Dream a Little Dream

by Joan Jonker

  ‘I don’t know none of the latest songs, but how about “When You and I Were Young, Maggie”? That’s a nice one.’

  Bobby was looking bewildered. How did he get himself into this? He’d feel daft asking Abbie to dance with no proper music. But Nigel gave him no chance of refusing. ‘I believe you can dance, Kitty, so why don’t we take to the floor with Bobby and Abbie? You can sing and dance at the same time, I hope?’

  The cleaner’s face was that of a young girl looking at the sweets in a shop window and having a penny in her hand to buy what she wanted. She stood in front of Nigel, lifted her skirt slightly, and curtsied. Then she opened her mouth and out came the sweetest sound of a very popular song. And to the surprise of the youngsters, her dancing was as good as her singing. Nigel was delighted as he spun her around in a foxtrot. And Bobby just couldn’t resist. ‘It doesn’t matter if yer don’t want to, Abbie.’

  ‘Of course I want to, soft lad.’

  This was the scene that met Robert’s eyes when he came to the kitchen to see what was keeping Nigel and his friend. And the sheer happiness he felt brought a lump to his throat. This was how it should always be. How it should always have been. And the song that Kitty was singing so beautifully was Maureen’s favourite. He approached the housekeeper from behind. ‘Would you care to dance with me, Miss Weatherby?’

  ‘I’d be delighted, kind sir.’

  Bobby couldn’t believe what was happening. It wasn’t a bit like he’d expected. He thought everyone would be stuffy and speak far back. But they were all smashing. Even Mr Dennison had joined in. Oh, he had a lot to tell his mam when he got home.

  The song came to an end, and Abbie followed Kitty’s example and did a little curtsy in front of the boy of her dreams. And she was thrilled when he held her hand to lead her back to her chair. He soon let it drop, though, so it wasn’t much of a sign. But it was better than nothing.

  ‘Kitty, you never cease to amaze me,’ Robert said. ‘You are a very talented lady.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Robert, I will oblige if I’m able.’ She glanced at Agnes. ‘Won’t I, queen?’

  ‘Sunshine, you’ll oblige whether ye’re able or not.’

  ‘We must have a proper party next week, as I promised. Kitty, you must bring Alf, and Bobby can bring his mother. And of course, other friends will be invited. But right now I want to have a word with Mr Neary. You stay here, Nigel, it won’t take long. And I want you to run Kitty home on your way back to Seaforth.’ He opened the kitchen door. ‘Come along, young man.’

  The size of the hall, with its rich wall decorations, pictures and mirrors, stopped Bobby in his tracks. He had never seen anything like it in his life. But he didn’t feel intimidated by it. Those people in the kitchen were just like him, and they weren’t intimidated by it, or by the man who was watching him now. So why should he be? ‘This is some place yer’ve got here, Mr Dennison. It’s beautiful.’

  ‘I worked hard for it, son, it didn’t just happen. I was only your age when I first started and it’s taken me until now to get where I am. But I have a saying, which goes, “Man maketh the money, but money doesn’t maketh the man”. It’s nice to be able to live in a house like this and have my own business, but I only need the same as everyone else, rich or poor, and that’s good friends and family, love and happiness. Now come along, let’s you and me have a little chat.’

  ‘I don’t want yer to think I expect favours off yer ’cos of Nigel, Mr Dennison, because I don’t. And it won’t make no difference to him and me, no matter what happens. He’s me mate, and always will be.’

  ‘Bobby, a Mr Seddon will be interviewing you, and it’s up to him. But I thought if you knew the questions you’ll be asked, it might help. First he’ll ask how many driving hours you’ve put in. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble answering that. What gear you’d get into going up a hill with a van loaded with expensive furniture. If you know all the right hand signals, and the distance you would leave between you and the vehicle in front. If you saw a person standing at the kerb higher up the road, would you carry on hoping they’d wait until you passed, or would you change gear to slow down as soon as you saw them. That’s all I can remember for now, but if you answered them correctly it would certainly help your chances.’

  ‘I’d be all right with most of those, Mr Dennison, ’cos Nige lent me books and I know them off by heart.’ His cheeky grin appeared. ‘I don’t think there’s anything in the books about someone standing by the kerb half a mile away, but I’d definitely change gear and slow down. I mean, yer never know, do yer? It might be my mam standing at the kerb, she has a habit of doing that. I’m fed up telling her off about it.’

  Robert chuckled. ‘You’ll do all right in the interview, son, if you remember that a driver should always err on the side of caution. I really do hope you get the job, and I mean that. Now, I’ll take you back to the kitchen so Kitty can be taken home to her husband.’

  ‘Yeah, he must get uncomfortable being tied to a chair all day. I mean, the ropes are bound to dig into him.’

  Robert was opening the kitchen door when he asked, ‘What ropes are they?’

  ‘I think I’d better leave Kitty to tell yer.’

  ‘Not tonight, lad, I’m too tired,’ the cleaner said. ‘I’m not at me best when I’m tired, but I’ll be as bright as a button in the morning and telling anyone who wants to listen, about the feathers and tomahawk. Oh, and me Indian war dance.’

  Robert followed them out to where his son’s car was parked. ‘Nigel, will you come straight back from Seaforth, don’t stop for a cup of tea. I want a word with you and Abbie, and I don’t want to be too late getting to bed.’

  ‘All right, Dad, I’ll be as quick as I can.’

  ‘Goodnight, Kitty, and thank you for everything,’ Robert said, before touching Bobby’s arm. ‘Goodnight and good luck to you, young man. If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you next week when we have a little get-together of old friends. Tell your mother I’ll look forward to seeing her.’

  ‘I came as fast as I could, Dad,’ Nigel said, as he entered the study, followed closely by his sister, ‘but it’s a good run from here to Seaforth and back, and having to make a slight detour to drop Kitty off.’

  ‘That’s all right, son, it’s my fault for leaving it late to tell you I wished to speak to you and Abbie. I could have waited until tomorrow, but as today has been a day for breaking away from the past, I wanted you to know I have plans for the future. And the sooner I get it off my chest, the sooner I’ll be a happy man.’ Robert opened the cigar box at the side of the desk and selected one of his favourite cigars. Then he reached into his waistcoat pocket for the clipper given to him by Maureen. He held it in his hand for a few seconds before clipping the end of his cigar and lighting it. ‘What I am going to say may surprise and shock, but I hope it doesn’t turn you against me.’ He held up his hand when both children were about to reject such a suggestion. ‘No, don’t say a word until I’ve finished. I’ll be as brief as I can, but I want you to know everything there is to know and start with a clean slate. You may recall that within the last few weeks I have been out on several occasions to meet a friend. You probably assumed it was a male friend from the club. It was, however, a lady friend. And I stress the word friend. There has never been any impropriety in our relationship. Her name is Maureen Schofield, she is a year or two younger than myself and has never been married. I doubt there was any lack of suitors when she was younger, but she elected to care for her elderly parents. She lives in Chester and I met her when she was helping a neighbour sell the contents of her home. I was offered a cup of tea and we chatted. She is easy to talk to, a very good listener, and I got into the habit of calling in for a cup of tea and a chat once a month when the auction in Chester takes place. That was three years ago and she has been my shoulder to cry on ever since. And believe me, I have had need of that shoulder many times.’ Robert kept his eyes lowered, not wanting to see the reaction of his children until he had
told the whole story. ‘As the time went on, I began to grow fond of Maureen, who is kind and caring. If I had to liken her to anyone we know, it would have to be Beryl Jamieson and Agnes. She has the same nature as they have, warm and sympathetic.’ He looked up briefly and smiled. ‘Except she doesn’t swear like Agnes. In Maureen I have found someone I love deeply, and who loves me in return. We never expected anything to come of our relationship because I was a married man, and to her that meant I was out of bounds, except as a friend. Then things came to a head with your mother, who for seventeen years has not been a proper wife to me. I found I could no longer stand her attitude towards me, no longer live in a loveless marriage, and I applied for a divorce. I need a good woman to share my life with, and Maureen is that woman. I will be asking her to marry me as soon as the divorce is through. All I need to make my happiness complete is your understanding, approval and love.’

  ‘Oh, Dad!’ Abbie flung herself at him, tears running down her cheeks. ‘I love you so much and nothing in this world would ever change that. I want you to be happy, you deserve that more than anyone.’

  Robert looked over her shoulder to where Nigel sat. ‘And what are your feelings on the matter, son?’

  ‘Like Abbie, I want your happiness more than anything. I’m delighted, Dad, and can’t wait to meet the woman who’s stolen your heart. I’ve got a feeling she’ll steal all our hearts.’

  Abbie sniffed up and ran a hand under her nose. ‘Are you going to bring her to meet us soon, Dad? Don’t make us wait too long, please!’

  ‘Within the next few days, I promise. She doesn’t have a telephone so I’ll have to go over to make arrangements. I’m having two new beds delivered tomorrow, to replace the ones I sent to Rodney Street, and I want to be here to make sure they’re the ones I ordered. Once that is over, I’ll drive across to Chester. If Maureen is agreeable, I will arrange to bring her the following night. I want to get it over quickly because she is rather nervous and shy about meeting you. The less time she has to fret, the better.’

  ‘I just know I’m going to like her, Dad,’ Abbie said. ‘I hope she likes me and Nigel.’

  ‘She’ll love both of you, how could she not?’

  ‘I’ve just thought on, Dad, that’s the day Bobby goes for the interview,’ Nigel said. ‘I know it’s not nearly as important as Abbie and I meeting the woman who will one day be your wife and our new mother, but if he got the job it would be like getting two presents in one day.’

  Robert closed his eyes and sighed softly. Why had he worried so much about telling his two children? Why had he ever doubted their support when he had never doubted their love? ‘I think the day after tomorrow will be a day we’ll remember all our lives as being one of the happiest. And now, I really must go to bed, I am so tired.’

  Nigel spoke without thinking. ‘Dad, why don’t you sleep in my bed and I’ll sleep on that small one? You need a good night’s rest.’

  Their eyes met and in that instant the bond between father and son grew stronger. ‘No, I’ll manage for one more night, Nigel, but your understanding, and offer, is much appreciated.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  ‘I’m so nervous, Robert, I feel quite faint.’ Maureen’s hands were tightly laced to stop them from shaking. ‘I keep asking myself over and over what will happen if the children don’t take to me?’

  Robert looked in his rearview mirror before indicating he was pulling into the left. Then he switched off the engine and turned in his seat. ‘Maureen, my dear, my head is at sixes and sevens also, but it is with happiness. Never once, when dreaming those dreams, did I believe this day would ever come. My heart is bursting with joy, and I want you to feel the same. You need have no fears, because you will be welcomed with open arms, and loved from the minute the children set eyes on you. Before meeting them though, you will be meeting Agnes, Kitty and Jessie. Oh, and Pete, the gardener. All of them will be on pins right this minute, dying to meet you. And I have another little surprise for you, too, which I hope you will take as a sign of my commitment to making you part of my life. Nigel is leaving work early to pick up Ada and Joe, my mother and father-in-law. I want them to meet you.’

  Maureen’s eyes were like saucers. ‘You’ve told them about me?’

  He nodded. ‘Apart from Nigel and Abbie, they are the two people I love and care for most. I have always tried to make up to them for the disgraceful way their daughter has treated them. I have always been honest, never kept anything back, and I want them to meet the woman who will soon become my wife. I called to see them on the way home from Chester yesterday, and they were very happy for me. They treat me like a son, and to me they are my Mam and Dad.’

  ‘There’s so much happening my mind is in a whirl.’ Maureen hadn’t slept well last night due to an attack of nerves brought on by excitement. ‘I got a shock yesterday when you walked into the shop because I wasn’t expecting you, and an even bigger shock when you asked Mr Geddes if I could have this afternoon off. He must wonder what’s going on with a strange man suddenly appearing in my life.’

  ‘I’m hardly a stranger, my dear, I’ve known you over three years.’

  ‘He’s not to know that, is he?’

  ‘Maureen, I really don’t care what he thinks. I’ve made up my mind that nothing is going to stand in the way of our happiness, and that means seeing each other every day. And as the distance is too great for me to make the journey daily, I would like you to move nearer to me and my family. So Mr Geddes will have to get used to being without you. In fact, I really think you should tell him to look for another assistant.’

  There was a gasp before she answered. ‘You’re being very masterful, aren’t you, Robert? And while I find that a good quality, you seem to forget my home is in Chester. I have a fully furnished house, which I own, and I can’t just walk away and leave it. Besides, I don’t know what you have in mind, but I will not live with you until the day we marry. I will not change my stand on that.’

  ‘I didn’t think you would, my dear, and I wouldn’t dream of asking you. But I do want to see you every day, and I want my family and friends to get to know you. I know there is a great deal of sentimental value attached to your home, and I appreciate that, but you would be leaving it when we marry, anyway. So, apart from special items you treasure, why not sell the house lock, stock and barrel? I know how fiercely independent you are, so think how much better you would feel with money of your own in the bank to fall back on. You will never have need of the money, but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing it’s there and gathering interest.’

  ‘And where would I live if I did sell my home and move to Liverpool? Have you already decided that, as well?’

  ‘No, my dearest, I haven’t. All I know is I don’t want to be separated from you for even a day. I want to know you are near enough for me to reach whenever I need to see your dear face and hear your voice. I know I sound like a young man smitten by his first love, and I feel like a young man again, thanks to you. I love you with all my heart, and that is the reason I may seem to be rushing you. Too many years of my life have been wasted. Forgive me for not wanting to waste any more.’

  Maureen squeezed his hand and smiled. ‘That little talk has done me the world of good. I don’t feel so nervous now, so take me to meet your family. Other matters can be sorted out another time.’ When the car was once again on the move, she said, ‘I do love you, Robert, and if your children approve of me, I will do everything in my power to fit in with your plans. My aim in life will be to make up for those wasted years.’

  ‘My children will love you, my dear, of that I am sure.’

  ‘Then I will be truly blessed. I’ve had no one to call my own since my parents died, and at my age one wouldn’t expect a knight in shining armour to come along. And with him, a readymade family.’ She sat back in the seat, and instead of clasping her hands, she crossed her fingers for luck.

  Agnes heard the car drive down the path at the side of the house and came over
all of a flutter. ‘They’re here, Kitty. Oh, please God, let her be nice and easy to get along with.’

  ‘One thing’s for certain, queen, she’s got to be better than Miss Edwina.’ Kitty looked down to make sure there were no marks on her overall, then looked at Jessie who was sitting with her hands folded in her lap. ‘I think we should get up and be doing something. We’re sitting like bleedin’ stuffed dummies, and she’ll wonder what she’s come to.’

  ‘Ye’re right, sunshine.’ The housekeeper pushed herself up from the chair. ‘I’ll be putting the kettle on, you get the cups for us, Jessie, and Kitty can pretend to be wiping the cooker down.’

  ‘You can sod off, Aggie Weatherby! How soft you are, making me do the dirty work when I’ve got me best overall on! No, you wipe down and I’ll put the kettle on.’

  ‘Which cups d’yer want, Aggie?’ Jessie asked. ‘The best china, or the ones we use for our breaks?’

  Kitty was putting a light to the gas ring and Agnes was trying to make herself look busy when the question was asked. They caught each other’s eye and roared with laughter. ‘Ye’re a belter, Jessie, that’s what yer are. We’ve spent all day preparing for this, and now yer ask if yer should give Mr Robert’s friend a drink out of a chipped enamel mug!’

  ‘I never said no such thing, Aggie,’ Jessie said. ‘I never—’. The young girl stopped in mid-sentence when the door opened and a strange woman came through followed by Mr Robert.

  ‘Maureen, this is Agnes, our housekeeper, Kitty our cleaner and young Jessie our junior maid. Ladies, this is my friend, Miss Maureen Schofield.’

  The three members of staff gave a little bob while scrutinising the woman from top to bottom. It was left to Agnes, who still had traces of a smile on her face, to say, ‘We’re very glad to meet you, Miss Maureen. In fact, we’ve been looking forward to it all day.’

  ‘And I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, because Robert has told me so much about you, I feel I know you already.’ Maureen’s lips moved, but she didn’t have any feeling in them. ‘I’m a bit nervous so you’ll have to make excuses for me.’