In Love and War by Lily Baxter Page B

leave Elsie without someone to escort her home.’
    â€˜Of course you must go if you want to, but I’m staying,’ Elsie said firmly.
    â€˜It’s a rough area,’ he said in a low voice.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Guy. We’ll make sure that Elsie gets a cab back to Cromwell Road.’ Joe turned to his wife. ‘I think you should take your place at the piano, my dear. The older children will hopefully wear off some of their energy by dancing.’
    â€˜Of course.’ Mrs Johnson smiled and patted Guy on the arm. ‘Don’t worry about Elsie. She’ll be quite safe with us.’ She made her way to a rather battered-looking upright piano at the far end of the hall, next to which stood a spindly Christmas tree decorated with paper streamers and tinsel.
    â€˜I think I’d like to stay if that’s all right with you, Joe.’ Guy proffered his arm to Elsie. ‘Perhaps we should start the dancing. At worst it will provide entertainment for everyone else.’
    â€˜Splendid idea.’ Joe moved towards the centre of the floor, dispersing a group of children who looked as though they were about to start a wrestling match. ‘Take your partners, please, ladies and gentlemen.’
    â€˜And children,’ a small voice piped up.
    Joe looked down at the small girl and smiled. ‘Yes, Claudette, and children, but there will be no fighting or hair pulling. I will deal strictly with any wrongdoers.’
    At a signal from her husband Mrs Johnson began an energetic rendition of the Maple Leaf Rag. ‘We’ll do the one-step,’ Guy whispered. ‘We’re pretty good at that.’
    Elsie abandoned her coat and allowed him to lead her into the centre of the floor. She could feel the blood rushing to her face as all eyes were upon them. ‘They seem to think we know what we’re doing,’ she murmured.
    â€˜Let’s show them then.’ Guy gave her an encouraging smile and waited for the beat. ‘Here we go.’
    Encouraged by a round of applause they started to dance and suddenly the floor was crowded with couples, but there were not enough men to go round and the remaining women partnered each other, which caused a great deal of mirth. The children joined in with boundless energy and the rafters rang with Scott Joplin’s lively music and the sound of laughter. The dance ended and everyone clapped their hands, calling for more.
    Joe rushed up to them, grinning broadly. ‘This is fantastic. To see everyone forgetting their plight even for a few minutes is utterly wonderful.’ He waved to his wife. ‘Encore, my dear. Encore.’
    Obediently Mrs Johnson launched into a polka and by the time it ended everyone was breathless and in need of refreshment, including the pianist herself. Elsie took her a glass of punch. ‘You are a very talented musician.’
    Mrs Johnson drank thirstily. ‘Thank you, but I’m very out of practice.’
    â€˜No one would ever know it, and they’re all having a wonderful time, thanks to you and your husband.’
    â€˜You should take a lot of the credit, Elsie. Your ability to converse with them in their own tongue has made all the difference. The Flemish speakers seem to understand French almost as well as their own language, which is a great help.’
    â€˜Don’t overtire yourself, Mrs Johnson, but I’m sure everyone would appreciate a few more dances.’
    â€˜I could go on all night. I rarely see my husband looking so happy. He is the one who works tirelessly for all his parishioners. I’m merely his helpmate.’
    â€˜And I know he couldn’t manage without you.’
    â€˜Your young man is coming to ask you to dance again,’ Mrs Johnson said, smiling. ‘He’s very nice, Elsie. Quite a gentleman.’
    Elsie looked round and saw Guy walking towards them. ‘He’s not my young man,’ she said hastily. ‘We only met