Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

      ‘It’s not your fault,’ he murmured.

      ‘That’s right,’ Daisy agreed, ‘same as what happened to you is not your fault.’

      ‘D’you know what I think?’ he whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder.

      ‘I expect you’ll tell me.’ Reaching out, she laid her hand over his and kept him there.

      He smiled appreciatively. ‘I think you and me were made for each other.’

      ‘You could be right,’ she said. ‘We’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?’

      Now that the air was cleared and they understood each other, they went off down the street hand in hand, making plans together – and beginning to fall in love.

      Not too far away, Amy and Jack had also been getting to know each other.

      ‘It’s good that we’re friends again.’ Ever since leaving the Grand he had longed to take her in his arms, but there was something about her that warned him off. ‘You do trust me now, don’t you, Amy?’

      ‘I think so,’ she answered, smiling up at him. ‘I can’t say you’ve done anything tonight to make me think bad of you.’

      ‘I’m glad about that.’ He smiled down at her.

      She wasn’t the prettiest girl he’d ever walked home, he thought, but she was lovely. She was kind and thoughtful, and very caring; he had seen that side of her when she was so concerned about her friend Daisy. There was a warmth about Amy that shone through, and those deep blue eyes were enchanting. No, he thought, she had more about her than mere prettiness.

      ‘I’d like to see you again … if that’s all right with you?’ he asked tentatively.

      Amy nodded. ‘I’d like that, yes.’

      Before he could go on, she drew to a halt. ‘We’d best part company here.’ They were already at the foot of Montague Street. From here it was only a step or so to Derwent Street, and though she thought she liked him, she didn’t want him to know where she lived, at least not yet.

      ‘I don’t like to leave you in the dark like this,’ Jack said worriedly. ‘Why don’t you let me take you all the way home? You never know who’s about this time o’ night.’

      Touched by his concern, Amy assured him, ‘I’ll be fine. I’ve walked up this street in the dark so many times I’ve lost count, and I’ve never yet been worried.’

      Her remark brought a smile to his face. ‘I’d chase you at the drop of a hat.’ Looking at her now, he thought he’d gladly jump in the River Ribble for just one kiss.

      ‘Besides, I only live five minutes away.’

      ‘Are you ashamed of me?’ he asked.

      Amy was taken aback. ‘No. What made you say that?’

      ‘Because this is the first time a girl hasn’t let me take her right to the front door, so there has to be a reason. Either you’re ashamed of me … or you still don’t trust me. Which is it?’

      Amy laughed. ‘I’ve no reason to be ashamed of you,’ she answered.

      ‘Ah! So that means you still don’t trust me.’

      ‘It might,’ she admitted. ‘Oh, look, it’s just that, for now, it might be better if you didn’t know where I lived, that’s all.’

      ‘What? So I’ll not be able to come knocking and worrying you to go out with me?’

      She laughed again. ‘Something like that.’

      ‘What if I followed you?’

      ‘You won’t.’ She had learned enough about him to know he wouldn’t stoop to such a thing.

      ‘No, you’re right. I wouldn’t do that. If you don’t want me to know where you live, that’s an end to it.’ Placing his hands on her shoulders, he asked hopefully, ‘You will see me again, though, won’t you?’

      ‘Yes, I’d like that.’

      ‘All right … when?’

      She gazed up at him, her heart beating fast as their eyes met. He had such sincerity, she thought. ‘I’m not surprised you made it to foreman,’ she remarked. ‘I’m sure with your dogged attitude it won’t be long before you make manager.’

      ‘Next year,’ he remarked casually, ‘I intend making manager next year.’

      ‘Oh? So you’ve set yourself a target, have you?’ Amy was impressed.

      ‘Aye,’ he declared confidently. ‘And one day I’ll have my own factory, you see if I don’t!’

      ‘I expect you will,’ she said mischievously. ‘Happen you’ll have more than one – happen you’ll have them across the length and breadth of Lancashire.’

      Throwing back his head he laughed out loud, a deep, musical laugh that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. ‘One thing at a time, if you please,’ he said. ‘Let’s not run before we can walk.’

      They set off walking again, but slower this time, with Jack persisting, ‘You didn’t say when we could meet again?’

      ‘Next Saturday?’ she suggested. ‘Unless you’re busy doing something else?’

      Again, he drew her to a halt. ‘If I was – though it happens I’m not – I’d cancel whatever it was,’ he promised. ‘To tell you the truth, Amy, I don’t think I can wait a whole week before I see you again.’

      ‘Well, you’ll have to,’ she replied firmly. ‘Saturday is the best time for me, so it’s that or nothing.’

      ‘Then it’ll have to be Saturday,’ he conceded. ‘And will you change your mind about letting me walk you home?’

      She smiled. ‘One thing at a time,’ she mimicked, wagging a finger. ‘Let’s not run before we can walk.’

      His face wreathed in a gentle smile, he nodded. ‘You’ve got me there,’ he acknowledged.

      ‘Good night then, Jack.’

      ‘Good night, Amy.’

      As Amy turned away he laid his hands on her shoulders and tenderly swung her round. He didn’t say anything and neither did she, but she knew he wanted to kiss her, and she wanted the same.

      When he bent his head towards her, for a brief moment she remembered the man who had kissed her and betrayed her, and she wanted to turn away, but a deeper instinct kept her there. She raised her lips to his and when the softness of his mouth was pressed against hers, she enjoyed the experience to the full.

      When it was over, he dropped his arms to his sides, his voice tender. ‘Good night, Amy.’

      Amy nodded, and walked on, her heart beating fifteen to the dozen and her lips tingling from Jack’s kiss. ‘That was nice,’ she murmured. But that’s all it was, she thought. At that vulnerable moment the image of her ex-fiancé had come into her mind. She wasn’t ready for a serious relationship just yet. She quickened her steps.

      ‘AMY … WAIT!’

      Coming to a halt she turned to see Jack running after her. ‘I forgot to ask … where will we meet?’

      She’d forgotten as well. ‘I’ll be up Corporation Park … about half-past two,’ she laughed. ‘Oh, and don’t forget to bring a bag o’ bread when you come.’

      When he looked at her in disbelief she explained, ‘We often feed the ducks on a Saturday, me and Johnny.’

      ‘Who’s Johnny?’

      ‘A fella I know. Good-looking and fun to be with, he is.’

      ‘And