The Baker's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page A

down on the dancers, she turned to him.
    â€˜So what’s your name?’
    â€˜I’m Doug Maclaren.’
    â€˜And what do you do, Doug?’
    â€˜I’m . . .’ Doug hesitated. He was only an apprentice in the garage, though the boss, Sanny Munro, had said he was doing well, and he expected to be promoted to mechanic.
    â€˜I’m in cars,’ he said.
    â€˜Ooh . . .’ she sounded impressed. ‘So when you take a girl out, you’ve got a smashing new Bentley, or an MG, maybe?’ She gave him a roguish sideways look.
    â€˜And you?’ he said. ‘I’ve not seen you around,’ he said. ‘Are you new to the town?’
    She paused. ‘Not exactly. I’ve been working in Edinburgh, but it didn’t suit me. I’ve come back for a bit while I look round.’
    â€˜So, are you working round here?’
    â€˜For a bit,’ she said casually. ‘Till I find something else in the city.’ She added, ‘I’m the sort of girl who likes the bright lights—cafés, theatres, dance halls. Real dance halls, I mean. Not,’ she glanced down at the dancers, ‘not somewhere like this.’
    â€˜So you don’t stay in the town?’
    â€˜My, you ask a lot of questions.’ She nudged his arm.
    â€˜Cheeky, eh? Well, I’m staying at home meantime, just till I decide what to do. It’s a one-horse town.’ She attempted an American accent, not very successfully, but Doug was impressed.
    â€˜Then,’ said Doug, greatly daring, ‘maybe we could go out one evening, to the pictures? Do you like the pictures?’
    â€˜Eh,’ she said, ‘you’re a fast worker, aren’t you, Doug? But mind you, I like a lad with a bit of go in him.’
    Doug said bashfully, ‘Well, whatever you like. What about the pictures?’
    â€˜If there’s a Cary Grant film,’ she said dreamily. ‘He’s my favourite—so sophisticated.’
    Doug decided to lose no time. ‘How about Friday evening?’ he said. ‘About six. I’ll pick you up.’
    â€˜No,’ she said, a little too quickly. ‘Better if I meet you in the town. Outside the Regal at six p.m., and don’t keep me waiting.’
    â€˜Oh, I’ll not do that.’
    â€˜And I hope it’s a good film. I like a romance.’
    She turned her smile on him, and Doug was hooked. He had to get to know this girl—she was unlike anyone he had met before.

SPENDING TIME WITH CALLUM
    When they met that Friday evening outside the Regal, Doug was very nervous. He had just enough money for the front of the circle, and he’d bought a small box of mint creams.
    He was there a good quarter-of-an-hour before. Would she be there as she had promised? Or had she thought better of it?
    But a few minutes after six, she arrived. If anything she looked even more glamorous—in a bright red coat, and black high-heeled shoes.
    â€˜Did you think I wasn’t coming?’ she said ‘Sorry I’m a bit late. I got held up at the . . .’
    She bit the words back, but Doug was so entranced by her that he didn’t notice.
    â€˜I’ve got the tickets,’ he said. ‘And there’s a wee box of sweeties for you.’
    â€˜Oh, I like a generous man,’ she smiled at him ‘So what’s the big picture?’
    â€˜I know you said you liked Cary Grant, but the film’s not on till next week.’
    â€˜Oh, well, as you’ve bought the tickets, we might as well use them.’
    Doug knew from then on, that the evening was not going well. She wouldn’t let him hold her hand during the film, and she refused an ice-cream in the interval, though she ate most of the box of mints.
    As the audience streamed out of the cinema, she turned to him. ‘Thanks, Doug.’
    Doug said desperately, ‘Have you not time for a coffee?’ He himself would have liked a cup of tea, but he