Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

be after one thing, and we all know what that is, don’t we?’

      Daisy gave a knowing wink. ‘It means they’d be after a bit of “how’s your father”.’

      ‘Right,’ Amy confirmed.

      ‘I’m not really sure I’d mind either,’ Daisy answered. ‘I’d mek the buggers pay top whack for their entertainment. Then I’d get my own place a damn sight sooner!’

      ‘Behave yourself,’ Amy told her. ‘We both know you wouldn’t sell yourself like that. Look, we’re here now, and don’t make eyes at every man in the room, or they’ll get the wrong idea.’

      ‘Trust me,’ Daisy said.

      Linking arms with Amy, she pushed her forward. ‘I don’t want no trouble. I’m just here for a good time. All right, lass?’

      ‘So make sure you stick to that,’ Amy said. She knew from experience that when she and Daisy went out together, the evening could end unpredictably.

      As they went through the doors and into the bar, Amy glanced at Daisy, who was already casting her net for any good-looking, unattached young men.

      She smiled inwardly. Daisy was Daisy and try as you might, you would never change her.

      ‘By heck!’ Daisy gave Amy a sly little dig with her elbow. ‘Look, lass!’ Grabbing Amy, she then drew her aside, at the same time pointing to the two young men at the bar. ‘It’s them!’

      Following Daisy’s gaze, Amy heart sank when she recognised the two blokes they’d tangled with last spring. ‘You’re right,’ she whispered. ‘It’s them all right.’

      Daisy began backing away. ‘We’d best get out of here, before they see us.’

      ‘No!’ Standing her ground, Amy declared, ‘We’re not leaving. We’ve as much right to be here as they have.’

      Daisy couldn’t believe her ears. ‘Bloody hell, lass,’ she groaned. ‘Have you forgotten what happened?’

      ‘I haven’t forgotten,’ she replied defiantly, ‘nor have I forgotten what that devious little squirt was up to when I interfered. For all I know he meant to have you by any means he could, and if I hadn’t dived in, he probably would have done. No, Daisy. We’re staying! If anybody needs to leave, it’s them.’ With that she marched forward to the bar, with Daisy clinging on to her arm for all she was worth.

      In a strong, clear voice Amy ordered, ‘Two sarsaparillas please, barman, and a packet of pork scratchings.’

      Daisy whispered, ‘What did you order them for?’

      ‘Because we always have pork scratchings.’

      Daisy groaned. ‘Well, you can pay for ’em, and you can eat ’em. I ate enough food at your house to last me all week.’

      Addressing the barman, Amy said, ‘Forget the scratchings. We’ll just have the sarsaparilla.’

      Grumbling and groaning he replaced the packet of scratchings on the shelf. ‘Women!’ he muttered. ‘Never can mek their mind up.’

      Catching sight of the two young men out the corner of her eye, Daisy tugged at Amy’s sleeve. ‘Don’t look now, lass, but they’re coming this way!’

      Wishing they had given the Grand a miss tonight, Amy told her, ‘Ignore them, and they’ll go away.’

      But they didn’t, and a moment later they were standing before the girls; the tall one looking unsure of himself, and the other one braving it out as though nothing had happened. Amy couldn’t believe the nerve of them.

      ‘Well! Would you believe it?’ It was the short one who spoke first. ‘We meet again, eh?’ Encouraged by the twinkle in Daisy’s eyes, he reminded her, ‘I’m Roy Williams.’ Gesturing to his friend, he addressed himself to Amy. ‘This ’ere’s my mate, Jack Tomlinson.’

      Angered by his bare-faced cheek, Amy confronted him. ‘I think you’d best clear off,’ she answered haughtily, ‘before I call somebody to have you thrown out.’

      His mate quickly stepped forward. ‘There were misunderstandings on both sides. What say we call a truce?’ Looking from one to the other, he waited for an answer.

      ‘Depends.’ Daisy spoke out. It was clear she was still attracted to the other young man, who by now was giving her the wink.

      ‘On what?’ Appraising Daisy from head to toe, the smaller man smiled confidently.

      ‘On two conditions.’

      ‘And what might they be?’

      ‘Firstly, you apologise for what you did.’

      Looking uncomfortable, he dropped his gaze to the floor. ‘I was carried away. I didn’t mean anything by it.’

      ‘That’s not an apology!’

      ‘All right! I’m sorry.’ He turned to his friend. ‘We’re both sorry.’

      ‘That’s right,’ Jack readily agreed. ‘We’re sorry about what happened. It ruined what seemed like the start of a good relationship.’

      ‘Now then! Is that enough for you?’ Roy asked Daisy.

      ‘Yes. Your apology is accepted.’

      ‘So we can be friends, can we?’

      ‘Not yet,’ Daisy reminded him. ‘I said there were two conditions.’

      ‘So, what’s the second?’

      Daisy surprised them all with her quick smile and her bold answer. ‘Now that you’ve apologised, you can dance with me.’

      ‘DAISY!’ Drawing her aside, Amy was flabbergasted. ‘What the devil are you playing at?’

      ‘Look, Amy, if they want to make friends, why can’t we?’ Giving her glass of sarsaparilla to Amy, Daisy reasoned, ‘I think they’ve learned their lesson.’

      ‘Well, I don’t! That Roy fella is arrogant as ever.’

      ‘Don’t worry, lass,’ Daisy whispered. ‘I can handle him now.’

      Amy couldn’t help but worry and said so.

      Daisy wasn’t listening. ‘I’ve seen the other blokes on offer round here,’ she said, ‘and I wouldn’t give ’em house room.’

      Just then the music struck up; Roy asked her if she wanted this dance, and like the devil-may-care creature she was, Daisy fell into his arms and quickly led him onto the dance floor.

      ‘Well, I never!’ In spite of a niggling worry in the back of her mind, Amy had to smile. ‘I can talk till I’m blue in the face, and she takes not one blind bit of notice.’

      ‘And what about you?’ Suddenly, Jack was standing before her, his warm gaze inviting. ‘Fancy a twirl on the dance floor, do you?’

      ‘No, thanks all the same.’ She had a feeling he was genuine in his apology but she felt embarrassed about the whole incident and didn’t want reminding.

      Excusing herself, she walked the few paces to a nearby table where she set the drinks down.

      He followed her. ‘Do you mind if I sit beside you?’

      She was annoyed yet curious. ‘Sit where you like,’ she said, ‘but don’t think you’re forgiven for what you and your mate did.’ Best to face it out, pretend she hadn’t panicked.

      He sat down. ‘Can I ask you summat?’

      Taking a sip of her drink, Amy shrugged. ‘Ask away.’

      ‘Will you please tell me what I did wrong that night?’

      ‘What d’you mean?’

      He