Emma Read Online Free

look so disappointed, love.’ Mother patted my hand to console me. ‘Those dances aren’t up to much, anyway. One day you’ll find a nice young man, and he’ll take you somewhere decent.’
    ‘Shall I?’ I gazed at her, feeling close to desperation. ‘Will it happen, Mum? Shall I ever be able to go out like other girls?’
    ‘It will have to be someone your father likes and approves of, you know that – but the time will come, Emma. I promise you.’
    I smothered my doubts and kissed her goodnight. I was usually in bed by a quarter to nine, because I had to be up to check the papers by soon after five, and I liked to read in bed. Reading was one of the few pleasures I was allowed, and even that brought a frown of censure from Father if he saw me with what he termed ‘trashy’ library novels.
    I sat at my dressing table, brushing my hair and pulling faces in the mirror. If only I were as pretty as Sheila! Then perhaps someone would come along and sweep me off my feet. He would be tall and handsome, and very rich, and naturally he would fall instantly in love with me. We would run away together, to somewhere exciting like America or Paris, and my life would never be lonely or boring again.
    Suddenly, I laughed at myself. That was what came of reading too many romance stories. I never met any exciting men – or I hadn’t until this evening.
    I got into bed, my book unopened, as I thought about Paul Greenslade. He was just like Clark Gable or Spencer Tracy: handsome, dashing, a gentleman.
    My father might not allow me to go to the cinema very much, but I was as star-struck as the rest of my generation. I read all the magazines about the Hollywood film stars and lingered outside the cinema whenever I had the chance, feasting my eyes on the magical posters of the latest films.
    I smiled as I recalled the look of disappointment in Paul Greenslade’s eyes when I’d turned him down. It was almost like something out of the movies. Only in a film he wouldn’t give up; he would keep following me until I agreed to go out with him.
    The only man I knew who did that was Richard Gillows and I wished he wouldn’t. He was all right in his own way, I supposed, but I didn’t like him much. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel uncomfortable.
    I opened my book. I was foolish to dream of having a more exciting life. No matter what Gran or my mother said to comfort me, I was certain that nothing was ever going to change.
    I went to church that Sunday with Mother as usual. Afterwards, we stood talking to friends for a few minutes before starting to walk home. It was as we stopped to look in a shop window that Richard Gillows crossed the road to speak to us.
    ‘Evening, Mrs Robinson – Emma,’ he said, raising his trilby hat. ‘Been to church then?’
    Dressed in a single-breasted, dark navy pin-striped suit with wide shoulders and a matching waistcoat, he looked much smarter than he usually did when I met him on his way home from work. Almost a gentleman, I thought, even if his suit had come from the thirty-shilling tailor’s.
    ‘Yes, we usually go on Sunday morning,’ Mother replied. ‘How are you, Richard?’
    ‘Very well, thank you.’
    ‘Going somewhere special?’
    ‘Just out to dinner with a friend.’ Richard hesitated, his dark eyes intent on me. ‘I’ve been asked to a church social at the church hall a week on Wednesday. I wondered if Emma might like to come?’
    ‘Would you, Emma?’ My mother glanced at me, but I kept quiet and she looked at him again. ‘We should have to ask Mr Robinson. Perhaps Emma could let you know?’
    ‘It starts at six. I’d have her home by nine.’
    ‘Well, we’ll see.’ She smiled at him. ‘Come along, Emma. Your father will be waiting for his dinner.’
    After walking in silence for a few minutes, Mother turned to me. ‘Would you like to go with him? I’m sure your father would agree if I persuaded him a little. He gets on well with