Kate rushed to her when Julie walked into their flat.

"How was Jim? Was it wonderful?"

"He never showed up. I waited past the time the film was to start and I left."

"What? Where have you been?" Kate asked.

"I… um… had a treat at a chippy and…" Julie wasn't certain why she chose not to tell her best friend about Tim and his siblings. It seemed best to keep it to herself. If he didn't call she wouldn't have to be embarrassed again. The truth was she wanted him to ring more than she expected. Her afternoon had been the best time she had had in quite a long time.

"He must have a good reason. He'll ring… I'm certain of it."

"No matter. I really don't care to go out with him," Julie told her friend, who reacted with disbelief.

"You're making a mistake. You'll regret it, if you let a fella like him go."

No, I'm certain that I won't regret it at all, she thought to herself.

Certain enough Jim Albert rang that evening and said, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't leave hospital on time. When I arrived you were gone."

"I stayed beyond the time the film was scheduled to start. I don't like standing alone waiting like that."

"Could I take you to dinner?" he asked.

"I don't think so. I should have been honest, because I only wanted to see the film. The truth is I don't like smoking. The smell reminds me of my father and a girl doesn't want to be thinking of her father when she's out with a fella. A fella probably wouldn't be too keen to have her thinking of him that way either?"

"Everyone smokes. I really like you. Won't you reconsider?"

"Thank you, but no. Goodbye Jim."

Returning the receiver to the cradle she felt relieved, even if Kate couldn't understand her decision.

##

As soon as, Tim had a Saturday scheduled off, he rang Julie. He was nervous, but relaxed when she answered the telephone and readily agreed to go to the cinema with him. He was going to take her to see the Neil Simon film that she had missed. He made certain that he arrived early, because he didn't want to be like her previous suitor.

She looked beautiful when she arrived and her face lit up with a big smile.

"I wouldn't want you to have to wait for me," he admitted. "My brother would never forgive me."

Julie laughed, "He's my protector then."

"I didn't dare tell him I was seeing you. He quite likes you…"

Tim thought, I quite like you too. Especially when your face lights up like now.

"I quite like him too."

Tim followed her into the dimly lit cinema and let her choose their seats. He wanted to hold her hand, but was a bit nervous. The thought rolled around in her head until he decided he had asked her out and holding hands was appropriate behavior.

Once the lights went down and the film began he brushed against her arm that was on the arm rest until he found her hand. Her hand responded to his and their fingers linked. Her fingers were slim and small compared to his.

Soft, he thought. How can a hand feel so nice?

Luckily the movie was quite funny or he'd have trouble concentrating. He found himself rubbing her knuckle with his thumb. During exciting scenes, she squeezed his hand sending a charge through him. He tried not to think about whether or not he'd kiss her.

##

When she discovered his arm against hers, she held her breath. She smiled as his large hand took a hold of hers. She captured his fingers which fit like a puzzle in her hand. As his thumb rhythmically circled her knuckle, she felt tingling expanding up her arm. She liked the feel of his hand on hers.

At the end of the film, she missed the feel of his hand as they exited the cinema. Walking in front of him, she felt his touch ever so lightly on her back as they moved through the lobby crowded with patrons for the next showing.

Once on the footway, Tim asked, "Would you like to go to a pub or for tea? We could… could discuss the film."

Julie realized that Tim was nervous which made her feel more comfortable, because she could tell he wasn't a creep.

Because she fancied him and wanted to get to know him better, she replied, "a pub sounds lovely."

Once seated with her cider and Tim's pint poured, they discussed the movie. Eventually their conversation turned personal.

"When did you move to London?" he asked.

"Almost three years now. My friend, Kate, and I left home together. She's the reason that I was in Oxford that night. Her boyfriend is one of your lot."

"Do you mean Arthur? He's a decent bloke. I was certain that you fancied Jim Albert."

"No, but he seemed to fancy me," she admitted.

"Well I certainly don't blame him for that," Tim said as he gazed into her eyes.

"It was Jim that I was waiting for," she admitted.

Tim didn't hide his amusement. "That's brilliant! Jim stood you up and I invited you to spend your afternoon with me and my brother and sister."

"I think I prefer Teddy's company to Jim's. Both he and Angela are lovely. I assume that they belong to your new mum, that you mentioned."

"Yes, she's a nun!"

"What! Are you Catholic?"

"No, no Anglican, but shouldn't you be questioning what I said about the nun?" he asked, with what was now a familiar smirk.

"I imagine you'll tell me, now that you've tried to shock me."

"Mum was an Anglican sister. She was part of an order that were nurses and midwives. She worked closely with my dad, the local GP. After my mummy died, Sister Bernadette helped me. I still don't know the details, but she helped Dad too. Eventually she renounced her vows and married Dad."

"And then they had two babies and… "

"If only, Mum had TB and was told she'd never have a child. Angela is adopted and then by some miracle that medicine can't explain Teddy came along. I can't imagine life without my brother, so I don't care how he came to be… Well except at fifteen, I didn't much want to think about my dad and mum…"

Julie giggled and said, "Oh please, I know. My house was so small, there was no avoiding what happened in my parents' room. I spent years falling asleep with my hands over my ears."

"Do you miss your family?" Tim ask, thankfully changing the subject that had meandered a bit off course.

"I do, but when I left, I needed to. I'm the oldest of six and spent most of my life helping my Mum more than I should have done. My brothers are like my father and have been tossers since they were little."

Julie hesitated, she normally didn't talk about her family to acquaintances, but Tim already was more than just that.

"Dad would much rather be at the pub than at home. We never had much which is why I couldn't go to university. At least I got away, because my brothers are working in the factory aside my father."

"I'm from the East End, I know plenty of families just like yours. My old mate, Jack's mum had a baby the same day his sister was married. Lots of kids in a tiny flat was life in Poplar when I was a lad."

"You don't sound like you're from the East End."

"That's because my dad and mummy were from away. I went to grammar school. Education is a priority for my dad. Oh and Mum is Scottish, but Angela and Teddy speak like me and Dad… although we all say wee, now and again."

Julie laughed. Still as Tim spoke, she was reminded of Jim's comments about Tim being poor. She was certain he lived better than the others in the East End.

"Your family seems lovelier than mine."

"I'm not ashamed to admit that I love them."

Eventually it was late and Tim offered to see her home. Not ready to depart his company she agreed. As they walked between the underground and her flat, Tim held her hand.

When they reach her block of flats, Tim didn't let go of her hand. They stood facing each other.

Tim asked, "Can I ring you?"

"I'd like that."

Tim leaned in, but unlike Jim was aiming towards her cheek. Again Julie turned her head, but so that his lips reached her lips and not her cheek."

##

Tim wasn't aiming for her lips, but pleased when she turned into his kiss. He wanted to kiss her again, more soundly, but decided not to push his luck.

Still holding her hand, he raised it to his lips and kissed it. Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and parted from her.

As he walked away, he'd be hard pressed to remember a better day. He knew he wanted to see Julie Miller again.

Arriving home, Mum came out of her bedroom in her dressing gown when he reached the top of the stairs.

"Tim, I wasn't expecting you! I thought you were Dad, he was called out."

"No, I was out tonight later than I planned…"

"Oh…"

Tim decided to be honest and blurted, "I had a date…"

"This wouldn't be with girl that Teddy fancies."

Tim smiled and said, "Can I compete with him?"

"He may not think so, but I think you've got a chance," Shelagh joked.

"Mum, she's really nice and pretty…"

"Tim dear, just be yourself. She'll love you."

"Mum, I'm not sure I'm ready for love just yet."

"I hope I get to meet this young woman."

"We've only been out once. I've have to get some sleep, as it seems I need to get back early. 'Night Mum."

"Goodnight dearest."