‘What did she say?’ asked Gerry.
‘She said she’d have scrambled Rilla’s brains a bit more if she’d been able to get her hands on her.’
They all laughed and Gerry said grimly, ‘Might have been what she needed, the stupid bitch.’
‘That Phil Casey is a nice fellow, isn’t he?’ said Margaret casually. ‘Is he courting?’
‘No. He’s had a few dates. He’s not bent and Peter reckons he’s carrying a torch for someone. You’d never find out from Phil though. A clam’s got nothing on him.’ He and Margaret laughed and Laura bent her head, hoping that they were unable to see her face in the driving mirror. She knew that Margaret suspected nothing and had spoken only out of casual interest, yet she felt as though something momentous had occurred in the past hour.
Gerry and Margaret went on to discuss various people who had been in the Elephant, but Laura’s mind was filled with thoughts of Phil and memories of his voice all the way home.
Chapter Twenty-Six
As though they had been conjured up by the conversation about Rilla the previous day, two letters from Canada arrived on Monday morning. One was from Margaret and Stephen and was for the family and Terry had written to Laura.
Both letters gave the same news that Rilla was to be married to the father of the baby, Ellis Juniper. ‘We plan only a quiet wedding,’ Margaret wrote, ‘so I am not sending out invitations but I know you will wish the young couple well. We will tell you about it in our next letter. The wedding is on January 10th.’
‘January the tenth!’ exclaimed Anne. ‘We couldn’t have gone if we wanted to.’
‘I’ve no intention of ever going there or having them here,’ John declared. ‘Whenever I see that girl it’ll be too soon for me. I hope you’ve got more sense than to get mixed up with them again, Anne.’
‘Of course I wouldn’t have gone there and I don’t want to see Rilla,’ said Anne. ‘But Stephen’s still my brother and I’m not going to lose touch with him.’
Laura slipped her letter in her pocket and left for work. On the train she read the letter and smiled to herself. Terry wrote that the bridegroom’s full name was Ellis George Juniper.
‘Quite a mouthful isn’t it? Especially for such a miserable little wimp. Just between us, Lol, I don’t agree with this marriage at all and I think Margaret has her doubts. Rilla has no thought of giving the baby a name, she just wants a ring on her finger and to be called Mrs Juniper and she has romantic dreams of floating down the aisle in a white dress and being the centre of attention. Also, Joy is courting and talking about an engagement, but Stephen sees none of this. He has rushed into action and got it all set up but I see no future for the marriage. However, I say nothing.
‘On a pleasanter note. I think Nick sounds a nice guy and I hope it works out for you, Lol. I wouldn’t worry about him speaking his mind. Shows he’s honest and you know yourself sometimes remarks sound quite different to what you intended to say.’
Laura folded the thin sheets and stuffed them back in the envelope, smiling to herself. I wonder what Terry would say if I told him about Phil, she thought, then remembered that there was really nothing to tell. A few remarks, the way Phil looked at her and the shock of the loving, caressing tone of his voice on Sunday. Yet she knew in her heart that there was a bond between herself and Phil and it was growing deeper and stronger. But what about Nick? What she felt for Nick and for Phil was so different. Could she really be in love with either of them or was it possible to love two people at the same time? Suddenly she felt that she was being ridiculous, thinking like this and jumped to her feet as the train drew in to the station.
She tried to think of more practical matters as she walked to the office but thoughts of Nick and Phil refused to go away. She thought again about the way Phil had looked at her and spoken to her on Sunday and felt how romantic it was to feel his gaze on her all the time. Like Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, she thought, then told herself not to be a fool. If Phil cared for her why didn’t he do something about it?
Fortunately the office was not busy and she sat at her desk still deep in thought and still confused about her feelings. Being with Nick was so exciting, even when they were quarrelling, and when he kissed her she felt weak with love and a strange passion that she had never felt with anyone else.
She was adamantly opposed to sex before marriage but when she was with Nick she was strongly tempted to break her own rules and she could more easily understand those who did. Yet away from him she sometimes felt that she didn’t even like him. The more she knew of his character, the more she realised that his standards and outlook on life were totally different to her own, yet who was right?
Everything was changing so fast, yet someone had told her that she was in a time warp. Maybe I am, she thought, but so is my family and plenty of others. Even the Catholic Church seems to be changing, although fundamentally it’s still the same. Like me, she thought wryly.
She felt a touch on her arm and Olive from the next desk leaned over. ‘You should know that by heart,’ she joked. ‘You’ve been staring at that Certificate of Origin for twenty minutes. Where are you?’
‘Miles away,’ Laura confessed. ‘Have you finished your Christmas shopping?’ Olive was easily diverted and asked no questions about Laura’s thoughts and Laura began to work with determination. She and Mary spent their usual hectic lunch hour shopping and spoke only briefly about how they had spent the weekend.
Soon after she arrived home on Monday evening there was a phone call from Nick. ‘I was annoyed that I left you after the Elephant yesterday,’ he said without preamble. ‘I didn’t get much work done anyway. Couldn’t stop thinking about you.’
‘I’m sorry about that,’ Laura said, meaning that she was sorry that he had been unable to work.
‘Not your fault,’ he said magnanimously. ‘I’m not blaming you.’
‘Thanks a lot,’ Laura exclaimed sarcastically.
‘What about tomorrow night?’ he went on. ‘I can come to Crosby.’
‘No, I go to Spanish class with Julie on Tuesdays. Anyway, I thought you had a lecture on Tuesdays.’
‘I do but I’ll cut it. And you can cut your class. It’s not really important, is it?’
‘It is to me,’ Laura declared but she knew that if he had asked differently she would have missed the class without a qualm.
‘If I’m willing to miss a lecture I’m sure you can miss a tinpot evening class,’ Nick said angrily.
‘Are you trying to annoy me?’ Laura demanded. ‘Because if so, you’re succeeding.’
There was silence for a moment then Nick said in a different tone, ‘I can’t wait to see you again, Laura. I’d come tonight if I could. I love you.’
Laura’s indignation vanished and she said softly, ‘All right. Come to the house. I’ll explain to Julie about the Spanish class.’ It was only after she had replaced the receiver that she thought he might have expected her to say that she loved him in return. But I’m not sure it’s true, she thought. I feel all mixed up.
She was tempted to go up to her room to think about Nick and Phil but she decided to forget them for the evening. I think I’ve done enough thinking about the pros and cons. I’ll just take things as they come.
Nick rang again later to say that he had obtained tickets for a carol concert at one of the local churches and to fix a time for calling for her the following evening.
When he arrived he was carrying a plant bearing tiny orange globes. ‘I thought it looked like a miniature orange tree,’ he said. ‘I suppose you know the name of it.’
‘I do but I can’t think of it at the moment,’ Laura said. ‘Thanks, Nick. It’s lovely.’
He also produced a box of chocolates as they drove to the church and Laura remembered her conversation with David about him. He certainly isn’t mean, she thought, and as David said I should be concentrating on his good points, not trying to find fault.
They spent a happy evening at the concert
and when Nick held her close before he left and told her that he loved her, Laura could wholeheartedly return his kisses and tell him that she loved him too.
She was still in a happy glow when she went into the house. Her mother looked up and smiled. ‘You didn’t bring Nick in for supper?’
Laura said that he had borrowed a friend’s car and had to get back. ‘Just as well I didn’t anyway,’ she said, looking round the littered room.
Julie was sorting through a large box of Christmas decorations and laying them out on the sideboard and her mother was wrapping Christmas gifts. The ones to overseas relations had been sent off earlier but she was wrapping gifts for various old neighbours and people like the lady who emptied the Mission box and another old lady who delivered the parish magazine.
‘Honestly Mum, your list gets longer every year,’ Laura exclaimed in amusement. ‘And you’ve still got to start on the family.’
‘I know, love,’ Anne said apologetically. ‘But they are only little bits and they mean so much to people on their own. I just thank God for our family.’
Laura knew what she meant and went to make tea but when she returned Anne said, ‘That reminds me. I wanted to ask you for ideas for Nick, for his present.’
A few hours earlier Laura would have told her not to bother but now she said she would think about it.
‘I suppose he’ll want to be with his family on Christmas Day,’ Anne went on. ‘But what about asking him for Boxing Day. Will he be free?’
‘I’m not sure. We haven’t talked about Christmas, about what we’re doing. I’ll ask him for Boxing Day.’
Julie looked round in surprise. ‘Haven’t you talked about Christmas at all?’ she asked. ‘Peter and I have been talking about it for weeks and making plans.’ She blushed as she realised what she had said but Laura was unaware and her mother had carried her parcels into the other room.
‘To tell you the truth,’ Laura laughed, ‘I don’t plan too far ahead with Nick. We’re always likely to have a bust-up before it comes off.’
‘Oh Laura,’ Julie said reproachfully. ‘I thought you were settled with Nick now.’
‘It’s time I was, I suppose.’ Laura smiled as she remembered Nick’s kisses but then she thought of Phil. Would I even be thinking of Phil if I felt really sure about Nick? she wondered, then she firmly dismissed thoughts of either of them and when she went to bed she read until she fell asleep.
On Wednesday she was amazed to meet Phil as she left the office at lunchtime. ‘Phil! What are you doing here?’
‘I’ve got a few days off,’ he said. ‘I’m doing some Christmas shopping.’ He turned and walked with Laura as she hurried along. She was about to ask what he expected to buy in the commercial centre of Liverpool but instead she told him that she was meeting Mary at a snack bar in Oldhall Street.
‘We have a quick lunch and then dash round the shops,’ she explained. ‘I’ll be glad when Christmas is over and we can have our meal in peace.’
‘I used to know the best watering holes when I worked in town but a lot of them are gone,’ Phil said. ‘Er, do you mind if I join you for lunch? Or would Mary mind?’
‘No, but you’ll have to chew fast,’ Laura laughed.
‘Suits me.’ Phil smiled at her and the next moment they met Mary by the steps down to the cafe.
‘I met Phil outside the office,’ Laura explained. ‘He’s working in Allerton but he’s come in to shop.’
‘Hi, Phil,’ said Mary. ‘That was lucky,’ and Phil agreed, carefully omitting to say that he had been hanging around the office for more than an hour.
They rapidly ate sandwiches and drank coffee and the girls told Phil that they were dashing up to Blacklers and Lewis’s to shop. ‘I want some underwear for my nana,’ Laura said, ‘and Mary wants some for Danny’s gran.’
Mary looked at Phil and said suddenly, ‘I’ve got to be back in an hour but you could take longer, Lol. Why don’t you take some flexi and help Phil with his shopping?’
Before Laura could speak, Phil said eagerly, ‘That’d be great. Will you, Laura?’
Laura was about to refuse and say that Phil didn’t need help but she looked up and into his eyes and said weakly, ‘Yes. All right.’ It was quickly arranged that Phil would meet Laura outside a shoe shop on the corner of Church Street and the two girls sped away.
‘You’re a dark horse, Laura Redmond,’ Mary said mischievously as they slipped through the crowds. ‘You must know he fancies you.’
‘He’s just a friend,’ Laura protested.
They had arrived at the underwear counter in Blacklers and as they waited to be served, Mary said sceptically, ‘Oh yes. And since when did a friend look at you like that? He’s in love with you, Laura.’
‘Have sense, Mary,’ Laura scoffed. ‘Just because he looks a bit moony. Probably looks like that at everyone,’ but even as she spoke she felt that she was betraying the real feeling that she had for Phil and that she knew he felt for her.
A middle-aged assistant approached and Laura who knew her grandmother’s size was quickly served. Mary was unsure about the measurements for Danny’s gran but the assistant asked patiently, ‘What build is she, dear? Is she like me or like that other assistant?’
‘Like you,’ said Mary.
The woman said placidly, ‘Then she’ll be an eighteen but if you keep the bill you can always change them if they’re wrong.’
She bustled away and Laura commented, ‘Aren’t they patient? I’d tell people to get lost if they didn’t know the measurements. No wonder my nana always shops in Blacklers.’
Mary’s purchases were quickly completed and she smiled at Laura. ‘All right. I can take a hint. You don’t want to talk about Phil.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘I don’t think I’ll have enough time for Lewis’s. I was late back yesterday. Should we start back?’
They began to make their way to Church Street and Laura said quickly, ‘You’re wrong, Mary. I wasn’t trying to change the subject. There’s just nothing to say about Phil.’
‘I still say he’s in love with you, Lol,’ Mary insisted stubbornly. ‘I thought there was something at the Cabaret Club but the Silent Man Nick moved in although it turned out he wasn’t so silent.’ She laughed.
‘Then of course that cow Gail put her penn’orth in, but today I’m quite sure, Lol.’
‘He’d say something, surely, if he felt like that.’
Mary disagreed. ‘It’s a bit awkward now that you and Nick are courting. Perhaps he thinks he’s missed the boat or he’s waiting for you and Nick to split up. I think he’s a really nice fellow.’
‘He is,’ Laura agreed. ‘But he’s painfully shy. Strange, that, in a man, isn’t it?’
‘I like him,’ Mary declared.
Laura, pretending to be joking, said, ‘Better than Nick?’
She waited anxiously for Mary’s opinion but she only said, ‘I’ll tell you after Saturday.’ They had arranged to meet on Saturday for a Christmas meal, Mary and Danny and Laura and Nick, so that for the first time Mary would experience Nick’s company.
They had stepped into a doorway to talk for a few minutes but they could see Phil waiting and made their way towards him.
Laura thought that she would feel self-conscious with Phil after Mary’s words but they slipped easily into conversation. I always feel easy with Phil, Laura thought. I feel I can say anything and he’ll understand.
He wanted presents for his parents and Laura questioned him about his mother’s tastes. When she found that she liked Blue Grass perfume she took Phil to George Henry Lee’s perfume counter. There they chose a large bottle of Blue Grass scent and found that they could buy a small case of soap, talcum powder and hand cream in Blue Grass scent for a nominal price because they had bought the perfume.
‘I’m sure your mother will be pleased with that,’ Laura said.
‘I doubt it,’ Phil muttered bitterly. Laura looked up at him in surprise and he went on hastily, ‘I never get it right b
ut this year with your help I’m sure she’ll love this present.’
‘She’ll be hard to please if she doesn’t,’ Laura said bluntly but Phil said no more. They bought a cigar case for Phil’s father then Laura said that she must return to the office.
‘Thanks for your help,’ Phil said as they walked back. ‘I haven’t a clue about scent. What’s your favourite?’
‘Oh, I’ve got expensive tastes,’ Laura laughed. ‘Gerry brought me Chanel No. 5 when he went to Lourdes with the school years ago. It was the only one he’d heard about and luckily he had enough money left to buy it in the duty-free shop on the way home. Since then my Uncle Mick gives me some for my birthday and I spread it out all year. He often goes abroad, you see.’
They stopped outside the office and Phil took her hand and looked into her eyes. ‘I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this, Laura,’ he said quietly.
Laura, dismayed by the feelings aroused in her, blurted gruffly, ‘Glad to help. Goodbye,’ and fled into the office.
She went into the washroom before returning to her desk and was not surprised to see that her hands were trembling.
Whatever’s wrong with me? she thought in dismay. I’ve always prided myself on being decisive and now I’m changing my mind every five minutes. She went to her desk and worked steadily, putting any thought of Nick or Phil firmly out of her mind.
After work she went straight to her grandparents’ house for her meal and afterwards washed and set Cathy’s hair. ‘You’ve a real knack for that, love,’ Cathy said admiringly as she looked at the result in the mirror and Greg laughed and said that if she ever lost her job she could open her own salon.
‘Would you like that?’ Cathy asked.
Laura shook her head. ‘No, I’m happier working for someone else. I wouldn’t like to have to make decisions. I can’t make up my mind about anything lately.’
Cathy looked at her inquiringly but Laura did not elaborate so her grandmother changed the subject. ‘Aunt Sarah was thinking of starting her own florist’s shop but that was before they knew about Rosa. Now she’s put her plans on hold. She’ll probably work part-time after the baby’s born so that Rosa can carry on with her art.’
Honour Thy Father Page 38