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.’

      He shook his head doubtfully, but said no more, and as his meal was put him front of him, Pearl looked away as he ate. The clouds thickened, rain teeming down and beating against the widows of the small café as though trying to gain admittance.

      ‘I reckon we’ll have to make our way home,’ Derek said as he finished his meal and sipped his tea. ‘I can’t see the weather brightening up.’

      Pearl didn’t mind. She had seen the sea, it was etched into her memory, and once again her fingers itched to paint. Derek paid for the meal and, head down against the driving rain and wind, they hurried to the railway station.

      In the waiting room, a small fire burned in the hearth and they made for the nearest bench, hands in pockets as they huddled inside their coats. Fortunately they didn’t have long to wait for a train back to London, the carriage empty as they climbed inside. As they sat down, Derek put his arm around her and Pearl sank against him, the smell of his damp clothes assailing her nostrils.

      ‘Shame about the weather, but at least you’ve seen the sea now.’

      ‘Yes, and it was wonderful,’ Pearl said. She yawned, her eyes closed, and then she knew no more until they arrived at Clapham Junction.

      ‘Wake up, sleepy head, we’re home.’

      Pearl opened her eyes, for a moment bewildered, and then realising that she had slept for the whole journey, she stumbled to her feet. ‘Oh, Derek, I’m so sorry.’

      ‘Don’t be daft, love. I think working the tables on your own in the café must be wearing you out.’

      Derek took her arm as she alighted from the carriage, but as her feet touched the platform, she swayed.

      ‘I don’t think this is just tiredness, Pearl. I think you’ve caught a chill or something. Come on, let’s get you home.’

      She knew Derek was right, but as the only waitress in the café they’d be in a terrible fix without her. Maybe Mo would have a couple of aspirins or something, and if she went straight to bed, she’d be all right in the morning.

      Pearl did feel better the next morning, and though she couldn’t face food, she felt strong enough to go to work.

      The breakfast rush was almost over when a woman came into the café, Bernie greeting her. ‘Hello, Madge, long time no see. How are you?’

      ‘I’m fine, and I’ve come about the job.’

      ‘Blimey, are you sure?’

      ‘Yeah, I’ve had enough of working evenings and weekends.’

      ‘Right, you’d better have a word with Dolly.’

      Bernie went to the kitchen, whilst Pearl surreptitiously studied the woman. She looked to be in her mid-to-late forties, her eyes small, but bright. With short, coarse brown hair and a thin face, she reminded Pearl somewhat of a fierce terrier dog.

      Dolly came bustling out of the kitchen, a smile on her face. ‘Madge, nice to see you. Bernie tells me that you’re looking for a job.’

      ‘That’s right.’

      ‘After being a silver service waitress, it’ll be a bit of a comedown.’

      ‘All the functions are in the evening or at weekends. My boys are grown up now and I’d rather do day work.’

      ‘What about the money? I can’t pay you what you’re used to.’

      ‘With two of my lads at work, they’re stumping up their keep. I don’t mind taking a drop in wages.’

      ‘Well, if you’re sure, Madge, the job’s yours. It’ll be nice to have you working here.’

      ‘Smashing, and if you like I’ll start straight away.’

      ‘With only one waitress, it’d be a godsend.’ Dolly turned, beckoning Pearl to her side. ‘This is Madge Harding, my cousin.’

      ‘Hello,’ Pearl said shyly.

      ‘Nice to meet you, love. Perhaps you could show me the ropes?’

      ‘I’d be pleased to.’

      ‘Right, I’ll leave you to it,’ Dolly said brusquely. ‘I’ve still got Gertie and Mo working for me, and once the tables are cleared we’ll have a gossip over a cup of tea.’

      As soon as Dolly was out of sight, Madge turned to Pearl again. ‘How do we split the tables?’

      ‘We split them in half, one section at this end, and the other nearest the kitchen.’

      ‘Well, as I’m the last in, I suppose I’ll be doing this end.’

      ‘Er … well, no, not if you don’t want to.’

      ‘Bless you, love, I don’t mind. In fact it’s only fair. Now, what else do I need to know?’

      Pearl told Madge all she could think of, both women working happily together as they cleared the tables. Despite her fierce demeanour, Madge turned out to be a friendly soul, and