A New Year for the Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines

Author:Tracy Baines [Baines, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

30

The four of them parted at the entrance to the Empire and at last it was just the two of them. Jessie and Harry walked a little further along the road, then he pulled her into a shop doorway, turning his back to shield her from the wind, and kissed her, longing to feel her skin buried beneath the layers of clothing that separated them. Was she as hungry for him as he was for her? She leaned away, catching her breath, then slid her arms about his waist and pulled him close again. He touched his nose to hers. ‘Darling, you would tell me if there was anyone else, wouldn’t you?’ He knew he shouldn’t have asked, but something was gnawing away at him, and he couldn’t work out what it was.

She slapped the flat of her hand against his chest and tried to pull away. ‘How could you even think it!’ He put his hand to her face, and she stopped wriggling.

‘When I see you onstage, I see how much you love it. How different you are and without it…’

She put her fingers to his lips to stop him from saying any more. ‘You’re the only man for me, Harry Newman. You’re all I’ll ever want, and all I’ll ever need.’ He knew it was a lie. He might be the only man, but he wasn’t enough. She was lying to herself if not to him. He kissed her, hoping he was wrong, knowing he was not.

A small welcoming party awaited them in the back room at Barkhouse Lane. They had no sooner walked in than Eddie greeted him with a barrage of questions and proceeded to show him his new Brownie box camera.

Grace chided her son. ‘Let him get in the door, for goodness’ sake. Are you going to stop for a drink, Harry? I can only offer tea or cocoa.’

‘Cocoa would be perfect.’ He smiled to Jessie and she returned it as she went through to the small kitchen to help her mother. She had forgiven him his question and the small tiff between them had been forgotten as he walked her home. He was relieved to see Grace in good form and wondered why Jessie worried so about her. All three of the Delaneys looked far happier than he’d ever seen them.

Grace returned shortly after and handed around the mugs. ‘Geraldine asked after you. She went to bed not long after Imogen. Babysitting duties have tired her out. She’s looked after Imogen each night, while Frances is working and I’m at the theatre,’ Grace explained. ‘Not that she’s complaining. She’s loving every minute of it. Do sit down, Harry.’ She pulled out a chair. ‘How our lives have changed, eh.’ He could only agree.

They were all sitting around the table, chatting easily, when Frances came in. He got up to greet her.

‘Harry. You’re looking damn smart these days – not that you didn’t before.’ She kissed his cheek.

‘Not so bad yourself.’ She looked tired. It must have been quite a strain for her, taking over from Ruby.

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