by Vance Huxley
“I don’t know. Not often?” Harold smiled. “Are you moving in with Alicia and Celine?”
“And Louise, because that way gramps won’t know just what we’re up to all the time. He’s lovely and I’m grateful, but?” Matti glanced around. “If we can get a bloke to guard Alicia and someone to live with gramps, both of us are moving into the girl club.” Her eyes widened and she giggled. “We could fix gramps up with Alicia?”
“Talk to Liz, she seems to be plotter-in-chief.” With a forty year gap Harold didn’t think that would be happening, but who knew? They danced a bit more until the music ended and Harold answered the impish smile from his next partner.
“I tried but number nine won’t swap.” Holly pouted and then grinned. “But I have got the dance before.” She put her arms round Harold. “None of that hand holding. I remember the huggy thing so come on, let’s dance. Ooh, that’s mean.”
“No, this is a faster one because the midnight one is slow.” Harold still couldn’t see who had number nine. “Who did you end up with?”
“Sandy. I’ll have to walk him home because he’ll never get to the girl club and back to his place without falling over.” Holly sighed. “I’ve never been walked home.”
“Bet you can find volunteers.”
“I’ll remember you volunteered. After all, you owe me for chocolate.” At the end of the dance Holly insisted on a second-rate drinking chocolate kiss, a chaste Holly version, because she couldn’t have a proper New Year one. Harold looked around and noticed others smiling at Holly, so that had been another dare like Halloween. He was more interested in finding out who he was supposed to dance with, and saw a huge smile and a Stetson coming his way.
“This had better be worth it. I turned down several offers to swap, but I’ve heard rumours about hugs.” Doll pointed at the number nine stuck to her little jacket. “Three were quite keen to swap though that might have been because of who they drew. Now, how does a slow dance go?” From the way Doll put her arms round him and snuggled in, Harold was bloody sure Doll knew all about slow dances.
“Gramps will be watching.”
“Gramps will be busy wondering if he’s been set up with Alicia, and anyway he’s dancing in the dining room.” The house for dancing had a large lounge and dining room, with wide sliding doors between them. Jon came past with Sal, and his brain was already history. He was closely followed by Billy who seemed bemused by finding he’d drawn Gayle, while Liz stuck her tongue out at Harold as Casper whirled her around.
“Quite a few people will be wondering who was set up.” Harold sniggered. “My sister among them.” A headless Womble, now clearly Sharyn, danced with Nigel. Not a particularly close dance because of the bulky costume, which probably suited Sharyn.
“Oops, I’ll have to tilt my head up so I don’t take your eye out with my hat.” Doll’s Stetson brim came to about nose level on Harold until she looked up.
“Yes, a few people wondered about your choice of escape clothing.”
“I wore my hat and boots and the rest doesn’t take up much room, but I had to leave the really good stuff behind.” Doll sighed. “I had a full fancy dress for parties, chaps and a gun belt with a big plastic cap six-gun. That went down really well unless Matti nicked my shorts. Grandma had some old videos of a singer called Christina Aguilera and she wore a get-up like this. Some of her other gear would definitely be popular with the blokes here.”
Harold frowned. “Matti nicked them? She seems to be feeling better but isn’t dressed like a shorts sort of lass.” Matti wore a mid-shin dress with her hair in plaits, bead necklaces, and a feather in a headband.
“If she ever finds the right dress to do her real Hiawatha, it’ll burn out brain cells. Matti came to visit me at the University so we could go to a couple of dances together and chase blokes. I may as well warn you, we have competitions or will have once she’s past that asshole. Then the Army sealed the place up and the University shut down. The food in the canteen ran low so we moved out and descended on gramps. Mum and Dad are still in Manchester, or were when everything went to hell and we were shut in.” Doll sighed and hugged a bit tighter. “Gramps is a sweetie really. It was a hell of a shock when he came through the door and brained that asshole, but a welcome shock.”
“There’s been some of that about. Were all the students sealed in?” The mere idea horrified Harold, all the students being still trapped in the city during the violence.
Doll stopped even her sad smiling and this hug had nothing to do with dancing. “Buses turned up and took a hell of a lot of students away. They were supposed to come back for the rest, and never did. Then we realised that those taking Maths, Physics, Engineering, and all the other solid academic subjects went on those first buses. We got the message after a couple of people found that the labs had been stripped.” Doll giggled. “Mmm, that works. I feel better already.”
Harold realised that as Doll had been talking, and her voice had become more bitter, he had hugged her tighter and started stroking her back. “It’s a talent, apparently.”
“Keep it up just a bit longer, so I’m in the mood for midnight.” Even as she spoke, voices started counting down. Harold ended up with a proper New Year kiss from a totally unexpected source. “Whew.” Doll pouted. “After that, it’s a pity that gramps will be waiting when you walk me home.”
“You might have had a lucky escape. After all I’m a rough soldier, not like those smooth college types.” Harold walked Doll over to collect their coats.
* * *
The walk to take Doll home seemed more like a well-behaved extension of the party since Alicia and gramps and Louise and Stewart Baumber were along, as well as Matti and Bernie who held hands but decorously. Celine walked determinedly close to Finn even if they weren’t touching with Finn being really careful not to brush against her. It crossed Harold’s mind that Celine wouldn’t be in any danger of getting a hug anyway since although the sling had come off, Finn’s arm wouldn’t be up to that sort of treatment for some months.
Both Louise and Matti went for a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, and Finn actually put his hand out to shake Celine’s as a goodbye. She took hold of Finn’s hand and murmured something and he hesitated, then bent over and kissed her knuckles very gently. It was probably an evens bet who had the reddest blush. Doll gave up trying to keep a straight face and turned towards Harold to giggle as gramps took that escape route, kissing Alicia’s hand.
“Not in front of you, gramps.” Doll sighed at the look she got in reply. “I’m only just out here and it’s freezing, and we’ve both got long coats on. Crikey, Harold’s is leather so he’s not going to get all rough soldier.” Barry looked a bit embarrassed and went inside with everyone but Bernie, who headed home trying not to laugh at Harold’s face.
“All rough soldier?” Harold grinned.
“No time to talk, he’ll have a stop watch.” Doll treated Harold to a repeat of the midnight kiss, with added something. “There, now I’d better get inside before he comes out with that axe. He’ll not leave until he’s sure we’re safely tucked up. Happy New Year, Soldier Boy.”
“No wonder he’s white-haired. Happy New Year, Doll.” Harold left once the door closed behind her, smiling and shaking his head gently. At least four of the girl club seemed to be settling down, including Sal, but the new pair were going to make up for that. Walking home really felt peaceful with the snow and hardly anyone about, though his mouth twitched as Harold wondered if he should give Sharyn a bit longer. Not a serious thought after Christmas Eve, more so when Nigel, then Susan and Rob came past.
“Harold, have you seen my halo? I’m sure I didn’t lose it out there but I can’t see it in here either. I’ve found a Womble head?” Harold smiled and followed Holly’s voice back into the dance house. Holly had the place to herself with only the dancing room lights still on, though the TV still sang carols to the wall. Sure enough the Womble head sat on a table among the wreckage of the buffet.
“Daisy would raise hell if this was missing.” Harold looked round. “You’d lost your halo before dancing with me.”
“Pity, I was hoping you’d, um, right. Then it will be here someplace.” Harold smiled when Holly blushed as usual after speaking without thinking. She bent over and looked under the table. “There it is, and I’m sure I didn’t lose it under there.” Holly stood waving the wire and tinsel contraption triumphantly, then fitted it back on her head.
“I thought you’d be home by now.”
“No, I took Sandy home and realised I’d forgotten this. I’ll need it for the next dance.” Holly looked round. “We’d better turn everything off.” She headed for the TV and stopped, before turning with a big smile. “It would be a shame to cut the last tune short when there’s a dancing partner.” Holly had already unbuttoned her coat in the warm room, and now she smiled and pointed at Harold’s. “Come on, undo that.”
He laughed and did so, and Holly snugged in close for all of about thirty seconds before White Christmas stopped. “Just long enough to qualify.” Harold didn’t ask what for as a soft kiss landed. Then Holly went to turn off the TV. “Will you get the other light please Harold, and the Womble?”
“Especially the Womble or Daisy will be asking what Mummy was up to.” Harold did as asked and a few moments later they left and shut up the house.
They walked in companionable silence up to the end of Orchard Close and turned in, and Holly looked up the street towards the big house at the end. “Do you need to give Sharyn a few minutes, or get there quick to rescue her?”
“Neither, Sharyn was a mess over Christmas and nowhere near over Freddy, so Nigel had a very quick walk. Rob and Susan have already been evicted. She might already be in bed.”
Holly’s hand took hold of his. “Good, because you’ve got time to walk me home.” She sighed. “I wasn’t kidding, I’ve never been walked home.”
“It’s just here, idiot. You’re already home.” They were just coming up to the gate into the first girl club garden.
“I live in the next house, and I mean round to the door, proper like.” She squeezed his hand. “Payment for chocolate?”
Harold didn’t point out that she’d claimed a chocolate kiss earlier. “I’d expected a higher price. I’d walk you home anyway Holly, if it’s that important.”
“Very important. A rite of passage according to Liz. Every girl should be walked home at least once, even if she drags him inside afterwards.”
Harold laughed because that sounded like Liz. There would be no dragging anywhere tonight since there were plenty of people about in both houses according to the lights and laughter. “Come on then, I’ll risk it.”
“Leave Womble on the gate post.” Holly adjusted her halo. “Wouldn’t want to lose this in the snow, I’d get frostbite.” Round at the side door she hesitated, scuffing her toe and looking down. “What’s the traditional ending for walking a girl home, Harold?”
“Naughty, you’ll make the others jealous.” Holly had definitely puzzled Harold because although she joined the teasing game in public, Holly still seemed upset about Brodie.
“But this will only be a little kiss. Firstly because that’s the rule for the first time.” Holly’s face came up and she smiled. “Secondly because we’re both all buttoned up in big coats, though I expect to feel the hug.” Her smile widened and Holly raised her voice. “Lastly because Mummy Casper is listening from the other side of the door.”
“I am not, I was just walking past.” Casper’s laugh could be heard through the door until Harold’s and Holly’s drowned it out.
“Right. A little kiss, silent and leave your halo intact. There.” Harold thought even Barry couldn’t object to that kiss. “Now you’d better get inside before I walk you down the path and up again to find out about the second time.”
“I’ll get instructions for then, Liz will know.” Holly turned and went inside to be greeted by questions about what Sandy had got up to. Harold wandered down the path and picked up the Womble head, then made his way home. He remembered what Emmy had once said about stopping this whole competition business. Pick a girlfriend. That sounded like a pretty good idea after tonight. He just needed to find one up for a laugh without getting too serious, and one not traumatised by one thing or another.
Sharyn had gone to bed so Harold put the Womble head on the table and did the same. At least dancing seemed to have helped with the dreams.
* * *
The smiles and cheery greetings the next day, even from the established couples, were a real contrast with the previous week. Since everyone seemed so happy, Harold decided to keep them all together today. He knew one place that warranted a combined search, the partially wrecked supermarket where Casper had been trapped. This time they took all five working vehicles to carry away everything useful in one go. The place wasn’t really a full supermarket, more of an overgrown convenience store but after the initial looting nobody seemed to have bothered the place much.
“Cripes Harold. I hate skimmed milk but even so I wish this lot hadn’t gone off.” Liz carefully moved the swollen plastic containers aside with her foot. “Anyone pops one of those and I’ll make them drink it.”
“I’ll help to force it down because the stink will make me barf.” Casper glowered. “If anyone opens any freezer cabinet I’ll make them sit in there for a while.” The power had been off long enough for the frozen and chilled foods to have spoiled, and for some of the rest to collect mould. “Most of the packets on these shelves are damp.”
“Don’t worry about the outside boxes being damp or even a bit mouldy. Check inside and if there’s a bag or liner the chances are its waterproof.” Harold turned a corner. “There’s a good few cans that aren’t even rusted. Like these, canned milk. This place might have been intact right up to the last big riot, only six weeks ago. Liz, come here and load while you drool.” Liz headed over with a huge smile.
“Some of the other cans have lost their labels. Mystery stew might include rhubarb or custard.” Emmy, Berry and Seth pulled away a fallen set of metal shelving. “Ooh! Harold, what’s the prize if one of the girl club finds real Coco Pops?”
“I thought you were off the list now Emmy?”
“I am, but I could trade. Better still, auction them?”
“You’ll get some fierce bidding from Doll after last night.” Bernie laughed. “She didn’t look happy about the chaperones on the way home.”
“Oy, Grandfather present.” The banter died away into sniggering and Barry smiled at Harold and shrugged. “Wait until it’s Hazel.”
“Oh cripes.” Because Harold already worried about the world Hazel might grow up into, and the sort of lads she’d meet.
“Shush you lot, there’s a motor coming.” Billy came in through the smashed window, pointing. “From towards the Hot Rods. We can hear it clearly from out there.”
“One motor?” Harold ran for the pickup and his rifle, and waved the rest of the shoppers with crossbows or firearms to cross the car park and spread out into the houses near the road. “All right, I can hear it.” Harold raised his voice. “Hold your fire because one isn’t an attack.”
The approaching car revved and, from the sounds, spun its wheels before they found some grip again. A low red soft-top sports car skidded around the last corner towards the store and the driver hit the brakes. The gleaming motor performed a complete twirl, almost came straight again, then bounced off the kerb and ended up slewed across the road. The engine fell silent and the car sat, motionless.
“Billy, Seth, Bernie, Casper, all stand up and point a weapon at the car. Don’t shoot if the door opens.” Harold stood as well and pointed his rifle. For long moments nothing happened, and then the driver’s door swung open.
What nobody expected was a black high heeled shoe, followed by a slim leg and then another. A wriggle and shimmy, and a small slim woman with long straight blonde hair, wearing a little black dress, stood up. She p
ut her hands on her hips to wriggle her dress straight and walked to the front of the car, before sitting on the bonnet and putting one foot on the bumper. The woman leant backwards, showing an elfin face with a big smile, and put her hands on the bonnet behind her to arch her back a little. “Do any of you men want a personal trophy blonde?”
Shocking enough, but the mismatch between bright smile, body language and the utter hopeless resignation in her voice jarred even more. Harold opened his mouth then paused, non-plussed, before finally answering. “Sorry. We don’t do that in Orchard Close.”
A heartfelt sigh answered. “Oh well, I suppose I’d better drive up there and ask the Army. Unless you just shoot me now?”
“The Army will shoot you if you drive up there.” Harold couldn’t get his head round what the hell was going on.
“But they won’t expect me to service all the soldiers first. I’m too old for that now, and anyway I’ve used up all my tranks.” She slid off the bonnet and turned back towards the driver’s door. “Through the head would be good, so it’s a surprise?”
“Wait up.” The woman stopped and stiffened as Holly spoke, then she slowly turned.
“Ah, got a younger model already.”
Another woman stood. “Not really.” Louise wouldn’t see thirty again and dressed in baggy jeans and a big thick jacket which definitely scotched any trophy blonde or younger model ideas. “We don’t do that sort of thing. Harold doesn’t allow anyone to mess with the women.” For a moment Harold thought the woman would collapse as all the tension drained out of her. Her legs buckled, and she swayed and put a hand on the soft top of the car. Then Holly, Emmy and Louise were running forward.
“Leave them to it.” Harold waved Casper and Billy back, away from the car. “Bernie and Casper, set off up the road to see where she came from. Let me know where she crossed the border, if she did. The rest of you get back to scavenging. Clean the place out sharpish because we might have visitors.” Harold hoped nobody had followed that car, but if they did he preferred to leave nothing if he had to retreat.
