Games Lovers Play Read online

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  A Selection of Titles by June Tate

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  A Selection of Titles by June Tate

  RICHES OF THE HEART

  NO ONE PROMISED ME TOMORROW

  FOR THE LOVE OF A SOLDIER

  BETTER DAYS

  NOTHING IS FOREVER

  FOR LOVE OR MONEY

  EVERY TIME YOU SAY GOODBYE

  TO BE A LADY

  WHEN SOMEBODY LOVES YOU

  THE TALK OF THE TOWN

  A FAMILY AFFAIR

  THE RELUCTANT SINNER

  BORN TO DANCE

  THEIR GUILTY PLEASURES

  HER FATHER’S DAUGHTER

  GAMES LOVERS PLAY

  GAMES LOVERS PLAY

  June Tate

  This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  First published in Great Britain 2013 by

  SEVERN HOUSE PUBLISHERS LTD of

  9–15 High Street, Sutton, Surrey, England, SM1 1DF.

  First published in the USA 2014 by

  SEVERN HOUSE PUBLISHERS LTD of

  110 East 59th Street, New York, N. Y. 10022

  eBook edition first published in 2013 by Severn House Digital

  an imprint of Severn House Publishers Limited

  Copyright © 2013 by June Tate.

  The right of June Tate to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988.

  British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

  Tate, June author.

  Games Lovers Play.

  1. Adultery–Fiction. 2. Triangles (Interpersonal

  relations)–Fiction. 3. Southampton (England)–Fiction.

  4. Love stories.

  I. Title

  823.9’2-dc23

  ISBN-13: 978-0-7278-8328-5 (cased)

  ISBN-13: 978-1-78010-471-3 (ePub)

  Except where actual historical events and characters are being described for the storyline of this novel, all situations in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to living persons is purely coincidental.

  This ebook produced by

  Palimpsest Book Production Limited,

  Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

  With love to Ann Jones and her delightful family

  and remembering Pat with great affection.

  Acknowledgements

  With thanks to Rachel Simpson Hutchens for her meticulous copy-editing and as always my love to my two daughters, Beverley and Maxine.

  One

  March, 1955

  Madge Morgan looked disparagingly at Connie, her granddaughter. ‘You and your flighty ways! It’ll all end in tears – you’ll see.’

  ‘For goodness’ sake, Nan, I’m nineteen, not a child any longer. I’m perfectly old enough to know what I’m doing!’ And she flounced out of the room, slamming the front door behind her as she left the house.

  ‘Miserable old bat!’ she muttered as she walked down the road. Her grandmother had moved in with the family after her husband died and had cast a cloud of enmity over the household ever since. She was full of doom and gloom, giving her opinions on everything and interfering – or trying to.

  ‘Well, she’s not ruining my life,’ Connie vowed. Life was to be lived. She wasn’t going to grow old and embittered like the old girl. Not her! She was going to have a good time if it killed her!

  She caught the bus, alighting at the Civic Centre which was near to Tyrell and Greens, the large prestigious department store in Above Bar, where she worked in the haberdashery department. Hanging her coat in the staff room, she hurried to her counter ready for the first customer.

  John Baker, the floor manager, walked over to her. ‘Good morning, Connie, you look nice.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Baker,’ she said, trying to look demure. Then she smiled softly and in a very low voice said, ‘You look good enough to eat!’

  He tried to keep a straight face as Betty, her friend and workmate, joined them.

  ‘Well, girls, let’s hope we have a profitable day today,’ he said as he walked away.

  ‘Your boyfriend checking up on you, is he?’ Betty asked sarcastically.

  ‘He’s not my boyfriend!’ Connie snapped back at her.

  ‘Bloody right he isn’t. The man has a wife and kiddie. You should remember that. Oh Connie, I’m only worried about you. When a married man comes sniffing round a young girl, he’s after only one thing.’

  ‘He’s only ever kissed me, that’s all.’ She didn’t tell her friend of the intimate caresses she’d shared with him, in a dark corner of the town, when they had met occasionally for a quiet drink. John Baker was fourteen years her senior, but to Connie he was a man of enviable sophistication. The way he dressed, his carriage, his knowledge – and when he kissed her, he stirred unexpected longings in her.

  She knew he wanted her, he’d told her often enough. He’d said that he wasn’t happy with his wife, but as they had a child he couldn’t leave her, he had a duty to stay and bring up their daughter. So far, she’d managed to fend off his more amorous advances, but she knew it was just a matter of time, and she’d decided that she would eventually lose her virginity to him.

  ‘How about going to the Guildhall tonight?’ asked Betty. ‘It’s the best night of the week there. All the people who can really dance turn out. What do you say?’

  ‘Yes, I’d love to!’ It was just what she needed. She was getting bored. Nothing exciting was happening, and how much longer could she wait for Mr Baker?

  That evening, Connie waited outside the Guildhall for her friend Betty. They both loved to dance, and every ballroom was full of eager young men, out for a good time. There were very few wallflowers these days, and she was never without a partner. Connie was an attractive girl with short, naturally curly hair and wide green eyes. There was an exuberance about her personality that was charming.

  ‘Connie!’

  She turned at the sound of her name and grinned when she saw her friend running towards her. Betty was renowned for being late. Connie sometimes teased her, saying she would be late for her own wedding. But Betty would just laugh and say that would be the one time in her life when she’d be early in case the groom changed his mind!

  After leaving their coats in the cloakroom, the girls walked upstairs to the ballroom. The band was playing Cole Porter’s ‘Night and Day’.

  ‘Oh, I love this song,’ said Connie. ‘It’s so romantic.’ She looked quickly aroun
d the room. Apart from the boys in civvies, there were several British servicemen in various uniforms. This pleased Connie because they were usually good dancers and good company.

  ‘Come on,’ said Connie and dragged her friend to the edge of the floor where they could pick out the best of the dancers. ‘Keep clear of that one,’ she said, pointing out a soldier. ‘He’s got two left feet. He’ll be standing on yours more than his own. Look … see what I mean?’

  The soldier’s partner winced as he stepped on her toes.

  ‘If that were me,’ Betty remarked, ‘I’d make my excuses now and leave. Last week some twit literally walked me round the room. After that I swore to myself I’d never put up with another bad dancer, it wastes too much time.’

  The music stopped, and they watched the girl in question limp off the floor.

  ‘There you are! Her night is ruined,’ Betty said angrily. ‘Silly girl.’

  As the band started to play a quickstep, a young man sauntered over to Connie. ‘Can you jive?’ he asked, grinning broadly.

  ‘Of course I can!’

  He held out his hand. ‘Then let’s do it.’

  He whirled her round the floor, spinning her in time to the music. Her layered petticoat swished this way and that until the number finished.

  He looked at her with some admiration. ‘You were good,’ he said. ‘You deserve a drink, I’m thirsty after that. What’s your name, by the way?’

  ‘Connie.’

  ‘Well, hello, Connie, I’m Sam. Come on.’

  He was good company, and he made her laugh. She learned that he was a car mechanic and at weekends he raced old cars at various rallies around the county. To Connie it sounded exciting.

  ‘I’m racing next Sunday,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you come with me?’

  She thought, why not? It was just the change she needed at this moment. ‘I’d love to,’ she told him.

  They spent the rest of the evening dancing together, and when the last waltz was played he held her close. ‘Can I walk you home, Connie? Then I’ll know where to pick you up on Sunday.’

  She agreed, and they left the Guildhall together after she’d found her friend Betty, who was also being taken home by a man she’d met.

  ‘We’ll swop stories tomorrow,’ Betty said with a chuckle.

  Sam held her hand as they walked through the park and up Hill Lane to Archers Road. He was different from John Baker in every way. He was younger, full of youthful enthusiasm, and Connie felt at ease with him as they talked and she learned of his ambition.

  ‘One day, Connie, I’ll specialize in racing cars. I like building engines, getting them ready for the track. It’s a specialized job, and I’m good at it.’

  She liked his air of confidence, his self belief, his honesty. There was no hidden agenda here, as far as she could tell. She wondered just what Sam would think of her if he knew of her liaison with a married man. She thought he would be disappointed.

  They stopped outside her house, and he walked her up the side path. ‘Don’t want your old man opening the door on us, do we?’ He took her into his arms and kissed her.

  He was strong and held her tightly as his mouth explored hers. She kissed him back, surprised to discover how experienced he seemed to be, and she wondered how many girls he had bedded and then felt guilty at such thoughts. But he didn’t attempt to touch her other than to hold her, and for this she was relieved. It would have spoiled the evening.

  He brushed a stray hair from her face. ‘I’m so pleased we met, Connie, and I look forward to Sunday. I’ll pick you up at nine o’clock.’ He waited until she’d opened the door and stepped inside and then with a wave, he left.

  As she walked upstairs to her room, she smiled. There, Mr Baker, she thought, you’re not the only pebble on the beach by a long chalk!

  Sam was very punctual and arrived at Connie’s door at nine o’clock on Sunday morning. When she opened it she was surprised to see a racing car outside painted a bright red with a white circle with a number nine in the middle.

  Seeing her dismay, Sam grinned. ‘This is Gracie, my racer. Get in!’

  As she did so she saw the curtain of the front room twitch and smiled to herself. She knew it would be her grandmother, who could never keep her nose out of other people’s business. Well, this would really give her something to think about!

  Sam started the engine, which seemed to roar as he put his foot on the accelerator, and drove away. As they journeyed through the town, people stopped and stared at the vehicle as it passed, and Connie felt privileged to be sitting beside the driver. They headed for the New Forest, and Connie sat back and admired the view. Sam didn’t say a great deal other than to ask her if she was all right, as he was concentrating on the traffic.

  He eventually pulled off the road and wound his way through the numerous parked cars and on to a piece of land beside a racetrack. Connie was amazed at the scene before her, having been unaware that such a place existed. Various makes of racing cars were being scrutinized by officials, engines being attended to by their drivers. There was a noisy buzz about the place, and she felt her excitement quicken.

  She and Sam got out of the car, and he put on a pair of racing overalls. He was immediately surrounded by onlookers and two men who quickly lifted the bonnet of the car to inspect the engine. Sam hurriedly introduced her to his friends. They muttered a quick hello before burying their heads beneath the bonnet.

  Eventually, the vehicle was deemed to be in order and the first race began. Sam took her to the side of the track to explain what was going on.

  ‘There are several heats, Connie, and the winners of each heat race against each other in the final one.’ He put an arm around her as he pointed out the tactics of the drivers, who seemed to her to be driving like mad men.

  ‘They look as if they’re trying to push each other off the track!’ she exclaimed.

  He laughed. ‘They are! It’s the quick and the dead out there, Connie.’

  She was horrified as one car tipped over on its side, at speed, and she clutched hold of him in fear.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘When you’re racing you’re well strapped in, and we wear helmets to protect our heads.’ They watched the next two heats and then Sam said, ‘I have to leave you now, Connie. I’m racing in this one.’

  She cast a worried glance in his direction.

  ‘Tom!’ he called to one of his friends. ‘Take care of Connie, will you? Try and assure her that I’m not facing certain death.’ He kissed her on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be fine and I’m going to win!’

  As she watched him walk towards his car, he strapped a helmet on to his head. Then he climbed into the vehicle, started the engine and with a wave drove on to the track and made his way to the starting line.

  His friend Tom stood beside her. ‘Don’t you worry about Sam,’ he told her, ‘he’s one of the best drivers around. That boy’s got talent. He could go a long way in this sport. Honestly. Watch and learn!’

  With her heart thumping, Connie felt tense as she watched for the starting flag. The sound of revving engines was deafening, and the smell of petrol fumes filled the air. Then the flag dropped and they were off!

  Connie lost count of the number of laps around the circuit; her gaze was glued to Sam and his car. She held her breath as he weaved in and out, moving up the field. Several cars came to grief and withdrew from the race, after being shunted off the track by oncoming fast-moving vehicles! She cried out as another driver purposely edged his car towards Sam, but with clever steering he moved quickly away from the danger.

  She was outraged. Turning to Tom she said, ‘Did you see what that driver tried to do? He was trying to drive Sam off the track. That’s dangerous!’

  He laughed. ‘It’s all part of the game, but as you saw, Sam was ready for him. He has a nose for such things. It takes a clever driver to better him. Don’t worry!’

  ‘But that’s playing dirty!’ she protested.

  ‘This
is a dirty game, Connie, on and off the track.’

  She wondered just what he meant, but the excitement of the race made her forget his strange remark. Exhausted but pepped up by adrenalin and excitement she cheered as Sam eventually drove over the winning line into first place.

  Tom grinned at her. ‘What did I tell you?’ he said.

  Her hand clasped her chest. ‘I can hardly breathe,’ she gasped.

  ‘You’d better get used to all this if you’re going to keep seeing Sam. This is his life.’

  They waited for Sam to drive off the track and park his car. He alighted and took off his helmet and goggles, grinning broadly at her.

  ‘There you are, Connie. I told you I was going to win!’

  She flung her arms around him in her excitement. ‘I nearly died with worry!’ she blurted out, then realizing what she’d done she let go and stepped back, blushing with embarrassment.

  He reached for her hand. ‘Don’t go away, I liked that.’ And he leaned forward and kissed her soundly. ‘Winner takes all,’ he said as he released her.

  His friends looked on with amusement.

  The day was the most thrilling of her life she decided. True to his word, Sam won the final race, and as he stood on the podium to take the trophy, she was thrilled to be with him. As he stepped down he searched her out and gave her a quick smile and a wink, then he went into the gents to wash the grime from the track off his face and remove his overalls and change into a clean shirt he’d brought with him.

  Walking back to Connie, he said, ‘The boys and I always go for a beer after a race, then we can go to dinner. All right with you?’

  ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Now I’m ready for anything.’

  The men gathered in a nearby pub and over a couple of pints ran over the details of the race together, and afterwards they talked about Stirling Moss, the first Briton to win the Mille Miglia road race in Italy, which to Connie meant nothing. She listened with great interest, nevertheless. This was a new world to her and one that she found thrilling.

  When eventually the men left, they said goodbye to Connie, and Tom said, ‘See you again, Connie. Next time you’ll know what to expect.’