They reached the park and sat on a bench overlooking the pond. The sun had brought everyone out. Already the day was hot enough to cause a heat haze over the water. Children paddled and played whilst their parents looked on, taking the opportunity to talk and relax. The smells coming up from the river hung in the still air: a concoction of unseasoned wood and tar-paint, the oil and chemicals of the factories, the exotic perfumes brought in from the East and the spices and fruits from countries all over the world.
‘So what do you and me dad talk about at the pub?’ Marie asked as Bing stretched out his long legs.
‘You and your sister, of course.’
She grinned. ‘Oh?’
‘He says nobody can sing and dance as good as his girls. And he should know. After all, he was a performer himself.’
‘Yes, but that was a long time ago.’
‘Don’t matter,’ Bing shrugged. ‘He could be big again one day. It ain’t your age that matters, it’s what you’ve got inside you.’
Marie looked into Bing’s big, kind eyes. ‘Do you want to be famous one day?’
He stared at her in surprise, then laughed. ‘Not on your nelly. I work in the pub so I can save for me nest egg. True, the pay’s not good but the tips are. After a few ales and a good singsong, you’d be surprised what the blokes throw in my glass.’
Marie looked puzzled. ‘What sort of nest egg? Do you want to travel and see the world?’
‘Done that in the Navy,’ he said easily.
‘Then what?’ Marie asked curiously.
‘You’ll be disappointed.’ He looked at her as if he was thinking whether he should say. ‘I’m ready to settle down,’ he said at last. ‘Get a place of my own. Somewhere I can knock about a few walls; do up the garden and grow me own vegetables, like my dad does.’
Marie was disappointed. She imagined there was a bit more glamour to his life; after all, he did play the piano and sing to an audience, even though it was only in the pub. ‘I hope all your hard work will bring you what you deserve,’ she answered, trying not to show her true feelings.
He gave a throaty chuckle. ‘Blimey, you should be a politician.’
‘Sorry,’ she said, blushing.
After this, there was an awkward silence. Then Marie suggested they continue their walk. If Bing had another, more ambitious side to him, he wasn’t admitting to it.
‘How long have you been playing the piano?’ she asked as they strolled.
‘Since I was able to climb on the piano stool. Dad plays the ukulele and Mum the joanna. I suppose it was natural for me to have a musical bent.’
‘You could play or sing professionally if you wanted,’ she suggested, feeling a bit more interested.
But he shook his head. ‘Not me. I’m happy as I am. I love the Marx Brothers and I crack their jokes, but I can’t really tell ’em the way they do. I can copy the old crooner and get away with it, but only to the blokes in the boozer who don’t know any better. It’s all just a bit of fun to me. And if I can make some cash on the side, that’s great. I ain’t looking for fame and fortune as often it comes at a price.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, it ain’t a natural life, is it? You’re away from home and don’t see your family much. Just like your dad. Soon as he met your mum and they had kids, he couldn’t live two lives. It’s one or the other, ain’t it? And, as I said, I ain’t got the talent.’
As they walked into Island Gardens, past the entrance to the foot tunnel to Greenwich, Marie paused at the fence. She had decided to set Bing a challenge. ‘Will you sing a song for me?’
‘Why?’ He looked startled.
‘Last night I thought Teddy was dreadful. And he has the nerve to go on the stage. I’m sure you could do better.’
‘I could be much worse.’
She smiled. ‘Will you sing something?’
He thought about this, then laughed. ‘What have I got to lose? But remember, I belt out songs at a pub, on an old joanna.’
‘Can you sing the same song as Teddy did? It is one of Bing Crosby’s.’
‘“I’m Through With Love”?’ He grinned. ‘I’ll give it a go.’
Marie nodded. ‘This is your chance to impress me.’
For a few seconds there was a lot of throat clearing and patting of pockets. He pulled up his tie and looked around. Was he trying to think of an excuse not to do as she asked?
Marie had a sinking sensation. What if he was really awful? She liked him, but would she quickly go off him? Listening to Teddy last night had made her realize how quickly someone can fall in your estimation. The women had swooned over Teddy, but not because of his voice. It was his looks that had drawn the gasps. As for talent? He had none.
‘Here we go, then,’ Bing warned her.
Marie waited. When at last he began to sing, her mouth fell slowly open. Her heart thumped in her chest. She couldn’t move and didn’t want to. Bing’s voice was like cream, a deep baritone, sliding into the quiet morning air. Perhaps he did sing in Bing Crosby’s style but with a uniqueness all of his own. The words felt as though they were made for her. She didn’t want him to stop. When he did, she stood in silence. The magic of the moment lingered in the air, sending shivers down her spine.
He searched her gaze, then laughed awkwardly. ‘I warned you it might be worse.’
‘It wasn’t.’ Marie tried to catch her breath. ‘It was beautiful.’
‘You’re trying not to hurt my feelings.’
‘No, it’s the truth. You have a wonderful voice.’
‘I just copy, that’s all.’
‘You sounded like Bobby Brown to me.’
He looked embarrassed. ‘Come on, time’s getting on. Grab my arm and I’ll walk you home.’
Marie was quiet most of the way. Her thoughts were spinning in her head. She could still hear his pitch-perfect notes as clear as any she’d ever heard on the radio. He just didn’t seem to know how good he was.
‘Can I see you again?’ he asked as they came to Sphinx Street. ‘Same walk, next Saturday afternoon?’
‘Me and Vesta practise on Saturdays.’ It was a white lie, as lately they hadn’t done very much at all.
‘Just for an hour?’
‘You are persistent.’
‘And good-looking!’
Marie laughed. ‘All right.’
Would she regret it, she wondered, as they said goodbye. One half of her wanted to see him again, the other was against it. She realized now how much she liked him. Yet, if she did, wasn’t that a good thing? It was if she wanted more than just friendship, something that might turn out to last. But only yesterday she had told Ada that settling down was definitely what she didn’t want. Marie felt scared. She didn’t want to fall in love, even though, just for a short while, Bing had turned all her ideas on their heads.