Lakeland Lily Read Free Page B

and groans as Hannah insisted the two younger girls remain with her and baby Kitty. Jacob and Matthew beat a hasty retreat before anyone should suggest they do likewise.
    ‘Well, get on with it, lad,’ Arnie chivvied poor Dick. ‘Or them boats’ll all be taken afore you get there.’
    Thus galvanised into action, Dick and Lily walked sedately along the shore, a good six inches apart. Only when they turned a corner and believed themselves out of sight did they reach for each other’s hands. Arnie and Hannah, peeping at them between the trees, exchanged a smile and did likewise.
    Less than ten minutes later Lily was reclining against the red leather cushions in what she considered a suitably ladylike pose. Unlike many of the young men recklessly showing off their inadequate skills to their sweethearts, Dick had handed her in and walked the length of the row boat without putting either of them in any danger of capsizing. Now he had a firm grip on the oars, his well-muscled arms flexing beneath his best summer shirt. Some of the toffs wore smart blazers but since Dick did not own such a garment, he’d tucked a neckcloth in the form of a cravat into his shirt collar to mark the occasion, and his one pair of brown boots were polished to a mirror brightness.
    The sun was hot, and Lily adjusted her ancient straw bonnet which she hated, despite the new green ribbon trimmings meant to heighten the colour in her hazel eyes. She wished she owned a parasol like the fashionable young ladies and their mamas. These exemplars of loveliness occupied the long narrow steam-yachts which sailed majestically up and down the lake; the kind of glorious vessel owned by every rich family who occupied a mansion on the shores of Carreckwater, each vying to outdo the other in opulence.
    These people had usually made their money from cotton in Lancashire, or shipping in Liverpool, and could afford to display their wealth in the finest teak, pine and oak craft. Far grander than a hired rowing boat, they were sleek and stately with embossed velvet upholstery, walnut panelling, even carpets and white marble wash hand basins. Lily had caught glimpses of these wonderful floating palaces when Arnie had been helping out with some refitting. He did occasional work for Hadley’s boat builders, which helped to eke out his low wages from the fishing, and had sneaked her aboard for a peep. The memory of such unbridled elegance had lived in Lily’s mind ever since.
    One was approaching even now, sun glinting off its brass fittings, the chatter of genteel voices, merry laughter and the chink of china tea cups echoing over the lake as the ladies took tea beneath a pretty blue and cream fringed canopy. There was the papa in his top hat, the engineer in his flat cap, and the women with their wide straw hats skewered with giant pins so they didn’t blow off in the wind.
    Somewhere far away on the shore a band had struck up a jolly tune and a voice was calling passengers to board Lucy Ann, the Public Steamer, smartly decked out with strings of flags, for the next lake cruise to one of the islands or the Fisherman’s Inn for luncheon.
    ‘All aboard! Next sailing in ten minutes. Hurry along there, please.’
    Lily’s lips curved into a contented smile as she watched the jostling crowds in their bright summer dresses, some hurrying to take advantage of this offer, others strolling along the promenade or enjoying the sun on the wooden benches that stood before the Marina Hotel. She was much happier here with Dick, and the steamer already seemed crammed with people.
    Emboldened by his success over the boat trip, Dick was saying, ‘So I’ve decided to talk to your father, man to man like, the minute we finish tea and before the fireworks start.’
    ‘Let’s hope you don’t spark off any fireworks of your own!’ Lily giggled, but for once Dick only looked troubled and paused in his rowing while he considered her quip.
    ‘What d’you reckon he’ll say