Free Winners and Losers by Linda Sole Page B

in – 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 wasn’t interested in any of them, though, and it didn’t 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.
    Connor’s breath expelled in a gasp as he saw her. Sarah Jenkins – at least that was the name Tiddy had given her. He said she was stuck-up, because she wouldn’t dance with him at the church hall. Connor didn’t attend the old-fashioned dance at the hall on Saturday nights, because he wasn’t 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 – if she would get up with him.
    â€˜I’ll get the first round,’ Tiddy said. ‘Half of bitter do you?’
    â€˜Don’t get me one yet,’ Connor said, not bothering to look at him. ‘I’m going to ask someone to dance.’
    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 wasn’t 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, ‘You’re new here, aren’t you?’
    Sarah hesitated, unsure if he was speaking to her at first, and then nodded her head. ‘Yes, it is my first time. I wanted to see the Bad Boys – they’re good. At least, Phyllis says so.’
    The lead singer stepped forward and announced the next number. Connor jerked his head towards the floor. ‘Fancy trying this with me?’ he asked. ‘It’s a Lindy Hop.’
    â€˜Oh yes,’ Sarah answered. ‘Phyllis taught me how to do it at home, but I’m not sure I’m any good . . .’
    â€˜Don’t worry, I’ll help you,’ Connor said and offered her his hand. ‘I like this dance. It’s better than jive – more fun. Some people call it Rock ’n’ Roll, but it started before that, in the thirties and forties.’
    â€˜You sound as if you know a lot about jazz and stuff?’ Sarah looked at him shyly. Connor was sure she hadn’t recognized him from the time he tried to pick her up in the street.
    â€˜I know a bit,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a lot of blues and jazz records and I read about all the big American bands. I’m not an expert but I enjoy music.’
    â€˜Oh, yes, so do I,’ Sarah said enthusiastically. ‘Daddy bought a record player. He likes classical music, but when he is out I play my records. I like Guy Mitchell and Doris Day – blues and rhythm too.’
    â€˜I listen as much as I can,’ Connor said. ‘Mostly on the radio. I would like a portable one to take to work when we get them here.’
    â€˜What do you do?’ Sarah asked.
    Connor hesitated, then said, ‘My people are farmers,’ because he thought she might change her mind if he simply said he worked on the land.
    â€˜Oh . . . my Dad is a builder.’ Sarah looked shy. ‘You won’t be cross if I step on your shoes?’
    â€˜You won’t. Just have fun and enjoy yourself.’
    Sarah thought that she’d 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 she’d danced two