Free The Beat by Simon Payne Page B

and that lunch, in any shape or form, might be out of the question. He then tried cushioning the refusal by saying, “Robert phoned before to ask after you.”
    “Yeah?” But it didn’t seem to have the desired effect. Steve started on dangerous ground: “You know I do still care about Sue a lot.”
    “Of course you do,” Gerry countered. “And that’s why you had to call it off and why you now have to keep it that way. It’s for her sake too.”
    “Yeah, I know. Only … was she very upset?” Gerry paused and then decided on the truth. “Yes. But she’ll get over it.”
    “Yeah. I suppose.” Gerry caught sight of Wilson’s passing back. He continued to talk anyway. The kid was more important. If it had been Sue talking to Steve it would be condoned by all, so what the difference?
    “How are things at home?” he asked.
    “Pretty bad. Mum isn’t speaking to me this morning.” “She’ll get over it too, you wait and see.”
    “I don’t know. She was pretty mad at me last night.” Gerry could just imagine. He suspected she wouldn’t get over it either. This could well be the beginning of Steve’s alienation from them. His mother wouldn’t get over it but with any luck Steve would, in time.
    “My brother reckons the old man is going to throw me out. Hasn’t said anything to me though.”
    “If he hasn’t, he probably won’t. You might find he’s quite supportive if you give him a chance.”
    “He’s not the kind of bloke you can talk to.”
    “Don’t then, leave him be.”
    “Yeah, I reckon you’re right.” Gerry really should get back to work now. He tried easing the call to an end without offending Steve. Just when he was about to hang up Steve asked, “Can I come over and see you tonight? If it gets too rough, I mean.” Gerry had to agree. Steve had to know that he had some support. It was probably right it should come from Robert and himself. At least Steve must have overcome his fear of Robert if he wanted to come back. That was a start. No one from work need know he was coming over.
     
    Gerry took a short lunch-break in the tea room rather than going out to risk running into Steve. It was peculiarly quiet. Only Connie sat there doing her lottery numbers. Apart from her, the tea room was empty. They ignored each other as long as possible. Gerry scouted around for an afternoon paper but with no luck. He wondered if the papers would have a more detailed release than the radio had. Actually Robert seemed to care more than he did. He hoped Robert knew and suspected nothing. When she had finished filling in her coupons, Connie rose and addressed the room in general, “I suppose someone ought to phone the poor girl.” He thought it very unwise. Since there was no one else present, he tok it on himself to reply.
    “You do that,” he said. For once she seemed satisfied.
    “It happened to my eldest,” she said as she rinsed out her tea cup. “Engagements always seem to be on and off at least once.”
    “And she’s alright, isn’t she Connie? She got over it?” he asked.
    “Oh yes, they got over it and got married.” Then she continued more to herself, “Course they aren’t happy now. He just didn’t change after they were married. Not the way she was hoping he would.”
    “Did she?”
    “Did she what?”
    “Did she change Connie, after they were married?“
    “Jossie? No. Why should she? She wouldn’t change, she’s like her mother.” Gerry sat on in the tea room alone. He would have liked to phone Robert to find out about the news report but decided it would be unwise to show so much interest. Wisest to let it rest. After about twenty minutes he returned to his desk. The afternoon flow was already starting to come through and it was a matter of pride that he was going to keep up alone. He couldn’t call it loyalty for he felt he owed the place little enough. No one acknowledged the lost lunch-breaks, they only noticed when things went wrong. He was back at his desk