Free Sunlight on the Mersey by Lyn Andrews

met Florence I . . .’ He paused briefly. ‘The thing is . . . I’d like your permission to ask Florence out, sir. I haven’t said anything to her yet, I . . . I wanted to do things correctly, ask you first if it would be all right.’
    Edward Taylor was taken aback. It was the last thing he had expected to hear. He’d begun to wonder if it was a job the lad had in mind and had already begun to formulate his reply. ‘So she doesn’t know about this visit and you don’t know if she will agree?’ He frowned, wishing Ethel were here. ‘She’s very young, you know.’
    ‘I’m aware of that, she’s the same age as Iris, but I don’t want to rush things or anything. I’d just like to get to know her better, sir.’
    The older man nodded slowly. He’d always known the day would come when Florence would start walking out but she’d never given any indication that she was interested in anyone. She might well turn the lad down. ‘I can’t see that there’s any harm in asking her. What do you do for a job, Charlie?’
    ‘I’m a clerk in the offices of the Blue Funnel Line. I started as an office boy at fourteen, after I left school, but I’m hoping that I’ll get a better position in the company soon. They did take me back when I returned at the end of the war.’
    ‘You were fortunate to have come through that bloodbath. Which regiment were you with?’
    ‘The Eighteenth Battalion, the King’s Liverpool Regiment.’
    Edward Taylor looked grim. ‘The Pals’ Regiment. Slaughtered like cattle at Montauban. Three men from this road died in the trenches there. I’ve the greatest respect and admiration for everyone who fought and died. Were you wounded?’
    ‘Just a flesh wound in the arm but it was certainly no picnic, sir, and I find it . . . difficult to talk about it. But it’s over now and I’m trying to put it all behind me and look to the future. As I said, I’m hoping to be promoted soon and then . . . well, I suppose if and when my father decides to retire I’ll take over from him.’
    ‘Ah, yes. He has a pawnbroking business, I understand.’
    Charlie smiled. ‘Inherited from my grandfather.’
    ‘As was my own business. My grandfather started with a handcart, then progressed to a horse and cart. Backbone of the economy, Charlie, small family businesses, and I imagine in these hard times your father’s is essential,’ Florence’s father commented approvingly. ‘Well, I can’t see that either my wife or myself have any objection to you asking Florence out, Charlie, but I suppose you have considered that she may well refuse?’
    ‘I have but I’m hoping she’ll agree.’ Charlie stood up and held out his hand. ‘Thank you, sir, both for your permission and for your time.’
    Edward Taylor shook his hand warmly. ‘Then we might be seeing more of you in the future, Charlie.’
    Charlie smiled back, feeling very relieved. ‘I certainly hope so.’
    When the lad had gone Edward went back to his newspaper but he couldn’t concentrate. It was disconcerting to think that Florence – his little girl – was growing up.
    He relayed the reason and details of Charlie’s visit to his wife when she returned.
    ‘He wants to ask Florence out? You mean he wants to court her? They hardly know each other, Edward,’ Ethel said, frowning.
    He sighed. ‘That’s the very reason why he wants to ask her out, Ethel. To get to know her and vice versa. He seemed decent enough and I thought he was exceptionally well mannered to come and ask me first.’
    Ethel wasn’t at all happy. ‘Yes, well, but . . . but I always thought that when she started courting it would be someone with . . . excellent prospects.’
    ‘You mean you wanted someone better for her than a shipping clerk? He’s ambitious, his father has a business and the lad has only asked that they be allowed to get to know each other better, Ethel. He hasn’t asked to marry her. It might come to nothing; she might even refuse him. Let’s not