Anne Douglas by Tenement Girl Read Free Book Online Page B

again with Lindy calling and following, reaching him at last and catching his arm.
    ‘Neil, wait, will you? Please, wait, so I can talk to you – you said you wanted me to talk.’
    ‘Talk, then,’ he grunted, slowing his pace. ‘Tell me this guy isn’t like every other guy – just wants to go climbing with you, just wants nice talks? Who are you trying to fool, Lindy?’
    ‘You weren’t like everybody else,’ she said quietly. ‘You did just want nice talks, eh? Or maybe going to the pictures, or dancing, but only as a friend? Why should I think you’d mind if someone else wanted to see me when you didn’t want more?’
    ‘Maybe I do want more, then,’ he muttered after a silence, during which they walked together through the uneven streets of the Old Town, passing a few people – some the worse for drink who waved and shouted, until Neil shouted louder and they fell back in alarm.
    ‘Hell, Lindy, I don’t know what I want. I thought we didn’t want romance, didn’t want to be married. That was right, wasn’t it? So, we could just keep on as we were, seeing each other, kissing goodnight. I thought that was what we were happy with – friendship with no strings, eh? And you never seemed to want to go out with anyone else. Until now.’
    ‘Neil, I never dreamed –’ Lindy began. ‘I never thought—’
    ‘That I cared for you? Well, you care for me, don’t you? That’s why we’re special friends.’
    ‘Yes, that’s right,’ she cried, her lip trembling. ‘I do care for you, Neil. It’s terrible to see you like this – so hurt, so wounded – and I did it, I’m responsible –’
    She began to cry and he took her in his arms, his face softening, its coldness melting, his voice becoming his own again as he soothed her.
    ‘It’s all right, Lindy, it’s all right, don’t cry. Nothing’s happened that can’t be mended.’
    ‘Mended?’ she repeated, freeing herself, her hand dashing away the tears on her cheeks.
    ‘Well, how much do you really want to see this man again? You don’t know him, he doesn’t know you – it’d be no hardship to part, eh? Before you get in too far?’
    ‘You want me to do that?’
    ‘If you want to do it, Lindy. For me.’ Neil was being softly persuasive, his gaze on her intense, his hand round hers strong and warm. ‘If you choose me, rather than him.’
    The choice was a stark one. Between Rod, the new man she had to admit she was attracted to, was at ease with and felt she did know, in spite of what Neil said. Or Neil himself, her old, dear friend, who meant so much, who was a part of her and had been for years. Oh, God, what could she do? There was no choice at all, really. At least, only one that she could make.
    Slowly she went back into Neil’s arms, put her face against his and sighed deeply.
    ‘I can’t give you up,’ she whispered. ‘I can’t let you leave me. I won’t see Rod again.’
    ‘Oh, Lindy!’
    For some time they stood together quietly, until their mouths met and they kissed, at first gently, then with a strength they hadn’t experienced before, which left them breathless and surprised.
    ‘I said I didn’t know what I want,’ Neil whispered. ‘But I know I don’t want to lose you.’
    When Lindy finally let herself into the flat, she found her father dozing in his chair and Myra looking up from her sewing with her usual sharpness.
    ‘Well, you’re early, then! What happened? Did you tell Neil? Did you have a row?’
    Lindy took off her coat and kicked off her shoes before replying.
    ‘I told him,’ she said at last. ‘He was upset but he’s all right now. Quite happy.’
    ‘Happy? With you seeing this other man?’
    ‘Happy because I won’t be seeing him.’
    ‘Ah.’ Myra rose, smiling, and folded her sewing. ‘Now you’re talking sense, Lindy. There was never any future in that, I’m telling you, but Neil’s a nice, steady lad. You won’t regret your decision.’
    Making no reply Lindy glanced at her