"No, I'm with ... friends." For some reason she did not want him to know she had been brought here by Solly. "And you? Are you with your awful aunt?"
He grimaced. "No. Methodists don't approve of race meetings--she'd be horrified if she knew I was here."
"Is she fond of you?"
"Not in the least."
"Then why does she let you live with her?"
"She likes to keep people in sight, so she can control them."
"Does she control you?"
"She tries." He grinned. "Sometimes I escape."
"It must be hard, living with her."
"I can't afford to live on my own. I have to be patient and work hard at the bank. Eventually I'll get promoted and then I'll be independent." He grinned again. "And then I'll tell her to shut her gob like you did."
"I hope you didn't get into trouble."
"I did, but it was worth it to see the expression on her face. That was when I started to like you."
"Is that why you asked me to dine with you?"
"Yes. Why did you refuse?"
"Because April told me you haven't a penny to your name."
"I've enough for a couple of chops and a plum pudding."
"How could a girl resist that?" she said mockingly.
He laughed. "Come out with me tonight. We'll go to Cremorne Gardens and dance."
She was tempted, but she thought of Solly and felt guilty. "No, thank you."
"Why not?"
She asked herself the same question. She was not in love with Solly and she was taking no money from him: why was she saving herself for him? I'm eighteen years old, she thought, and if I can't go out dancing with a boy I like, what's the point in living? "All right, then."
"You'll come?"
"Aye."
He grinned. She had made him happy. "Shall I fetch you?"
She did not want him to see the Soho slum where she shared a room with April. "No, let's meet somewhere."
"All right--we'll go to Westminster Pier and take the steamer to Chelsea."
"Yes!" She felt more excited than she had for months. "What time?"
"Eight o'clock?"
She made a rapid calculation. Solly and Tonio would want to stay until the last race. Then they had to get the train back to London. She would say good-bye to Solly at Victoria Station and walk to Westminster. She thought she could make it. "But if I'm late, you'll wait?"
"All night, if necessary."
Thinking of Solly made her feel guilty. "I'd better get back to my friends now."
"I'll walk with you," he said eagerly.
She did not want that. "Best you don't."
"As you wish."
She put out her hand and they shook. It seemed oddly formal. "Until tonight," she said.
"I'll be there."
