were bringing a piano out of one of the houses. Nick Riley was with them, his shirtsleeves rolled up, dark hair falling into his eyes. He seemed to be doing most of the heavy lifting, Dora noticed.
She caught his eye and they both looked away at the same time.
‘Your Nick’s a strong lad, isn’t he?’ Nanna remarked to June Riley, as she placed a plate of sandwiches in the middle of one of the tables.
‘Nice to see he’s useful for something,’ June replied, taking a long drag on her cigarette.
‘She can talk,’ Nanna muttered to Dora. ‘She hasn’t lifted a finger all morning. Too busy sunning herself and making eyes at the men.’ She brushed off the cigarette ash that June had allowed to fall on to the table. ‘Where’s your Danny anyway?’ she asked.
‘He’s around somewhere.’ June waved her cigarette vaguely, allowing another shower of ash to fall.
‘Last time I saw him he was with the Pike boys,’ Rose said, flicking a wasp off the jelly. ‘You want to watch them, June. You know how they love to tease him.’
Sure enough, at that moment Dennis Pike came hurtling around the corner, laughing and shouting. His brother Frank came after him, followed by Danny who was doing his best to keep up, his face red with exertion.
‘Come on, Danny. Catch!’ Dora spotted the boy’s cap flying through the air. Danny tried to grab for it but Frank got there first, snatching it out of mid-air before Danny had a chance.
‘Oi, you two. Give it back!’ she shouted. Dennis and Frank just laughed at her.
‘We’re only playin’!’ Frank shouted back. ‘He loves it, don’t you, Danny? He knows it’s just a game.’ He dangled Danny’s cap in front of his face, then snatched it away at the last minute. ‘Gotta be quicker than that, Danny boy!’
He tossed the hat up high. It spun around in the cloudless sky, then started to come down. Dennis went to jump for it, but before he could grab it, a hand shot out and snatched it out of mid-air.
‘Gotta be quicker than that,’ Nick Riley said.
Dennis and Frank took one look at him, towering over them, and ran. Nick went over to where Danny was doubled up, gasping for breath, and put the cap back on his head.
‘What have I told you about going near those boys?’ Dora heard him say softly. ‘You stay away from them, you hear me?’
‘But . . . they’re my f-friends,’ Danny said shakily, still fighting for breath.
Just at that moment the rest of the Pikes – Lettie, her husband Len and Ruby – came out of their house to join the party. Lettie carried a plate of sandwiches proudly aloft.
‘Is that all she’s brought?’ Nanna muttered in disgust. ‘Typical. That woman’s as tight as a duck’s—’
‘Aren’t you going to help me with the sausage rolls, Mum?’ Rose interrupted her quickly, as Nanna and Lettie Pike exchanged evil stares across the table.
Dora was staring too, but in admiration of Ruby who looked stunning. Her fitted dress, white and covered in big splashy red roses, showed off every curve, while the daring scoop of the neckline barely contained the generous swell of her breasts.
‘Oh, Ruby, you look like a film star!’ she breathed.
‘Thanks.’ Ruby tugged at her short white gloves. Her mouth was painted the same red as her dress. ‘You’ve got to make the effort, haven’t you?’
‘I feel like a right plain Jane next to you,’ Dora said wryly.
‘You look lovely,’ Ruby complimented her absently, barely looking at her dress. ‘Anyway, I’m only wearing this for one person’s benefit. And that’s him.’
She nodded to where Nick Riley was lifting another table into place.
‘You fancy Nick Riley?’ Dora said in disbelief.
‘Doesn’t everyone? Look at him, Dor. Look at those muscles. He’s so strong. And so handsome.’
‘Handsome is as handsome does, as far as I’m concerned. And Nick Riley’s a right surly bugger!’
‘I know. That’s why I like him so much.’ Ruby sighed. ‘I’ve always liked the strong, silent type. And he’s a mystery. He doesn’t chase after me like all the other boys. He’s hard to get. I like a challenge.’
Dora laughed. ‘You mean you only want what you can’t have?’
‘Maybe,’ Ruby conceded with a shrug. ‘Except I mean to have Nick Riley. You see if I don’t.’
‘What are you going to do? Kidnap him and make him succumb to your womanly wiles?’
‘If only! No, I’m going to work my magic on him. But I need you to help me.’
‘Me? How?’
‘I