Honour Thy Father

by Honour Thy Father (retail) (epub)

  ‘That’s a thought!’ Laura exclaimed. ‘What about Joy? She wouldn’t back Rilla up in her lies because they hate each other.’

  ‘Not unless it suited her,’ Anne said grimly. ‘Who knows with that pair. Stephen didn’t mention her and I never thought about her.’

  Julie, who was now a librarian, was on late duty but John and Gerry arrived home from work and Anne told them about her phone call to Canada. ‘I wish you’d left it to me, Anne,’ John said. ‘I’d have demanded more details from him to get this sorted out.’

  Laura expected her mother to tell him why she had made the call but she only said that she had been to see Sarah and that she had told her a lot about the two Canadian girls.

  They had just finished their meal when Sarah and Joe arrived and Joe told them that he had phoned Stephen in Canada.

  ‘So did I,’ Anne exclaimed. ‘What did he say to you? That his little girl didn’t tell lies?’

  ‘I told him his own common sense should tell him that it was all fantasy,’ Joe said grimly. ‘I reminded him about the way she carried on about the Beatles and all the rest of them. If she’d had a date with Peter Taylor she’d have been shouting it from the rooftops but he said Peter had asked her to keep quiet about it because of his girlfriend.’

  ‘The crafty bitch!’ Laura exclaimed.

  ‘She’s dangerous, mixing fact with fiction,’ Gerry said.

  Joe went on, ‘I advised him to find out who was really the father. Obviously someone she doesn’t want them to know about and probably someone near home. I said she probably named Peter because she lived in a fantasy world and she thought he was so far away it wouldn’t matter but these groups are plagued by hysterical girls and they have lawyers to deal with them so he’d better be careful. They could find themselves in a lot of trouble.’

  ‘That was clever, Joe,’ Anne said admiringly. ‘What did Stephen say?’

  ‘Not much. He seemed a bit stunned. I think it’s given him something to think about. Don’t worry any more about it, Anne. It’ll be sorted out.’

  ‘I’m just so upset about the Taylors,’ Anne said. ‘Ashamed that our family should have brought this trouble on them. If only we could remember what happened that night she was supposed to be with Peter.’

  ‘Has anyone talked to Peter?’ Joe asked.

  ‘No. Mr Taylor told him over the phone and Peter just said it wasn’t true but he was seeing his parents today to talk about it,’ said Anne.

  ‘Perhaps it can be done the other way,’ Joe said. ‘Peter may be able to prove where he was at the time she says he was with her.’

  Gerry jumped to his feet. ‘I’ll go to the Taylors,’ he said. ‘Tell them what we’ve done and see what Peter’s told them. I won’t be long,’ and he dashed out.

  ‘It’s going to be difficult to prove he wasn’t with her at some time,’ John said. ‘I mean,’ he hesitated and glanced at Laura then he went on, ‘it doesn’t take long and if she’s saying it was a furtive meeting…’

  Does he think I don’t know the facts of life? Laura thought angrily but then she thought he expected her to say he was making a point in favour of Rilla’s claim. I know he’s not and it’s a good point, she thought honestly, but she said nothing and went out to the garden.

  I still haven’t told Mum about Nick, she thought. Trust me to have my pleasure spoiled by something like this coming up, then she felt ashamed as she thought of the real trouble other people were experiencing.

  She knew that Terry was due back from Ottawa the next week and she decided to write to him and tell him the whole story. Rilla would wriggle out of any evidence they offered that she was not with Peter when she said she was. As her father said, a furtive coupling need only take a short time and Rilla was quite capable of twisting her story to make it sound plausible. Laura felt disgusted as she thought of a decent man like Peter facing such an accusation. Phil Casey will go mad, she thought. Terry was on the spot and he could make Rilla tell the truth.

  Unlike her parents, he could see her in her true colours and he would not hesitate to cross-examine her. It offered much more hope than anything that could be done at this end, she thought. Then we can forget the whole messy business.

  When Gerry returned he told them that Peter and Gail had consulted the solicitor who acted for the group, who had asked to see Stephen’s letter. He had advised them not to answer it but to leave matters with him. He had given Peter a copy of a rough draft of a letter he intended to send.

  ‘I couldn’t get over it,’ Gerry said. ‘It warned them that they were making a serious accusation which could damage his client’s reputation and career and cause much mental distress to him and to his family. I can’t remember all of it but there was something about Peter categorically denying the accusation and that groups were subject to these claims from hysterical girls, which always proved to be unfounded, and sometimes professional help from a psychiatrist was needed. It was brilliant.’

  ‘Pretty much what our Joe said to Stephen,’ Anne said. ‘He’s got a good brain, our Joe. I’m sorry they’ve gone home.’

  ‘People don’t realise how clever he is because he’s so quiet,’ Laura said, glancing at her father. ‘But he can run rings round others who make a lot of noise.’

  ‘Mrs Taylor felt much happier about the whole thing, Mum,’ Gerry said hastily. ‘But she was worried about upsetting you.’

  ‘I hope you told her I’ve been worried about her,’ Anne said. ‘But it looks as though it can all be sorted out now.’

  ‘And Gail was with Peter?’ Laura was astonished. ‘I thought he’d have to hide it from her.’

  ‘Mrs Taylor said Peter was so upset last night he had to tell her. He thought she’d blow her top but she was great. It was her idea to go to the solicitor.’

  ‘Just shows you should never judge people too hastily,’ Anne said but she sighed. ‘I can’t help worrying about Margaret and Stephen. To be told the girl is unbalanced on top of everything else. I don’t know how they’ll bear it.’

  ‘Don’t waste sympathy on them,’ John said brusquely. ‘They’re only reaping what they’ve sowed. Anyway, there’s been enough fuss about this business. Forget it, Anne. Put it right out of your head and let them sort it out themselves.’

  ‘That’s easier said than done,’ Laura snapped. She put her arm round her mother and said quietly, ‘Don’t worry, Mum. When it’s sorted out they’ll probably decide that Rilla was upset and confused because of her condition. They’ll find some way of excusing her, you’ll see.’

  Gerry took books from the sideboard and went into the other room to study and John waited until Laura moved away from her mother then went to Anne and kissed her.

  ‘I’m going to the Labour Club for an hour, love,’ he said. ‘Someone I want to see but I won’t be long.’

  ‘Yes, all right.’ Anne smiled at him. ‘Don’t forget, I’ll do those envelopes for them.’

  ‘OK. It’ll be a great help,’ John said, smiling back at her.

  Laura watched them with disgust. Why doesn’t she snarl back at him when he speaks to her like that, she thought, instead of being so meek with him?

  John went and Laura and her mother were alone in the living room. ‘I wish you wouldn’t pick your dad up so sharply, Laura,’ Anne said. ‘He only wants what’s best for us but he can’t say anything right as far as you’re concerned.’

  Laura was astounded and gaped at her mother, too surprised to think of a reply.

  Anne went on firmly, ‘I know you’re not very happy at present, love, but you shouldn’t take it out on other people. Dad has had his own disappointment with Labour losing the election in June and all his worries about what this Heath fellow is doing. Try to control your temper, Laura, and watch your tongue.’

  Laura felt as though something had burst in her head and she faced her mother trembling with anger. ‘You tell me to watch my tongue. What about him? The way he speaks to you and when I try to defend you, you pick on me. It�
��s always me who’s in the wrong. Everyone knows he’s a bully.’

  ‘Laura!’ Anne said sharply. ‘Don’t you speak like that about your dad. Show some respect. I know you pride yourself on speaking your mind but you go too far.’ She, too, was red-faced with anger and hearing the raised voices Gerry came from the back room.

  ‘Hey, hey, what’s going on?’ he said. ‘Sounds as though you need a referee.’ Laura pulled away and stormed out into the garden although it was already dark.

  The light from the window made shadows and her feet scuffled through fallen leaves as she rushed to the apple tree at the bottom of the garden and leaned against it, tears of shock and outrage pouring down her face. If her mother had suddenly bitten her she could not have been more surprised.

  The way I’ve tried to defend her, she thought wretchedly, and now she turns on me and takes his part. Blames me for being bad-tempered when I’ve only shouted at him when he’s been bullying her. And that crack about me being unhappy. She means because the other two are settled and I’m on my own. Laura had just decided that wild horses would not make her tell her mother about Nick when Gerry came into the garden.

  ‘Lol,’ he called then came close to her. ‘There you are,’ he said. ‘Come in. It’s too cold and damp out here and Mum’s upset about you.’

  ‘Do you think I’m not after what she said to me?’ Laura said, keeping her tear-stained face averted from him.

  Gerry put his arm round her and said gently, ‘We’re all on edge with this business, Lol. Mum would never have flown off the handle like that if she hadn’t been all strung up about this business with Rilla, blast her.’

  They began to walk slowly back to the house but Laura said with a sniff, ‘It’s unfair, Gerry. Mum blaming me and sticking up for him when I was only complaining about the way he spoke to her. Telling her to put it out of her mind in that tone as though she was fussing about nothing.’

  ‘Yeah, well, I don’t think it was just that. You and Dad do get across each other, don’t you? And Mum’s pig in the middle trying to keep the peace. I think she’d suddenly had enough on top of this other business. The trouble is you and Dad are too alike.’

  ‘Gerry,’ Laura exclaimed. ‘How can you say that? We’re not alike at all.’

  Gerry still had his arm round her and he gave her a hug. ‘Of course you are,’ he said. ‘Both strong-minded. The irresistible force meeting the immovable object.’ He laughed. ‘Come on. My feet are freezing.’

  Anne came to Laura as they went in the house and kissed her. ‘I’m sorry I upset you, love,’ she said.

  Laura thought that her mother had not admitted that she was wrong but she said nothing and gratefully accepted a steaming cup of tea.

  Gerry decided to abandon his studies and stayed in the living room with his tea so there was no opportunity for Laura to tell her mother privately about Nick. She went up to bed as soon as she had finished the tea, not sorry to defer telling her mother. Worn out by her emotion, she fell asleep immediately.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Although the quarrel between Laura and her mother had been brief, it affected Laura deeply. She felt that it opened her eyes to many things to which she had been blind.

  Her mother had never criticised their father to the children but Laura had seen that as misguided loyalty and a desire to keep the family together. She believed that, for the same reason, her mother had never argued or resisted. Laura had always viewed her as a victim of her husband’s selfishness and bullying, needing protection until the day came when she could leave him and live in peace with her loving daughter.

  Now Laura suddenly saw that long-held dream for what it was, a childhood fantasy, a fairy story that could never come true. Her mother would never leave her father. Whether it was because she had been brainwashed, dominated for too long, as Laura suspected, or because of her strong sense of duty, she would stay with him until parted by death.

  Laura’s outrage at her mother’s defence of her father and criticism of herself returned but she thought sadly that in spite of that she could never leave her mother. I’ll just have to stay and look after her, she thought, whether she appreciates me or not.

  She had still said nothing to her mother about Nick but when Saturday morning came and they were alone in the kitchen, she said abruptly, ‘I won’t be here to eat tonight. I’m going out for a meal and to a singing pub.’

  ‘That’ll be a nice change,’ Anne said. ‘With Mary?’

  ‘No, with a fellow I met at the Cabaret Club. Nick Clegg,’ Laura said. Her mother looked round in surprise and Laura added quickly, ‘He knows Peter Taylor and his friend Phil Casey. They all drink in the Elephant in Woolton.’

  ‘So he lives in Woolton?’ Anne said.

  Laura told her that he was from Ormskirk but was at Christ’s College in Woolton.

  ‘That’s where Gerry’s hoping to go,’ her mother exclaimed.

  ‘Yes. There was a crowd of them at the club celebrating a twenty-first. Phil introduced us to some of them. I went to the pictures with Nick on Tuesday night.’

  She expected her mother to ask reproachfully why she had said nothing at the time but instead Anne put her arm round her shoulders. ‘And you walked into all that hassle about that Rilla,’ she exclaimed. ‘I’m sorry, love, I hope it didn’t spoil your night.’

  Laura laughed. ‘No, of course not,’ she said. ‘Have you heard any more about that business?’

  ‘No. We’ll just have to wait now, I suppose,’ Anne said. She longed to ask for details about Nick but since the night of the quarrel a gulf seemed to have opened between herself and Laura. It was nothing really, only a few words, Anne thought, yet it seems to have altered things so much between us. She felt that she had to watch her words carefully now, yet no matter how difficult Laura had been with other people in the past she had always been a loving daughter to her and had never spoken sharply to her.

  Laura enjoyed the night out with Nick although it started with an argument. She knew that students’ grants were small and few of them had any other income so she told Nick that she would go Dutch. He looked at her with such surprise that she explained, ‘I mean we’ll go half on expenses tonight and any time I go out with you.’

  ‘No, you won’t,’ he said angrily. ‘If I ask a girl out I don’t let her pay for herself.’

  Laura picked up her bag and scarf. ‘All right. Ta-ra,’ she said, pushing back her chair

  Nick gripped her arm. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ he said furiously.

  ‘I’m going,’ she said. ‘Everybody does this now. Why should you be different? If you won’t let me pay my share, I’m not staying.’

  ‘You’re making that up. Everybody doesn’t go Dutch, as you call it. You’re just saying that because you think I’m destitute as I’m on a grant.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. I don’t know anything about your circumstances. I only know I earn a good salary so I don’t have to be the little woman. I have my pride too, you know.’ Nick sat looking at her, uncertain whether he should be offended, and Laura began to laugh. ‘Well, are we on?’ she demanded. ‘Or do I have to go?’

  Nick laughed too. ‘I thought you said you were old-fashioned,’ he said. ‘You sound like New Woman to me.’ But Laura had her way and they shared expenses.

  Nick suggested going to the Elephant on Sunday when many of his friends would be there but Laura refused. She liked him but felt that she would rather wait to be more sure before appearing as his official girlfriend.

  She looked forward to telling Mary all about it on Monday but when they met at lunchtime Mary was bursting with news which she began to tell before they even went into the cafe. ‘What do you think?’ she began. ‘Monica had a baby girl on Thursday and Cathy and Joanne went to see her on Sunday. It’s the image of Denis!’

  ‘Denis?’ Laura exclaimed. ‘But what about – she’s married to Bert. I thought it was his.’

  ‘So did he,’ Mary said. ‘Still does because crafty
Monica said to the girls that the baby was the image of her Aunt Madge who lives in London. They said there’s no doubt though, no matter what she says. The child is the dead spit of Denis.’

  ‘But the Aunt Madge – is it like her too?’

  ‘Who knows? Nobody’s seen her for years. She didn’t come for their wedding but then not many people did. No wonder it was such a quiet affair and rushed through the way it was. Bert’s been taken for a sucker all right.’

  ‘Poor Bert,’ Laura said. ‘I hope he never finds out. Has Denis been to see the baby?’

  ‘No. Cathy said she couldn’t resist asking about him but Monica said he had been very tactful. He’d told them that he realised that newlyweds wanted to be on their own. That two was company and three a crowd and he was working away at present anyway.’

  ‘No flies on Monica,’ Laura commented.

  ‘No. Cathy said it’d make your flesh creep to see her holding Bert’s hand and the soft fool drooling over her and the baby,’ Mary said.

  ‘Do you know, that’s made me think. I wonder what Rilla’s baby will look like?’

  ‘It won’t look like Peter Taylor, that’s for sure,’ said Mary grimly. ‘But what about Gail? Who’d have imagined she’d be so calm about it? I thought she’d have been on the first plane to Canada to tear Rilla’s head off.’

  They both laughed but Laura said thoughtfully, ‘Just shows. You can never tell with people, can you?’

  The lunch hour was nearly over before she was able to talk about Nick, although she knew Mary was interested in him.

  ‘Is he still as silent?’ Mary asked. ‘Or was he just struck dumb by your beauty that night?’

  No matter how Mary joked, Laura knew that there was no malice in her comments and she told her that Nick had plenty to say when they were out. ‘Too much, sometimes,’ she said. ‘He’s a bit opinionated at times.’

  ‘Speaks his mind?’ Mary gave her a sidelong glance and when Laura agreed, she said laughing, ‘You two should have some interesting conversations. Both with strong opinions on most things.’