Having finished their meal, Zelma and Angela organised coffee for everyone and when Liza tried to take the dishes out to the washroom, she was pushed back down into her chair and told that she wasn’t needed to help. Liza raised her eyes to heaven and Patrick saw the funny side of the situation because he wasn’t the only one who was making her rest and do nothing.
Everyone was feeling very warm, cosy and relaxed, and Angela was the only one who would have to venture out into the night much later and then it was only two doors away. It was a room full of good friends and the conversations were happy and relaxed as those between friends would naturally be. They all knew that Liza had had what was termed an ‘episode’ that morning but there was no embarrassment between them, they realised that she had become prone to them when something triggered a memory, and they all accepted that it was part of how her life could be.
At around eight o’clock, the boys went to bed, it was well past their normal time and they were very tired after their day playing in the snow and two hours later Angela said that she had better make her way back to her rooms and of course, George was the one who volunteered to see her safely home.
Zelma wondered whether she would be able to go to her home the next day and Gabriel thought that he may also be able to go back to his place, but both Patrick and Liza were adamant that they should spend at least another two nights with them but keep stoking up their fires to air off their homes. Also they should see if the thaw in the weather was going to carry on because if not, then it would be better if they were all still living under the same roof.
George returned and said that he may have to stay a little longer as he had forgotten to tell them that part of the roof of his living quarters had collapsed under the weight of the snow and he was going to have to ask Charlie if he would be able to mend it and he would pay him in instalments.
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner and we could have organised Charlie today for you? You know that he would do that for you as he would consider it an urgent job,” said Liza. “You know that nobody in Benson would let you go without, you saw how everyone was asking after you and showing their concern for your welfare. We’ll go and see Charlie first thing tomorrow and see what he can do for you.”
“I think that George is quite capable of doing that himself tomorrow, Liza,” said Patrick.
“Of course, I’m sorry. I get so used to organising things for people I forget that people can do it themselves,” said Liza, “but if you need help, just let me know.”
“Well, I have some paperwork to finish so I’ll do that in the sitting room,” said Gabriel. “You won’t bother me when you want to come to bed, George, as long as my light won’t bother you. It isn’t too much but I need to sort some documents out for Bea and the captain and try to reach them tomorrow.”
“Yes, I think I’ll turn in shortly,” said George. “We’ve had a very busy day today.”
Zelma yawned and said that she was going to make her way to bed as she was sure that the boys would want to be up early the next day.
They were all busying themselves getting organised for bed and Liza and Patrick decided to stay out of their way until they had settled so they sat comfortably in their rocking chairs. All the fires had been stoked and guards placed around them, as had the ones in Gabriel’s house.
“I think I’ll be able to get to the fort tomorrow. We could hear the snow being cleared from that end so I would think that the last few feet will be finished tomorrow morning,” said Patrick.
“Will you enquire about Ada, Bea and Brigeta and their families, please Patrick. I won’t be venturing out that far tomorrow but I may go over to the general store to see Kathy and Joe and before you start telling me that I shouldn’t, I promise you that if the roads look too slippery, I will not take any chances and stay at home,” said Liza pre-empting what Patrick was going to say to her.
“Well, I know you always keep your promises, so I won’t worry about you,” he said and Liza looked at him not believing a word he had said.
Everyone seemed to have settled so Liza and Patrick made their way to bed. Liza commented that she seemed to have spent most of the day in bed.
“In that case you won’t be tired yet, so I have an idea of what we can do to pass the time,” said Patrick.
“But aren’t you tired, Patrick? You’ve been shovelling snow all day,” said Liza.
“No, I think I can manage,” grinned Patrick and he helped Liza out of her clothes. He looked at her stomach and said, “Liza, you are at last putting on weight, not hugely but I think it’s noticeable.”
“Really, yes, I think you’re right,” and she smiled happily and rubbed her stomach.
They climbed into bed and spent a very happy and pleasant time loving and enjoying one another.
Downstairs, in the sitting room, Gabriel and George heard muffled laughter coming from up in Liza and Patrick’s bedroom and then the unmistakable sound of squeaking bedsprings. They both looked towards the ceiling and Gabriel said, “It would seem that she has forgiven him.”
“I never had any doubt that she would. He’s a very lucky man,” said George.
Gabriel looked at him in surprise.
“I may be a clergyman, but I am still a man in all senses of the word,” he said smiling. “I’m very envious of what Patrick and Liza have; they are a very close couple.”
“Yes,” was all that Gabriel said. He was thinking about how his own situation would have been so different if his wife had lived; he was certain that his marriage would have been just like theirs and he sighed as he finished his paperwork.
Patrick was up early the next morning and dressed in his uniform ready to get to the fort if it was possible. Gabriel and George were at the table having helped themselves to coffee. They both looked up at Patrick with slight smirks on their faces and he frowned quizzically at them.
“So, Liza didn’t make you suffer for too long last night,” said George much to Gabriel’s surprise and Patrick’s slight embarrassment.
“Ah, I see we’ll have to be a little quieter whilst you are around, George,” said Patrick.
“Only to those of us sleeping under your bedroom, although I would hate to think that I am instrumental in making you cease in your pleasures,” said George.
“George, I think that you are digging yourself into a hole that you may find difficult to get out of, so I would stop now if I were you,” said Gabriel.
“Don’t worry, Gabriel; at least it proves that George is human and nobody will stop Liza’s and my way of life and I know nobody wants to,” said Patrick smiling confidently.
The boys could be heard beginning to move around and talking to one another and then Liza could be heard going into them and helping them into their dressing gowns so that they could go downstairs for breakfast and they could then be heard thundering down the stairs and bursting through the dining room door.
One look from Gabriel made them calm down and find their seats at the table as Zelma appeared ready to sort out what they wanted for their breakfast. Liza appeared wearing her green dressing gown and Patrick looked at her knowing what the other men would be thinking, but they could think what they liked, he knew what they had been doing and he was proud that he was so obviously envied by others.
Liza looked at Patrick and frowned knowing that something had been said that she was not going to be allowed to know, but the thought passed and she and Zelma began organising breakfast for the three men and three boys. They would worry about themselves when the others had finished and they would have time to sit and enjoy their own breakfast and plan the day.
Patrick said that he was going to get his horse and attempt to reach the fort and Gabriel and George said that they would take their shovels and see what still needed to be cleared, and George would also see Charlie Penn to see if he would be able to help with the roof to his accommodation.
Liza told the boys to get washed and dressed and when she had inspected that they had done a good job, they could go in
to the front garden and build another snowman, but they had to keep out of the way of anyone clearing snow in the road.
At last, Liza and Zelma had time to themselves. They planned what they would provide for food for the day, whatever beef was left from yesterday would be put in the soup pot with vegetables for lunch and Liza said that they would have to sacrifice another two chickens for an evening meal for everyone. Liza was going to get ready and go to see Kathy and Joe, providing that the road was safe enough for her to walk on. Whilst she was there, she would see what there was that would be nice for them to eat; there may be very little left in the store but they had enough basics already should that be the case.
When the boys had finished playing later in the day, Liza suggested that they have a bath as she felt that their way of washing themselves left a great deal to be desired.
Liza carried hot water up to the bedroom and enjoyed slowly getting herself ready for her first day out of the house for nearly a week. She was looking forward to seeing Kathy and Joe and catching up with how everyone had fared throughout the snowstorm. She would try to find out how Mrs Henshaw and Dr Bridges were; hopefully she would be able to enquire without making the trip to their home, especially as she had promised Patrick that she would not take any unnecessary chances.
Charlie Penn was working in his workshop when Liza left her house. She stopped and spoke to him asking him if George had mentioned his roof to him. He confirmed that he had and that he had asked to pay him for it by instalment. “I’ll do that for him anyway,” he said, “but I know that he would prefer not to accept charity. Really though, all the money he receives is charity, but I didn’t mention that to him.”
“Whatever you need, Charlie, just do it and I’ll settle with you, but let’s keep that to ourselves,” said Liza.
“In that case, I’ll take a third of the charge, you can take another third and I’ll just charge George a third and he’ll think that it will only cost that,” said Charlie.
“You’re very kind, Charlie,” said Liza.
“So are you,” he replied.
Liza carried on to Kathy and Joe’s and they were pleased to see her, and also pleased to see that she was looking so well. Greg Long had managed to get into the store that day and Liza asked him how his family had fared through the bad weather. “We knew that the snow was coming so we were quite well-prepared, but if it had gone on much longer we could have been down to meagre rations.”
There was a wonderful smell of baking coming from the back room and as Liza was sniffing the air and Kathy was inviting her in there for coffee, Sean and Mark came into the store and they too stood and sniffed the air. They also were told to go into the back of the store and make themselves comfortable at the table. They didn’t need telling twice and Greg was left to look after the store with Joe and Kathy joining them for coffee and whatever everyone wanted to eat.
Liza was amused to see the looks of ecstasy on Sean’s and Mark’s faces as they helped themselves to fresh bread dripping with butter, as it was still hot from the oven.
“You’re going to have indigestion,” Liza told them.
“Oh, Liza, it will be well worth it,” said Mark.
They would be off duty for the next couple of days and they were relieved to be able to leave the fort as they had been holed up for nearly a week. They told her that Patrick was now going to be on duty for the following two days, although he may not be able to go out on patrol as the snow was still quite deep away from the town.
“So, what are you going to do with yourselves over the next two days? I would think that you are quite limited in what you can do to entertain yourselves, apart from drinking at the bar, which I suppose you may find enjoyable,” said Liza.
“Well, there is that I suppose, but very little else at the moment,” said Mark.
“You could always help the boys with their snowman, and I have a feeling that some of my neighbours have been subjected to a snowball fight that they were not expecting,” said Liza.
Wicked looks came into both their eyes. “That’s sounds like fun,” said Sean.
“Yes, I think we could go and help the boys; I’m sure they would appreciate our assistance,” said Mark.
“You can stay for lunch and join us for our evening meal if you have the time,” said Liza. “We have Gabriel and George staying with us, so you won’t be lacking in conversation.”
“Thanks, Liza; that would be nice. Thanks for the lovely bread, Kathy and the coffee, we’ll go and sort out the boys now. See you later, Liza,” said Sean and they took their leave and looked like a couple of excited schoolboys aiming to have some fun.
“Men never grow up, do they?” said Kathy.
“No, they certainly don’t,” said Liza. “I’d better take a couple of your loaves and some vegetables as two chickens won’t go very far with seven adults and three boys.” Kathy had some ham that she could let Liza have to pad out the meal. “We won’t starve then,” said Liza.
She asked whether Kathy or Joe knew how Mrs Henshaw and Dr Bridges were and they reassured her that they had survived well, which meant that Liza didn’t need to venture further to see them now.
After catching up with all the gossip, Liza made her way home, stopping several times to talk to people about how they had survived one of the worst snowstorms in living memory. She approached her house and was assailed by numerous snowballs, she shrieked with laughter and was again hit by a barrage of snowballs.
“Right,” she said, “you just wait until I put the shopping away, and then you’ll all be in for it.”
She went inside, having shaken the snow off her clothes, handed Zelma the shopping and then prepared to do battle with the boys and Sean and Mark.
“Liza, are you sure you should be going to do this?” asked Zelma.
“Don’t take all my fun away,” said Liza and Zelma decided that there must be something in this game that she didn’t know about, so she decided to put her coat and boots on and join in the fun.
It seemed as if the whole of Benson decided that a massive snowball fight was a brilliant idea and very little work was carried out that morning, Kathy and Joe also joined in and Liza was extremely surprised to see Gabriel hiding behind a wall and jumping up and pounding whoever was nearby with a stack of snowballs that he had already prepared. George decided that Liza and Zelma needed help and joined in hitting anyone who happened to pass them. The boys had sided with Sean and Mark, Gabriel had a team with Kathy and Joe and Liza and Zelma had George. Charlie and his wife took on anyone who happened to show themselves and it seemed to Liza that it was mostly her. Children from all over the town joined in and Greg regretted looking out of the general store as he was bombarded by everyone. Greg’s mother and Caroline Browne went to join Charlie and his wife and even Jake Smith proved that he was human and enjoyed a game as much as anyone else.
It was noted that Leonard Pembroke put his head outside the bank’s door and hastily retreated back into the safety of the bank to a chorus of ‘coward’, but Angela decided to join in with some of the residents from the boarding house and formed their own team, although they weren’t very good at hitting people, but it seemed that the children changed their tactics and instead of trying to hit Liza and Zelma, went for their school teacher with great success. Nobody who ventured onto the street was exempt from at least one well aimed snowball.
Patrick rode into all this mayhem, having been told that there was very little that he could do until the next day, and when he had cleared some paperwork, he was given leave to return home. He realised that most of this chaos emanated from around his house and that his family and friends had to be the leaders. Of course, a soldier on a horse was fair game for everyone and the only way that he could stop the cascade of snowballs pummelling him was to virtually fall off his horse and try to take cover behind a wall.
He was shocked to see Liza standing and aiming a well-placed snowball at Gabriel, her hair was dripping and her coat was covered in snow, Zel
ma was aiming for Joe who retaliated by catching her full in the face. The boys and all the children were shrieking and he saw that Mark and Sean were aiming for Angela and the ladies from the boarding house. He then was caught on the back of the head and when he looked around, he found Jake Smith laughing and aiming another at him.
Finally, some of the children were called in for lunch and the adults no longer had the excuse of children to blame for their enjoyment. Patrick walked over to Liza and looked at her from top to toe, “Oh,” she said to him and gave him her most alluring smile which, with her hair dripping down her face, was not as alluring as she imagined it to be.
“I dare say you were the instigator of all this,” he said trying not to laugh.
Zelma and the boys were sneaking into the house, followed by Mark and Sean and then Gabriel and George, leaving Liza to face what could be the wrath of Patrick.
“Well, I did suggest that Mark and Sean help the boys with their snowman before we all had lunch together, and then somehow it all got out of hand. You’re very wet, Patrick, you ought to go in and dry off,” said Liza trying to take his mind off her.
“What do you mean, I’m wet? Do you know what you look like? I would suggest that you go and dry yourself off while I put my horse away and I’ll join you all for lunch,” said Patrick and now he was smiling at her and she knew that he wasn’t mad at her.
As she went in the house she was assailed by the smell of wet clothes steaming and a great deal of noise and laughter. Zelma had quickly changed out of her wet clothes and was serving soup to everyone. Gabriel was cutting bread to go with it. George, Sean and Mark were helping the boys with their wet outer clothes and draping them over a clothes horse in front of the fire. The men had already organised their own coats. Liza smiled at them and ran up the stairs to change and draped her wet coat in front of the bedroom fire. She looked in the mirror and realised just how wet her hair was and she had to dry it off with a towel before she went down to have lunch. Patrick came in and also had to get changed, the whole house had wet clothes hanging in every room.
Against All Odds Page 43