The Shop Girls of Chapel Street by Jenny Holmes Page B

business what Eddie gets up to.’
    â€˜Oh no, that’s right. A little bird tells me that it’s Stan you’re interested in these days,’ Kathy smirked.
    â€˜What makes you say that?’ With a toss of her head, Violet went back to her corner of the hall to carry on rehearsing. For another hour she concentrated so hard that she didn’t notice Eddie slip in through the side door and it wasn’t until Ida called it a day that she realized he was up on the stage lending Harold a hand as before.
    â€˜Aren’t you glad? There’s your lift home, after all.’ Kathy winked as she, Peggy and Evie put on their coats, ready to leave.
    â€˜No. I’ll catch the bus with you.’ Eddie was busy clearing dust sheets and washing brushes and Violet decided it would look wrong for her to hang around waiting for him. She was out in the yard, following the others to the stop when she heard a voice call her name and she turned to see Eddie standing by the side door of the Institute.
    â€˜Don’t you want a lift?’ he asked.
    The simple question flustered her. ‘No, it’s all right thanks, Eddie. I can catch the bus.’
    â€˜I’ll only be five minutes.’
    â€˜Oh, in that case … Are you sure?’
    â€˜Course I’m sure. Wait there, I’ll be with you in a jiffy.’
    She felt a small thrill of excitement run through her. After all, Eddie had made a point of coming after her, which meant more than last week’s casual, chance offer. He’d seemed shy, as if expecting her to say no, but determined in spite of that.
Perhaps he likes me
, was the thought that dawned on her and made her heart flutter.
    Before long Eddie appeared in the main doorway. He put on his goggles and gauntlets in a businesslike way, sat astride his bike and kick-started the engine. ‘You know the routine,’ he told Violet, winking at her as she stepped up on to the foot rest.
    Soon she was on the bike, her arms clasped around Eddie’s waist. He eased out of the Institute yard and rode slowly along the main street of terraced houses, passing the bus stop.
    â€˜I thought you were meant to be working,’ she mentioned.
    â€˜I was. I got off at eight o’clock then came straight over to help Harold. Ida would’ve had my guts for garters otherwise.’
    â€˜Yoo-hoo, Violet!’ Kathy nudged Peggy and Evie and they all waved.
    â€˜Hold tight,’ Eddie said, picking up speed. They left the town then passed through fields and climbed towards the outcrop of boulders and cliffs strewn across rough moorland – a landmark known locally as Little Brimstone. The moors stretched out ahead, while the darkening sky held a herringbone pattern of fluffy clouds coloured pink and gold.
    â€˜All right back there?’ Eddie called over his shoulder.
    â€˜Yes, ta. Just keep a lookout for sheep!’ she replied. Her heart soared in all this space and beauty and she thrilled once more to the roaring speed of the bike. She was surprised when they came to the top of a hill and Eddie slowed almost to a halt.
    He turned and spoke above the idling speed of the engine. ‘We could get off and stretch our legs if you’re not in a rush.’
    Violet nodded and he pulled off the road onto a grass verge. ‘How about sitting on that rock?’ She pointed and went on ahead to a smooth boulder overlooking a narrow, shaded valley with thorn trees and a cascading waterfall.
    Eddie joined her and they sat looking down at the rushing water. ‘This little glen is where I used to cycle to when I was a kid,’ he confided. ‘You’re well hidden once you’re down there amongst the trees. That’s what I liked about it.’
    Violet glanced at him. He sat with hands clasped around his knees, staring intently into the darkness, his profile in shadow, his eye glinting in the last of the light.
    â€˜I was never allowed,’ she told him.