Live The Dream by Josephine Cox

Author:Josephine Cox [Cox, Josephine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 9780007146116
Google: ktVNNwAACAAJ
Amazon: 0060525495
Goodreads: 2044112
Publisher: HarperTorch
Published: 2004-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

September had been such a glorious month, it came as something of a shock when October arrived with a vengeance. For three days and nights the heavens opened and drenched the earth below.

Today was the first Tuesday of October. The heavy downpour had mellowed into a steady, soaking drizzle, but the wind was still strong.

‘Bugger me, Mrs Tooley. ..’ With a clatter and a thump, Daisy fell in through the’door, her umbrella inside out and her hair standing up like the rag end of a floor mop, ‘it’s like all hell’s cut loose out there!’

Mrs Tooley remained firmly behind her counter. ‘Don’t you dare come near me dripping wet!’ she exclaimed, holding her hands up in protest. I’m wearing my best clothes.’

Her smile all teeth and wrinkles, she proudly informed Daisy, ‘Mr Leyton has invited me to dine with him,’ she giggled like a dizzy girl, ‘at the Royal Hotel, no less.’

Wet to the skin and unable to muster any excitement on Mrs Tooley’s behalf, Daisy took her time in answering. She shook her brolly all over the floor and threw off her wet coat and hat, which she then hung over the radiator, and now she came forward, sneezing and coughing and frightening Ma Tooley into retreating a few more paces behind the counter.

‘Don’t you think that’s wonderful, Daisy?’ Mrs Tooley persisted, desperately needing to be told how clever she was at having secured a date with the man who owned two ironmonger’s shops, and wore suits from Jacob’s tailors.

‘Well, I never, Mrs Tooley!’ Daisy answered, in a manner that had the older woman bristling. ‘Aren’t we the lucky one. Ooh! The Royal no less! Bleedin’ hell, whatever next, eh?’

‘Hey!’ Incensed, Mrs Tooley dared to venture near. ‘I’ll not have you talking to me with that attitude, young lady. Moreover, I will not have someone working in my cafe who can’t keep a civil tongue in their head.’ Giving Daisy one of her commanding stares, she asked, ‘Do you understand what I’m saying?’

Daisy understood, and was mortified at her own rudeness. I’m sorry, Mrs Tooley,’ she answered meekly. ‘It’s terrible out there. The tram was late, then I stepped off into a puddle. The wind drove the rain right at me all the way here, and now I’m soaked to the skin and freezing cold. I didn’t mean to be cheeky, honest.’

‘HmmF Mrs Tooley took note of Daisy’s red nose and bedraggled hair and the way her feet squelched as she walked, and she felt a wicked feeling of satisfaction. ‘So, it won’t happen again, will it?’

‘No, Mrs Tooley, it won’t happen again.’

As Mrs Tooley turned away with a condemning comment, Daisy put out her tongue, only to swiftly retrieve it when Mrs Tooley suddenly turned on her heel to tell Daisy, I’m being collected in less than an hour. I’ve seen to theI’lll and filled out the shelves and that’s my little bit done for today.’

‘Yes, Mrs Tooley.’

‘Go on then, young lady. Get a move on. Into the back

and get yourself straightened up.

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