Generations of Love

by Wendy Pulford

  ‘When do you think you’ll be moving?’ Jerry asked, glancing at Sarah.

  ‘Within a week or two, according to the builder. They’re just finishing off the decoration, and then it’s carpets, and furniture.’

  Alex looked from Jerry to Sarah, sensing something more in their questioning.

  ‘Did you rent this flat furnished, Alex?’ It was Sarah’s turn for the query.

  ‘Pretty much. I’ll be taking one or two pieces. The old desk over there came from my father’s house. Luigi stored it until I found this flat. Why the interest you two? Out with it!’

  ‘Since Sarah obtained the Sister’s post at St Thomas’s we both have much further to travel from the South Kensington flat, plus Sarah’s parents will be back in the UK soon. Do you think your landlord would be interested in renting this flat to us? It’s just right for what we need at the moment. We’ll no doubt go down the house-hunting route in the near future ourselves, but just for now this would be fine.’

  ‘Jake hasn’t said he has a new tenant lined up, so I can always ask him. I’ll make a point of seeing him, and let you know what he says.’ He saw Catherine coming in from the kitchen with some food, and raised his voice so she would be sure to hear. ‘Perhaps I should ask The Fixer to have a word with him. She’ll no doubt flutter her eyelashes at him and the poor devil won’t know what’s hit him.’

  Catherine maintained her dignity as she waved her guests to the table. ‘Well, it seemed to work on you, didn’t it.’

  Alex came and put his arm around her and patted her bump. ‘And then look what happened!’ he murmured.

  He kissed her on the mouth to silence her gasp of embarrassment, and then, with a wicked smile, saw her seated at the table.

  *

  Sarah was full of her observations of the evening during their journey home.

  ‘Have you noticed, Jerry, how different they seem now with each other? That electric excitement is still there, but it’s more mellow. They can tease each other without mercy but the bottom line is always their love for each other. Perhaps that’s what a home and a baby can do for you!’

  Jerry commented, ‘That’s the normal progression of any relationship I suppose. You’re more sure and comfortable with one another.’

  ‘Catherine says how good Alex is to her in the mornings when she’s feeling unwell. He’s made arrangements with his colleague that he’ll arrive later in the morning, and stay later at night. I think that’s fantastic, don’t you?’

  Jerry grinned at her. ‘He’s my role model, is he?’

  Sarah smiled back at him. ‘In a short while we’ll tick the first box by being married, but I think I’d like to wait a little longer for anything else. What about the New Year?’

  ‘Sounds good to me, sweetness. Did I mention at all that I love you very much?’

  *

  At the end of a wonderful, but pressure-filled day, Alex felt relieved to come back to their new home. He had felt honoured when Jerry asked him to be best man at his wedding, and endeavoured to discharge his duties as well as he could, both before and during the actual formalities. He was thankful that everything appeared to have gone off without a hitch.

  Compared with the number at his own wedding, the Registry Office was crammed full with relatives and friends. Sarah made a charming bride, and Alex was so proud of Catherine. In his mind, she was the most beautiful women there, still elegant in a loose green outfit, despite her growing difficulties. He saw other men’s eyes on her, but felt no threat, secure as he was in the knowledge of her love for him. It had been agreed between them that her twenty-fourth birthday would not be celebrated in any special way, but by using the wedding as a double event.

  As he helped Catherine out of the Porsche, not for the first time, Alex faced the fact that it was no longer an ideal vehicle for them. As much as he loved it, changes would have to be made. He must give it serious consideration.

  ‘I’m going to mark down on the calendar when we have to put provisions in the flat for when they come back off their honeymoon. We’re bound to forget otherwise.’ Catherine walked over to the calendar hanging on the kitchen wall.

  ‘It was a wonderful day. Sarah’s parents are still quite high-powered, aren’t they. I remember them from the odd holiday I had with Sarah when we were at school. Her mother was interested in how I was getting on with my pregnancy. A pity they couldn’t have stayed in the UK for longer. I think Sarah would have liked more time with her mother before the ceremony. I liked Jerry’s parents. Very Scottish. You were talking to his father for some while weren’t you.’

  Alex felt a sense of guilt. He’d mixed business with pleasure. Jerry’s parents lived on the Ayrshire coast and his father, who’d been in the Navy, talked about all the small bays and harbours along that western coastline, and how there were always rumours of irregular happenings over the years. Once he was aware of Alex’s profession, he commented that it must be very hard to police the area all the time. Something at the back of Alex’s mind started to bother him, and then he remembered: the book in the Judge’s library about the western Scottish coastline. Also, the parcel brought by Duncan Hamilton and left with the Judge. Brought from Scotland? He then remembered the piece of paper he had picked up from the study carpet that night, with dates and times. Delivery arrangements? Delivery of what, and from where? Ireland? It wasn’t that far across the Irish Sea. He would get a map next week and he and Dougie could study the area. Perhaps they should contact the local police forces to see if there were reports of any unusual happenings. He couldn’t say any of this to Catherine, of course.

  In answer to her question, all he could think of was, ‘Oh, he was quite interesting, talking about his old Navy days.’

  ‘Do you want tea or coffee, Alex? I’m just putting the kettle on.’

  He walked up to his wife, put his arms around her thickened waist, and turned her into the dining area.

  ‘Go and sit down, my love. I’ll make the tea. You’ve been on your feet a lot today.’

  Seated in old leather chairs draped with colourful blankets – a money-saving idea of Catherine’s – they chatted about the wedding for several minutes, but it became obvious to him that Catherine was hesitating in saying something to him.

  ‘Reverend Jones, the Vicar of St Luke’s, you know, at the bottom of the road, came to see me the other day. Mary next door had suggested to him that I might be interested in a project the Diocese is attempting.’

  Their neighbour was a retired history teacher and had been of assistance to Catherine in her studies.

  ‘Catherine, you’ve enough on your plate at the moment. I’m not sure I want you taking on anything else.’

  ‘Let me be the judge of that, thank you.’ The green fire sparked at him and he knew there would be a battle.

  ‘Catherine, please!’ He tried once more.

  Her smile was now warm for him. She was asserting her independence, but also acknowledging his concern for her.

  ‘I understand it’s just a case of translating some old documents. Reverend Jones said there was no time consideration as this project has been talked about for some while now.’

  Alex knew from Catherine’s face that the idea had sparked her interest. If time wasn’t a problem, he was a little happier about it.

  In the end, by amicable agreement, Catherine decided she would work on the church documents one day a week. Alex could see that she was keen to be involved, and from a wider angle he felt that it would help her get to know local people who attended the church. He was conscious of the fact that even though she would be busy when the baby arrived, with no family around, and the hours he sometimes had to work, she might welcome other company.

  All in all, he felt their move was working out as well as they had both hoped. But however pleasant life was for him in other areas, his thoughts were never far away from his continuing inve
stigations.

  CHAPTER 12

  It was a brisk late October afternoon as Alex walked down the road to the church. The leaves were already starting to fall, and crunched under his feet.

  He had left work as soon as he could today, and was keen to show Catherine his surprise. He decided he would go to meet her and they could walk home together. He let himself in the side door of the vestry and followed the sound of voices. He knocked on the office door and it was opened by Edith Jones, the Vicar’s wife. She was helping Catherine to sort through all the old documentation.

  ‘Hello, Alex. I can guess who you’ve come for!’

  Catherine looked up at him and then at her watch. ‘I didn’t think you’d be home yet.’ She walked to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. He wanted to turn his head and capture her mouth, but then remembered where he was, and thought better of it.

  ‘I managed to get away, and I thought I’d come to meet you. I can wait if you’re not ready.’

  ‘No, that’s alright, I can come now.’ She reached for her coat, and Alex helped her into it, buttoning her up like a small child against the chill evening.

  Edith watched the scene and marvelled again at the tenderness this man always showed to his young wife. With his job and rank, she knew that he must have seen all the worst side of human frailties, but this he appeared to keep within himself and, she sensed, it did not pervade his home life or attitude to others. Both she and her husband considered that the young couple had proper views on life and would make good parents, and also be an asset to the neighbourhood.

  ‘I’ll take this one letter home if I may, Edith, and see if I can start working it out. Bye for now.’

  Putting the papers in a plastic bag and tucking them inside her coat, Catherine followed her husband out into the dusk. Alex drew her close to his side and tucked her arm through his.

  ‘Warm enough?’

  She smiled up at him and nodded. For the hundredth time he thought that the pregnancy made her look even more beautiful. Her eyes were clear and sparkling and her creamy skin appeared to have an almost translucent glow. His glance landed on her mouth and he couldn’t wait any longer. He turned her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. For a long while they just stood there, oblivious to everything around them. He deepened the kiss and, feeling an answering response, wished they were already at home. With reluctance, he lifted his head. Catherine’s eyes were closed and her mouth was full and red.

  His voice was unsteady as he whispered, ‘I think we ought to get home now, don’t you?’

  The soft green eyes looked up at him, ‘Yes, Alex. Please take me home.’

  Putting his arm around her shoulders, they continued up the road to their gate.

  ‘I’ve something to show you,’ he told her with a diffident smile, and pointed to the driveway, where a Volvo estate car was parked. ‘This is our new car. The Porsche was becoming impractical in the circumstances. When you’ve had the baby and you’re feeling fit, you can have driving lessons from a former police driver I know who has set up his own driving school. This will mean that you’ll be mobile for all your daily requirements, with plenty of space for things for the baby. It’s big, but reputedly safe. What do you think?’

  Catherine turned to him, speechless. ‘But… but you loved that Porsche, Alex!’

  ‘I love you and the baby even more. It was just a car, after all, and I’d had a chance to own it. Guess who I sold it to?’

  Catherine shook her head.

  ‘Jake Turner. He’s always admired it and said that if I needed to sell it at any time he wanted first refusal. He gave me a good price for it too.’

  Alex had never seen so much money in cash. Jake told him he preferred to do some of his transactions that way, and it wasn’t his place to query why.

  ‘But Alex, what are you going to use for transport if I’m to have this?’

  ‘Oh, there’s some money left over. I can get something else for myself in the future. It’s what we want now that counts.’

  Catherine put her arms around him and stood on tip toe. With her mouth inches away from his, she whispered, ‘Did I ever tell you how much I love you, how glad I am that I married you, and that I’m having your child? Also, how very much I want to go to bed with you?’

  Feigning indifference, and suppressing his smile, Alex whispered against her mouth, ‘Well, I suppose that’s some consolation for losing the Porsche.’ Then in a more definite tone he added, ‘Can we go to bed right now? I’m not sure I can wait any longer.’

  Arms around each other, they went into the house and straight upstairs.

  *

  Christmas, in two weeks’ time, was intended to be quiet, first and foremost because Alex refused to accept anything else. Sarah and Jerry were going to Scotland, so they wouldn’t be around. However, after much persuasion, of a kind which Alex enjoyed very much, he relented and agreed that Luigi and Maria could be their guests for Boxing Day.

  Catherine was in town with Sarah for the day. She had strict instructions not to be on her own, and to get a taxi straight home. They were having a pot of tea together before Sarah left to meet Jerry.

  ‘I don’t know how you found it, Catherine, but being married somehow alters a relationship. I feel so much more part of Jerry’s life than I did. We were just individuals going along the same path before. The flat and the jobs are working well, and I can’t believe it’s a fortnight to Christmas. These last weeks have flown.’

  Catherine grinned at her friend. ‘In answer to your question, Alex and I didn’t have any time together before we were married. All our learning about each other has been since then, and some of it hasn’t been too easy.’ Her face lost some of its radiance and Sarah wondered at her thoughts, and guessed that they were unpleasant.

  ‘But look at you now,’ she said, ‘a house, a baby – well, almost! – and, its all too clear, a close and loving relationship. For those who know you both, the changes are quite noticeable.’

  ‘We seem to have things worked out, for the most part. As to your observation about time, I know all too well what the date is. I can’t deny that I’m finding my size gets in the way a bit now. I’d like to see my feet again at some point. I’m starting to get a little nervous, though, when I think of what’s to come.’ Catherine’s glance at her friend was tinged with apprehension.

  Sarah squeezed her hand. ‘You’ll be fine. Alex will be there, and I’ll be around. I’ve been told that nature seems to take over. Perhaps you’ll be able to let me know!’

  Still laughing together, they left the café. Sarah hailed a taxi. ‘Now, do as Alex said: get the next taxi and go straight home. Be a good girl. I’ll be in touch with you before we leave for Scotland.’ She kissed her friend and waved goodbye.

  Catherine waited until the taxi was out of sight and then turned in the direction of Bond Street. She had an errand to do.

  She found the arcade Alex had talked about, and then the jewellers shop. Alex had been right when he said it looked a bit run down. She opened the door and went inside.

  *

  Pytor Fedorovich had now accepted that enough was enough. The Christmas trade was almost non-existent and he would struggle to pay his rent. He felt old and tired. He heard the shop bell. It was almost too much bother to see who it was, but he forced himself out of his chair in front of the gas fire and pulled the curtain aside.

  The young woman standing there was a beauty. Her dark brown hair curled on the fur collar of her green coat, a green which almost matched the colour of her eyes. It was obvious that she was well advanced in pregnancy, with one gloved hand supporting her unborn child.

  ‘Please take a seat, madam.’ The little jeweller indicated the seat near the counter. The girl came forward and sat down, her movements still graceful despite her advanced condition. He looked again at her face, and in particular those green eyes. Then
he remembered a visitor of some time ago. He looked at her gloved hands resting on his counter.

  ‘Would madam be so good as to remove her gloves?’

  With a slight smile, she did as requested. So he was right! There on her finger was the ring, gleaming in the shop lights.

  Speaking in a quiet tone, the girl said, ‘Thank you for my ring. It’s perfect. I’m never without it.’

  ‘Your husband was quite right, madam. This was the ring for you. Both very beautiful.’ He smiled at her. He was feeling better now, he realised. ‘How can I be of service to you?’

  ‘I would like to buy my husband a wrist watch for Christmas. I missed his birthday, and I would like to combine the two. What can you suggest?’

  They discussed the sort of watch that might be suitable, and he brought a small selection for her to consider.

  ‘Would you care to do me the honour of sharing a cup of tea, madam?’

  He saw her hesitation, and for a moment was disappointed. Then she appeared to change her mind, and accepted with a smile. He trotted off to find his best cups.

  Over their tea they settled on a watch with a stainless steel expanding strap. The girl said she had observed her husband’s irritation trying to fasten the buckle on his existing watch. The jeweller wrapped the item and placed it in a small box.

  ‘Will you tell your husband where you made your purchase, madam?’

  ‘I don’t see any reason why not.’ She was puzzled by his comment.

  ‘Perhaps you would remember me to him, and remind him about our conversation as to the other… ah… item.’

  ‘Yes, of course I will. I must be going now. I’m expected home and I don’t want to worry anyone.’

  He was sad to see her leaving. She had brightened up his shop with her beauty. She had reached his shop door. ‘Madam, if I’m correct, your name is Catherine?’

  She turned and nodded.

  ‘God speed to you and your child, Catherine.’