Meet Me at the Pier Head by Ruth Hamilton

Author:Ruth Hamilton [Hamilton, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780230769076
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK

They walked hand in hand down the platform while the huge metal dinosaur breathed its last until turn-around time, as Theo termed it. While the brakes were fully applied near buffers, smoke and steam filled the air. ‘Ma will be in Class One,’ Tia murmured, almost to herself. ‘She has her priorities right.’

‘We’re going diesel soon,’ Theo grumbled. ‘I’ll miss these monsters.’ He stared at his companion; she was a sight worthy of attention. ‘Class One?’ His eyebrows shot upward. ‘Can’t she read?’

‘Do you want a thump?’

‘Don’t answer a question with a question. And leave your hand in mine, because she knows. When she phoned to ask me to inform you that your dad was last seen screaming in Wardour Street, I told her about us.’

‘Us? What about us?’

‘That we’re beginning the mating ritual.’

She clouted him with her handbag. ‘She’s my mother. I should tell her when there’s something to tell.’

He grinned broadly.

‘You’re lying, aren’t you, Mr Quinn?’

He nodded, smile still in place. ‘I’m not lying about your father sacking his agent. The effluent hits the press this week – nothing will stop it. If the man has any sense at all, he won’t contest the divorce.’

‘Sense is a lot to ask, Teddy Bear.’

The grin remained in situ. She cared. The pet name she’d chosen for him, the facial expression when she looked at him, half shy, part happy, part confused, such clues presented no problem to either Theo Quinn or Tom Quirke. This precious and beautiful girl was growing closer to him, and her kisses were becoming greedy. ‘Hand in Hand,’ he said. ‘Quirke’s next book.’

‘Romantic?’

‘Depends.’

‘On what?’

‘On whom would be a better question. When I’ve unburdened myself to you, when you know the details—’

‘Ma!’ she screamed. ‘Nanny!’

Determined, Theo held on to her hand while they ran towards Isadora Bellamy and Joan Reynolds. He released Tia only when he picked up two small suitcases. The three women hugged each other for at least thirty seconds. As predicted by Tia, Isadora had dressed down, brown wig, brown jacket, brown skirt, brown bag and brown shoes.

Tia released her loved ones. ‘Ma, Nanny, this is Teddy or Theo. He’s my head teacher and my landlord.’ She paused. ‘And he’s my boyfriend, too, I suppose.’

Isadora looked him up and down. He was solid, broad-shouldered, tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed and very handsome. She held out her right hand while he put down the luggage. ‘I believe you’re a fan of mine, young man. It’s clear that you have good taste in women, because this daughter of mine is extraordinary.’ She shook his hand and introduced him to Joan. ‘Joan is responsible in part for the fact that my three daughters are brilliant, kind and lovable. She raised them while I worked my way up through the ranks.’

He felt the heat in his face; he had just shaken hands with a star. ‘I’ve met Delia,’ he said. ‘The only one I’ve missed is Juliet.’

‘You’ll meet her next week if you go to Kent.’ She turned to her daughter.

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