Read Online A New Day by Beryl Matthews - Free Book Online Page B

it was not impossible!
    Smiling, she stood up and walked towards the house. There was writing paper in her room and she had so much to tell Jack.
    An hour later, her letter finished, Hanna was on her way to the post box at the end of the road. Her brother would be so pleased to hear that something had been done about the orphanage and Talbot.
    She had just put the letter in the box when she saw the constable striding towards her.
    ‘Hello, Hanna.’
    She smiled brightly. ‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’
    ‘Ah, I guess from your happy face that you’ve heard from your brother and he’s enjoying his life at sea.’
    ‘Yes, he loves being on the ship, and I’ve just written to him with some good news.’ She began walking back to the house and he fell into step beside her. ‘Mrs Harcourt contacted a friend of hers and you’ll never guess what’s happened.’
    ‘I give up,’ he smiled. ‘You tell me.’
    Hanna talked all the way along the road, telling him what Mrs Freeman had done. ‘Isn’t that wonderful!’
    ‘It certainly is,’ he said as they stopped by the gate. ‘You must be very relieved.’
    She nodded, still smiling.
    ‘I think you should celebrate. There’s a dance at the hall next to the cinema tomorrow evening. You told me you couldn’t come out with me until you knew your brother was all right. Well, now you know, so will you come out with me?’
    It only took her a moment to decide. ‘I’d like that. Only I must warn you that I can’t dance.’
    ‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll teach you. See you tomorrow then. I’ll come round for you about seven.’
    As she watched him walk away, she noted his easy stride, and decided that he was probably a good dancer. Her mind began to whirl at her impulsive decision. She had a little money put aside and would need a new frock for the evening. Nothing expensive, of course, but something pretty. It was time she had some fun, and she wouldn’t want to look a mess and let him down.
    There was no sign of the twins as she made her way back to the garden, so the Freemans must still be here. The smile was still on her face as she sat down and sighed with relief. Jack was all right, the orphanage and Talbot had been dealt with, and she had a date! Her first ever date, and she was so happy!
    ‘There, you’re picking up the steps already,’ Alan told her as he guided her around the crowded dance floor. ‘You’ll be able to manage a foxtrot by the end of the evening. You follow well and have a good sense of timing.’
    ‘That’s only because you’re an excellent teacher,’ Hanna laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself. That morning she had bought a cotton frock in a delicate shade of lemon, which suited her dark colouring, and she didn’t feel out of place amongst all the other girls. When Alan had come for her he had immediately told her how pretty she looked, and that had boosted her confidence. He was very good at putting people at ease, she soon realized, seeing the relaxed way he talked to everyone he met.
    The evening flew by and she did attempt a foxtrot, but soon decided that she would need more practice before she could glide around the floor like the other dancers.
    ‘Have you enjoyed yourself, Hanna?’ Alan asked when they reached the house.
    ‘I’ve had a lovely time. Thank you for asking me out and for showing me the dance steps.’
    He smiled. ‘It was fun. Will you come out with me again?’
    ‘I’d like that.’
    ‘Good. I work shifts so it will be a couple of weeks before I get another Saturday off. Perhaps you’d like to go to the cinema then?’
    ‘That would be lovely. I haven’t seen a picture for ages. I used to take Jack to the children’s matinee when we could afford it, but that wasn’t often.’
    ‘There hasn’t been much fun in your lives, has there?’
    ‘Not much, but that’s all over now.’ She smiled up at Alan. ‘Thank you again for a fun evening.’
    ‘It was my pleasure, Hanna.’ He kissed her gently on