Taking them away, she answered, ‘Did you ask your brother that question?’
‘Yes.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘He said he might never walk again, but that’s not true, is it?’
The nurse knew of the family’s tragic background, and her heart went out to these two young girls. ‘I can’t discuss it with you,’ she said, ‘but I understand that Mrs Potton, the lady from the authorities, has already spoken with the doctor. I’m sure she’ll explain it all.’
‘I don’t want her to explain it!’ Betsy had a difficult mood on. ‘I need to know now!’
Sensing it might develop into a confrontation, Ellie quickly intervened. ‘Leave it for now. We’ll ask her tomorrow.’
On the drive home, Betsy was very quiet. ‘Are you all right, young lady?’ Ted Walters asked. He had watched Betsy for a time, thinking how he might regret having taken this one on. Her sullen moods were already beginning to annoy him.
Betsy surprised them all when she asked abruptly, ‘Can I have a dog?’
Drawing back his head, he laughed out loud. ‘A dog?’ The smile fading, he shook his head. ‘I don’t think so, my dear.’ Gesturing to his wife, he explained, ‘Peggy won’t have a dog in the house, you see. I’ve been trying to persuade her for years, but she won’t budge. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to think of some other pet. How about a cat? We used to have one, but she got run over, poor thing.’
Betsy made no comment, but her mind was working furiously. When she wanted something badly enough, she always got it, by one means or another.
* * *
Later that afternoon, when Mr Walters was fast asleep in the chair, Ellie went upstairs to write in her diary. This past week she had not been able to concentrate, so now she had a lot to catch up on. It helped to ease her spirits a little, to write it all down.
When, an hour later, she returned to the parlour, it was to see Betsy seated on the sofa beside Peggy Walters. They were smiling at each other in a quiet, intimate manner that made Ellie’s heart feel glad.
‘Oh, here you are, Ellie!’ Clambering off the sofa, Betsy hurried across the room to her sister, her face wreathed in smiles. ‘Peggy says we can have a dog, after all. Imagine that!’
Ellie looked at the woman with surprise. ‘That’s very kind,’ she said. ‘I thought you didn’t like dogs?’
‘Ah well,’ their foster-mother said, ‘it’s no time to be selfish, is it? It’s true to say I’ve always been a bit wary of dogs, but it will do us a power of good to have an animal about the place. And your sister can be very persuasive when she needs.’
Her kindly gaze swept back to Betsy. ‘It’s so nice having you two young girls living with us, and Betsy’s right, of course. It might be very nice indeed, having a dog. Yes, I’ve quite taken to the idea.’
And she even woke her husband to tell him so.
PART TWO
SUMMER 1935
THE JOURNEY
Chapter Eight
‘Look, Bertie, there she is. Half-past two on the dot, same as ever.’
‘Aye, she never lets me down, does our Ellie.’ He had already seen her. ‘By! She looks all grown-up these days, don’t you think, Tilly?’
‘All grown up and prettier than ever.’ Tilly Partridge had nursed her neighbour through the worst of his illness and now, a couple of years later, he was much more like his old self. ‘I’d best get inside and make sure everything’s ready.’ She wagged a finger at him. ‘And don’t you dare tell her, Bertie. I want it to be a surprise.’
It seemed to take her a little longer these days to get out of a chair, especially when it was the most beautiful day of summer, and the sun was warm and friendly on her face. Groaning and creaking a bit more than she used to, she hoisted herself up. ‘I’ll not be a minute!’ she said and, softly singing as was usual, she ambled into the house.
Bertie watched his lovely granddaughter approach. Swinging down the street, Ellie Bolton looked every inch the young lady. A slim figure but taller now, she wore a sky-blue dress whose generous hem danced round her legs as she hurried along. The pretty dark shoes she wore made a quaint tapping noise against the pavement as she quickened her steps towards him. ‘All grown-up and lovely with it,’ he murmured under his breath. And he was oh, so proud of her.
‘Grandad!’ Waving at him, she broke into a run, her long wild hair flowing behind her like ripe corn in the breeze. ‘Hello, Grandad!’ Her blue eyes laughing, she fell into his open arms. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you. You look so well!’
‘It’s good to see you an’ all, lass,’ he said, holding her at arm’s length. ‘And just look at you.’ Her dark blue eyes were shining and all the shadows gone. ‘Oh lass, you’re so grown-up these days, I can’t believe it.’ It seemed only minutes since she was a little girl playing with her dolls, and now here she was, a beautiful young woman.
‘Where’s Tilly?’ Since she had no real grandma, Ellie had adopted that dear woman as her own.
‘I’m here, lass.’ Emerging from the passage, the Widow Partridge gave her a hug. ‘You’re looking bonny,’ she said. ‘Same as always.’
Seeing Tilly wink mischievously at Grandad, Ellie sensed there was something going on. Being as both her grandad and Tilly had on their best clothes, she couldn’t help but wonder if a little romance was in the air. She suspected they might be planning an outing together – maybe a tram ride into Accrington town, or a pint down the corner pub. But then, as she recalled, they didn’t normally get all dressed up for that.
‘You look bonny an’ all,’ she told Tilly. ‘I like your new dress.’ Fitted at the waist with a lightly flared hem, it was a pretty brown thing, with white spots and big floppy collar.
Flattered, Tilly beamed from ear to ear. ‘Thank you, lass, that’s very kind of you to say,’ she cocked a thumb at Bertie, ‘especially as your man over there never thinks to pay me a compliment. I could be wearing coal-sacks or fig leaves, for all he notices.’ She laughed out loud. ‘Fig leaves, eh?’ She curled up at the thought. ‘By! That’d be a sight for sore eyes an’ no mistake.’
Try as she might, Ellie couldn’t quite conjure up such a frightening image. ‘Be draughty too, I shouldn’t wonder,’ she teased, and set Tilly off again.
Looking at Bertie, Tilly winked. ‘Hey, but, doesn’t your grandad look smart, eh? He looks a real dandy, in his white shirt and blue tie, so he does.’
‘Give over, woman.’ The old man blushed pink. ‘Anybody would think you’d never seen a man in his best togs afore.’
‘Aye well, it’s a rare occasion to see you in your best togs. What! If I so much as ask you to put on a clean shirt, you mek a right old fuss! I’ve to argue and tussle, and even then you insist on wearing the oldest one o’ the lot!’ Returning her attention to Ellie, she confided, ‘You wouldn’t believe the trouble I had, getting the old bugger into that shirt and tie.’
‘Aye, well.’ Jiggling his shoulders, Bertie told them, ‘I need to be comfortable, just like any other man.’ Holding out his arms, he complained to Ellie, who was bemused by the whole thing: ‘Look at what she’s done to me, lass. Trussed me up like a bloody turkey, she has. Though I say it meself who shouldn’t, I’m not a difficult man at the best o’ times.’
‘No, yer not!’ Tilly wholeheartedly agreed. ‘’Cause you’re a nightmare, that’s what you are, Bertie Hill… a bloomin’ nightmare on legs!’
Ellie couldn’t help but laugh at their light-hearted banter. ‘Is it a special occasion or what?’ she asked Tilly. ‘Are you planning to go out somewhere?’
‘Only so far as the parlour, lass,’ Tilly told her. ‘Me and your grandad, we’ve a little surprise for you.’ Taking her by the hand she winked at the old man. ‘Come on then, Bertie.’ To Ellie she said, ‘Close your eyes, and don’t open them till I tell you.’
Ellie did as she was told, and was led down the passage, with Tilly holding her hand and giving instructions all the way. ‘Mind the aspidistra.’ Bein
g over-cautious, she held the big broad leaves back with her free hand; that beautiful plant was her pride and joy. ‘Keep straight, lass, an’ don’t dare open your eyes till I tell you.’
Ellie felt herself being guided through the parlour door. ‘Careful, lass. No, you’re not to open your eyes just yet.’ Tilly’s voice was soft in her ear.
A moment later, Ellie was brought to a halt. ‘Stand still, lass.’ When positioned in the right direction, she was urged, ‘Go on! You can open ’em now.’
Curious, Ellie opened her eyes. Taking a split second to acclimatise, she gave a gasp of delight on seeing what Tilly had done.
‘It’s wonderful!’
Set out on Tilly’s big old table was a splendid feast. The array of goodies included little sausage parcels, sandwiches of every kind, great hunks of cheese, pork pie slices, and savoury pastries. Here was a plate of scones, heavy with raisins, and there a wicker dish filled with ragged chunks of fresh-smelling bread; a platter of little tarts oozing with home-made strawberry jam, and a trifle the likes of which she had never seen before.
Set proud in the centre was a huge cake, tied with a ribbon and set on a fancy white doily. Fit for royalty, the table was set with Tilly’s best cutlery and starched white napkins standing up from the plates like miniature pyramids.
‘My old granny taught me how to do that,’ Tilly imparted proudly. ‘She were in service at Yardle Manor, right from when she were a lass up to when she got wed at the age of thirty-nine. After that her husband was too proud to let her work. Anyway, soon after they were wed, she had my mammy, and that were that.’ She leaned closer. ‘Don’t let it be said, but there was talk that the babby turned up a bit quick. But then, some folk will allus find summat to gossip about in my experience.’
Ellie agreed. ‘She sounds like a fine woman to me.’ Observing the table and the manner in which it was laid out, she imagined Tilly’s grandma to be of creative mind, with a flair for entertaining. ‘And you say she was taught how to do all this?’
‘Aye, lass. An’ she taught me the very same. She were a good teacher too, ’cause I’ve never forgotten how to lay a table and how to place everything just right. She allus had white napkins at special times – starched gently because otherwise they’d be too stiff to wipe your mouth on. Like I said, special times such as christenings and birthday parties. That were the only time her best china came out of mothballs.’
Gesturing to the beautiful white china and big old cutlery adorning her own table, she confided, ‘This was hers – the cutlery, plates and dishes. Every last piece was my granny’s, even the chenille tablecloth.’
Ellie thought the tablecloth most striking. Crimson in colour, with long silk tassels falling from plump, round bobbles, it was a work of art. Now, in the warmth emanating from the fire, the tassels danced and leaped, almost as if they were alive.
‘She allus said it would all come to me one day, and there it is, shining and cherished for such an occasion as this.’
Ellie was amazed. Fancy the old lady bringing all this round to her grandad’s house! She could hardly contain her excitement. ‘So what’s the occasion today? It’s you and Grandad, isn’t it?’ She had already suspected it, right from the minute she’d seen what trouble they’d taken to look especially nice. ‘That’s why you’re all dressed up. He’s asked you to marry him, and you’ve said yes. I’m right, aren’t I?’ To see them married would be wonderful, she thought. The couple were made for each other.
Tilly was wide-eyed with astonishment. ‘What! By! That’ll be the day, when your grandad asks me to wed him, child. He’s happy enough to be waited on and pampered, but talk about marriage, and he’ll skulk in the corner for a week and more.’ Tilly’s hearty laugh echoed round the room. ‘Did you hear that, Bertie?’ she asked. ‘The lass thinks thee and me are to be wed. Fat chance, eh?’
When Bertie made no comment and instead shuffled guiltily to the armchair, she teased, ‘It’s all right, you don’t have to wed me, not today nor any other day neither… unless you want to.’ She winked at Ellie, while telling Grandad, ‘Besides, I might find meself another handsome fella – and then where would you be, eh?’
Ellie did love these two, and she had to smile when Bertie replied, ‘Will you give over, you daft bugger! I’ve said I’ll wed you, only I’m not sure if I’m ready yet.’
‘It’s all right. I’m only teasing, so don’t get all riled up.’ Laying a hand on Ellie’s arm, Tilly gestured to the table. ‘It’s your birthday treat, lass,’ she declared proudly. ‘Yours and Betsy’s.’
Ellie could hardly believe it. ‘But our birthday’s not until Saturday!’
Bertie chipped in, ‘We know that, but we thought being as you’re going to Blackpool with the family, we could have our own little treat today… you and Betsy, me and Tilly. That’s all right, ain’t it, lass?’ He glanced at Tilly, who was already beginning to wonder if she’d done the right thing after all.
Ellie soon put their minds at rest. Flinging her arms round Tilly she told her, ‘It’s the best present I’ve ever had. Thank you! I love it, and so will Betsy!’
Crossing the room, she knelt at her grandad’s feet, her arms folded on his bony knees while she told him the same thing – and something else, which touched his heart and made him proud.
‘It’s true me and Betsy are being taken to Blackpool for a birthday outing by Ted and Peggy,’ she murmured, ‘but kind as they are, they’re not our family, Grandad, and they never will be. You, Larry, Betsy and Tilly. You’re our family.’
‘Eh, God bless yer, lass.’ He put his hand over hers. ‘But I’m too old and worn to look after yer. You an’ Betsy need somebody as can tek care of you the way you deserve.’ His brows furrowed in a frown. ‘I thought you were content enough with Mr and Mrs Walters. Are you telling me different, lass? Are you and Betsy unhappy? Is that what you’re trying to say?’
Ellie put his mind at rest. ‘No, Grandad, I’m not saying that. All I’m saying is that nobody can ever take the place of my family… however much they might want to, or however hard they might try. And that’s no fault of theirs. It’s just a plain and simple truth.’
She looked into his old eyes and there she saw her mam and dad, and all that had gone before. And when his eyes began to mist over, she kissed him fondly and held on to him, as though she would never let him go.
Tilly watched the two of them and was choked with emotion. Bertie was right; like her, he was too old and worn to take care of the girls, though they would if they had to.
After a moment, she intervened in her own inimitable fashion. ‘Come on, you two, stop all that canoodling. Tea’s almost ready.’ She had the cups and saucers to put out, and thirty candles to set round the cake; fifteen red one side and fifteen blue the other, so the twins could each blow out their own.
She also had another three places to set, though she would have to be careful, because Ellie might notice. It was another surprise, and one which she would love more than any other. Careful not to draw attention to herself, she quickly put out the extra places. ‘Another minute or so, and we’ll be ready to start.’
‘Can’t you see we’re talking important stuff here?’ Bertie chided; he had here two of the dearest people in the world. ‘Come an’ sit yer arse down, woman. There’s time enough yet.’
Scoffing, Tilly told him she didn’t have no time to ‘sit her arse down’. Instead she went about her business, and left them to talk between themselves.
‘She’s a good woman, is Tilly.’ Bertie followed her with his eyes into the scullery. ‘She doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve every intention to wed her… when the time’s right.’
‘Better make it soon, Grandad,’ Ellie warned with a smile. ‘You heard what she said about some other handsome fella whisking her away.’
‘Ah! She’ll not leave me,’ he answered softly. ‘Same as I’d not leave her. We’re a pair, like bread and butter, me and Tilly.’ Absent-mindedly stroking Ellie’s long hair, he smiled
when it bounced back, wild and undisciplined. ‘I’ll never understand why you were given hair thick and wayward as this,’ he ran a strand of curls through his fingers, ‘while Betsy’s hair is fine, and straight as a tramline.’
Bringing in some teacups, Tilly placed them on the mat beside the birthday cake. ‘That’s a funny thing to say,’ she commented. ‘Whatever d’you mean by it?’
‘What I mean is this. The hair should suit the person, and I reckon Betsy and Ellie have it the wrong way round, ’cause Ellie has a straight, fine nature, while Betsy is…’ He sighed. ‘Betsy!’
Troubled by his remark, Ellie leaped to her sister’s defence. ‘Betsy’s all right, Grandad, you mustn’t worry about her. She’s just a bit… defiant, that’s all. She’ll come good with time, I know she will.’ Or rather, she hoped she would!
‘Aye, happen she’ll be all right in time, though I swear I can’t think of who she might take after, with her funny moods and secret ways.’ His mind went back to his own youth, and the woman he had adored, and then wed, Betsy and Ellie’s grandmother, Ada. She had been a bit of a wayward creature, and he had suffered because of it when she ran off and left him in the lurch with their infant daughter. Yet she had not been deliberately spiteful, nor cruel; not in the way Betsy was.
Thrusting Ada and the past from his mind, he glanced towards the door. ‘Where is young Betsy anyroad?’
‘She’ll not be long, I’m sure.’ Ellie offered to go out in the street to see if she could spot her. ‘She was late getting ready. She told me to go ahead and she’d catch the next tram. I’ll just go and see if she’s coming down the street.’
As Ellie went down the passage and out the door, Bertie spoke his mind to Tilly. ‘Nobody knows how much I love them two lasses.’ He glanced at the door. ‘I hope she’s right about our Betsy.’
‘Oh, I’m sure she is,’ Tilly answered fondly. But he wasn’t convinced and, in her deepest heart, neither was Tilly. On the few occasions Betsy had been here, she had never once shown any real affection for her grandad, and it was obvious she had no liking for Tilly herself. More worryingly, there were moments when she was positively cruel to Ellie, though the latter never once buckled under her nastiness. Ellie might be a little thing, but she could be firm when she had a mind to.
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