CHAPTER 4
Natalie Matthews heard the voice long before she saw the person. That was as usual. Rob spoke penetratingly when on business, presumably as a result of having to make himself heard over the bustle and noise of a busy shop. She wondered if he was any quieter outside of work. He came into her department, the cakes and confectionery section. Really, department was too grand a word for such a small place in what was after all only a very medium sized shop. Nevertheless, that was what her boss wanted it to be called and liked to refer to Natalie as head of department, although she was, in fact, the only worker there for most of the year.
’Hello, my darling,’ said Rob. ’What can I do for you today? For that matter, what can you do for me today?’
Natalie knew him of old and ignored the explicit sub meanings in his words.
’Those new cream cakes you sent last week were popular. You can double the order from now on, until further notice. Other than that, I’ve written a list as usual. It would be nice if you could get the goods to us on time for once.’
’Ooh, nasty,’ said Rob. ’I’m only the rep., flowerpot. Just the man who takes the orders and I wouldn’t mind taking a few from you. You have lovely eyes, did anyone ever tell you that?’
’Yes,’ she said, patiently. ’You did, the last time you were here and the time before.’
’Well then,’ said Rob, quite unabashed. ’Anything you hear three times must be true. You’d better believe it, baby.’
As an imitation of Humphrey Bogart, it wasn’t a bad effort, though privately, Natalie considered she had heard better. She didn’t take much notice of him and his incessant chat. Young as she was she realised he almost certainly spoke to all females in the same way, a typical salesman’s approach, she supposed. Not that she knew any others. Not that she knew very many people at all. Only half listening to the man, her mind drifted back in time, to the occasion she had found herself practically alone in the world. She had never known her father and had been brought up by her constantly struggling widowed mother, a woman who had to make every penny count and who occasionally failed to do so through no fault of her own. Natalie couldn’t remember a time when they had not been short of money. Not for her were expensive clothes or holidays abroad. Newspapers were read in the local library reading room. Books were virtually non existent. All the things that most children took for granted were denied to Natalie. Her mother tried hard, she really did but never was there anything other than the bare essentials in the house. It was an enormous relief to both of them when Natalie finally left school and went to work. Not that the job was such a grand one, only small shop work with a small shop wages bill. Still, it gave her a little financial independence for the first time in her life and she was content to have it so, never having known anything better.
Soon, a greater independence was thrust upon her, when her mother died, worn out with hard work and constant worry. Natalie mourned her for a long time but eventually had to face the fact that she was alone. For the past two years she had lived like a little mouse, scarcely seen by anyone, hardly ever going out in the evening and when she did, it was invariably on her own. She craved human companionship but it seemed difficult to achieve. Not unfriendly, she had never learned to be open with others and few seemed to notice that she existed. Yet she was happy in her own way. Her mind was forced back to the present time by a hand tapping the side of her cheek.
’Wake up,’ said Rob. ’I don’t believe you’ve heard a word I’ve been saying to you for the past ten minutes.’
’What? Oh, I’m sorry. Were you saying something?’
’Was I saying something? Was I saying something? I’ll say I was saying something. How about you and me going out somewhere at the weekend, somewhere in the car? I’ll give you a nice drive out in the country. How would you like that?’
Natalie blushed. ’You’re asking me to go out with you?’
Rob looked around. ’Don’t see anyone else here. It has to be you I’m talking to. How about it, Natalie? Be a sport and come with me. Give your other boyfriends the push for once. Put me at the head of the queue.’
She was confused and showed it. ’I haven’t got any other boyfriends,’ she stammered.
’All the better, all the better. I don’t have to go around punching a few noses in that case. Come on, say yes. I’ll pick you up in the car, we’ll go for a drive and I’ll treat you to lunch. If you behave yourself, I’ll even buy you an ice cream. What flavour do you like?’
’Strawberry,’ she answered automatically, hardly realising what she was saying.
’Strawberry,’ he exulted. ’I knew it.’
Silence. Rob looked at her more carefully and modified his tone of voice to something more gentle. ’You’re not afraid of me, are you?’
She smiled and answered, ’No, I’m not afraid. I would like to come. All right, what time shall we meet?’
That night she felt happier than she ever thought possible. Rob was a bit overwhelming but he meant well, she was sure of that and it was her first date, the first time any man had ever asked her to go out with him. The day was sweeter than the strawberry ice he had promised.