Playing With Fire Read online

  ‘I didn’t intend going to the Club Orchid tonight, you know.’

  ‘Oh?’ Her eyes searched his face. She sensed that she wouldn’t like what he was about to say.

  He continued slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. ‘But then, I couldn’t help myself. I’m vain enough not to want you to think too badly of me, so I came to explain.’ He grimaced. ‘I didn’t expect the jealousy that overwhelmed me when I saw you stuck against that guy like a sticking plaster. Was there any need for that?’ She writhed with shame and he smiled and assured her, ‘I didn’t really think him a big ape. You could probably do a lot worse. He seemed a nice enough lad, but that didn’t make any difference. I still didn’t like it one wee bit.’

  They had arrived at the corner of her street and he threw his arms wide as his eyes roamed over the detached houses set in their own grounds. ‘Believe me, Susan, I was gobsmacked when I saw all this opulence the other night. I hadn’t realised you were so well off. I nearly died when I saw all this.’

  ‘What difference does it make?’

  ‘Are you kidding? Of course it makes a big difference. Had I known, I wouldn’t have asked you out in the first place. Can’t you see? We don’t move in the same circles. I’m surprised that your parents allow you to frequent the Club Orchid.’

  ‘They don’t know! Anyhow, I don’t honestly see what difference it makes. After a few dates we would probably be bored stiff with each other. Do you know what? I think you’re a coward, Jim Brady. That’s what I think.’

  His arms circled her waist and a smile softened his features. ‘You don’t really think that,’ he disagreed. ‘Or you wouldn’t be attracted to me. You are attracted to me, aren’t you, Susan? I’m not wrong about that, am I?’

  His lips were tantalisingly close and she trembled in his arms. ‘A little,’ she confessed with a slight smile and pressed closer. ‘It can’t do any harm to see each other now and again. Can it?’ she added persuasively.

  Framing her face with his hands, he whispered against her lips, ‘Do you really believe that? You won’t be disappointed when we have to part? Because we will have to part, there’s no doubt about that. You won’t say that I led you on? You see, there really is no future for us to share, Susan.’

  ‘No, I won’t hold it against you. Let’s give it a try and see what happens. Mm?’ Her lips parted in invitation and all his good intentions went out the window as he claimed his first kiss.

  Rachel Cummings sat at the breakfast table after her husband had left for work and eyed her two daughters in concern. They were out every night of the week and her husband had insisted that she find out just what they were up to. She hated to pry into their affairs, but Trevor was right. They were both young and impressionable, Susan having just passed her twenty-first birthday and Alison nineteen. It was their duty as parents to keep a close eye on them and make sure they didn’t get into any trouble.

  Why did Trevor leave everything up to her? she lamented inwardly. On the other hand, he could be so forthright that the girls would probably take offence and there would be one hell of a row. So, determined to keep the conversation amicable, Rachel said in a teasing voice, ‘Your father and I were just saying last night that we don’t see much of you two lately.’

  The look of amusement that the sisters shared and then bestowed on her showed her plainly that they were not fooled.

  It was Alison who spoke first. ‘Ah, me dad has asked you to find out what we’re up to. Is that right, Mam?’

  An embarrassed flush crept up Rachel’s face. ‘If you could be a wee bit more open about your affairs we wouldn’t have to pry,’ she declared. ‘But no, you disappear every evening dressed to kill and we don’t know where you are or who you’re with. When I ask where you’ve been, all I get is “Out!” You can’t blame us for being worried. We do right to worry about your welfare. Some of the young ones are so permissive these days.’

  ‘Well, since you put it that way, if you must know, I’m seeing a very nice bloke. Shall I bring him home for you and Dad to run your beady over?’ Alison asked and laughed as alarm registered in her mother’s eyes.

  ‘It must be serious if you’re willing to bring him home,’ she cried. ‘Do be careful, Alison. You’re young and have your whole life ahead of you.’

  ‘You can’t have it both ways, Mam! Do you want to meet him or not? It’s not serious. At least not as far as I’m concerned. I had no intention of inviting him to tea, but if it sets your mind at rest I’ll bring him home on Saturday. I know you’ll like him. I just hope it doesn’t give him any ideas.’

  Rachel looked more alarmed than ever. ‘Ideas? What kind of ideas?’

  ‘He might think I’m keen on him since I’m bringing him home to meet the family. You know, getting his feet under the table, you might say.’

  Susan rose to her feet and, to avoid any awkward questions being directed at her, said, ‘Do bring him to tea, Alison. Let’s have a look at him.’

  Alison looked sternly at her mother. ‘I’ll invite him to tea as long as you promise he won’t be given the third degree. All right?’

  ‘I can’t speak for your father, Alison, but I will have a quiet word of warning in his ear before the lad arrives.’ Rachel turned to her other daughter before she could escape. ‘What about you, Susan? Would you like to bring your young man home on Saturday, as well? Make a night of it?’

  Trying to appear nonchalant, Susan asked, ‘What makes you think I’ve got a young man?’

  ‘Haven’t you? Where do you go every night, then?’

  ‘I’m with Ruth a lot of the time, and now and again I go out with a boy. Nothing serious.’ She wept inwardly. Four months of dating had not lessened her feelings where Jim Brady was concerned and she was sure he felt the same. It was serious; very serious. She just had to persuade him that they were meant for each other.

  ‘Will you be here to meet Alison’s young man on Saturday night, then?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll be here to tea, but I’ll be going out shortly afterwards,’ she warned.

  ‘So will I!’ Alison cried in alarm. There was no way she was going to sit in on a Saturday night. ‘I’ll bring Graham to tea, Mam, but I’m not staying in all evening. Do you hear that?’ She emphasised, ‘I’ll be going out as well.’

  No matter what her mother said to try to convince her otherwise, Alison made it clear that she had no intention of sitting in the company of her mother and father on Saturday night, and Rachel had to give in gracefully.

  Trevor straightened his tie and patted his thinning hair into place before turning to his wife. ‘Well, will I do? Although why we have to dress up to meet some lad we don’t even know, I’ll never understand.’

  ‘We want to make a good first impression, just in case he turns out to be Mr Right.’ Rachel smoothed her hands over her hips and wiggled the material of the pale-grey crêpe dress she was wearing into position. It was a long time since she had worn this dress and she was dismayed to find that she had put on a little weight. She hoped Trevor wouldn’t notice.

  He did, and in his usual blunt manner remarked on it, running a critical eye over her body and exclaiming, ‘You’ve put on a bit of weight, girl. Don’t let it get out of control. You know I can’t stand fat women.’

  Rachel smiled wryly as she watched him pull his tummy in. He was so conceited he would never admit to being overweight. ‘I could say the same about you, Trevor, if I was as tactless as you, that is.’

  He buttoned his jacket, patted his stomach and smiled smugly. ‘There you are. Look at that.’

  ‘I advise you to keep your jacket open or that button will pop the minute you sit down,’ Rachel warned. ‘Let’s go downstairs. He’ll be here any minute now.’

  Graham was already standing on the doorstep gathering the courage to ring the bell. It had come as a great surprise to him when Alison had invited him to tea. He cared deeply for her. Did this mean she cared for him? It was up to him to make a good impression. Straightening his shou
lders and fidgeting with his tie, he reached for the bell.

  It was Alison herself who opened the door. She looked good enough to eat, dressed in a short white dress of clinging material that left little to the imagination. Her hands reached for his and drew him inside. ‘Hello, Graham. I might have guessed you’d be on time.’ As she spoke she was slowly leading him towards the lounge. ‘Don’t look so scared,’ she whispered. ‘They won’t bite.’

  Her parents rose to their feet when Alison pushed him gently ahead of her into the lounge. ‘Mam, Dad, this is Graham Robson.’

  Her father eyed him and apparently liked what he saw. But then Alison had expected him to, hadn’t she? Graham was every parent’s idea of a suitable suitor for their daughter. Grasping his hand, Trevor said, ‘Welcome, son. What would you like to drink before the meal? Sherry? Whiskey?’

  ‘A small whiskey please, with plenty of lemonade.’

  Rachel’s mouth gaped slightly. She couldn’t believe her ears. Imagine Trevor offering Alison’s boyfriend alcohol. But then this was no young lad, this was a mature young man. A frown furrowed her brow. Surely he was much too old for Alison?

  Aware of her surprise, Graham cleared his throat and turned to her. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Mrs Cummings.’

  Still a mite perturbed, Rachel smiled briefly at him. ‘Take a seat, Graham. I’ll see how things are going in the kitchen.’ Leaving the room, she quickly crossed the hall and entered the big modern kitchen that was her pride and joy. A far cry from the little scullery in the house she had been reared in on the Shankill Road. Stretching the length of the house, it had the latest in modern equipment.

  At times like these, to leave herself free when entertaining someone new, she called on the assistance of two sisters who ran a small catering business. For a nominal fee they could be persuaded to cook a meal in your home for anything up to twelve people. Their cuisine was always mouth-watering and Rachel had no doubts that everything would be just fine. ‘How’s it going, Evelyn?’

  The smaller of the sisters greeted her with a smile. ‘Everything’s fine, Mrs Cummings. We’re ready to serve any time now.’

  Rachel drew in a deep breath of appreciation. ‘Mm, it smells delicious. Give us another ten minutes, then serve it. Is the dining table set?’

  A nod of the head confirmed this. ‘Everything’s in order, Mrs Cummings. Just leave it to us.’

  ‘Good! Ten minutes then.’

  As she crossed the hall again, Susan came down the stairs. ‘Well, is he presentable enough for Father?’ she whispered.

  ‘Hush!’ Her mother gave her an anguished look. ‘He might hear you.’

  ‘For goodness sake, Mam, these walls are thick. There’s no chance of being overheard. What’s he like?’

  ‘Very nice. But . . .’ The doubt in her voice caused Susan’s brows to rise in query. ‘He looks much older than I anticipated.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes. Come see for yourself.’

  Trevor and Graham were deep in conversation, while Alison, looking bored, was leafing through a magazine. Graham rose courteously to his feet when they entered the room.

  ‘Have you met my other daughter, Graham?’

  ‘No, Mrs Cummings, I have not had that pleasure.’

  ‘This is Susan, my eldest daughter.’

  ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Susan.’ A charming smile, exposing even white teeth, accompanied the words, and Susan was surprised to feel the colour rise in her cheeks as his eyes openly admired her. He really was charming, but then, she agreed with her mother, he was much older; old enough to have acquired such charm. Where on earth had Alison met him?

  ‘Likewise, I’m sure.’ She returned his greeting with a warm smile.

  Graham proved to be a great conversationalist and kept them entertained during the meal. Afterwards they retired to the lounge and Alison became alarmed when her father offered Graham another drink. ‘No, Dad. If Graham takes another drink he won’t be able to drive.’

  ‘Well, he can get a taxi home and pick his car up tomorrow. Is that all right with you, Graham?’

  ‘I’d like that, if Alison doesn’t mind?’ With raised brow he awaited Alison’s reaction.

  ‘Alison does mind, as a matter of fact! She minds very much.’ A baleful glare was bestowed on him. ‘You promised to take me to the Orpheus tonight.’

  ‘Orpheus? What’s the Orpheus?’ Trevor cried in bewilderment.

  ‘It’s a ballroom, Dad. It’s above the Co-op, in York Street. This will be my first time there. Graham, you promised! You know you did.’

  Graham smiled wryly at Trevor. ‘I did promise, Mr Cummings, and I’m a man of my word. It was lovely meeting you and Mrs Cummings. The meal was delicious. I really enjoyed it. I hope we will get to know each other a bit better in the future.’

  ‘Feel free to visit us any time you like.’

  Alison had shrugged into her coat and, grabbing her handbag, tugged at Graham’s arm. ‘Oh, come on, Graham, or we won’t get in.’

  Seeing that Susan had also donned her coat, Graham asked politely, ‘Can we give you a lift into town, Susan?’

  ‘Yes, please, Graham.’

  On the short journey to town Susan sat in a daze. Every Saturday night for the past few months she and Jim had frequented the Orpheus. It had come as a shock to her to hear Alison say they intended going there tonight. She always met Jim in the foyer, but now she asked Graham to drop her off at the corner of Donegal Street. When the car stopped Alison twisted round in her seat. ‘Where are you going tonight?’

  ‘I’m not sure yet. Thanks for the lift, Graham.’

  Before any further embarrassing questions could be directed at her, Susan jumped from the car. What on earth was bringing them to the Orpheus tonight?

  She waved the car out of sight on its way to the car park, then set off along York Street.

  Jim Brady watched Susan hurry towards him and a wave of tenderness washed over him. She was so beautiful and such a lovely person. He felt guilty wasting her time. They couldn’t go on as they were. The longer they continued to meet, the harder it would be to break up and the more hurt Susan would be. The attraction between them was too strong. It was becoming increasingly hard to hold his emotions in check. He wanted her with a desire that put everything else from his mind. If only there was a chance that one day they could wed, he would be the happiest man in the world. But marriage was out of the question and anything less was not good enough for her.

  Her eyes lit up when she caught sight of him and a smile of pure joy wreathed her face. She stopped, breathless, in front of him. ‘Hi there,’ he whispered and his voice throbbed with passion. They gazed at each other for some moments, then he took her by the arm and led her towards the lift. ‘Let’s get up to the ballroom. I want to hold you close.’

  In a daze, she had been following his lead. Now she stopped in her tracks and tugged frantically at his sleeve. ‘Jim, Alison and her boyfriend, Graham, are coming here tonight. Can we go somewhere else instead, please?’

  He stopped and stood lost in thought for a short while. ‘Does it matter if your sister sees us? After all she’s bound to guess that you are seeing someone.’

  Susan stood undecided and he leant closer. ‘Let’s stay. I’m just aching to hold you close, more than anything else in the world. Mm?’

  Encouraged by these words, she ventured, ‘We could go somewhere where we could really be alone.’

  He drew back instantly. His passion was too raw to seek solitude somewhere. Afraid of wavering in his resolve, he cried abruptly, ‘That’s out of the question, and you know it! Come on, let’s dance the night away.’ And without further ado he took her arm and led her towards the lift from where the strains of ‘Misty’ could be heard drifting down from the floor above.

  Agog with excitement, Alison stood at the entrance of the grand Orpheus ballroom. Used to Sammy Leckie’s small dance hall, she was bemused by the size of the Orpheus. And tonight there was an
orchestra playing. Imagine dancing to live music instead of records. Her eyes rose to the ceiling, where a huge silver ball slowly rotated, throwing slivers of light on to the swirling bodies below.

  A sigh of contentment escaped her lips. She turned to Graham. ‘Isn’t it marvellous?’

  He laughed at her excitement. The band was playing a waltz and the couples on the floor twirled gently to its beat. ‘Let’s join them.’ Without another word he swept her into the swaying mass.

  Graham had plenty of practice and was a competent dancer. He twirled her in and out of the other dancers and she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the magic of the music. As the waltz drew to a close, she reluctantly opened them again and was amazed to see her sister and a tall man dancing close by.

  Susan hadn’t seen her. How could she? She was gazing spellbound at her partner and had eyes for no one else. Not that Alison could blame her! Oh, no. She would be the first to admit that he was a very handsome fellow. Grabbing her sister by the arm as she was about to move off, Alison cried indignantly, ‘Susan! Why didn’t you say you were coming here?’

  Embarrassed, Susan lied. ‘I wasn’t sure where we would finish up tonight.’

  The men shared a perplexed glance and edged their partners to the side of the dance floor. They waited expectantly to be introduced.

  The silence lengthened and Alison said, ‘Well . . . aren’t you going to introduce us?’

  Reluctantly, Susan did so.

  Shaking Alison and Graham by the hand, Jim - always the gentleman - said cordially, ‘Grab a table and I’ll fetch some drinks. What would you ladies like?’ Fruit juices were ordered and Jim raised an eyebrow at Graham. ‘What’s your poison, Graham?’

  ‘I’ll come to the bar with you. You won’t be able to carry them all, and I know from experience that trays are like gold dust in here.’

  The bar was crowded and as they waited their turn the two men eyed each other. Graham was wondering how come Alison had no idea that her sister was courting. It was obvious to him that Jim and Susan were very much in love. It was in the air all around them. It was he who spoke first. ‘Have you met the girls’ parents yet?’