Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection

‘Didn’t you have any friends?’

‘Just one,’ he said. ‘I was seventeen and in with a bad lot. Don was one of ’em, but he turned out to be a good mate. If it hadn’t been for Don, I might have got into even more trouble, but he watched out for me. Then we parted ways and I didn’t see him again until just recently. We bumped into each other at the pub and got talking. I told him I needed a regular place to stay, and he got me a room in a house near to him, in Johnson Street.’

Daisy had a reason for being curious. ‘What does he look like, this Don?’

‘He must be about twenty-five, I reckon … fairly well built; kinda handsome, in a rough-looking way.’ He smiled. ‘He’s good at charming the ladies, so I won’t be introducing him to you, that’s for sure.’

Daisy’s curiosity grew. ‘What’s his surname?’

‘Carson.’ He gave her a quizzical look. ‘His name is Don Carson. Why are you so interested?’

‘Don … Carson.’ Her eyes grew wide and bright as marbles. ‘Bugger me, Roy, it’s him! Don Carson is Amy’s ex-fiancé. They were due to be wed and he dumped her days beforehand, the swine!’

Though shocked that Daisy should know of his old friend, and that he was once engaged to Amy, Roy was not surprised.

‘He’s not the marrying kind,’ he told her. ‘What’s more, if you ask me, Amy had a good escape. He’d make the worst husband imaginable. He likes a drink and he loves the ladies, and, as far as I know, there’s never yet been one woman that could hold him.’

‘Well, I never!’ Daisy couldn’t get over it. ‘I wish you hadn’t told me now.’

‘It were you that asked,’ Roy protested light-heartedly.

‘I know that, and I wish I hadn’t.’

‘Will you tell Amy?’

‘I don’t know,’ Daisy answered. ‘If I did, what purpose would it serve?’

‘None that I can see, except for her to realise what a lucky escape she’s had.’

‘Oh, look, all that aside, I’m sorry I forced you to tell me all those other things … about you and your dad and that. But I’m glad you told me,’ Daisy said. ‘I understand you a lot better now.’

‘I’m glad too,’ he replied. In truth he was relieved to have told her.

Daisy went on, ‘You have to believe that what happened was not your fault. I know what it’s like for parents to do bad things that frighten you, and sometimes you get the blame. It makes it difficult to think you can rely on people, but, you know, you can trust me, Roy.’

He gave a small, harsh laugh. ‘Don’t be so quick,’ he urged. ‘You don’t know me well enough to think I’m worth the effort yet.’

‘What else is there for me to find out?’ Daisy asked. ‘You haven’t murdered anybody, have yer?’

‘No.’

‘And you haven’t set fire to anybody’s house, have yer?’

‘Not that I know of,’ he laughed. ‘Though I’ve slept in a few places where burning them down might be an improvement.’

‘And is there anything else you need to tell me?’

‘You’ve heard it all,’ he promised. ‘And I can see from your expression that you don’t like what you’ve heard.’

‘You’re right there,’ she answered honestly, and looming in her mind was Don Carson.

Roy’s face crumpled. ‘I knew it would turn you against me. That’s why I didn’t want you knowing,’ he groaned. ‘I knew you’d run a mile, the minute you heard what a bad ’un I’ve been.’

Raising her hand to touch his face, Daisy asked softly, ‘Do you see me running?’

When he looked at her now, she could have sworn there were tears in his eyes. ‘No.’ Wrapping both his arms round her, he held her. ‘So why aren’t you? I’m no good, Daisy. Happen I never will be. So why aren’t you off down the street, like a cat with its tail on fire?’

‘You’re right,’ she admitted. ‘If I had any sense that’s what I’d be doing all right – putting as much distance between you and me as I could. But then, I’ve never been known as a sensible person, so I’m not running and I don’t know why, so don’t ask me. But I’ll tell you something,’ she went on. ‘You mustn’t feel sorry for yourself, and you mustn’t think you’re the only one who’s ashamed of their parents.’

Now it was time for her to confess. ‘Mine fight and squabble all the time. They swear at the neighbours and they hurt each other until they draw blood. They’re selfish, shameful, and half crazy, and sometimes I wish I was a million miles away.’ Inclining her head to observe his reaction, she asked, ‘Is that all my fault, d’you think?’

He shook his head in disbelief. ‘Is it true … about your parents?’

‘True as I stand here.’

‘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.’