in â perhaps because of his new clothes. Connor grinned as he admitted to himself that he wanted to show off. He knew that he was attractive to girls and, if he chose, as the evening wore on, he could take the girl he fancied outside and kiss her. Some of them would let him touch them, and he was sure a couple of the girls here this evening would allow him to go all the way if he wanted. He wasnât interested in any of them, though, and it didnât look as if anyone new had turned up. He was about to head for the bar as usual when he saw three girls come in together. They were giggling and looked excited, as if they were new members.
Connorâs breath expelled in a gasp as he saw her. Sarah Jenkins â at least that was the name Tiddy had given her. He said she was stuck-up, because she wouldnât dance with him at the church hall. Connor didnât attend the old-fashioned dance at the hall on Saturday nights, because he wasnât interested in that kind of dancing. He came to the club for the bands rather than the dancing, but it might be different this evening â if she would get up with him.
âIâll get the first round,â Tiddy said. âHalf of bitter do you?â
âDonât get me one yet,â Connor said, not bothering to look at him. âIâm going to ask someone to dance.â
He walked over to where the three girls were standing together. They looked nervous and excited, but as one of them noticed him approaching they went still and one of them nudged the other, whispering something. Connor almost turned tail. He wasnât usually apprehensive of approaching girls, but this one was special and he felt a spasm of nerves inside.
He stood a few paces from her, his mouth feeling unaccountably dry as he said, âYouâre new here, arenât you?â
Sarah hesitated, unsure if he was speaking to her at first, and then nodded her head. âYes, it is my first time. I wanted to see the Bad Boys â theyâre good. At least, Phyllis says so.â
The lead singer stepped forward and announced the next number. Connor jerked his head towards the floor. âFancy trying this with me?â he asked. âItâs a Lindy Hop.â
âOh yes,â Sarah answered. âPhyllis taught me how to do it at home, but Iâm not sure Iâm any good . . .â
âDonât worry, Iâll help you,â Connor said and offered her his hand. âI like this dance. Itâs better than jive â more fun. Some people call it Rock ânâ Roll, but it started before that, in the thirties and forties.â
âYou sound as if you know a lot about jazz and stuff?â Sarah looked at him shyly. Connor was sure she hadnât recognized him from the time he tried to pick her up in the street.
âI know a bit,â he said. âIâve got a lot of blues and jazz records and I read about all the big American bands. Iâm not an expert but I enjoy music.â
âOh, yes, so do I,â Sarah said enthusiastically. âDaddy bought a record player. He likes classical music, but when he is out I play my records. I like Guy Mitchell and Doris Day â blues and rhythm too.â
âI listen as much as I can,â Connor said. âMostly on the radio. I would like a portable one to take to work when we get them here.â
âWhat do you do?â Sarah asked.
Connor hesitated, then said, âMy people are farmers,â because he thought she might change her mind if he simply said he worked on the land.
âOh . . . my Dad is a builder.â Sarah looked shy. âYou wonât be cross if I step on your shoes?â
âYou wonât. Just have fun and enjoy yourself.â
Sarah thought that sheâd never enjoyed herself so much. The first dance was a bit frightening, because she was afraid of making a fool of herself, but by the time sheâd danced two