Shipyard Girls in Love by Nancy Revell

Author:Nancy Revell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House

Chapter Twenty-Six

Vera’s Café, High Street East, Sunderland

‘Bloody hell!’ Peter said.

He had been listening aghast as Rosie told him all about what had happened that afternoon at Thompson’s. ‘And you’re sure she’s all right? No kind of concussion or head injury? Sometimes these things don’t show themselves until a while later,’ he said, desperately trying to keep his anger at bay, but thinking, That bastard! Wait until I get my hands on him!

Reading his mind, Rosie took hold of Peter’s hand, which had formed itself into a tight fist during the telling of the attack.

‘She’s got a bad bump on her head, which is why I think they’re keen to keep her in overnight, but honestly I think she’s going to be fine.’

She paused and looked at Peter in earnest.

‘But,’ she whispered across the table, ‘I’m not telling you this because I want you to do anything … you know?’ They hadn’t spoken any more about Peter’s ‘out-of-hours’ policing since the afternoon they had become lovers and had shared their secrets with each other.

Peter nodded, but didn’t say anything. Just then Vera came bustling across to them with two plates of apple and plum pie.

‘Get some meat on yer bones. The pair of ya!’ She plonked the plates down in front of them.

Since her favourite customers had clearly worked out their differences and were now open about being a proper courting couple, Vera enjoyed clucking about them. She had decided that they both needed ‘feeding up’, in her words, and so they could no longer simply come in for a pot of tea without being given a slice of whatever speciality Vera had baked for that day’s trading. The way Vera rationalised it was that Peter might as well get something for the five-bob note he always left at the table regardless of what they ordered.

‘Ah, Vera,’ Rosie said, gently taking hold of Vera’s arm, ‘can I be a real pain and ask if you could box this up for me? I’m going to see a friend in hospital and I know this will cheer her up no end.’

Vera cast Rosie a look of reprimand. ‘I will do, but – ’ she looked tellingly at Peter ‘ – you need to get some more good meals down this one.’ She looked back at Rosie. ‘She’s wasting away!’

Peter chuckled and nodded his compliance. ‘I will do, Vera. I promise.’

Pleased at Peter’s response, Vera picked up Rosie’s plate and padded back to the counter, where there was, as usual, a queue of customers.

Rosie looked at Peter. ‘And will you promise me that you won’t do anything foolhardy regarding the Vinnie situation?’

Peter nodded as he pushed his plate of pie to the middle of the table.

‘Providing,’ he bartered, ‘you help me eat this.’

Rosie forked a piece of pie and popped it in her mouth. The mix of apples, plums and Vera’s melt-in-your-mouth pastry tasted gorgeous. Since she and Peter had been seeing each other, she seemed to have totally lost her appetite and was having to force food down just to keep up her energy.

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