by Carol Rivers
‘What about your evening meal?’
‘There was this little eating house by the Pavilion. It was only small, but it had dim lights and was ever so romantic. Then we’d stroll home by the sea, look at the moonlight on the water. You know, Lil, I’d like to live on the coast. The air there is different to the river.’
‘Would you live there then if you had the chance?’ said Lily in surprise.
Hattie shrugged. ‘It’s only a dream.’
‘You and Reube could open a boarding house.’
‘Too much like hard work for me. I don’t want to turn into an old dragon.’
Laughing again they entered the park and went to the café. Lily got out her purse. ‘It’s my treat today, Hat.’
‘You can’t afford this.’
‘Yes, I can.’
‘What do you mean?’ Hattie stared at her. ‘You’re not at work.’
‘Wait till we sit down.’
‘I’m all ears.’
After the tea and scones arrived, Lily began her story. Hattie’s jaw dropped as she listened to what had happened to the Bright family after the young newlyweds had gone on honeymoon.
Hattie for once, was speechless.
‘I can’t believe all that happened in a week. How is your dad now?’
‘Not as bad as he was.’
‘Has he still got the cough?’
Lily nodded. ‘Yes, but it was the laudanum that changed him. The reason why he’d never go out or see people.’
‘Did he smoke from one of them pipes when he was down that place?’
‘I don’t know. Ben didn’t say.’
‘Didn’t you ask him?’
‘I didn’t want to know. And anyway, it wouldn’t make any difference. Doctor Tapper said he will improve if he can get over the next few weeks.’
Hattie gave a deep sigh. ‘I know what it’s like when Sylvester ain’t well. Mum and Dad are always worried he’s going to fit. I don’t suppose he’ll ever leave home. A wife wouldn’t put up with it.’
‘Me mum’s put up with a lot.’
‘It must have been a great worry for her.’
‘I wish she’d told me.’
‘I can see why she didn’t, so as to keep the peace.’
Lily nodded. ‘She was afraid if there was an upset, the word would get out. She blames Uncle Noah for getting him started on it in the first place. But he only tried to help me dad.’
Hattie screwed up her eyes. ‘You just don’t think things like this happen to your neighbour or your friend.’
Lily thought of her father and the deep, dark pit he must have been in in his mind. He’d lost his ability to make a living, to provide for his family. As the days went by, the hopelessness got worse instead of better. She didn’t blame him for trying to find some relief. But now, that part of his life was all over. Who would have thought that it was through Charles the answer to their problems had come?
As if Hattie had caught her train of thought, she said, ‘Now tell me all about Charles again.’
Lily proceeded to repeat all she had said. By the time they had finished their scones, she came breathlessly to the end.
Hattie was silent, her big brown eyes thoughtful. ‘Lil, I’m going to miss you something awful if you go away.’
‘I’ll be home at weekends.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Anyway, you have a husband to look after now. And Mrs James. That is, until you move.’
Hattie nodded. ‘I want a place of our own.’
‘Do you know when Mrs James and Pedro are tying the knot?’
‘Nothing’s been said. I think Mrs James is waiting to see if her daughter-in-law will be a better investment than a husband.’
Both girls looked at one another.
Hattie sighed. ‘Our lives are changing, ain’t they?’
Lily smiled. ‘Yes, but it’s nice we’ve got each other to confide in.’
Hattie grinned mischievously. ‘Do you realize you’ll be rich on six guineas a week.’
‘Not rich, but I can pay our debts and the rent each week. I’ll try to put a bit by for a rainy day.’
‘You’ve had a lot of rainy days already. I reckon the sun has to shine on you now.’
Lily smiled at her friend. ‘Hattie, all I’ve told you is in confidence.’
‘Course it is. But I’ll clip me old man’s ear for not telling me as Ben must have told him.’
Lily smiled. ‘They’re thick as thieves those two.’
‘When are you thinking of letting your mum and dad know about your new job?’
‘As soon as Dad is better.’
‘He don’t try to escape any more, then?’
‘No, but I want to make sure he don’t get tempted again.’
Hattie sighed heavily. ‘There is someone else who’s going to miss you, you know.’
Lily looked into her friend’s gaze. ‘You mean Ben.’
‘Yes. After all you two have been through. It’s not every girl who has a bloke go into an opium den on her behalf, and save her father.’
‘I know.’ Lily’s heart felt heavy. ‘The first thing I’ll do when I get me full wage is return him the five pounds he gave me.’
‘He won’t want it back.’
‘I’ll make him take it.’
‘Don’t you have any feeling for him at all?’ Hattie leaned forward, a puzzled expression on her brow. ‘He’s good looking and kind and always got a joke. He was a flirt but he ain’t any more.’
Lily smiled wistfully. ‘Hattie, something happened to me the day I met Charles. It was like having a blindfold taken off. I saw everything so vivid; all the colours of life became brighter. I felt everything keener; I heard things with different ears, as if I was a kid and everything was new. That’s what Charles did to me. And even though a long time has gone by without him, those sights and sounds remained in me heart, as alive as ever. Just sleeping. When I saw him again at the church, they sprang into life, just like before. So when you ask me about my feelings for Ben, I can only repeat that he means a great deal to me as a friend.’
Hattie took her hand across the table. ‘I wish you every good thing in your new life with Charles, Lil, as much as you wish for me and Reube.’
‘Thanks, Hat. That means the world to me.’ The two girls looked at each other with tears in their eyes. Then Lily looked down at the white china plate, where a fragment of scone remained. ‘We ain’t gonna waste that, are we?’
Hattie laughed. ‘Bags the bit with the currant in.’ Lily felt happy as they laughed again. But she couldn’t ignore the feeling inside that it would be a while before they sat here again.
Noah Kelly was taking the Talking Machine downstairs from it’s spot in his bedroom. He was puffing and panting with the exertion. The box was heavier than he thought, the large horn being cumbersome more than weighty.
He was also trying to do it very quietly, as he didn’t want the balloon to go up. His sister would create blue murder when she knew the RO was coming round. He’d been up to the offices this week and had a long grilling under the powers that be. Most of the questions they’d asked him had been aimed at finding out if they had any money hidden away. They hadn’t actually accused him of lying, but they had shot questions at him from every angle. He’d been ready for them though. And he’d told them if they wanted to tear up the planks from the floor they were welcome, just so long as they nailed them back.
The RO was coming round next week. It would be a lengthy appointment they’d warned him. All the family had to be present. The rent book and list of debts must be produced. That would be the tricky one. Somehow he’d have to persuade Josie to admit to what was on the slate. How much they’d pawned and what was owing to the landlord. She’d sat tight on that information, like a constipated hen for the last four years. Noah suspected his sister had been borrowing from Peter, Paul and the rest of the disciples as well.
Just as he was creeping into the parlour with the box in his hands, Jo
sie appeared from the kitchen.
He stood still, looking around the glistening horn.
‘Where are you going with that?’
‘Into the parlour.’
‘Why? We ain’t having a knees-up.’
‘We could do with one.’
‘Be serious, Noah.’
‘I thought I’d give it a clean up.’
Josie came forward, running her fingers over the shining metal. ‘I can see me face in it.’
Noah tried to push past but she stayed him. ‘Noah, what’s going on?’
‘Nothing. Let me pass or I’ll drop the lot.’ He didn’t want to tell her till nearer the time. She would make a great fuss about it and he couldn’t stand more drama after the last few weeks.
Charlie Brent and his lad was calling round with the cart tonight. As a favour, he was taking the piano and the box and all the records down his yard. There he would store them until such time as it was safe to bring them out again. Whenever that would be, Noah wasn’t sure as the RO and his spies would be dropping in without notice whilst they were in receipt of the pittance they deigned to give them.
‘What are you up to, Noah?’
‘I told you, woman. Nothing.’
‘I know you of old, brother. There’s nothing that passes me by.’
‘And a bloody shame it is too, Josie. You was always worried about others poking their noses in your business, but that didn’t stop you from doing it first.’
Her mouth began to tremble. Noah at once felt bad. Why had he gone and said that? He was nervous, and felt guilty, but he was only trying to get the family out of a jam.
Josie clutched the edge of her apron as though expecting tears. ‘There’s no need to speak to me like that.’
‘I’m sorry.’ He sank into the chair, exhausted by his efforts.
Josie sat too. ‘Are you going to tell me what you are doing?’
He nodded. ‘Yes, but you won’t like it.’
‘Then you better get it over with.’ She sat stiffly, her eyes pinned on him.
‘I’m putting the box, all me records and the piano with Charlie Brent. He’s gonna keep them for us.’
‘Why should he do that?’ His sister looked indignant. ‘I don’t want me piano to go. It’s the one good bit our mother left us.’
‘Precisely.’
‘Noah, what have you done?’
‘I’ve been up to see the RO.’
Josie gasped, her hand going to her neck as though she felt strangled. Her face went as red as the cushion behind her. ‘The Receiving Office!’ she shrieked, jumping up. ‘No, you can’t! You can’t!’
‘Calm down, Josie.’
‘How can you say that? The RO coming! Oh God!’
‘It ain’t the end of the world.’
‘It might as well be.’
‘Look, it won’t be for long. Just till Bob’s well again, then Lil can find another job.’
‘But I’d rather die than have me house invaded!’
‘You might not have a house to invade, if you can’t pay the landlord.’
‘And what would people think if they saw the RO coming round?’
‘Josie, sit down, you’re going red.’ He tried to calm her but she was out of control. The tears and the screams all poured out as if he’d taken the top off a lemonade bottle. He took hold of her hands but she pushed him back, her cries of distress going right to his heart.
‘For the love of God, Josie . . .’ He stopped as she stood still, gasping and choking and her eyes suddenly turned up to their whites. Then with a little sigh, she sank down in a heap on the carpet.
Lily said goodbye to Hattie, breathing in the last of the summer’s evening as she did so. It was far too good to be indoors. Perhaps she could put chairs in the yard and they could sit for a while before dark.
She slipped her key in the lock, entered the house and as she locked the door once again she heard voices coming from the parlour. They were muffled but when she opened the parlour door, she drew in a sharp breath.
‘Thank Gawd you’re home, Lil,’ spluttered her uncle as he knelt beside the prone figure of her mother on the floor.
‘Mum! What’s happened to her?’ Lily ran over and fell to her knees.
‘I heard all this screaming and came down,’ said her father who stood looking bewildered.
‘She had a bit of a turn,’ said her uncle shakily, looking at Lily from behind his pince-nez. ‘And just fainted away.’
Taking her mother’s hand, Lily patted it. ‘Mum, mum, wake up.’
‘She’s out for the count.’
‘Where are the smelling salts?’
‘I’ll get ’em.’ Noah Kelly rose unsteadily to his feet.
‘Josie, Josie,’ mumbled her father.
‘Are you all right, Dad?’
‘Is it my fault?’
‘No, of course not.’
Her uncle returned with the smelling salts. Lily put them under her mother’s nose. At once Josie coughed and spluttered. Lily helped her to sit up.
‘What happened?’ she asked in a daze.
‘You fainted.’
‘I told her about the RO coming next week,’ said her uncle in a small voice.
Lily looked up at him. ‘The RO?’
He nodded. ‘I got it all arranged.’
‘He was getting rid of me piano,’ cried Josie suddenly.
‘I was only going to hide the piano and me Talking Machine,’ said her uncle. ‘Charlie’s taking them up the coal yard. Away from prying eyes till it’s all over.’
At this Josie began to cry. Lily put her hand under her mother’s arm and helped her to a chair. Lily sat beside her. ‘Did you bang your head when you fell?’
‘No,’ Josie sobbed. ‘It’s not me head that’s broken. It’s me heart. How could you do such a thing, Noah? Me own brother, calling in the RO of all people.’
‘That’s what you do when you’re skint.’
‘You weren’t even going to tell me.’
‘I would have.’
‘When it was too late I expect.’
Lily held her mother’s hand. ‘You can stop crying now, Mum. Here take this hanky.’
‘Think of the shame it will bring!’
‘I was thinking of our bellies,’ replied Lily’s uncle, beginning to lose his patience. ‘And putting something in them.’
‘How could you even—’
‘Stop it you two.’ Lily held up her hands. ‘Uncle Noah, sit down please.’
‘I can never do anything right.’
‘You were trying to help, I know.’
‘What else can we do?’ he demanded as he sat on the chair.
‘There is something else as it happens.’
Her mother stopped crying. ‘What?’
‘If you’ll both give me a chance, I’ll tell you. Now, where’s Dad gone?’
They looked around. ‘Did you lock the door behind you?’ asked her uncle.
‘Yes.’
‘Then he must have gone back upstairs.’
‘I want him to hear what I’ve got to say.’
‘He don’t know what’s going on half the time,’ said her mother in a rush. ‘You’d best leave him out of it.’
A sudden rattle came from the hall and the door swung open. Bob Bright stood with a mug of tea. His hands were shaking so much it was spilling over the sides.
‘Dad!’ Lily went to him.
‘It’s for your mum.’
‘Bob, what are you doing with that?’ Josie cried as she blinked her wet eyes.
‘He’s made the tea, that’s what!’ Lily exclaimed happily as she took the mug and gave it to her mother. ‘Dad, this is wonderful. We thought you’d gone back upstairs.’
‘I made a bit of pig’s ear of the brew, I’m afraid.’
Lily put her arms round him. ‘It’s early days. You’re only just back on your feet. It’s so nice to see you up and about.’
‘It was the shouting that brought me down.’
‘Well, everything’s going to be all right now. Go and sit beside Mum. I’ve some good news to tell you all.’
Lily took a deep breath. She hadn’t intended to reveal her plans just yet. But the prospect of a visit from the Welfare had given her the perfect opportunity.
‘You can put your Talking Machine back upstairs, Uncle Noah. You won’t need to hide it,’ she began. ‘And the piano is safe where it is.’
She gazed at the three confused people staring up at her. It was time to put a smile back on their faces.
‘You mean my little girl is leaving home?’ Bob Bright was the first to speak.
‘I’ll be home at weekends.’
‘I don’t want you to go.’
‘I won’t until you’re better.’
‘But this Charles Grey,’ said her mother, as though she had just understood, ‘what does he want with you after all this time?’
‘He offered me a job once before, now I’ve accepted, as it’s a job I can do and is still available.’
‘But we don’t know who he is. Can he be trusted?’
‘We’ve been through all this before. He’s perfectly respectable and has a house and business to run. He’s away a lot, so I shall be left to me own devices. The pay is six guineas a week.’
‘But that’s a fortune!’ cried Josie.
‘Yes, it is.’
‘Are you sure?’ asked her uncle, his big eye in the pince-nez more magnified than ever.
‘Yes, quite sure, Uncle Noah. I’ll be able to give Mum half of it and clear up our outstanding debts.’
‘Then if you are happy, Lil, this is a small miracle.’ He looked at his sister. ‘It will mean I can tell those buggers at the town hall to get stuffed.’
‘You mean we don’t have to go on the Welfare?’ Josie gasped.
‘No, as Charles has given me an advance to keep us until Dad is recovered.’
‘It’s all too much to take in, Lily,’ said her mother, looking confused. ‘All I can say is, although this will solve our problems, the house won’t be the same without you.’
‘Of course it will. On Saturdays and Sundays I’ll be back to make a nuisance of meself again.’ Lily laughed softly. ‘Just think, you can go up the market and to the corner shop and spend what you want without having to put it on the slate.’
Josie smiled. ‘That will be a new experience.’