if Jenny could stay back tonight,” Betty interrupted. Jenny opens her mouth to say something, but then snaps it shut just as quick. It’s the first that she’d heard of any of this. “It’s my cellar you see. Well, it’s in a right mess and I was hoping Jenny could help me sort it out. It might take a few hours, but I’ll pay her for her time of course.”

  “Well I don’t know…”

 
“It would really help me out. Jenny is such a good worker. Being on my own, I don’t know what I would do without her.” Although a little underhand, Betty knew that Jenny’s mother had a weak spot, and she was hoping it did the trick.

  “Well, I suppose so, but if it gets late, make sure you’re quiet coming in. Don’t be waking me and yah dad up.”

  “No mam,” Jenny replied, still not sure of what the hell was going on. She was positive Betty hadn’t mentioning this before and the cellar looked perfectly fine when she had been down there yesterday.

  “I better take my groceries with me then,” Gladys pointed to the items still sitting on the counter. “Otherwise, your dad won’t be happy if he hasn’t got any sugar in his tea.”

  Once Gladys had left and the door was firmly closed, Jenny turned to Betty, but before she could get a word in edgeways, Betty spoke up.

  “Put the closed sign on and come upstairs.”

  “I don’t understand,” Jenny muttered, as she stood in the middle of the bedroom. Betty held the beautiful dress up against Jenny, just under her chin. Jenny couldn’t resist touching the soft silky fabric with her finger tips, letting them gently slide across the sheen of the surface. It was in the most unusual colour, it wasn’t blue or green, but somewhere in between and nothing like she’d seen before.

  “This is the perfect colour for you,” Betty cooed. “I made this especially for when William came home.”

  “Then I can’t take it.” Jenny shakes her head, pushing the stunning dress away from her.

  “It’s not to keep Jenny, it’s just to borrow,” she swallows hard and her eyes become shiny and sad. “I could never give this away. It would be like I was giving up on him.” She sits on the side of the bed. “I know I’m fooling myself, but I can’t accept it Jenny,” she looks up, a single tear rolls down her cheek. “I have to believe that one day I’ll see him again, even if it’s in heaven.”

  Jumping up, Betty wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, pushing away the sadness. “Now shoes. You’re a four, I’m a five. Maybe if we pad the toes with newspaper, it might just work.” Betty went into the bottom of her wardrobe and produce a pair of black heeled shoes with rounded toe and ankle straps. They looked like new, not a scuff or a rub, unlike the flat worn ones that she had on her feet.