A Step In Time. Kerry Barrett
can ask around,’ she said. ‘See if anyone knows anyone.’
‘What do you mean?’ I said, naively.
‘You know,’ she said. Audrey was from London and since we’d been in her hometown her accent had become more pronounced. ‘My sister knows someone in Camberwell. I can find out how much it is?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘No. Not yet.’
‘Have you tried a bath and gin?’ she said. ‘I’ve heard that does the trick.’
I grimaced with the frustration of trying to make her understand.
‘No,’ I said again. ‘It might be all right. Donnie might …’
Audrey gave me a pitying look.
‘He might still want to marry you?’ she said. ‘Yeah, and I might be queen of bloody England.’
‘We’ve got plans,’ I said, thinking of our trip across America. ‘He’s going to take me to Hollywood.’
‘What, with a great big bump or a babe in your arms? I don’t think so, sweetheart.’
Her face softened as tears filled my eyes.
‘Look,’ she said, putting her arm round me. ‘Donnie’s a lovely bloke but that’s all he is at the end of the day, isn’t it? A bloke. Look at you. You’re gorgeous. Nice hair, good tits, great legs. You’re young. You’re lively. You’re a catch. No wonder he’s full of talk now. But will he still be so interested when you’re fat, and your legs are puffy and you’ve got a nipper hanging off your breast?’
She sucked her lips.
‘Unlikely, I’d say.’
‘Audrey,’ I said, appalled. ‘Not all men are like your dad, you know? Donnie loves me whatever I look like. He wants to marry me.’
Audrey squeezed me tighter.
‘It’s not their fault,’ she said. ‘It’s the way they’re made – to only see pretty faces and long legs. And it’s just a shame we’re left to pick up the pieces. I’ll write to my sister, see what she says. It’s best to be prepared.’
I felt overwhelmed with exhaustion. I’d been terrified when I realized I was expecting, but I’d assumed everything would be fine. I’d tell Donnie, and we’d just get married a bit ahead of when we’d planned. I’d stay in London, or go to the country with the baby – anywhere as long as it wasn’t going home to Worthing and my mother – until the war ended, then we’d go to America. But now Audrey had made me wonder if I was just being naive. Maybe she was right. Perhaps Donnie would run a mile when he heard.
I slumped against Audrey, tearful and tired.
‘I really don’t feel very well,’ I said. ‘I feel awful, in fact. I think I need to go back to bed. Can you tell Henry that I’m poorly?’
Audrey nodded.
‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Have a rest and you’ll feel better tomorrow.’
Like a mum – not my mum, but how I imagined mothers to be – she helped me take my uniform off and slipped my nightie over my head. Then she tucked me into bed and pulled the curtains closed.
‘Rest up,’ she whispered.
I cried myself to sleep.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.