Winter on the Mersey(78)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


‘I really wish I could see you sing again tonight,’ said Nancy ruefully, sipping a cup of tea as Gloria brushed a slight crease out of the gown hanging in her dressing room. ‘I can’t manage it though. I’ve asked everyone if they can take Georgie, but they’re all too busy.’ She knew she’d been pushing it recently and now Dolly had told her firmly that this was taking advantage and it had to stop.

‘Never mind, you came to the first concert and cheered me on,’ said Gloria. ‘It’s always good to have a friendly face in the front row. Gives me confidence.’ She flashed her big smile.

‘You don’t need that, Glor, you must be used to it all by now,’ exclaimed Nancy, surprised. ‘You’ve been doing it for years.’

‘Still get those last-minute nerves though,’ admitted Gloria, patting her tummy. ‘I wouldn’t perform as well without them, but I do appreciate it when you’re there, clapping.’

‘Well, me and Gary,’ said Nancy.

Gloria sat down opposite her. ‘Oh yes, Gary. How is he? Have you seen him over Christmas?’

Nancy’s eyes brightened. ‘Yes, we had a wonderful afternoon at this gorgeous little hotel right near the station. It wasn’t as swish as the Adelphi’s rooms but it wasn’t far off. It was my extra present, he said.’ Her expression grew dreamy as she remembered just how exciting the afternoon had been.

‘You’re taking a bit of a risk doing something like that,’ Gloria pointed out as she reached for a nail file.

Nancy shrugged. ‘Not really. The place was deserted, quiet as the grave it was. Anyway, it shows how much he cares for me.’

Gloria gave her a quizzical look. ‘Suppose so. He seems too good to be true, your Gary.’

‘Oh, he is.’ Nancy’s face lit up. ‘He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Gloria. Well, apart from Georgie,’ she added quickly. ‘He keeps telling me about his home and how lovely it is. I think he’s preparing the way.’

‘What for?’ asked Gloria.

Nancy shrugged. ‘Well, I think he’s going to ask me to go back there with him.’

Gloria shook her head. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You know. Like one of those GI brides.’

Gloria gave her friend a sharp look. ‘Hang on there, Nancy. Wait a minute. You can’t marry him. You’re married already – never mind that there’s Georgie to consider as well.’

Nancy shook her hair, which she was wearing loose today, clipped back with a glittery grip that Gary had given her. ‘I’m sure he’ll find a way somehow. That’s how much he cares for me, Glor. Anyway we don’t know if Sid is coming home or not, do we? All those years he’s been away, anything could happen.’

Gloria raised her eyebrows. It was true she didn’t have much time for Sid Kerrigan, the cheater and would-be Mr Big, but the man had served all these years as a POW, and after enduring Dunkirk too. He couldn’t be erased from Nancy’s life quite so conveniently. Also, her initial distrust on first meeting Gary was growing by the minute.

‘Nancy,’ she said steadily, ‘don’t take this the wrong way, but are you sure he’s not married? Older man, good-looking, knows how to please women … doesn’t that give you pause for thought?’

‘God, Gloria, I thought you were my friend!’ Nancy exclaimed hotly. ‘What do you want to say a thing like that for? Of course he’s not married, he’d have said. He’s a good man, Gary is. That’s exactly the kind of remark Mam would make. Fine sort of friend you are.’

‘That’s why I’m saying it,’ Gloria told her. ‘I’m not judging you, Nancy. You know me better than that. I’m just asking the obvious question. He might still be a good man – people keep secrets, that’s all. You do.’

Nancy puffed angrily. ‘You’re only saying that because you’re jealous. You don’t have anyone like him.’ Then her hand flew to her mouth as she realised what she’d said.

Gloria simply looked at her for a long moment. Then she stood up. ‘No, as you so rightly say, I don’t have anyone like him. I did, though. Giles died saving me and I never forget it, not for one single day. He’s gone and I can’t change that. Doesn’t mean I can’t see what’s going on right under my nose though.’ She turned and put the nail file back in the little pearly pink case with a gold clasp that contained the rest of her neatly organised manicure set. ‘I don’t want to quarrel with you, Nancy. You’re my best and oldest friend. Be careful, that’s all. Don’t let your dreams take you too far from what you’ve already got.’

Nancy stood as well, pushing the little dressing stool under the shabby counter, littered with make-up and brushes. ‘No. I know. I’m sorry I said that, Glor. I didn’t mean nothing by it.’ She hung her head and her beautiful Titian hair swung down like a glossy curtain, obscuring her features. She couldn’t bear to catch sight of herself in the speckled mirror. How could she have flung that at her best friend, who’d quietly mourned Giles ever since that dreadful night when the bomb had killed him as he’d shielded Gloria from the blast.

‘I know. Come here.’ Gloria opened her arms and Nancy fell into them, hugging her friend tightly. ‘Wish me luck for later, then you’re going to have to go. I’ve got to speak to the Liverpool Post and then get ready properly. Just be careful, won’t you?’