First Friends Read Free

Mark at sea and she could imagine Mary reporting the cobwebs, the pile of unironed clothes and the lack of cake or biscuits to Simon. Mary, however, was moving back down the path.
    â€˜Can I carry you off with me? I’ve got to pick my son up from school and I daren’t be late. First term and all that. Then we can go home and have tea. I can drop you back later although, to be honest, you could walk it in ten minutes.’
    Kate found herself in the car and being driven away, schoolwards.
    â€˜This is very kind of you,’ she began, rather shyly. ‘I’ve been looking forward to meeting some other wives. I wasn’t sure if there were any living near the base.’
    â€˜You poor child. You’ll soon learn the ropes.’ Mary, sounding like a very senior Girl Guide, patted Kate’s arm. ‘There’s lots of wives to meet, all like you with husbands away. No need to be lonely again.’
    _______
    â€˜B UT, HONESTLY , C ASS, THAT’S what she said. “Learn the ropes!” I thought: it’ll be tying knots next. It’s the way they talk.’
    Kate’s relief at the sight of her old companion had been overwhelming. Cass and Tom were living in a tiny cottage near the church in the village and as soon as Cass had returned from Devon, Kate had rushed round to see her. Her new friends were very ready to integrate her into their society but Kate could already see a requirement to conform that was rather terrifying. The sight of Cass, piling a most unsuitable-looking tea—crisps, sausage rolls and shop-bought chocolate cake—on to the old deal table that was squashed into the corner of the sitting room, was immensely comforting. Kate thought of Mary Armitage’s home-made scones and cakes and jams and experienced a sense of release from pressure. Being with Cass was like taking off a tight corset or kicking off a pinching shoe.
    â€˜I know exactly what you mean.’ Cass crammed some crisps into her mouth. ‘Tom says it’s a wonder that some of them don’t have stripes on their handbags. You know, the ones who start a conversation: “And what is your husband?” Not even “who” you notice. Oh, well. We’ll probably be just like them when we’re old.’
    â€˜I hope not!’ Kate looked horrified. ‘What a terrible thought. I just wish there were more wives of our age.’
    â€˜Tom and Mark have married very young. It’s not at all usual. Anyway, much more fun like this. Just think of all those spare men! What bliss when Tom’s at sea!’ Cass disappeared into the tiny kitchen to make the tea.
    â€˜You’ve only been married five minutes.’ Kate leaned against the door jamb to watch her.
    â€˜I know that, but you must remember the Navy rule. Be prepared!’
    â€˜That’s the Boy Scouts.’ Kate wandered back, sat down at the table and took a sausage roll.
    â€˜Oh, well. Same thing.’
    â€˜You’re hopeless. And you’ve eaten all the crisps, you pig.’
    â€˜I haven’t.’ Cass put the teapot on the table. ‘Here they are. Listen. It’s Happy Hour at
Dolphin
tonight. Why don’t we go along?’
    â€˜What? Without the boys?’
    â€˜Can’t go with them, can we, lovey? They’re hundreds of miles away.’
    â€˜But we can’t just go on our own.’
    â€˜ ’Course we can. Lots of wives were there on their own when we used to go with the boys. Why not? All their friends are there. That’s one of the good things about having
Dolphin
just down the road. It’s somewhere to go when the boys are at sea. Like the curry lunches they have on Sunday after church. Everyone understands if you turn up on your own. It’s what it’s all about. Like having a big family round you. I’m not going to start behaving like a nun just because Tom’s at sea.’
    â€˜But will there be anyone we know now that