The Variety Girls by Tracy Baines

Author:Tracy Baines [Baines, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2022-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

18

Harry placed the receiver down on the cradle. Hearing Jessie’s voice so early in the morning had brightened his day but left him with a dilemma. He’d promised to look in on Grace, to put her mind at rest, yet he couldn’t just call in as he used to when Jessie was there. Things were different now.

He’d been unaware of anything untoward when he’d been helping Eddie with his exam prep, although he hadn’t seen Grace. She usually stuck her head around the door but now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen her since they’d come back from Cleethorpes and that was almost two weeks ago. He rested his chin on his fists. His head was full of too many things and he knew from past experience that the best way to resolve things was to start dealing with them, one by one. He got up and went into the reception. Miss Symonds removed her glasses. Neither of them spoke.

Beryl was working through his notes at her desk with great efficiency and didn’t look up when he came into the room. She was a bright, clever girl and her shorthand skills were impeccable, but she didn’t light up the office as Jessie had done.

He put his hands in his pockets. He couldn’t talk while Beryl was here.

‘Beryl?’

She looked up immediately. Her forehead was covered in angry red spots and it appeared the poor girl had another corker about to erupt on her chin. He smiled at her.

‘Would you mind going to get me some of those lovely Bath buns from the bakery at the end of the High Street? Do you know the one I mean?’

‘Burtons, Mr Newman? Yes, I know it.’

He drew coins from his pocket and put two bob in her hand. ‘Could you get me four, please.’

‘Of course, sir.’ She got to her feet, pulling on her jacket.

‘No need to rush. And thank you.’

The bell over the door chimed as she left. Harry pulled up a chair beside Miss Symonds.

‘What can I help you with, Mr Newman?’

He grinned. ‘Nothing gets past you, does it, Miss Symonds?’

‘I try not to let it,’ she said, pushing back into her chair. Jessie’s postcard of Cleethorpes Pier was displayed on her desk, leaned up against her lamp. Harry looked at it and smiled. It instantly brought back memories of him dancing with his girl in the sunshine.

Miss Symonds got up and closed the door to the main office that Beryl had left ajar. There was a soft click as the latch caught and she returned to her seat.

‘Jessie phoned this morning.’ He lowered his voice and relayed exactly what Jessie had told him. ‘She’d spoken to Eddie, before she called me. He’s really worried about their mum. Jessie was upset. I said I’d go and see Grace this afternoon.’ He rubbed at his head, messing his hair. ‘I can’t go barging in, making things worse.’

Miss Symonds nodded thoughtfully, running her finger round the neck of her fine-knit sweater. ‘Grace is a lovely woman, but I must say she’s never looked in the best of health.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.