Anne Douglas by Tenement Girl Read Free Book Online

once!’
    ‘You like him, though, don’t you? He’s the first one you’ve wanted to see, out of plenty that have asked – am I right?’
    ‘He’s very nice,’ Lindy answered carefully. ‘I mean, his job shows that. He works for the council, running a hostel for homeless men, and he looks after the workhouses as well. That shows he cares about folk.’
    Jemima gave a mock shudder as she drew on her cigarette.
    ‘He’d have to care a lot to do that sort o’ work, Lindy! Be a saint, I’d say. I couldn’t do it if it was the last job going.’
    ‘Nor me. Well, all I’m saying is that he’s nice, I do like him, and I want to see him again. I just want Neil to understand and I think he will. Don’t you agree?’
    Lindy was leaning forward, her fine eyes intent on Jemima’s face, her lips parted, waiting so keenly for the reply she wanted she was even ignoring the smoke from Jemima’s cigarette.
    But Jemima was shaking her head. ‘No point asking, Lindy. I can’t answer you. I just don’t know what Neil will say. Might ask, though, if he happened to want to go out with some other girl, would you mind?’
    ‘Me?’ For a moment Lindy was taken aback. ‘Why, I couldn’t imagine it. He doesn’t know any other girls.’
    ‘But if he did meet someone, would you mind?’
    ‘No. No, I wouldn’t. I’d be surprised, that’s all, but I’d still want to be his friend. I wouldn’t let someone else come between us.’
    Jemima shrugged. ‘OK, that’s you. But about Neil, I can only say again, I don’t know what he’ll say.’
    ‘Oh, Jemima!’ Lindy sat back, her clouded face showing her feelings. ‘I’ve explained there’s just friendship between us. I’ve said what I’d do. Why should he mind about Rod if he only feels friendship for me?’
    ‘I don’t think you can be sure of what he feels. He mightn’t be sure himself. My advice would be, don’t try to guess what he will say. Just be prepared in case it isn’t what you want.’
    ‘I think it might be.’
    ‘Well, it might. Who am I to say?’ Jemima laughed. ‘What would I know about young men, anyway? I haven’t got any!’
    ‘Oh, that’s a piece of nonsense!’ Lindy cried. ‘You’re so attractive you could find a young man tomorrow if you wanted one!’
    ‘Tell me where. The only men I ever see are Mrs Dalrymple’s ancient butler and our cheeky footman who’s all o’ seventeen! Och, no’ to worry. How about some tea? I’ve had my orders from Ma, you know.’
    ‘I don’t think I feel like any tea,’ said Lindy, sighing. ‘Thanks all the same.’

Ten
    Lindy and Neil were due to go dancing the following evening, though she was feeling so apprehensive she wondered if they should. Would the dance hall be the place to begin talking about Rod? Maybe they should just have a fish supper somewhere? It wouldn’t cost more than the entrance fee to the hall. But then Neil would be wondering why she didn’t want to go dancing, when she loved it so much . . .
    In the end they did go dancing, and its familiar fascination for Lindy actually made her forget for a while what she had on her mind. In the pale pink dress Jemima had helped her make which fitted her perfectly, showing off her slender figure, she felt as near to Ginger Rogers as she possibly could, even if Ginger’s fairy-tale dresses were beyond her dreams.
    As for Neil, though he had no taste for dancing, he wasn’t bad at it. He had mastered the art of leading and even a few variations in the steps for the quickstep and foxtrot, which always meant praise from Lindy and brought smiles to his earnest face.
    When the band took its break, however, and Lindy and Neil were sitting on small chairs at the back of the hall, all of Lindy’s fears returned.
    ‘Like an ice cream?’ asked Neil, mopping his brow, for the hall, filled with so many couples, was hot, but Lindy shook her head. Oddly enough, she felt cold and put a thin wrap round her bare shoulders. Even her hands were