by Kitty Neale
‘As you can see, they’re a right pair of lovebirds,’ Amy’s mother said. ‘Come on, you two. Can’t you take your eyes off each other for a minute and sit down?’
‘Sorry,’ Tom said, reluctantly taking a seat, but then a heaving cough hit him again.
‘Tommy, are you all right?’ Amy asked worriedly as she perched on the arm of his chair.
‘Yes,’ he said, recovering. ‘Don’t worry. It’s just a touch of asthma.’
Jeremy wasn’t so sure, but then Amy’s father spoke to him, asking, ‘Have you been to many interesting places?’
Once again Jeremy talked about his travels, embellishing some of his adventures, but he failed to catch Amy’s attention for long. She was too wrapped up in Tom, and Jeremy wasn’t used to being ignored in favour of a runt. He knew he was good looking, and was used to girls throwing themselves at him in their willingness to share his bed.
Amy was different and he found her a challenge – his first one. It was a contest he was looking forward to winning.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Tommy awoke in the night, his body drenched in perspiration as coughs violently shook his body. He sat up, gasping for breath as his bedroom door was flung open. The light went on and he saw his mother in her thick blue dressing gown, wearing a ridiculous pink hairnet, but to Thomas at that moment, she appeared a ministering angel.
As the coughing fit passed, she plumped up the pillows behind him, put his inhaler in his hand and then scurried off to return with a bottle of medicine. ‘This should help a little until I can get the doctor to you in the morning,’ she said softly.
He dutifully swallowed the foul-tasting liquid, then croaked, ‘Thanks, Mum, but there’s no need to call the doctor.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ she said, laying a soft palm on his brow, ‘you’re burning up.’
Tommy didn’t get a chance to argue because his mother hurried off again, this time returning with a bowl of water and a cloth. She bathed his brow, the cool relief feeling wonderful, and at last, exhausted, he drifted off. For the rest of the night Tommy slept fitfully, a painful cough frequently awaking him, but every time he opened his eyes he found his mother by his side.
Morning light filled the room when Tommy became fully awake again and he blinked, shocked to see that his bedside clock showed that it was after seven thirty. He sat up, flung back the blankets, and swung his legs round to get out of bed, only to be struck by a wave of dizziness. He felt awful, shivery, yet hot, but he had to get to work.
‘Hold on, Mum said you’re not to get up,’ Jeremy said as he walked into the room.
‘I don’t think I can,’ he had to admit weakly, lying back down.
‘Mum’s going to ring the doctor as soon as the surgery opens.’
Tommy struggled to sit up again. ‘I’ll have to make a call too. My foreman needs to know that I won’t be able to make it today, and though he can manage without me, I want to speak to him about a couple of urgent jobs.’
‘I can do that for you. Just tell me what you want this foreman of yours to do.’
With his head swimming, Tommy doubted he could make it downstairs, so he gratefully sank back again. ‘My foreman’s name is Len Upwood,’ he said, going on to explain what work needed to be given priority.
‘Right, leave it to me,’ Jeremy said confidently. ‘I’ll sort everything out.’
‘You just need to pass on what I’ve told you to Len. He’s a good bloke and he knows what he’s doing.’
‘So do I, Tom. I know just what I’m doing,’ Jeremy said as he left the room.
As far as Tommy knew, his brother knew nothing about the glass trade and he doubted he’d ever fitted a window. Still, Jeremy only had to pass on the message, so feeling that he had nothing to worry about now, Tommy relaxed, only to be hit by another fit of coughing that left him gasping for breath.
This wasn’t a mild bout of bronchitis, Tommy worried. It was a bad one and maybe it was just as well that his mother was calling the doctor. At least a course of antibiotics would get him back on his feet, and sooner rather than later.
Jeremy rang Len Upwood, but he wasn’t going to leave it at that. He was going to take a look at the business and after breakfast he said, ‘Mum, with Tom laid up I think I’ll drive to the unit. There’s a saying that while the cat’s away the mice will play, so I want to make sure there’s no slacking.’
‘All right, dear,’ she said. ‘I’m sure Thomas will appreciate that.’
‘Where does he keep the van keys?’
‘On the hall table,’ she said, ‘but have you got a licence to drive?’
‘Of course and I’ll see you later,’ Jeremy said, glad to get out of the house and onto the road. Of course he didn’t have a driving licence. He’d never stayed in one country long enough to get one. Thankfully his mother was too distracted by Tom and his bronchitis to realise that, and anyway, he had learned to drive. He just hadn’t passed any sort of test.
It didn’t take Jeremy long to get a feel for the van, and soon he was pulling up outside the unit, finding only two men in sight when he went inside and asked, ‘Which one of you is Len Upwood?’
‘That’d be me,’ said a round-faced man of around thirty, who was in the process of cutting a sheet of glass. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I’m Jeremy Frost. We spoke on the telephone earlier.’
‘Oh, right, you’re Tommy’s brother.’
‘Yes, and I’m here to make sure that things are running to schedule in his absence.’
‘Well you can tell him they are, including the jobs he wanted prioritised,’ Len said as he bent over his work again.
‘It doesn’t look like it to me. There are only two of you working. Where are the rest of the men?’
Len’s head snapped up again. ‘Where do you think? They’re where they should be, out in their vans working on repairs and installations.’
Jeremy felt a fool and didn’t like it. Nor did he like Len Upwood’s derogatory tone. He’d spent too many years working as a menial; being shown little respect, and he’d had enough of that. For now though he had to make a dignified exit and said, ‘Right, that’s good. I’ll report back to Tommy and if you come across any problems, give me a ring.’
Len just looked at him, saying nothing, and Jeremy left the unit, jaws grinding as he got into the van. If he’d been the boss, Len would have shown him some respect, deference, and now it infuriated him that the business belonged to his brother. Tom was a weakling, always had been, but he had the life that Jeremy wanted, along with the girl.
Jeremy drove off, his grip tight on the steering wheel, determined to find a way to usurp his brother.
Mabel was in Edna’s house, and as she looked around the untidy living room she was trying to hide her distaste. Edna was dishevelled as ever; her hair greasy and unwashed, her body odour foul.
‘Well, I must say I was surprised when you knocked on my door,’ Edna said, as she puffed on a cigarette, two fingers stained a yellowish brown from the nicotine.
‘Yeah, well, I thought you might be interested to hear about Rose and Samuel Jacobs.’
‘What’s to know? It’s common knowledge that Rose married him, no doubt for his money.’
‘Yeah, and she persuaded him to buy a big house close to Battersea Park.’
‘I’ve heard about that too, and that Phyllis is working for her. From what I’ve seen, what with that posh furniture being delivered, Phyllis has done all right for herself too.’
‘It was only stuff Rose didn’t want any more.’
‘What about you getting your roof repaired?’ Edna said sarcastically. ‘I’ve been on about mine for years, but I’m not one of the favoured few like you.’
‘I had nothing to do with it,’ Mabel protested. ‘From what Phyllis tells me, ours aren’t the only ones that are getting repaired. Yours might be next.’
‘It’d be about time.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Mabel said, hoping
to overcome Edna’s slightly hostile manner. ‘It’s about time Samuel Jacobs did something about our complaints. After all, he’s had enough rent out of us over the years. He’s been living in luxury on the money he’s raked in, while we’ve been living in squalor.’
‘Yeah, that’s right. Would you like a cup of tea, Mabel?’ Edna asked.
Mabel smiled. The ice had been broken and she said, ‘Yes, please.’
‘I’ve got a bit of juicy gossip to tell you, but I’ll put the kettle on the gas first.’
Mabel fidgeted with expectation while the tea was made, but it turned out to be worth it and her eyes rounded in surprise. ‘I don’t know why I’m shocked. After all, it’s no more than I’d expect from the likes of her.’
‘I only found out about it recently,’ Edna continued. ‘A friend of a friend’s daughter was in there at the same time, but I don’t get to see her very often. Mind you, as the two of them were such good mates, I should think Amy knew about it.’
‘If she did, she never said a word,’ Mabel said, wondering if Amy had kept it from Phyllis too. Well she’d soon remedy that. Phyllis had refused to hear a bad word about that girl, but at last Mabel had been proved right. She was looking forward to seeing Phyllis later and pointing that fact out.
‘No, Mum, I don’t believe it,’ Amy said. ‘It sounds like Mabel is back to her old ways, and this is just nasty, wicked gossip.’
‘I thought the same, and I gave her a mouthful, but I’ve had time to think about it since then. I’m not so sure now. When you look back, Carol was supposed to have had food poisoning, but don’t you remember the state she was in when she came out of hospital? We were both worried sick about her.’
‘Yes, but then we found out that it was because her mother had walked out.’
‘I’m beginning to think there was more to it than that. If you remember, you were worried about Carol before she went into hospital. You said she’d become moody and withdrawn.’
‘That doesn’t mean she was pregnant, or that she had an abortion,’ Amy said indignantly.
‘I’m only saying it’s possible that the gossips have got it right.’
‘No they haven’t!’ Amy argued. ‘They’re just a bunch of nasty-minded women who seem to enjoy ruining people’s reputations. I dread to think how Carol is going to feel if she hears about this.’
‘Maybe you should warn her.’
Amy was about to reply when there was a knock on the door and she went to open it, surprised to see Tommy’s brother. ‘Jeremy?’
‘Tom asked me to tell you that he can’t see you tonight. I’m afraid he’s stuck in bed with bronchitis.’
‘Oh no,’ Amy cried, all thoughts of Carol at that moment flying from her mind. ‘Do you think it would be all right if I pop up to see him?’
‘I don’t see why not.’
‘Mum, Tommy’s ill,’ she said, grabbing her coat from a hook by the door.
‘Amy, your dinner!’
‘I’ll have it when I come back,’ she said, hurrying out and asking Jeremy as they quickly walked up the hill, ‘How bad is it?’
‘He’s pretty rough, but he’s been put on antibiotics so that should sort him out.’
The wind was biting and Amy pulled her collar up, almost halting in her stride when Jeremy put an arm around her to draw her closer. ‘You’re cold,’ he said softly and with what sounded like concern.
Amy didn’t know how to react. She felt awkward to be this close to Jeremy and to have his arm around her, but if she pulled away it would look churlish. Confused, she just carried on walking and was glad when they arrived.
However any relief she felt was wiped away when Celia saw her, the woman saying, ‘Amy, what are you doing here?’
‘I … I’ve come to see Tommy.’
‘Thomas is in bed, and as I’ve told you before, it wouldn’t be proper for you to go up to his bedroom.’
‘Leave it out, Mum,’ Jeremy protested. ‘They’re engaged.’
‘Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be right,’ Celia argued.
‘The days when couples needed chaperones have well gone, but if you’re going to be prissy about it, I’ll take Amy upstairs and act as one.’
‘Oh, very well, but only for five minutes. Thomas is ill and needs his rest.’
‘Thanks, Jeremy,’ Amy whispered gratefully as they went upstairs.
‘I didn’t realise my mother was such a prude.’
Any comment Amy might have made died on her lips when they walked into Tommy’s bedroom. He looked awful and she flew to his side. Tommy tried to smile, and tears filled Amy’s eyes. This was the first time she’d seen him like this, and it was heartbreaking to hear when he began coughing, his chest heaving and perspiration beading his forehead. ‘Oh, Tommy,’ she cried, feeling utterly helpless.
‘I … I’ll be all right,’ he gasped. ‘Sorry about tonight.’
‘Don’t be silly, it doesn’t matter.’
‘I … might be stuck in bed for a good few days.’
Amy felt it would take longer than that and said, ‘Don’t try to get up before you’re fully recovered.’
‘I’ve got a business to run,’ he croaked.
‘Don’t worry,’ Jeremy said, speaking for the first time. ‘I can keep an eye on things for you.’
‘No … no need,’ Tommy said, but Amy looked sideways to see that Jeremy was leaning casually against the door frame and she smiled at him gratefully. He winked and she flushed, turning to see that Tommy’s eyes had closed. Softly she kissed his cheek, but he didn’t stir, and after just sitting beside him for another couple of minutes, she indicated to Jeremy that they should leave.
Celia was waiting for them at the foot of the stairs, and Amy wondered if she’d been timing the visit. ‘As you saw, Thomas is very ill and he needs lots of rest.’
‘Would it be all right if I just pop in for a few minutes each day?’
‘Yes, of course it will,’ Jeremy agreed before his mother got a chance to answer. ‘That’s all right, isn’t it, Mum?’
Celia hesitated, but then said stiffly, ‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘Thank you,’ Amy said. ‘I’ll go now, but I’ll call in after work tomorrow.’
‘I’ll walk you home, Amy,’ Jeremy offered.
‘There’s no need,’ she said hurriedly.
‘I insist,’ he said.
‘Jeremy, you heard her,’ Celia snapped. ‘There’s no need.’
Before he could respond, Amy pulled open the street door, calling a swift goodbye before hurrying out, relieved that Jeremy didn’t follow her. There was something about Jeremy, a sort of dangerous magnetism that made her nervous and she was glad to get away from him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Carol had done her Christmas shopping and had put a small tree in front of the window, adding fairy lights and baubles. It was Sunday morning, so she had wrapped the presents chosen for her brothers and placed them under the tree. She hoped the hint would work, that some would be added for her, but more than anything she longed for her mother to get in touch. It had been around seven months now without a word, and when she’d been to see her gran, the old lady still insisted that she hadn’t heard from her either. Carol didn’t believe it. Before she left her mother had been to see her gran every day, and it didn’t make sense that she hadn’t at least been in touch to make sure that the old woman was all right.
Not only that, if Gran hadn’t been in contact with her mother, she wouldn’t know that the house on Lark Rise was now empty, and if she did come back it would be a bit of a shock. Thoughts of the recent past, the things that had happened in that house, suddenly crowded Carol’s mind. It was too painful to think about, so when there was a ring on the doorbell, Carol was glad of the distraction.
Even though there had been no sign of her father, Carol still looked out of the window to make sure it wasn’t him at the door, and was thankful to see that it was Amy. She ran downstairs to let her friend in, but Amy said, ‘Ar
e you on your own? I’ve got something to tell you, but it needs to be in private.’
‘It’s all right, my brothers aren’t in. Come on up,’ she said and when they sat down in the living room, Carol could see how tense Amy was. ‘What’s wrong? Why do you need to talk to me in private?’
Amy swallowed as though nervous, but only said, ‘Tommy’s got bronchitis and he’s really rough.’
‘Oh, no wonder you look upset.’
‘Tommy’s brother has come home too. Jeremy is older than Tommy and has been away for about seven years. He seems all right, and he’s really good looking.’
‘Is that what you’ve come to talk to me about? Do you fancy him or something?’
‘No, of course not,’ Amy protested.
‘Then what is it?’
‘I … I was going to tell you about this yesterday, after work, but I saw your brothers arriving home and I didn’t want to talk to you in front of them. That’s why I came today, hoping they were out …’
Amy’s voice had trailed off and worried that she was in some kind of trouble, Carol urged, ‘You’re safe, we’re on our own, and if I can help you know I will.’
‘This … this isn’t about me. It’s about you. I hate to tell you this, and of course it’s all lies, but there’s some nasty gossip going round and I thought I should warn you.’
Carol’s stomach clenched. Surely it hadn’t come out after all this time? She dreaded what was coming, but had to ask, ‘What are they saying about me?’
‘They’re saying that you … well, you had an abortion.’
Carol lowered her head and ran both hands over her face as she groaned, ‘Oh God, if this reaches Paul and Davy they’re going to go mad.’
‘Maybe they should,’ Amy said. ‘If they sort the gossips out, it might put a stop to them.’
‘No, no, you don’t understand,’ Carol cried. ‘It’s me they’ll sort out, probably chuck out me of this flat. Oh, Amy, what am I going to do?’
Amy looked bewildered for a moment, but then as though the penny had dropped she gasped, ‘Are you saying it’s true?’