One Rainy Day by Joan Jonker Page A

Mam,’ Poppy said. ‘You have to go out to work, same as us, so you need your sleep.’
    They heard the key turn in the lock and smiled at each other. ‘Well,’ Poppy said, ‘here’s the man himself, so it saves any argument.’
    David came in looking very pleased with himself. ‘Did I hear someone saying argument? Surely not! We don’t have raised voices in this house, let alone full-scale arguments.’
    ‘Someone is looking very happy,’ Poppy said to her mother. ‘Is the look on my brother’s face the look you were telling me about when love is in the air?’
    David was humming as he hung his coat in the hall. ‘Can’t a bloke be happy without his family thinking there is something wrong?’
    ‘It wouldn’t be wrong to fall in love, son.’ Eva gave Poppy a sly wink. ‘I think your cheerful face and glazed expression speak volumes. So who is the girl who brought all this about?’
    Poppy nodded her agreement. ‘She must be some girl to have managed that in one night.’
    David sat on the arm of the couch, his face still wearing a smile. ‘You women don’t half have a vivid imagination. And if it wasn’t so late I’d hang around just to see how far your fanciful imagination will take you.’
    ‘Me and me mam are both tired and ready for bed,’ Poppy told him. ‘So why don’t you just tell us the girl’s name to be going on with? That would satisfy us for tonight, and you could fill in all the details tomorrow.’ She gave her mother a gentle dig. ‘Such as when the wedding is?’
    David’s guffaw was loud. ‘Oh dear, oh dear! Well, I guess I’m going to have to come clean if any of us are going to getsome sleep tonight.’ He looked from his mother to his sister. ‘I hope you are both strong enough to take this, and won’t faint on me.’
    ‘David, so help me I’ll clock you one if you don’t put us out of our misery. And I mean right now! Me mam has to be ready for work at half seven, and me half an hour later. So, out with it.’
    ‘Right! If you insist, here goes. I have spent a very pleasant evening with a very good friend. And tonight I won the hand of that good friend.’
    There were gasps from Eva and Poppy. Surely he would have told them if he was going serious with a girl? But he’d never even hinted at it! ‘This is all very sudden, David,’ Eva said, with visions of her lovely son getting married and leaving home. ‘How long has this friendship been going on?’
    David rubbed his chin as though deep in concentration. Then he answered, ‘Oh, since we were both in the infants, all the way through to leaving school.’ He bit on the inside of his cheek to stop himself laughing. ‘You’ll remember who I’m talking about, Mam, when I tell yer I used to play marbles with him. Of course you remember Vincent Bellamy. He was never away from our house.’
    Not a sound came from his mother and sister, who were looking at him as though he’d gone crazy. ‘The hand I said I won was a hand of whist. The first time I’ve ever beaten Vincent since I’ve been playing with him. But I beat him tonight, and I feel on top of the world.’ He chuckled. ‘He looked as if he was ready to cry his eyes out. He’s good at cards, but he’s a lousy loser.’
    Poppy looked at her mother. ‘Will you hit him or shall I?’ Then, before Eva had time to answer, Poppy had grabbed the evening paper, rolled it up and let fly at her brother’sshoulder. He raised his arm to protect himself, but brother and sister were laughing so much they ended up clinging to each other. ‘We fell for that all right. Me and me mam thought yer were out with a glamorous girl, and all the time ye’re having a game of ruddy cards with a lad yer went to school with!’
    Eva was curious. ‘When you go out every night, son, saying you’ve got a heavy date with a girl, are yer telling the truth or pulling our legs?’
    ‘I usually go out with a girl, Mam, but I’m not going steady with any particular one. I don’t