Time Goes By (18 page)

‘I think it was because I didn’t have a mum,’ said Kathy. ‘I was a bit worried about the bridesmaid thing, in case some of the others said I was a “teacher’s pet”. But Sally said not to bother about it. I wasn’t in her class anymore. Anyway, she’d become quite friendly with my Aunty Win and that was one of the reasons that she asked me. We still see her and Phil and their children, and my dad’s come to terms with it all. Actually, my dad’s quite a changed man now.’

‘Mr and Mrs Grantley have a family, then?’ enquired Tim.

‘Yes, Lucy’s eight and Daniel’s six. I babysit for them sometimes. They’re smashing little kids.’

‘And … what were you saying about your father? That he’s changed quite a lot?’

‘Yes, he really has. So I suppose, in a way, some good came out of the accident. From what my aunt says he was out of his mind with worry and guilt
when I was injured. Then when I recovered, he saw it as an answer to prayer. He’d always said he didn’t believe in God; he’d stopped going to church after my mother died. But now, well, he’s never away from the place. He started going with my aunt and Jeff, then he became a sidesman, and now he’s a churchwarden! He still plays darts, though, and has the occasional pint – and, of course, he still goes to football matches. But he’s so much happier in himself.’

‘So you and your dad are happier together as well?’

‘Yes, we are,’ she smiled. ‘He was never very affectionate before, although I always knew, deep down, that he loved me. Now, though, he can’t do enough for me. It has its downside, though. He always wants to know where I’m going and who I’m with. Especially if there’s a lad involved!’

‘And have there been … some boyfriends?’

‘Only a couple of lads from church. Nothing to write home about, as they say!’

‘And what do you think your father will say about me?’ Tim smiled at her, with his head on one side. ‘Because I’m going to see you again, Kathy. There’s no doubt about that, is there?’

‘No, none at all, Tim,’ she replied. He reached out his hand across the table and she took hold of it. They smiled into one another’s eyes, knowing already that this was what they both wanted so very much.

K
athy and Tim agreed to meet again the following day, which was Sunday. It was mid September and the hotel was fairly busy, although not completely full, with visitors who had come to see the Illuminations.

Kathy would be busy during part of the day as she helped out doing a spot of waitressing, but she agreed that she would see Tim in the afternoon after the midday meal was finished, and again in the evening.

She decided to put her cards on the table, so to speak, right at the start, so she asked Tim to come and call for her. Her dad would want to know where she was going and who she was with anyway, so it would be best to be up front about it. She had already confided in her aunt that she had met Timothy Fielding the previous night at the Winter Gardens,
and that she was seeing him again that afternoon.

‘How exciting!’ said her aunt, looking quite delighted. ‘You always liked him, didn’t you?’ she added roguishly. ‘I remember when you were in Sally’s class you were forever talking about him.’

‘Was I?’ said Kathy, laughing. ‘Yes, I suppose I was, but it’s a long time ago. He hasn’t changed much, though. He still chatters as much as ever. I’ve asked him to come here, then he can meet my dad, and you of course, Aunty Win.’

‘Yes, that would be best,’ said Winifred. ‘You know what your dad’s like. He likes to keep an eye on you and what you’re up to. It isn’t that he doesn’t trust you, but I suppose he still sees you as his little girl. I keep trying to tell him that you’re grown up now.’

‘He’s not such a bad old fellow, though, as dads go,’ said Kathy affectionately.

‘Not so much of the old!’ teased her aunt. ‘I’m five years older than Albert, and I don’t consider that I’m old, not by a long chalk!’

‘No, of course you’re not, Aunty,’ laughed Kathy. ‘Neither is Uncle Jeff. You two don’t seem any older than on the day you got married.’

Winifred smiled. ‘That’s because we’re so happy together,’ she replied, her cheeks turning a little pink.

When Tim arrived at half past two Kathy took him into the living room where her father was
taking his ease for a little while with his pipe and the Sunday paper.

‘Dad,’ she called. ‘There’s somebody here that I think you might remember. It’s Timothy Fielding – we were at school together – and I met him again last night.’

Albert took off his reading glasses and looked at the young man, seeming a little puzzled. Then he said, ‘By Jove, yes! I do remember you. Our Kathy used to talk about you quite a lot. And I remember watching you at sports days and suchlike. You were a bit of a scallywag weren’t you, when you were a youngster?’

‘Dad, honestly!’ said Kathy reprovingly.

Tim laughed. ‘Yes, you’re quite right, Mr Leigh. I think I gave the teachers a run for their money. But I never got into serious trouble. My mum and dad made sure of that.’

‘So you’re in the army now, lad,’ said Albert. Tim was wearing his uniform, as many soldiers did when they were home on leave. ‘Enjoying it, are you?’

‘Yes, I am,’ said Tim. ‘I joined the regulars – the REME – to help in my career. I’m an apprentice electrician, you see. And my job’s still here for me when I’m demobbed. I’m up at Catterick Camp, and I must admit I’m quite enjoying it, really.’

Albert nodded. ‘Aye, that’s where I was an’ all, during the war, in the catering corps. So, I suppose you’re off out now, you two?’

‘Yes, I think we’ll have a walk on the prom,’ said Tim. ‘Catch up on old times.’

‘I’ll be back to help with the teas, though, Dad,’ said Kathy.

‘Oh, that’s all right,’ said Albert. ‘We’re not full up this week. Winnie and I’ll manage. Off you go and enjoy yourselves. Good to see you again, Timothy.’

‘Thank you, Mr Leigh,’ said Tim. ‘It’s good to see you as well.’

‘Cheerio then, Dad,’ said Kathy, thinking to herself that her father was in a remarkably good mood. And he seemed to have taken to Tim at once.

She took him to say hello to her aunt and Jeff and they were very nice to him as well.

‘How lovely that you two have met up again,’ said Winifred. ‘I remember you very well, Tim. I used to hear such a lot about you. Kathy was forever talking about you and telling me jokes that you’d told her. Quite the class comedian, weren’t you?’

‘Aunty!’ said Kathy, a mite embarrassed as she had been at her dad’s remarks. But it was clear that Tim was already making a good impression.

Tim laughed. ‘Yes, I liked to think I was,’ he replied in answer to Winifred’s remark. ‘I must have been a real cheeky little brat. I’ve calmed down a lot … er … Mrs Bancroft. That’s your name now, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, it has been for quite some time now,
Tim,’ said Winifred, as she and Jeff exchanged fond glances. ‘It’s getting on for eleven years now.’

‘Good grief!’ said Tim. ‘How time flies, as my mum is always saying. Anyway, as I was telling you, I don’t think I’m as cocky and such a damned nuisance as I used to be. And it’s great meeting Kathy again.’ Their happiness was clear to see as they smiled at one another.

‘Off you go, then, and enjoy yourselves,’ said Winifred, just as Kathy’s father had already said. ‘I hope we’ll see you again, Tim.’

‘Oh, I don’t think there’s much doubt about that,’ replied Tim, putting an arm gently and caringly around Kathy’s shoulders as they went out of the door.

‘Well, that wasn’t too bad, was it?’ he remarked as they set off down the street, heading towards the promenade. He took hold of Kathy’s hand. ‘I think I’ve managed to convince them I’m OK and not the obnoxious little squirt I used to be.’

Kathy laughed. ‘You were never that. As you said to my dad, you never got into any serious trouble, did you? I think you’ve made a really good first impression.’

They walked hand in hand along the promenade, northwards towards Bispham. There were several people, most likely visitors in the main – residents did not often take advantage of their resort’s attractions – strolling along the
prom, hand in hand, or arm in arm, and children bounding along ahead of their parents. It was a pleasant early autumn afternoon with the sun shining in a blue sky patterned with fluffy white clouds. There was a nip in the air, though, that gave a hint of the coming change in the season.

‘Let’s stop and have an ice cream,’ said Tim, and they found a little café just off Gynn Square. They indulged themselves with vanilla and strawberry ices topped with chocolate flakes and nuts, covered with a gooey pink sauce.

‘I really should be watching my weight,’ said Kathy. ‘I don’t often spoil myself like this. I shall have to cut down on the cakes for a while to make up for this.’

‘There’s no need, is there?’ smiled Tim. ‘You look all right to me. In fact, you look pretty damned amazing …’ He was regarding her with a look almost of wonder in his eyes. He recalled that she had been a pretty little girl, but now she was a good deal more than just pretty. Her dark curly hair was almost shoulder length, framing a rounded fresh-complexioned face, out of which shone a pair of lovely luminous brown eyes. She was not dressed in her favourite red today, but the bright-yellow jacket with the stand-away collar suited her colouring just as well. She looked, he mused, like a ray of sunshine. Tim knew at that moment that he had fallen in love with Katherine Leigh, and how
he hoped and prayed that she might feel the same way about him. He vowed that he must do nothing to mar this budding relationship.

Kathy lowered her eyes, a little fazed by Tim’s adoring glance. She already knew, though, that she was so very glad that they had met again, and she felt sure that their friendship would blossom and go from strength to strength.

‘No, I really do need to watch what I eat,’ she said now, quite definitely. ‘I wear size twelve in dresses now, and I mustn’t get any bigger.’

‘Well, I don’t know what that means,’ said Tim. ‘But it sounds OK to me. Come on, then, if you’re ready. We’ll go and walk it off.’

North of Gynn Square there were large tableaux on the cliffs, stretching as far as Bispham, depicting fairy tales and colourful scenes of all kinds. In a few hours’ time they would be lit up, forming one of the main attractions of Blackpool’s famous Illuminations.

‘No point in looking at them now,’ said Tim. ‘Shall we come and see them tonight? We could take a tram up to the end and then walk back. What d’you think, Kathy?’

‘That would be great,’ she replied. ‘I haven’t seen the Lights for ages. Funny, isn’t it, that when you live here you never bother about them. I used to like them, though, when I was a little girl. That was when we had the accident, of
course, after we’d been to see the Lights …’

‘Well, you’re going to be quite safe tonight,’ said Tim, putting an arm around her and drawing her close. ‘I shall take care of you, Kathy … always.’ She noticed his remark with a feeling of warmth and delight, but she did not comment on it.

Tim called for her again that evening at seven o’clock. ‘So where are you off to now?’ asked Winifred. She and Jeff were watching a variety show on the television, and Albert had gone to church. He went twice every Sunday now, apart from the times when the hotel was extra busy, to fulfil his duties as churchwarden.

‘We’re going to see the Lights, like a couple of day trippers,’ laughed Kathy. ‘It’s ages since I saw them last.’

‘That’s nice,’ said her aunt. ‘I thought you might have been going to the pictures. It doesn’t matter so much to me, but I know that your dad doesn’t approve of the cinema on a Sunday. It’s the way we were brought up, you know. And, of course, your dad’s been much keener on Sunday observance since he started going to church regularly. But he won’t object to you going to see the Lights.’

‘We wouldn’t want to do anything to upset him,’ said Kathy. ‘But in some ways he’s much easier to get on with now, isn’t he?’

‘That’s true.’ Winifred nodded. ‘Have a good time, then. We’ll perhaps see you the next time
you’re home on leave, then, Tim?’

‘Sure thing!’ he replied with a broad smile. ‘It’s been good meeting you again.’

‘And you, Tim,’ added Jeff. ‘Take care of yourself now.’

‘What a grand couple they are,’ said Tim, as they made their way once again to the promenade.

‘Yes, Jeff’s a great guy,’ replied Kathy. ‘He’s made Aunty Win so happy. I don’t think my dad imagined she would ever get married. And I’m sure my dad won’t, not now. He’s not taken much interest in women since that brief episode with Sally. He’s happier in himself, though. He used to be such a grumpy old so-and-so at times.’

Tim laughed. ‘Well, I seem to have got off on the right foot anyhow. I hope I can keep it that way.’

They boarded a tram near to North Pier. It took them along the prom to Bispham where the tableaux and the garlands of overhead lights came to an end. It was completely dark by now and the myriad multicoloured lights shone out brilliantly against the midnight-blue sky.

When they alighted from the tram they crossed the road to get a better view of the tableaux across the wide promenade. The scenes were a spectacular display of man’s ingenuity and creativity, and it was often remarked that they got better each year. They had been shining in Blackpool since the
early years of the century, apart from the duration of the two world wars.

Kathy recognised many familiar scenes – a circus scene with jugglers, clowns and acrobats; jungle animals and creatures from under the sea; favourite characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tales – and overhead, strung across the promenade and decorating the lamp standards, there were Chinese lanterns, shooting stars and arching rainbows. It was a wonderland of colour and fantasy that brought out the child in everyone who was drawn into its spell. No more so than Kathy. She was filled with awe and delight, not only at the scene around her but at her closeness to Tim as they strolled along with his arm around her.

When they had walked a mile or so back towards the town centre they crossed the road and the tram track and made their way to the lower promenade. It was dark and quiet there away from the brilliant lights and the noise of the crowds and the clanging trams. There were a few other couples, who, like themselves, were seeking solitude. They had not kissed properly yet, apart from a peck on her cheek that Tim had given her as they walked along.

But it was all the better for the waiting. He drew her into a secluded corner in the shadow of the sea wall, and there they exchanged their first real kiss. It was tender and loving, filled with memories for both of them of their childhood
friendship. There were still vestiges of the old Tim in his cheeky grin and his cheerful chatter that led him effortlessly from one thing to another. But he was grown-up now, and so was Kathy. Their next kiss was more passionate, holding promise of an awakening love of which they were both aware.

They drew apart after a few moments. He had not sought to do any more than kiss her. Nor did he tell her, yet, that he loved her. It was too soon; but the affection had been there long ago when they were children, and they both knew now that it would grow stronger. All he said, in a whisper, was, ‘I’m so glad that I’ve met you again, Kathy.’

‘So am I, Tim,’ she whispered back.

‘Come along; I’d best take you home,’ he said. ‘I must keep on the right side of your dad. Anyway, I’d better spend a bit of time with my parents.’

It was not yet ten o’clock but Kathy understood what he was saying. ‘I’ll see you again tomorrow, though, won’t I?’ he asked. ‘D’you think your dad would let you off to come to tea at our house? I told my mum and dad how we met, and they’d love to see you again. Then we can go out tomorrow night.’

‘I am allowed a little time to myself!’ said Kathy. ‘So I’m sure it will be OK with my dad and Aunty Win. I shall look forward to meeting your parents. I remember your mum, but not your dad.’

He kissed her again as they stood at the gate, then smiled and winked in the irrepressible way that she remembered, before walking off, with his soldier’s gait, along the street.

He called for her the following day at five o’clock. The Fielding family lived only ten minutes’ walk away, in a semi near to the school that Kathy and Tim had attended.