A Daughter’s Disgrace. Kitty Neale

Fred. ‘I could do with a hand out here.’

      Shaking herself out of her fantasy, she realised she’d been standing by the back door for ages, imagining how things would be the next time she saw Paul. Well, it didn’t look as if it was going to be today. She’d have to put those hopes on hold. It didn’t hurt to daydream though.

      Hazel had been rushed off her feet in the café all morning. They were one person short and the result was she hadn’t sat down since the start of her shift. At least she’d had an early night last night and so had plenty of energy. That was one good thing with Neville doing so much overtime and not taking her out as often – she didn’t stay out late and wake up feeling as if she’d already done a day’s work. She told herself she should be glad about that but couldn’t help the resentment at having to stay in with her mother and sister every evening. It was enough to make anyone depressed – her mother’s constant whinging and Alison’s long face staring into space for hours on end. Roll on the day when she and Neville had their own place and didn’t have to put up with her family any longer.

      ‘All right, Hazel? How are the wedding plans?’

      It was Joe Philpott from the market. He headed for the corner table which had a big padded bench down one side. He was so big he found it hard to sit on the usual chairs and his long legs barely fitted under the table.

      ‘Coming along fine, thanks,’ she smiled. She reached in her apron pocket for her notepad and pencil. ‘What’ll it be today, Joe?’

      ‘I was going to have just a cup of tea,’ he said, ‘but now I’m here and there are all those lovely kitchen smells I think I’ll have a bacon sandwich as well.’ His mouth watered at the thought of it.

      ‘Cup of tea and a bacon sandwich coming right up.’ She wrote the order on her pad.

      ‘Still not bought you a ring, then?’ he said, glancing at her left hand.

      Hazel tried not to show how irritated she was. ‘We’ve been too busy to go and look for one. Nev’s working every shift he can and the only day off I get is Sunday. By the time I’m finished here every day I’m too spent to go trailing round the shops and Nev would still be at the factory anyway.’ For a moment she felt sorry for herself. Then she straightened her shoulders. ‘Still, it’ll be worth it.’ Who needs a ring anyway, she thought as she made her way back to the kitchen. It’d be nice but I’d rather have the big wedding.

      The kitchen always made a point of serving local customers quickly, knowing they usually could only spare a few minutes to take a break, so Joe’s sandwich was ready almost at once. Hazel took it over with a big mug of tea. ‘There you are, Joe. Extra large to keep you going out there. Is it busy today?’

      ‘Not bad for a weekday,’ he said, squirting ketchup over the bacon. ‘This is exactly what the doctor ordered. My compliments to the chef. So, Hazel, you thought any more about bridesmaid’s dresses?’