Far From Home. Anne Bennett

tonight?’

      Kate hesitated, but only for a moment or two before she said, ‘Yes, I will.’

      ‘Oh, good for you,’ Susie cried, throwing her arms around her friend. ‘I am so happy for you and I know David will be too.’

      David was so happy that Kate felt humbled and she did have a truly wonderful time. Sally was right for once – the film was well worth seeing – and they came out on a high. When David saw Kate home and she asked him in for a drink before he went on his way, he didn’t hesitate.

      ‘I’ve nothing stronger than tea, I’m afraid.’

      ‘Tea will do me fine,’ David said.

      ‘And you can help me share that second box of chocolates you bought me,’ Kate said. ‘You must stop spoiling me like this. If I was to eat all the chocolates you bought I would soon be the size of a house.’

      ‘Ah, but you don’t know how long I’ve wanted to spoil you,’ David said, and Kate was surprised at the lump that lodged in her throat at the sincerity in David’s voice.

      They were still sitting talking, mainly discussing the film, when Sally came home. Phillip Reynard took her as far as the door of the flat. Hearing them bid each other goodnight, Kate suddenly realized that she should at least meet the young man her younger sister was so fond of, so she invited him in. She could see how pleased her sister was by the big beam plastered across her face as she took Phillip’s hand and drew him into the room.

      Kate told Susie all about it on her way to work the following morning. She also admitted that she had seldom had such a good time as she’d had with David at the cinema.

      ‘And did you ask David in this time?’ Susie wanted to know.

      ‘I did,’ Kate said. ‘In fact, I went further than that, because when Phillip brought Sally home a little later I asked him in as well.’

      ‘Golly,’ Susie said. ‘That is a turn-up for the book. I thought you didn’t really approve.’

      Kate shrugged. ‘I haven’t any right to try and control Sally’s life. On the whole I think she has turned out far better than I thought she would when she first arrived, and really they are doing no harm. As he is her choice, I thought I ought to get to know him better.’

      ‘And?’

      ‘He is a very kindly young man,’ Kate said. ‘And one who is extremely caring towards his mother. Apart from that, he had an open face. You know the sort of thing I mean?’

      ‘Yeah,’ Susie said. ‘So, he looks quite honest and genuine?’

      ‘Yeah,’ Kate said. ‘And he’s got dark blond hair, these lovely dark brown eyes and full lips.’ And here she smiled and said, ‘Sally would probably describe them as kissable.’

      ‘Really?’

      ‘Well, she asked me if David had kissable lips the first time I went out with him.’

      ‘Oh, did she?’ Susie said and asked coyly. ‘And what was your answer?’

      ‘I told her that it was none of her business and I’m telling you the same. We are discussing Phil Reynard, not me and David. All I can say is that he is a personable young man and quite handsome without being cocky and I can quite see the attraction.’

      ‘And, how is he with Sally?’

      ‘He appears to love her to distraction,’ Kate said ruefully.

      ‘So, has that laid some of your worries to rest?’

      ‘In a way, because it pleases me that she has chosen a decent man for herself,’ Kate said. ‘David got on with him very well too, because he was asking him all about his job and it was interesting. I just made more tea and we sat on until the early hours. I tell you, I didn’t want to get up this morning. Lucky Sally, who can have a lie-in.’

      ‘Doesn’t hurt to go to bed late once in a while.’

      ‘Suppose not,’ Kate said. ‘Tell you what surprised me about David, though. When Sally and I went to wash out the cups and make more tea, he got talking with Phil about what he would do in the event of a war. I ask you. I mean, what war? Anyway, David told Phil that he and Nick will be going for the Air Force.’

      ‘God,’ Susie said with a slight shiver. ‘You would never get me up in one of those planes.’

      ‘Nor me,’ Kate said in agreement. ‘My mother used to say that if God had wanted us to fly he would have fitted us with wings.’

      ‘She might have a point, but anyway, I don’t cross bridges before I come to them,’ Susie said. ‘Let’s talk about more important things, like you and David and how much you enjoyed the evening.’

      ‘I had a truly terrific time,’ Kate said. ‘David was really good company and later I was pleased that he got on so well with Sally and Phil.’

      ‘Oh, David would get on with anyone – he’s so accommodating,’ Susie said.

      Kate nodded. ‘He is that,’ she said. ‘He’s a lovely person.’

      Susie heard the gentle tone in Kate’s voice and she smiled as she said, ‘Did you reward this lovely person and give him a proper kiss goodnight?’

      ‘That’s none of your business,’ Kate said, and she was very glad the next stop was theirs as she was able to hide the telltale flush that flooded her cheeks at the memory of those kisses that had taken her a little by surprise. She knew that if Sally was to ask her now the same question she had asked her on Christmas Day, she would be able to tell her that David’s lips were very kissable, very sweet altogether. But that news was not for sharing.

      There was a lot of chatter that morning in the cloakroom as the girls discussed what sort of Christmas they had all had and the forthcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations. It seemed that everyone had something planned, and Kate was suddenly very glad that she was going to the Ball with David and could share that news around. ‘You dark horse,’ remarked the girl who worked at the machine behind hers. ‘Didn’t think anyone would match your high standards.’

      ‘I don’t have high standards.’

      ‘Well, you must have summat,’ another put in. ‘’Cos I’ve seen the boys near turning cartwheels on the dance floor to get your attention.’

      ‘Nonsense,’ Kate said, but she was laughing at the image that conjured up.

      ‘It ain’t nonsense,’ said the first girl. ‘You must have noticed it too, Susie.’

      Susie shrugged. ‘That’s just Kate,’ she said. ‘But she has got David now and he is really lovely.’

      ‘Will you lot stop talking about me as if I wasn’t here,’ Kate complained. ‘I’m just glad that New Year’s Eve falls on Saturday this year,’ and there was a chorus of agreement to that.

      ‘It means that I can have my hair done that day and I intend going down the Bull Ring to see if something festive catches my eye,’ Susie said. ‘Fancy coming with me, Kate?’

      ‘You bet,’ Kate said. ‘In fact, you try and stop me.’

      ‘What would we all do without the Rag Market?’ one girl remarked, and another said, ‘I don’t know. C and A does some nice stuff and it’s reasonable enough.’

      ‘Yeah, they are all right for daytime use,’ the first girl said. ‘But you need more glamour for night-time.’

      ‘Oh, no,’ Susie said in disagreement. ‘I’ve got some lovely things at C and A, and for this New Year’s Ball, that’s where I am going to go first.’

      ‘Yeah, I think I will too,’ Kate said. ‘Can’t hurt to have a look, anyway.’

      ‘Come on, Kate,’ shouted another girl, ‘you’d look