Free Winners and Losers by Linda Sole Page A

have to give his brother time to find another man to take his place, of course, but he ought to think seriously about it. He had enjoyed working on the dower house and he thought it might be more interesting than working on the land. At least he would get to meet different people and he might earn more money.
    He was going to need more money if he wanted to marry, because he didn’t want to end up like Daniel. His brother was forever worried about paying the bills and Connor had no intention of living that way.
    â€˜I’m not sure that I like the idea of you going to that club,’ Millicent Jenkins said as she looked at her daughter dubiously. Sarah was wearing a circle skirt with short white ankle socks and flat black shoes. Her long hair had been pulled back into a short ponytail and tied with a black ribbon. Her top was pink with a stand-up collar and pearl buttons, and she was wearing a pale pink lipstick. ‘Your father would have a fit if he saw you dressed like that, Sarah.’
    â€˜He won’t see me, Mum. His meeting at the Masons’ lodge won’t end until nearly twelve.’ Sarah kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘Please don’t worry. I’m going with Phyllis Brent and Ann Jones. I shall be home by half past ten and I won’t do anything I shouldn’t.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t let you go if I didn’t trust you to behave,’ her mother said. ‘But Mrs Harris was telling me that that club is where the Teddy Boys hang out and some of them have a bad reputation.’
    â€˜That’s in big cities. You haven’t heard of cinema seats being torn up or damaged in Ely, have you?’
    â€˜No, I haven’t,’ Mrs Jenkins admitted. ‘You are nineteen and I suppose we can’t keep you wrapped in cotton wool for ever – but please be careful and don’t get involved with any nasty types, love.’
    â€˜I expect we shall dance with ourselves most of the night,’ Sarah told her, crossing her fingers behind her back. ‘Phyllis has been to the club several times and Ann went last week. They told me that a lot of the girls just dance together. They said the group this week is really great.’
    â€˜Do you know how to do these dances?’
    â€˜I learned some of them at the youth club, Mum – and Phyllis showed me how to do the Lindy Hop at her house. Her parents were out so we had the gramophone on and danced. It was fun.’
    â€˜I expect it was,’ her mother said and smiled. ‘Go on, then, you mustn’t keep your friends waiting, Sarah. Have a good time.’
    â€˜Thanks, Mum. I won’t be late.’ Sarah grabbed her coat from the peg in the hall, pulling it on as she left the house. She had arranged to meet her friends outside the club and she was afraid they might go in without her if she were late.
    Sarah blocked the odd sense of unease she’d felt as she left her mother. Something had made her wonder if she was feeling ill. She hoped her mother wouldn’t have one of her migraines while she was out.
    Connor and Tiddy walked into the club together. Tiddy was also wearing his drainpipes and a black and white striped shirt; he had the heavy crêpe-soled shoes that were so popular but he hadn’t got the right jacket so he wasn’t wearing one at all. He’d stared at Connor when he came out wearing his gear earlier, but hadn’t said much.
    Connor felt a bit self-conscious despite the fact that most of the young men present were wearing something similar to his outfit. The girls wore full skirts with several layers of petticoats underneath so that they stuck out and flared prettily when they jived or did the Lindy Hop. He had seen most of them here before, but he hadn’t bothered to ask many of them for a dance, even though he was pretty good at the Lindy Hop. Usually, he was content to hang out near the bar and listen to the music, but this evening he felt like joining