Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 2: The Loner, Born Bad, Three Letters. Josephine Cox

shift at the workshop today. So that’s neither of us can come an’ taste your mam’s cooking. You just give her our kindest regards, love.’

      Before she left to go on to Annie’s, Judy gave Joseph a kiss on his leathery cheek. ‘Take care of yourself,’ she said. ‘I’ll come and visit again, if that’s all right?’

      ‘Goes without saying,’ he assured her. ‘The very sight of you in this house does my heart good. And happen the next time you come by, there’ll be news of our Davie, eh?’ He walked her to the door, where he gave her a hug. ‘Don’t you be a stranger now.’

      ‘I won’t.’

      He watched her start off then he returned to his parlour and his armchair, and the dream of having his family all together under the one roof. ‘God bless and forgive you, Rita,’ he prayed. ‘I can’t stay angry with you, not when I know the fault started long ago, when you were little, and your wayward mammy was the worst example you could have had.’ He nodded off, thinking of his beautiful Marie, and remembering her sitting up in bed, holding their newborn daughter in her arms. And for these precious minutes, his world was full of light.

Chapter Fifteen

      JUDY WAS HALFWAY down Derwent Street when she heard her name being called. ‘Hey, Judy! Hang on a minute!’ It was Lenny. Panting, he caught up with her. ‘Been to see Joseph, have you?’ Coming out of the door to see her there was a lovely surprise. He, Annie and Judy were all the best of friends. Annie was always much calmer in Lenny’s company, and Judy herself loved the straightforward and humorous nature of him. They all looked out for each other, and it was great.

      As they walked on together, the girl told him what Joseph had said. ‘Don is in a bit of a state,’ she said.

      ‘So I gather,’ Lenny answered. ‘I sat on the step with Joseph the other day, and he told me how Don took it real bad about Rita and his son. From what I understand, he blames himself for what happened.’

      ‘I expect it will be a long time before he comes to terms with the death of Rita,’ Judy commented sadly. ‘We’ve had five years to get used to what happened, but it’s all quite fresh for him, poor man.’

      ‘You’re right,’ Lenny said. ‘But when he’s saved enough to carry them through, he’ll take off after Davie. By that time, things won’t be so raw, and Don will have a clearer mind.’

      Judy felt content in Lenny’s company. He was so kind and sensible. ‘How’s your business going?’ she asked.

      ‘Really well.’ He smiled down at her. ‘I’m hoping to complete on the shop soon. It’s taken me ages to get the deposit, but the bank are helping me.’

      Judy was pleased for him. ‘Davie always said you’d go up in the world.’

      ‘And what about you?’

      ‘What d’you mean?’

      ‘Did you think I’d go up in the world?’

      ‘Of course. Everyone did.’ She was utterly sincere, and his heart swelled with pride.

      ‘Oh, Judy,’ he burst out. ‘I’ve got such plans. And Annie, you know, she’s such a help. She works so hard, harder than any man, and all the customers love her. With her at my side, I’ll be unstoppable! Before I’m done, I mean to have a chain of shops in every major town. I’ll buy a big house on Preston New Road and fill it with beautiful furniture – made by Don.’ And it would be all for her, he thought, if only he could make her love him.

      Judy was so happy for him. ‘You’ll do whatever you set out to do,’ she encouraged. ‘I just know it.’

      ‘Oh, and I’d love to see the world later on, see what it has to offer. I could put some responsible manager – Annie, if she’s agreeable – in charge of my shops and take off for a whole year.’

      ‘You might be lonely.’ Judy had always seen Lenny as a shrewd, natural businessman. But he was homegrown and proud of his town and, as far as she knew, he had never strayed outside of Lancashire.

      Summoning every ounce of his courage, Lenny took her by the arm and gently drew her aside. ‘I wouldn’t be lonely if you were with me.’

      Taken aback, the girl was momentarily lost for words.

      ‘I love you,’ he whispered urgently. ‘I’ve always loved you.’

      She gave a nervous little laugh. ‘You can’t love me! Don’t talk like that, Lenny.’

      ‘But it’s true, and I know you feel something for me, Judy. At least, I hope so … oh, I do hope so.’

      Afraid of hurting him, she said softly, ‘I like you, yes of course I do, Lenny, but as a friend.’

      ‘You could learn to love me though, couldn’t you?’

      Unnerved and unsure, she walked on, and he went with her. ‘Lenny, I don’t know what to say,’ she told him eventually. ‘I never knew you felt like that about me, and I wish I could say I felt the same way, but I don’t … I can’t!’

      Desperate now, he drew her to a halt again. ‘Is that because you love Davie, the same way I love you? Is that why you can’t love me?’

      Judy took a moment to answer. ‘I didn’t realise how I felt about Davie, until he went away,’ she explained. ‘Davie was just Davie – part of my life, part of my growing up. He was always there, ever since I can remember. We were best friends, and then, after he’d gone … I felt different somehow. I didn’t understand at first, but I do now. And yes, I do love him – in the same way you say you love me. I’m sorry, Lenny. Really I am.’

      ‘But he might not love you in that way.’ The words were harsh.

      ‘I know.’

      ‘If he did love you, he would have been back long ago.’ Harsher still.

      ‘I know that too.’

      ‘Oh, Judy! One way or another, you’re bound to get hurt,’Lenny warned.‘If he comes back and your love isn’t returned, how will you feel then? And besides, Davie may never come back.’ In a way, Lenny wished he wouldn’t. ‘But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be here, loving—’

      ‘Stop!’ Putting her fingers against his mouth, Judy said, ‘Please, Lenny, don’t say any more. I don’t want our friendship to be spoiled. I just want things to go on as they were … please?’

      ‘I’m sorry.’ He took hold of her hand and for a moment held it tight, before drawing away. ‘I don’t want to lose what we have either,’ he told her, ‘so I promise not to mention it again. But I won’t ever give up.’ He smiled, a quick bright smile that belied the bitter disappointment. ‘Deal?’

      She nodded. ‘It’s a deal.’

      Reaching down, he gave her a fleeting kiss on the side of her face. ‘See you later then?’

      ‘Yes, Lenny,’ she answered. ‘See you later.’

      Another smile, then he turned on his heel and was gone.

      Her mind alive with the conversation between herself and Lenny, Judy hurried away to Annie’s house. She could not rid herself of what Lenny had just told her. She went deep inside herself to find a response to his love, but there was nothing, except fondness and respect, and a long-standing friendship between herself, Lenny and Annie.

      The thought of Annie brought her up sharply. Something about Annie’s face whenever she talked about Lenny, who was her boss these days, as well as her friend, made her stop and think. But then she dismissed it, because Annie would have told her if