Henrietta beamed. ‘Edwin, that’s a splendid idea. Why didn’t I think of that?’
‘Wouldn’t you worry about the estate in your absence?’
‘Not particularly. Since we decided to employ a farm manager, the day-to-day running is much less onerous on me. Besides, Robert and Alice would always be here.’
‘That’s settled, then. We’ll start advertising for a doctor to join us.’
‘Well, that was easier than we expected,’ Pips said softly to her mother as they retired for the night, walking up the staircase side by side. ‘You didn’t even need me.’
‘Just so long as he sticks to it,’ Henrietta said.
There were several applications for the vacancy.
‘Father, I like the look of this one,’ Robert said, handing the candidate’s letter across Edwin’s desk. ‘Could we interview him?’
‘Of course, and I’ve picked out two more. They’re rather young, but that might not be a bad thing.’
‘The one I favour – although I do agree with your choices too – was in the war.’
‘As a medical officer?’
Robert nodded. ‘A very young one. Rather like me, he went out there as soon as he qualified. Of course, I need to meet him, but I think we might get on very well together. With our shared experiences out there, we’d understand each other.’
‘As long as you don’t think it would be too much of a reminder.’
Robert grimaced. ‘Sadly, Father, the memories are always there. And it might help us both to have someone else who knows what it was like. I can’t always burden Alice – or even Pips.’
‘Was he wounded?’
‘In the leg, but he says it has healed well and, also, he can drive, which is a bonus.’
Edwin scanned the letter. ‘I see he’s married, but no children yet.’
‘So are the other two you picked out – though one of them has a family. I wondered if Mother could find a little cottage for whoever we appoint.’
‘I’m sure that won’t be too difficult. Right, then, we’ll write to these three and invite them for interview.’
The interviews took place a week later and both Edwin and Robert saw all three in turn. The applicant Robert had picked out, Conrad Everton, was a year older than he was and had served with the Red Cross in the war. He was tall and thin, with fair hair and hazel eyes. He limped slightly from an injury from a sniper’s bullet, sustained whilst helping to bring in wounded from the trenches.
‘I shouldn’t have been there, of course, but I’m sure you know how it was.’
‘I do indeed,’ Robert said with feeling. ‘I lost my arm for the very same reason.’
‘Do you regret it?’ Conrad asked, bluntly.
Robert grinned. He liked the other man’s straightforward attitude. He would fit in well with the villagers, people who ‘called a spade a spade’.
‘Being injured, yes, but not what I was doing at the time.’
Conrad nodded.
‘Have you any questions?’
‘Only one. How do you wish it to work?’ He nodded towards Robert’s empty sleeve without a hint of embarrassment.
‘You would have to undertake any physical examinations that I can’t manage, but I’m a very good listener to people’s problems and I can still do certain things, like sound people’s chests. And I have learned to write with my left hand. My wife, Alice, has learned to make up prescriptions under my guidance, although you could help out there too, if you would.’
‘Understood. My wife was a Red Cross nurse at the front. That’s how we met. Since then she’s trained as a midwife so she would always be willing to lend a hand if needed, I know. And home visits?’
‘We can share those. We have a young man who’s worked for us for many years – Jake. He drives me around and will continue to do so. You have a small car, I understand from your letter, so you wouldn’t need a driver. Is that correct?’ When Conrad nodded, Robert asked, ‘Anything else?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘As you know, we’ve interviewed three people today. We’ve both seen each of you, so now my father and I need to confer. I see from your letter that you are on the telephone, so we will let you know our decision as soon as possible.’
Robert stood up and held out his left hand. ‘Thank you for coming.’ He was on the verge of saying, ‘I’ll see you soon’, but knew he mustn’t give the young man any false hopes. Perhaps his father would not agree, but Robert hoped that he, too, would prefer Conrad out of the three men.
‘Well, for me,’ Edwin said, as they sat together after the three candidates had left, ‘it’s the young man you picked out. Conrad Everton.’
‘I’m delighted, Father, because he’s the one I really want. The other two were fine candidates, but there was just something about Conrad. He has a dry sense of humour and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. I liked that. And as he has been in the war, I think the villagers will take to him and he will understand them too.’
‘I agree. We’ll give him time to reach home and I’ll telephone him this evening. Now, let’s go and give your mother the good news.’
‘And I’ll write to Pips tonight and tell her too – provided he accepts our offer.’
‘Oh, I asked each one of them,’ Edwin said, ‘whether, if they were offered the post, they would accept. They all said “yes”.’
Forty-Two
‘Now, there’s someone I really want you to meet,’ Edwin said as he drove Conrad around the village on his second morning. He had taken up the post a month after the interview and he and his wife, Florence, had moved into a cottage on the estate. Florence was an energetic young woman, with dark hair, brown eyes and a ready smile.
‘Mrs Dawson senior,’ Edwin explained, ‘always known as “Ma”, has never been quite sure of her age, but she must be in her mid-nineties by now. She was born in the days when a year or so was added onto a child’s age when they were ten or eleven, so that they reached working age all the quicker.’
‘Really? I hadn’t heard that before.’
‘Oh yes, it was quite common.’
‘But wasn’t their birth registered?’
‘Not officially until 1837, and many slipped through the net even after it became law. And unless a child was sickly, they weren’t necessarily baptized until they were a few months old. If at all.’ Edwin halted the car not far from the Dawsons’ cottage. ‘That’s her, sitting in the sunshine with her clay pipe. Winter and summer she sits out here for a short time each day – longer, when the weather’s fine. Before we meet her, I must tell you a little about the family . . .’
Edwin went on to explain the Dawsons’ family history to the newcomer, ending, ‘William – like you – fell in love with a nurse out there, a Belgian girl, and made his home in her country. Besides helping Brigitta’s grandfather to run their farm, he now tends the local war cemeteries.’
‘And he’s never come back. Not even to visit?’
‘His father disowned him at the time and has never relented. But it’s Ma and Norah I feel for. They’ve as good as lost William too. I just wanted you to know the family’s background before you meet them.’
‘Thank you. It is helpful.’ He smiled. ‘Even if it’s only so that I don’t put my size tens right in it.’
They climbed out of the car and walked the short distance to where Ma was seated.
‘Nah then, Dr Maitland. Come to show us the young man who’s tekin’ over from you, have you?’ She nodded towards Conrad. ‘We’ve heard all about you, young feller. The village grapevine, in the shape of Bess Cooper, has been busy.’ She gave a toothless grin and cackled with laughter at her own joke.
Edwin sat down beside the old lady. ‘Will he do, then, Ma?’
She squinted up at the newcomer. ‘From what I hear, doctor, he’ll do very nicely. Be a good companion to Master Robert, I reckon. Pleased to meet you, young feller.’
Conrad held out his hand. ‘And I’m very pleased to meet y
ou, Mrs Dawson.’
‘Nah then, none of that “Mrs Dawson”. I ain’t been called that in years. It’s “Ma” to everyone. Mrs Dawson’s me daughter-in-law, Norah. Ah, now here she comes with a tray of tea.’ She laughed again. ‘Funny how the teapot allus comes out the minute we have visitors. Now, sit down and tell me all about yourself, at least the bits that Bess Cooper couldn’t find out.’
The four of them sat in the sunshine for almost an hour with Ma reminiscing and filling Conrad in on all the locals.
‘Well,’ Edwin said as they climbed back into his car and headed for home, ‘you’ve made a conquest there. She’s taken to you and the rest of them will follow her lead like lambs.’
‘She’s a wonderful old lady. I hope she’ll be around for a few more years yet.’
‘So, Philippa, I presume you’re going to vote in the forthcoming election?’ Granny Fortesque’s mouth twitched and her eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘The one they’re calling the “Flapper Election”, because of all the women who will be voting for the first time.’
‘I most certainly will be.’
‘And for whom will you be voting?’
‘Mama,’ Henry interrupted from the end of the dinner table, ‘you really mustn’t ask anyone their politics.’
‘Of course I must. I need to know that Philippa is going to cast her precious vote – which has been hard won by some very gallant women, I might add – sensibly. If she is not, then I shall seek to instruct her.’
Sitting beside Pips, Milly giggled. ‘Darling Granny, no one instructs Pips to do anything. They couldn’t even stop her going into no-man’s-land in the war, so I’m afraid she’s not going to take a scrap of notice of you.’
‘That was different.’ The older woman bridled. ‘She was saving lives. This is hardly in the same category.’
‘Actually, Granny Fortesque, I’m not even sure yet,’ Pips said. ‘I’m reading the manifestos of all the three main parties and then I shall decide. But vote I certainly will. You can be sure of that.’
‘Mm.’ Granny Fortesque tried to purse her lips and appear disapproving, but she failed miserably and everyone around the table ended up laughing together.
Pips did not tell anyone what she voted, not George, not even Robert, though they both tried to prise it out of her, but she scoured the newspapers after the election to analyse the results for herself.
‘It’s what they call a hung parliament,’ Robert explained.
‘Mm, I know,’ she murmured, only half listening.
‘Ramsay MacDonald’s Labour Party has won the most seats, but he has not got an overall majority. David Lloyd George’s Liberal Party will hold the balance of power.’
‘Oh well, I don’t doubt, they’ll soon call another one,’ Pips said, folding the newspaper. ‘Now, where’s Daisy? I want to go riding.’
‘Milly, will you come to Lincolnshire with me next weekend? I have something very important to ask Alice and I may need your help.’
Milly’s eyes widened. ‘Of course. Am I allowed to know what you’re going to ask her?’
Pips smiled. ‘You’ll see.’
‘Is George coming?’
Pips shook her head. ‘I don’t want him there this time.’
Milly’s mouth formed a round ‘O’. ‘Then I think I can guess what this is about.’
They travelled north together in Pips’s car, Milly tying a silk scarf firmly around her hat.
‘It’s wonderful to see you all again,’ she said as she hugged each member of the family in turn.
‘It’s lovely to see you too, my dear,’ Henrietta said. ‘You don’t visit us nearly often enough. I expect the country is too boring for you.’
‘Oh no, please don’t say that. I love it here, but this time we’re on a special mission.’
‘And what might that be?’
Milly’s eyes were full of mischief. ‘I’m not supposed to know, but I think I’ve guessed.’ She leaned closer to Henrietta and whispered, ‘I think it’s to do with wedding outfits – and Alice.’
‘Ah! Then I think I can guess too. I’ll give my husband the tip that we ladies might need a little longer in the parlour on our own after dinner. Would that be a good idea, do you think?’
‘Perfect, Mrs Maitland. I’ve brought some pictures to give Pips some ideas, though maybe she won’t need them. Maybe she has her own ideas.’
Henrietta laughed. ‘Pips has never been very interested in clothes. She’d sooner be riding – or driving.’ She patted Milly’s hand. ‘But with your help, we’ll find something just right for her.’
When the four women were sitting together over their coffee, Pips turned to her sister-in-law.
‘Alice, please would you make my wedding dress for me?’
Alice gaped at her. ‘Oh Pips, I’d love to, but I – I couldn’t. I wouldn’t be good enough.’
‘Nonsense, Alice,’ Henrietta said. ‘You make most of Daisy’s clothes and your own and some of mine, so let’s have no false modesty. Besides, Rosemary Fieldsend has a wonderful dressmaker in Lincoln. I’m sure you could always go to her for advice, but I don’t think you’ll need it.’
‘Oh, but Mother, a wedding dress!’
‘I’ve brought some pictures to show you all,’ Milly said. ‘At least have a look. I thought this one would suit Pips perfectly.’ She giggled and glanced at Henrietta. ‘And you’ll be pleased to see, Mrs Maitland, that the hems have dropped again to a discreet ankle length.’
‘Thank goodness for that. And the dropped waists have gone too, I see. I never did like them. It made women look such a peculiar shape. What do you think, Pips?’
Pips studied the pictures. ‘I like that one,’ she said, pointing. ‘Do you think you could have a go at that, Alice?’
Alice bit her lip. ‘Well, just so long as, if it doesn’t work out and you’re not happy with it, you’ll tell me.’
‘I promise,’ Pips said.
Now Alice beamed. ‘Then I’d love to make your wedding dress, Pips.’
‘You’ll need some white satin shoes,’ Milly said. ‘And a veil. Oh darling, just look at this picture of a pearl headdress.’ It was like a close-fitting cloche hat decorated with pearls, but with a waist-length veil. ‘You’d look absolutely beautiful in it.’
‘And would you be able to make a bridesmaid’s dress for Daisy?’
‘Actually,’ Alice said shyly, ‘I had already wondered about offering to do that, but I hadn’t even thought about making your dress.’
‘What’s her favourite colour?’
‘Rose-pink.’
‘Perfect,’ Milly said, and she clapped her hands.
‘This is going to be a catastrophe,’ Robert said, prodding the newspaper.
Pips was at home for a fitting of her wedding dress, which was always done in the utmost secrecy. No one else, not even Henrietta, had seen the results, for Alice had insisted working in a room away from the main part of the house and she always kept the door locked. ‘No one else but Pips and me must see it before her big day,’ she had decreed firmly.
But, this morning, they were all sitting in the Brown Parlour having morning coffee and biscuits. Conrad was always included now. It was a brief oasis in the day for the two doctors to relax and yet to compare notes if they needed to do so. And even to involve Edwin, if they felt they needed his advice. Pips had taken to Conrad on sight and had liked his wife just as much.
‘She’ll be such an asset,’ she’d said. ‘A friend for Alice and a midwife for the area. No more of these unqualified village women with their unhygienic ways, thinking they’re indispensable.’
As Pips had predicted, Alice and Florence soon became firm friends. They shared confidences that Alice did not feel able to share with her mother-in-law or indeed with her own family. And Florence, new to the area though she was, knew she had to keep her counsel amongst her husband’s patients. Gossip was not in Florence’s nature, but she valued Alice’s quiet friendship.
‘What
is?’ Pips asked her brother as he rattled the newspaper, turning the pages impatiently.
‘This Wall Street crash in America.’
Pips frowned, set her cup down on the low table, and went to stand behind her brother’s shoulder to read the articles.
‘There was a bit of a panic last Thursday when some companies revealed disappointing results, following which, investors decided to sell their shares. At that stage, financiers tried to prop up prices by buying, but by last Tuesday, the twenty-ninth of October – Black Tuesday, they’re calling it – share prices fell by forty billion dollars in one day.’
‘What! That’s impossible, surely?’
‘’Fraid not,’ Robert said gloomily.
‘But how has such a situation been allowed to develop?’ Henrietta asked.
‘There’s been a boom through the twenties and it appears to me – though I have to admit I’m not an expert on this – that shares had an inflated value.’
‘It won’t affect Britain, will it?’
‘Not immediately, perhaps, but I think it will have a knock-on effect in time. Maybe the whole of Europe too, eventually. Much of our trade is linked to America. And, of course, anyone with investments in America will feel it straight away.’
‘Oh my,’ Pips breathed. ‘I think George has a lot of his money tied up in American companies.’
Robert and Pips exchanged an anxious glance.
Forty-Three
‘Well, Daddy, I expect you won’t see m’lady for dust now.’
George stared at his daughter and then a bleak expression came into his eyes as he realized exactly what she was implying. Slowly, he said, ‘I shall of course give her the option of ending our engagement, even though the wedding is only a few weeks away now.’
‘Oh, she’ll cancel, as sure as eggs is eggs. Or her parents will. They won’t want their daughter tied to an old man with no money to keep her in the manner to which she is obviously accustomed.’
George glanced away, hurt beyond words to see the smug expression on Rebecca’s face. He could tell that she wasn’t bothered at all that he’d lost his money, only that it served her purpose in separating him from Pips.
The Brooklands Girls Page 28