A Step In Time. Kerry Barrett

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СКАЧАТЬ a few nights,’ I said. ‘Nothing like as long as last time.’

      When we’d been at the camp before we’d stayed for a month, doing shows on a rotation to the GIs stationed there. With so much time together, my romance with Donnie had blossomed and our letters had kept things going while I toured Britain with the ENSA.

      But there weren’t many troops left now. Donnie would be headed back to France before too long, and this time we only had a few days.

      ‘Tell me again,’ I said now. ‘Tell me the plan.’

      Donnie had mapped out our future while we’d been apart, spelling it all out in his letters. But I’d never heard him actually say the words.

      ‘When this damn war finally ends, and the Americans send those Germans packing,’ he began.

      I giggled and pulled his arm round my shoulders, grateful of his warmth on this cold, clear night.

      ‘Not just the Americans,’ I said.

      Donnie chuckled.

      ‘Whatever you say, honey,’ he drawled in an over-the-top accent.

      ‘So when the war is over …’ I prompted, giving him a fake-stern look.

      ‘We’ll ship out of England and head back to the States,’ Donnie said. ‘Soon as we can.’

      ‘And where will we go?’ I said, knowing the answer but wanting him to say it.

      ‘Well, I guess we should call in on my folks,’ Donnie said. ‘Mom’s desperate to meet you.’

      ‘She is?’

      ‘Sure she is. I got a letter from her just the other day asking to know more about you.’

      I blinked. This was all news to me.

      ‘More?’ she said. ‘What have you told her already?’

      ‘That you’re beautiful, funny, talented and you’ve made me the happiest man in England,’ Donnie said.

      ‘Sounds about right,’ I said, striking a pose.

      ‘Have you told your mom about me?’ Donnie asked.

      Up ahead was a parked jeep. Not wanting to answer Donnie’s question, I saw my chance to distract him, so I bounced over to the car and climbed up onto the bonnet.

      ‘Come on,’ I said. I lay back against the windscreen and looked up at the stars, bright in the clear December sky. Donnie climbed up next to me and gripped my hand.

      ‘So we’ll call in on the folks in Connecticut and then we’ll get on a train,’ he continued.

      ‘A train,’ I said. ‘That’s good. I like trains.’

      ‘We’ll go all the way cross country. We’ll go to Chicago – I love Chicago. And to Las Vegas – take in a few shows.’

      I was getting impatient.

      ‘And where then?’ I said.

      ‘And then we’ll go to Hollywood,’ said Donnie, propping himself up on his elbow and looking down at me. ‘And you’ll be snapped up by some big movie producer and you’ll dance in films and become the superstar you were born to be.’

      I reached up and rubbed his buzz cut with the palm of my hand.

      ‘What will you do?’ I asked, looking deep into his blue eyes.

      ‘I’ll devote my life to making you happy,’ he said, bending his neck to kiss me. ‘That’s all I care about.’

       Chapter 7

      ‘This is a very bad idea,’ I said to Phil as we went up the stairs to the theatre.

      ‘Oh, get over yourself,’ he said, giving me a delicate nudge. ‘You can’t shut yourself away for ever.’

      ‘It’s hardly for ever,’ I said. ‘It’s only been a week.’

      ‘One week and two days,’ Phil said. ‘And one royal pregnancy announcement, one pop star falling off the stage at an awards ceremony, and one fabulous dress worn by Beyoncé. The gossip mags have moved on. Everyone’s moved on. It’s time you did, too.’

      ‘I’m moving on,’ I said, sulkily. ‘But unfortunately, I’m moving on to a bloody dance show when I’ve got two left feet and I’m going to be a laughing stock.’

      ‘You’re not that bad. I’ve seen you throwing some magnificent shapes on the dance floor after a few drinks.’

      ‘Yes, but I can’t get hammered before every rehearsal, can I?’ I said, wondering if, in fact, I could.

      ‘Relax,’ Phil said, taking my hand. ‘You’ll love this show and I guarantee it’ll give you the dancing bug.’

      We were at a West End theatre to watch the opening night of a revival of a classic Broadway musical. Phil had promised me old-school Hollywood glamour and lots of dancing to get me in the mood. I wasn’t convinced, but he was right that I needed a night out. A week rattling round in my empty flat had made me stir crazy.

      ‘You look fabulous, by the way,’ Phil said as we found our seats.

      I bobbed a curtsey to him.

      ‘Well, thank you, sir,’ I said. ‘I had to go shopping because sodding Matty virtually gave away all my clothes and this dress just fell into my basket.’

      Phil raised an eyebrow.

      ‘Sure it did,’ he said, looking at the Gatsby-style beaded shift dress appraisingly. ‘Don’t forget you’re not earning at the moment.’

      ‘Shh,’ I said, not wanting to hear his words of wisdom right at that second. ‘It’s starting.’

      Phil was right. It was a gorgeous, gorgeous show and it did make me want to get up and dance. Though I wasn’t sure I could pull it off with quite as much style as the leading lady. It was glitzy and sparkly and wonderful and as the curtain went down I clapped until my hands stung.

      ‘Sooooo,’ Phil said, hopefully. ‘Did you love it?’

      I nodded.

      ‘Yes, I loved it.’

      ‘And is Phil always right?’

      I made a face.

      ‘About this,’ I admitted. ‘But I wouldn’t say always.’

      ‘What about this?’ Phil said. He produced two tickets to the opening night party and I groaned.

      ‘A party?’ I said. ‘Really?’

      ‘Really,’ СКАЧАТЬ