It's Now or Never Read Free Page B

out.’
    â€˜Too right I will,’ said Constable Walker firmly. ‘It’s not pleasant for young girls to be scared to walk the streets at this time of evening.’
    â€˜I remember Nan telling me that she used to wear big hatpins and she kept one in the lapel of her coat,’ said Roberta. ‘She was ready to use it if she was attacked when she left the theatre in the dark.’
    The policewoman smiled. ‘I’d recommend carrying a small pepper drum with you.’
    Roberta nodded. ‘Mam worries about Teddy Boys … which reminds me, she’ll be waiting for me.’
    â€˜I’ll walk with you down to the milk bar just to make certain that you’re OK,’ said Constable Walker. ‘See you, Lenny!’
    He raised a hand and said, ‘See you around, Hester.’
    â€˜You’ll tell Betty I’m sorry to have missed her,’ said Roberta.
    â€˜Sure, kid,’ he said.
    Roberta thanked him and then turned to Hester. ‘I really appreciate this, Constable.’
    â€˜Right, shall we go?’ Hester set off in the direction of the Philharmonic Hall and Roberta fell into step beside her. ‘Tell me what you and your mother are doing in town?’ asked Hester.
    â€˜I’m celebrating my thirteenth birthday, so Mam’s giving me a treat. We don’t often get the chance to go out together because we don’t like leaving Nan alone. She hasn’t been well recently but she insisted – and seeing as how Mam was feeling flush because several customers have paid their bills, we’re going to the flicks. A neighbour is going to keep Nan company while we’re out.’
    â€˜What does your mother do?’
    â€˜She’s a dressmaker – a really good one! She gets that from Nan who used to be a dresser in the theatre because she was mad about the stage. But Mum’s always been handy with a needle and she also designs stuff as well as use other people’s patterns. She actually started out as a seamstress for one of the costumiers in Bold Street. Anyway, if you’re ever in need of a new outfit, styled individually at a decent price, then you know where to come,’ said Roberta, a hint of pride in her voice.
    Hester chuckled. ‘You’re not one to miss an opportunity, are you, Roberta?’
    â€˜My friends call me Bobby. Mum’s name is Lynne.’ She changed the subject. ‘I love art, myself. Have you seen Betty’s paintings on the walls of the coffee bar? I’d like to study art, just like her. Do you know that she’s going to Italy?’
    Hester smiled. ‘Yes, I do. I’m friends with her half-sister, Emma. Also Betty is a friend of my half-sister, Jeanette. She told me all about how excited Betty is about her trip to Italy because Betty wants someone to take over her flat while she’s away and Jeanette wants to be that person. She’s visiting Betty this evening, along with the music group who will hopefully be playing at my wedding. One of the members is Italian and he sings like a dream.’
    â€˜I’d like to hear him and I’d love to go to Italy and study art,’ murmured Roberta dreamily. ‘I like portraits best but I’d enjoy seeing sculptures as well as the architecture. Rome, Venice, Florence.’
    â€˜I believe Betty is hoping to visit all those cities but she’s going to be based in a seaside town called Castellammare di Stabia on the Bay of Naples.’
    â€˜So she told me.’ Roberta’s expression was rapt. ‘Apparently it’s about ten miles from Sorrento and has archaeological sites and spas and a castle. I’ve been told the scenery is sensational. Mount Vesuvius is the other side of the bay. We have a copy of a painting on a classroom wall called “Faithful unto Death”. The original painting by Edward Poynter is in the Walker Art Gallery.’ She drew breath. ‘I tried to copy the Roman