Short story

A nostalgic return to The Moonlight Club reopens a closed chapter in Sam’s life By Hazel Jackson

‘My first true love… I often wondered what happened to Harry. I was such a fool’

Annie licked her finger and quickly flicked through the pages of the local newspaper. “I know I saw it somewhere in here,” she mumbled through a mouthful of her lunchtime salad. She was managing to stick to a boring diet despite working in a patisserie, surrounded by delicious pastries of every description.

“What did you see?” Sam asked, glancing up from writing in the shop’s busy order book.

Sam didn’t usually stop for lunch. She had long since discovered that if you ran a successful cake shop you rarely had time to sit down, let alone eat. But she always made sure that her best friend and assistant had a proper lunch break.

“There!” Annie stabbed her fork at a small advert and read out: “The Moonlight Club Grand Reunion Dance to be held on Valentine’s Day. Oh my goodness, Sam, do you remember those nights at the Moonlight Club…” Her voice drifted off and her face took on a wistful expression.

Sam put down her pen and grinned at her old friend. “How could I ever forget the finest years of my wasted youth?” she laughed. “The disco music, the fantastic bands we saw – and dancing like idiots all night without a care in the world.”

“Getting ready to go out round at your house,” Annie said. “Wearing false eyelashes you could have swept the floor with and mini-skirts shorter than curtain pelmets as your mum used to say!”

“And the boys!” Sam giggled. “Jimmy Davies – my heartthrob – with stickers all over his scooter and spots all over his face!” laughed Annie.

“And Harry Barlow, my first true love,” Sam sighed. “I often wonder what happened to Harry. I was such a fool…”

“We’ve got to go!” Annie declared. “I’ll buy the tickets – my treat.”

Sam gazed out of the shop window, letting her mind wander. Looking back was something she didn’t do often because all she saw was a failed marriage, a miserable divorce and a spoilt, unhappy daughter. Plus a few extra pounds round her waist and some wrinkles round her eyes.

“Reunions can be awful, we will all look so different,” she said. “Do you think we’ll recognise anyone?”

“You don’t look a day older, Sam. They will be asking for your ID!” Annie laughed. “And, anyway, you need to get out more instead of being permanently on call to babysit for your Louisa.”

“I know Louisa can be difficult at times, but how would she cope without me?” Sam said defensively.

Annie pinged her phone. “Well, too late for second thoughts. Tickets bought!”

So it was that Valentine’s night found the two friends back in their teenage haunt…

“Any chance of a dance?”

Annie swung round and squealed with

delight. “Jimmy Davies!” she yelled over the sound of Motown. “I’d know you anywhere.”

Definitely no spots – and not so much hair, either – but still the same old Jimmy. Annie pulled him onto the dance floor.

“On your own?” he shouted, dancing just as he always had, arms flying about and feet with a will of their own.

“Sam’s with me. She’s just gone to buy us a drink,” she shouted back. “How about you?”

“There’s a crowd of us. Harry’s here. He’s at the bar.”

In the queue for drinks, Sam stared at the back of Harry’s head. He was still tall and broad-shouldered although his hair had gone a bit grey. So many good memories came flooding back that she felt quite embarrassed and a little sad. As if he knew he was being given the once-over, he suddenly swung round and stared straight into her eyes. Her heart thumped and she blushed as he gave her a broad grin.

“Sam!” he exclaimed, giving her a big hug. “I was hoping you’d be here.”

She took a step back and looked at him. If anything, the wrinkles were an improvement, if that was possible. She had forgotten how handsome he was.

The petite, attractive woman next to him moved forward and smiled politely. He put an arm around her shoulder to protect her from the jostling crowd.

“Barbara, meet Samantha,” he said, adding quietly, “the one that got away.”

Barbara’s eyebrows rose and Sam wished she hadn’t worn the too-young party dress that Annie had picked out for her. Annie and her mad ideas! What a silly plan it had been to come back to the Moonlight Club. Sam didn’t do nostalgia for a good reason – it was too painful.

She pulled herself together and smiled back. There was no point in dwelling on what her life might have been if she hadn’t gone away to college instead of settling down in her home town.

Annie chose that moment to come charging up with Jimmy in tow. “Sam, look who I found! It’s Jimmy Davies.” She stopped when she saw who Sam was talking to. “Well, if it isn’t Harry Barlow…” her voice tailed off as she looked at Barbara.

Taking Barbara’s hand, Jimmy chipped in: “Meet our old dance partners, Babs. Ladies, this is my lovely, long-suffering wife. Come on, love, they’re playing our song.” He led her on to the dance floor.

As if he knew he was being given the once-over, Harry suddenly swung round and stared straight into her eyes

If the music hadn’t been so loud, you could have heard a pin drop. Thinking quickly, Annie announced: “I’m just going to the loo. You guys go and dance.” She looked pointedly at Harry and sped off.

“Remember the moves?” Harry smiled at Sam.

“Just about,” she smiled back, feeling eighteen again.

“Come on then,” he said, holding out a warm, strong hand that she remembered so well. The years dropped away as they took to the floor.

Watching them, Annie felt happy for Sam, but also fearful. Love wasn’t always better the second time around. What if Harry was married? And even if he wasn’t, how would Louisa react to her mother’s old boyfriend reappearing on the scene?

Her bright idea of a trip down memory lane might end in tears – the last thing she wanted for her best friend.

■ In the next issue, out on February 12, find out if Annie is right to be worried about Sam’s reunion with her old flame, Harry Barlow