Happiness for Hazel Read online

  “What did he do, our Ray?” Walter asked, his dark eyes glowing with interest. “Did he rob a bank or something?”

  “Nothing quite so dramatic, Walter.” Raymond ruffled his younger brother’s dark hair affectionately. “I think Patrick Bradshaw was trying to flog some stolen goods on Wakefield market, but the police couldn’t prove the items were stolen, so he got away with it.”

  “Well, what has that got to do with Glenn?” Hazel asked haughtily. “Just because his brother might be a little shady, doesn’t mean to say Glenn is the same.”

  “You are such an innocent, Hazel.” Raymond gave her an odd look that resembled something like pity. “I hope you don’t get hurt.”

  “I know Glenn would never hurt me,” she boasted. “You don’t have to worry.”

  “Glenn might not, but your dad will skin you alive if he finds out about this.” Walter’s eyes were wide as he searched for Hazel’s parents in the group of adults behind them.

  “Well, I’ve got plans to make them come around to the idea of me seeing someone.” Hazel had thought of nothing else since Glenn first kissed her, but now she would have to make sure those plans were put into action soon.

  “What plans would they be?” Eunice asked. “I suppose I’ll be involved in some way, won’t I?”

  Raymond nodded. “You two always do things together. I doubt that will change because Hazel thinks she has a sweetheart.”

  “I don’t just think it, Raymond Simpson.” Hazel lifted her chin. “Haven’t you been listening to a word we said?”

  “Sorry, that didn’t come out right.” He shrugged. “Perhaps I can help.” He lowered his head, and his fair hair brushed Hazel’s cheek as he whispered, “What if I agree to take our Eunice out with me again next week? If your mam and dad see how much freedom our Eunice is allowed, that might make them think about allowing you out, don’t you think?”

  “We could ask if I could come with you too.” Hazel grabbed his hand. “Oh, Raymond, that would be perfect. If I could be allowed to go out on Saturdays, I might easily pretend I met Glenn while promenading, or perhaps at the parish hall dance or something. Then I could slowly start to mention his name, and eventually, my parents will be eager to meet him, won’t they?”

  “I think you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself, lass.” Raymond shook his blond head. “I don’t see any problem getting our parents to agree to me taking Eunice out again, but the way your mam and dad thinks is a different kettle of fish altogether. We all know how they wrap you and Norman in so much cotton wool you can’t breathe. They aren’t going to say yes to the first time of asking. You know that, as well as we do. We’ll have to take this slowly.”

  Walter and Eunice both nodded. “He’s right,” Eunice said. “You’ll have to take it slowly.”

  “I don’t want to take it slowly!” Hazel sighed. “Why are they so obstinate and over-protective?”

  “They will come around, love,” Eunice offered. “They can’t keep you locked away until you’re a wrinkled old woman!”

  “I think they’d like to try!” Hazel laughed. “But seriously, I’m glad you want to help me.”

  “What are friends for?” Eunice grabbed her hand. “I know we have our differences, love, but I’d do anything to make you happy.”

  “Me too.” Raymond’s eyes held a wistful look that made Hazel feel uncomfortable.

  She thought she’d try to lighten his mood. “Well, the only thing that will make me happy is to be allowed out with you and Eunice. I can’t wait to go into town on a Saturday night and see what all the fuss is about.”

  Chapter 5 – Transformation

  A whole week had passed since her party in the park, and she’d seen Glenn a couple of times behind the kitchen at work. He came as often as he could, but it was never enough for Hazel.

  Cynthia wasn’t always happy about Glenn’s visits, but Hazel tried not to let them interfere with her work so her boss wouldn’t have any reason to complain.

  Until she was allowed out on Saturday evenings, she had to be content to hear about the events in town from her friend. Eunice had gone out with her brother again, but no matter how much Hazel pleaded with her mother to ask for her father’s permission to join them, her dad remained aloof and obstinately silent on the matter.

  Hazel had arranged to spend the Sunday afternoon with her friend. As it was raining, they would have to spend the afternoon in Eunice’s bedroom. Eunice had been out with her brother the previous evening and Hazel couldn’t wait to hear about every minute of the outing. She wanted to know whether Eunice had seen Glenn with his pals, and even though it would pain her to hear of him having fun without her, it was better than not hearing anything.

  As soon as the girls closed the bedroom door behind them, Hazel blurted, “Where did you go? Who did you see? What did you do for the whole three hours?”

  “Give me a minute, Hazel!” Eunice flopped on her bed and tucked her feet under her. “Take a pew on our Hugh’s bed and pin back your ears.”

  Hazel sat on the other bed in the room. Eunice had to share her room with her youngest brother. Hugh was eight, and as the baby of the family, he didn’t have a choice in the arrangement either. His three older brothers shared a room along the landing, but when Raymond left home, Hugh would move in with sixteen-year-old Walter and Terry who was ten.

  “I’m lucky I don’t have to share a bedroom. You must feel awfully cramped in here.”

  “It’s not so bad. We’re not as cramped as the other three. They can’t swing a cat in their room.”

  “But it won’t change anytime soon for you, will it? Your Ray has no plans to move out, does he?”

  “He knows where he’s well off. Our Ray likes Mam’s cooking. If he ever does get with a lass, she’ll have to meet some high standards before he asks to wed her.”

  “Hasn’t he shown interest in anyone yet?” Hazel knew Raymond was sweet on her, but she’d always made it clear she couldn’t consider him. He was like a brother to her.

  “Oh, he gets a lot of attention from the lasses. With that white blond hair, he stands out like a beacon, and the lasses are like moths to a candle flame around him.”

  “He’s a handsome lad, that’s for sure.” Hazel nodded. “Why doesn’t he try to make a move with one of those nice girls?”

  “He has! Countless times, but you keep knocking him back!”

  “Oh, but Ray knows I could never be more than friends with him.” Hazel thought Eunice understood how she felt about her brother but realised it might be prudent to point it out again. “I’ve known Ray all my life. We’re like family. It wouldn’t feel right.”

  “And now there’s Glenn, eh?” Eunice grinned. “Has he been to the café this week?”

  Hazel shook her head. “I think he worked the night shift last week. Did you see him last night?”

  Eunice shook her head and smiled with sympathy. “Well, we know how hard those colliers work. He probably worked so hard during the week that he had to spend the weekend in bed. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

  “Who said I’m worried?” Hazel snapped but apologised quickly. “Sorry, Eunice. I shouldn’t turn my frustration on you.”

  “I don’t mind. Who else are you going to let off steam with?”

  “You’re a good pal. Eunice. What would I do without you?”

  “You’d waste away in your own private room with not even your brother to talk with at night when you’re feeling lonely and bored!”

  Hazel giggled. “Do you keep your Hugh awake all night when you need someone to talk to?”

  “No, all he’s interested in is football and toy cars!”

  “Just like my Norman. Do you think boys ever grow up?”

  “Mam said they don’t. Even our Ray still likes a game of footie with his pals.”

  “Bet he doesn’t still play with toy cars though, eh?”

  “I think he likes cars all right, but he likes the full-sized versions now. He’s always tinkering
with Kenny’s dad’s motor.”

  “He’d never be able to afford one of his own, though, would he?”

  “You two are like peas in a pod.” Eunice giggled. “You can’t afford that dress in Mrs Wilson’s shop, but you persuaded her to let you pay in instalments, didn’t you. Same as our Ray. Once you have your minds set on something, nothing will stand in your way, will it?”

  “Will Ray really buy himself a car?” Hazel was impressed the young man would consider such a thing.

  Eunice shook her head. “I think he has his heart set on a second-hand motorbike. He told our mam that he knows enough about the engines to fix a broken one, so he might get one cheaper, but Mam doesn’t like the idea. She says they’re dangerous contraptions.”

  Hazel pictured Raymond riding a motorcycle. “Oh, I think it would be wonderful to ride on one of those things, don’t you?”

  “Are you mad?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to ride on a motorbike?”

  “Not on your Nellie!” Eunice puffed out her chest. “I share our mam’s opinion. If we were meant to travel fast like that, God would have given us wheels on the bottom of our legs instead of feet.”

  Hazel laughed. “Oh, imagine that! We’d hurtle along at breakneck speeds.”

  “Exactly! They don’t call it ‘breakneck speed’ for nothing, you know! That’s what would happen. You’d break your neck!”

  Hazel cricked her head to an odd angle and squinted her eyes, “Like this?”

  “Don’t joke about it!” Eunice rolled her eyes. “Mam is sure our Ray will come to a sticky end if he gets himself one of those motorbikes.”

  “Can he afford to buy one?” Hazel asked.

  “He’s opened an account with Barclays bank in town, and he’s saving up. It won’t take him long if he looks for ones he can fix up. Mam can’t stop him from getting one. He’s twenty-one now.”

  “Oh, I hope he lets me ride on it.” Hazel felt a thrill just imagining sitting on the seat of such a machine.

  “I’m sure our Ray will let you do anything you want. He’ll not be able to say no to you.”

  Hazel sobered quickly. “Do you think he really has those kinds of feelings for me?”

  “You must be blind if you haven’t noticed already. He’s mad about you!”

  “He can’t be!” She didn’t feel comfortable thinking about Raymond’s feelings for her. “He’s confused, that’s all. Once he finds a nice lass in town, he’ll realise I don’t mean a thing to him.”

  “You’re the one who’s confused, Hazel.” Eunice tut-tutted. “But it won’t matter what I say, will it?”

  “It won’t matter what anyone says, Eunice. Me and Ray aren’t going to happen. Especially now I have Glenn. Now are you going to tell me about last night, or not?”

  Eunice sighed. “What do you want to know?”

  “Don’t play coy with me, Eunice Simpson!” Hazel ribbed her friend. “Spit it out. I want to know everything!”

  Eunice grinned and began to explain what she’d done the previous evening with her elder brother. “We promenaded for an hour, talking and sharing a bit of banter with some of our Ray’s pals.”

  “What are they like?”

  “Well, you know some of them. Kenny comes here sometimes.”

  “Is he the tall, lanky one with freckles, big ears, and ginger hair?”

  “Well, he’s nice, despite what he looks like!” Eunice dropped her chin to her chest. “You’re always telling me that it’s what’s inside that counts, but people don’t see what’s inside, do they?” Eunice snapped. “Oh, why did I have to be the ugly duckling in my family? Even Kenny didn’t seem to notice me until… Oh, what’s the use!”

  “Hey!” Hazel was surprised at her friend’s sudden change of mood. “What’s brought all this on?”

  “I’m tired of being pointed at and laughed at in the street.”

  “Who’s been pointing and laughing at you?” Hazel’s anger flared at the injustice of anyone bullying her friend. “Tell me who they are, and I’ll have their guts for garters!”

  “It’s no use, Hazel. I’ll always look like this, and no amount of arguing or fighting from you will change that.”

  “Nonsense! One day you’re going to blossom into a beautiful swan, Eunice Simpson.” Hazel felt sorry for her friend. She was suffering from another flare-up of spots, and her poor chin looked red and sore. “Just you wait and see! Then you’ll show ‘em!”

  “Well, I wish the change would happen soon. I’m fed up with people staring at my face when it’s like this.” Eunice dropped her head and stared at her feet on the bed. “I lied when I said I had a good time last night.”

  “Oh, Eunice.” Hazel sprang to her friend’s side and put an arm around her shoulders. “What happened?”

  “Some girls made fun of my spotty chin and called me names. Our Ray shouted at them, but they laughed and ran off.”

  “Oh, I wish I could have been there to box their ears!”

  “That wouldn’t help, Hazel. Violence doesn’t solve anything, does it?”

  “It would make me feel better, though!”

  “It wouldn’t make me feel better. Kenny was lovely, though. He made me feel better.”

  Hazel was intrigued. “What did he do?”

  “He put his arm around me, just as you are doing now, and he guided me to the steps of the town hall where we sat and chatted for the rest of the evening.”

  “What did you talk about for all that time?”

  “This and that. He asked about my work at the bakery and what films I’ve seen and what books I like to read. He seemed interested in me, and he took my mind off the mean girls and their nasty comments.”

  “He might be sweet on you.” Hazel squeezed her friend.

  “Don’t be daft! He doesn’t think about me in that way. I’m just Raymond’s younger sister to him.”

  “He must like you! Lads don’t spend time with girls they don’t like, do they?”

  “He was a pal, that’s all. He pitied me,” Eunice insisted. “You’ve got the wrong end of the stick.”

  “Do you like him in that way?” Hazel asked gently.

  Eunice sighed. “Drop the subject, will you. It doesn’t matter what I feel. He isn’t going to look at me in that way. Have you seen my face?” She lifted her chin.

  “It’s not so bad.” Hazel wanted to cheer her friend. She didn’t like to see her so miserable. It was so unlike Eunice to be down about anything. “The spots don’t look as angry as they did last month, and you didn’t get as many either. I bet you could easily cover them with some pancake foundation.”

  “They would still be there, though, wouldn’t they? Underneath all that muck.” Eunice pouted sulkily.

  “But no one would know except you and me. And it isn’t muck!” Hazel had an idea. “Why don’t you ask your mam if we can use her makeup and I can show you how pretty you could be?”

  “I don’t know.” Eunice shrugged. “What good would it do? She might not let us, anyway.”

  “You won’t know until you ask, will you?”

  Eventually, Hazel persuaded her friend to ask her mother and the two girls were soon giggling together as Hazel tried to transform Eunice from the ugly duckling she thought herself to be, into the swan she dreamed of becoming.

  Hazel had put curling pins into her friend’s hair and was working on covering her blemishes with Audrey’s pancake foundation.

  “I wish I were more like you, Hazel. You don’t even have to try.” Eunice screwed her mouth to one side while Hazel applied the makeup to her cheek. “Your hair is naturally wavy, and your skin is like peaches and cream. You’ll look amazing in that dress when you get it. Though, I think the colour might clash with your eyes. Dusky pink doesn’t really go with golden brown, does it?”

  “I don’t care. No one will be looking at my eyes when I’m wearing that dress.”

  “I’ve never seen eyes like yours on anyone else. Sometimes they look like gold and other
times they look like flames in a fire. I think they’re your best feature.”

  “I don’t like them much. Mam says they make me look like a cat and I’ve no wish to be compared with an animal of any kind.”

  “Well, I think they are lovely, but I still say they won’t go with that dress!”

  Hazel felt a thrill of anticipation just thinking about the dress in Mrs Wilson’s shop that was now reserved with her name on it. “I can’t wait to pay the final instalment, but there are three more payments left to make before it’s mine.”

  “Has your dad relented yet? Did your mam talk to him about letting you go out with us?”

  Hazel sighed. “Not yet. She keeps promising she will, but I don’t like to remind her too much, or she’ll start to think I’m desperate and might get suspicious about my reasons.”

  “That’s your guilty conscience talking. Why would she be suspicious? She knows nothing about Glenn Bradshaw sniffing around you.”

  “Shush!” Hazel glanced at the door. “Someone might hear.”

  “Ouch! Be careful with that stuff. You nearly took my eye out.”

  “Sorry.” Hazel twisted the top from a lipstick. “Now for the finishing touch. Pucker up those lips.”

  Eunice pouted while Hazel applied the red lipstick.

  “Now we’ll take the pins out and style the waves around your face.”

  “Why can’t I look yet?” Eunice asked and glanced at the mirror high on the wall.

  “Give me a few more minutes to do your hair. I don’t want you to see the transformation until I’m all done.”

  “My face feels like it might crack if I smile. Are you sure all the girls are wearing this stuff?”

  “Only the ones who want to look glamorous.” Hazel teased her friend’s hair, brushing and pressing the waves with her fingers until they framed Eunice’s face perfectly. “There.” She stood back to admire her work and had an idea. “Have you thought about having your hair cut short?”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “The short bob is all the fashion now. Perhaps you could go to a hairdresser in town. I’m sure a shorter style would help to emphasise your bone structure and show off those beautiful eyes.”