Big London Dreams by Clare Lydon

Author:Clare Lydon [Lydon, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781912019212
Publisher: Custard Books

Chapter 17

Joan set the kitchen table with the good cutlery, then straightened the place mats one more time. She’d spied them in a window display this week and thought of Eunice. They were of street scenes of Paris.

Joan checked the kitchen clock, made sure it was still working. It was. She went to the drawer and got spoons for the dessert. She’d bought tinned peaches and evaporated milk. She glanced up at the clock again. She’d told Eunice to come any time after 5pm. It was five to. She glanced down at her clothes. She’d paid special attention to them today. Her trousers, her shirt, her underwear. Because today might be the first time someone else was going to take them off.

At three minutes past five, a knock on the front door made Joan jump. Her breath caught in her throat. She smoothed down her top, straightened her chiffon scarf, and walked to the door. She’d never been so nervous about a visitor in her life. She didn’t want to think about why it was so important. That it could be the start of the rest of her life.

Eunice stood on the other side of the door and she was a knockout. She had her autumn camel coat on, and her good shoes. The ones she’d worn to the dance. The ones she wore when she wanted to impress. Joan ushered her in, peering round the door to check nobody was watching. Especially Aunt Maggie or her family. She wanted tonight to be about her and Eunice, and nobody else.

She took Eunice’s coat and hung it on the hallway rack. She liked the way it looked there. Then her eyes took in Eunice. She was poured into a hot-pink dress with a fitted body and flared skirt, and she smelt divine. Joan gulped, then showed her through to the kitchen. The late evening sunlight bounced off the kitchen counters.

Eunice stood, staring at her.

Joan shivered under her gaze. “Sit, please.” She pulled out a chair.

Eunice tucked her dress under and sat. She picked up her place mat. “Are these of Paris?” She glanced up. “I love them.”

Joan flushed with pride. “I bought them yesterday. There’s no French food tonight, but we can still immerse ourselves in Paris.”

“I love that, thank you.” Eunice gazed at her.

The air sparkled with magic. Joan took a deep breath, got the matches and lit the grill. “We’ve got fish fingers, peas and tinned potatoes. Plus dessert. I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.” She got up and stood next to Joan. “Can I help?”

Joan glanced sideways and their eyes met. The urge to kiss her right now was overwhelming. But they should eat first. Joan had no idea where tonight was going. She didn’t want to jump the gun. However, when she sliced the already cooked potatoes, her hand trembled.

Eunice glanced down, clocked it, and covered Joan’s hand with her own. “I’m nervous too, if it helps.”

Joan gulped. “That might make it worse.”

They ferried salt, vinegar and ketchup to the table, then Joan served the meal.

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