Wartime with the Tram Girls by Lynn Johnson

Author:Lynn Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hera
Published: 2021-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

June 1917

It was Connie’s birthday and she had agreed to meet her mother for a meal at the Victoria Hotel in Hanley. It was, perhaps, the most frequented hotel in The Potteries and although it was expensive, the cuisine was excellent, and was considered by many to be money well spent. Her father had been invited, but he wouldn’t be home in time and had suggested they go without him. She was surprised he was content to miss the outing. He’d missed a few things recently.

Arm in arm, they walked into the dining room and were seated by smartly dressed waiters. Mother took out her spectacles to read the intricate but rather beautiful script of the extensive menu. After ordering their meals, Connie relaxed and looked around, surprised at the number of seats already taken.

‘Now then Constance… sorry, Connie. I’m afraid it is going to take a while to get that name fixed into my head. You’ll have to forgive me, Connie. Are you sure you are fine working on the tramcars, dear? You look a trifle peaky to me. You seem to be in and out all the time these days and have hardly any time to yourself. Is that wise? And do you think you should protect yourself from the heat, so you do not suffer from freckles?’

‘I’m fine, Mother. For the first time, I feel I am doing something worthwhile but different. So do stop worrying. I’m enjoying myself. And Constance is fine – as long as you remember that my name at work is Connie.’

‘Hello, Miss Copeland. How are you?’

Connie closed her eyes. She didn’t need to look to realise that the deep voice behind her belonged to Inspector Caldwell, the very last person she would have expected to see in this hotel. Worse still, what would he think of finding a mere clippie eating here? How could she possibly afford it on a clippie’s pay? And, if he had heard her last words, whatever would he think?

It surprised her that he should make himself known outside of work. She would have expected him to ignore her.

‘Hello Inspector, I am quite well, thank you,’ she said, starting to rise.

‘No, don’t get up.’ He laid a hand on her shoulder. A hand that burned through her dress to her neck and sent a shiver down her spine. The touch seemed too personal since they barely knew each other. As it was, she had no alternative but to introduce him to her mother, which she did with alacrity.

‘I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs Copeland.’ He took her mother’s hand and brought it to his lips, an action much appreciated, judging by the broad smile on her mother’s face. His smile took in both of them and Connie was glad she was sitting down.

‘Would you care to join us… Mr…?’

Connie stared at her mother, horrified.

‘Caldwell, but please call me Robert. I’m afraid I can’t. I have a guest of my own. I felt I must take the opportunity to introduce myself and to say that your daughter is an asset to the company.

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