Where Memories Are Made (25 page)

‘Then later on I thought I was doing okay until I was calling out some of the numbers and they all started heckling me … they were yelling things like “Kelly's eye”, “two little ducks”, “all the fives”, and so I'd become flustered and call out the next number wrongly and then have to put it right. As soon as I'd called out the very last one, I couldn't get out of there fast …' He stopped talking for a moment to look at her with a hurt expression. ‘See, even you're laughing at me now! I'm so useless.'

Jackie wiped away tears of mirth from her eyes with the back of her hands. ‘Oh, Mr Rose, I'm laughing because I have no doubt you gave them the best entertainment they've ever had at a bingo game.'

He eyed her, bemused. ‘How do you come to that conclusion after what I just told you?'

‘Well, for a start, those women had been waiting quite a while for a caller to turn up. Stamping their feet and cheering was their way of showing you they were pleased to see you. Then, when you tripped and crashed into the ball machine, they would have assumed it was part of your act. They weren't heckling when you called out some of the numbers – what they were calling out was bingo slang. “Kelly's eye” is number one. “All the fives” is fifty-five. “Key of the door” is twenty-one. Most of the numbers have a nickname but I don't know them all. I have no doubt that if you'd stayed just a little longer at the end, instead of high-tailing it out of there, those women would have given you a standing ovation and be demanding to be told when you were going to be the caller again, because they'd enjoyed themselves so much.'

Harold shook his head in disbelief. ‘I know you're just saying that to be kind and I appreciate it but …'

His self-pitying attitude got the better of Jackie then. It was apparent to her that she was wasting her time trying to help him to a better life as you couldn't help a person who obviously had no intention of helping themself. Her patience suddenly snapped. ‘You're accusing me of lying to you and that's not right, Mr Rose, when I'm not. I've worked at Jolly's for a long time and I know that those women in the ballroom today came here on holiday expecting to have a good time. From what you told me, albeit unintentionally on your part, you certainly entertained them today.

‘You know, you really have to start showing some belief in yourself. See yourself as the smart, intelligent man you are … someone whose company people would enjoy if you'd give them the chance, instead of making yourself look like a bumbling idiot by always scuttling away from them.' She was on a tangent now and just couldn't stop. ‘Your mother might have thought she was doing her best for you by protecting you from difficult situations, but what she should have been doing was encouraging you to face up to them. Then, more than likely, you wouldn't be anywhere near as lacking in self-confidence as you are today. But obviously you're happy with having no friends and being a lonely man, or you'd want to do something about it.'

Jackie realised then she'd gone too far – been so rude Harold could quite justifiably sack her.

Jumping up from her chair she fled from the room.

Back in the office, as she made her way around her desk and slumped down in her chair, Al asked in concern, ‘Is everything all right, Jackie. Only I heard you … well, not exactly shouting, but your voice was raised and you sounded annoyed to me?'

She gave a despairing groan. ‘No, everything is not all right. I couldn't stop myself from losing my temper with Mr Rose and I've more than likely managed to get myself the sack.'

He looked aghast.

‘What did you say to him?'

She heaved a forlorn sigh. ‘A lot of things I never should have done to a man in his position.'

The switchboard buzzed and Al picked up the receiver to answer the caller. A moment later he replaced it and looked across at her gravely. ‘That was Mr Rose, Jackie. He wants to see you in his office.'

Feeling like she was about to place her head on the executioner's block, she obeyed the summons. Standing before Harold's desk she felt she was only wasting time. She knew he was going to tell her to pack up her belongings and leave the camp. But Harold did not utter any word of reproof.

Looking down at his desk, he murmured, ‘I've got a nerve asking this, Miss Sims, but would you be willing to help me?'

She eyed him, taken aback. ‘Er … well … yes, of course I will, if I can. What with?'

He shocked her further by lifting his head and looking directly at her. ‘That pathetic buffoon of a man you just described … I don't want to be him any more. I'm so desperately lonely, I'm terrified that one day I will die on my own at home and my body will lie there rotting for years before anyone notices. I don't think I could ever become the life and soul of the party type … I've left it far too late ever to hope I could meet a woman willing to take me on and start a family … but if I could just get myself to the stage where I could have a conversation with someone and feel comfortable, not desperate to run away and hide, and maybe a friend to spend some time with, then I'd be happy with that.'

If he'd only realised it she was already trying to help him. ‘I'd be more than willing to, Mr Rose,' Jackie said enthusiastically. She then heaved a huge sigh of relief and blurted out, ‘I really thought you'd called me in here to sack me. I wouldn't have blamed you if you had. I should never have spoken to you the way I just did, and especially what I said about your mother. I am sorry.'

He gave a wan smile. ‘My mother was a lovely woman, Miss Sims. She was very soft and gentle … my whole world. But you were right. Instead of shielding me from situations that terrified me, she should have encouraged me to face them. Had she done so I might not be the bumbling idiot I am today. It took you pointing that out to make me see more clearly. In truth, I've been hiding behind your skirts, haven't I, and in turn making your life hell? It is I who should be apologising to you, in fact. I don't know how you can ever forgive me for making you lose your boyfriend through the extra hours you did while covering the work that I should have been doing.'

She enlightened him. ‘Well, you did me a favour in a way because if I hadn't worked late I might not have found out that my boyfriend wanted to be with someone else other than me. They're together now and, as far as I know, very happy together.'

‘And you?' he asked.

‘Oh, I'll be fine in time. I've got good friends helping me through. And that's what we're going to get you … some good friends for you to enjoy being with, who'll be there for you when you need them. We need to build up your confidence one step at a time. We could start tomorrow with you coming with me on the daily tour of the camp. It's actually Al's turn to do it but I know he won't mind swapping with me. If you find it too much, we'll cut the tour short and come straight back. What do you say?'

Harold studied his desk top thoughtfully for a moment. Such a simple thing, to accompany her on a tour around the camp, but one that filled him with dread. He was very aware, though, that should he refuse, Jackie more than likely wouldn't offer to help him again. If he wanted a better life then he needed to help himself get it. Before he could change his mind he said, ‘Yes, I'll do it.'

Jackie grinned at him. ‘Good.' Then she added with conviction, ‘Before you know it, you'll be doing the tour on your own.'

‘Y
ou look nice.'

Jackie spun around and stared at Ginger, who was coming into the chalet after having a shower.

‘I don't, do I! I don't
want
to look nice. My intention is to look as awful as I can.'

Ginger kicked shut the door behind her and flung herself down on her bed, telling Jackie, ‘I was being sarcastic. You look like a relic from the nineteen forties. Where on earth did you get that skirt and blouse from?'

‘I raided the Stripeys' dressing-up box. It was a toss up between this skirt and blouse or a hideous Crimplene dress.'

‘Oh, of course, it's your big date tonight with Terry.'

‘Don't remind me! I want to look so embarrassing he won't want to be seen with me and will make an excuse to cut things short.'

Ginger snorted, ‘Jackie, that man is besotted with you! You could turn up in a sack tied in the middle with rope, and he'd still think he'd won the pools, being out with you. I'm surprised you've not heard already – he's so cock-a-hoop he's taking you out tonight that he's told everyone who will listen. The way he's making it out is that
you
asked him, of course.'

Jackie's face darkened thunderously. ‘The slimy toad!' She then heaved a miserable sigh. ‘Tonight is going to be the longest of my life.'

‘Well, my advice is to think twice next time before you rope someone in to help you with your hare-brained schemes. How is the Mr Rose Project coming on, by the way?'

Jackie smiled. ‘So far so good. He's been on two tours with me now around the camp, and today he actually summoned up the courage to ask a camper how they were enjoying their holiday. He was so proud of himself afterwards you'd have thought he was the first man to reach the top of Everest. He has no idea yet but tomorrow I'm going to suggest to him he sits in on the interviews for the new nurse.'

She turned back to assess her reflection in the small mirror she had taken off the wall and propped up on the chest of drawers so as to get the best view of herself. She shook her head. ‘I can't go out like this, can I? The only one I'll be embarrassing is myself.'

It was coming up for eleven o'clock, Jackie had now been with Terry for three hours, and for her it had proved to be three hours of hell. When she had arrived at their rendezvous he had already been waiting for her, and from that moment on had made sure they were seen together, particularly by the staff, especially the males, gloating over his ‘conquest' of her. The female staff were all looking at her askance, as if to ask why on earth she was out with Terry when she could be with anyone she wanted. Only the immature female holidaymakers were looking jealous, Terry being the object of their misguided juvenile desires. His arrogant behaviour was actually making Jackie feel nauseous. If this was his attempt at trying to show her what a great catch he was, then he was failing miserably. If only Harold Rose possessed one-tenth of Terry's misguided self-confidence!

For the last hour she had been subjected first to Terry's dance moves – he'd thrown himself about in the firm belief others were admiring his Mick Jagger technique – and then to his constant insidious efforts to get close to her.

Standing by the bar, with his arm draped around her shoulders, Jackie was doing her best to resist being pulled any closer to Terry as she drank the cider he'd just bought her. To her dismay he was just telling her that when Groovy's closed a group of Stripeys were off down to the beach to have themselves a party, obviously believing she would be thrilled by the idea. It was all too apparent his intention was to end up alone with her in the sand dunes. Jackie was racking her brains for a plausible means of escape, and failing miserably, when she felt a hand grip her arm and heard someone say: ‘Sorry to disturb you, Jackie, but I really need to speak to you privately for a minute.'

She turned her head to find Vic by her side.

Smiling apologetically at Terry, he then said, ‘You don't mind if I borrow Jackie for a minute, do you.' It wasn't a question but a statement.

Judging by Terry's expression he obviously did. He snapped, ‘Jackie isn't on duty, she's out with me, so whatever you want her for will have to wait until tomorrow.'

Vic responded politely, ‘If it wasn't urgent, I wouldn't have dreamed of disturbing her.' He dragged Jackie free and steered her off towards the stairs, calling over to Terry, ‘I'll have her back with you before you know it.'

Upstairs in the much quieter Paradise foyer, Vic let go of Jackie's arm, giving her an opportunity to ask him in concern, ‘What is so urgent that you need to see me now, Vic?'

He gave a shrug. ‘Nothing.'

She frowned. ‘So why did you say what you did and drag me away?'

He grinned at her. ‘Are you going to tell me you're not glad I did?'

Then she twigged what he had done. ‘Was it that obvious?'

‘I've been watching you all night, and Terry Jones must be both thick and blind not to realise you weren't exactly enjoying yourself.'

Jackie smiled. ‘That's an understatement!' Then she eyed Vic gratefully. ‘It seems you're turning into my knight in shining armour. Thank you. Now I just have to think of a good excuse to give him for not going back.'

Vic smiled. ‘I'm sure you will.' He looked at her for a moment before saying, ‘You gave me the impression the other night that you were just out of a long-term relationship and not interested in going out with anyone else yet?'

She vehemently insisted, ‘Oh, being with Terry tonight wasn't a date, although he thinks it was, but not as far as I'm concerned. He did me a favour and let it be known I owed him a date in return.'

‘Oh, I see. Only I was hoping you were ready to start dating again. I'd really like to take you out, Jackie. When you are, if you fancy going somewhere with me, will you let me know?'

She was very surprised to find that she would like to do that. She had certainly enjoyed Vic's company the other night, had found him very interesting and liked the way that he respected her situation and hadn't been pushing her for an immediate date. He had come to her rescue twice now and the least she could do by way of a thank you was buy him a drink.

‘Yes, I'd like that. Whenever you like,' she said.

Vic looked delighted. ‘You would? That's great. Well, it's still early so what about we go somewhere now?'