Free Swansea Summer by Catrin Collier

his face.
    ‘I am not.’
    ‘You’re interested in history?’
    ‘I am, especially the gory bits.’ He linked his fingers with hers. ‘A lot of people had their heads cut off in the Tower.’
    ‘I think they’ve buried the bits by now.’
    ‘In the Tower, or so I’ve read, and that means their ghosts could be walking around.’
    ‘In daylight?’
    ‘It’s possible; ghosts have been seen at all hours of the day and night. Madame Tussaud’s have a display of murderers. Martin went there on one of his leaves. He told me that they have a guillotine and an axe and execution block as well as mock-ups of prison cells.’
    She shuddered. ‘You go there, you go by yourself.’
    ‘I didn’t know you were squeamish.’
    ‘And I didn’t know you were a ghoul.’
    Pulling the blind on the window to the corridor, he lifted her face to his with his fingertips and kissed her. ‘There’s a lot we don’t know about one another. It’s going to be fun finding out.’
    ‘Someone could walk in,’ she murmured, as his hand slid beneath her jacket.
    He glanced at his watch. ‘Another two and half hours before we get to London, I’m never going to hold out until then. You?’
    ‘If we start our honeymoon in a railway carriage we’ll get arrested.’
    ‘Not necessarily.’ He pulled her to her feet. Opening the blind, he looked up and down the corridor.
    ‘What are you up to?’
    Holding his finger to his lips, he slid back the door and led her to the end of the carriage. A man walked past them, turning his head to get a second look at Helen. Jack glared at him and he disappeared into a carriage. ‘Quick.’ Opening the door to the toilet, he pulled Helen in and locked it after them.
    She looked into his eyes and they both burst out laughing. ‘You’ll get us thrown off the train,’ she murmured as he slid her jacket over her arms and hung it on a hook on the back of the door.
    ‘Not if we’re quiet.’ Undoing the buttons on her blouse, he pulled down her bra straps. ‘God, you’re beautiful.’
    ‘I love you.’ She slipped out of her skirt and hung it over her jacket.
    ‘And I love you back, Mrs Clay. With every inch of my soul – and body.’
    ‘Sea-green, sky-blue, rose-pink, lemon, whole sets and all in your size.’ Katie gave the assistant a conspiratorial smile as she laid a bra, suspender belt and petticoat on the counter in front of Judy.
    ‘It’s an awful lot of money,’ Judy murmured doubtfully.
    ‘But they’re quality and wash beautifully,’ Lily said practically. ‘And this is a lovely colour.’
    ‘Sorry you bought the pink set now?’ Judy asked.
    ‘Not at all. I’m thinking of getting another in blue.’
    ‘You’re not serious.’
    ‘Why not?’ Lily looked around at the racks of frocks and blouses. ‘I’m earning good money. It’s time I splashed out on a few clothes, like a new dress for tonight.’
    ‘Our afternoon and evening frocks are over there.’ Katie indicated the back corner of the warehouse floor.
    ‘“Our”’ Judy teased.
    ‘Our.’ Katie repeated. ‘I love working here and I’m proud of our stock.’
    ‘I’ll take the blue set, please.’ Lily set them aside.
    ‘I’ll have them wrapped and ready for you to pick up at the cash desk, madam.’ The assistant beamed at Katie as she folded them.
    Judy hesitated, but only for a fraction of a second. ‘And I’ll take the green, please.’
    ‘Miss Clay?’ The assistant looked enquiringly at Katie.
    ‘Maybe next week, Miss Evans.’
    ‘Spoilsport,’ Judy grumbled, as they walked over to the dresses. ‘You brought us here; the least you can do is join us in our extravagances.’
    ‘You haven’t seen what I’ve bought since I started working here.’
    ‘Katie has a fantastic wardrobe,’ Lily complimented her. ‘Why don’t you dress for tonight in our house, Judy, then you can see it?’
    ‘I’ll call in for a few minutes but I have to go home. Brian’s coming for tea.’
    ‘And your