sorry, but now that my dad has lost his job, money’s really tight and I couldn’t afford to buy you anything. Unless he finds another one soon, I’ll have to be the one who goes out to work.’
‘I don’t think we need anyone at the shop, but I could still ask the manageress if you like.’
‘Yes, all right,’ Carol agreed.
‘I’ll let you know what she says, but I’ve got to run or I’ll be late.’
‘Thanks,’ Carol called as Amy rushed off.
Though she liked Doreen, Amy still missed working with Carol, but doubted there were any vacancies. She hurried to the top of Lark Rise and then decided to hop on a bus to the Junction.
Thankfully Amy made it just in time and arrived to see the manageress opening the shop. She waited until they were inside and said, ‘Mrs Jones, my friend used to work here and she’d like to come back. Are there any jobs going?’
‘Not at the moment, I’m afraid,’ she said as the door opened and the Saturday girl arrived.
Amy was disappointed, but it was the start of what turned out to be a busy day, and as Amy had hoped, time flew as she ran to the stock room again and again to find mainly summer sandals.
Amy measured a lot of children’s feet too, sandals in demand again, but at last the working day came to an end and Amy was on her way home.
Frank Cole was in a foul mood. What he wanted was another drink, the need gnawing at him, but he’d only been able to cadge one pint at lunchtime. With no money, the regulars at the Park Tavern were fed up with buying him drinks. When there was a knock on the door he left Carol to answer it and after chatting to someone for a minute or two she closed it again.
‘Who was that?’ Frank asked.
‘It was Amy. She came to tell me that there aren’t any vacancies in the shop.’
‘Who asked her to find out?’
‘I did,’ Carol said. ‘You haven’t been looking for another job so I thought I’d go back to work to bring some money in. In the meantime I suppose we could find a few things to pawn.’
‘There’s no need for that. I’ll find a job next week.’
‘Dad, even if you do, unless you stop drinking so heavily you’ll never get up for work in the mornings.’
‘Yes I flaming well will,’ Frank said, annoyed when there was another knock on the door. ‘Whoever that is you can tell them to sod off!’
Carol opened it, but then stood aside to let Davy and Paul in. Frank calmed down instantly. Both his sons were working so he should be able to tap them for a few bob. ‘Hello boys. How about taking your dad out for a couple of pints?’
‘Sorry, Dad, we’ve got plans for tonight,’ Dave said. ‘We’ve been up the King’s Road and only popped in on our way home to see how you’re doing.’
‘If you’re after a meal, forget it,’ Carol said. ‘There’s hardly any food in the cupboards.’
‘Why’s that?’ Paul asked, frowning.
‘Dad lost his job.’
‘I haven’t managed to find another one yet, so is there any chance of a few quid to tide me over?’ Frank asked.
‘Yeah, all right,’ Paul said taking out his wallet, and Dave did the same.
Frank eagerly took the proffered notes. ‘Thanks, boys. I’ll pay this back as soon as I can.’
‘There’s no hurry,’ Paul said and Dave nodded in agreement.
Now that he had money, Frank was inwardly willing them to leave. He couldn’t go to the Park Tavern though, as after scrounging from the regulars they’d expect him to return the favour when they saw he had funds. There was a way round that though. He’d go to a different pub, and with a good few quid he’d be able to afford a few whisky chasers.
‘Have you heard anything from Mum?’ Carol asked her brothers.
‘No,’ Dave said shortly then adding that they had to leave.
‘You’ve hardly been here for five minutes,’ Carol protested.
‘Yeah, I know, but we’ve got to get ourselves togged up for tonight.’
They had no sooner left than Carol said, ‘Dad, can I have some of that money? I need to get some food in.’
‘The shops are shut now so it can wait until Monday. Now I’m off out,’ he told her, and before Carol could say another word he left, heading for a pub on Lavender Hill.
At the top of the Rise, Frank recalled Carol saying that they could pawn some stuff. He hadn’t liked the idea at first, but now realised that it could raise a good few bob. He was hardly in to watch it so he could sell the television too, ensuring that when this money ran out, he’d have plenty more.
Amy was in her bedroom, almost ready and wearing a pretty, blue flowered summer dress that flared at the waist and ended just below her knees. She was just putting on her make-up when she heard a knock on the front door, and after hurrying to apply a shade of pink lipstick, she ran downstairs to find that her mother had let Tommy in.
‘Hello,’ he said, smiling when he saw her. ‘Happy Birthday, you look nice.’
‘Thanks, but as I don’t know where you’re taking me, I wasn’t sure what to wear.’
‘That’s fine,’ Tommy said.
‘Phyllis, do you remember what you were wearing when I …’
‘Shut up, Stan.’
‘Oh yeah, right, sorry.’
Amy looked at her parents, puzzled by this exchange and her father’s shamefaced expression, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as Tommy said urgently, ‘If you’re ready, let’s go.’
‘I’m ready,’ she smiled, saying goodbye to her parents.
Tommy opened the van door, and as she climbed in he said, ‘I wish I could take you out in a nice car, but one day I hope to own one.’
‘This is fine and far nicer than walking,’ she replied and when Tommy got in behind the wheel she asked, ‘Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?’
‘No, not yet, but you’ll soon see.’
Amy was puzzled as Tommy drove off, but it wasn’t long before she saw Battersea Park ahead of them. ‘Are we going to the funfair?’
‘Yes, and I hope that’s all right with you.’
‘It’s fine,’ Amy replied. She hadn’t known what to expect, and though she loved the funfair, it was the last place she’d thought about when Tommy said he was taking her somewhere special. He turned his head to smile at her, and she smiled back, thinking that
