Free The Birthday Present by Pamela Oldfield

while she waited for the kettle to boil she hurried back to him. ‘There’s a sister named Letitia and she’s marrying this terribly posh man and she said she would invite me to the wedding!’
    ‘Invite you to the wedding? Never!’
    ‘She said she would! Because her brother Marcus – the one who collected me – doesn’t have anyone he can take so  . . .’
    His expression softened. ‘Look Rosie, you mustn’t set your heart on it. See, people like that, they say things in the heat of the moment. They mean well but then they forget all about it. I don’t want you to be disappointed, that’s all. I don’t want you getting all upset when the invite doesn’t come. If it doesn’t, I mean.’
    ‘It will come, Pa. I know it will. Letitia is not the sort to—’
    ‘Just don’t get your hopes up, Rosie. That’s all I’m saying.’
    Rose swallowed an angry retort, knowing that her father’s concern was genuine.
    He said, ‘So did he pay you what he promised? Half a guinea, wasn’t it?’
    ‘Yes, he did! Ten shillings and sixpence! I feel rich for the first time in my life.’ She grinned with delight but then looked serious. ‘And I’m not going to spend it all in a rush but  . . . here you are!’ She drew some coins from her pocket and handed him three shillings. ‘Buy some cigarettes, Pa, or a few drinks – or even a few pairs of socks or a shirt.’
    He took the money with obvious disappointment. ‘Three shillings?’ When she failed to rise to the bait he sighed loudly. ‘And what would I want with a new shirt? I’m not going anywhere.’
    ‘No, but I am. I’m going to a posh wedding and I’m going in style. Lord knows who I’ll meet there and I don’t want to look like the poor relation! I need a new hat and shoes—’
    ‘You mean you’re going to fritter it all on clothes!’
    Rose sat down and regarded him earnestly. ‘Pa, you have to understand something. Suddenly I’ve got chances to better myself and I mean to take them. For a start there’s the wedding but there’s something else. Marcus’s brother is going to introduce me to a friend of his who owns a supper room ! He might give me a singing spot. On stage! And my name might be on the programme. “Starring Miss Lamore!”’ She struck a pose, arms outstretched, and smiled at an invisible audience.
    He seemed unimpressed so she rushed on. ‘A real job, Pa, and I’ll be paid regularly. I’ll be on the way up! You can come and have some supper and watch me sing. You’ll love it.’
    Her father’s eyes had narrowed, she noticed, and her heart sank. He was going to pooh-pooh it!
    ‘Oh yes? A decent chap, is he, this man?’
    ‘Well of course he is. Steven would never introduce me to somebody shady. I told you, the Bennleys are a very nice family—’
    ‘No, Rosie. The Bennley’s seem like a very nice family. You don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, so to speak. All families put on a face for outsiders. They’re probably no better and no worse than most.’
    Mortified, Rose snapped, ‘Like us, you mean. Like the Patons.’
    ‘If you like, yes.’
    ‘Dark secrets!’ She regretted the jibe as soon as it was uttered but too late.
    Her father looked uncomfortable. ‘Just don’t trust them a hundred per cent.’
    ‘At least the police weren’t knocking at their door before anyone was up!’
    Rose wanted to hit him. Now her father was spoiling everything, pouring cold water on her wonderful news. She said spitefully, ‘And please, Dad, don’t lose all that money on the horses.’
    ‘The horses?’ For a moment he looked puzzled; then he grinned. ‘Oh! The horses! Now when do I ever lose on a race?’
    ‘I wouldn’t know, would I, because you only ever tell me when you win!’
    Before the argument could become more heated she changed the subject. In a lighter tone she asked, ‘Now, do you fancy some ham and stuff? I’ll put it on a plate.’
    ‘Ooh, we are la-di-da!’ he mocked. ‘Just give it to