Free Sing as We Go by Margaret Dickinson Page A

how much I missed singing.’
    ‘Miss Burton, this is the third time today that I’ve had to reprimand you. Your mind really isn’t on your work. Remember you are still on a month’s trial. You must try harder or I shall be forced to recommend to Mr Kendall that you are not suitable for the position here.’
    Kathy opened her mouth to retort that she’d already been told her appointment had been made permanent, but then she bit her tongue and instead said contritely, ‘I’m so sorry, Miss Curtis.’
    For the rest of the day Kathy tried hard to banish all thoughts of the handsome young manager. She didn’t want to risk losing this job, for several reasons. But top of her list was now one that she was sure would not have pleased either Miss Curtis – or Miss Robinson.
    The week seemed to drag, but at last Saturday arrived. As the store closed, Kathy was eager to get home to wash and to brush her hair, then hurry back to the hotel restaurant on the High Street to meet Tony. But Jemima walked her usual, steady pace and Kathy was forced to match her step.
    ‘And with whom are you going to the cinema tonight?’ asked Miss Robinson. Her grammar and her diction were always perfect. No trace of the Lincolnshire dialect that must once have been strong in her speech – like her brother’s still was – remained. Kathy wondered fleetingly if she had ever taken elocution lessons.
    ‘With – with a friend.’
    ‘A friend? And who might that be? I didn’t know you had any friends in the city.’
    Kathy ran her tongue around dry lips. This was getting to be like home. Questions, questions, questions! But she answered Jemima politely. She needed to stay here just a little while longer, although she vowed silently to start looking for a place of her own the very next week. As soon as she could afford it, she’d be out of here, she promised herself.
    ‘Stella.’
    ‘Stella Matthews?’
    Kathy nodded, regretting the deliberate lie immediately. She was normally a truthful girl. Chin high, she would stand up straight and tell the truth whatever that might be and however it might rebound on her. But this was different. She just couldn’t take the risk. Miss Robinson had the power not only to make her homeless but also to get her dismissed instantly from her employment. Mr Kendall might say he had made her position permanent, but he was not the only one with the power to dismiss her and – even if he overrode such a decision – life could, and would, be made very uncomfortable for her by those with whom she worked. Miss Curtis, for one.
    No, for once in her life, Kathy could not be truthful. But lying did not sit well with her. And now she would have to involve Stella in covering up for her too. She wondered if she could rely on the younger girl. Kathy swallowed and then opened her mouth to retract her statement and tell the truth. But the words remained frozen on her lips. Just this one time, she thought. I’ll see how it goes. If this is just a one off, then it won’t matter. But if he should ask me again, then . . . At this moment she didn’t know exactly what she would do if Mr Kendall should ask her to go out with him again. Her heart lurched with excitement at the mere thought.
    He was waiting outside the restaurant as they had arranged.
    ‘You look lovely,’ he smiled, tactfully making no remark that she was still wearing the suit that she wore every day for work.
    As they entered the restaurant, Kathy felt awkward and out of place among all the diners dressed in evening clothes, the men in black suits and the women in silks and satins. Heads turned as they were ushered to their table by the head waiter and Kathy blushed in embarrassment.
    When they were handed a menu each, Kathy was appalled to find that it was all written in French.
    Tony leaned across the small table. ‘Would you like me to order for you?’
    ‘Yes, please,’ she breathed thankfully.
    ‘Is there anything you don’t like?’
    Kathy giggled