Winners and Losers (15 page)

It was late when he let himself into the house. He tried to be as quiet as he could but he wanted a drink of water to take upstairs. Singing on stage could be thirsty work, and he was hungry. He hunted in the cool pantry and found some of Alice's apple pie. He had cut himself a chunk and was eating it when Daniel came into the kitchen.

‘What time do you call this?' he demanded. ‘You've woken Sally and it took Alice ages to get her off.'

‘Sorry.' Connor finished the piece of pie. ‘We're later tonight because we won a competition. I got a hundred pounds as my share of the prize.'

‘Good grief!' Daniel looked thunderstruck. ‘That's great for you, Connor. I'm very pleased – but this coming in late can't go on.'

‘I shouldn't worry about it, Dan,' Connor said, angry because his brother had taken his good news and tossed it aside. ‘I shan't be living here much longer.'

‘What do you mean? Where are you going to live?'

Connor walked past him without speaking. He was too angry to say another word, because if he did he might say more than he meant.

Connor thought about his decision all week. Daniel hadn't said any more about their argument and he had kept out of his brother's way as much as possible. He was going to have to make a decision and it wouldn't be easy. Dan had been there for him after the war when the family had been splitting apart. He had hated living with Frances. She was on at him the whole time. He knew now that she had been going through a hard time, but as a young, rebellious youth he hadn't liked the way that she questioned his every move. He had got on well with Dan and Alice until he joined the band, but the late nights did wake the kids, and even if he hadn't been offered the contract, he would have had to think about getting his own place.

Connor half wished that they could just go on as they had been. He was earning enough to give him a good start, but if he went along with the band, he would be earning far more. His winnings that evening would buy a better gold locket than the one he'd been thinking of buying Sarah – and a deposit towards the ring he wanted for her. If he signed the contract, he could buy a really good one. It would mean he would be away for long periods – would Sarah accept that and still be his girl?

Connor had told her about the win when they went to the pictures that week, but he hadn't said anything about the contract. He had to make his own mind up about that – but if Terry came through with a better contract, he didn't really have much choice. He couldn't let the others down.

He wasn't really surprised when Terry turned up at the farm a few days later. He knew at once that his friend was excited and his heart began to thump like crazy.

‘So what did they say?'

‘I didn't need to push them. When I told them you wouldn't sign unless they reduced the fees and put up the advance they came through with a new offer. Apparently, they want you, Connor. An agent saw you that night and he has offered to take us if we don't go with the contest organizers. He rang me this morning. You won't believe what he offered us.'

‘Try me. I thought that offer was good. I just wasn't sure about the fifty per cent.'

‘They've offered thirty per cent now – and you get ten thousand on signing and we get five thousand pounds each!'

Connor felt as if someone had knocked the breath out of his body. Terry had to be joking.

‘You're pulling my leg. That is thirty thousand pounds altogether . . .' Connor felt so stunned he hardly knew what to say. ‘It doesn't seem fair on the rest of you that I get so much more.'

‘Don't worry about that, Con,' Terry told him. ‘We all know you're the star. Last year we didn't even get second prize. Besides, they are all getting five times what they expected.'

Connor looked at him uneasily. It was such a fabulous offer that he couldn't refuse. His friends would be left in limbo if he walked away now and that wasn't fair to them. He was between a rock and a hard place, because he had to let someone down whatever he did.

‘You're walking out on me just like that?' Daniel stared at him, his expression somewhere between shock and anger. ‘You know I can't manage the farm and my repair work without you. Joe is all right but he needs direction. If one of us is with him, he works hard, but if you leave him on his own, he'll stand around and do nothing half the day.'

‘You will have to employ someone else to take my place,' Connor told him. ‘I'm sorry, Dan, but this is a real chance for me to make something of my life. They are paying me ten thousand pounds just to sign and we could earn many times that if the records start to sell as well as they seem to think they may.'

‘Ten thousand! I don't believe you.' Dan looked stunned. ‘Do you have any idea of what you can do with that sort of money?'

‘Yes, of course I do. I'm going to open an account at the bank as soon as I get the cheque. I have to pay thirty per cent agent's fees but that still leaves a lot of money.' He hesitated, then, ‘I know I'm letting you down, but I could help with the wages of a new man until you're on your feet . . .'

‘No!' Daniel glared at him. ‘Keep your damned money. I don't want charity. If you've been offered that much, you have to go. I can't stop you, but I hope you know what you're doing, Connor. From what I see in the papers some of these stars get into trouble. Stay away from drugs and don't drink too much.'

‘I've got too much sense for that,' Connor said. ‘I'm going to ask Sarah to get engaged now that I can afford a decent ring. We can't get married yet, because I'm going to be on the road with the group. We've been told we shall be playing at various theatres and ballrooms up and down the country for a lot more money than we used to get for a gig – and we start recording our first record next week.'

‘Recording . . .' Daniel shook his head. ‘This all sounds too good to be true to me, Connor. I hope you've checked the small print of this contract.'

‘Terry's father did that for us. We're putting out a couple of singles in the next two months. If they get into the charts, we shall record an album and we might even get on the TV. There's a programme for new groups like us.'

‘Well, good luck. I hope it works out well for you.'

‘I'm sorry I'm letting you down. You and Alice have been good to me, Dan.'

‘You've done your share and for little enough,' his brother said. ‘I'm not sure how I shall manage once you've gone. Even if I can find someone to take your place, he won't do all the extra hours you did – unless I pay double rates and I can't afford that.'

‘I know it won't be easy. If money would help . . .'

‘No, I told you once. I don't want your money. It makes things difficult but I'll struggle through. I always have.'

‘Yes, I know.' Connor was silent. He felt guilty for leaving his brother in the lurch, but he would be mad to turn down the money he'd been offered and the prospect of a bright future. ‘Well, if you change your mind, I'll be back every so often, because I shall want to see Sarah.'

‘Will she want to see you? Most girls want someone to take them out and buy them presents. If you aren't around, she may start looking for someone else.'

‘I know.' Connor looked thoughtful. He had almost turned his friends down because he was afraid of Sarah's reaction, but he couldn't let this chance go. It was too important. ‘I was going to wait for a while before I asked if she would get engaged, but I have to ask now, because otherwise I may lose her.'

‘You're going away on tour with the band?' Sarah stared at him in dismay. ‘But when shall I see you?'

‘I'll get back every few weeks. It isn't what I'd planned or wanted, Sarah, but I have to take this chance while I can. Even if the records don't sell, I shall have a few thousand in the bank and I'll be able to buy us a nice house. And I got you this . . .'

Connor took the leather ring box from his pocket and held it out. Sarah eyed it hesitantly.

‘You've already given me that lovely gold locket. I don't need presents, Con . . .'

‘This is an engagement ring. I know it is a bit soon. I had planned to wait until nearer Christmas – but if I don't ask you now, you will think I don't care and look for someone else.'

‘I wouldn't do that – as long as I know you care.' Sarah looked up at him, her eyes wide. ‘Are you saying you love me?'

‘Yes.' Connor bent his head. He took her lips in a sweet kiss that made her moan softly and lean into him. He felt himself harden, knowing that she must feel the bulge of his erection burning against her. She didn't flinch or move away, just stayed pressed against him, her lips slightly parted. ‘Sarah, I want you so much, but I'm not going to ask you to do anything yet. It wouldn't be fair until I see how things are going. Once we've got our feet firmly on the road to the success, I can marry you and you can come on tour with me.'

‘Dad wouldn't let me get married yet anyway,' Sarah said. She hesitated and then looked up at him. ‘He has been saying he wants to meet you. I think you should come in and tell him what you've told me. He will expect you to ask for his consent before we get engaged.'

‘Are you saying yes?'

Sarah smiled, her mouth soft and inviting. ‘You know I love you, Con. I think I have from the moment you asked me to dance. But you have to speak to my father before I can wear your ring. I know he will be at home, because he told me.'

‘I'll come in now if that is all right,' Connor said. ‘I shan't get over again until Sunday afternoon. We'll go for a ride in the car then if you like? Maybe have a drink or something.'

‘Yes, please.' Sarah looked upset. ‘I am going to miss you so much! I was hoping we would see more of each other soon.'

‘You must go out with your friends,' he said and touched her face. ‘I shan't expect you to sit at home all the time – but don't let anyone bring you home. Remember you're my girl.'

‘I shan't go with anyone else,' she vowed. ‘You must promise not to go chasing girls. I know they will be all over you. You've already got a reputation and no one believes me when I say I'm your girl.'

‘Well, you can show them your ring,' Connor told her, kissing her once more. ‘Let's go inside and talk to your father . . .'

Sarah put her hand in his. ‘I'm sure he will say yes when he knows that you have a real future ahead of you, Connor.'

Daniel worked until it was too dark to see what he was doing and then went into the house. Alice was sitting with a pile of mending, but she got up as soon as he came in and started to make a pot of tea.

‘You will kill yourself if you keep working so hard,' she said. ‘I know you've always dreamed of having a garage, Dan, but this isn't the way to do it.'

‘I promised the tractor for tomorrow,' Daniel said. ‘Besides, Connor won't be here to help out after Sunday. He is meeting his friends on Monday and they are going somewhere up north to a club. He says they will be playing at three different clubs and then they start work on their first record.'

‘It is like something out of a film. It has all happened so fast – Connor must think he is dreaming.'

‘I just hope it lasts for a while,' Daniel said, ‘and that he doesn't spend all the money on daft things. If the records don't sell, he may be back looking for work on the land sooner than he imagines.'

‘I am sure that won't happen. I always thought he had a lovely voice. I used to hear him singing in the yard or the bathroom. He is as good as some of those songs he plays on his record player.'

‘He isn't bad,' Daniel said grudgingly. ‘I just hope he doesn't get into trouble, Alice.'

‘You're thinking he was a bit wild when he was young. He was unhappy, Dan. His father died and the family seemed to fall apart. Emily went away; you were in the army and he had to live with Frances – and she wasn't fit to look after him because she had troubles of her own.'

‘Yes, I know,' Daniel agreed. ‘He knuckled down to work once he came to live with us. I suppose I'm still thinking he is a boy but he isn't – and he was bound to leave us sooner or later. I can't afford to pay him a decent wage.'

‘You will find it difficult to pay anyone more than you gave Connor. Does that mean you will have to put your repair and restoration business on hold for a while?'

‘Yes, I think it does. I'll manage to do what I've got booked in if I work evenings, but after that . . . well, the cars I intended to rebuild will have to wait.'

‘You couldn't borrow some money?'

‘I don't want to go to the bank.' Daniel sighed. ‘The interest they charge is crippling. It has taken me this long to clear my name. I don't want to end up with the bank foreclosing on us.'

‘Frances wouldn't lend you some money?'

‘No.' Daniel turned his back to her as he washed the grease from his hands. ‘I can't ask her, Alice. I shall manage somehow.'

How the hell he would ever repay her what he already owed, Daniel didn't know. He was owed about a hundred pounds for work he'd done for neighbouring farmers. He knew they would settle eventually but some of them would hang it out until the last minute, because they weren't in a much better state than he was himself.

If he could take the time to repair and rebuild the cars he'd bought cheaply, he would stand to make a good profit, but he had the cows to milk and the work in the fields was constant. Maybe once all the root crops were stored he could find a bit of time, but by then the evenings would be drawing in. Besides, it meant he had to leave Alice sitting alone hour after hour, and any woman would get fed up with that after a while.

He regretted giving that five hundred pounds to Maura. If he still had that in his pocket, he could have afforded to take on a full-time labourer to help with the work. As it was, he could only take on someone for a few hours a week. Joe was a good-hearted lad, but you couldn't leave him to do the milking alone – and that meant Daniel would be tied to the yard in a way he hadn't been since Connor left school.