Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

so far, he doesn’t usually come home during the week.’

      ‘Well, I never! That’s what I want to do,’ Roy informed her. ‘I’d really like to drive the wagons. I’ve asked for training, but I’m last in the line, seeing as I was last into the factory.’ Plucking the lump of meat pie from his collar he popped it into his mouth. ‘I thought I didn’t stand a cat in hell’s chance, but after what Jack just told me, I’m over the moon. What’s more I wouldn’t care if I was out all week.’

      Daisy didn’t think much to that. ‘What about your sweetheart?’ she asked. ‘How do you think she’d feel about that, eh?’

      ‘I’ve not got a sweetheart,’ he said cunningly, ‘so it won’t matter, will it?’

      Searching for some reassurance as to her own standing, Daisy was reluctant to let the matter go. ‘You might not have a sweetheart now, but what about in the future?’

      ‘I don’t expect I’ll have one in the future,’ he winked, ‘unless o’ course, you’re offering to be my sweetheart?’

      Daisy’s eyes shone. ‘We’ll have to see, won’t we?’

      ‘Looks like those two were made for each other,’ Jack whispered in Amy’s ear.

      Amy agreed. ‘They got off to a shocking start,’ she said, ‘but you’re right. They do seem to be getting on really well.’

      She had believed Roy to be a bad lot, but now, she wondered if maybe Daisy had been honest when she said how that first evening had ended was as much her fault as Roy’s. Even so, she told herself now, that wasn’t to say he was an angel.

      Recalling the previous conversation between herself and Amy, Daisy saw the chance to get an opinion from Roy. ‘What d’you think of Luke Hammond?’ she asked.

      ‘He’s all right,’ Roy said casually. ‘Mind you, we don’t see much of him on the shop floor. He tends to get on with other things, though he does walk through the factory every day, talking to the foreman and managers and such. He’s not one o’ them bosses who leave others to do his work. He likes to know what’s going on … keeps his finger on the pulse, as they say.’

      ‘That’s right,’ Jack readily agreed. ‘And if there’s ever any trouble he soon sorts it out, when nobody else can.’ He lowered his voice in respect. ‘If you ask me, he’s got more than his fair share o’ troubles at home. I expect you’ve heard how his wife got beat up and now she’s got some sort of brain damage … has these weird moods …’

      ‘Aye, that’s right,’ Roy chipped in. ‘Once she came round the factory, looking for him, asking questions and causing trouble. Stunning-looking woman, though. You’d never think she were round the bend.’

      Choosing to change the subject, Amy asked, ‘So you think Luke Hammond is a nice bloke?’

      ‘The best boss I’ve ever worked under,’ Roy said. ‘He keeps the factory rolling and keeps his workforce informed as to what’s happening. I expect your dad’s told you how we all thought we were for the high jump some time back, but it was exactly the opposite. When work got tight, Hammond went out and snatched a contract from under the noses of the big boys; enough to keep all of us in work for the foreseeable future. He gets my vote, I can tell you that!’

      Curious about Amy’s father, Roy asked, ‘What did you say your Dad’s name is? Atkinson?’

      ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ Amy thought it was one thing them knowing where she and Daisy worked, but it was another thing discussing her father.

      Sensing a deal of hostility, Roy realised he had not yet redeemed himself in Amy’s eyes. ‘Just curious, that’s all.’

      Feeling uneasy, Amy turned to Jack. ‘I’ll have to say good night,’ she said. ‘It’s time me and Daisy were headed home.’

      But Daisy had other ideas. ‘If it’s all right with you, lass, I won’t be coming home with you tonight.’

      Amy didn’t like what she was hearing. ‘So, where are you going?’

      When Daisy hesitated, Roy answered, ‘She’s coming home with me.’

      Amy’s fears grew. ‘Won’t your mam and dad have summat to say about you bringing a stranger home without warning?’

      ‘I’ve got my own place,’ he said. ‘But don’t you worry. She’ll be all right with me.’

      Seeing how worried Amy was, Daisy assured her, ‘It’s all right, Amy … really.’

      Amy didn’t like it. ‘I’d be happier if you came home with me, Daisy.’

      Daisy shook her head. ‘Not tonight, lass. Me and Roy have a lot to talk about.’

      As always, whatever Amy said, Daisy’s mind would not be changed.

      Jack also had a word with Roy, but he and Daisy were adamant. ‘We’re not kids. We know what we’re doing.’

      Amy and Jack watched them walk away. ‘I’m really worried,’ Amy said. ‘He tried to go too far with her once before. He could easily do it again, and we won’t be there to help her.’

      ‘He won’t do it again.’ Jack was certain. ‘The two of us have talked often about that night and I know he regrets it. Deep down he’s a good sort. I’ve never known him take to anybody the way he’s taken to Daisy.’

      Unconvinced, Amy was all for going after them, but he stopped her. ‘Trust me,’ he said, ‘he respects her. He won’t harm her.’

      ‘How well do you know him?’

      ‘Well enough.’ Cupping his fingers about hers, he took the liberty of tucking her arm through his.

      ‘You feel cold,’ he told her, and though her first instinct was to draw away, she found herself leaning into him. It was a curiously comforting feeling.

      Strolling down the street, Daisy and Roy had already agreed to forget what happened that night. ‘I overstepped the mark,’ Roy explained. ‘I honestly don’t know what came over me.’

      Every time he looked at Daisy, he felt a surge of need he had never felt with anyone else, but it wasn’t like before, when he had wanted to rip off her clothes and take her where she stood. Now, however, he had a deal of respect for her. There was something special about Daisy, he told himself. And somewhere beneath the laughter and bravado, he sensed a frightened, nervous creature who needed taking care of.

      ‘Amy thinks you’re trouble,’ Daisy remarked slyly. ‘Are you?’

      Roy smiled. ‘You’ve got a good friend there,’ he evaded answering.

      ‘So, are you trouble … like Amy said?’

      ‘I can be, yes.’

      ‘Should I avoid you then?’

      ‘I hope not.’

      ‘Give me a good reason?’

      ‘Is this good enough?’ Grabbing her by the shoulders he kissed her on the mouth, a rough, exciting kiss that sent her weak at the knees.

      Taking a moment to catch her breath, she laughed. ‘It’ll do for starters.’

      With his arm round her shoulders he drew her backwards to the wall. ‘I’ve done some bad things,’ he hesitantly confessed. ‘I’ve fought with everybody who ever disagreed with me … even put a fella in hospital once. I’ve stolen other fellas’ sweethearts just to prove I could, and I’ve led girls on, just to get what I wanted … if you know what I mean? I’ve broken into houses and stolen, and I’ve lied through my teeth whenever it suited me …’

      Now, as he saw how she was beginning to pull away, he held on to her. ‘NO! Please, Daisy, hear me out.’

      ‘Amy’s