The Cobbler's Kids

by Rosie Harris

  ‘I love you, Vee, with every fibre of my being. Please tell me you love me too.’

  ‘Oh I do!’ she breathed. ‘I can’t even start to tell you how much.’

  Jack’s lips covered hers in a kiss so sweet, so tender, that once more she melted into his embrace, cocooned in his love for her.

  For a brief second, as the pressure of Jack’s arms tightened, she stiffened. Then, with a blissful sigh of surrender, she let her own strong feelings of love sweep through her and take control. Jack knew everything about what had happened and yet he still loved her.

  ‘We were meant for each other,’ he whispered, ‘time has proved that. Our being together is a wonderful beginning for the new year.’

  Vera nodded. She felt as if she was bursting with happiness. 1935 was just dawning and she going to see her most treasured dreams coming true.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  The New Year brought so much happiness into her life that there were times when Vera felt that either she must be dreaming, or the bubble of euphoria that enveloped her would suddenly burst. She found it hard to believe that she deserved so much contentment or that it really could be true that Jack Winter loved her so deeply.

  Since she and Jack had admitted their feelings for each other it was as if they had opened a door to another world. Everything had changed. The sun seemed to be shining even when it was cloudy; the early morning frost on the rooftops glittered more brightly; the wind was bracing, rather than dank and chill, as it swept in from the Mersey. She even saw people in a different, more compassionate light.

  Never before had she felt so close to anyone as she did to Jack. It was as if their innermost thoughts and moods intermingled: they knew what the other was thinking without having to resort to words.

  Every day revealed some new facet of their feelings for each other. She had always known that Jack was tall, friendly and good-looking, but now she discovered how deeply caring, thoughtful and generous he was, too.

  Jack thought that he had already discovered what a wonderful, loving person Vera was. He had seen how she was ready to sacrifice her time, and even change her way of life, to ensure that those nearest to her had all the care and attention she could possibly give them. Now he found that these endearing traits were more and more centred on him. She lavished so much affection on him that he was overwhelmed by the fact that anyone could care so much about him.

  They had such strong feelings for each other, and delighted so much in their new-found love, that they could hardly keep their hands off each other.

  When she brought a cup of tea through to the shop for him at mid-morning the moment their hands touched they found it wasn’t enough. The desire to kiss was so powerful that their arms went around each other intuitively, and their lips automatically met.

  Murmuring sweet endearments they would retreat back into the living room out of view of passers-by. He would hold her in his arms, kissing and caressing her for so long that by the time he went back to his work in the shop his cup of tea was often stone cold.

  Several times, Jack tried to tell Michael Quinn that he wanted to marry Vera. Sometimes the answer was a smile and a nod, at others a raised fist and a threatening, low growl.

  Neither of them were sure whether he realised what Jack was telling him or not. Even Vera seemed to be unable to make her father understand their intentions.

  ‘There’s only one way. We’ll simply have to go ahead and get married,’ Jack said resignedly. ‘Thank heaven you don’t need his permission to do so.’

  ‘You’re right, but I would still like to have his approval. Sometimes he doesn’t even seem to know who you are. Yet, he did when you first came to work here.’

  Jack gathered her into his arms, trying to pacify her as tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘That was quite a long time ago,’ he said softly.

  ‘It means my dad is getting worse,’ she said sadly.

  ‘I’m afraid so, Vee. The only good thing is that he’s much calmer these days. It’s weeks since he’s had one of his awful attacks and taken refuge from everyone.’

  She sighed. ‘His memory is failing, though, so perhaps that’s why. He doesn’t know you, or what is happening from day to day. He seems to be forgetting all about being in France and only remembers the things that took place before the war even started. Sometimes he seems to think that Benny is Charlie.’

  Jack nodded in agreement. ‘If it means he is no longer plagued by dreadful memories then surely it’s all for the best?’

  ‘You don’t think we should let the fact that he is deteriorating stop us from getting married?’

  ‘No, of course I don’t.’ He took her in his arms, his lips warm and demanding. ‘Life goes on, Vee. We’ve got to accept that things change, whether we want them to or not.’

  Vera remembered Jack’s prophetic words when she discovered that Michael Quinn had died in his sleep at the end of March in 1936.

  He looked so peaceful when she took his breakfast tray up to him that, for a moment, Vera thought he was still asleep. It was only when she touched him gently on the shoulder, asking him to sit up and eat his porridge before it went cold, that she realised what had happened.

  She ran back downstairs and through to the shop to ask Jack to summon a doctor, even though she knew that it was too late for anyone to do anything more for her father.

  Benny was so upset, that he seemed to be incapable of doing even the simplest task. White-faced and shaking, he stood staring down at his father as if he couldn’t take in what had happened.

  Vera put an arm around his shoulders and gently moved him away from the bed. ‘Perhaps you should go off to school as usual,’ she suggested, hoping it would bring him out of his trance.

  ‘Are you sure, Vee? I don’t want to leave you here on your own. Are you sure that there isn’t anything I can do to help?’

  ‘No, I can manage, truly I can. Jack will be here with me, remember,’ she added as he still hesitated.

  ‘Thanks, Vee.’

  She knew she’d made the right decision when she heard the relief in his voice and saw the colour slowly ebb back into his face.

  ‘If you leave now you will only have missed about an hour. Explain to them what has happened and they’ll understand.’

  He grabbed his satchel, then paused in the doorway, looking bewildered. ‘You are sure you can manage, that you don’t need me to help you with whatever has to be done?’ he persisted.

  ‘Quite sure! Now go or you will be really late. Jack will help me sort things out.’

  The next few days were wearying and traumatic. Vera kept wondering how on earth she would ever have managed without Jack’s help. He was not only a tower of strength, but he seemed to know exactly what to do.

  ‘I’ll send a wire to Eddy. I’m sure he will want to come back to England for his dad’s funeral.’

  Michael Quinn had been so central to their lives, Jack thought, as he helped Vera organise things. Even though for a long time he had played very little part in running the shop, or doing anything connected with the home, his presence had dominated every decision taken.

  His demise was going to cause a noticeable gap and an enormous upheaval. It was important that Eddy did come back to Liverpool, Jack thought worriedly, so that they could plan what was going to happen in the future.

  Vera decided that the funeral should be low-key. It was such a very long time since her father had mixed with people socially that she didn’t expect many neighbours to attend. Most of his old boozing companions had either moved away from the area or had died.

  It was a sombre occasion. A handful of their long-standing customers came to the funeral, but none came back to the house afterwards. They were morose and tongue-tied. There was very little reminiscing. It was as if a chapter had ended and they all wanted to get on with their lives.

  Eddy, Benny, Vera and Jack returned home alone to a cold meal that she’d left ready. Because he felt it ought to be settled while they were all togethe
r, Jack broached the problem that was uppermost in his and Vera’s minds.

  ‘Can we discuss what is to happen about the shop, Eddy?’

  ‘The shop was leased to your father,’ Jack pointed out, ‘so can we take it you are quite happy if the landlord agrees to transfer the tenancy?’

  ‘Do whatever you like. If you want to stay on here, Vera, then of course you can ask for it to be put in your name, if they will do that.’

  Vera hesitated. ‘Actually, I was thinking of asking if they would transfer it to Jack. Without him being here there would be no business.’

  ‘So you’re going to use blackmail to keep him here, are you?’ Eddy grinned.

  She shrugged lightly and glanced across at Jack. ‘Something like that,’ she admitted.

  ‘How do you feel about that, Jack? Do you think it is a good idea for it to be in your name, and then you promise to keep the business going?’

  ‘I’ve got an even better suggestion,’ Jack told them.

  ‘Go on, let’s hear it then,’ Eddy prompted.

  ‘Why don’t we ask if the lease can be transferred to Mr and Mrs Winter, since we will both be running the business?’

  For a moment there was a stunned silence, then Eddy burst out laughing.

  ‘You crafty devils! Are you trying to tell me that you two are thinking of getting married?’

  ‘Well, I am,’ Jack grinned. ‘I’m not sure if Vera is going to accept my proposal or not, of course!’

  ‘Was that a proposal?’ Benny asked in surprise. ‘I thought you had to go down on one knee when you asked someone to marry you.’

  ‘That’s the old-fashioned way,’ Jack told him sombrely. ‘This way you take them by surprise and they say yes before they know they’ve done it.’

  ‘It looks as though we’ve reached a decision, then,’ Eddy said, his voice tinged with relief. ‘I shouldn’t think there will be any problem, the rent’s always been paid on time.’

  ‘Our Vee hasn’t given Jack an answer yet,’ Benny pointed out.

  ‘Well, Vee? Is it “yes” or “no”, or have you kept us all in the dark and it’s a forgone conclusion,’ Eddy joked.

  ‘I’ll give it my consideration,’ Vera told them, ‘but there are certain conditions to be agreed first.’

  ‘Well, we’re waiting!’ They all looked at her expectantly.

  ‘I’ll say yes, providing we can get married while you are still here in England, Eddy,’ Vera said firmly. ‘I want both you and Benny to be there. I’ve set my heart on having one of my brothers as our best man and the other one giving me away.’

  There was utter silence as Benny and Eddy looked at each other uneasily.

  ‘What’s wrong with that? Don’t you like the idea?’ she asked in surprise.

  ‘I’ve got to get back, Vee,’ Eddy explained, apologetically. ‘I’ve only got ten days off and I have to allow for travelling time out of that.’

  Jack and Vera exchanged amused glances.

  ‘Shall I tell him or do you want to do it?’ Jack asked.

  ‘We were already planning to get married. We’d even set the date,’ Vera told him. ‘There’s plenty of time for you to attend our wedding before you go back to Malta.’

  Eddy gave a long, low whistle. ‘What can I say? You’re one step ahead of us, I can see that.’

  ‘It will be a very quiet wedding,’ Vera warned them. ‘We don’t want any fuss, but we do want both of you to be there. It means a great deal to me.’

  ‘Won’t people think you are rushing things, Vee?’

  Vera frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘Well, I mean you two getting married so soon after Dad dying,’ Eddy said awkwardly.

  Vera shrugged. ‘Does it matter what other people think? Nobody worried about Dad when he was alive. No one even came to visit him, and the few outsiders who turned up today for his funeral were there more out of curiosity than for any other reason.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ Eddy muttered. ‘We’ve settled that point, but there are one or two other things which we ought to sort out.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘Well,’ Eddy hesitated and looked uncomfortable. ‘There’s the future, for a start.’

  ‘We’ve already said that the shop should be in both our names.’

  ‘That was the lease. I’m talking about the actual business.’

  ‘I most certainly meant that both the lease and the business should be in joint names for Jack and me,’ Vera confirmed sharply. ‘You haven’t any objections, have you? Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly changed your mind and decided you want to come back here to run it,’ she said sarcastically.

  ‘No! I’m definitely not coming back. My future lies in Malta! I was thinking about Benny.’

  ‘Benny? You don’t think he wants to become a cobbler, do you?’ Vera exclaimed.

  Eddy pushed a hand through his hair. ‘I’m not explaining myself very well. Who is going to look after Benny and where is he going to live until he finishes his studies and gets a job?’

  ‘He’ll stay here with us, of course!’ Jack assured him.

  ‘That means things will go on exactly the way they are now.’

  ‘Yes, and we’ll continue to run the business as usual,’ continued Jack. ‘There won’t be any changes at all, not unless you want us to make some.’

  ‘Except my name,’ Vera interrupted. ‘I will be Mrs Winter.’

  ‘That, of course, is an extremely important change,’ Jack agreed, pulling her into his arms and kissing her tenderly.

  Eddy shook his head, a look of bewilderment on his face. ‘I can’t understand this,’ he said. ‘You two want to get married and start a life of your own, yet you are prepared to stay here, go on running the business, and give Benny a home as if nothing has changed.’

  ‘Well, it hasn’t, except that Jack and I will be man and wife,’ Vera pointed out.

  ‘I know, but will such an arrangement work?’ He looked from one to the other, perplexed.

  ‘Of course it will work. Why ever shouldn’t it?’

  Eddy waved his arms, embracing the room and all of them. ‘Are you sure that this is what you want, Vee? It’s all the same as before. That’s not the right beginning for a marriage. This place is so full of bad memories. Jack should be taking you right away from here, to make a fresh start in a home of your own. You’ve had years of being a slave to this family, looking after us all, especially when taking care of Dad. It’s no life for either of you if you stay here, carrying on in exactly the same way.’

  ‘It’s only for a short time, until Benny has finished his education,’ Jack pointed out. ‘Once he’s got a job and a life of his own then we will be free to change things … that’s if we want to do so.’

  ‘That’s all very well, but that will be several years away,’ Eddy persisted.

  ‘We know! By then we may have built the business up and be making a mint.’

  ‘In Scottie Road? I doubt it!’

  ‘Don’t worry about us, Eddy,’ Jack told him. ‘We do know what we’re doing. Vee and I have talked it through very carefully. If your dad hadn’t died when he did we would have been getting married this week anyway.’

  ‘What more can I say?’ Helplessly, Eddy looked at Vera.

  ‘Nothing at all,’ Vera assured him. ‘Except to wish us well.’

  ‘I’ll certainly do that. You deserve every bit of happiness that comes your way.’

  ‘And that’s exactly what I can look forward to with Jack at my side,’ Vera told him confidently.

  Vera and Jack’s wedding took place on Easter Saturday, 11th of April 1936. The sun was shining and it was unusually warm for the time of year.

  Vera wore a cream woollen dress with a matching coat. Her hat was as blue as her eyes, which were sparkling like brilliant sapphires.

  They only had eyes for each other as they exchanged their vows, every word underlying the intensity of their feelings for one another. Both Vera and Jack seemed t
o glow with happiness and fulfillment.

  Afterwards, when they posed for a photograph, Vera’s face was wreathed in smiles as she stood with her arm linked through that of her handsome husband. Jack was gazing back at her as if there was no one else in the whole of the universe. Eddy was standing on one side of her, and Benny alongside Jack.

  ‘Why don’t you take some time off? Come back to Malta and spend a week with us,’ Eddy suggested. ‘Maria would love to meet you, and you’d be able to see Jacques, too.’

  Jack and Vera both shook their heads. ‘Thank you, Eddy,’ Jack told him. ‘It’s a nice thought, but we’re not ready to go on a spree like that, not yet. We have a business to run. Perhaps in a few years’ time, after Benny has graduated.’

  ‘I hope you will, it’s an open invitation, remember. I don’t suppose I’ll be making another trip back here. Maria is expecting again,’ he explained. ‘More expense. You know how it is!’

  ‘No we don’t, not yet at any rate,’ Jack grinned broadly. ‘All that is still to come, but don’t worry,’ he added, squeezing Vera’s hand, ‘I know we’ll get there, given time.’

  This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  Version 1.0

  Epub ISBN 9781446440032

  www.randomhouse.co.uk

  Published by Arrow Books in 2005

  1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

  Copyright © Rosie Harris 2005

  Rosie Harris has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the author of this work

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental