Free East End Angel by Carol Rivers Page B

like the next dance?’
    Pearl hoped she would accept. Blackie wasn’t handsome, but he did have lots of very nice wavy black hair.
    Ruby smiled hesitantly. ‘I’m getting me breath back.’
    Pearl knew Ruby wasn’t impressed. Blackie stood no chance against the likes of Ricky.
    ‘So how are you, Pearl?’ Blackie said politely.
    ‘Very good, thanks.’
    ‘Jimmy is happy as Larry since he got hitched. Considering he was a bit of a lad.’
    ‘Was he?’
    ‘Not now of course, no,’ Blackie hurriedly added. ‘Not with a missus like you to come home to.’
    Pearl knew that Jim had had two real girlfriends before her. The first one was when he left school, the other he’d met in Dagenham when he was working away.
    ‘In fact,’ continued Blackie, ‘I wouldn’t mind settling down meself But I ain’t found the right girl yet.’ He glanced quickly at Ruby, who looked away.
    Pearl smiled encouragingly. ‘Your dreamboat is bound to come along.’
    ‘I hope so. I’d like someone to write home to if me number comes up.’
    ‘You’re not enlisting?’ asked Pearl quickly. ‘You’re in a reserved job, aren’t you, like Jim?’
    ‘I volunteered when they asked me,’ he shrugged. ‘The enlistment board came round and told us volunteers are needed on them desert tanks.’
    Pearl stared at him. ‘But couldn’t you refuse?’
    ‘Dunno,’ said Blackie doubtfully. ‘It’s hard being a bloke at home. People think you’re a conchie.’
    ‘I’m glad they didn’t ask Jim,’ she said firmly. Then she saw Blackie’s expression. ‘Did they?’
    ‘Wouldn’t know.’ Blackie smiled and said quickly, ‘Well, nice to see you again.’
    After he’d gone Pearl sat thinking about what Blackie had said. Had the enlistment board approached Jim?
    ‘Miss me?’ Jim whispered later as he took his place beside her.
    ‘Jim, I was talking to Blackie just now—’
    ‘Nice bloke is Blackie. Damn fine mechanic’
    ‘Yes, but he said—’
    ‘I’ll get a round in before the next dance, shall I?’ Jim interrupted, pecking her cheek and hurrying off.
    Just then Colin and Arnie returned. They all talked for a while and as the lights went down, the music struck up. Ruby got up to dance with Pearl’s boss, Mr Hedley, who was politely asking his staff in turn for one of the foxtrots or quicksteps.
    Pearl forgot all about Blackie after that as Jim whirled her round the floor, making her laugh and telling her how beautiful she was in her new dress. Pearl thought once again how lucky she was to have a husband who was so attentive and generous. He’d bought all the drinks without a murmur, and though they’d eaten the small supper that came with the price of the ticket, he hadn’t complained about not having a hot meal. Her mum had said that the way to attract a man was through his stomach. But fortunately for her, Jim was the exception.
    ‘Here you are, lovelies, don’t swallow it all at once,’ he teased as he placed yet another drink in front of her and Ruby. ‘I don’t want to have to carry you both home.’
    Ruby smiled up at him. ‘You spoil me, Jim.’
    ‘Why not? You’re a smasher. But don’t let me wife hear.’ He winked at Pearl. ‘Now, you gonna tell me who’s given you the eye tonight?’ he asked as he sat down and sipped his beer.
    Ruby just shrugged. ‘There’s no one here for me, Jim.’
    ‘You’ve had a lot of dances, though. And the next dance is mine. I’m gonna make all the young blokes jealous.’
    Ruby grinned. ‘All right. As long as you don’t throw me over your shoulder like you was with Pearl. I don’t want to show me knickers.’
    They all laughed but Pearl wondered if Jim would look so happy if he knew that Ruby had eyes only for Ricky. As her sister hadn’t mentioned him, he was unaware of her strong feelings.
    ‘Come on then, twinkle toes.’ He held out his hand and Ruby took it, a big smile on her face.
    Pearl watched Jim whirl Ruby round the floor. He wasn’t the best