Sunlight on the Mersey

by Lyn Andrews

  ‘Then perhaps both of you could discuss with Mrs Mathews the menu for the wedding breakfast,’ David suggested.

  Olivia put her teacup down on the tray and got to her feet. This was something she had no intention of doing. ‘I’m sure Rose is quite capable of doing that, David, after all there will only be a handful of people to accommodate. Now, if you will excuse me … I’ll send Nora to collect the tray.’

  Rose bit her lip as the door closed behind her future sister-in-law. ‘She’ll never accept me, David.’

  David smiled at her. He was sorry Olivia had been so cold and abrupt but he could only hope that in time she would warm to Rose. ‘At least she agreed to continue to supervise the household. Now, come here, I’ve missed you so much and we’ve not had more than a few minutes alone yet.’ He held out his arms.

  Rose hugged him tightly. There would be difficult days ahead but she was determined that she wasn’t going to let Olivia mar her happiness.

  The following afternoon, as she made her way to Mr Dai’s drawing room, Mona Mathews thought that this was going to be the most unusual interview she’d ever experienced in all her years as a housekeeper. So far only Mr Lewis and Nora had seen Rose since her return and Nora had remarked grudgingly that Rose had looked very smart and seemed to be coping quite well; she was a bit quiet but wasn’t that to be expected? She was aware that Rose’s changed status had been discussed at great length by Nora, Nancy and Beryl and she’d overheard young Beryl stating that she thought it was just so romantic, which was just the sort of thing she’d expect from an empty-headed fifteen-year-old farmer’s daughter. She, personally, thought young Rose Mundy was biting off more than she could chew and was going to find life far from easy, but she’d had a long discussion with Mr Lewis and they’d agreed that for Mr Dai’s sake they would assist Rose all they could.

  Rose was alone when she entered and she had to admit that the girl seemed to have gained in confidence and poise and her softly tailored green and navy checked dress was both smart and becoming.

  ‘I believe there are some things you wish to discuss with me, miss?’ she said as Rose indicated that she should sit down.

  ‘Yes, Mrs Mathews. Miss Olivia will continue to oversee the household and I am very grateful that’s she’s agreed to do so. I was hoping you would advise me on the wedding breakfast. There will be ten people in all, I hope, including the Reverend Williams and his wife. I’d like something that will suit … everyone. As you are aware, I know very little about such things.’ Rose was trying to to sound calm but her embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her.

  Greatly relieved that Olivia would continue to be in charge, Mona Mathews relaxed a little. ‘If I could suggest a cold collation, something more elaborate than that provided at Christmas. It would be far less formal than a lunch as there will be a … mixture … of guests.’

  Rose agreed, thinking it would be less work for the servants too. David had suggested that they all be given some time off to celebrate as well. ‘There will, Mr Roberts is giving me away and Miss Roberts and my sister Iris will be my only guests. David is hoping Mr Ernest will be his best man.’

  Mrs Mathews nodded. So, no other members of her family were to attend and none of the Rhys-Pritchard relations would be invited. It was going to be very quiet so a buffet would indeed be the best option. There would be no point in subjecting everyone to the formality of a sit-down lunch. ‘Will your sister be staying with Miss Roberts?’ she enquired, wondering if the girl was to be accommodated here during her short stay.

  ‘Yes, Iris will only stay a few days. I … I was also wondering if it is the custom for … for me to present the staff with a … token of some kind, in appreciation? Or would that be the … wrong thing to do?’

  She really was trying, the housekeeper thought, but then she’d always been a considerate girl. She smiled. ‘I’m sure Mr David will attend to that but it’s kind of you to mention it. I’ll discuss with Cook which dishes she thinks will be suitable and you have no need to worry, everything will be prepared, presented and served satisfactorily. Mr David will no doubt discuss with Lewis what wines are to be served.’

  Rose smiled. ‘Thank you, Mrs Mathews. I really do appreciate your advice.’

  Mona nodded. ‘You only have to ask, you know that. Now, would you like some tea?’

  ‘Yes, please, Mrs Mathews,’ Rose replied, thinking a cup of tea would be very welcome. The interview had been a relief but also a bit of an ordeal.

  It was Nora who brought the tray but as she placed it down on the table Rose noticed that she didn’t look at her, let alone smile, and her heart sank.

  ‘Shall I pour, miss?’ Nora asked in a tight voice.

  ‘No, thank you, Nora, I can manage,’ Rose replied, deciding to take the bull by the horns. ‘Nora, I … I know this must have come as a great shock to you … to everyone, but we didn’t plan it. David … David and I … we just fell in love.’ How hard it was to choose the right words!

  Nora remained silent, her eyes downcast, her back rigid.

  Rose soldiered on. ‘I know things have … changed and we can no longer be as friendly as we were, but I … I hope we can still get on well together.’

  Nora’s reserve broke. ‘We’ll have to, miss, we haven’t much choice, not if we want to keep our jobs!’ Both Lewis and Mrs Mathews had made it quite clear to herself and Nancy and Beryl that if Rose were not treated with the deference and civility her position now demanded then they would have to find alternative employment, and they were all acutely aware that that would prove very difficult, especially as they would have to explain the reason why to prospective employers. Indeed it was very likely they would not be provided with a reference. Beryl hadn’t been perturbed, Nora thought bitterly, but then she viewed the whole thing as romantic. Both she and Nancy felt angry and resentful and, if the truth be known, a little jealous. Rose had escaped their world of drudgery and servitude and it was extremely galling to now have to wait upon their former friend and companion.

  ‘Nora, I’m sorry … I didn’t know … I never wanted …’ Rose felt at a loss. She’d never intended that they should be threatened in this way.

  ‘I don’t suppose you did. I don’t suppose you even thought of Nancy and me – your friends – at all … miss!’

  Although Rose was hurt by her words she didn’t show it; she did, however, nod slowly. She hadn’t really thought how Nancy, Nora and Beryl would take the news, she’d just thought collectively of the ‘staff’s’ reaction.

  ‘Well, I have to say that Nancy and me don’t approve at all. The likes of us don’t marry the likes of them!’ Nora blurted out.

  Rose was taken aback by this. ‘And Beryl?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘Beryl is a little fool! But you’ll not see much of her anyway from now on so what she thinks doesn’t matter. Things have changed, miss. There’s no going back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have my duties to attend to.’

  Rose nodded. It was obvious that it would take a long time to build up the degree of respect and amiability between herself and the two girls that had formerly existed. Maybe she never could. That saddened her but she comforted herself with the thought that she would keep on trying. She didn’t regret her decision to marry David; his love was worth every sacrifice she would have to make.

  When Nora had gone Rose turned and walked to the French doors that opened on to the terrace. The gardens and grounds stretched away before her, green and tranquil beneath the pale blue sky. She smiled. This would be the view she would see every day at David’s side, and that made her feel happier. She would be quite content with the rooms he now occupied and the house was big enough that she need not encounter Olivia very often during the day. Thankfully, too, it appeared that most of the staff were prepared to accept and advise her, even though for now she could only expect bare civility from Nora and Nancy. She now began to look forward to the day she would be married with more pleasure.

  Chapter Thirty-One

&
nbsp; WHEN IRIS ARRIVED IN Tregarron, the Baltic blue coat and hat she’d worn for her own wedding packed carefully in her case along with her best dress, Rose was eagerly waiting for her.

  ‘I have so much to tell you and so much to show you, Iris!’ she exclaimed as she hugged her sister and escorted her into the cottage and up to the bedroom they would share.

  ‘It’s very … quaint, but nice, Rose,’ Iris remarked, glancing around the pretty, comfortable little room. Rose’s pale blue coat and dress were hanging behind the door, ready for tomorrow.

  ‘We’ll have some tea and then we’ll take the last of my things to Plas Idris and you can meet David and see the house. Gwen’s nephew Aleric is coming with the car. David’s taken him on to drive me whenever I want to go anywhere – and to drive David, of course. It’s not fitting for me to walk, cycle or use public transport now – such as it is – and I can’t drive. Aleric is delighted with his new job.’

  Iris digested all this in silence, gazing out of the window at the fields beyond the garden. ‘Wait until I tell our Charlie that you have a chauffeur now, he’ll be green with envy!’ she said, grinning impishly. ‘Well, this is certainly all very different to Liverpool but I probably won’t be able to sleep – it’s so quiet!’

  ‘You’d get used to it, Iris, if you were staying longer,’ Rose said a little wistfully.

  ‘You know I’d stay longer if I could, Rose. Besides, you don’t want to spend the first few weeks of married life with your sister trailing along as well. Now, let me get my coat and dress on a hanger or they will be creased to death. I could murder a cup of tea and you can tell me all the arrangements for tomorrow.’

  Rose sat on the bed and watched Iris hang up her outfit. Tomorrow would be the happiest day of her life and she was so glad that Iris would share it with her, but she wished she could have had the rest of her family around her too.

  When young Aleric arrived, attired in a dark suit, white shirt, new tie and with a cap, both girls were ready and he helped them with Rose’s luggage. As they drove slowly to Plas Idris Rose happily pointed out the village landmarks, including the little chapel where she was to be married next morning.

  ‘You mean all this land belongs to him?’ Iris whispered, glancing from side to side as they drove up the long curving drive. She’d only ever seen this much open space in the parks in Liverpool and of course the fields on the journey to Denbigh.

  Rose nodded. ‘And most of the surrounding farms too.’

  Iris’s eyes widened as she caught her first glimpse of the house and she completely forgot the presence of Gwen’s nephew in the driving seat. ‘Rose, it’s the size of St George’s Hall!’ she gasped, thinking of the enormous, graceful, Grecian-style building in Lime Street.

  ‘That’s exaggerating a bit, Iris. It’s not quite that big.’

  ‘It’s just as grand though. How do you find your way around?’

  ‘I suppose I’ve become used to it now. I did think it was very large indeed when I first came here. David and I will use just a few rooms on the ground floor though, he can’t manage stairs. They’re lovely; the drawing room opens out on to the terrace,’ Rose informed her as the car came to a halt.

  ‘That paved bit with the big stone vases?’ Iris asked but there was no time for further conversation as Lewis appeared followed by Henry, who helped Aleric with Rose’s belongings while Lewis ushered them inside.

  Iris was quite overawed by both the house and the fact that her sister now appeared not to have to lift a finger; there was someone on hand to do everything.

  She liked David Rhys-Pritchard instantly and it was obvious from the way he looked at Rose that he adored her. She sipped her tea, very mindful of the opulent furniture, fabrics and ornaments, the delicate china and silver teapot, while Rose and her future brother-in-law discussed the final arrangements for tomorrow. Thankfully his sister hadn’t put in an appearance, Iris thought when it was time to leave.

  ‘Thank you so much for making the journey, Iris, we both do appreciate it, especially as circumstances are difficult. It’s been a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again in the morning,’ David said, shaking her hand and smiling up at her.

  He was very pleasant, she thought, and polite, but she still didn’t envy Rose. She hadn’t felt at all comfortable although she knew he had tried to put her at her ease. She’d felt more at home in Gwen’s little cottage.

  They both dressed with care the following morning and as Iris placed the pale blue hat over her sister’s dark, shiny hair she gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  ‘You look gorgeous, Rose. Every inch a lady and he’ll be delighted with you. Mam would be so proud!’

  ‘Oh, Iris, how I wish she could have been here.’

  ‘I know, but it wasn’t to be. She’ll be thinking of you, you know that. Now, have I got this hat on at the right angle?’

  Rose adjusted the brim slightly. ‘I didn’t think I’d be nervous, but I am.’

  Iris smiled. ‘I was nervous too when I got married, I suppose it’s only natural, but you’ll forget once you get to the church. Now, we’d better go down, collect our flowers and wait for Aleric,’ she urged, glancing at the little clock on the bedside table.

  Gwen was ready and peering intently out of the window for her nephew’s arrival. She looked very smart, Iris thought, in her best navy costume with a pale pink blouse and a navy and pink hat.

  ‘Oh, don’t you look a picture, cariad! Like a fashion model in a magazine, you do!’ Gwen enthused upon seeing Rose. ‘See, I’m getting all emotional already,’ she added, dabbing at her eyes and wishing that Kate could have been here to see her daughter. She was certain that neither Miss Olivia Rhys-Pritchard nor Mrs Ernest Williams would look as beautiful or elegant. ‘Now, I’ll fetch the flowers. Aleric will be here any minute now – he was picking Bob up first.’

  It was a very short journey to the little chapel so it had been agreed that Rose’s small party would travel together. The few people they passed waved. David was waiting with Ernest at his side; his two sisters were standing in the pew behind as was Bethan Williams. When Rose saw David all her nervousness vanished. She walked the few steps towards him on Bob’s arm feeling happier than she’d ever done before and was surprised and touched when Elinore smiled pleasantly at her.

  Rose made her vows in a quiet, steady voice but when the Reverend Williams pronounced them man and wife her eyes filled with tears of joy as she bent and kissed David on the cheek. Nothing mattered now, not even Olivia’s barely concealed disapproval. She loved David and she loved Plas Idris and the years ahead stretched ahead like a beautiful dream come true.

  Gwen had caught Iris’s hand and squeezed it as Rose and David made their vows.

  ‘Make sure you tell your mam every single detail,’ she whispered, wiping away a tear.

  With the brief ceremony over, the happy couple were congratulated by everyone, although Olivia’s tone was rather clipped, Iris noted, and the wedding party were driven back to Plas Idris by Ernest Williams and Aleric in the respective cars. Iris was astonished to see the entire staff assembled in front of the house, waiting to greet and congratulate their master and new mistress but she didn’t comment, feeling a little sad. It was a very real reminder that Rose had now taken her first steps along a very different path to the one she would travel.

  The buffet had been laid out in the dining room and Iris thought everything looked delicious and very elaborate. Lewis filled everyone’s glass with champagne while Henry, assisted by a very subdued Nancy and Nora, were on hand to serve the food. The slightly tense atmosphere was dispelled by Ernest, who cleared his throat and proposed a toast to the bride and groom. After that, Elinore took her sister’s arm and edged her towards the fireplace and engaged her in conversation to try to dispel some of Olivia’s tenseness. Ernest, David, Bob and Owen began to discuss the merits of tractors over horsepower and Gwen and Bethan wondered if they could possibly prise the recipe for the cold game pie from Coo
k, via Mona Mathews of course.

  Iris guided Rose towards the long sash windows as they sipped their champagne. ‘I have to say I’ve never tasted wine like this, Rose, and things are going very well. Even Olivia is looking less frosty-faced than she was in the church.’

  ‘I’m very grateful to both Ernest and Elinore, at least they are trying to put everyone at ease,’ Rose confided.

  Iris nodded. ‘Well, the men are all getting on well but I suppose they have known each other for years even if they don’t meet socially very often.’

  ‘They’ve got farming in common,’ Rose said, catching a glance from her new husband and smiling.

  Iris lowered her voice. ‘Will you be able to manage … later? I mean … at bedtime?’

  Rose blushed but nodded. ‘It’s not as if David is paralysed. Either Lewis or Henry usually help him with his clothes but I’m his wife now …’ Rose was feeling a little embarrassed but was determined not to show it. ‘We’ll be … fine,’ she added firmly as Lewis refilled their glasses.

  When the guests had departed later that afternoon, Olivia informed them that Elinore and Ernest had invited her to spend a few days with them and that she would drive over when she had packed a small case. She had left instructions with Mrs Mathews, who was perfectly capable of seeing that things ran like clockwork during her brief absence.

  Rose was very relieved to realise that she and David would have a couple of days alone, apart from the staff, of course, but their presence was something she was going to have to get used to.

  They had a light supper after which they retired to the drawing room that overlooked the terrace and as daylight faded Rose sat on the floor, her head resting in David’s lap.