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Soon it was time for Pat to leave the Secondary Modern and start work - at the glorious age of 15. She had by now moved to Washford, her parents having split up, and she lived with her stepmother and stepsister.
Her green mackintosh cape still fitted her and because the school had been 'non-uniform' her other clothing was adequate.
She 'made an effort' when she went to the Labour Exchange, wearing a smart suit though it was hidden by her cape which she had had no time to remove. She was pointed at Floyds, Minehead's departmental store. When she arrived for interview she shed her cape and straightened herself out. The interview went well and she secured the job as a trainee salesperson, starting the following week. She left walking on air, slipped on her cape and left the store. Although it wasn't raining she still fastened the buttons and went to celebrate with a cup of coffee. As she set out to the bus stop, the heavens opened and up went the hood. She was glad to reach it!
The following Monday she donned the dark workdress, topped it with her cape and caught the bus. Soon she got to know others travelling the same way and met Tony, who worked at a garage. He commented on the fact that she wore her cape whether rain or shine, and she said how fond she was of it and how safe she felt in it. Tony told her she looked very romantic, just like Lorna Doone and she loved that. Eventually he got her to go to the cinema and they saw 'Passport to Pimlico', which they found quite funny. At the end Tony helped her on with her cape and they caught the bus to Washford. When they arrived they found a secluded place and soon Pat's arms emerged to clasp Tony. They had a lovely kissing session, ending to Pat's startled delight when Tony undid the buttons.
They had many a date after that and within a year, Pat had bought a new cape, this time in blue. Her green one was bequethed to her stepsister.
John
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