Sing as We Go (13 page)

And the Robinsons. She missed the Robinson family. All of them. But the one person she pushed from her mind and determined not to think about was her father.

‘I’ll be home the usual time,’ she called back as she closed the back door behind her. Outside in the back yard, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried along the passage and out into the street, hoping that Ron Spencer wouldn’t emerge from his house and walk along with her to the choral society meeting. She held her breath until she was safely at the top of the street and well beyond his house. Then she walked briskly across the road to the city’s park.

Tony’s car was nowhere to be seen when she arrived at the main gate. She had waited a few moments when she saw a member of the choral society cycling along the road towards her. Quickly she ran into the park and waited behind a tree until he had passed by.

Still there was no sign of Tony’s car and she began to wonder if he was about to stand her up again when she heard the familiar roar of the car’s engine. With a squeal of tyres, he pulled up in front of her, leapt out and ran around the car to open the passenger’s door for her.

‘Sorry, I’m a little late, darling. Mother had one of her turns and I couldn’t get away until Father came home. What a pretty dress you’re wearing. Blue’s certainly your colour. It matches your eyes.’ He smiled down at her as he carefully tucked her dress into the car and closed the door. His compliment gave her a warm glow and made her feel special.

‘I’m sorry to hear about your mother. Shouldn’t you go home? I quite understand if . . .’

‘Maybe I’d better not be too long . . .’ He turned the car around and drove back across the High Street, then turned up the hill, twisting and turning among streets Kathy didn’t know.

‘So, where are we going?’

‘You’ll see,’ he said mysteriously. ‘It’s a surprise.’

Within minutes he was drawing to a halt outside a large house on the corner of Mill Road.

Kathy gasped and her eyes widened. ‘Are you taking me to meet your parents? Oh, you might have warned me. I . . .’

‘No, no, darling, it’s something much better than that. I’ve found a little flat for you.’

‘For me, but . . .’

‘She’s a very nice old lady. She’s been widowed for about five years and after her family had left home and her husband died, she found the house too big for just her. But – she didn’t want to leave the home she’d had all her married life, so she turned the upstairs into a nice little flat.’

Kathy looked around her with renewed interest. It was a nice area and the house was certainly big enough to have been converted into two flats.

‘I – I don’t think I would be able to afford it,’ she said quietly. ‘It’s very kind of you, but . . .’

He patted her hand. ‘Now you’re not to worry about that. I want you to be independent of Miss Robinson. It’s little better than living at home, as far as I can see.’

Kathy almost laughed aloud. If only he knew! But she said nothing as he went on, ‘Whenever we’re out, you’re always clock-watching. And it must be difficult for you working with her too. I can understand that. So – if you have your own place, you’ll be able to come and go as you please. Mrs Sutton won’t be keeping tabs on you, I promise.’

‘Do – do you know her?’

‘I’ve known her years.’ He paused. ‘She’s – er – a good customer of ours. So – shall we go and have a look? It’s a lovely flat. I’m sure you’re going to be happy here.’

The flat was just as he’d said – lovely. It was self-contained, with a sitting room, bedroom and tiny kitchen that had obviously been converted from a small bedroom. It even had its own bathroom, complete with water closet. A luxury that Kathy had never known. Even Miss Robinson’s lavatory was across the back yard. And Mrs Sutton was a dear. She greeted Tony like an old friend, kissing him on the cheek.

‘I shan’t come up with you. It’s my legs, dear. I can’t climb the stairs like I used to. You show your young lady round, Mr Kendall, while I make a nice cup of tea. Then we can have a nice chat and see if we’ll suit each other.’ She smiled at Kathy.

‘So do you like it?’ Tony asked, when they had seen all the rooms. ‘It’s not much further to walk to work than you do now, but just in the opposite direction. What do you think?’

‘What rent does she want?’

‘I told you not to worry about that. I’ll help you with the first few months and I’ll see about giving you a raise at work so that you’ll be able to afford it yourself. What do you say?’ He put his head on one side and smiled at her, the lines around his eyes crinkling. Her heart melted. She knew now that she was helplessly in love with him. He was so kind and thoughtful. She really couldn’t believe that he was the philanderer that Stella made out. Maybe he just hadn’t found the right girl – until now. She loved him and she was sure he loved her. He’d told her so often. Tony Kendall made her feel special, made her feel really loved . . .

‘Yes, all right,’ she agreed. ‘But as soon as I can afford it for myself—’

He laughed and patted her hand. ‘Yes, yes, Miss Independent. So, we’ll go down and tell Mrs Sutton yes. The old dear will be setting out tea and scones on paper doilies. Come along, we won’t keep her waiting any longer.’

As she walked home, Kathy felt she was walking on air. She skipped down the dark passage, in through the gate and then the back door leading into the scullery. She took a deep breath before she opened the door into the kitchen.

Jemima was sitting where Kathy had left her, in her chair near the range.

‘Sorry I’m a little late. The practice went on a little longer than normal . . .’ Kathy stopped. Jemima was looking at her with a strange expression on her face.

‘Did it indeed?’ Her voice was hard and cold, and her sharp eyes held Kathy’s gaze. Taffy jumped down from her knee and, ears flattened, headed for the door. He miaowed to be let through to the scullery and Kathy opened it. He scuttled through and they both heard the rattle as he pushed his way out of his own little door.

‘Close the door, Kathy, and come and sit down.’

‘Shall I – make the cocoa?’

‘Not just now.’ Jemima nodded towards the chair opposite her. ‘Sit down.’

For a moment there was silence in the room. At last Jemima asked quietly. ‘Where have you been tonight, Kathy? And I want the truth.’

Kathy thought quickly. Somehow, Jemima knew that she had not attended choir practice.

‘I – I’ve been out with a – a friend.’

‘You haven’t been to the choral society meeting?’

Kathy bit her lip and shook her head. Then she looked up defiantly and met the older woman’s gaze calmly. After all, she was not answerable to Miss Robinson. As long as she respected the woman’s home, which she did, and came in at a reasonable hour, which she did also, what right had Jemima to question her?

But it seemed as if Jemima felt she had every right to question her. ‘And this – er – friend. Would it be a male friend, by any chance?’

Kathy’s chin rose higher. ‘And what if it is?’

Jemima sighed. ‘Kathy, I’m not trying to play the heavy father here. You’ve had enough of that, I know. But – but it’s who this friend is that I’m concerned about.’

‘It’s no one you know.’

‘No more lies, Kathy, if you please,’ Jemima snapped, her patience at an end. She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed heavily. ‘You disappoint me, Kathy. I thought you were an honest girl. Betty vouched for you. Amy thinks the world of you, and Maurice – well – as for poor Maurice, I expect you’ve quite broken his gentle heart.’

There was a stillness, as if the whole room was holding its breath.

‘I’ve had two visitors tonight, Kathy. One – Mr Spencer – has only just left a few minutes ago. He came round as soon as he got home to enquire if you were all right, as you hadn’t been to the meeting.’ She paused and then went on. ‘The other was a little earlier. Miss Curtis called to see me and what she had to tell me has disturbed me greatly.’

‘Is she not satisfied with my work? Is that it? Does she want me to leave?’

‘No, no, not at all. As it happens she’s very pleased with your work. She says you’re doing very well, particularly bearing in mind that you’ve had no previous experience.’

Kathy frowned. ‘Then – what?’

‘She happened to be walking down High Street earlier this evening when she saw Mr Kendall’s car. A car, I might add, that she is very familiar with.’ Jemima paused to let her words sink in.

So, Kathy thought, the secret was out and Miss Curtis had wasted no time in telling tales to the woman who was not only her landlady but also had the power to have her dismissed immediately and without a reference.

‘Is there a company rule against a friendship between employees?’ Kathy asked stiffly.

‘No,’ Jemima said carefully, ‘although it is unwise between two people of such differing ranks, shall we say. It can lead to resentment among the other staff if they were to perceive any favouritism.’

‘But we – he – has certainly not shown any favouritism towards me at all. He hardly ever comes into the department, let alone . . .’

‘I know. I realize that. If he had, I might well have smelt a rat before now.’

‘A rat!’ Kathy’s anger flared. ‘Is that how you view – our – our friendship?’

Jemima pursed her mouth and nodded, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. ‘My dear, you might not believe me, but I really do have your best interests at heart.’

Kathy’s expression was sceptical and Jemima, catching sight of it, closed her eyes and shook her head in a gesture of helplessness.

After a long pause, Jemima opened her eyes and looked directly at Kathy. ‘There are a few things you should know about Mr Kendall, my dear—’ she began, but Kathy jumped to her feet.

‘I don’t want to hear them and anyway, I’m moving out. I won’t be a trouble to you any more. Tony’s found me a flat and—’

‘Ah, the flat. The famous flat. He’s setting you up in the flat, is he? This is worse than I thought.’

‘No, he’s not setting me up in it, as you put it. You make me sound like a – a mistress!’

‘And aren’t you?’ Jemima asked bluntly.

Kathy felt an embarrassed flush flood into her face. ‘No, I am not,’ she answered heatedly. ‘How dare you imply any such thing?’

‘Well, that’s one good thing, I suppose,’ Jemima murmured, unperturbed by the girl’s outburst. ‘But once he gets you into that flat where he can visit you any time he likes—’ She paused and then added, ‘It’s the flat on Mill Road, I suppose?’

Kathy’s mouth dropped open as she stared at Jemima. Her voice was husky as she faltered, ‘What – what do you mean?
The
flat on Mill Road?’

‘Kathy – please – sit down. At least listen to what I’ve got to tell you.’

Slowly, Kathy sank back into the chair. She sat forward, tense and fearful, her hands so tightly clasped together in her lap that her knuckles were white. Against her will, she waited to hear what Jemima had to say.

Thirteen

‘Tony Kendall is a very nice young man, I won’t deny that—’

‘Then why—?’ Kathy began, but Jemima held up her hand to silence her.

‘He comes from a good background – ’ she hesitated briefly before adding, ‘but it’s his family that’s the problem.’ She paused. ‘He’s related to the Hammond family.’

Kathy gasped. ‘The – the owners of the store?’

Jemima nodded. ‘It isn’t talked about because the obvious would be said.’

‘What d’you mean? The obvious?’

‘That he’s very young to be in such an important position. It could be seen as nepotism.’ She smiled wryly. ‘James Hammond is his mother’s cousin and many would say Tony’s only the manager because of his relationship to the Hammond family.’

‘So his mother was a Hammond?

Jemima nodded. ‘It was
her
mother, to be precise, who was the Hammond. She was sister to the old man, as we call him, Mr Anthony Hammond.’

‘Tony did say we should keep our – our meetings secret,’ Kathy said slowly. ‘I expect he thinks Mr James wouldn’t approve.’

‘Actually, Mr James is a very nice man, down to earth and not in any way snobbish. No, I’m afraid the problem is Tony’s own mother.’

‘His mother? Has she got something to do with the store?’

‘Oh no. But Tony – whom she always calls Anthony, by the way – is her only son. Her only child and she – is a very possessive woman.’ Jemima met Kathy’s puzzled gaze. ‘You haven’t met her yet, I take it?’

Kathy shook her head. Suddenly she was feeling very cold inside. This wasn’t at all what she had expected Jemima to say and for some inexplicable reason she feared what was coming next.

‘How many times have you been out with Tony?’

‘Well – several times over the weeks.’

‘And how many times has he left suddenly, not turned up at all or cancelled at the last minute?’

Kathy’s mouth dropped open as she stared, horrified, at Jemima. ‘How – how did you know?’

‘Because it’s happened before. It’s what always happens to his girlfriends.’

Remembering what Stella had told her, Kathy whispered, ‘Miss Curtis? It happened to her?’

‘You know about Muriel?’

‘Yes – someone told me.’

‘Stella, I expect,’ Jemima murmured.

‘Oh, please, I don’t want to get her into trouble . . .’

‘It’s all right. Actually, I’m pleased she has. Perhaps it will help you to believe what I’m telling you now.’

For a moment, Kathy covered her face with her hands and gave a little sob. Then with a supreme effort, she raised her head and said quietly, ‘I do believe you. I know you wouldn’t lie to me. And – and I’m sorry that I ever lied to you. I hated doing it. I really am a very truthful person – usually. But somehow, I knew you’d try to stop me seeing him if you found out.’

‘I most certainly would have done,’ Jemima said briskly. ‘Make no mistake about that.’

There was silence between them for a moment until Kathy said, ‘But his mother’s – well – some sort of invalid, isn’t she? I mean, if she needed him when his father was working, I didn’t mind.’

‘Personally, I think she’s a hypochondriac who uses her so-called ill-health to manipulate both her husband and her son.’ Jemima’s expression softened as she added, ‘George – Tony’s dad – is, by all accounts, a lovely fellow. He’s too good, if you know what I mean.’ Not having met Tony’s parents, Kathy didn’t really know. Though she was starting to understand a little more. And she didn’t like what she was hearing. ‘Beatrice Kendall is a selfish, devious woman who will stop at nothing to keep her son living at home with her.’