The Camberwell Raid Read Free Page A

you’ve been listenin’. I’d say you’re up in the clouds with Sally.’
    ‘Wasn’t it ’andsome of Sammy to give Freddy a rise of ten shillings?’ said Mrs Brown. ‘He told Freddy to put it into his savings so that he and Cassie could buy their own house later on.’
    ‘That’s what I call practical,’ said Mr Brown.
    ‘Don’t you think that’s sensible?’ said Mrs Brown.
    ‘Well, Bessie, I did just say—’
    ‘Then there’s Sally come home from work today with a promise from Sammy that after the honeymoon, he’s promotin’ her to the Oxford Street shop as assistant manageress,’ said Mrs Brown. ‘I can’t hardly take it all in.’
    ‘Well, like I already mentioned, Bessie, keep tryin’ and—’
    ‘You saying something else, love?’ said Mrs Brown.
    ‘Only a word or two, Bessie,’ said Mr Brown.
    ‘Sally’s gone round to see Orrice and give him the news,’ said Mrs Brown. ‘Of course, her job will only last until she starts havin’ a family. Still, she could hardly wait to go and tell Orrice.’
    ‘Taken one of ’er clouds with ’er, I shouldn’t wonder,’ said Mr Brown.
    ‘What’s that?’ asked Mrs Brown.
    ‘Nothing much, Bessie,’ said Mr Brown.
    ‘You’re not startin’ to talk to yourself in your old age, are you, love?’ said Mrs Brown.
    ‘Might as well,’ said Mr Brown.
    Jim Cooper, returning to the kitchen after answering a knock on the front door, said, ‘That was Sally. She’s now in the parlour with Horace.’
    ‘Oh, much more suitable than the shop,’ smiled Mrs Rebecca Cooper, a handsome woman of immaculate appearance.
    ‘Horace deserves a medal for his perseverance,’ said Jim. Their adopted son had conducted his courtship of Sally at her place of work, the Adams dress shop in Kennington. He’d survived a number of discouraging confrontations with her until Sally suddenly realized she was enjoying the most exhilarating and challenging moments of her life. That led to compatibility, to many outings together and, inevitably, to their first ecstatic kiss. Sally immediately followed this by saying, ‘Yes.’
    ‘Beg pardon?’ said Horace, a promising professional cricketer with the right amount of good looks. ‘I mean, yes what?’
    ‘Well, you’ve been saying for ages you’re savin’ up to get married to someone, so it might as well be me,’ declared Sally.
    ‘You’re not someone,’ said Horace, ‘you’re a lot more than that.’
    ‘Oh, yes?’ said Sally.
    ‘Yes, my idea exactly,’ said Horace.
    ‘So?’ said Sally.
    ‘Let’s have another one,’ said Horace.
    ‘Another kiss? Wait a bit,’ said Sally, ‘is it me you’re savin’ up for or not?’
    ‘Well, seeing that I don’t know how I could live without you, would you do me the honour, Miss Brown?’ asked Horace.
    ‘Oh, mutual, I’m sure, Mr Cooper,’ said Sally, ‘so how could I refuse?’
    ‘Well, then?’ said Horace.
    ‘Yes, let’s have another one,’ said Sally, entirely pleased with herself for having had the intuitive good sense to wait for a young man as refreshing as Horace to come courting. She smiled. ‘Two, if you like, Horace.’
    So Horace had helped himself to a double encore, and that led to arranging a double wedding with Cassie and Freddy on Easter Saturday.
    This evening Sally had called to tell Horace that after their honeymoon she was transferring to the Adams dress shop in Oxford Street as assistant manageress. And Sammy Adams, she said, was going to pay her thirty-five shillings a week.
    ‘Thirty-five shillings, Horace.’
    Horace whistled.
    ‘Handsome, very handsome,’ he said. ‘We could think about buyin’ the house we’re goin’ to rent in Kennington Park Place. Who’s goin’ to take charge of our earnings?’
    ‘I am,’ said Sally, ‘and I’ll give you some of yours back each week for pocket money.’
    ‘Hold on—’
    ‘I’m sure your dad gives your mum his earnings,’ said Sally, ‘and I know my dad gives his to my mum.