Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

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      ‘There are other markets, Frank.’

      ‘Yeah, I suppose so, but it’s still gonna be hard.’

      ‘If it helps Eric, it’ll be worth it.’

      He nodded, but then three other costermongers sat at his table, bringing the conversation to an end. The pace slowed a little after that, but each time Pearl passed Frank’s table, she couldn’t help noticing how distant and distracted he looked. The other men were chatting, but Frank was picking at his food, his eyes faraway. Five minutes later he called Pearl over and, as though talking to her earlier had sealed his decision, his voice was lighter as he spoke.

      ‘Bring us all a cup of tea, would you, love? I’ve got something to tell this lot.’

      Pearl saw the puzzled glances that passed between the men but hurried to the counter, returning with the teas to hear Frank telling them that he was leaving the market. ‘My stall’s up for grabs. If you know anyone who might be interested in taking the pitch, let me know.’

      ‘Blimey, Frank, what brought this on?’ Charlie Slater asked.

      ‘Her indoors thinks that Eric needs to get out of this area, and I reckon she’s right.’

      They all nodded in understanding, Charlie saying, ‘I know a decent geezer who’s after a pitch. How much do you want for it?’

      Pearl moved away, her face showing her confusion as she went to the counter.

      ‘What’s up?’ Bernie asked.

      ‘Frank’s moving out of the area and is giving up his stall. There’s talk of someone buying the pitch, but I thought they rented them from the council.’

      ‘You’re right, they don’t own their own pitches, but it’s a busy market and a spot rarely becomes available. They’re like gold dust, so when one comes up, someone who’s willing to pay is tipped the wink.’

      ‘But surely anyone can apply to the council for the empty spot?’

      Bernie chuckled. ‘Yeah, that might be how it’s supposed to be, but the costermongers have got unwritten rules the council knows nothing about.’

      Pearl shook her head, still bewildered as she walked away, but the lunchtime rush was almost over and it was time to finish clearing the tables.

      Feeling tired and washed out, Pearl was glad when her shift ended. She had an art lesson that evening, but still hadn’t managed to get a grip on seascapes. Her efforts at painting the ocean lacked depth, colour, movement, and though she had studied other paintings on the subject, her own attempts looked flat.

      As she walked through the market she was frowning, hardly aware that she had reached Derek’s stall.

      ‘Cheer up, it might never happen,’ he quipped. ‘What are you looking so down in the mouth about?’

      ‘It’s nothing really. It’s just that I’ve got art classes this evening and my attempts at painting the sea are dreadful.’

      ‘I can’t believe that.’

      ‘It doesn’t help that I’ve never seen the sea.’

      ‘Blimey, we can soon fix that. I tell you what, I’ll take you down to Brighton on Sunday.’

      Pearl’s eyes lit up. ‘Really? Oh, I’d love that.’

      ‘You might not be so sure when we get there. It’s nearly the end of November and it’s bound to be a bit nippy.’

      ‘I don’t mind. In fact I hope the sea is rough and the waves huge.’

      Derek grinned. ‘You’re a strange one, Pearl. Most people want sunshine when they go to the seaside.’

      ‘Yes, but then the ocean would be boring. Oh, Derek, I can’t wait to see it,’ she cried, giving a little skip of delight.

      He smiled again, and as a customer walked up to the stall, showing an interest in a rather large teapot, Pearl said a hurried goodbye, her steps lighter as she made for home.

      Derek was lovely, he really was, and her heart warmed towards him. He might not be an oil painting, but he had a heart of gold, and though she had at first baulked at the idea of marrying him, it might not be so bad after all.

       Chapter Twenty-One

      On Sunday, Pearl stood on Brighton beach, gazing at the scene in wonderment. Even the pebbles under her feet held fascination as she picked her way across them, stooping to pick up one after another as she studied the colours and strata, just as Miss Rosen had taught her to do at the orphanage.

      Moving closer to the foaming waves, Pearl stood transfixed as they ebbed and flowed. She stepped forward, jumping back like a delighted child when the next wave tumbled in, almost soaking her shoes. She laughed, turning to look at Derek as he lumbered down to her side, face red from the whipping wind.

      ‘Have you had enough now, love? We’ve been on the beach for an hour and I don’t know about you, but I could do with some grub.’

      ‘Just five more minutes,’ she begged.

      ‘All right, and I’m glad to see you’re looking better.’

      ‘It must have been something I ate, but my tummy’s fine now.’

      Pearl looked up at the sky, saw gulls soaring, wings silhouetted against the dark clouds, their plaintive cries echoing in the bleak seascape. Rain began to fall, and reluctantly she dragged her eyes away, trying to hold it all in her memory. Head down, she stooped again to pick up a shell, fascinated by the texture and colour. ‘Oh, Derek, isn’t this lovely?’

      ‘Yeah, if you say so, but you’re getting soaked. I think we should find some shelter.’

      Pearl slipped the small shell into her pocket, her heart once again going out to this lovely man. He looked so wet, miserable, his expression hangdog. All right, he wasn’t much to look at, but nowadays she hardly noticed. Instead it was his personality that shone through, and suddenly she knew without a doubt that she really did want to marry him.

      Pearl grabbed his hand, smiling widely. ‘All right, come on then. Food it is.’

      They scrambled across the beach, Pearl throwing a last look over her shoulder before they headed for the nearest café. She shivered as they entered the warmth, the smell of food suddenly making her stomach turn. Mo had insisted she have a huge breakfast before she left, but she’d been unable to eat more than a few mouthfuls before being sick. Now once again she felt queasy.

      When the waitress came to their side, Derek ordered roast lamb, but Pearl shook her head. ‘Just a cup of tea for me, please.’

      ‘You need more than that,’ Derek said, looking at her with concern.

      ‘I had a big breakfast,’ she lied. ‘Honestly, I’m not hungry.’

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