he'd been there for about an hour sitting on the settee then briefly -with her mother's permission- out in the garden where they looked for birds and butterflies
Elaine had seen him off from the front garden gate -her mother peering through net curtains- and watched until he disappeared around a bend
did you know he was coming? her mother asked
no I had no idea Elaine replied looking at the empty place on the settee where he'd sat
he does know you're 14 I suppose?
he's in my class at school he's 14 too Elaine said sensing the place where he'd sat beside her and the kiss on the lips so sudden so gentle yet Mum had been in the kitchen what if she had seen?
he might have asked first her mother said not just turn up on the doorstep
I didn't know Elaine said then licked her lips where his lips had been
can I trust you? her mother asked
trust me to do what? Elaine said
do nothing her mother said
do nothing? Elaine said looking unsure what her mother meant
do things with him her mother said
do things? Elaine repeated what things?
her mother frowned and said nothing just nothing
Elaine nonplus nodded her head
her mother smiled now what was I doing? she said o yes the washing and went off to the wash room and left Elaine frowning at her mother's departing figure
do nothing? Elaine muttered to herself and patted the space where the boy John had sat then touched her lips and that was that.
A GIRL AND MOTHER AFTER THE BOY JOHN HAD GONE IN 1962