Swansea Summer Read Online Free PDF Page A

which is what Helen said about her and Jack, it’s the right time for it to happen,’ Katie murmured.
    ‘Some of the girls in the hostel said …’
    ‘The ones who don’t talk to you?’ Helen teased.
    ‘Some are better than others,’ Judy continued irritably. ‘They say French letters aren’t safe. That you can get pregnant even if you use them.’
    ‘You’re looking at proof.’ Helen sipped her Babycham.
    ‘You serious?’ Judy placed her plate on a side table.
    ‘To be honest, we didn’t use them until it was too late, but then, everything worked out well for me.’
    ‘Because you picked a boy who’d walk through fire for you. Given his present performance, I’m not sure Brian would cross the road for me.’
    ‘If you’re that unsure about him, why consider sleeping with him?’ Helen asked.
    ‘I told you.’
    ‘I think it would be a big mistake to go to bed with Brian just because you’re lonely and don’t like London.’
    ‘You’re not even married yet, Helen, and you sound like “Mrs Marryatt advises” in Woman’s Weekly.’ Lily smiled.
    ‘Can you imagine Woman’s Weekly printing a problem like Judy’s? How to curtsy and address your new mother-in-law and what colour bedsocks to wear on the honeymoon night maybe – but whether or not to undress in front of a man and actually make love before you have a wedding ring on your finger! Mrs Marryatt would curl up and die at the thought.’
    ‘And what colour bedsocks are you wearing tomorrow night?’ Judy asked curiously.
    ‘Want to see?’ Helen reached for another bag and pulled out a tiny white silk hat and veil. ‘Wrong bag,’ she muttered, among gales of laughter.
    ‘No, don’t put it away.’ Brushing the crumbs from her hands, Judy took it from her. ‘Have you thought about what hairstyle you’re going to wear with this?’
    ‘Down.’
    ‘Up would be more sophisticated.’
    ‘I’m wearing it down,’ Helen said resolutely. ‘Jack prefers it that way.’

Chapter Two
    ‘I don’t feel so good.’
    ‘We’ve noticed.’ Brian moved Adam’s pint away from him as he slumped over the table.
    ‘What are we going to do with him?’ Sam shifted his chair away from Adam’s.
    ‘Take him home.’ Martin finished the beer in his glass.
    ‘And I win.’ Jack held out his hand. ‘Two bob from each of you, I said two pints, remember.’ He watched the two-shilling pieces pile up in his palm. ‘Right, next round’s on me.’
    ‘Bridegroom shouldn’t pay on his stag night,’ Martin demurred.
    ‘I’m not.’ Jack pocketed the money and went to the bar.
    ‘You could charge Adam with being drunk and disorderly, Sam.’ Brian offered his cigarettes around, leaving one on the table in front of Jack’s chair. ‘Sergeant liked keen rookies when I worked out of Swansea.’
    ‘Don’t you lot ever forget you’re coppers?’ There was no malice in Martin’s comment. After sharing rooms first with Brian, then Sam, he’d developed a grudging respect for their profession.
    ‘He’s too out of it to be disorderly.’ Sam grimaced as Adam began to snore. Shifting Adam’s head until he fell silent, he asked, ‘What’s it like in the Met, Brian?’
    ‘Busier than here; in fact, most days it’s a madhouse. Long hours, shift work, hardly any time to yourself but the boys are great and promotion prospects better than in Wales.’
    ‘Then you like it.’
    ‘I won’t be coming back here, if that’s what you’re asking.’
    ‘And Judy?’ Martin ventured.
    ‘She seems happy enough. Between the hours I work and the hours she works, we don’t see one another as often as we’d like but you know what they say about absence.’ Brian winked.
    ‘Then it’s still on between you two.’
    ‘Most definitely. And what’s this I hear from Judy about you and Lily?’
    ‘I’ve taken her out a couple of times.’ Martin’s attempt to sound nonchalant didn’t quite come off.
    ‘A couple of times a week since we left according to