by Millie Gray
Rye winked. Bella shrieked and the two women knew it was time to stop the chit-chat and get on with the delivery.
The birth of the baby girl, in Anna’s opinion, was easy and straightforward. Nonetheless, Bella thought otherwise and was now lying in bed with her back against raised pillows, eyes closed and either loudly sniffing or whimpering.
“Pity,” observed Anna, “you didn’t think it was such a chore making her.”
“Why can’t you see that the agony of giving birth is all too much for me?” whimpered Bella. “And Gus not being here to see what a great job I’ve made of his daughter is unbearable.”
With a smile that brightened up her whole face, Anna cuddled the baby into herself and asked, “And what are you going to call her?”
“Bluebell?” replied Bella, gesturing to Anna to give her the baby.
“Bluebell,” gasped Anna. “That’s no half some label for the wee mite to go through life with. I mean, when she’s young it might be okay. But what if she turns out to be built like a floribunda?”
“Bluebell it is.”
“Why?”
“Oh Auntie, do try and understand that now we’re moving to Lochend Road we’ll no longer be working-class.” Anna gasped as Bella went on, “Can’t you see that names like Jessie, Meg, Nettie, Effie and the like wouldn’t fit in there.”
Astounded by Bella’s unfounded delusions of grandeur Anna allowed several minutes to pass before saying, “And talking of Lochend Road, when will the house be ready?”
It was now Bella’s turn to let time go by. “That’s another problem,” she eventually commented. “We could move in next week, if I’ve recovered enough, that is.” Anna’s eyes flicked up to look at the ceiling. “But,” whimpered Bella, “there’s still forty pounds owing and since I, a mere woman, cannae get a loan from the bank, I’ll have to wait until Gus puts in an appearance.” Bella looked up at the clock as if somehow he was just hours overdue instead of months and added, “And if he takes too long, the contract he signed will be broken. And as if that’s not enough to worry me, the builder says he’s got a waiting list of people who want to buy.”
“Forty pounds?” exclaimed Anna. “That’s a king’s ransom. Near a half year’s wages for most men about here, that is.”
Forgetting how weak she was trying to appear Bella loudly retorted, “Auntie, I know that fine!”
However, before the discussion could go further, there was a loud knock on the door and Sandy entered, attired in his funeral uniform and mandatory mourning face.
“Look,” he began, ignoring the fact Bella was in bed and Anna was cleaning up after the birth, “can either of you two come down to the shop – I mean funeral parlour – and help out?”
“Come in and help you out?” exclaimed Anna.
“Aye, you see this flu? Och, they’re still drapping like flies and since I’ve got, let’s say, a bit friendly with the night porter in Leith Hospital I’m getting more work than I can handle – and that’s even if you two were at work.”
Licking her lips Anna winked at Bella. “Sure, Sandy, it’s the talk of the Walk and the Kirkgate an all.”
“What is?” hollered Sandy.
“How Leith Hospital’s night porter and you have a very profitable arrangement,” Anna shamelessly provoked.
Sticking out his neck and running his finger around his stiff white collar Sandy gulped before saying, “I don’t hold with lying gossip. I just help the laddie out.”
“Oh, talking of helping out. Bella here needs a loan of forty pounds until Gus gets back.”
Sandy’s eyes popped and his mouth gaped. “You’re no suggesting that a struggling undertaker like me would hae forty pounds lying about.”
“Your money would be safe.”
“How?”
“It would all be done legal. Oh aye, Sheils & Macintosh, the lawyers in Charlotte Street, would draw up a deed.”
“Naw. Naw,” Sandy muttered, quickly heading for the door.
“Oh. So you think it would be better if I told the matron how many corpses the night porter dispatches your way?”
The door banged shut. Sandy turned and leant against it. “You wouldn’t. It would cost the laddie his job and I’m no wanting any trouble either.”
Anna shook her head. “Aye, you mightn’t want trouble, Sandy, but …”
“Aw right. Aw right. But the minute her man returns,” he spat, signally toward Bella with his thumb, “I want repaid – with interest.”
“Fine,” replied Anna. “And so you can liaise with your business associate the night, I’ll come in and attend to your silent customers.”
Sandy had just left when the door opened and Rachel entered.
Jumping towards her, Anna cried, “Are you not a sight for sore eyes? And let’s look at you. What a swank!”
Dressed in a mid-calf lilac swagger coat that was set off by a cheeky head-hugging many-coloured hat, Rachel approached the bed. “So your wee one’s arrived,” she stated, smiling broadly. “Boy or girl?”
“Girl,” replied Bella proudly. “And I’m going to call her … Bluebell.”
“Bluebell,” queried Rachel, “and why are you not calling her after Auntie Anna and yourself?”
Bella sniffed. “Suppose Annabella … wouldn’t exactly be out of place when we go up in the world … but – no. Bluebell it is because it sounds so classy.”
Rachel did try to think of an answer to that but as none was forthcoming she turned again to Anna. “Miss Fraser, Eugenie …”
“See what I mean? Eugenie, Bluebell. Names like that just reek class,” simpered Bella.
“Well, Auntie,” continued Rachel, who chose not to reply to Bella, “I think she means to stay down in Melrose until her father passes over.”
“Very ill is he?”
“No. It’s just that he likes having Eugenie fuss over him.”
“So that means you’ll be staying down there too.”
“Yes. I do like it down there. And I’m …” she now waltzed about the room, before going on. “Oh, Auntie, everyone down there thinks that I’m Miss Fraser’s companion and not her maid!”
“So that’s why you’re dressed up like the Queen of Sheba.”
Rachel had just circled to the door when it abruptly opened and she was sent flying across the room. “Sorry,” exclaimed Robert, helping her to her feet. “You know, you must be psychic. Just ten minutes ago I was telling Bud here all about you and how I knew you’d soon be finding the pathway home.”
Everyone’s eyes were drawn to the young man who had accompanied Robert into the house. He was fair and tall, with eyes that twinkled when he firmly grasped Rachel’s hand when Robert introduced them. However, it was his broad, engaging smile that completely mesmerised her – turning her legs to jelly.
No one in the room that day could have been in any doubt that, between Rachel and Bud, there was an immediate compelling chemistry. Indeed, he held on to her hand for so long that Robert contemptuously hissed, “Here, Bud, you cannae take her hand with you so why don’t you put it down.”
Blushing with embarrassment Rachel pulled her hand abruptly from Bud’s. She then went on to quickly remove her hat and run her fingers through her hair before looking directly at him and asking, “Are you a workmate of Robert’s?”
“Me? Labour in the docks?” exclaimed Bud, laying his instrument case on the floor. “Well, no I don’t. But he and I are both in the Leith Brass Band and tonight’s rehearsal night.”
“You play in the brass band?”
Bud was now rocking with laughter. “You sound so like my mother. She thinks because we now live in Trinity and I was educated latterly at the Royal High School I should play rugby and be a virtuoso on the violin – but you see I prefer football and,” Bud paused, to pretend by extending his right hand backwards and forwards to be playing an instrument, before emphasising dramatically, “th–the trombone.”
Anna had to suppress her amusement. She knew Bud Watson’s
mother well from when she’d lived in West Cromwell Street and worked at Bond Nine. Then she was known as Big Bessie who wasn’t to be tangled with. Having graduated, however, to Trinity with an inside lavatory, she was now a leading light in Wardie Church and only answered to Eliza. Sighing, Anna admitted Eliza and her Bella had a lot in common. Somehow they thought that a private house with facilities for their exclusive use and a back green to hang their washing in somehow made them a cut above all the rest of the world.
Without trying to conceal her pride Anna’s thoughts strayed to Rachel, who she thought had innate intelligence, grace and charm, and acknowledged to herself, “Oh aye, those two with bought houses might be a cut above some, right enough, but never my Rachel – any fool can buy a house and dress in fine feathers but the one thing you can’t buy is class.”
Unaware of her aunt’s meanderings Rachel asked, “So you two play in the Leith Band but what about Freddie? He can blow a trumpet too?”
“Oh, you mean, our dear brother who’s had stars in his eyes ever since he met sweet Violet Stobie?”
“Courting, is he?”
“Aye, winching he is – and by the time he’s eighteen she’ll hae him up the aisle.”
Anna quickly interjected, “Robert! They’re just bairns.”
“That right, Auntie? Well, they might well be but right now Bud and me have to be on our way or we’ll be late for band practice.”
“Are you home for long, Rachel?” Bud asked as Robert steered him towards the door.
“Just for a couple of days,” she replied hurriedly before adding, “but I’ll be home for a weekend every …” She didn’t get time to add “month” because as Bud and Robert left Johnny came in.
“You here to see Bella’s new baby?” Anna asked Johnny.
Blushing, Johnny stammered, “No-o-o really. I heard Rachel was home and I dashed over to say hello.”
His eyes now reluctantly left Rachel to stray towards Bella. “But I’m pleased about you and the baby – what is it?” he managed to ask.
“A girl and her name is … Bluebell.”
Johnny made no comment to Bella about the baby’s name but he did manage to turn and say to Rachel, “You’ve changed.”
“I have?”
“Aye. You’re even more – don’t you think so, Auntie?”
Anna nodded. “Come on then – you two sit on the fender stool here. And let’s be hearing about what you’ve both been up to.”
Johnny and Rachel exchanged bemused glances with each other and laughed. “Me?” Rachel began. “Well, just working and being trained …” she now leaned over to pat Johnny’s knee and laughter rippled from her before she added, “… to be a fine lady.”
“And you are that already.”
“You think so?” laughed Rachel. “And now, Johnny, what have you been up to?”
Blushing deeper Johnny hung his head and mumbled, “I’ve signed up to do three years in the army. My dad says it’ll make a man of me.”
“What?” shrieked Anna. “And how many laddies? – Och. The man’s a menace. And when is he expected home?”
“Mammy says he should be back before I leave next month.”
The day Johnny was due to leave for his army service coincided with Rachel being home. She was already in 18 Couper Street when he came in to show his auntie how handsome and smart he looked in his Black Watch uniform.
“Now, Rachel,” crooned Anna, “have you ever seen such a good-looking man? And know something? Some day a lucky lassie will capture my Johnny’s heart. It’s true she might, like us right now, not always having something to eat, but she sure will always have something to look at.”
“Auntie,” stammered Johnny, “you’re no half-giving me a stotter. Sure, Rachel, any man that gets you …”
“Will have to get over Auntie’s dead body,” interrupted Bella, who was changing the baby’s nappy. “And by the way, Johnny, when you get back you must remember we’re related by blood so you’ll always be welcome at Lochend Road.”
“So you’re moving in?”
“Aye,” replied Anna. “Bella was a wee bit short, but Sandy and I have always had good business arrangements and he insisted on lending her the forty pounds she’s needing.”
“He did?” blurted Johnny, “But my mammy says Sandy wouldnae give a worm to a blind hen.”
“Rubbish!” chuckled Anna, reaching for her coat. “He’s always happy to put his hand in his pocket. You just need to ask him in a language he understands.”
16
THE AMALGAMATION
A cold Antarctic blast engulfed Leith on 21 October 1920 when the Town Council met for the last time. The people rightly felt that their wish to remain independent from Edinburgh, which had been granted to them in the Reform Bill of 1833, had been ignored.
Since the adoption of the Reform Bill, the port had known outstanding success. Trade had expanded and businesses, large and small, had thrived. Skills that had been perfected in the shipbuilding industry were also keenly sought after by many companies outside Leith. One such enterprise saw four hundred men leave Leith by train each day, bound for work on the construction of the Forth Railway Bridge. Public services and transport were envied by Edinburgh who (Leithers felt) always had their greedy eyes on the flourishing port and were constantly pushing for amalgamation on their terms.
One of the gains from the First World War was the delay of any further action on the proposed union between Edinburgh and Leith – an outcome which true Leithers did not want.
By the end of 1918, however, the subject was raised again. The people of Leith were outraged and to quieten their resistance it was suggested that a plebiscite be held. With lightning speed this attempt at giving the people their say on the proposed union went ahead. So great was the anger against the amalgamation that 36,000 people out of the 39,000 entitled to vote did so. The result was 5,500 in favour and 30,000 against. A resounding victory for true Leithers – but all too soon they realised the plebiscite had just been an appeasement.
Despite their forthright rejection of an amalgamation with Edinburgh, it went ahead. To rub salt into the wound an enquiry was held on the legality of the union but all to no avail. The enquiry decided that as the amalgamation had gone ahead and, angry as the people were that their democratic rights had been ignored, there was no point in changing things back.
Anna and Rye, who were vehemently against the amalgamation, were always at the forefront of every protest. Their large banner, which they proudly carried between them, read:
LEITH for EVER.
WE PROTEST AGAINST
AMALGAMATION
On arriving back from their last futile demonstration, Anna and Rye, weary, dispirited and swamped by a feeling of betrayal, flung their banner into the gutter.
They had just entered Anna’s house and already Anna was busy making the tea when Rye stated, “We’ve been robbed.”
“Robbed,” hissed Anna. “Aye. And in daylight with violence. Mark my words! Green-eyed Edinburgh will suck us dry and we’ll be nothing but the poor relation. We, a prosperous, flourishing port, will be reduced to begging Edinburgh City Chambers for our rights and will get fobbed off with the crumbs from their table.”
“Suppose you’re right,” replied Rye, stirring some sugar into her tea. “I mean, hasn’t poor Portobello gone down the drain ever since Edinburgh took it over?”
The women were still at the table drowning their sorrows in Melrose’s best tea, courtesy of Ratty, when Rosie came in and joined them.
“Just heard it’s all done and dusted,” Rosie said, taking out her snuffbox and, after inhaling a good dose, she offered it to Anna.
“No thanks, Rosie. I’m despondent right enough but not quite suicidal,” replied Anna, who detested snuff. Be that as it may, she silently conceded that in Rosie’s case she must thole the disgusting practice, as it was preferable to her falling back into alcoholism.
Sensing Anna’s disapproval, Rosie ran her index finge
r under her nose and sniffed. “Know you dinnae like it, Anna. But see. A wee sniff now and then keeps me sane, so it does.”
“Talking of your sanity, is your Ella really gonnae get hitched to that school janitor?” asked Rye. “Sure he looks a real gawk, so he does.”
Still sniffing and now sneezing, Rosie, who was expert at averting controversy, looked up at the gaslight. “Here, Anna,” she said, deliberately ignoring Rye’s remarks. “Do ye ken your mantle has a hole in it?”
Anna looked up at the gaslight. “Aye. Robert broke it a couple of nights ago. Gonnae replace it on payday, he is.”
An uneasy silence followed until a rap on the door had them look from one to the other. When the door opened Jack McIntyre in full police uniform entered with a holdall in his hand. While he placed the bag on the floor Rye took the opportunity to lift the tea caddy from the table and secrete it on the mantelpiece.
“Long time since we saw you, Jack,” remarked Rosie, rising to leave.
“Aye,” he replied. “Been back up north … burying,” he now adopted a sorrowful and mournful look before shaking his head and continuing with, “my poor old mother.”
Rye now advanced to join Rosie at the door. “Hope she was really dead because any time in the past when I saw her, I thought she’d already gasped her last,” she whispered while playfully nudging Rosie.
“Rye!” was the only reply an indignant Rosie could utter.
The women were now in the passageway. “Well,” commented Rye, “haven’t you and I been praying for years for the good Lord to take her up beside Him. But Him, up till now, no brave enough to give her houseroom.”
The door had just closed and Jack was now sitting at the table facing Anna. “Sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you that my mother had caught the flu and – well, she was just too old.”
Anna remained mute.
“Don’t know how she got it because I kept her away from everybody.” Jack stopped and Anna could see he was still puzzling over the problem. “But, like yourself, she was devout – never banged a tambourine though – but was always insisting on going to her church. The last time we went out together was three weeks ago.” Anna still made no comment and, unaware of her lack of interest, Jack continued. “Now you wouldn’t think God would let you pick up flu in the Wee Free Kirk.”