Read Online A Family Affair by Janet Tanner - Free Book Online Page A

she got the impression he didn’t really know him. ‘Are you on your own? Your friend was in the procession, wasn’t she?’
    â€˜Yes. She looked smashing, didn’t she? I came with a whole gang from Hillsbridge. I seem to have lost them though …’
    â€˜So – would you like to come on the Big Wheel with me?’
    Heather smiled, and the reflection of the bright lights made her eyes sparkle.
    â€˜Why not?’
    They joined the queue, waiting their turn to climb into one of the little gondolas and Heather was very aware of Steven’s solid presence beside her. Once in the car she caught at his hand, pretending to be scared as they jolted upwards, one station at a time whilst the other cars were loaded, and he put his arm around her, so that they were squashed together, the teddy bear cuddled into her lap. From the top of the wheel the whole of the town centre was spread out beneath them, an ever-moving sea of people speckled red and blue and green by the twinkling lights. Heather spotted some of her friends standing on the deck of the Noah’s Ark and wondered if they were looking for her, wondering what had become of her. She hoped they wouldn’t see her and come rushing over to spoil things.
    They didn’t. If they had seen her they had the good sense to realise she wanted to be left alone. After the Big Wheel, Steven took her on the dodgems and then they walked up the street where the sickly-sweet smell of candyfloss mingled with the pungent aroma of onions frying on the hot-dog stalls and hot petrol, to another small square where the Wall of Death had been erected. Here it was the roar of motorcycle engines that was the predominant sound and a voice distorted by a megaphone attracting customers. They went up the steps to the viewing gallery, marvelling at the skill of the riders as they roared up the sheer side of the drum.
    It was getting late now. They’d missed the squibbing and Heather was glad. She had had enough of fireworks for one night, even if it had meant she’d met Steven because of one.
    â€˜I cannot offer to drive you home tonight …’ he said and her heart sank like a stone.
    â€˜Oh no … of course not … that’s all right …’
    â€˜â€¦ because I did not bring my car. The roads are all closed for the procession. But I will walk with you if you would like. Unless of course you want to meet your friends.’
    â€˜No – no,’ Heather said, breathless suddenly. ‘I don’t know where they are. They could have gone already, and if they haven’t, I’ll never find them in this crush.’
    â€˜We walk together then?’
    â€˜Yes. Thank you.’
    He wasn’t a great talker. Heather chattered endlessly to fill the silence when they left the fair behind, but she didn’t mind that. She felt wonderfully happy, intoxicated almost, and at the same time utterly at ease, as if she was with an old friend she had known all her life.
    The night was clear, the stars shining, but there was a deep pool of shadow on the pavement beneath the wall that retained their elevated garden. The road was deserted and the wall hid the pavement from the house. There was no-one to see when he kissed her good night, but if there had been she didn’t think she could have cared less.
    â€˜Can I see you again?’ he asked, a little diffidently, very politely.
    â€˜I’d like that.’
    â€˜On Saturday?’
    â€˜Yes – why not?’
    â€˜I’ll pick you up then. About seven thirty? We could go to the pictures, perhaps.’
    â€˜That would be lovely.’
    She climbed the steps, happiness bubbling, and stood for a moment listening to the sound of his footsteps going back down the hill and hugging the teddy bear as it were him. Then she let herself into the sleeping house and crept up the stairs to bed.
    â€˜I saw you with that Polish chap last night, didn’t I?’