Free East End Angel by Carol Rivers

I’ve just put me lipstick on.’
    Laughing, he caught her wrist and, running his gaze over her, he said huskily, ‘My God, Pearl, you’re an eyeful. I still don’t know how I managed to make you me missus, but somehow I did. Are you happy, Pearly-girl?’
    ‘Course I am.’
    ‘Tell me you love me.’
    ‘I’m always telling you that.’
    He smirked. ‘And if you dance with anyone else tonight, tell them to behave themselves or they’ll have Jim Nesbitt to deal with.’
    Pearl was still smiling as she put the finishing touches to her hair. She couldn’t wait to dance and enjoy herself at a real do. At least Ruby had agreed to join them, even though she said she didn’t feel like dancing as she hadn’t heard from Ricky. Once again, Pearl’s guilty thoughts came back. Would Ruby really be broken-hearted if he didn’t survive? Or would she get over him quicker than she thought?
    Pearl sighed, shaking her head as if to dispel all the irrational thoughts. The dance hadn’t come a moment too soon; after last year’s bombing, everyone needed a good Christmas.
    Pearl hadn’t ever been inside the hall of the Friends’ Meeting Place where the dance was held. But she knew the Victorian building had served many purposes in wartime. During the Blitz it had been bombed several times. After being hastily repaired, the large wooden floor and wide stage, with its heavy curtains, were often in use. Tonight there were Christmas decorations pinned from wall to wall and a large Christmas tree stood just inside. There were chairs and tables set out along the perimeter for refreshments, and a small anteroom next to the kitchen had become a bar.
    ‘There’s a wonderful turn-out,’ Pearl said excitedly, breathless from their brisk walk. She clutched both Ruby and Jim’s arms and they joined the long queue. ‘I’m gonna dance you off your feet tonight, Jim.’
    ‘Now then, gel,’ chuckled Jim, ‘don’t forget you’re a married lady.’
    Pearl laughed. ‘That don’t make any difference. Not when you haven’t been out for months.’
    The only reminder of war seemed to be the row of gas masks hanging on the wall in the lavatories. No one ever bothered about masks after the first weeks of war. The cumbersome apparatus was more of a hindrance than a help. Ruby and Pearl giggled as an elderly lady, reluctant to leave hers unattended, asked the cloakroom girl if it would be safe.
    When they’d handed over their coats, Ruby and Pearl squeezed in front of the mirror. Ruby looked lovely, Pearl thought, as they attended to their make-up. She wore a lime-green, slim-fitting evening gown. It was more thirties than forties, but the green matched Ruby’s colouring perfectly. Her cheeks were flushed and her blonde hair, unlike Pearl’s shoulder-length style, was clipped up into a glossy roll. Pearl wondered if she’d heard from Ricky yet, although nothing had been said. At least she had agreed to come to the dance. So was there hope she was forgetting him?
    Before long they were hustled out of the way by other girls eager to look in the mirror.
    ‘Is that another new dress?’ Ruby asked Pearl as they walked out.
    ‘What do you mean, another one?’
    ‘Well, you’re always buying something.’
    Pearl grinned. ‘I like to keep me husband’s interest.’
    Ruby grinned too. ‘You manage that all right. He only has eyes for you.’
    Pearl felt proud. She was so lucky to have an attentive man at her side.
    ‘What about Jim? Don’t he ever want a new suit?’ asked Ruby as they made their way through the big doors.
    ‘He’s got a new shirt,’ Pearl teased. ‘I had to hide his overalls tonight so he couldn’t find them.’
    They were still giggling as they found themselves inside the hall, with the tables and chairs arranged down either side. The band was warming up at the far end and Ruby clutched Pearl’s arm. ‘Look, there’s Em and Moira.’
    They waved and went to join them. As Pearl looked round she could see a few