Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 2: The Loner, Born Bad, Three Letters. Josephine Cox

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      Leaving her parents chatting over the latest gossip from Tom’s milk-round and Beth’s recent visit to town, Judy went upstairs to get ready for the trip to Derwent Street.

      When half an hour later she returned downstairs, her long hair brushed to shining, and her face scrubbed softly pink, Beth commented on how lovely she looked in her new cream-coloured dress. ‘You made a good choice in that frock.’ She noted how the calf-length skirt swung easily about Judy’s slim legs, and she liked the way her waist was accentuated by the broad brown belt. ‘Mrs Gregory is right to value you,’ she remarked proudly. ‘You have a natural instinct as to what suits and what doesn’t.’

      ‘You didn’t say that last year when she came home in a pair of trousers and a flat cap,’ Tom reminded her. ‘You said she resembled a scarecrow from out the field.’

      ‘And so she did!’ Beth declared. ‘Whatever Mrs Gregory was thinking of, when she dressed our lass in black flapping trousers and a big flat cap, I will never know!’

      ‘We were just trying out the new fashions,’ Judy grinned. ‘And if you didn’t like what I was wearing, it’s as well you didn’t see what Mrs Gregory had on.’

      ‘And what was that?’ Tom was intrigued.

      The girl tried to describe it as best she could. ‘It was a long red coat with split tails, a wide floppy hat with a bow, and a pair of high-heeled boots.’

      ‘How ridiculous – especially for a woman her age!’ Beth was not impressed. ‘High heels indeed! I shouldn’t think she was at all comfortable.’

      Judy laughed at the memory. ‘I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want to be mean about her.’

      ‘So, you can tell us now.’ Though content in her old knee-length coat and a sturdy pair of shoes, Beth was always interested in what other women were wearing.

      ‘Well, you know she took me shopping in Manchester, and she wanted us to come home in what she’d bought … said it would open folks’ eyes?’

      ‘Oh, yes.’

      ‘Well, when we got back, we parted company at the Boulevard. I got on the tram and she walked over to the train station. It was pouring with rain and the wind had really got up. In a matter of minutes, the big hat was sailing down the gutter, her coat was up over her head, and she caught her shoe in a grating. Whipped the heel clean off, it did.’

      ‘Well, I never!’ Beth’s face melted into a grin and Tom laughed out loud. ‘No doubt she had summat strong to say about all that, eh?’

      ‘She said it was all a matter of experience.’ Judy shrugged. ‘Nothing seems to ruffle her feathers.’

      ‘Aye, well, fashions change and Mrs Gregory has to keep up with it all.’ Looking at his daughter now, Tom was immensely proud. ‘You look pretty as a picture, lass.’

      ‘Well, it’s a good job she doesn’t tek after you, isn’t it?’ Beth was teasing again.

      Tom would have none of it. ‘Give over, woman. It’s me she gets her looks from. My daughter comes from good stock.’

      Judy giggled. ‘You could be talking about one of your farm animals,’ she said. ‘Next thing, you’ll be wanting to fatten me up for market.’

      ‘Aw, my pet, you’re the best thing me an’ your mam’s ever been blessed with,’ he answered with a warm smile.

      ‘You’re just an old softie, Dad.’ The girl gave him an affectionate hug, and the same for her mam. ‘I’d best be off now,’ she said. ‘I’ll be going straight on to Annie’s when I leave Derwent Street, so I won’t be back till teatime.’ As an afterthought, she asked her mother, ‘Is it all right if I bring Annie back for some dinner?’

      ‘’Course it’s all right. I’ll make a big shepherd’s pie with enough for plenty more people, in case they all want to come.’ Then, as always, Beth warned her to be careful about the traffic. ‘The streets get busier by the day.’

      With a decisive nod of his head, Tom agreed. ‘We should consider ourselves fortunate to be living in the countryside.’

      ‘The countryside isn’t all that safe neither,’ Beth said sadly, then: ‘Not with you racing along the lanes in that rattly old milk-wagon and a horse that’s going senile.’

      ‘He never is!’ Tom was shocked. ‘That old horse has more sense than you and me put together.’

      ‘That’s not saying much then, is it?’ Beth was determined to have the last word.

      ‘Mam?’ There was something else on Judy’s mind in that moment, as in every moment throughout the day. ‘D’you think Don might have got any news of Davie? Has he been trying to find out where he is?’

      Beth could not pretend; it was not in her nature. She was not optimistic. ‘I don’t know, lass. You see, I reckon it’s early days yet. Since he’s been back, Don’s had enough to cope with. He’s found that new job, and he’s also been taking care of Joseph. Five long years, he’s been away, and there were a lot of things to put right. But don’t worry, I’m sure he’s got plans where Davie’s concerned.’

      Tom added, ‘If Don had any news of the boy, we’d be the first to know.’

      ‘I’d best get going,’ Judy sighed.

      ‘And don’t forget to take your coat,’ Beth reminded her.

      As she set off down the lane, coat over her arm, the thought of Davie was strong in Judy’s mind. Life was not the same without him. Day and night, she missed him so very much.