by Shirley Roe
“Come on Jenny dear, let's go and have a nice cup of tea. You still have me, and let's not forget Walter.” She looked at him and smiled. Dear Gordon you always know how to cheer me up.
Tim and his family arrived to find the store dark and dingy and decided to book into a hotel for the night. Mary realized they had a great deal of work ahead of them before they could move back in. For a moment, she longed for the luxury of the servants, although it was short lived and Mary knew she would knuckle down and do what had to be done.
It took a week before the McKittereks settled into their flat. Tim's townhouse had been destroyed so he stayed in the hotel. Heading for Mary's one evening, he paused to take in the city he had come to love. Pedestrians filled the streets in abundance, some rushing, others dawdling, pausing to chat. A tangle of vehicles rumbled slowly past; horses and carts, impatient motor cars, elegant carriages and lowly bicycles, all being held up by one man pushing an overloaded cart. An Old Bill turned the corner. Many of these buses had gone to France during the war, but now they were returning to the streets of London. An omnibus with young soldiers sitting on the open top deck passed next. Tim waved, thinking that at least these youngsters were alive and not going off to die in filthy trenches. Sadly, he thought of Brian, wondering if Eddie would be home soon.
The family sat at the table after dinner enjoying each other's company. They had grown very close during their time in Aviemore. Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door of the shop below. Tim rushed down the stairs with Mary close behind.
“What on earth! Stop that banging.” Tim unlocked the door, angrily pulling it open. Mary stood back wondering who on earth was making such a commotion. Yelling at some unseen hooligan, Tim shouted, “In the name of God, man, what are you banging for?”
On the doorstep stood Eddie. An older, weather-beaten Eddie, but it was him. Tim pulled his son into his arms as the tears ran down his face. Mary screamed and then grabbed for her husband. Tim released him and the two young people held each other tightly. “Eddie, dear God thank you.” Mary could not believe her husband was home. Tim was elated to see Eddie in one piece.
There was much catching up to do as the days passed. The children were shy around their father whom they had not seen in five years and Mary and Eddie found their relationship strange and new. Tim was just happy to have his family back together. He opened his shop and started to put his life back together. After a short settling in period, Eddie joined him in the store and things began to return to normal.
A letter arrived from Dorothy announcing that she was engaged, and would marry one of the partners in the law firm. Tim was slightly disappointed that it was not Jake McDonald as he had always secretly hoped the two of them would get together. Nonetheless, he was happy for his daughter and wanted to share his news with Jenny. Tim smiled as the operator connected him
“Jenny, how are you? And Gordon and Walter?”
“We are fine, Tim. How are Mary and the children? It must be wonderful having Eddie back.”
“ Everyone is fine. I'm calling to let you know that Dorothy is engaged to one of the law partners. The wedding is planned for the spring of next year in New York and I'm pleased for her.”
“That is wonderful news, except it is too bad she and Jake didn't get together. I always had a secret wish that they might.”
Tim laughed. “So did I, Jenny, so did I. Mary sends her love. Eddie and Mary are rebuilding their lives and poor old London is under reconstruction.”
“Edinburgh is rebuilding just like the rest of the country.”
“How is Gordon?”
“Gordon is wonderful. He heard from Jake just last week, however Jake didn't mention Dorothy's news. So when will we see you again?”
“Soon, I was thinking of coming to Edinburgh next month. I have some business to take care of there and if you don't mind putting up with me, I would like to stay with you.”
“You know you are always welcome. Gordon and I miss you, Tim.”
The following month, Tim arrived in Edinburgh. Gordon, Tim and Jenny went out to dinner and to the theater and they had a wonderful time together.
“It is good to hear that Dorothy is engaged, Tim. Jake didn't mention it when I spoke with him.” Gordon too had hoped for a relationship between them. “One of the partners in the firm you said. Good for Dorothy. Will you go to the wedding?”
“Go to New York, I don't know. I have some things that I need to take care of here first. The outcome of that will help me decide whether I will go or not.” Gordon looked at his friend curiously, there was something going on with Tim and he would find out what it was. The three friends were happy to be back together again. When Gordon left, Tim and Jenny sat in the parlor enjoying a nightcap.
“Did you take care of your business in Edinburgh, Tim?”
“Not yet, Jenny, not yet.” He looked at her with an odd grin. She wondered why he was acting so strangely.
“What are you up to, Tim McKitterek. I know that mischievous look.” Tim just smiled.
He took her hand and looked into her blue eyes. “You know me better than anyone, Jenny.”
“Yes I do, so what are you up to?” Tim grinned widely.
“Jenny, will you marry me?” She stared at him in shocked silence.
“What? What did you say?”
“I said, Jenny will you marry me? You know I love you and I want you to be my wife.”
Jenny didn't say a word; she just stared at him. Her heart was doing summersaults. She had not expected this. He took a tiny ring box from his vest pocket and as he opened it, he revealed a beautiful square cut diamond. She was flabbergasted.
“What do you say, Jenny? I think we have waited long enough. We have spent the last five years together and I love you more than ever. Please say yes.”
Jenny put her hand on his cheek. She looked into his eyes, hesitating.
“Yes, Tim. Yes, I would be honored to be your wife.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Jenny was smiling widely and burst out laughing. He looked at her.
“What's so funny?”
“I just realized that I had waited the first twenty years of my life to hear those words from you and now I am sixty years old and here you are asking me to marry you. What took you so long?” Tim laughed, and Jenny joined him. He put the ring on her finger.
“I wanted to be sure.” They laughed even harder. Neither of them could believe how wonderful this felt.
When Tim retired for the night, Jenny sat in the parlor alone. She was happy. She did love Tim, but was she being unfaithful to Harry? She walked to the mantle picking up a picture of her and Harry. Stroking his picture, she spoke to him, “I love you, my darling, but I am lonely. I know Tim loves me; he has always loved me. And if I am honest, I love him. What should I do, my darling?”
She closed her eyes and in her mind she heard a faint whisper, “Be happy, Jenny.” Jenny smiled and placed the picture back on the mantle. Lifting her left hand, she watched the flames reflection dancing on the brilliant diamond.
“Thank you, Harry. I will be very happy married to Tim. Good night, my darling.”
Tim had forgotten his glasses. When he heard her talking, he stood in the hallway listening to her and holding his breath. Hearing her say she would be happy made his heart race. He realized that she was really going to marry him. He turned and raced up the stairs like a young man, smiling from ear to ear.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Gordon I know this is going to be a strange request, but will you join Jenny and I on our honeymoon?” Tim and Jenny smiled.
“What are you saying, man? On your honeymoon?” Gordon looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
“We are going to New York, and we want you to come with us. You can see Jake, and you can come to Dorothy's wedding. Please say yes, Gordon.” Jenny gave him a pleading look.
“New York, well why didn't you say so? I will accompany you on your honeymoon. I shall be your shadow du
ring the day, but Tim, the nights are yours alone.” The two men laughed heartily.
“You were not invited for the nights, Gordon, you old dog, you.” Tim slapped Gordon on the back as Jenny smiled at the two of them. She was overjoyed that Gordon had said yes. She and Tim had talked about it earlier and both of them wanted Gordon to be with them.
The night before the wedding Jenny sat on her bed. She held the photograph of Harry in her hand. “Harry, my darling. Tomorrow I will marry Tim. I shall never forget you my love and I know that we will be together again one day. I know you want me to be happy, and Tim is my best friend. He makes me laugh and I do love him.” A tear ran down her face. “This will be the last time we talk, my darling.” She kissed the photo, held it to her breast for a few minutes and then carefully wrapped it in tissue paper. She placed it in a hatbox and stored it in her wardrobe.
As Jenny climbed into her bed, she sent a silent prayer skyward, thanking God for another chance at happiness. Tomorrow my new life begins as Mrs. Tim McKitterek.
At the hotel, Tim also offered a prayer of thanks. He was finally marrying the woman he loved more than life itself. At last Jenny, I am finally worthy of your love and you will not be sorry, my Darling, for no man could ever love you as much as I do.
The wedding was a small affair. As Tim's best man, Gordon picked Tim up at the hotel. “Are you ready, Sandhog?”
“More than I have ever been, Scotty. You don't know how long I have waited for this day.” Tim adjusted his dark blue jacket, pulled on his tie and smiled at Gordon. “You are my closest and dearest friend, Scotty. I shall never forget how you helped my family or how you saved my life in WWI.” Tim was close to tears.
Gordon put his arm on Tim's shoulder. “And you mine, Tim. I wouldn't have been happy if Jenny had married anyone else.”
“Scotty, I always wondered why you didn't ask Jenny to marry you. The two of you get along very well.” Tim waited for Gordon to answer. Gordon looked sad.
“Jenny knows that I will never love another woman, like I love Amy. Jenny and I are like brother and sister. No, you are the one for Jenny. I love Jenny and I know men aren't supposed to say these things, but I love you, Sandhog.” Tim offered him his hand in friendship.
“Let's go and make this legal shall we? Do you have the ring?” Tim was excited and proud. He felt as if his life was finally complete. “You know, Gordon, I feel as if my life is just beginning.”
At the church, Eddie, Mary and the children sat in the front row on the right. Ralph, Andrew, Sarah and Walter sat in the front row on the left side of the church. The entire staff filled the pews behind them. Two dozen acquaintances from Edinburgh also attended the wedding and the reception, held at Jenny's house.
Rose and Jenny waited in the small room at the church. Jenny wore a cream Christian Dior suit with a long jacket and flaring skirt. Her hair was cut in the shorter curlier style and perched on top was a small pillbox hat. Rose, as maid of honor, wore a pale blue dress. “Mother, I want you to know I am very happy for you and Tim. He is a wonderful man.”
“Thank you, Rose, that means the world to me. You know I loved your father with all my heart.” Jenny was concerned that Rose would feel she was betraying Harry.
“Mother, I know and so did father. Now today is the day that your new life begins. Smile and come over here.” She hugged Jenny tightly. “ Now, let me fix your hat. You do know this means I shall have to find a woman for Uncle Gordon.” Jenny and Rose laughed out loud.
Gordon and Tim watched as Jenny walked down the aisle. Tim held his breath, how he loved her. Jenny looked into his eyes and she knew this was right. She smiled at him and winked at Gordon. It was a very happy day.
At long last, she and Tim became one. Jenny Barstow-Mitchell became Mrs. Tim McKitterek and their destiny was fulfilled. They looked into each other's eyes with love, both thinking, Now my life begins.
Epilogue 1965
Jenny McKitterek sat in the railway station. Waverly Station was bustling with passengers traveling to and fro. Children cried, lovers were reunited and trains screeched to a halt creating a great cacophony of noise. Her designer luggage was stacked on a trolley beside her. She brushed specks of dust from the skirt of her Yves St. Laurent suit. Black was never her favorite color, but it was appropriate for the funeral. In her wrinkled hand, she held her ticket to London. She adjusted her glasses so she could read the ticket, June 2nd, 1965- Edinburgh to London return. She glanced at the timetable on the wall, next train 10 a.m. Jenny tried to settle her thin, bony frame on the hard bench. Her arthritis was acting up today. She rubbed her wrist with gnarled fingers. The light caught the diamond on her left hand sending rays of sparkling light outward. She smiled.
Sixty years ago I sat in a railway station, a nervous, frightened girl who was traveling to Edinburgh to start a new life. Where has the time gone? Two husbands that I loved with all my heart, both gone and now I have to go to a memorial service for my dearest friend, Gordon. I don’t think it will be long before I too will be gone from this earth. But, oh dear Lord, it has been a wonderful journey!
The Author hopes you enjoyed this book and is happy to hear from her fans.
Email: [email protected]
Enjoy other books by this author available in ebook or print.
Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story
The Whittaker Family Reunion
Return to Whittakerville
A Call to Faith and Freedom
Snow Eagle
Watch for another great historical Fiction in 2011