The Midwives of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  ‘But the sketchbook…’ She faltered as he stared at her with such an evil look in his eyes it made her stomach flip. ‘I’ll tell Gianni you stole it and then you’ll be for it. You’ll get fired. I’ll make sure Luca gets rid of you. I’ll tell them what you did to me that time.’

  Dougie grabbed her arm again and lowered his mouth to her ear. ‘And I’m telling you that if you don’t keep your mouth shut you’ll rue the day you were born,’ he growled. ‘Do I make myself clear? Now get out of my way, or you’ll be very sorry.’

  Eloisa stifled a sob and hurried away without a backward glance. Dougie seemed to hate her today and she had no idea why. All she’d ever done was be nice to him and give him more affection and love than she’d ever given to Ronnie.

  There was something about him though and she wondered what he was hiding. He’d just appeared from nowhere in York, had told her so little about his background, and he sometimes told her one thing and then contradicted it with another. She had only questioned him once about that and he’d been angry with her and told her he got confused at times. The painkillers he had to take for his scar on his foot addled his mind a bit, he’d said. She wondered if he’d kept the sketchbook on purpose so that he could look at the sketches of Cathy. Maybe he thought she was better-looking and had a nicer body than hers.

  Well he could just sleep on his own tonight. She certainly wasn’t sharing a bed with him and that was certain. He wasn’t always as clean as he could be lately either, didn’t shower very often, never trimmed his beard, and she hated the way he left his big thick socks on when they made love, using his scarred foot as an excuse. It wasn’t very romantic but he just wouldn’t budge on the matter. She did like him though and he was the best lover she’d ever had, even if he was a bit heavy-handed with her at times. Anyway, he could just get lost until he apologised now. See how he liked being ignored.

  Seventeen

  ‘Wow, this is lovely, Lucy,’ Cathy enthused as her daughter proudly handed her a gingerbread man, complete with coloured Smarties buttons down the front of his body. ‘Aren’t you a clever girl? Maria is very kind to let you make them.’

  ‘She’s been working hard all afternoon,’ Gianni said, ruffling her hair. ‘Maria is great with her. I’ve been helping Dad get the ride up and ready for tomorrow. We had a spin around the car park on the bikes just to get the feel again. I’ll go back over later to finish helping before it gets dark. The more we can complete tonight the less there will be to do tomorrow. But I thought it best to bring her home for her tea, knowing you’d be back from work by now. She’s really tired as well so I think you’ll get her into bed early.’

  Cathy nodded. ‘Good. I’m shattered. We’ve had a really busy day on delivery. I’m planning a long soak in the bath and an early night. Is the fair still closed on Sunday, by the way?’

  ‘Yep, so I’m all yours for the day.’

  ‘That’s great. I’m off all weekend too. I’ll bring Lucy to see everyone and to have a go on the kiddies’ rides tomorrow afternoon. Karen and Ellie are off too, so we’ll all come down.’

  She smiled up at Gianni. ‘Thinking about Sunday, I feel I’m ready now to start having a bit of a clear-out at Granny’s place. Thought we could make a start this weekend? When we’ve cleared out what we don’t want to keep, Johnny said he’d go and have a good look over to make sure it’s all sound and no repairs need doing and then maybe we can have a think about some decorating. If we do a room at a time it will be ready to move into for when you leave the fair. I don’t suppose you’ve said anything to your dad yet?’

  He shook his head. ‘It didn’t feel like the right time this afternoon. But I will do soon.’

  ‘You haven’t changed your mind then?’

  ‘Not at all. I told you what I want to do. I’m ready for us to settle down.’

  ‘And be that boring couple we always said we didn’t want to be?’ she teased.

  ‘Cathy, life with you will never be boring. Look at all that’s happening right now. The new business, a new home for us, and Lucy will be starting school in just a short time as well. Big life changes for us all. We should make the most of these next few weeks with her while we can.’

  ‘Are you two ready to eat?’ Alice called from the kitchen. ‘I’m just about to dish up.’

  ‘We are,’ Cathy called back. ‘And yes, you’re right,’ she said to Gianni. ‘We should.’

  ‘Right, I’ll see you later,’ Gianni said after tea, kissing Cathy goodbye. ‘I won’t wake you, don’t worry.’

  ‘I bet you do,’ Cathy said, grinning. ‘Get some more of your clothes from the caravan tonight, then you’ve got a few extra things to wear. It’s hard keeping on top of the washing when you’ve only got a few bits here.’

  ‘I will. I’ve a few other things I need to bring over as well. I’ll take your holdall bag with me. It’s bigger than the one Maria lent me.’

  ‘It’s in the cupboard in Lucy’s room. I’ll go and get it for you.’

  ‘I’ll say goodnight to her while you do that.’

  Cathy headed upstairs and he went into the back room, where Lucy was ready for bed and sitting on the sofa with Rodney and Rosie, who was reading them both a bedtime story. He dropped a kiss on Lucy’s head and waved goodbye to the others. Sandra looked up from reading her magazine at the table and smiled.

  ‘We’re coming to the fair on Saturday afternoon,’ she announced. ‘Well, I’m coming early with Ben. Mam and the others will come along later after Johnny finishes work. Can’t wait for a go on the waltzer, and to see you riding your bike.’

  ‘I’ll watch out for you and give you a special wave. See you all tomorrow. You’ll be in bed by the time I get home.’ He turned as Cathy came into the room with the holdall and she accompanied him to the front door. ‘See you later.’ He dropped a kiss on her lips and strolled off up the street.

  When they moved on from Liverpool the fair would head for Chester and he could still come home some nights if his dad lent him the car. Mind you, he could now actually afford to buy one of his own. It was something to look into when he had a bit of spare time. He quite fancied a Volkswagen Beetle. A nice shiny black one. He patted his jacket pocket to make sure his dad’s keys were still in there. Pointless driving to the park tonight as it was only a short stroll away and saved him time looking for a parking space. He’d left the car outside Alice’s where he knew it would be quite safe.

  When he got to his dad’s caravan he decided to pack his things before going over to help them finish erecting the ride. The door was unlocked, as he’d expected it would be; fairground folk were trusting and never stole from their own kind. The place was empty. His storage cupboard was at the bottom of the van over the bunk that he’d slept in. He opened the doors and lifted down a pile of T-shirts, socks, underwear and jeans. He left his show clothes neatly folded where Maria had placed them on the shelf after washing and ironing them for him. She was good to him, just like his mam had been.

  He swallowed the lump that had risen in his throat as he thought of his mam and how proud she would be of Lucy. But he knew too how disappointed she would have been at him joining the fair. Well, this lifestyle would soon be over and he would be the hard-working draughtsman that she’d wanted him to be, as well as the good stable husband and father that Cathy and Lucy deserved. He opened the next cupboard along, where he stored his art stuff. He lifted down packs of pencils and pens, sticks of charcoal and two small drawing pads. Where the heck was his large sketchbook containing his sketches of Cathy? He climbed up on to the bunk and peered inside. It was empty. He took a deep breath and jumped down, scratching his head. Where the hell was it?

  Cathy would go absolutely mental if anyone saw it. He’d promised her faithfully that he would never show a soul those drawings. They were for his eyes only. She had no idea that Eloisa had once looked at it. The sketchbook had been well hidden, placed flat to the shelf in the cupboard. Whoever had taken it knew what they were looking for.


  He knew it was unlikely that either his dad or Maria would do something like that. The only cupboard Maria went in was the one with his clothes. So the obvious culprit was Eloisa. She knew about the sketchbook; but he’d kept it hidden from her eyes for ages now. She must have had a good root around to find it. But why would she want to look at pictures of his almost naked wife? That was a bit weird to say the least. He finished packing everything away and zipped up the holdall, leaving it on his bunk to collect later.

  Gianni felt his pulse quicken with a mixture of anger and fear, wondering who else had seen the drawings of Cathy. The only way to find out was to go and ask Eloisa, if he could find her. Outside the caravan area the park was teeming with people going about the business of setting their stalls up and getting the rides in place for tomorrow. He waved and smiled as people called his name in greeting. Eloisa’s stall was being looked after by a young lad. He was busy filling the shelves with china rabbits and stuffed toys, prizes for those lucky enough to hook a duck with a matching number. For the others there were smaller consolation prizes too. ‘Hi, Tony, any idea where Eloisa is?’ Gianni asked, glancing round in the hope she’d magically materialise.

  ‘Nope, sorry, Gianni. I haven’t seen her since this afternoon and she was having a right old row with that Scottish bloke near the waltzer.’

  ‘Scottish bloke? Oh, you mean that new hand we hired over in York?’

  ‘Yeah, him. Dougie Taylor he’s called. She’s been seeing him but don’t let on I told you. It’s a touchy subject because Ronnie’s my mate and she wasn’t very nice to him when she dumped him for that bloke.’

  ‘Fair enough. I’ll see if she’s hanging around with my dad at the ride. See you later.’

  Gianni walked across the grass and passed Maria’s gypsy fortune-telling tent. He popped his head inside to see Maria looking perplexed as she polished her crystal ball with a large white handkerchief. ‘Do you have any idea where Eloisa is?’ he asked as she looked up and half-smiled at him.

  She shook her head. ‘Not right now. She had her supper and then went straight back out again, not long after you left with Lucy.’

  ‘Can’t you ask your crystal ball?’ he joked and then as her face clouded he wished he hadn’t said anything. ‘What’s wrong?’

  She sighed and shook her head. ‘I see danger again. It is everywhere around us and this fairground. It worries me; it’s a feeling that I get in here.’ She patted her chest. ‘In my heart. Protect your family, Gianni. They need it. I was right before when I warned you and you took no heed of me that time. Well, I am warning you once again. Look after them.’

  Gianni shrugged and thanked her before going on towards his dad and the bikes. She had been right a few years ago when he and Cathy had split up for a while. But now, surely everyone would be okay. Cathy wasn’t pregnant and roaming the country on her own looking for him; she was here safe and sound with her family, and so was Lucy.

  And Jack, one of the dangers back then – well, he was in Scotland, about as far away as he could be. He wouldn’t dare to show his face in Liverpool. Too many people knew him and would be on the lookout for him. He had no place to hide round here. Gianni waved at his dad and Uncle Marco and pushed any thoughts of danger from his mind. He’d have to find Eloisa later and have it out with her about his sketchbook.

  ‘We’ve finished putting everything up,’ Luca said, breaking his train of thought. ‘Let’s have a go at our routine now, see if we can all remember it.’

  Gianni climbed onto his Indian Scout bike, the buzz of adrenaline flowing through his veins. The thrill never left him. It would be so difficult to live without it, but a nice car would be so much better for family trips out. He’d get used to it, given time.

  When Gianni left the fairground that night he still hadn’t managed to find Eloisa, nor that Dougie bloke she was supposed to be involved with. Well, he was blowed if he was going knocking on the door of his caravan, in case they were in there together. Ronnie and the other lad who shared with him were both sat on the grass in the middle of the caravans having a drink and a sing-song. He picked up his holdall and set off for home, shouting goodbye to his dad, Maria and Uncle Marco. He’d have to wait until tomorrow now to try to corner Eloisa.

  Eighteen

  Cathy cleared a space in the wardrobe in Lucy’s room and hung Gianni’s clothes up. She put his sketchbooks and pens and the rest of his art stuff in the sideboard cupboard downstairs. She frowned as she reached into the bottom of the holdall and realised that the big sketchbook he’d used in the past to draw pictures of her wasn’t in there. She hoped he hadn’t left it lying around in the caravan to be found by his dad or Maria. She’d be mortified to think anyone else had laid eyes on it. He was in the bath and when she took the empty holdall upstairs to put back in the bottom of the wardrobe, she tapped on the bathroom door. ‘Only me,’ she called out.

  ‘Come in, only you, it’s unlocked.’

  She slipped inside and closed the door. He was relaxing in the steaming pine-scented water and smiled up at her. ‘Nice stuff this Radox.’

  ‘It is,’ she said. ‘Um, I’ve just unpacked your bag and put everything away, including your pens and stuff. But there were only two small sketchbooks in there. Where’s the big one, with, well, you know?’ She chewed her lip as he rolled his eyes.

  ‘I’m not sure, Cath. It wasn’t in my cupboard when I took everything out.’

  ‘Oh no. Where the hell is it then? You must remember what you did with it.’

  ‘Yes, I do remember perfectly well. I had it the night before I left the fair in a hurry. I put it back exactly where I always put it. But it wasn’t there when I looked today. Someone has taken it out and I doubt very much that it was Dad or Maria, which only leaves one other person.’

  Cathy stared at him, feeling her eyes widening in horror. ‘Eloisa? But why would she take it?’

  ‘No idea. I’ve looked for her everywhere today to tackle her about it, but couldn’t find her. I’ll have it out with her tomorrow.’

  ‘Well if you don’t, I will,’ she said. ‘Why would she want to look at pictures of me?’

  Gianni shook his head. ‘No idea, love and I’m so sorry. She’s obviously done it to be spiteful, or to get at me, or something, but God knows why. I always avoid her like the plague.’

  ‘She a bitch,’ Cathy spat. ‘I hate her. She’s jealous of what we have.’

  He nodded. ‘Yes, I think you’re probably right. Don’t worry, Cath. I’ll get it back one way or another.’

  Eloisa snuck out of Dougie’s caravan at two in the morning just before the other hands arrived back. In spite of him telling her where to go earlier, he’d searched her out later in the day and dragged her back. He’d said very little about the sketchbook other than that he would make sure it was returned tomorrow and not to mention it again. He’d hardly spoken to her while they’d been together tonight. No apologies or any tender words.

  They’d shared a couple of bottles of ale and a small bottle of whisky until she was too drunk to care what he did. He’d been rough and growling out commands in a voice that didn’t sound like his, but she hadn’t dared to say anything to stop him in case he hurt her. Afterwards he’d fallen asleep with his back to her and she’d taken her leave and crept home to the safety of her own bed. Earlier she’d seen Gianni going home to his family and had been told by a few people that he’d been looking everywhere for her. She knew why and just hoped it would all be sorted by the time the fair kicked off tomorrow afternoon. She could live in hope. No doubt Cathy would be around at some point tomorrow, so she’d have to face her if she was.

  Cathy smiled as Lucy hung onto Karen and Ellie’s hands, lifting her feet off the ground as she swung between them squealing with joy. Cathy had invited them to have a look around the bungalow first and then they’d all taken their time strolling along to the fairground.

  ‘It’s perfect. You are lucky, Cathy,’ Ellie had said as they stood out in the back garden
that was starting to look a bit like a jungle now. She would need to get in touch with the gardeners Granny had used next week before it got completely out of hand.

  ‘I know,’ Cathy said. ‘We’re very lucky. I can’t wait now for us to move in and make it our own. We always had really nice times here, Uncle Brian and I, as children. I want to replicate some of that for my own family. Well for Lucy anyway, and our little Roddy as I know he’ll love to come and play with her. I’m hoping we can be in for Christmas.’

  ‘You might have another little one of your own when you feel ready,’ Karen said. ‘And you’ll know where to come and give birth and get first-class care.’

  Cathy sighed. ‘To be honest, I’m a bit scared of getting pregnant again after my miscarriage. Maybe, in time. But for now I’m looking forward to being part of our new venture.’

  ‘There’s Daddy,’ Lucy shouted excitedly as they walked onto the fair site. ‘Daddeeee.’ She let go of Karen and Ellie’s hands and shot across to Gianni, who swung her up into his arms and then transferred her onto his shoulders.

  ‘Afternoon, girls,’ he greeted them, dropping a kiss onto Cathy’s lips. ‘Lovely day again. It’s getting a bit crowded already. I’ve just been back to the caravan to get changed ready for the first show. We’ve been rehearsing most of the morning. Come and say hi to Maria. She’ll be really pleased to see you.’

  ‘You go and see your family and we’ll have a wander around,’ Karen said. ‘Catch up with you later. What time does your bike show start, Gianni?’

  ‘The first performance is at two thirty,’ he replied.

  ‘We’ll meet you by the wall of death then, Cathy,’ Karen said. ‘I fancy some candyfloss. Where’s the stall?’

  ‘Over in that direction.’ Gianni pointed ahead. ‘Doreen makes the best candyfloss and toffee apples in the world. Just follow the smell.’ He waved them off as they linked arms and hurried away.