Three Letters

by Josephine Cox

  He would not delude himself, though, because things were bound to get harder. Anxious, he glanced up at the boy. For young Casey’s sake, he prayed that once they had got through the immediate painful business, life might be a little kinder to them.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  PATRICK WAS IMPATIENT to get started. ‘Right then, me lovelies! We’ve settled one important dilemma, so what say we get on with shifting furniture and stuff, before the day’s gone altogether?’

  Bob was relieved to have got the thumbs up on his little plan. ‘I’m satisfied I’ll be doing the right thing by our Tom and Casey … and, of course, Tom’s wife, Ruth.’

  ‘We don’t even know where Mam’s gone,’ Casey commented. ‘She might never come back.’

  ‘Hey, now!’ Clambering out of his chair, Granddad Bob went over to him. ‘Yer want ’er to come back, don’t yer, lad?’

  ‘I don’t care, and anyway, she won’t come back, even if I want her to.’ He had not forgotten how she turned him away at the churchyard.

  ‘Well, I think you do care, the same as I do. Oh, I know she can be a tyrant at times, and it’s bad that she’s gone off, like she doesn’t care about us any more. There’s no denying you’ve plenty to be upset about, lad, and to tell yer the truth, I’m the very same. I’m sad, and I’m angry, and I’ve no idea how this will all turn out. But we have to carry on the best we can, and see what happens. We have to be brave and strong, you and me, because we both know your daddy would want that.’

  He felt he had a duty to spell it out to the boy. ‘As far as yer mam’s concerned, I’ve no idea what’s on ’er mind, nor why she’s deserted everything and everybody. There might well come a day when she just turns up, unexpected like. How d’yer think you’d feel if she did? Would yer ask her to stay, or would yer want her to go?’

  The boy took a while to reflect on this. In his mind he could see his mam’s face, all angry and shouting. He knew she wanted to hurt him; she always wanted to hurt him, and he wasn’t sure why. And what about the last time? That was the worst ever. In his mind he could see his daddy dragging her off him, and he couldn’t help but wonder why his mam hated him so much; because she did, otherwise she would never look at him like that, as though she wanted him dead.

  Sometimes, he didn’t like her at all, and sometimes he loved her, because she was his mam.

  Just now, though, he didn’t want to think about her. All he wanted was his daddy back. But his daddy was not coming back. That made him hurt so much, he could hardly breathe. Deep down inside, where no one else could see, it was like a door had closed for ever.

  When the tears rose in the boy’s eyes, Granddad Bob wrapped a strong arm round his small shoulders. ‘I want yer to know that you can talk to me any time, about anything. And remember, you’ve allus got me, and Dolly, and you’re very much loved. You do know that, don’t yer, lad?’

  ‘Yes, Granddad.’

  ‘Good! And for what it’s worth I reckon we should all try hard not to give up on yer mam. I’ve a strong feeling that one o’ these fine days, she might just turn up on the doorstep. Oh, I know well enough what she’s like, and I know she might want to take what’s hers and go away again, and that’d be her choice. Or, she might want to make a fresh start, and that’d be her choice, too. But whatever she decides, we can deal with it if and when the time comes. Until then, it’s you and me, lad.’

  He smiled at those two wonderful people who had watched the display of emotion and trust between him and the boy. ‘And aren’t we lucky to have our very good friends Dolly and Patrick?’ These two had consoled him through his own grief, just like he had tried to console his grandson.

  But now, there was something else he had to tell the boy. Something that, in the light of recent events, he was aching to clear from his mind.

  ‘Casey, lad?’

  ‘What, Granddad?’

  ‘Being as we’re already talking about things that are not very pleasant, I think we should get it all over and done with in one foul swoop. Y’see, there’s summat I need to explain to yer, and I reckon now is as good a time as any. After I’ve told yer, we can then put it all behind us and get on with our lives. The thing is, over the years me and your grandma got together a nice lot of knick-knacks. Things like furniture and ornaments, and suchlike. What I’m trying to say is, well, I’ve written things down in a letter … just so there’ll be no misunderstanding, and I need to tell yer now.’

  Taking a deep breath he got out what he had to say as quickly and as plainly as he could. ‘The letter is in an envelope tucked underneath my bed. It’s signed and everything. What it says is that when the Good Lord decides to tek me, everything will be yours, to do with as yer like.’ He smiled at the boy. ‘There! It’s done, and now we need never mention it again, because I intend to live ’til I’m a hundred!’

  Casey was horrified. ‘I don’t want anything, Granddad! I only want you. I don’t want “the Good Lord” to take you away from me.’

  When the boy began to panic, Granddad Bob took him by the shoulders. ‘Now, you listen to me, young Casey.’ He spoke firmly, but kindly. ‘For starters, like I said, it’s important for you to know these things. And don’t you worry about me going to the Good Lord just yet, ’cause like I said I intend being about for some long time. And besides, I’ve got you to look after, and you’ve got me to look after, an’ all …’

  Hoping to ease the tension, he gave a raucous laugh. ‘I’m warning yer now, lad, I want at least a dozen great-grandchildren off yer!’

  Everyone in the room laughed at that. ‘Twelve childer? Jeez!’ Patrick went white at the thought. ‘Sure, you’ll have the lad collapsing at the very idea, so ye will.’

  Happier now, Casey hugged his granddad. ‘I love you, Granddad.’

  ‘I love you too, lad. Allus ’ave, allus will.’

  ‘Honest, Granddad … you’re not leaving me, are you?’

  ‘Not on your life! Oh, and while we’re getting things straight, I might as well tell yer summat else. It’s a little secret I were saving for another day. Only I reckon yer should know right now. Especially as our friend Patrick is ’ere to share in it. And because it will show how long I mean to be here, to look after yer and keep an eye on what yer up to.’

  ‘What secret, Granddad?’ The boy’s eyes lit up. ‘Tell me.’

  ‘All right then, I will!’ He gave a happy little whoop. ‘The thing is, I’m hoping that in the not too distant future, me and Dolly might mek a life together. I’ve asked her, but like any woman, she’s playing hard to get.’

  He turned to look at Dolly, who was blushing like a young girl. She had not expected him to blurt it out, especially as they’d only talked about it last night.

  ‘Well, lass, what d’yer say? D’yer want us or not? Are yer willing to tek on a grumpy old bugger, and a bright young lad, both of who love yer? It’s no good being coy, ’cause now’s the time to speak out. So, is it a yes, or a no?’

  Thrilled and delighted, Dolly gave her answer. ‘It’s a yes, but only if Casey is ready to accept me as his new grandma?’ She was only too aware that he had lost both his mam and his dad, and right now, his emotions must be raw. She remembered what he’d said at the stream, and her heart was full.

  ‘I knew it!’ Casey ran to her and, flinging his arms round her neck, he snuggled up to her. ‘Oh, Dolly, I’ll be so glad for you and Granddad to be together, ’cause I love you both … so much.’ Already she felt like a grandma to him, and it seemed natural that she and Granddad Bob would be together.

  Granddad Bob’s smile lit up the room. ‘Right then. Looks like we’ve wedding plans to mek, lad. But not just yet, ’cause we’ve still got a thousand things to do.’

  His eyes were suspiciously moist as he winked at Dolly, who gave him a reassuring smile.

  ‘Best move yerself then, Bob Denton,’ she chided. ‘We can’t be romancing when there’s work to be done.’

  Within two hours, everything was packed into the wagon and saf
ely secured. The house was cleaned and swept out, and when he turned the key in the door for the last time, Granddad Bob told the boy, ‘Don’t think of this as the end, lad. Think of it like a new beginning eh?’

  Casey gave no answer, because if he spoke now, he was sure to cry. So he just nodded. And Granddad Bob smiled, and it was all right again.

  After they had delivered the key to the neighbour, Granddad Bob helped Dolly up into the cab of the wagon, then Casey, and finally climbed in himself.

  ‘We’re packed in here like a can o’ sardines, so we are!’ Patrick never liked his space to be invaded. ‘Are youse lot gonna be all right?’

  ‘Right as rain.’ Granddad Bob had Casey on his lap, and Dolly beside him. He considered himself to be somewhat fortunate that, after losing one family, he had all but gained another. He hoped with all his heart Casey might also find a degree of contentment.

  ‘All right, are yer, lad?’

  ‘Yes, Granddad.’

  ‘That’ll do me then.’ The smile he gave Dolly was warm and wonderful. ‘You all right there, are yer, Dolly?’

  ‘I’m fine.’ Reaching out, she reassured him with a gentle touch on the back of his hand. ‘You all right, are you?’

  ‘Aye, lass. We’ve a long way to go yet, but we’ll get there … all three of us.’

  ‘Don’t ye mean four?’ Patrick was having trouble keeping the wagon steady.

  ‘Four?’ Granddad Bob was confused.

  ‘Just now, ye said you’d get there … all three of youse. So, am I not part of this family? Am I only good for shifting and carrying, and then to be chucked out on me ear?’ When he turned to give his old friend a disapproving scowl, the wagon ran up the kerb. ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph, will ye look at that. You very nearly caused an accident, so ye did!’

  ‘For pity’s sake, Patrick, keep your eyes on the road. All right then, all four of us will get through it together … if that’s what you’re upset about. So, will yer please now get us all safely to our destination, because if we all get mangled, it won’t matter if we’re three or four, or an army on the march!’

  Patrick was satisfied. ‘All I can say is, I’m proud to be a part o’ this family; thank you.’

  He then concentrated on the road and the traffic, until he began to worry again. ‘Where did ye say we were going?’

  ‘Patrick, will you stop that! I’ve already told you: we’re going to my house on Addison Street. What’s wrong with yer? Were yer boozing heavy last night, or is there summat wrong with your hearing?’

  ‘There’s nothing at all wrong wit my hearing, and if I choose to have a pint or two wit me good friends, who’s to say I shouldn’t? Jeez! I never know where I am with you. So, just to be on the safe side, let me get this straight. We’ve just brought the stuff from Henry Street, and now, we’re taking it to your house on Addison Street. Am I right?’

  ‘Well, there you go. You knew all along.’

  ‘Look here, Bob, me old friend, what with one thing and another, I’ve had enough trouble today. The last thing I need is for you to be changing your mind all the time.’ He had not forgotten that awful business down Emily Street. ‘I don’t ever want to get stuck in some narrow ginnel again. That’s all I’m saying.’

  ‘You won’t get stuck in a ginnel on my account. Just keep driving, and don’t go too fast or you’ll topple the boxes, and don’t go too slow or we’ll never get there. Oh, and—’

  ‘That’s enough o’ the dos and don’t’s! I do not appreciate your advice on how to drive my wagon, thank you. And since you were good enough to explain, just to be on the safe side, I’d best go over it again. We’ve come from Henry Street, right?’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘And now we’re on our way to Addison Street?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  Patrick repeated to himself, ‘We’ve been to … Henry Street, and now … we’re going to … Addison Street.’

  Bob gave a sigh of relief. ‘Just be sure not to take any wrong turns.’

  When, a short time later, Patrick turned the wagon into Addison Street, Bob was able to relax. ‘Yer did well, Patrick.’ But his relief turned to frustration as the engine began spitting and groaning. When the wagon came to a full stop in the middle of the street, Patrick informed them, ‘You’ll need to get out and push, so ye will.’

  Seeing how they were stranded at one end of the street and his house was at the other, Bob knew they had little choice. He was not best pleased, but he was sensible enough to know that the engine packing up could not altogether be Patrick’s fault; that is, until Patrick grumbled, ‘I thought I’d put enough petrol in the tank to get us all the way back, so I did …’

  One look at his old friend’s disbelieving expression, and Patrick wisely turned away. ‘Casey, lad. D’ye think you could steer the wagon, while I get behind and help the others push it along to the house?’

  ‘Yes, Patrick, I can do that, if you show me how.’

  So, after Patrick showed him how to steer, Casey was confident enough, though he was so low down, he could hardly see above the steering wheel.

  ‘Sit still a minute. I’ll soon ’ave ye comfortable, so I will.’

  Patrick climbed into the back of the wagon and began throwing things about.

  ‘What the devil are you doing in there?’ Bob was horrified to see all his carefully packed boxes being ravaged one by one.

  A few minutes later Patrick emerged, triumphantly brandishing a pillow. ‘This’ll do the trick!’ he told them. He folded the pillow, placed it on the driving seat, and Casey sat atop it. ‘Now then, are ye able to see above the steering wheel?’

  When Casey sat up straight, his view of the road ahead was perfect. ‘Yes, I can see right down to our granddad’s house.’

  Patrick was proud of himself. ‘All it takes is a bit o’ common sense and a clear head, an’ a man can solve all the problems in the world, so he can!’

  He went on to give Casey a quick résumé of the next steps. ‘Now then, young ’un, all ye need to do is steer the wagon to the house. Ye must keep as near the kerb as possible, but make sure ye don’t run over it. D’ye understand?’

  ‘Yes, Patrick, I understand.’ He repeated the instructions to Patrick’s satisfaction.

  ‘Good! Now then, I’m going back to help push the wagon. We’re all relying on you to do a proper job, so we are. Oh, and don’t forget what I told ye. When we’re getting closer to the house, me or your granddad will shout for you to stamp your foot hard on the brake.’ He pointed. ‘That’s the one, right there. And don’t you worry, ’cause we’ll give ye plenty o’ warning.’

  ‘I can’t do it, Patrick.’

  ‘What d’ye mean, ye can’t do it? Course ye can!’

  ‘Patrick Riley, yer dafter than I thought.’ Bob’s voice rang out from behind. ‘Look at where the boy is! How the devil can he be expected to slam his foot on the brakes from where he is?’

  Patrick followed his old friend’s gaze. When he saw the boy’s little legs dangling in mid-air, he was shocked. ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph! What’s happened to his legs?’

  Bob burst out laughing, ‘You’ve happened, that’s what! You’ve hoisted him up with the pillow. Now he can see above the steering wheel all right, only his legs are hanging in mid-air. In order to slam his foot on the brake, he’ll need to climb down, but if he climbs down, he won’t be able to see where he’s going.’

  Patrick was taking it all in. ‘Well, I never!’

  Hearing the fracas, Dolly came to see, and she tried hard not to laugh. ‘Trust a man to get it wrong,’ she murmured.

  Embarrassed, Patrick reviewed the situation. When he took note of how Casey was sitting atop the doubled pillow, with his legs swinging back and forth, he started to titter, then he was chuckling, and now the three of them were roaring with laughter.

  The raucous laughter echoed down the street, and in a matter of minutes, the windows and doors were being thrown open for neighbours to see what was going on.


  ‘Want a hand, do you?’ That was Mr Barnes from number fourteen. ‘Looks like you’ve got trouble.’

  Having watched their progress from the window, he couldn’t imagine why they were laughing. Now though, having got the gist of it, he was impatient to get down to the pub that night and relay the comical tale to his mates. He had never met Patrick before, but he instantly warmed to him.

  ‘I can help to push the wagon forward, or we can get the boy down, and I’ll steer the wagon. Just tell me where to go. Like I say, I’ll do whatever helps most.’

  ‘Ah, now, wouldn’t that be grand. Thank you kindly.’ Patrick promptly recruited him to help push the wagon from behind. Patrick then helped Casey down and climbed into the cab, while Casey was assigned the job of walking along the pavement and keeping an eye on progress.

  Unaware that he was just being kept safe, he felt really proud to be helping.

  Mr Barnes and Bob positioned themselves at the rear of the wagon, taking the weight at the corners, while Dolly was in the middle, helping as best she could, without unduly straining herself.

  It was a good plan in the circumstances and though they were going downhill, the wagon and its heavy load made the short journey somewhat painful.

  ‘I’ve a petrol can in the back.’ Patrick was thinking ahead, ‘Youse can make a start if ye like, while I make my way to the garage.’

  ‘No need for that.’ Mr Barnes was puffing and blowing as he bent his back to the wagon. ‘It’s a long walk to the nearest garage. When you’re ready I’ll run you down to King Street garage.’

  ‘You’d best ask my mate Bob. He’s the boss – on this occasion, anyway.’

  Bob was grateful for Mr Barnes’ further offer of help. ‘That would be much appreciated. Also, we’ve a pile o’ furniture and a load of heavy boxes to carry into the house. Another pair o’ helping hands would get the job done in a quicker time, if you’re sure yer don’t mind?’ He was conscious of how everyone in this street knew what had happened to his son, and that each and every one of them had been genuine in their sympathy.