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CHAPTER 1

Dorothy quietly moved out of bed over to the window.  She did not want to wake him as he looked so calm and relaxed, but she was too happy herself to sleep.  Slightly parting the curtains, so as to not show even a sliver of moonlight, she peered into the darkness.

Slowly her thoughts drifted back to how she had arrived at this momentous point in her life.

**********

‘Come on Dorothy,’ her sister yelled impatiently up the stairs at her, ‘We're going to be late if you don't get a move on.  You always make us late with all the titivating yourself up you seem to want to do.’

‘I'm nearly ready.  Stop panicking, we've plenty of time yet.’

For some unexplained reason her stomach had butterflies in it as if this was to be a special evening.  But it wasn't, it was just their usual weekly night out at the local dance hall, Fulford Hall, up Beverley Road.  Nothing special about that apart from it being a very popular place to dance and, of course, plenty of eligible young men there.

Downstairs Marjorie gave a big sigh of impatience, this really was the limit.  If it was going to carry on being like this every time they went out together then she would not bother going with her sister again.  She would stick to her own friends.  Who needed an older sister with them anyway?

Finally she heard the squeak of the stairs, ‘Ah!  Finally ready are we Dorothy?’ she shouted with sarcasm in her voice.  ‘Made yourself attractive enough?’

Their mother quickly jumped in as she could see trouble brewing. ‘Come on now, the pair of you.  Off you go and enjoy yourselves.   Have a good evening out.’

As the tension was broken by their mother’s comments they both shouted in unison as they went through the door, ‘We will, Mam, we will, don't you worry.  Ta ra, see you later.’

‘Aye, take care now, the pair of you.’

‘Of course,’ they assured her, then laughed knowing full well once they were at the hall they would be too busy dancing to care what the other was doing.  To reassure their mother further they added, ‘There's two of us so we can look after each other.’

Then wanting to have the final word their mother added, ‘Mind you're not too late in now.’

‘Yes, Mam, good-bye,’ yelled Marjorie as she slammed the door shut behind her.  ‘Won't she ever treat us like grown ups?’ Marjorie turned to ask her sister feeling insulted at always being treat like this by their mother.

Laughing, Dorothy answered, ‘I suppose not, to her we'll always be her little girls.  Never mind, we're away from her now, let's go and have a good evening like the adults we are.’

Linking her sister’s arm and back in good humour Marjorie cheerfully said, ‘Aye let's.’

Before they had even opened the dance hall door the sound of music came to them and Dorothy could feel her feet itching to be off dancing.  As soon as they had paid the entry fee and hung up their coats, Dorothy turned to Marjorie, ‘Come on, let's have a dance.’

‘You're an eager one tonight.  Aren't you going to wait for a young man to ask you?’

‘No, I want to dance now; my feet are fair going already.  Anyway I can't see anybody that exciting around at the moment.’

It did not take Dorothy long to retract those words, as she whirled around with Marjorie, her eyes suddenly felt drawn to the door, as if magnetised.  She took a sharp intake of breath as she saw the man stood there.  As if sensing her eyes were on him he turned to stare at her.  Carrying on looking at him she suddenly realised this felt like the man she had always imagined would be for her in her dreams.  But this was no dream, this was reality, he was actually stood there. 

She knew instinctively that she wanted to get to know him.  Slowly she saw him walk across the dance floor, his eyes never wavering from looking at her.  As he reached where Dorothy and her sister were dancing, he spoke directly to Dorothy, instantly making her heart flip with joy.  ‘Excuse me, but I'd like this dance with you.’

She felt like a silly school girl as she stuttered, ‘Oh, yes, um, Marjorie do you mind?’

‘Well, what am I supposed to do now?’ she asked indignantly.

‘Just wait over there.  This dance will soon have finished then I'll join you again.’

With a sulky glare Marjorie said over her shoulder as she flounced away, ‘If that's the way you want it, but I won't forget this.’

‘I hope I haven't caused trouble with your friend?’ the young man asked politely.

‘Actually she's my sister,’ Dorothy said as if this explained everything.

‘Oh, I see.  Well I hope she isn't too angry with you.’

‘No, take no notice of her, her barks worse than her bite.  She'll calm down soon enough.’

‘Good, I wouldn't like to come between sisters,’ he said with a laugh in his voice.  Then he added, ‘I'd better introduce myself.  My name’s Harry, what's yours?’

‘Dorothy,’ she managed to get out feeling elated that he had noticed her.

‘Okay Dorothy, it's a pleasure to meet you.’

They danced together as if they had been dancing partners all their lives.  She felt comfortable in his arms.  He finally broke the silence by asking, ‘Do you come here often?’

‘We try to get here once a week, if we can.  My sister and I like dancing.’

‘I can tell that by the way you dance.  I'm surprised I haven't seen you here before.  I'm sure if I had I'd have noticed you straight away, just like I did tonight.’

‘The same here,’ Dorothy quickly replied, and then suddenly felt embarrassed in case this seemed a bit forward.

    The music stopped but neither of them noticed until they heard Marjorie’s voice calling at them, ‘Hey you two, you can stop dancing now. The music has ended.’  Then she added in a petulant voice,   ‘I thought you said you'd join me after this dance, Dorothy?’

Looking around her in amazement, Dorothy realised they were the only two people left on the dance floor. ‘I think we'd best stop dancing now Harry.  Everybody's looking at us.’  She felt slightly silly now not having noticed before that the music had indeed finished.

‘Let them!  What do I care when I've got the prettiest girl in the room in my arms.’

Dorothy could feel herself going bright red with embarrassment at these kind words but inside her happiness knew no bounds.

Finally he conceded, ‘Well all right then, we’ll leave the floor for the time being.  Let's sit over there and talk, then you can tell me more about yourself,’ he added.

As they moved across the room, Dorothy was aware she was leaving her sister on her own again but more than anything else she wanted to be with this man.  She kept sneaking a look at him and realised he maybe was not that exceptional looking but there was certainly a charisma there that attracted her.  He was of medium height, with a head of dark brown curly hair, probably a little bit on the long side.  Somehow his face had a solid look about it and overall he gave a feeling of reliability. 

As they sat down, he gently took hold of her hand.  ‘Well then, tell me all about yourself.’

‘There's not a lot to tell really.   I live at home with my Mam and Dad and my sister Marjorie, who you've already met.  Dad works on the docks.  I'm a shop girl and when I think about it there's nothing really exciting to tell about my life.  I like dancing and we, that is Marjorie and myself, come here most weeks.  Oh!  I think I've told you that already.  That's it I'm afraid, not really very interesting.’

‘Is there anybody special in your life?’

With a twinkle of mischief in her eye she asked, ‘Special?  How do you mean special?  Like my Grandma?’

‘No, you know what I mean, some young man that you're courting.’

‘No, there's nobody,’ she now answered seriously, but hoping he was going to be that somebody special.

Now it was his turn to laugh. ‘Well, we'll soon have to rectify that.’

Being more forward than she usually was, Dorothy quickly responded. ‘I do hope so.’

Then realising that he had not really said much about himself, Dorothy looked at him, ‘Come on, what about you?  What do you do?’

Laughing again he said, ‘I'm a shop boy.’

‘Oh yes!’  Dorothy said with disbelief in her voice.

‘No, I mean it; I work in the menswear department at the Co-operative store in the town.’

‘What about your family then?  You've not said anything about them.’

‘I've two brothers and a sister, but there's only one brother left at home now.  My sister and other brother are married.’

‘Is your brother with you tonight?’

‘No, I came with a friend.  In fact that's him dancing with your sister.’

‘Well at least that'll keep her happy a while.  It'll stop the black looks she keeps giving me.’

‘Good!  Come on then, now she's occupied let us dance some more,’ said Harry as he pulled her towards the dance floor.

Dorothy felt as if she was dancing on air, she was so happy.  There was something about this man that gave her such a good feeling.  For some reason it did not feel as if they had just met for the first time.  She was so comfortable with him.  It was as if she had already known him a long time.  Not only were they in tune to the music but they were in tune to each other.  Never once did their steps falter as he whirled her around the dance floor.  Finally she said, ‘Let's have a rest now and chat again.’

‘What, are you too old already to keep the pace up?’ said Harry laughing kindly at her.

‘No!  I just need a breather that's all.’  Dorothy knew it was him that was taking her breath away.

Dorothy could not believe they had only met a short while ago, the way she felt so relaxed chatting away to him.  She was so happy in his company and did not want the evening to come to an end.  She only hoped he felt the same and he would ask her to go out with him.  She would be ever so disappointed if nothing came of meeting him.

Finally, after a hectic evening of dancing and talking he asked, ‘Are you ready to have another dance before it's time to leave?  I can walk you home, can't I?’

‘Why yes of course. That's the answer to both questions.  Come on, this is a waltz.  I feel ready to do that.’

As they danced past her sister, Marjorie, she called out, ‘We'll have to be leaving soon you know, if we're to be in on time as we promised Mam.’

‘I know, this is our last dance we're having then we're going.’

Harry quietly said in her ear, ‘I wish it wasn't, I've really enjoyed myself.’

‘Me too.’

‘Anyway it's not over yet, I've the pleasure of seeing you home.’

‘Yes, but remember Marjorie will be there with us.’

‘True, unless Jim decides to walk her home.’

‘I don't know about that, last time I looked she wasn't dancing with him but another young man.’

‘Oh I see.  Well, never mind.  We'll have plenty more opportunities to be on our own.’

Dorothy’s heart gave a flip of joy at these words.

Marjorie came over to them and said in a snide tone of voice, ‘Well, are you ready to go then?  I suppose he's walking you home.’

‘Actually, yes he is.  Have you any objection?  By the way, he does have a name you know, Marjorie.  It is Harry.’

Ignoring Harry’s outstretched hand Marjorie carried on still in a churlish mood.  ‘Well it's all right for some isn't it?  Getting seen home.  Do you expect me to make my own way home?’

‘Of course not, you'll come with us.’

‘What do you think I am?  Remember two's company three's a crowd.’

‘I hardly think that applies in this case,’ replied Dorothy feeling her temper building up because Marjorie was trying to show her up.

Harry, who had kept quiet all this time, decided it was time he spoke before it all got out of hand.  ‘Right ladies; are we ready to go yet?  If so, let's get on our way if you don't want to be home late.’

Marjorie still could not leave it there. ‘Who do you think you are?’ she snapped then instantly marched off ahead of them before he could reply.

Contrite at her sister’s rudeness, Dorothy turned to Harry. ‘I'm sorry; I've never seen her behave as badly as this before.’

Harry laughed, ‘Don’t worry, I'm used to brothers and sisters. Mine are no different.’

Suddenly she felt shy with him for the first time in the evening and not quite sure what to say or do next.  Her breath was taken away by his show of consideration as he asked, ‘Are you tired now?’

‘I suppose so,’ answered Dorothy latching on to this as a good enough reason for her sudden quietness.

Gently he put his arm around her, ‘Come on, lean on me, not far to go now.’

Dorothy heard Marjorie shout in agitation, ‘Come on you two, what's holding you up?’

‘Just coming,’ responded Dorothy feeling in exceptionally good humour now.

After a quiet walk home Dorothy was the first to speak.  ‘This is our road end,’ she said feeling sorry that they would soon have to part company.

This did not last long as Harry asked, ‘Can I see you again soon?’

 Dorothy's heart flipped with joy once more at this question she longed to hear was actually being uttered.  ‘Why yes, of course.’

‘Would Monday night suit?’

‘Yes, that would be fine.  I've nothing else planned.’

‘Meet me outside the Cecil Cinema at seven thirty.’

‘I will.’  Before she could say any more she felt his lips gently brush hers.  She nearly jumped back with surprise.  Just as quickly as they had touched her, he moved back away.

‘See you Monday night then.’

‘Yes you will goodnight.’

As they went in the house Marjorie sneered, ‘Who's the lucky one then?  I thought it was supposed to be an evening out together.  Good company you've been!’

Dorothy was too happy to notice her attitude, instead in a bemused voice she uttered, ‘Wasn't he gorgeous?  I've been waiting for him all my life.’

‘Don't be so soppy.  It doesn't just happen like that.’

A voice, from the kitchen, called out to them, ‘Happen like what?’

Realising their mother must still be up Dorothy put her finger to her lips to motion to Marjorie to keep quiet.  But Marjorie was having none of it, her evening had been spoilt.  Before Dorothy could stop her she called out to their mother, ‘Love at first sight.’

Not understanding what she meant, their mother shouted back, ‘What on earth are you on about?’

‘Nothing, Mam, Marjorie’s only having a joke,’ replied Dorothy, at the same time glaring at Marjorie as much as to say to her, ‘Don't you dare say another word about it.’

‘Oh, I see,’ replied their mother. ‘Well have you had a good evening the pair of you?’

‘Yes,’ replied Dorothy but at the same time Marjorie shouted, ‘No.’

‘Well, make up your minds.  What’s it to be?’

Glaring again at Marjorie, Dorothy quickly answered before her sister could get the words out, ‘Yes, it's been fine.  We've had a good time.’

Marjorie mouthed to her sister, ‘Speak for yourself.’

‘We'll get on up to bed now, Mam.   After all, it's work tomorrow.’

‘Aye it is that, goodnight then the pair of you.  Sleep tight.’

Dorothy knew sleep would not come easily to her, her mind had so many thoughts rushing around in it.  All it would think of was this lovely man she had met so unexpectedly.  Already she could feel herself cuddling up to her bedding as if it was him with her.  What on earth was the matter with her, she had never felt like this before about a bloke.  Yet already he was implanted deep within her.

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