‘Carol’s worried about him,’ Amy said. ‘He’s so hungover every morning and since losing his job he hasn’t tried to find another one.’
‘Well, I don’t know what they’re going to do for money then,’ Phyllis said. ‘It’s a crying shame. The man’s gone to pieces since Daphne left him.’
Stan walked over and perched himself on her lap, saying with a grin, ‘I’m so irresistible that I don’t have to worry about you walking out on me.’
‘Don’t kid yourself and get off me, you daft bugger,’ Phyllis appealed. ‘You weigh a ton and you’re squashing my legs.’
‘A ton! Now you’ve offended me,’ Stan said.
‘I’ll do more than offend you if you don’t move.’
‘Give me a kiss and I might.’
‘Oh, all right,’ she said, kissing him on the cheek.
‘I suppose that will have to do for now,’ Stan said as he stood up.
Phyllis looked at Amy, saw that her daughter was grinning, and said, ‘I don’t know what’s so funny.’
‘You two are,’ Amy said. ‘The way you carry on at times is hilarious, but I’m off to bed now.’
‘Not before you kiss your poor downtrodden dad too.’
‘I’ll give you downtrodden,’ Phyllis threatened.
‘See what I mean. I married a dragon,’ Stan said, appealing to Amy.
It didn’t work, and with a swift kiss on her father’s cheek she shot upstairs, her laughter trailing behind her.
‘Right, Stan, what’s this about a dragon?’ Phyllis asked.
‘You know I was only joking, and now that Amy’s out of the way, I’ve got something to tell you.’
Phyllis listened, and though she had suspected that if Amy continued to see Tommy this would eventually happen, her stomach turned over. ‘Oh, Stan,’ she whispered. ‘I wasn’t expecting this yet.’
‘I know, love, I know, but it’s sure to be a long engagement so we aren’t losing our daughter yet.’
His words made Phyllis feel marginally better and soon after they went to bed where she found a measure of comfort in her husband’s arms. She thought about warning Amy that Tommy was going to propose, that it would give her daughter time to think long and hard about her answer – yet even if she did, Phyllis knew that Amy would still say yes.
There was no denying that Tommy and Amy loved each other, and when they eventually got married, at least there’d be something to look forward to. Grandchildren, Phyllis thought, smiling a little now as she at last drifted off to sleep.
Amy woke up on Saturday morning, her eighteenth birthday, wishing that she didn’t have to go to work. At least the shop would be busy, and she’d made friends with Doreen, who’d been taken on when Linda had been sacked. Doreen was funny and they shared a few laughs when they got the chance, so with any luck the time would pass quickly and then tonight she would be going out with Tommy. Though it wasn’t a big occasion like a twenty-first birthday, Tommy had told her earlier in the week that he had planned something special.
After yawning and stretching out her arms, Amy got out of bed. Her parents didn’t work on Saturdays, but when she went downstairs Amy found that they were both up and seeing her, they smiled.
‘Happy Birthday,’ her mother said, giving her a hug, which was followed by one from her father.
Amy was then given a birthday card and a flat box tied with a ribbon. She eagerly opened it, smiling with delight when she found a pretty silver bracelet inside. ‘I love it. Thanks Mum, thanks Dad,’ she said, kissing them both.
‘I’m glad you like it,’ her mum said.
Amy then read her card, misty-eyed at her parents’ words of love. Breakfast followed, and they had only just finished eating when there was a knock on the door, her mum letting Mabel in.
‘Happy Birthday, Amy,’ she said, passing another envelope and package. ‘I wanted to catch you before you left for work.’
‘Oh, thank you,’ Amy enthused, quickly reading the nice card and then opening the package to find a manicure set in a small tapestry case. ‘This is lovely and just what I need,’ she said, hugging her.
‘That’s good,’ Mabel said, ‘but I’d best be off.’
‘Thanks again,’ Amy called as the woman left. It was all a rush then to get ready for work, and after her parents hugged her again, Amy hurried out of the house, only to hear a voice calling her. She turned to see Carol, still in her nightclothes as she beckoned from her doorstep.
‘Happy Birthday,’ Carol said as Amy hurried up to her. ‘I’m 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