Bluebirds in the Moonlight by R L Pape

Author:R L Pape
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
Published: 2020-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ivy was confused; Ruby had taken her to the dance with the intention of introducing her to Alex. She had described him as a lovely man which in itself was a complement as Ruby liked very few people and men in general. Ivy knew she regarded Alex as a steadying influence on Duncan which in itself spoke volumes. Ivy had taken up the invitation not because she was desperate for a suitor but out of curiosity. As such, she had been pleasantly surprised when she’d met him; he was not only handsome but charming in a quiet way, so different from Duncan’s brashness.

She’d enjoyed his company and was frankly hurt when he’d left without saying goodbye. And then Fred had waltzed her onto the dance floor when Alex had unexpectedly sat down. If she was honest with herself, she’d gone because she was annoyed with his behaviour and didn’t wish to show that she cared. Fred had held no attraction for her when they’d been introduced, he was not her type and he’d obviously been drinking which on this occasion she disapproved of; he knew he’d be meeting them and it was, therefore, discourteous.

But when he’d taken to the floor, he’d been full of fun and a joy to be with. They’d danced most of the night and she was delighted to find him light on his feet and that her toes were safe. When the last slow dance of the evening had ended, she found, to her surprise, that she was a little disappointed. It was agreed that Duncan would see them home as Fred lived in the opposite direction and she was both surprised and delighted when Fred had asked her very quietly and gently if he could see her again. Carefully, she’d said yes and given him her address. With that, they had taken their leave and watched as Fred walked away.

Ruby, ever blunt, said on the walk back, “You and Fred seem to be getting on well?”

“He was surprisingly nice,” she’d replied carefully. “Rather sweet actually.”

“Be careful of that one, he’s a bit too fond of a drink if you ask me.”

“Fred’s okay,” Duncan interrupted. “He likes a drink like everyone else but he holds down a good job and his war record is pretty impressive.” Ivy was intrigued and a little impressed how he leapt to his friend’s defence against Ruby’s scorn. He didn’t usually contradict her.

“Well, you would defend him, wouldn’t you,” she responded tartly, but let the matter drop. They’d continued home silently after that, leaving Ivy time to think. She’d enjoyed herself, it was true, but reflected that it was unlikely she’d either see Alex again and that if she did, it was unlikely there would be any romantic attachment between them. As regards Fred, she decided he was fun to be with but that was as far as it went.

If Ivy thought that Fred was just fun, she discovered he had other ideas when she received a letter from him on the Monday morning.

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