into the picnic lunch Ruth had carefully prepared. The car had no heater so as they ate their sandwiches they wrapped themselves in two warm blankets and watched the gathering clouds that were darkening the south western sky. As they chatted and drank their hot tea so the windows of the car steamed up isolating them from the passersby, the weather and the cold, adding to the privacy of the moment.
They remained in Lytham St Annes until the late afternoon. But as the skies darkened further with the prospect of a winter storm and the early dusk swiftly transformed the daylight into darkness, Edward announced that they must set off to Blackpool so that they were home before six o’clock. Ruth pressed him and asked if they couldn’t go somewhere in Blackpool for a couple of hours, anxious not to end what had been a wonderful day. Edward was adamant that they must get back now and after being pressed further he snapped, “There is a war on and I have my duties to do.” Ruth was rather taken aback by Edward’s abruptness and immediately put the remains of their picnic back into the small hamper, folded the blanket over her knee and sat back as Edward drove off heading back to Blackpool.
They said little on their journey back to Blackpool but Ruth was disturbed by Edward’s impetuous outburst which resembled a child who would have what he wants or throw the toys out of the pram. On their arrival into Blackpool Edward stopped at the top of Apple Tree Crescent and switched off the engine. As Edward was doing this Ruth concerned herself with how Edward should know where she lived as she was sure she had never divulged this to him at any time. Moreover, she had never shared her address with Sarah, always relying on friends or friends of friends to make arrangements when they should meet.
Ruth’s curiosity could not be contained as she asked Edward, “How on earth did you know where I live?” “It was not difficult” he said, “I know what bus you get from Vickers to your home each night and I know that you get off at the same stop as Gloria, the rest was easy and now you have just said you live in Apple Tree Crescent.” It was by now almost six o’clock and knowing Edward’s eagerness to get on his way Ruth thanked him for the day and kissed him goodbye. As she did Edward asked if Ruth would like to go ice skating in two weeks time but in the mean time could he take her to the Tower Ballroom the next night. Ruth took this as a positive sign that he really did like her and wanted to take the relationship forward. As they parted they made their arrangements to meet and Ruth gave Edward one final long and lasting kiss.
The night out at the Tower Ball Room was followed by two other dates in the same week. Each meeting served to confirm their growing friendship as they both became more at ease with each other. Ruth could also sense that Edward was very attracted to her physically. She would notice him looking closely at her and she knew that he often watched her shapely figure as she walked towards him. Innocently, Ruth was flattered rather than cautious about Edward’s reaction so soon in their relationship.
The days went by quickly as Ruth spent her time with Edward, whilst she continued seeing her other friends. Ruth was anxious not to lose touch with her friends so she spent most evenings in their company. All were curious to hear how Ruth’s dates with Edward had gone and each probed to get the most intimate details of their day and their evenings together.
During their conversation Ruth asked if any of them had seen Sarah and one of them said she was seeing her the following night and would Ruth like to join them. Ruth quickly agreed as she was keen to gauge Sarah’s reaction to the news that Edward and she had started courting. She was soon to find that out, when the following evening they met at the ice rink.
On the group’s arrival Sarah rushed over to Ruth, embraced her and said, “I know you are going out
They remained in Lytham St Annes until the late afternoon. But as the skies darkened further with the prospect of a winter storm and the early dusk swiftly transformed the daylight into darkness, Edward announced that they must set off to Blackpool so that they were home before six o’clock. Ruth pressed him and asked if they couldn’t go somewhere in Blackpool for a couple of hours, anxious not to end what had been a wonderful day. Edward was adamant that they must get back now and after being pressed further he snapped, “There is a war on and I have my duties to do.” Ruth was rather taken aback by Edward’s abruptness and immediately put the remains of their picnic back into the small hamper, folded the blanket over her knee and sat back as Edward drove off heading back to Blackpool.
They said little on their journey back to Blackpool but Ruth was disturbed by Edward’s impetuous outburst which resembled a child who would have what he wants or throw the toys out of the pram. On their arrival into Blackpool Edward stopped at the top of Apple Tree Crescent and switched off the engine. As Edward was doing this Ruth concerned herself with how Edward should know where she lived as she was sure she had never divulged this to him at any time. Moreover, she had never shared her address with Sarah, always relying on friends or friends of friends to make arrangements when they should meet.
Ruth’s curiosity could not be contained as she asked Edward, “How on earth did you know where I live?” “It was not difficult” he said, “I know what bus you get from Vickers to your home each night and I know that you get off at the same stop as Gloria, the rest was easy and now you have just said you live in Apple Tree Crescent.” It was by now almost six o’clock and knowing Edward’s eagerness to get on his way Ruth thanked him for the day and kissed him goodbye. As she did Edward asked if Ruth would like to go ice skating in two weeks time but in the mean time could he take her to the Tower Ballroom the next night. Ruth took this as a positive sign that he really did like her and wanted to take the relationship forward. As they parted they made their arrangements to meet and Ruth gave Edward one final long and lasting kiss.
The night out at the Tower Ball Room was followed by two other dates in the same week. Each meeting served to confirm their growing friendship as they both became more at ease with each other. Ruth could also sense that Edward was very attracted to her physically. She would notice him looking closely at her and she knew that he often watched her shapely figure as she walked towards him. Innocently, Ruth was flattered rather than cautious about Edward’s reaction so soon in their relationship.
The days went by quickly as Ruth spent her time with Edward, whilst she continued seeing her other friends. Ruth was anxious not to lose touch with her friends so she spent most evenings in their company. All were curious to hear how Ruth’s dates with Edward had gone and each probed to get the most intimate details of their day and their evenings together.
During their conversation Ruth asked if any of them had seen Sarah and one of them said she was seeing her the following night and would Ruth like to join them. Ruth quickly agreed as she was keen to gauge Sarah’s reaction to the news that Edward and she had started courting. She was soon to find that out, when the following evening they met at the ice rink.
On the group’s arrival Sarah rushed over to Ruth, embraced her and said, “I know you are going out
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