Bobby's Girl by Catrin Collier Page A

her, Pen. Look after her.’
    â€˜I will.’
    â€˜This,’ he gave her ten twenty-pound notes, ‘is for both of you to go shopping tomorrow. You’ll be backing Britain to the hilt if you buy the latest Mary Quant designs and wear them in the States. Fashion exports will soar.’
    â€˜Uncle Haydn …’
    â€˜Money is everything to a poor student. When you reach my advanced age you realise how little real value it has. My card – there’s an American number on there. It’s my agent’s. They always know how to reach me. Slightest sign of trouble, telephone. If I can’t help, I’ll send someone who can. Say goodbye to Kate for me.’ He opened the door. The bellboy and a young woman entered. ‘The cases are to go to my car, Stephen.’ He tipped the boy. ‘Anna, make sure that my niece and her friend have everything they need for the night.’
    â€˜I will, Mr Powell.’
    â€˜Bye, Pen. Love to your mam, and everyone back in Ponty, and yourself and Kate.’ He blew her a kiss and left.
    That’s when she realised that like her, her uncle hated goodbyes. 

C HAPTER N INE
Swansea, June 1968
    â€˜If you really loved me you wouldn’t go to America.’ Rich’s voice broke the silence. The quietest time in the boys’ hostel was between supper and pub closing.
    â€˜I’m sick and tired of you trying to blackmail me into not going to the States.’
    â€˜It’s a joke,’ he snapped.
    â€˜An unfunny one.’ She moved away from him, which wasn’t easy in a single bed.
    He wrapped his arm around her waist to prevent her from leaving.
    She tried to read the expression on his face but he’d pulled his curtains against the sunset glare and the room was shrouded in shadows. Freeing herself from his arm, she swung her legs out of the bed. ‘I’m packed and set to leave tomorrow and I’m going.’
    â€˜Unpack and cancel your ticket. If you’re worried about losing the money I’ll take a part-time job.’
    â€˜I’m more concerned about you behaving like a two-year-old than money. “If you loved me ”,’ she mocked, mimicking his Welsh accent which was more pronounced than hers, ‘you wouldn’t ask me to give up a trip I’ve been planning for months. You know how much time I’ve spent reading up on the exhibitions in the New York and Boston galleries and museums.’
    â€˜Don’t tell me you’re going to America for art’s sake. It’s not going to take you four months to walk around galleries and museums,’ he scoffed. ‘You could see all you want to in a catalogue. You’ll be having a good time with Kate and the boys you’ll pick up.’
    â€˜You make us sound like tarts.’
    â€˜I know Kate.’
    â€˜No you don’t,’ she contradicted. ‘I told you she’s taken a job as a nanny. I’ll hardly see her once we’re there.’ She hadn’t admitted it to Kate, but she was disappointed that Kate had accepted a position in Scarsdale, a suburb outside New York. Kate had tried to persuade her to apply to the agency for a nanny’s job as well, but she was determined to keep to her original plan and look for a waitressing or barmaiding job in Manhattan or Greenwich Village.
    The thought of her living alone in New York terrified her parents, especially as she didn’t have a job lined up. But she’d consoled them by promising if New York didn’t work out she would look for a nanny’s job when she was there.
    â€˜No doubt Kate will be spending her days off withyou,’ Rich persisted sourly. ‘And in between you’ll be alone. Anything could happen. Considering the mess you got yourself into in London—’
    â€˜London wasn’t my fault.’
    â€˜If you say so.’
    Furious, she shouted, ‘IT WAS A MISTAKE! The police swept up protesters in