Free Sing as We Go by Margaret Dickinson

programme. And I want to see every second of the gorgeous Tyrone . . .’
    Kathy walked along the dark street. Her thoughts in a dream world, she scarcely heard Amy’s ceaseless chatter.
    Mr Kendall – Tony – had asked her to go out with him.

 

    Eight
    ‘So, did you enjoy the cinema last night?’ Jemima enquired as they trudged up Steep Hill towards the cathedral the following morning.
    ‘It was great,’ Amy enthused, ‘but Kathy seemed lost in a little world of her own.’ She laughed. ‘I think she must have fallen in love with Tyrone. Mind you,’ she sighed ecstatically, ‘can’t say I blame her.’
    Kathy smiled but said nothing. The truth was that the handsome and dashing Tyrone Power had reminded her very much of Tony Kendall. He had the same dark hair and eyes, the same handsome face and that smile! Oh, his heartbreaking smile was just the same . . .
    ‘Dear me, I’ll have to stop for a moment.’ Jemima interrupted Kathy’s daydreams and brought her back down to earth. ‘I’m sure this hill gets steeper every week.’
    All three of them paused for Jemima to catch her breath and Kathy looked about her. On either side of the steep, uneven road, quaint old buildings huddled together: dusty second-hand bookshops, crowded antique shops and artists’ galleries. There were little tea-rooms too, enticing the weary walker struggling up the hill to step inside the old-world interior and seek refreshment. There was even a grocer and a greengrocer to serve the people living nearby. What a blessing, Kathy mused, not to have to go up and down the hill every time you ran out of sugar! Even though the establishments were all closed, Kathy peeked into every window until Jemima said, ‘Do come along, Kathy. We shall be late.’
    At the top of the hill they came to a square with the cathedral to the right and the castle to the left. Kathy cast a longing glance towards the round tower of the castle.
    ‘Another time, Kathy,’ Jemima said, reading her thoughts.
    As they stepped through the huge doors and into the cathedral, Kathy caught her breath. Although it was the second time she had attended a service, she was struck afresh by the magnificence. She walked to her place in the congregation in a trance, drinking in the sight of the huge pillars supporting the vast ceiling. In front of her she saw the intricately carved dark wood of the choir.
    ‘It’s so beautiful,’ she breathed and even Amy, seeing it all for the first time, was bereft of words, quite lost in wonder.
    As the opening hymn began, Kathy let her pure, clear voice soar into the vastness.
    For a few moments, caught up in the joy of singing, she even forgot about Tony Kendall.
    As they emerged into the pale March sunlight after the service, Jemima said, ‘Well, Amy, you were right about one thing. Kathy certainly has a beautiful voice.’
    ‘She ought to be on the stage.’
    ‘Oh now, I don’t think that would be very suitable. Dear me, no, but I think there is a choral society in the city that she might be able to join. Would you like that, Kathy?’ There was a pause before she prompted, ‘Kathy?’
    ‘I’m sorry. I was miles away. What did you say?’
    ‘See?’ Amy said. ‘I told you. She’s in a dream world. It must be love.’
    Kathy felt Jemima’s shrewd eyes upon her. ‘Dear me, I do hope not,’ she murmured, and Kathy felt a shudder of fear. What would Miss Robinson say if she knew that in only six days’ time she, Kathy, would be having dinner with the manager of the department store?
    ‘I said,’ Jemima repeated, ‘that I believe there’s a choral society you might be able to join if you enjoy singing. I believe Mr Spencer next door is a member. I could ask him, if you like.’
    Kathy thought quickly. If she joined some reputable society, maybe Jemima wouldn’t question where she was going at nights. And if Tony Kendall were to ask her out again . . .
    ‘Thank you, that would be lovely. I hadn’t realized until today