It's Now or Never by June Francis Page B

the table and stared at him.
    â€˜I’ll think about it,’ said Lenny, who was a bachelor and lived alone in the rooms above the coffee bar. Betty had no idea if he had ever had a serious girlfriend. His behaviour was always circumspect where she was concerned. He interrupted her thoughts by saying, ‘By the way I forgot to tell you that after you went on Friday, that girl who thinks you’re God’s gift to art came here, believing she was being followed.’
    Betty watched as he laid four slices of bacon in the frying pan and said in injured tones, ‘I thought you liked my paintings! I know they’re not Picasso or Turner but you said they brightened the place up. Now, you’re beginning to sound like my cousin, Maggie. At least I don’t have to put up with her insulting me now she’s moved out of the flat.’
    â€˜I do like them but you must admit that girl is a real fan of yours.’
    â€˜I presume you’re talking about Bobby Donegan?’
    â€˜Probably. I can’t remember all their names.’
    â€˜Was she being followed?’
    â€˜Not so you’d notice, although there were two blokes out on the street and she was definitely frightened. So Hester Walker took her under her wing.’
    â€˜She couldn’t have anyone better,’ said Betty, straightening up. ‘I suppose I’d better get out there and make the lads’ drinks. That bacon smells so good I’ll be snatching it out of the pan if I stay.’ Despite her words, she still lingered. ‘Do come and listen to the group,’ she said persuasively. ‘It would pay you in the end. You’d have this place packed out with teenagers most evenings.’
    â€˜Which would mean me working longer hours and having to take on more staff,’ said Lenny. ‘Anyway, why should you be bothered? You’ll be off to Italy in a few months.’
    â€˜Hopefully,’ said Betty, crossing her fingers. ‘I still need a definite yes from Jeanette about taking over the flat for those weeks while I’m away.’ And on those words she left the kitchen.
    As she made the boys’ drinks, the door opened and a man entered. He stood there in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room. For a moment his gaze rested on Betty’s face and then moved on. She had been about to take the drinks over to Nick and Chris but now she waited to see whether the man would stay or leave. She was suddenly aware that Nick was staring at him with such a look of dismay that she wondered if he knew him. Then the man removed his trilby and went over to a table and sat down.
    Betty picked up the tray and went over to the boys’ table and placed their drinks in front of them. ‘Bacon butties will be ready soon.’
    â€˜Thanks,’ they chorused.
    She was about to walk away when Nick said, ‘Do you know that man, Miss Booth?’
    â€˜No, never seen him before in my life. I thought you might by the way you looked at him.’
    â€˜Before he removed his hat I thought he was my uncle.’ Nick scowled. ‘I’d go mad if he discovered I’ve started coming here.’
    Betty was tempted to ask why, but at that moment, Chris said, ‘He’s signalling you.’
    She excused herself and went over to him. ‘Can I help you?’
    He stared at her from grey-blue eyes. ‘A black, sweet coffee and have you any doughnuts?’
    His voice was pleasant but his accent took her by surprise. ‘You’re an American!’ she blurted out.
    â€˜Is that a sin here?’ he drawled.
    She coloured. ‘Of course not. It’s just that we don’t get many Americans in here. And I’m sorry but we don’t have any doughnuts. I can get you either a nice Eccles cake, an iced bun, a toasted teacake or even a chocolate cake.’
    A smile lit up his craggy features. ‘An Eccles cake and I like them warm. I remember them from last time I was over