Free A Daughter's Disgrace by Kitty Neale Page A

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    â€˜What sort of material are you thinking about for our frocks, Hazel?’ asked Linda, who’d spent the last half-hour upstairs with her sisters, getting measured up. ‘Did you have a colour in mind?’
    â€˜Something to go with my hair,’ said Hazel, pushing an auburn wave back over her ear. She was very proud of her hair but knew she’d have to avoid reds and pinks. ‘Probably green or blue. Suppose I’ll have to see what Joe Philpott’s got going. He said he’d keep an eye out for something nice for me.’
    â€˜He’d do that, he’s got a soft spot for you,’ said Linda. ‘What about your dress? Will he get that fabric too?’
    â€˜I’m still hoping I can buy one,’ said Hazel. ‘Of course if Alison hadn’t messed up her job interview at that place …’
    â€˜Then you wouldn’t be eating ham sandwiches now,’ said Alison. ‘And we can all enjoy this whereas it’s only you who gets to wear a big white wedding dress.’
    â€˜Can I have a special dress?’ asked June. She wasn’t sure what they were talking about but she did like getting new clothes.
    â€˜We’ll see,’ said Linda, ‘but you can’t go getting jam over it.’ She wiped her daughter’s face with her handkerchief. ‘That’s better. Maybe you can have a frock trimmed with the same pattern that Mummy and Auntie Alison will be wearing.’
    Hazel knew that June would steal the show if she was a flower girl and couldn’t work out if that would be good or not. Would it take attention away from her? ‘We’ve got to get enough for Kathy’s dress as well so I ain’t sure if there will be enough …’
    â€˜Don’t worry, I didn’t mean you’d have to fork out for another one,’ said Linda, helping herself to another sandwich. ‘I only meant if there were scraps left over we could make a bow or a ruffle or something like that. If it’s a problem then Terry will be happy to pay. He’s doing really well at the moment.’
    â€˜That’s good,’ said Hazel, secretly seething that Terry was, yet again, such a success. She felt sure Linda was only saying it to emphasise how little Neville earned by comparison. That was so unfair – he couldn’t even join them for tea because he was doing extra shifts this weekend.
    â€˜We’re lucky, I know,’ said Linda. ‘Not everyone is a good provider like my Terry.’
    â€˜I’m sure we can manage something for June,’ Cora said. She’d love to see the girl be part of the proceedings. ‘Maybe a little waistcoat and hairband?’ She ruffled her granddaughter’s golden curls. ‘Blue or green would go with her colouring.’
    Hazel decided that having Linda, Kathy and now June as her attendants would make it less likely everyone would notice Alison so much. ‘You’re right, Mum,’ she said. ‘She’ll look gorgeous. Could you do that, June? Maybe hold a special bunch of flowers at my wedding?’
    June smiled happily, enjoying being the centre of attention.
    â€˜How’s the new job, Alison?’ asked Linda. ‘What’s it like working for Fred?’
    â€˜He’s been very kind,’ said Alison. ‘All the blood and stuff turned my stomach to start with but I’m getting used to it. I haven’t been sick for ages.’
    â€˜For God’s sake, you never told us that,’ exclaimed Cora. She wondered that her daughter hadn’t been sacked on the spot. ‘You need to toughen up and fast, my girl. If his customers find out you’ve been throwing up round the back they’ll stop coming and then where will you be? Well, you’re used to being out of work, but think of poor Fred. You don’t want to ruin his business when he’s been so good as to help you out.’
    â€˜I’m sure it’s