A Family Christmas by Glenice Crossland Read Free Book Online Page A

have known what his reaction was if Robbie had addressed ’im as Smiler.’ Lewis didn’t like the way Lucy was looking at one of the brothers. He’d give anything for her to look at him like that, but he was beginning to realise it would probably never happen. Even so he would still look out for her, no matter what. All he wanted was Lucy’s happiness. And he had better start looking for another lass, too. He’d go to Cragstone to the dance on Saturday, get some of the lads to go with him. Perhaps the newcomers would like to go. If the dark one went he might meet a new lass too, leaving Lucy free for him. No, he’d waited long enough for her. Besides, the way she was gazing all cow-eyed, she looked like she was already smitten with John Grey.
    ‘Would yer like to go to the dance next Saturday? It’s a fair walk but it’s all right once we get there.’ Lewis looked from one brother to the other. John considered himself fortunate to be included in the gang and though he wasn’t too bothered about dancing he decided he wouldn’t throw kindness in his new friend’s face. ‘Well yes, though I’m not much of a dancer.’
    James was trying to work out how much money they had left from the sale of the contents of the cottage. Some of the things had been given away to neighbours but a few heirlooms had fetched quite a bit in a shop in Lincoln. They had decided to walk to Millington in order to save on travelling expenses, enabling them to give something to the vicar for their keep until they earned their first wages. Herbert had given them most of it back, saying they must keep it until they were settled in their new neighbourhood. He had also advised them to replace their worn-out boots before starting work. He had taken them to Whitaker’s shoe shop and wangled a discount for the lads on three pairs of shoes, two pairs of working boots and a pair of clogs for John. James estimated that there was still ample to last them until payday. So he would take Herbert’s advice and accept Lewis’s friendship. ‘Yes, we’d like to come.’ He glanced at Jane. ‘Will you and your sister be going too?’
    Jane blushed. ‘Oh I don’t think so.’ She could imagine her mother’s reaction to them suggesting going dancing.
    ‘We could, Jane, if we asked our Ben to have a word with me mam,’ Lucy said.
    ‘No, it wouldn’t work.’
    ‘Oh come on, Jane, let’s all go,’ Kitty pleaded.
    Kitty and her brother were very close and Kitty knew how much of an effort Lewis was making to welcome the newcomers, despite his feelings for Lucy. Still, that was the type of boy her brother was.
    ‘Yes, let’s all go,’ Lewis added.
    ‘Not me.’ Robbie shook his head. ‘I can’t dance.’
    ‘Nor me,’ Dot agreed. ‘I’ve got two left feet. Tell you what though, you and me could go to’t pictures.’
    ‘Oh yes, I’d like that.’ A visit to the cinema had been a rare treat indeed for the village children.
    ‘So if we can, we’ll go dancing with you.’ Lucy really wanted to go, and was prepared even to do battle with her mother if necessary.
    ‘All right, but don’t be surprised if Mam gets in a rage about it.’ Jane knew what her mother’s reaction would be.
    ‘Our Ben’ll sort her out. Now we’d better be going; it’s getting late.’
    ‘Aye, and it’s getting dark. Me mam likes me in before dark.’ Dot had achieved her aim, getting to know Robbie Grey.
    Poor Robbie had fallen for it and got himself involved in a date with Dot Greenwood and somehow he didn’t care, even if she considered herself his girl.
    The walk to church and back had intensified the pain in Annie’s ankle. On their return the girls were shocked at the agonised look on their mother’s face. ‘Mam, you look awful. What’s the matter?’ Jane asked.
    ‘Nowt. I shall be right as rain when I’ve rested me leg.’
    ‘You said it was getting better. Let’s have a look.’
    ‘No, I’ve told yer all it needs is a rest. In fact I’ll be