The Glowing Hours

by Marina Oliver

  How she would love to dance with him. He looked a very capable man. He would surely be able to dance well. Then she shook herself angrily. Mrs Mandeville had ordered her gowns to be sent to her son's house in one of the most select roads in Edgbaston. She was just a shop girl. The likelihood of their ever dancing together was remote. She wouldn't even think about it again. She would concentrate all her energy, or at least what she had left over from her job, into learning as much as she could about dancing so that she could soon transfer into a stage class. Then she might escape from the toil and dreariness of her present job into a world infinitely more attractive and glamorous. And one in which, her inner voice persisted, she might attract the attention of Mr Mandeville.

  *

  Andrew realised he wasn't playing with his normal verve and enthusiasm and the knowledge infuriated him. He didn't allow anything to come between him and his playing. He'd seen the rest of the band glance at him occasionally in a puzzled manner. They knew his attention was not as singlemindedly on his music as it normally was.

  He couldn't forget that girl or her face with the big green eyes that held such a wary expression. It made him feel she'd be off like a startled fawn at the slightest intimation of danger. He recalled the snub nose which he'd had the craziest desire to kiss, and the wide cheekbones, and the delicious mobile lips from which her gentle, musical voice had issued. It was incredible that she could produce so many different sounds. When they'd eaten and she'd relaxed Kitty had persuaded her to demonstrate the accent her family used. Nell had then switched into broad Scots, saying she'd once seen a comedian when her grandmother had taken her to a Pantomime and had always been fascinated by his voice.

  She could make a living on the music halls with imitations. For a moment Andrew had a glimpse of life as it might be, Nell travelling up and down the country with him, playing at the same theatres, going back at night to shared lodgings.

  By the time their act was over he was in a filthy temper. Nell wasn't there and it was improbable he'd ever see her again. Nor was it like him to yearn for a particular girl. They were easy to attract, and just as easy to relinquish. When one of the other performers, the magician's assistant, smiled invitingly at him as he passed her in the corridor on his way to the dressing room he stopped and spoke. Five minutes later they left the theatre together, and Andrew did his best to forget Nell.

  *

  Kitty paced across the room. She was bored. Timothy had departed to South Africa. Andrew was somewhere in the Potteries and it might be several weeks before he returned to Birmingham. In the meantime life was dull, and she had no prospects of excitement for days.

  She wished she knew how to contact Nell, the waif Andrew had brought to her. It had been exciting, something different, but as well as that she had liked the girl, felt sympathy for her. She'd been so pathetically grateful for a few old clothes. If only they'd been the same class they could, Kitty felt sure, have been great friends. Nell would surely not be so fickle as the rest of her so-called girlfriends. She had no friends in Birmingham, she thought fretfully, just acquaintances. Her best friends from school were either married, living in London, or in one case living in California, and somehow they never bothered to keep in touch.

  'This is ridiculous!' she chided herself. 'Don't moan about having no friends, go out and make some, right here!'

  With renewed vigour she sat at the small bureau in her sitting room and drew a sheet of scented writing paper towards her. After letting the ink dry on the pen nib several times while she chewed the other end she gave a satisfied nod and began to make a list of all the young people she knew in Birmingham. She sat back eventually and considered the result of her labours. It was her twentieth birthday soon. She'd hold a dance combined with a treasure hunt and supper. Twenty people would be the right number, enough for real competition. It would fill the big drawing room, yet not be so many Meggy would refuse to cook for them.

  Rather guiltily she wondered whether she ought to consult Meggy first, then briskly shook her head. If Meggy objected she would bring in caterers. She simply would not allow her mother's housekeeper, however much an old and valued servant, to dictate to her what she might do.

  Carefully she pruned the list until she had selected the most appropriate young people from her Birmingham acquaintances. She hesitated when she came to Paul Mandeville. He was older than her crowd, and more serious, despite the reputation he'd had during the war for daredevil exploits, and the medals he'd won for bravery, but she had known him all her life. She shrugged. If he refused there were others. She could at least try.

  'Meggy, I'm going to see Maisie and Fleur,' she called into the kitchen an hour later, and whisked out of the house before Meggy could question her.

  It wasn't far to the Carpenter house in Vicarage Road, and soon she and the two sisters were giggling as they elaborated on Kitty's plans.

  'If you make up the list of what we have to find, Kitty, you won't be able to compete,' Fleur said suddenly. 'It simply wouldn't be fair.'

  'Bother! I hadn't thought of that. And we absolutely must have equal numbers of men and girls for the dance.'

  'Let's ask each man to suggest one object, then it will be fair,' Maisie suggested.

  'We'll make them vow not to cheat, not to collect them first.'

  'Can we go anywhere in Birmingham to find them? We have to set the rules beforehand.'

  'We can't have too wide an area. Let's decide on some boundaries, and then you can help me write the invitations and tell them the rules.'

  'And we can post the letters today, that's plenty of time for next Saturday.'

  'Plenty of time to get a new dress, you mean, Maisie,' Fleur laughed excitedly. 'What about music, Kitty? Will you have records or a band? It's utterly beastly Andrew isn't here to play.'

  'But if he were playing his saxophone you wouldn't be able to dance with him,' Maisie pointed out rather sharply.

  'Oh, no.' Fleur pouted prettily. She'd once been told it made her look adorably helpless, and ever since she'd practised every day in front of her dressing table mirror.

  'I mean to ask someone I know who plays the piano. We can have records as well,' Kitty interposed quickly. She was well aware both sisters had fallen for her cousin when they'd met him two weeks earlier, and that he thought them silly and empty headed. She hugged the knowledge to her. Thankfully his absence meant they couldn't squabble over his imagined preferences. They were inclined to be dramatic, and sulk if they felt neglected. How she wished her London friends were here instead. She would nonetheless create some fun and ignore any tantrums.

  *

  Nell resisted as Tom changed direction and tried to steer her into a shop doorway. He'd destroyed her mood, as he had last week when he'd first tried to embrace her. She was too absorbed reliving the magic of the music hall they'd just been to at the Empire. In particular she was recreating the colourful, exciting dance routines performed by a dozen girls dressed in glittering costumes and tall feathered headdresses.

  'No, Tom,' she said firmly. 'I told you before I didn't want to be mauled.'

  'But Nell, I love you! I love you so much!' Tom protested and Nell sighed.

  'You can't!' she said sharply. 'We've only been out together three times.'

  'I've watched you every day at work, since the first time,' he told her. 'Can you possibly care for me, just a little?'

  'I like you,' she said slowly. 'I don't know what love is.'

  'Liking's enough. It will turn to love, I know it will. Oh, Nell, I want to shout it aloud, tell everyone, I'm so happy! When can we be married? We can live with my parents, and you needn't ever work again in that awful press shop. Mother is delicate and needs help, and I know they'll both adore you.'

  Nell struggled to stem the enthusiastic tide. 'Hold on, Tom! I didn't say I wanted to marry you!'

  'But – you said you liked me?'

  His bewildered and slightly offended tone would have been laughable in other circumstances, Nell though
t. She suppressed her mirth and gathered her wits together.

  'It's too soon. I don't know!' She hastened to soothe any damaged pride.

  'I'd have thought marriage to me, and the comfortable home I can offer you, would be better than that hovel you live in now! You wouldn't have to work again, you could have nice clothes, good food, and a woman to do the rough!' he elaborated, offended.

  'I know, Tom, and I'm honoured, truly I am, but it wouldn't be fair to marry you unless I loved you properly. I don't know you nearly well enough yet,' she added.

  'Then we must get to know one another quickly,' he said, and she was relieved to hear the indulgent tone creep back into his voice. 'Next week I'll take you dancing. There's more time to talk than at the pictures.'

  Nell's thoughts had swung back to the chorus line at the theatre again and she almost laughed. That wasn't what he meant, but for a moment she imagined herself up there on a stage, dancing in front of thousands of people, dressed in marvellous, brightly coloured clothes. She'd seen nothing like them since her grandparents had taken her to the Pantomime at the Theatre Royal when she was a child. She oughtn't to encourage him if he was beginning to get silly notions about love, but she'd loved dancing as a child, yet had never been in a dance hall. She wavered. The temptation to experience it was overwhelming, yet it was impossible.

  'Tom, I don't have anything suitable to wear.'

  He laughed indulgently. 'That's what every woman says!'

  'But in my case it's absolutely true!' she snapped. 'All I have in the world is the blouse and skirt I'm wearing now, the same as I wear every day to work. You know old Forster gives Pa my money, so I never have anything to spend on myself. Even if I had any finery it would be whisked away to the pawn shop as soon as I took it off! I'd be lucky to find these clothes waiting for me when I got back, even.'

  'Nell!' He was appalled. 'That's dreadful! I hadn't realised it was as bad as that. Then why don't you get out of it by marrying me?'

  'I can't help my family,' she said wearily. 'I can avoid making a mistake I'd have to suffer the rest of my life.'

  'Marrying me wouldn't be a mistake.' He was offended again. He did seem to take offence terribly easily.

  Nell sighed. 'Tom, don't you understand? It could be a mistake, that's all I'm saying. You might regret it too. And it's far too soon even to think about it anyway.'

  'You can trust my judgement, Nell. A man always knows best.'

  'Rubbish! Like my father? And why have they given women – some women – the vote?'

  He was silent for a while and she thought she had offended him. As they passed under the lamp on the corner he stopped and faced her. 'Nell, I still want to take you dancing. I've had an idea. I'm sure my mother would lend you something. She's only an inch or so shorter than you are. You could come to our house and change.'

  Nell's eyes gleamed. She'd never seen ballroom dancing except on films, and she longed to go. Could this be the answer, the beginning of a new life? She realised suddenly that for the past two years she had simply endured the horrors life had thrown at her – her Gran's death, the appalling conditions at home, the dirt and the poverty. She'd been like a leaf, swirled about by whatever wind blew. Now she'd fight back. She'd do all she could to enjoy some fun, to get away from her dreary, grinding existence.

  'But what would she think?' she asked hesitantly. His mother would no doubt find it very strange to be asked to lend her clothes to her son's girlfriend. 'I wouldn't want her to – well, to imagine things!'

  'Leave it to me!' he said confidently. His mother denied him nothing. He was the only child and he could tell her of his plans. She would welcome Nell without making her feel in any way uncomfortable. His optimism soared. He was certain he would be organising their wedding by Christmas.

  *

  Nell had reached the entrance to their court when she heard running footsteps behind her.

  'Nell, wait fer me!'

  She turned, startled. It was Amy. 'What on earth are you doin' out so late?' she demanded as her sister, panting, stopped beside her.

  'I climbed out the window. I wanted ter ask yer summat.'

  'Amy, you're too young to go roaming the streets alone,' Nell chided her. 'You could ask me whatever it is in bed.'

  'No I couldn't. It's a secret, an' Eth would tell Pa, mean ol' cow!'

  'Amy, you mustn't call Eth that! She's not so bad if you don't make her cross.'

  'Is! Nell, wait!' she wailed as Nell made to move on.

  'It's cold standing here, Amy.'

  'Yer wasn't cold when yer were with Tom Simmons,' Amy said petulantly.

  Nell swung round to face her. 'Have you been spyin' on me?'

  'No! I just follered yer. I saw which way yer went, an' waited till yer come back. Nell, yer won't marry 'im, will yer?'

  'No, of course not,' she said sharply. Yet who could tell when life at home would become so unbearable she might be glad to take that escape. Since the fight Danny and Sam had scarcely ever been in the house except to sleep, and they pointedly ignored Pa, despite his jibes about their lack of fighting ability and crude aspersions about their supposed lack of other manly attributes. They spoke only when absolutely necessary to Ma, and at night Nell could hear them whispering together behind the curtain.

  'If yer do, let me live with you instead of at 'ome,' Amy said in a rush, and clung desperately to Nell while her thin body was racked with sobs.

  'Amy, hush, luv!' Nell tried to soothe her.

  'I 'ates it there! Nell, it's 'orrible! Pa's gettin' wus, and you'm the on'y one what luvs me!'

  'Ma loves you,' Nell said, feeling helpless. 'Amy, pet, I'm not going to marry Tom, but even if I did you couldn't come ter live with me unless Pa agreed. The police would make you go back, you're too young to leave home.'

  'Yer could make 'im say it was all right!' Amy began to weep again.

  'Amy, it won't happen. And in a few years you'll be at work, earning money, and able ter leave home.'

  'I wish it weren't so long ter wait,' Amy sniffed. 'Promise, Nell? If yer do marry 'im?'

  'I promise, if I ever marry Tom, but that's very unlikely.'

  It satisfied Amy a little and Nell persuaded her to dry her eyes, and then went into the house first to make sure Pa had already gone upstairs and it was safe for Amy to creep up to bed. She hadn't realised her little sister felt so unhappy. Ought she to accept Tom and persuade him to talk to Pa? Surely if Pa thought he had one less mouth to feed he might let Amy go? Then she shuddered in revulsion. Even for Amy's sake she could not condemn herself to a lifetime of marriage to Tom – or anyone.

  ***

  Chapter 5

  'Mother, I don't want to leave you alone, you don't visit me very often,' Paul said at breakfast.

  'You have to have a life of your own, Paul,' Mrs Mandeville said firmly. 'You've worked far too hard the last few years, and if you have no social life I'll never have any grandchildren.'

  He laughed. 'I'm busy setting up a new practice! Are you matchmaking? You've never before suggested that Kitty Denver would be an acceptable daughter-in-law!'

  'And I'm not now. She's far too flighty, she wouldn't suit you at all. Accepting her invitation to this party she's organising would not give anyone the wrong idea. It's not as though you'd be alone, you're not even likely to be paired with her for the treasure hunt. You can be sure she has someone else in mind to partner her.'

  'I've no desire to go chasing all over Birmingham looking for pointless objects, just to give Kitty something to occupy herself.'

  'No, it is rather silly. Though I recall you used to indulge in worse things when you were a medical student!'

  'That was reaction against the war!'

  'But I thought it was the suffering you saw that made you decide to be a doctor?'

  'It was, but we also needed to forget the horrors. I'm a staid, qualified doctor now. I have to be a model of propriety!'

  'You still need to relax. I feel responsible for Kitty in a wa
y, while her foolish mother flaunts herself in New York. Even in Australia we heard stories of her goings-on.'

  'I know you used to be friends with her mother, but how does that make you responsible for Kitty?'

  'Not friends, exactly. We took part in a few marches together, but I was never involved in that particular set, and certainly never indulged in throwing bricks at windows or chaining myself to railings. Most undignified.'

  'One day you must tell me all about your disreputable suffragette past,' he said, grinning at her.

  'I was older than she was, you see, and our parents had been good friends. I tried to keep an eye on her, as much as I could. I would be happier if I felt you were keeping a friendly eye on Kitty since her mother doesn't seem to think it her duty.'

  'But you'll be left alone.'

  'It wouldn't be a tragedy. Actually, Paul, I was wondering whether I might invite some of my old friends who still live in Birmingham to visit me one evening?'

  'A dinner party? Of course, but shouldn't I be here to host it for you?'

  'They're all terrible old fogies, darling. And many of them are your patients and would only plague you for free advice on their gout or rheumatism! I'd be much more comfortable if I knew you weren't sitting there bored out of your mind!'

  'You'd prefer I was bored silly amongst Kitty's friends?'

  'You'll accept?'

  'Since you clearly have plans for some sort of assignation I won't spoil it for you. I'll go. But I shall be home on the stroke of midnight, so make sure you copy Cinderella!'

  'And I'll be coming to stay with you again soon, and perhaps we'll go to the Pantomime like we used to do, years ago. I'll make you have some fun! I'd enjoy it too.'