LITMIR.BIZ

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off, the café door closing behind him, Pearl left red-faced. His girl! Surely he didn’t mean it? No, of course he didn’t. Her mind was still grappling with the change in Kevin’s character when Dolly came marching out of the kitchen, heading towards her.

      ‘Your job is to wait on tables, Pearl, and not to flirt with my son.’

      ‘I … I wasn’t flirting with him. Honest,’ she protested, hands shaking.

      ‘I don’t want to see you chatting with Kevin again. You’re here to work and I suggest you remember that.’

      ‘Yes, Mrs Dolby.’

      The woman threw her a dark look. ‘Finish clearing that table and you can go.’

      Pearl vigorously rubbed the surface, relieved when Dolly went back to the kitchen. She rinsed out the cloth, took off her apron and, taking her bag from its usual place under the counter, murmured, ‘I’m off, Bernie. See you tomorrow.’

      ‘Bye, love, and take no notice of Dolly. Mind you, it might be safer to stay away from Kevin.’

      ‘Your son’s a bit of all right, Bernie,’ Alice chuckled, ‘and you can’t blame Pearl for having her eye on him.’

      ‘I … I haven’t got my eye on him,’ Pearl protested.

      ‘Oh, yeah, and pigs might fly,’ Alice said. ‘You fancy him, and it’s as plain as the nose on your face.’

      A blush stained Pearl’s cheeks and she lowered her head.

      ‘Leave the girl alone, Alice,’ Bernie admonished.

      Pearl threw him a grateful smile, saying a hurried goodbye as she left the café. Why did Alice have to stir it, and what if she said the same things to Dolly? God, she could get the sack. It was bad enough worrying that Alice was pinching her tips, but now she had to worry about losing her job.

      Pearl stopped by Derek’s stall, watching as he served a customer, amazed that with hands so large and chunky he was able to handle the most delicate china without breaking it.

      As the customer walked away he came straight to her side. ‘What did you want to talk to me about?’

      ‘It doesn’t matter now.’

      ‘Tell me anyway.’

      Pearl couldn’t confide in him about Kevin, instead saying only, ‘I think Alice is pinching some of my tips.’

      ‘Are you sure?’

      ‘I could be wrong, but I doubt it. You see, I don’t get many tips now, even from my regulars. Sometimes Alice clears my tables and I think I saw her pocket a tip. I waited to see if she put in the jar, but she didn’t.’

      ‘The bitch! What did you say to her?’

      ‘How can I say anything until I’m a hundred per cent sure? And anyway, it’s my word against hers and she’s sure to deny it.’

      ‘Yeah, I see what you mean.’ He paused for a moment, but then smiled. ‘When I’m in the café, I’ll keep an eye out too. If we both catch her out, she won’t have a leg to stand on.’

      ‘Oh, thanks, Derek. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

      Kevin passed, lifting his hand to wave at them both, but Pearl lowered her head. She had to prevent Dolly from thinking that she was flirting with Kevin, but how?

      ‘Is there something else worrying you?’ Derek asked. ‘You still look a bit down in the mouth.’

      She raised her eyes, saw his concern, and in that moment, made up her mind. If she had a boyfriend, Dolly would know she wasn’t after Kevin and her job would be safe. Taking a deep breath, Pearl forced a smile. ‘I’m fine. It … it’s just that I was wondering if you’d still like me to be your girlfriend.’

      ‘Of course I would.’

      ‘Good, because I’d like that too.’

      ‘Pearl, are you sure?’

      ‘I’m sure.’

      He grinned with delight. ‘Cor, wait till I tell Gran.’

      ‘She might not approve, Derek. She’ll think I’m too young for you.’

      ‘You’ll be seventeen soon, and I’m twenty-six. That makes only nine years between us. Anyway, Gran likes you and I think she’ll be dead chuffed.’

      Another customer came to the stall, Derek saying hurriedly, ‘I’ll pick you up at seven. We’ll go for a nice meal to celebrate.’

      ‘All right, ’bye,’ Pearl said, wondering as she walked to her bedsit if she’d made the right decision. She was going to be Derek Lewis’s girlfriend, protected and safe, but what if one day he proposed? Could she face becoming his wife? She pictured his cosy terraced house, his lovely gran, and smiled. Yes, surely she could. They would be a family, and if a baby came along? At that thought Pearl’s steps faltered. When she worked in the laundry the women had often talked and joked about sex. Innocent though she was, she had soon found out from their ribald remarks how a baby was made, but could she bear to do that with Derek?

      When Derek told Pearl that his gran wanted to see her, she went round to the house straight from work the next day, shaking with nerves.

      At first Connie Lewis was a bit frosty, and deeply suspicious of Pearl’s motives. ‘I thought we agreed that you’re far too young for Derek,’ she said as they sat in her cosy kitchen.

      ‘I know, but I’ve grown very fond of him.’

      ‘Huh, you can be fond of a cat,’ she said, her eyes flicking to Marmalade. The huge ginger cat opened one eye, but seeing there was no food being offered, he closed it again. ‘Just what do you see in Derek? It ain’t his looks, that’s for sure.’

      ‘I know he isn’t handsome, but that doesn’t matter. There’s more to a man than looks. Derek is so kind, so caring, and I feel safe with him.’

      ‘Safe! What’s that supposed to mean? It sounds like you only want him for protection, but protection from what? Are you in trouble?’

      ‘No,’ Pearl said hurriedly. ‘Oh dear, I seem to be saying all the wrong things. Please, Connie, I’m just trying to explain that I don’t care what Derek looks like, it’s his ways that count. I just want to be with him, to become part of this family, and … and maybe one day there’ll be children.’

      At last the ice began to melt, and a small smile played around the corners of Connie’s mouth. ‘Kids – that’d be nice, but you’re far too young to think about marriage yet.’

      ‘Yes, I know I’m jumping the gun, but I just wanted you to know how serious I am about Derek.’

      Connie sat quietly for a moment, but then her eyes locked with Pearl’s. ‘All right, I’ll say no more. At the end of the day I just want Derek to be happy. I know I shouldn’t cross-examine you, but he’s never had a girlfriend before, his looks saw to that. You’re a pretty girl, and could probably do better, so you can’t blame me for being suspicious.’

      ‘I could never do better than Derek. He’s wonderful.’

      At last it seemed that Pearl had said the right thing. Connie suddenly relaxed, a wide grin now on her face. ‘You’re right there. My Derek’s a diamond. He’ll be home soon so you might as well stay for dinner.’

      ‘Thanks, I’d love to,’ Pearl said, heaving a sigh of relief.

       Chapter Thirteen

      When art classes started in September, Pearl and Derek settled into a routine. She went for lessons one night a week, and Derek went to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On the other

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