‘My mother likes her nightly drink,’ she lied, but the man looked as if he didn’t care who it was for as long as he got his money in the till. She popped it into her handbag and set off for the house. It was just eight-thirty but she decided to go to bed with her drink and a magazine. Then she would plan how to get Eddie back.
Now she had overslept so she decided not go to work. She reckoned Hal wouldn’t mind as he had been sympathetic when she told him of her husband’s sneaky journey, and even Big John had bought her a drink, just to cheer her up. She felt she had to make plans to get her son back.
She considered going into town to see if a solicitor could help her but she wasn’t sure of the cost of this so she thought she would get some advice from someone. Albert and Bella were old enough to maybe have used a solicitor at some time so she made her way to Albert’s house.
He seemed surprised to see her but he quickly put his housework box away, made a cup of tea and asked how she was. ‘I thought you would be at work, Sadie, did you get the day off?’
‘No, I didn’t. I took the day off to go and see the police and a solicitor as I’m trying to get Eddie back.’
Albert looked at her with a serious expression. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘I wondered if you had had any dealings with the law and if you had then maybe you can help me.’
‘No, I’ve never had to use a solicitor or had anything to do with the law but if you want my advice then I have to tell you I think you have a great husband and son and you should be with them.’
This wasn’t what she wanted to hear. ‘I’m not going back, Albert, as I’ve no feelings left for Ed, but I love my son and want him here with me.’
He didn’t speak for a minute then he said, ‘I think you’re wrong, Sadie, as I know you still love your husband but you don’t want to admit it.’
‘I don’t and I also don’t care what he does with his life and I shouldn’t have married him in the first place. I think I was carried away with the thought of life in America but I found out too late that life is the same boring chore no matter where you live Anyway, if I change my mind then he’ll be waiting for me if I do decide to go back sometime in the future.’
‘Don’t leave it too late, Sadie, as there is always someone waiting in the wings all ready to take your place and a lonely man will be vulnerable.’
‘I know someone like that, her name is Esther and she’s always goggle-eyed over Ed. She was his childhood sweetheart but he treats her like a sister and he’s not interested in her. Not that I blame him as she’s not pretty.’
Albert couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘Don’t be so sure. Being good-looking isn’t everything in a relationship.’
Sadie didn’t believe this and she stood up to leave. ‘Do you think Bella would have any knowledge of dealing with the problem of getting my son back?’
‘You’ll have to ask her but as she’s never married or had any children I very much doubt it.’
Sadie was annoyed she hadn’t gone to work as the day stretched before her like a boring chasm. Making up her mind, she set off for the city centre and spent an hour looking at the brass plates of various solicitor’s offices but as they all looked so old-fashioned and fussy, she made her way back home where she poured a drink and sat pondering over her choices.
She decided she would leave everything to another day.
41
The Cassidy household was getting ready for their holiday to Ireland. At least Anna and Tommy were but Thomas felt like a criminal facing the hangman’s noose. He kept quiet about his feelings as he didn’t want to spoil the holiday for his family.
Anna had treated the family to some new clothes from her McGills account and she was looking forward to wearing the new blue and white floral summer dress, the short blue swagger jacket and her white sandals while Tommy had a new dress and red sandals and Thomas a couple of shirts.
Thomas wondered how they could afford all these new clothes but Anna said she had been saving up from her wages every week in order to finance the whole holiday. ‘It won’t cost us anything to stay with Lizzie except helping with our food, and the biggest expense will be the trip over to Belfast in the ferry and anyway I want us all to look good as you know what my family are like. They like to criticise everything.’
Thomas knew this was true and his grey cloud appeared at the thought of the holiday.
Evie was going to miss her friend over the two weeks they would be away as she was already missing Eddie. She was hoping he would write when he got back home but maybe he would be busy or he might forget about his life in the lane.
The weather, although not as sunny as before, was still warm and dry and Tommy said she hoped it wouldn’t rain. Her father had said it often rained in Ireland but she wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth or just making his feelings known as she had heard him going on about Mum’s family. Bella and Albert had called her in one day and given her two shillings each for spending and when she thanked them they said Evie had got the same when she went off to the caravan. When, along with Evie, she had gone in to see Martha and Eliza to do their shopping, Martha had said it was all right for some people to get a holiday. ‘I would love to get away for two weeks but we don’t have any relatives living abroad so we have to stay here and look at four walls.’
Eliza said it wasn’t as bad as that but Martha said it was worse. When Tommy relayed this conversation to her dad he said that Martha and Eliza were free to take his place and she had laughed.
After days of anticipation, the departure day arrived and they walked down to the train station to catch the Glasgow train and then on to the ferry at Stranraer where the boat would take them to Belfast. Apart from the Fifie across the Tay to Fife, Tommy hadn’t been on a sea journey before and she was so excited.
Thankfully the sea looked calm which was a big bonus for Anna who didn’t really like boats while Thomas didn’t really like Ireland. He seemed so fed up that Anna told him to look as if he was enjoying the trip.
‘I hope you’re not going to go about like a wet fish for the next fourteen days, Thomas,’ she warned.
Later, as the ferry moved into the open sea, he began to enjoy the fresh sea air and he relaxed. Things might be fine, he thought as he walked around the deck, listening to the seagulls and watching the Irish Sea slip by under the ferry’s hull.
When they reached Belfast it was a simple trip on a bus to Lizzie’s house which was a semi-detached on a council estate. Katie and Roseanne lived just around the corner while Anna’s two brothers were two streets away, an arrangement that filled Thomas with a feeling of depression.
Lizzie made them welcome and went to the garden gate to give Anna and Tommy a big hug. But she merely nodded to Thomas.
‘Let me show you to your room,’ she said, leading them up the carpeted staircase. Anna admired the carpet and Lizzie told her it was new. ‘Mike got a bonus from work so we bought this carpet and the one in the living room. You know he’s got a good job in a factory making parts for cars.’ Anna and Thomas knew that as it had been pointed out to them on many occasions during her holiday with them in Dundee.
Their bedroom was large enough for the three of them as it held a double bed and a single divan for Tommy. Anna asked her where her own family were sleeping but Lizzie said they had plenty of room as her daughter Elizabeth had her own room while her son Billy planned to stay with a friend.
When they were in the kitchen having a cup of tea, Lizzie brought them up to date with the family news.
‘Katie has had her operation but she’s recovering from it. I told her we would all go and see her this afternoon.’ Thomas thought his groan was silent but she gave him a baleful stare. ‘You can go and see Sean and Willie as it’ll be all women’s talk at Katie’s. Thomasina can play with Roseanne’s two kids.’
After dinner, which the four of them ate at the small kitchen table, the women and Tommy set off for Katie’s house while Thomas decided to catch
a bus into the city. It had been many years since he was last in Belfast and he wondered if it had changed much.
Katie was sleeping in a high-backed chair with a blanket over her knees. Lizzie didn’t knock but just marched in with Anna and Tommy in tow. Roseanne sat in the opposite chair while a boy and a girl played in the garden. Lizzie said, ‘Thomasina, away into the garden and play with Rosie and Harry.’ Tommy didn’t seem too pleased but she did as she was told. Roseanne said Katie hadn’t had a good sleep. ‘I did tell her to go to the doctor and get some sleeping pills but she’s not keen in case she gets hooked on them.’
Katie woke up and she made a grimace as she tried to get comfortable. ‘Hullo Anna, I’m sorry I can’t stand up to give you a hug.’
‘Are you still in pain?’ asked Lizzie and when Katie nodded, she went on, ‘Maybe you should go back to the doctor to get something for it.’
Katie said there was no need. ‘The surgeon said it would take six weeks to a couple of months to get better. I’m not allowed to do any housework or lift anything but I’m getting fed up sitting in this chair.’
Roseanne said she shouldn’t worry about anything. ‘Lizzie and I will help out in the house and now Anna is here she can help as well.’
Lizzie was nodding her approval at this statement but Anna wasn’t happy about this at all. She thought she was coming for a holiday but it now seemed that she would have to muck in with her sisters.
Lizzie took herself off to the kitchen and they heard her washing the dishes and when she came back
into the room, her arms were covered with soapy suds. ‘I’ll just Hoover the carpet before we go and Roseanne can stay with you in case you need anything.’
Tommy didn’t like playing with her cousins as they were noisy and liked to pull each other’s jumpers as they chased each other around the garden so she was relieved when her mother appeared with her auntie.
Meanwhile, Thomas was enjoying his trip and he had found the pub he had often visited in his young days. It hadn’t changed much over the years and he sat at a table by the window with his pint of Guinness, watching the world go by. He was dreading going back because the mob, as he called Anna’s family, would all be together. They were such a noisy bunch, forever arguing or falling out with one or another of the gang.
The next morning they had to wait while Mike used the bathroom to shave and wash, closely followed by Elizabeth who spent so long taking a shower and slapping on make up before heading off to work.
Thomas suggested after breakfast that they should go sightseeing as he hadn’t been back to the city of his youth for many years. Anna said that was a good idea so she got dressed in her new dress and jacket while Tommy also wore her new outfit. When Lizzie saw them she was amazed. ‘You didn’t have to get dressed up to do Katie’s housework this morning,’ she said as she fried bacon and eggs while popping bread in the toaster.
Anna was furious but Thomas put her right. ‘We are having a day out, Lizzie, so Anna can’t do Katie’s housework.’
Lizzie raised her eyebrows in surprise. ‘I thought that was your reason for coming to see us as we all need to help our sister out. Rosanne manages to help even though she has to leave her own housework behind to be there for Katie.’
Anna could barely talk, she was so annoyed. ‘Why doesn’t Roseanne’s husband help out? He works on the council bin lorry and he finishes at two o’clock, surely he can wash dishes and sweep the floor.’
‘Well I must say I’m disappointed in you but off you go gallivanting and leave all the hard work to me and Roseanne, who has two kids to look after unless you’ve forgotten, and Katie’s husband can’t help because he’s a long-distance lorry driver and he’s away just now.’
Lucky him, thought Thomas, but he was determined not to give in to Lizzie’s domineering ways. Breakfast was eaten in silence then Lizzie went off in high dudgeon with her overalls in her handbag while they got ready to set off on their tour around the city. Anna said she wasn’t going to enjoy herself but Tommy and her dad said that was nonsense. ‘We’ll have a good day out then have something to eat before coming back to Stalag Four.’
Anna said it wasn’t as bad as all that but looking at the faces of her family, she realised it was much worse. Thomas was adamant. ‘Tomorrow we are also going to spend the day together and that doesn’t mean cleaning Katie’s house.’
‘But Katie’s just had a major operation and she needs some help. I don’t mind helping out some times but not every day.’
‘Well, just a few hours this week and no more. Lizzie is forever cleaning. I was barely out of the bathroom this morning when she was tackling the bath with Vim as if we were a mucky bunch of jungle dwellers.’ Tommy burst out laughing but Anna felt fed up that her family had used her in asking them over then acting like the united cleaning club.
Later as they sat having a pub lunch in a very pleasant tavern, Anna finally relaxed, especially when Thomas bought her a glass of sherry while he ordered his usual pint of Guinness. Tommy had two glasses of orangeade and her father warned her to book into the bathroom quickly when they got back or else she wouldn’t get a look in as he had a suspicion that Elizabeth took up residence there.
When they got back, all tired out from walking miles on the pavements, they found Lizzie, Roseanne and her two kids in the living room. The two women still wore their overalls. Thomas couldn’t resist making a remark. ‘Heavens, I didn’t realise Katie’s house was so dirty that you would need protective clothes.’
Lizzie ignored him and turned to Tommy. ‘Did you have a good day, Thomasina?’
Tommy said she had. ‘We had a super day out and we had our dinner in a pub.’
Roseanne gave her sister a look that spoke a thousand words. ‘We had a very busy day ourselves, scrubbing Katie’s floors, changing her bed and polishing the furniture.’
Ye Gods, thought Thomas as he walked out of the room, followed by Tommy who desperately needed the bathroom.
Anna helped out the next day while Thomas and Tommy set off for another tour of the city. When they came home, Anna was sitting on the bed in their room crying. ‘I can’t stand this any more, I want to go home.’
Thomas headed off downstairs, ready to do battle with Lizzie, but before he could open his mouth, she said, ‘There’s to be a party on Saturday to welcome you. Sean and Willie and families will be here and Roseanne, Albie and their brood but not Katie as she is still convalescing.’
Thomas went back upstairs to impart this latest bit of news. ‘It seems you are to be treated like the prodigal daughter with a family party. Will I tell your sister that we won’t be here?’
Anna was mortified. ‘No, we can’t do that, not when they’ve gone to the bother of arranging a party.’
On the Saturday night Lizzie set out a buffet on the kitchen table and there were bottles of beer and a bottle of sherry. They sat in the living room until there was a loud knock on the door and all the family poured in. Sean introduced Florence, his wife and three burly looking sons called Sean Jr, Alex and Johnny. Willie arrived a bit worse for wear as it looked like he had been celebrating before his appearance. His wife was called Aimee; he spelled her name out in case the Cassidys were idiots. She was a thin, washed-out sort of woman who seemed to be made more insignificant by her family of three sons and two daughters. Thomas didn’t catch their names but mentally called them Tom, Dick and Harry, Amy and Maime. Last of all was Roseanne with Albie, Rosie and Harry. Albie was built like a weightlifter which must have been a boon to his job as a council bin man.
Thomas noticed there was no sign of Elizabeth or Billy.
Lizzie asked Roseanne, ‘How is Katie, did you go in to see her before you came here?’
Roseanne assured her she had. ‘I also did a quick tidy up.’
Lizzie beamed. ‘Good.’ She stood up and made a little speech. ‘We want to welcome Anna, Thomas and Thomasina back to the family. As you all know I am the oldest while Anna is the baby of our family.’
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br /> Thomas wondered if she was expecting a medal. He was handed a bottle of warm beer and everyone converged on the buffet. He went to sit beside Anna and Tommy, who looked miserable, but he tried to cheer them up. ‘Never mind, it’s not the end of the world, just one more week to get through.’
Sean and Willie came over and sat down beside them. ‘Well, Thomas, how is your gammy leg?’ said Willie, waving his bottle at Thomas’s leg.
‘As I told your rude sister Lizzie weeks ago, my gammy leg is perfect, thank you.’
‘Did you just call Lizzie “rude”?’
Anna tried to diffuse the situation. ‘For God’s sake, he’s only joking, Willie.’
‘Well, I don’t like jokes from someone whose grandfather was a special constable when we were fighting for independence from Britain.’
Anna had heard enough. ‘Thomas and Tommy, I think we should leave this party.’ The three of them went upstairs and Anna burst into tears. Thomas pulled the suitcase from under the bed and began to pack it. Anna quickly stood up. ‘No, I’m not going to be hounded away by that lot.’
There was a tap on the door and Aimee came in. ‘I’m sorry that Willie upset you all but please come downstairs as I’ve given him a good talking to and he better behave or else he’ll be the one who is leaving.’
Thomas was astonished. He had labelled this woman as insignificant but she was anything but. ‘Good for you, Aimee,’ he said.
When they entered the room, Willie came over looking sheepish. ‘Sorry about going on about your gammy leg, Thomas.’
Thomas said not to worry. ‘My gammy leg likes the company of my good leg which I call Sammy.’
To his surprise, everyone roared with laughter. Lizzie came and sat beside them. ‘I want you all to enjoy your holiday so don’t worry about Katie as we’ll manage fine.’ She stood up and to his utter surprise she gave him a hug. ‘Just to let you know we are all sorry for making this holiday miserable for you.’
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