Read Online Georgia by Lesley Pearse - Free Book Online Page B

something. He was actually improving with age. A few lines gave his youthful round face more character. Even the streaks of grey in his sandy hair gave him a note of distinction. Shame he had no remarkable features, his faded blue eyes were small, his nose just a fraction too wide, even his chin and mouth were weak. But he had good skin and neat straight teeth. A perfect face for a bank manager, not handsome enough for anyone to consider he might be indiscreet. Reassuring, neatly average.
    ‘I wonder if any of the boys can “jive” as well as Georgia and Christine?’ Celia wanted to lighten the mood but she was running out of ideas.
    He didn’t comment, just took a record out of its sleeve and dusted it carefully.
    Celia was just gritting her teeth at his finicky manner when the phone rang out in the hall.
    ‘I’ll get it.’ She got up, moving to the door. ‘I expect it’s someone’s mother checking what time the party ends.’
    Brian was back in his chair, drink in hand and the opening bars of ‘Swan Lake’ filled the room as Celia came in.
    ‘That was the police.’ The relaxed wife and mother was replaced by a stern, committed social worker. Even her voice was crisper. ‘I’ll have to go. A child in Stepney has been hurt by his father. The rest of the family are at risk.’ She reached behind an armchair for her briefcase and looked down at her clothes as if wondering if she was suitably dressed.
    ‘Isn’t there anyone else in the world but you?’
    ‘Not tonight it seems,’ she didn’t notice his sarcasm, more concerned with a five-year-old with a fractured skull. ‘I don’t know how long this will take. I might even have to bring the kids back here till tomorrow. I hope Georgia won’t mind.’
    ‘What about me?’ Brian asked. ‘Why don’t you ask if I mind?’
    This was the last straw. Everything revolved around Georgia, what she wanted to eat, where she wanted to go. Not once had Celia thought to consult him on anything. Now she was walking out with a hundred feet stamping on the floor above him, more concerned with some damn slum kid than her husband left on his own.
    ‘Don’t be silly,’ she bent to kiss him lightly on the cheek. ‘You know perfectly well I’d rather be here with you. But it’s my job, just like you’d have to go out if they robbed the bank tonight.’
    She was gone before he could even think of a reply.
    Two boys lounged on the stairs, below them sat a couple of girls talking with their heads close together. Celia hadn’t met any of them before.
    ‘Everything all right?’ she asked as they moved to let her past. ‘Don’t drop that on the carpet,’ she looked disapprovingly at one of the boys’ cigarettes dangling from his fingers.
    Georgia was jiving with Christine, the red dress flaring out showing the layers of net and slim, shapely thighs. Her golden brown face, neck and shoulders glistened with perspiration, her dark eyes full of excitement. The French plait, which she’d spent hours arranging was already the worse for wear. Stray wispy curls were coming loose giving her a tempestuous look, like a gypsy dancer.
    Christine had changed since the early days at Kidbrooke. Still shorter than Georgia and a little plumper, but the baby face had gone. Her blonde ‘beehive’ quivered as she danced. She had tossed off her high heels and her shoulders were parting company with her low-necked turquoise dress, even the elaborate Eygptian make-up was smeared.
    Georgia grinned as she saw Celia peering in the door, she beckoned for her to come in.
    ‘I can’t stop,’ Celia was shocked to see the room full of smoke and she was sure there were more than the twenty people her daughter had invited. Gangly lads propped up the walls, more sprawled on the floor. One girl was sitting on a boy’s lap, their mouths glued together. A bunch of girls were giggling around the food table and still more were dancing. ‘I’ve got to go out on an emergency.’
    ‘Oh, Mum!’