Dreams to Sell by Anne Douglas Page A

he’d said that should make her think that. All the same, she did think it, and now just wanted to go home. Where of course she would have to face Ma – just wait for the interrogation there!
    â€˜I’d better go,’ Chrissie murmured, ‘Mrs Abbot’s got her eye on me. Roz, I’ll see you at home. Glad you’ve met Richard, though. That was what I wanted.’
    â€˜I’m glad, too,’ said Roz, her eyes meeting his, expecting no message and receiving none. Yet, later, as they both stood up and shook hands in farewell, she was as certain as before that he knew just what was in her mind. Opening her bag, she took out her purse.
    â€˜Please put that away, this is on me,’ he said at once, and laughed. ‘I think I can run to an egg mayonnaise for you, Roz.’
    â€˜And don’t forget, I can get a discount for my family,’ put in Chrissie.
    â€˜Better and better! Seriously, Roz, I’m very pleased to have met you. Sorry you can’t stay.’
    There was a slightly awkward pause as Roz looked from one to the other of the two faces before her, knowing that they were thinking this had been no ordinary meeting but some sort of test for Richard. Had he passed? would be their question. But how much did Richard care?
    Finally, Roz made her goodbyes again and got herself out of the Café Sunshine to make her way home, where she must decide what to say to Flo.
    â€˜Roz, you’re back!’ cried Flo. ‘How did it go, then? How did you like Richard? So handsome, eh?’
    â€˜Very handsome,’ Roz replied, taking a chair and pulling off her smart shoes to rest her feet. ‘Oh, yes, he’s just what Chrissie said.’
    What else could she say to her mother? Richard was handsome, a perfect gentleman, and so on, but she, Roz, didn’t like him. Why didn’t she like him? Because she felt he wasn’t right for Chrissie. Because – oh, God, she didn’t trust him. How could she say all that to her mother without upsetting her? Without risking – well, Roz knew what she’d be risking. Yet she couldn’t say she was happy about him, could she? ‘Like a cup of tea?’ she asked brightly.
    â€˜Yes, in a minute. Tell me about Richard first. Did you really like him?’
    â€˜Well …’ Roz cleared her throat. ‘He’s very nice, very well-mannered, but I’m not sure he’s right for Chrissie.’
    Flo’s eyes widened. ‘Whatever do you mean? He’s perfect for Chrissie. Why, he’s a catch, Roz, you canna deny it. He comes from a nice family, he’s a professional man and could give her a wonderful life! Why would he not be right for Chrissie?’
    â€˜Because she wants to get married and he might not.’ Seeing the look on her mother’s face, Roz said hurriedly, ‘Of course, I could be wrong.’
    â€˜You could,’ Flo said coldly. ‘Are you sure you’re not a wee bit envious, Roz? That Chrissie’s found someone like Richard and you’ve not?’
    â€˜Ma, what a thing to say!’ Roz cried, leaping up. ‘I’d never be envious of Chrissie, only happy for her if she found the right man. And maybe she has – maybe I just don’t know him well enough. Look, I’ll put the kettle on.’
    All she wanted now, as she made the tea, was to back pedal on what she’d said and take the anxious look from her mother’s face before there was real trouble. Heavens, she’d been a fool, eh? Opening her big mouth like that.
    â€˜It’s all right, Ma,’ she said comfortingly as she brought over the tea. ‘I’ve probably got it all wrong and Richard is the one for Chrissie. Men can be difficult to read, eh? Don’t worry, anyway. Chrissie knows what she’s doing.’
    â€˜That’s right,’ Flo agreed, sipping her tea. ‘We can leave it to Chrissie, eh? And I’m sorry I said – you