Joe Walker Journey to Walmington

Part 8 The Red Lion

Joe stood leaning against the wall waiting for Mary. He was wearing a black shirt and black jeans, turned up at the bottom with boots. Sorry I haven't had time to dress up he said. He needn't have worried Mary thought he looked gorgeous. He explained he'd been clearing out a shed and storing his goods. He'd actually been out door to door selling and made a fair bit already. He made her laugh by telling her about one tricky customer who didn't want anyone talking to his wife and let the dog out. Hed had to jump over the hedge and down the street. Look at my wrist, all scratched, blooming cheek he said. Before going in the pub Joe decided to take Mary for a look at his store. On the way he pointed out a furniture store and garage he'd like to buy too. At the store were shelves and boxes full of everything you could need. Outside old tyres and plant pots. Joe gestured for her to take whatever she would like, elastic, ribbons, thread. She pointed at some hair ribbons but couldn't reach. Joe lifted her up so she could get them. As he put her down their bodies were so close. Joe picked up the ribbon , then brushed her hair back with his hand and tied it at the back. As he did this he softly kissed her neck from behind then spun her round and said, thats marvellous. He then sat down and gave his boots a rub . Sorted, now let's go get a drink, he held her round the waist and off they went. She was quiet all the time wondering if his kisses meant anything. She knew one thing for certain, other men would have forced her to do something back there at the store, all alone.
At The Red Lion they found a table in the corner. Normally Joe would have leaned in for a bit of kiss but he didn't want to rush anything, this was the different sort of life from London he was starting to enjoy. Joe asked Mary all about herself. She lived with her dad, her aunt and her aunts family. Her mam had died in the war. She was expected to do all the housework and her family were quite strict. She found Joes stories from the city fascinating. Thinking about a better job for Mary, he suggested the bank. Oh no, Mr Mainwaring thinks I'm too common she replied. Flamin nerve said Joe, what about the tea rooms, that'd be a marvellous idea, I met the lady in charge earlier, I sold her some silver spoons I just happened to have. We'll go tomorrow. Speaking of Mr Mainwaring, in he walked with Wilson and Pike. Not chatting , he simply looked at Joe and barked out 7.30 sharp, tomorrow night. Joe nearly choked laughing on his pint, saying to Mary, Does that geezer ever give up.
Come on lets get you home on time. Outside the pub Mary shyly asked Joe if he really liked her. Come here he said, I'll show you how much, he backed her and himself up against the wall and gave her a passionate kiss . She didn't really know how to respond, she was breathless. Pulling away he grabbed her hand and said, right, we'd better run its nearly midnight Cinderella. That night in bed Mary lay thinking of that kiss. So that's what its supposed to be like she realised. Not like the blokes she'd known. She couldn't wait to compare notes with her friends