The four of them continued to talk and play cards until Geoff suddenly realised that it was almost half-past ten. Fortunately, they had just finished a hand and Sid, who seemed as lucky at cards as he was with horses, was counting his matchsticks with as much satisfaction as if they were tipped with solid gold when Geoff jumped to his feet. We’ve gorra go, me old pal,’ he said, indicating the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘We’re supposed to be in before eleven and I dunno about you and Evie here, but Reggie an’ me’s in work for eight-thirty tomorrer, same as usual. But thanks for a grand evening, I dunno when I’ve enjoyed meself more.’
Evie had jumped up as Geoff did, one hand flying to her mouth. She had almost run into the kitchen and was struggling into her damp coat before Geoff and Reggie had so much as taken their own off the fender.
‘I’ve got to go as well, Sid,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Oh, why didn’t I notice the time? I shall get into the most awful trouble and not be allowed out of an evening again.’
Sid shot her a reproachful look. ‘They’ll think you missed the last tram and had to walk,’ he said. ‘But you won’t be late, ’cos I’ll take you home in a taxi. Now stop worryin’, chuck, and get yourself ready while I see me pals off.’
The three young men descended the stairs, all in very good charity with one another. ‘We must do it again,’ Sid said, leading the way up the hall. ‘You might come out to the race track wi’ me sometime – I’ll bet you’ve never visited Aintree, have you? – and I’ll tell you which gees to back to make yourself a nice little bit o’ money. I put all me pals in the way of makin’ some gelt on the side from time to time.’
Geoff said that it sounded like a nice day out and asked Sid whether it might not be easier if he and Reggie went out and hailed a taxi which could then return Evie to her home before taking them on to Shaw Street. He grinned at them. ‘Don’t you worry about Evie, I’ll see her right,’ he said genially. ‘It ain’t that I don’t trust you two fellers – why, Geoff’s been me pal since we was kids in school together – but she’s my responsibility.’ They had reached the front door by now and he opened it with a flourish. ‘I’ll be in touch, don’t you worry about that,’ he said. ‘Night, both.’
Evie stood in the middle of Sid’s cosy sitting room, simmering with annoyance, both with herself and with him. She should have known better than to come back to his flat, even in the company of the other young men. When Sid had met her, as arranged,
outside St George’s Hall and had said that his aunt had been unable to get tickets for the concert, she had been immediately suspicious. But she had been disarmed by his profuse apologies and by his immediate suggestion that they should go out for a meal, or perhaps see a film at the nearest picture house, so that her evening should not be altogether ruined.
She had known, of course, that the nuns would not approve; they had given her permission to attend a piano recital by Arthur Rubenstein, in the company of a woman they believed to be both respectable and her aunt. In fact, Aunt Madge, who was a relative of Sid’s, had come in very useful. She had come to the orphanage two years ago, when Sid had first taken up with Evie, and told such a plausible story that the nuns had had no hesitation in releasing Evie to her care, two or three times a month.
Mostly, these outings had been with Sid. They had gone to cinemas and theatres, had picnicked in the parks, had gone rattling into the countryside by bus or train, so that Evie might see more of the world than the convent allowed. She had been grateful to him but always, in the back of her mind, there had been a tiny, niggling doubt.
Why
was Sid being so kind to her? He must have spent a considerable sum of money upon her, and now she realised that she had been right to worry.
This evening he had come clean, or as clean as he was likely to, at any rate. He had told her that they were going back to his flat. He had a proposition to put to her and thought the flat was more private like to do so. Evie, sensing danger, had refused his suggestion point blank. There was a look in Sid’s eye which told her it would be extremely unwise to be alone with him and presently she had soon realised
that she was right. He had taken her to Fuller’s Cafe where he proposed that she should leave the orphan asylum and take a job in Lewis’s. This would enable her to help him with ‘clients’ who wanted some sort of social life when racing finished.
‘They’s respectable people,’ he assured her. ‘But when the racing’s over for the day, they don’t want to go meekly back to their hotel rooms. They want to see a bit o’ life in the company of a pretty girl. Mostly they’re respectable, so there won’t be no funny business, but they are prepared to pay, and pay well, for feminine company, if you see what I mean. Evie, you could do it on your head.’
Despite her doubts, she had never expected anything as bad as this; indeed, she could hardly believe her ears. ‘Why, Sid Ryder, I’m not going to prostitute myself for anyone! You can talk about your business acquaintances wanting company, but what you mean is you want me to sell myself! I truly think you must be mad. And as for married men being more respectable than bachelors, no decent married man would even consider paying for a girl’s company. Oh, you make me sick!’
She had tried to leave then, but Sid had pushed her back into her chair and promised humbly never to mention the matter again. ‘I thought I were doin’ you a favour, puttin’ you in the way of earning a decent living,’ he had said. ‘I wouldn’t hurt you for the world, Evie, you know that! Don’t let’s fall out over me plan, because I meant it for the best, honest to God I did. And we mustn’t waste this evening. Tell you what, we’ll nip into the Jug and Bottle so’s I can get meself some porter. I’m real proud of me little flat and I’d love you to see it. Why, if you took the job in Lewis’s, you could have one just like it.’ But I can tell
by your expression you’d never come to me flat so how about if we go back to Aunt Madge’s? Then she and I can share the porter since I know you won’t drink it. Me aunt’s done a lot for you, queen, lettin’ you change your clothes in her house, keepin’ your school stuff safe, tellin’ the nuns a pack o’ nonsense so’s you can get out from time to time. She’d enjoy an evening wi’ us and it wouldn’t be no skin off your nose to give her a little treat.’
Evie was forced to admit that she did owe Sid’s aunt a good deal. Surely there could be no harm in going back to his Aunt Madge’s until the piano recital ended? Across the small, white-clothed table she had stared searchingly at Sid and had seen in his anxious face only a desire to please. Half grudgingly, therefore, she had agreed to go to Aunt Madge’s, though she had warned him that one step out of line or one attempt to persuade her to leave the orphan asylum would result in their friendship ending abruptly. But once the boys had joined them in the Jug and Bottle – she had recognised Geoff at once – there had seemed no harm in going to Sid’s flat which she was curious to see.
Now, standing in the centre of the room waiting for him, Evie heard the front door slam shut and knew the other two young men had gone. Telling herself that the evening had been quite a success, she adjusted her little hat on her head and pulled on her black woollen gloves. She was crossing the room when the door opened and Sid came in. He took a deep breath then expelled it in a long whistle. ‘Phew! Thank God that’s over,’ he said genially. ‘Take off your coat, queen, because you ain’t goin’ nowhere. I’ve tried to treat you right, to offer you a good job and the chance to get rich, and you throwed it back in me
face. You’ve left me no option but to use a stronger argument. What’ll you tell the nuns when you turn up tomorrer mornin’, eh?’
Evie stared at him, round-eyed. ‘You wouldn’t
dare
keep me here,’ she gasped. ‘Why, I’d go straight to the scuffers as soon as you let me out. And don’t pretend you can keep me here forever, because you can’t.’ She made for the door, only to find her way barred by Sid’s strong arm. He was grinning most unpleasantly and, catching hold of her shoulders, pushed her into a chair, snatched the hat off her head, and began unbuttoning her coat so roughly that she grew afraid and clutched the garment round her. ‘Get off!’ she squeaked. ‘Leave me alone, Sid, or it’ll be the worse for you.’
Sid chuckled breathlessly, wrenched her coat off and threw it across the room after her hat. ‘I should have done this long ago, when you were just a nasty little slum kid,’ he said. ‘But how was I to know you’d turn into such a little cracker? Now shut your face or I swear I’ll beat the livin’ daylights out of you.’
Geoff and Reggie made their way along the puddled pavement in thoughtful silence. The rain had stopped, but Cazneau Street was deserted and both young men were immersed in their own thoughts. When they turned left into Richmond Row, however, Geoff put a hand on Reggie’s arm to slow his pace. ‘What’s Sid’s game, eh?’ he asked. ‘If that gal’s his cousin, I’m a bleedin’ millionaire. Well, she may be his cousin,’ he amended, ‘but there’s more to it than that. I don’t reckon they’re livin’ tally, but do you think that Sid’s planning on marrying her, having a permanent relationship, like? They were certainly quarrelling like a married couple when they came
into the Jug and Bottle. And if so, why couldn’t he tell us? I don’t mind admitting I’d be downright proud to have a girl like Evie. Why, any feller would! Though if he meant to marry her, he’d have telled us straight off, don’t you think?’
‘Yes, of course. He’d tell you as soon as you clapped eyes on her, so’s you wouldn’t go gettin’ ideas,’ Reggie said thoughtfully. ‘It’s real strange, because she’s a respectable girl in a good job, and Sid’s clearly makin’ a bob or two, yet . . . Hey, where’s you goin’?’
Geoff had turned back the way they had come and was heading for Cazneau Street, pulling the protesting Reggie behind him. ‘I’m going to see whether she leaves with Sid or whether she stays the night there,’ he said grimly. ‘Sid’s about as reliable as a perishin’ weathercock. He’ll swing from one thing to another until you’re fair dizzy with it, and that Evie’s a decent kid; she doesn’t want to get mixed up with the likes of him.’
They turned into Cazneau Street once more but here Reggie pulled his friend to a halt. ‘Look, old feller, they must have left. Evie already had her coat on and unless Sid manages to persuade her to stay, they’ll be long gone. Besides, it’s none of our business. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for me bed. What’s more, you met the girl for the first time this evening and you’re always tellin’ me you’re stuck on some other Judy – Lizzie, ain’t it? So what call have you got to go chasin’ after a girl you don’t really know? You don’t want to go makin’ a fool of yourself over a pretty face.’
Geoff took a deep breath and let it out in a long, whistling sigh. Then he linked arms with Reggie and turned back towards Richmond Row. ‘You’re right
and I know it,’ he admitted. ‘The trouble is, Reggie, that girl wasn’t happy with Sid. Oh, I know you could say it were just a lover’s tiff, but I know Sid and he isn’t a feller it’s wise to cross. If Evie thinks she can lead him round by the nose, then she’s in for a great disappointment – might be in danger even. It’s an odd thing, but several times this evening I got the feeling I knew Evie, had known her for years. It can’t be so, of course, because no one could forget a face like that – she isn’t just pretty, she’s beautiful – but you
are
right. It’s none of my business what Sid or Evie does, and as you say, I’ve been stuck on Lizzie for years. Only – only, there’s something very appealing about Evie. I know you’ll say she can look after herself, but can she? She didn’t mention her family at all, did she? I got the feeling she were probably alone in the world, like you and me, Reggie. And she’s a deal younger than both of us, if you ask me.’
They had reached Richmond Row by now and were trudging along the pavement, sloshing through the puddles, eager to get back to the YMCA and their beds. Reggie shook his head reprovingly. ‘Gals mature much earlier than fellers do,’ he said wisely. ‘Besides, if she’d needed any sort of help from us, she could have said. She could even have left the house when we did, telling Sid it would save him a journey in the wet. If you’re still worried about her, go along to Lewis’s in your dinner break tomorrow and have a word with the gal when Sid ain’t around to make things difficult, like. If she’s really just a pal o’ his, she’ll tell you then and you can be easier about her. If there’s more to it than that, I guess you’ll get the nod quick enough.’
Geoff agreed that this was sensible and by the time they’d reached Everton Brow, was resigned to
spending some time in Lewis’s, trying to get in touch with the delectable Evie. It began to rain once again, just as they were passing the YWCA on Shaw Street, and both boys glanced wistfully at the building as they always did. It housed a great many pretty working girls and the inhabitants of the YMCA sometimes met them at dances or the cinema and walked them home, so that Geoff and Reggie were getting to know several members of the opposite sex.
‘For all we know, Evie might live there,’ Reggie remarked as they hurried past. ‘Although I daresay we should have noticed her. Come to that, there’s other YWs all over the city – she might be in any of them.’
‘Or she might not,’ Geoff almost snapped. The long evening, the lateness of the hour and the soaking rain were beginning to get to him. What was more, they were supposed to be in before eleven, which meant they would have to enter the house via the pantry window. If they were caught they would be in hot water, so it was stupid, he decided, to worry about a girl as lovely and as self-confident as Evie Evans, especially considering how he felt about his own dear Lizzie. What he ought to be worrying about was his reputation, if anyone found out that he had come home after lock-up, without first getting permission, he would be in trouble.
And on this thought, he and Reggie headed down the side of the YMCA, squeezed through the carefully unlatched pantry window and made their weary way to bed. They met no one on the way and as Geoff snuggled beneath the sheets he vowed never to be such a fool again. If they had only come straight back and not returned to Cazneau Street they could have been in bed at least twenty minutes earlier.