Memories of You Read Online Free PDF Page A

lad said. Then added with a formality that belied his years, ‘It’s very good of you.’
    â€˜Well, then, I’ll leave you to it,’ the policeman said and, as he walked away, he took out his handkerchief and blew his nose, cursing himself for a sentimental softy.
    â€˜Where did you get that?’
    Mr Jenkins stood over them frowning accusingly.
    Danny, who had just taken a swig from the bottle, gulped and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
    â€˜Keep your hair on,’ Joe said. ‘We didn’t nick it if that’s what you’re thinking. Your pal the copper gave it to us.’ Their inquisitor raised his eyebrows and Joe added, ‘Go on – ask him.’
    Mr Jenkins took the bottle of pop from Danny and turned to seek out Constable Robinson in the crowded concourse. The policeman caught his glance and, seeing the pop bottle held aloft, grinned and gave the thumbs up.
    â€˜All right then, I believe you,’ Mr Jenkins said. ‘But you must learn to speak to me in a more respectful manner.’
    Joe stared up at him. This man who had hardly spoken to them since they had left home and who had seemed so mild-mannered as he sat in the front parlour eating their sandwiches and fruit cake might, after all, be tricky to deal with.
    â€˜Well, then?’ Mr Jenkins said and, as he leaned over him menacingly Joe smelled the alcohol on his breath.
    â€˜Well what?’ Joe asked and received a dig in the ribs from Danny. ‘Oh, yes,’ he mumbled. ‘Sorry.’
    â€˜Sorry, sir.’
    â€˜Sorry, sir . ’ Joe tried his best to keep the belligerence from his tone. For Danny’s sake he sensed he must not antagonize this man.
    â€˜Very well, then. Pack up your sandwiches. We have to get along to the platform.’
    Joe and Danny followed Mr Jenkins over the footbridge over the tracks as their train pulled alongside the platform. As the engine passed under the bridge it sent up a jet of steam that made Joe blink. The soot made his eyes water. At least that was what he told himself. He rubbed at them with closed fists and forced back the howl of anguish that would have revealed to the world that he was not as tough as he had thought himself.
    â€˜Hurry up,’ Danny said softly. ‘We’ll eat the rest of our sandwiches on the train and pretend it’s a picnic like Helen said we should.’
    Joe grinned and nodded. The moment had passed. Whatever lay ahead, Danny would need him to look out for him, wouldn’t he? And Joe was determined not to fail him.
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    Hugh stood with his arm round Selma and looked down at the sleeping child. He caught his breath. Just as Selma had told him he would be, he was stunned by her beauty. The soft light from a pink-shaded bedside lamp revealed eyelashes like dark crescents lying on slightly flushed cheeks. One softly rounded arm lay across the rosepink eiderdown and all that could be seen of the other was a hand lying palm upwards on the pillow beside her face. There was something about her – an odd sense of familiarity – that both puzzled him and stirred his emotions.
    The warm glow from the fire in the hearth pervaded the room which Hugh must now learn to call the nursery. He pulled Selma close and she sighed contentedly as she rested her head in the hollow of his shoulder. Her slender body fitted into the curve of his arms and her hair, brushing against his chin, felt as silky as a baby bird’s feathers. She smelled of the light floral perfume that suited her so well.
    Her happiness was so intense that Hugh thought it could be felt physically. Nevertheless he was uneasy. He had grown used to how impulsive Selma could be. Lost kittens, rescued dogs; over the years all had been welcomed into the household, and then found other homes if they had been troublesome. Now she had brought home a child. He wondered if she understood what a serious matter this was.
    Selma pulled away. ‘What