MORNING SERIAL

“I wish we could move somewhere else, but mam and dad’s tried until they’re daunted. I’d never live there if I was married.”

Embarrassed, Ieuan said nothing for a while. They continued to the end of the High Street, then walked through a winding lane that took them into a quieter area. Crooked Row stood ten minutes away.

Ieuan drew up in the shadow of a doorway.

“Shall we stay here a minute?”

“I don’t mind,” she said. “But I mustn’t be late.”

“There’s — there’s something I’d like to say to you before you go.” “Yes?” Ieuan toyed with a button on his coat. “You — you don’t think I’m a masher?” he asked suddenly. “I mean, I didn’t try to click with you at the fair.”

She laughed. “Of course not. I know you’re not like the Monkey Parade crowd. Why, you haven’t even asked me my name yet.”

“Your name! Gee, of course I haven’t. Well … ?” “Sally,” she said. “My name’s Sally Marvin.” “Marvin! You — you’re not Welsh?”

“Well, yes — and no. Mam’s Welsh. She was born here, but dad comes from Devon.”

“I—I thought it was an odd name. My name’s—”

“Morgan,” she said. “Ieuan Morgan.”

Ieuan looked at her with surprise. “You know my name! But how …?” He saw her blush as she stammered a reply. “I—I was at school the same time as you, and — well, boys and girls come to know each other’s names sometimes. I’ve heard other boys speak about you. You were a good scholar, weren’t you?”

“A bit. But you were at the County, too?” “Yes.” “Are you still in school?” She laughed. “Goodness me, no. I’m working now. At Simpson’s the Dyers. I’m seventeen.”

“And I’m working, too,” Ieuan smiled.

“In Bevan’s Foundry.” “Gee whizz, you know that, too? You must be a detective.”

“One thing I know ….” “Yes, what’s that?” “That you shouldn’t have left school.”