Love Changes Everything by Rosie Harris Page B

‘If it doesn’t, then there’s nothing else you can wear.’
    The dress, which was sleeveless, was in green taffeta with a pattern of white spots on it and had a round neckline and reached to her mid-calf. Much to Trixie’s delight it fitted her better than any of her own clothes did and made her feel very grown-up.
    Ivy’s dress was also sleeveless and in blue crêpe-de-Chine, the same colour as her eyes, and the neckline was edged with a lighter blue grosgrain ribbon.
    â€˜You both look lovely,’ Ella told them. ‘Now promise you will stay together,’ she said anxiously.
    The evening was a revelation to Trixie. The lights, the music, so much noise and so many people made her head whirl. As she looked at all the pretty dresses and smartly dressed men she was able to feel that she was as well dressed as any of them and felt grateful to Ivy for all her help.
    She made sure she stayed close to Ivy and Jake and their friends. As Ivy had said, Jake was an excellent dancer and she watched enviously as he whirled first Ivy and then Katy around the floor. When they played a waltz and he suggested that she should dance with him she felt herself stiffen with fright and she knew she was like a board as they took to the floor.
    After a few minutes, though, once she became accustomed to the pressure of his arm around her waist, she was able to relax. As she listened to his voice quietly telling her what to do she found herself moving in accord with him and the music and knew the thrill of being able to dance.
    From then on she really began to enjoy herself and to join in their fun and laughter when they took a break and sat drinking their beers and fruit juices.
    When she went on to the floor with Andrew and later with Sid, she managed to get round without stumbling, but it had none of the magic that she’d experienced when dancing with Jake.
    She wasn’t sure whether this was because they weren’t nearly such good dancers or because she didn’t know them very well. Sid was pompous and talked rather loudly but Andrew was so tall and handsome that although she felt nervous, being in his arms was far more exciting than dancing with Jake.
    It was after midnight when she reached home, tired but so keyed up with excitement that she was sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep for thinking about the wonderful time she’d had.
    She crept in as quietly as she possibly could after they left her on the doorstep and she was surprised to find that her mother was still up and waiting for her.
    â€˜I’ve had a wonderful time, a night I’ll never forget,’ she breathed happily as her mother came out into the hallway. ‘You shouldn’t have waited up, though—’
    Maggie placed a finger to her lips and indicated with her head towards the living room. Before Trixie could work out what she was trying to tell her she heard her father shouting at her to get in there right away as he had something to say to her.
    â€˜What have I always tried to drum into that thick skull of yours ever since you were a nipper?’ he bellowed angrily as she went into the room.
    She smiled at him uncertainly, not sure what he was getting at although she could see from his face that he was in a towering rage about something.
    â€˜It’s after midnight and you’ve been out gallivanting all bloody night,’ he exploded when she stood there looking from him to her mother in bewilderment.
    Her face hardened. ‘I’ve been to a dance with one of the girls from work and we went with her brother and some of his friends. I asked Mum if it was all right.’
    â€˜I bloody well know all that and I also know that she’s one of the O’Malleys from Horatio Street and that they’re Irish Cat’lics! You’ve been out with the buggers after all that I’ve told you about steering clear of that slummy popish lot.’
    â€˜I’ve been to a dance, not to