Meadow Lane

by Maureen Reynolds

‘It’s Eliza, she walks past the house on numerous occasions as if she’s keeping her eye on them. The poor fool thinks no one notices her but I’m sure they do and they must wonder what kind of people live near them.’

  Bella laughed. ‘I bet Martha is almost bursting to know all about them and poor Eliza has to do her dirty work and go out spying. Grace was telling me that Evie and Tommy met them on Saturday when they were flitting and Eliza had this funny charade of poking her nose in but pretending she was merely a passerby.’

  Later, when Albert stood up to leave, a sudden squally burst of rain rattled against the window. ‘I knew the forecast was right, Bella, the rain has come on like they said.’

  Bella was putting more coal on the fire and she smiled. ‘So it seems the forecast was right.’

  At bedtime, Albert hoped all this talk of the war wouldn’t bring on his horrific nightmare. For years he had tried to put that episode in his life to the back of his mind; sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. His subconscious mind had the nasty habit of reliving the past and now and again after the nightmare he had a bad feeling for most of the next day. Before going to sleep, he decided to concentrate on the new folk next door who had their whole life in front of them with their baby. He remembered Jean’s anguish at not having a child and the slow realisation as the years passed that there would be no children in the marriage. Then, without warning, the thought came unbidden to his mind about the scene with her mother. After five years of no babies, she had marched in one day and accused him of being at fault. ‘You must have been injured in the war, Albert, that’s why my daughter can’t have any children.’ He had looked at Jean but she said nothing which meant she thought the same. He almost said it could also be Jean’s fault but he didn’t want to hurt his wife. He told himself it wasn’t the lack of courage that held his tongue. After all, he had been brave enough during the war.

  14

  Eliza saw the sun the moment she pulled back the curtains and she decided she would go to the shop for fresh bread. Her mother was still sleeping and she hesitated, wondering whether she should nip out or wait till the old woman wakened up. She was slipping on her coat when the decision was taken out of her hands as Martha opened her eyes and tried to sit up in bed. ‘Where are you going?’ She sounded disgruntled and Eliza saw her trip to the shop being stopped.

  ‘I thought I’d go and get some fresh bread as this loaf is a bit stale.’

  To her surprise her mother said this was a great idea. ‘I’ll stay in bed until you get back, just pass me my specs and my library book. You can go to the paper shop and get my People’s Friend and the Weekly News.’

  After Martha was settled, Eliza escaped out the door. It was a lovely morning, sunny and mild, the kind of day that sometimes comes at the end of March, and she enjoyed the warmth on her head. She hated the bad weather as it meant she was cooped up in the house with her mother and some days she felt she would scream with boredom and frustration, but on a day like this she felt the stresses of her life ebbing away.

  She wanted to go past Morag and Rory’s house as she would love a chat with them but it meant passing Albert’s door and she knew he thought she was a nosey busybody so she went towards the Hilltown end of the lane and down to the bakery.

  There was no sign of Anna but Mrs Bell was serving a small queue at the counter. When it was her turn to be served, the woman said, ‘How nice to see you, Eliza, I haven’t seen you for a while.’

  Eliza said she had been getting her messages from Tommy and Evie due to the cold, wet and snowy weather.

  Mrs Bell said it was great to see the end of winter but said, ‘I hope today isn’t a flash in the pan as I often think March and April can be changeable.’ She put the loaf into a paper bag. ‘How is Martha, is she keeping well?’

  Eliza said she was fine. ‘Mind you, it doesn’t stop her complaining.’

  Mrs Bell laughed. ‘I see she hasn’t changed then. I’ve known her for years and she’s always been like that.’

  Eliza smiled and said nothing as she left the shop, but her mood felt heavy and the earlier feeling of wellbeing was gone. She was passing the Gows’ house when Grace opened the door.

  ‘Hullo Eliza, you’re out early today.’

  Eliza stopped and held up the bag. ‘I thought I would go to the bakery as it’s such a lovely morning.’

  Grace said, ‘Come in for a moment and I’ll give you some scones as well for your mother.’

  For the second time that morning, Eliza hesitated. She wasn’t sure about leaving her mum alone for much longer but she then made up her mind and went inside. Bill had already left for work and Evie was getting ready to go to school with Tommy.

  Grace put four scones on a plate and covered them with a cloth. ‘I’m having another cup of tea, Eliza, do you want one?’

  Eliza heard herself say she would and she sat down at the table which still held the breakfast dishes.

  ‘How is Martha?’

  ‘I’ve left her in bed with her library book so I can’t stay too long, Grace. I just felt I wanted a bit of space to myself but I expect I’ll get an earful when I get in.’

  Grace made a sympathetic noise. Eliza looked flustered. ‘Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love my mum but sometimes it gets a bit much for me and I feel like running away.’ She stopped and gave Grace a stricken glance. ‘Not that I would do that. I mean, who would look after her if she didn’t have me?’

  Grace listened but said nothing. Eliza stood up. ‘I better get back but thanks for the scones, Mum will love them.’

  ‘I hope you have a couple of them for yourself and don’t let her eat them all.’

  Eliza said she would. ‘I’ve been trying to cut down on her eating as she is putting on more weight. I only put one spoon of sugar in her tea instead of her usual three and I’ve tried to make her portions of food smaller.’ She gave a big sigh. ‘Not that it works because she always asks for seconds.’ She turned round when she reached the door and said, ‘How is Maryanne?’

  ‘She’s out of hospital but has been sent to a convalescent home at Auchterhouse. I think it used to be a cottage hospital but now it’s used to let patients who have had surgery recover before being sent home. I’m going to see her this week, I get the bus at Courthouse Square, so I’ll give you any news after I see her.’

  Eliza said to tell her that they were both thinking of her and hoped to see her soon.

  After Eliza had left, Martha got up with some difficulty and made herself a cup of tea, adding four spoons of sugar. She knew Eliza had cut down on her sugar but unknown to her, she had ways of sabotaging this. It was the same with the chocolate biscuits which they sometimes bought. Eliza kept them in a tin on the top shelf of the cupboard but Martha reached up and pulled three chocolate wafers from the tin. After she finished her snack she hurried back to bed and propped the library book up. She had no intention of reading it as it was a totally boring book. She would have a word with her daughter about the books she brought back from the library. Glancing at the clock she wondered where Eliza had got to as it had been almost an hour. That would be another thing to bring up. This thought gave her some satisfaction. After all, what pleasures were left to her now? She had to make some mischief to brighten up her day.

  Eliza hurried in and put the bread and scones down. ‘I met Grace and she gave me a couple of scones for you,’ she said as she put the kettle on to make breakfast.

  ‘I thought you were taking a long time to get one little loaf of bread and a couple of papers.’

  Eliza gave a gasp. ‘I’m sorry, Mum, but I forgot to go to the paper shop.’

  Martha’s mouth was agape with astonishment. ‘How can you forget to get my papers when I mentioned them before you left?’

  Suddenly Eliza felt emboldened. ‘Well I did.’ Martha’s eyes opened wide but Eliza went on, ‘I’ll go for them later or if I don’t manage I’ll ask Evie when she comes back from school.’

  Martha’s annoyance was growing. ‘Afte
r school, that’s ages away and I’ve nothing to read.’

  ‘You’ve got your library book.’ Eliza placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast and a buttered scone in front of her mother.

  Martha wanted to carry on this argument but the sight of food made her think again. There would be time later to continue this row.

  Later that morning, the opportunity arose to resume her grievances. ‘I don’t understand how you could forget my papers.’

  Eliza, who was trying to do some housework, groaned. ‘I said I’d get them later.’

  Martha, however, was like a fractious toddler. ‘I’d like them now as I don’t like this library book. You always get boring books for me from the library.’

  This was news to Eliza, who brought back the crime club thrillers that her mother asked for, but as she knew from past rows, there was no arguing with her when she was in this frame of mind. Grabbing her coat from the hook, she said, ‘All right, I’ll go and get them now but then I want some peace and quiet to get on with the housework.’ She marched out of the door and hesitated. She didn’t want to go past Grace’s house again as she couldn’t stand the sympathy from her. She made for the Caldrum Street end of the lane and decided to get the papers from the newsagent’s in Ann Street. As she was passing the MacCallum’s house, she almost collided with Morag who was coming out her door backwards with a sweeping brush. She turned and smiled when she saw Eliza.

  ‘Hullo, I’m sorry I almost knocked you over.’ She was dressed in a blue cotton smock that covered her bump. ‘I’m trying to get the house in order before the baby comes and Rory and his brother are bringing round the new curtains,’ she said, smoothing a strand of hair that escaped from the rest which was tied back in a ponytail.

  Eliza thought this was a very fashionable hairstyle but she asked, ‘How is the work coming along in the house?’

  ‘Oh, we were lucky. Murdo, Rory’s brother, did a lot of work over the weekend and we’re almost finished.’

  Eliza said that was good, especially as the baby would soon be born.

  Morag placed a hand over her stomach. ‘To be truthful I’ll be glad when it’s over as I feel so huge. It’ll be great when I can see my feet again.’

  Eliza laughed, and thought how great it would be if her mother could ever see her feet again. She was ready to pass on when a small white van came along the lane. It was emblazoned with the owner’s name, MacCallum Joinery. Morag gave the occupants a wave. ‘That’ll be the new curtains. Rory and Murdo were picking them up from Smith and Horner’s shop on the Hilltown.’

  The two men got out of the van and Eliza gave a gasp when she noticed Morag’s brother-in-law. He didn’t resemble his brother as he looked older and had a stockier build. Fortunately Morag didn’t hear her intake of breath and she greeted the two men with a smile. They were carrying a large brown paper parcel and they greeted Eliza as they passed by.

  She was flustered. ‘I must be off but it’s nice meeting you.’ She was at the paper shop before she calmed down. Mrs Jennings asked after Martha, and Eliza answered without thinking, ‘She’s fine but waiting to read her magazine and paper.’ As she made her way home she couldn’t get over the sight of Murdo MacCallum as he looked so like Michael. Of course Michael would be much older now, the same age as herself, but the last time she saw him he had resembled Murdo. She remembered that last meeting and how wrong everything had gone. How she wished she could relive that moment and how different her life might have been. Passing Morag’s house she was dismayed to see that the van had gone but the new curtains were in the window and they were lovely. Pale cream with a small blue pattern and a cream lining, they looked expensive and bright. Not like their own curtains which were a deep wine velvet that made the room look like a cave.

  Martha started to complain the minute she opened the door but Eliza merely put the papers in her hands and went to finish the housework. Her mother looked at her in amazement. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

  Eliza had no intention of mentioning anything but to her surprise she heard herself saying, ‘I met Morag MacCallum and her husband and his brother.’

  ‘So that’s why you’re so grumpy.’

  Eliza was angry. ‘Grumpy, am I? Well, I’ll tell you why. Murdo MacCallum looks so like Michael that I’m shocked.’

  Martha snorted. ‘Oh, him. Well, all I can say is you were well rid of him.’

  Eliza turned away. Her eyes had filled with tears, but she was determined not to let her mother see them.

  15

  Maryanne was sitting in the patients’ lounge at Auchterhouse in a chair by the window. The sun was shining and the grounds outside looked inviting but she didn’t want to go outside as she thought the breeze still held a trace of winter.

  She noticed Ina and Betty from her ward, who were sitting on a bench. Both women were smoking but as she had never been a smoker she didn’t have the urge to join them. Her pain had settled down and she was feeling much stronger now and she hoped she wouldn’t have to stay here much longer. Not that she disliked the place as everyone was so kind and helpful, but she longed to get back to her own house.

  The surgeon had said she wouldn’t be able to go back to work for a few more weeks so she reckoned she would be just as comfortable at home. Strangely enough there had been no more letters from Sadie, for which she was grateful, but on the other hand she was worried something was maybe wrong.

  The nurse came in to say that dinner was ready. Maryanne met Ina and Betty as they came through the door and they all went into the dining room. Maryanne could smell the smoke from the two women and she was glad she had never developed the habit.

  They sat together and the assistant brought in bowls of lentil soup. These meals were the one thing Maryanne enjoyed about the home, as the food was all cooked in the kitchen and not carried in from a distance.

  Ina asked her if she was expecting any visitors that afternoon and she replied that her neighbour, Grace, was coming. Betty and Ina weren’t expecting visitors so they said they would go and sit out in the sun after the meal.

  In the afternoon, Grace appeared with her message bag from which she pulled several magazines and a couple of packets of Ginger Nuts. ‘I thought you might like something to read and Bella sends the biscuits for your afternoon cup of tea.’

  Maryanne asked her, ‘Thanks for the papers and thank Bella for thinking of me, everyone has been so good to me.’ She placed the magazines and biscuits on a table. ‘Are there any letters, Grace?’

  Grace leaned forward and took her hand. ‘You deserve it, Maryanne, but no, there’s no letters yet. Now tell me, is there any word of getting home?’

  Maryanne shook her head. ‘I hope it won’t be long and I’m hoping it’ll be before next week.’

  Grace was undecided if she should bring up the subject of Sadie’s silence, but before she could make up her mind whether to speak or not, Maryanne said, ‘I don’t know why Sadie hasn’t written. After all I did write and tell her about my operation so you would think she could answer.’

  ‘I did post your letter and I copied the address from the one in your house.’

  ‘I know you did, Grace. Maybe she’s busy on the farm as I know there are periods when everyone has to muck in.’

  Grace said that was obviously the answer but later, as she travelled back in the small bus, she did wonder about it and hoped it wasn’t bad news or that Sadie was also ill.

  Because she was worried, she popped into Maryanne’s house to see if the postman had delivered a letter but there was nothing lying on the mat. She had tidied up the house after Maryanne was taken away but now she noticed how grubby the window looked with the sunlight shining through it.

  Fetching a bucket of hot soapy water from her own kitchen she tackled the grubby panes and was pleased when the glass was gleaming and the entire room looked better with the clean window. She looked at the clock on the mantelpiece and saw that it was almost four o’clock. Evie and Tommy would soon be home so she emptie
d the dirty water down the sink and locked the door on her way out.

  Anna had asked her if it was all right if Tommy stayed with them till she got home, as she had asked for extra hours and was now working full-time in the shop, which Grace didn’t mind. After all, she thought, Tommy spent lots of time with Evie after school so it was no hardship. She suspected that money was tight in the Cassidy household so the extra hours would help with the bills.

  At four-fifteen, the two girls rushed in and Evie made straight for the cake tin, taking one for herself and one for Tommy. Grace didn’t mind but she still chastised her daughter. ‘You won’t be able to eat your tea if you stuff yourself with cake, Evie.’

  Evie, with her mouth full of crumbs, said that she and Tommy were hungry, but Grace thought it was more likely that it was Tommy who needed this snack.

  Anna arrived at five-thirty and Grace told her the news from the afternoon at Auchterhouse. ‘Maryanne is looking much better and is hoping to get home next week.’ She lowered her voice so the girls wouldn’t hear. ‘There’s still no letter from Sadie and I know she’s worried, Anna. I think I’ll drop her a letter myself and see what’s going on.’

  Anna looked doubtful. ‘Do you think you should? You know how Maryanne likes to keep her life private.’ Grace said she would think about it while Anna left to wash up after Thomas’s evening meal. ‘I leave something for him to eat before he goes off to work but he doesn’t think about doing the dishes,’ she moaned as she set off next door.

  Grace was laying the table for their meal when Bill arrived. She looked at the clock. ‘You’re a bit early, Bill,’ she said. ‘The tea isn’t ready yet.’

  Bill had a strange expression on his face, like he had a secret and was bursting to tell her. He handed over a small paper brochure while she had a questioning look.

  ‘I’ve bought a television set,’ he said. ‘It’s in the leaflet.’

  She sat down with the brochure in her hand and flicked it open. It showed various models of televisions and radios. One set was marked with a cross. Grace was speechless as Bill never did anything without discussing it with her. In fact he had no idea about the running of the house or the paying of the bills as she had always dealt with everything. He handed over his wage packet every Saturday morning and if he needed money for anything he just asked for it.