Winter on the Mersey(53)
Laura picked up her bag. ‘Well, see to it that you tell me if that changes. Meanwhile, don’t go killing your annoying friend of the family. I’m sure he’s far too valuable for the war effort.’
‘I’ll try,’ said Kitty wryly as her friend stepped towards the approaching train for the north. She waved as Laura turned at the door and did the same. Trust Laura to pick up on the underlying reason she was so annoyed with him. She’d just have to work harder at resisting the effect he always seemed to have on her.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The sun was beginning to set as the train drew into Lime Street. Kitty knew she should have thought of this but she’d just missed the previous train when saying farewell to Laura and had had to wait for the next one. She’d taken her book to the buffet, and to her relief it had emptied out a little and she’d found a corner in which to pass the time.
At least it wasn’t like groping around in the dark down in Sussex. There were plenty of people about as she slowly descended the steps and began to head towards the bus stop. Her mind was whirring with what Laura had had to say. Was this peculiar note Freddy’s way of making contact after all this time, or was her friend deluding herself, because she’d wanted it so badly for so long?
She was wandering along at the edge of the pavement when a car pulled up just ahead of her, almost against the kerb. The driver got out and came around the back of the vehicle, and she saw with a start that it was Alfie Delaney. She’d heard he was back but hadn’t seen him. Tommy had been right – his head was a bit like a snooker ball.
‘Kitty Callaghan, as I live and breathe,’ he said, his smile wide and seemingly friendly. ‘What brings you out at this time of the evening? Off to meet your boyfriend, are you?’
When she was younger, Kitty might have blushed and admitted that she didn’t have one. She had an idea that this was exactly what Alfie would have liked her to do. Instead she turned to look at the car and then back at him. ‘Didn’t know you had a car, Alfie,’ she said.
‘Oh, you know me, Kitty, I can get my hands on most things I want if I try,’ he replied, still keeping it friendly, but Kitty could tell there was an edge to what he said, even if he was trying to hide it. ‘Are you heading back to Bootle? Fancy a lift?’ He moved swiftly to the passenger side door and opened it.
If it had been just about anyone else, Kitty would have jumped at the chance. The evening was cooling rapidly and she’d only brought a light cardigan as she hadn’t expected to be out so late. She drew it round her, but its lack of warmth wasn’t enough to persuade her to accept his offer. Even in the dull twilight, the car didn’t look in great shape. Being stuck with Alfie Delaney in a broken-down vehicle miles from home was all she needed.
‘Thank you, but I’m going to meet a friend,’ she said firmly.
It was as if she hadn’t spoken. ‘Go on, Kitty, get in, and then we can catch up on what we’ve been up to these past few years,’ Alfie urged. ‘You can tell me all about this new job everyone’s talking about. Mam says you’re doing well. And how’s your Tommy? You know I’m getting him a bike, don’t you?’
Kitty tried hard not to be flustered by that comment. He was just trying to make her feel like she owed him a favour, she could see that. ‘He’s very well,’ she said, ‘but he’s already got a bike, so don’t go putting yourself out, Alfie. I’d hate you to go to extra trouble.’
‘Very kind of you, Kitty,’ Alfie said, edging nearer, ‘but then you were always the generous sort. Never hurt anyone, would you, Kitty?’ His hand came forward and took hold of her arm. ‘Why don’t you get in the car and we can have a nice ride home, eh? You’d like that. I can tell.’ His grip grew tighter.
Kitty knew she mustn’t panic, but inside she was squirming at his horrible touch. What a disgusting man he was. If anything he’d got worse in the years since she’d last seen him, and she’d never liked him much before. You couldn’t trust him as far as you could throw him. There was no question of her getting in the car with him.
‘Like I said, Alfie, I’m not on my way home, so I shan’t be needing a lift,’ she said in what she hoped was a steady voice.
‘Is that really true, Kitty?’ His shifty eyes stared into hers. ‘You wouldn’t lie to me, would you? You wouldn’t be trying to get rid of me?’
She tried to twist away but his grip was too strong. ‘Alfie, let go of my arm,’ she hissed. ‘I have to go.’
He didn’t, but pulled her closer to him. ‘I thought we could go for a drive,’ he said. ‘Bet you don’t get the chance of that very often. None of you lot down Empire Street have got a car, have you? Still relying on old man Feeny and his horse and cart, that’s what I heard.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with Pop’s horse and cart,’ snapped Kitty, stung at the insult to the man who had protected her like one of his own ever since she was eleven. She glanced around to see how many people were nearby. Though the light had faded, surely Alfie wouldn’t try anything serious. She couldn’t really believe that he wouldn’t let her go, that he might try to force her into the car. All the same, a little shiver of fear wormed its way through her.
Alfie must have sensed it, because he gave her a horrible excuse for a smile. ‘Come on, Kitty, don’t hang about. We’re missing the best part of the evening.’