‘Oh yes, of course, I forgot – you’re the one with the money and controlling the purse-strings now, aren’t you?’
It was the first time they had had a cross word for weeks, and Jess had been bitterly hurt – but ever the peacemaker she had chosen to let it go and in no time at all he’d forgotten all about it even if she hadn’t.
Once her little tour of inspection was completed she passed a leisurely half an hour in a nice warm bath. She then hurried off to the bedroom and slipped into clean clothes before getting her hairdryer out.
I’ll go and have a cuppa with Laura when I’ve dried this mop, she thought to herself, and leaned down to plug the dryer in.
And then everything seemed to happen in slow motion as a pain ripped up her arm and she was flung across the room. Good God, I’ve been electrocuted, she thought to herself as darkness rushed to meet her and she sank into it gratefully as someone whispered urgently in her ear.
Chapter Thirty
‘Mum, Mum – please talk to me!’
There was a voice that seemed to be coming from a long, long way away as Jess struggled to open her eyes. Eventually she managed it and found herself peering up at Jo. Laura and Mel were standing right behind her and now that Laura saw she was conscious she soothed, ‘Don’t try and talk, there’s an ambulance on its way. Just lie quiet . . . it should be here any minute now.’
Even as she spoke the sound of sirens penetrated the fog that seemed to be surrounding Jess and she nodded numbly as she tried to think what had happened. She appeared to be lying on the bedroom floor, but why? And then slowly as the fog cleared it came back to her. She had been about to dry her hair. She had bent and plugged the hairdryer in and then there was nothing until now.
‘Wh . . . what happened?’ she asked groggily as she tried to lift her head. It felt too heavy for her neck and she flopped back like a rag doll.
‘It looks to me like you’ve had an electric shock,’ Laura told her. ‘One of the wires is sticking out of the back of your hairdryer and you must have touched it as you plugged it in. Thank God you had slippers with rubber soles on, eh? It might have been a different story altogether if you hadn’t.’ All the time she was talking she was stroking Jess’s hand reassuringly and seconds later two paramedics burst into the room.
‘Stand aside,’ the taller of the two men said as he dropped to his knees beside Jess. ‘What happened here?’
Laura quickly explained what she thought had happened. ‘I don’t know how long she may have been lying there,’ she finished breathlessly. ‘Young Jo here ran to fetch me when she found her like this. Jo had come home from school and she didn’t know what to do.’
‘You did absolutely right,’ the paramedic told Jo, who was deathly pale with shock and fear. ‘And your mum is going to be fine, so don’t look so worried.’
‘B-but she’s going to have a baby,’ Jo told him tremulously. ‘Will it be all right?’
‘I’m sure it will, but we’re going to take her into hospital and have her checked out just to be on the safe side,’ the man replied. ‘Now is there someone here to keep an eye on you two? Where is your dad?’
‘He went to London this morning,’ Jo whimpered in a small voice as tears streamed down her waxen cheeks.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll stay with you girls until we know what’s happening,’ Laura told her. ‘You can come back to the cottage with me, and bring Alfie the dog with you.’
They all watched as Jess was carefully lifted on to a stretcher, protesting, ‘I’m fine now, honestly. Really, there’s no need for this.’
‘There probably isn’t,’ the paramedic placated her. ‘But you’ve had a nasty shock and it’s better to be safe than sorry, eh? Once a doctor at the hospital has checked you and the baby out he or she will probably let you out later this evening, so there’s nothing to get upset about. Just lie back and relax and you’ll be back here before you know it. I should treat yourself to a new hairdryer though if I were you,’ he finished with a cheeky wink.
Just as the paramedic had promised, Jess was discharged that evening after the doctor had done tests on herself and the baby, and assured her that all was well. Den came in his car to fetch her home and when she got there, Mel, Jo, Laura and Beth were all waiting for her in the kitchen.
‘I’m absolutely fine,’ she told them as they all stood there anxiously watching.
‘The doctor says as long as I rest for a couple of days I’ll be hunky dory.’
‘Yes – and that’s exactly what you’re going to do,’ said Laura. ‘I shall see to that, young lady. Den has thrown the hairdryer away and the first time you go out, you can treat yourself to a new one.’
‘But I can’t understand how it happened. It was fine the last time I used it,’ Jess murmured.
‘It looked pretty old, and the wire probably just worked its way out of the casing with use,’ Den said. ‘Nothing lasts for ever, especially electrical equipment. They don’t make things like they used to nowadays. Just think yourself lucky you got away with it as you did.’
It was the most Jess had ever heard Den say all in one go in all the time she had known him, and she found herself grinning despite what had happened.
‘I don’t know. You’re not to be trusted on your own just lately,’ Laura teased as she put the kettle on to make Jess a hot drink. ‘I reckon you’re getting accident prone, what with this and the car brakes.’
‘I think you may be right.’ Jess leaned back in the comfy chair and enjoyed being waited on. ‘I shall have to make myself a sign, Danger Hazard. Keep away!’
On a more serious note now, Laura asked, ‘Do you want me to ring Simon on his mobile and tell him what’s happened?’
‘Oh no,’ Jess said hastily. ‘He’d only worry and there’s nothing he can do. I’m fine now and I don’t want to spoil his holiday.’
‘Have it your own way,’ Laura said, as she poured boiling water into the teapot. Personally she didn’t think much of Simon for clearing off and leaving Jess when she was pregnant, but, it was none of her business and she had enough on her own plate to worry about at present.
The following morning, Jess felt much better although the girls still insisted on walking to school themselves.
‘To be honest, Mum, I’d rather,’ Jo admitted. ‘I’m getting a bit old now for my mum to be taking me, and my mates are beginning to take the mickey about it and calling me a sissy.’
‘Oh!’ Jess had forgotten that both of the girls were growing up now and becoming more independent. ‘But isn’t it rather a long way? And won’t you get cold?’ she muttered lamely.
Jo chuckled. ‘Mum – it’s no further than when we walk back every afternoon.’
‘All right then, if that’s what you want.’ Jess kissed Jo and Mel and walked to the door with them. ‘Now you will mind how you cross the roads, won’t you? And be sure not to talk to any strangers.’
Jo raised her eyes to the heavens and giggled. ‘There you go again. We’re not babies, you know. Now why don’t you go back to bed and have a good rest? And don’t get trying to do anything either. Mel and I can do the cleaning up when we get home.’
‘Now who am I to refuse an offer like that?’ Jess said with a twinkle in her eye. ‘See you later then, girls.’ But inside she felt like crying. Jo’s statement had brought home to her the fact that neither of the girls needed her quite so much any more, and she felt as if she’d been made redundant. The school runs had been part of her life for so long now that she wouldn’t know what to do with her spare time.
But then she supposed it did have its plus side. Actually the thought of another hour in bed was quite attractive so she climbed the stairs and hopped back under the duvet with a contented sigh. She would have a new baby to contend with soon and she had no doubt she would be glad of the extra time then. She lay there for a while wondering what Simon was doing and what his hotel was like. He had done all the organising for the trip himself so she had no idea even what hotel he was stay
ing in, but at least she could still reach him on his mobile if there was an emergency, which she seriously hoped there wouldn’t be, after what had happened the day before.
Rather than dwell on that she decided to read a little more of Martha’s journal so she lifted it from the drawer, snuggled down and began.
31 December
It is hard to believe that it will be a brand new year tomorrow. The week has passed in a flash but all the guests have left now and so no doubt tomorrow the house will return to some sort of normality. I fear the extra work has taken its toll on Grace and I wonder if she will carry her baby to full term now. Her ankles are very puffed up, and today I caught her leaning heavily on the side of the horse trough near the stables. She insisted that she was all right, but I have my doubts . . .
‘Are you all right, Grace?’
The young woman straightened, and rubbing her aching back, she raised a wobbly smile for her sister. ‘I’m fine, love. I reckon it’s all the extra work just catchin’ up on me. I might try an’ get a couple of hours’ rest this afternoon so as I can enjoy the party tonight.’
‘See as yer do then,’ Martha replied bossily as she headed for the dairy. She was in fine spirits at the prospect of the party that was planned for that evening. Jimmy would be coming and she intended to find time to wash her hair before it began so that she looked her best, not that she would have much spare time. Cook was busily preparing the food in the kitchen for it even now, and once it was all done Martha knew she would be kept on the run transporting it over to the two big trestle tables that had been set up next to the hay bales. Grace wouldn’t be able to help much, that was for sure, but then she hoped that Bertie and the Tolleys would give her a hand. She hummed away happily to herself as she worked, and once she was done she headed back to the warmth of the kitchen.
‘Ah, there you are,’ Cook commented as she transferred a steak and kidney pie from the oven to the table. The aroma filled the air and Martha sniffed appreciatively.
‘Cor, there looks to be enough food here to feed an army,’ Martha joked, and the large woman smiled.
‘Better too much than not enough, an’ yer know how the men can put it away when they’ve had a skinful. Now, you take that tray up to yer granny, would yer, before we start to get this lot over to the barn.’
Martha obediently lifted the tray that was covered in a snow-white cloth and minutes later she carried it into her granny’s room. The old woman was sitting up in bed propped up by pillows and Martha was pleased to see that she looked a little better today.
‘How are all the preparations goin’, pet?’ she asked as Martha placed the tray on her lap.
‘Oh, I reckon Cook has everythin’ in hand and the barn looks lovely. Bertie and Hal have strung lanterns everywhere and swept the floor so it will look grand tonight, but I think Cook wants you to eat somethin’ today, do yer hear me?’
‘I hear yer.’ Granny smiled. She knew that the girl worried about her and felt so useless stuck away in her room, although she was forced to admit she would have been neither use nor ornament had she gone down to the kitchen.
Martha set about tidying the room as Granny lifted the spoon and tasted the chicken broth before asking, ‘His lordship still away, is he?’
‘Yes, he left to spend the New Year in London the day after he caught me in the hall,’ Martha said.
Granny nodded with satisfaction. ‘Best bloody place fer him,’ she muttered. ‘An’ fair dos to Master Leonard fer clearin’ him off. It’s only a shame that the wicked bugger ’as to come back. But when he does, you just be sure an’ keep out of ’is way as much as yer can.’
Martha hardly needed telling that but she nodded anyway.
‘An’ how is our Grace bearin’ up now?’ the old woman asked.
‘Oh, she seems to be all right, though I know she was mortified fer the staff to learn what the Master had done to her. Do yer reckon she’ll take to this baby, Granny? I mean, knowin’ how it was conceived?’
‘I think so.’ Granny gazed towards the window. ‘I had a good talk to her just last night an’ she told me that at the end o’ the day it ain’t the baby’s fault so she’ll try her best to love it. I mean, it didn’t ask to be born, did it? It’s Bertie I’m more worried about. I’m convinced that if he could kill the Master an’ get away wi’ it, he would wi’out givin’ it a second thought. But I ain’t sure that he won’t see the Master every time he looks at the poor little mite once it arrives. Still, we’ll just have to wait an’ see, won’t we? But now let’s talk o’ happier things. What were yer plannin’ on wearin’ tonight, an’ is young Jimmy comin’?’
Martha flushed. ‘Yes, Jimmy is coming. An’ I’ve altered the gown that Miss Melody gave me to wear. I’m worried that it might be a bit too grand for a party in a barn though.’
‘Rubbish. I’ve no doubt you’ll look beautiful, an’ it’ll do yer good to ’ave a chance to dress up fer a change. But just make sure as yer come up here so I can see yer in all yer finery, won’t yer?’
‘I will,’ Martha promised. ‘But I’d best get on now, else Cook will be screamin’ for me. Bye for now, Granny.’
She skipped from the room as the old woman watched her go with an affectionate smile on her face. She was a good girl, was her Martha. None better. An’ if that whorin’ old bastard so much as laid hands on her again it wouldn’t be Bertie who would be committin’ murder but herself, ’cos she’d run him through wi’ a knife without givin’ it a second thought.
The party was in full swing within minutes of it starting. It was a bitterly cold evening and so everyone decided to dance to keep themselves warm, all apart from Grace that was, and she was so big now that she could scarcely wobble about, let alone dance. Jimmy’s eyes almost started from his head when he arrived and saw Martha dressed in the gown that Miss Melody had given her. It was a lovely shade of cornflower blue, fitted tight into the waist with a billowing skirt. Martha had tied her hair high onto the top of her head with one of the ribbons that the young Master and Mistress had given her for Christmas, and as he took her hands, he said, ‘By, lass, yer look all grown up. An’ yer could be taken fer gentry in that get-up.’
Martha blushed prettily. Granny had said much the same thing when Martha had gone to visit her in her finery and the girl felt wonderful. It wasn’t often she got to dress up, and she had never owned a gown the like of this one before.
The party had been going on for some time when Miss Melody and Master Leonard put in an appearance, and Hal instantly stopped fiddling and everyone halted the dancing.
‘Oh, please don’t stop,’ Miss Melody implored. ‘We only popped across to make sure you had enough ale and wine.’ She and her husband had donated two barrels of ale plus numerous bottles of wine to them all as a New Year present, and it was Hal who chuckled now before saying, ‘Thank yer kindly, ma’am, but I reckon if we were to drink all that lot tonight there’d be none of us fit enough to do any work tomorrow.’
Miss Melody smiled. She was draped in a warm cloak and she told him, ‘Good, then we’ll leave you to it. I don’t mind telling you, if I wasn’t so huge I would have liked to stay and have a dance myself.’
‘And it’s right welcome you’d have been,’ Bertie responded warmly.
The young Mistress looked towards the trestle table that was weighted down with food and grinned approvingly. Young Joey, who hadn’t stopped eating since he’d arrived, was tucking into yet another slice of Cook’s delicious pies, and spread across the table were various pickles, fresh baked crusty loaves and sweetmeats along with a variety of other things.
‘Then if you are quite sure that you have everything you need, we shall leave you to it, and please don’t worry if you’re a little late going about your chores tomorrow. I’m sure we shall survive if breakfast is not exactly on time.’ She slipped the hood of her cloak over her shining hair and glancing towards the barn door, she said, ‘It’s very cold. Do you think we might be in for some snow?’
‘No doubt about it,’ Hal replied with certainty. ‘An’ before the night is out, if I’m any judge. Goodnight, sir, madam.’
The young couple slipped away and in no time at all the party was in full swing again.
At some point Jimmy took Martha’s hand and led her towards the barn door, and once outside they stared into each other’s eyes.
‘I can’t get over how lovely yer look tonight, pet,’ he said with a small catch in his voice. ‘An’ I’ve been waitin’ to get yer on yer own ’cos there’s somethin’ I’ve been wantin’ to ask yer.’
When Martha stared up at him expectantly, he cleared his throat nervously and stumbled on, ‘Well, the thing is . . . I love yer . . . an’ I were wonderin’, would yer consider settin’ a date fer the weddin’? I mean I know I ain’t much of a catch, but—’
Martha quickly laid a finger across his lips. They had both known for some time that their feelings for each other would lead to this, but this was the official proposal that Martha had been waiting for.
‘Don’t say any more, Jimmy.’ Her eyes were shining and she felt that she might burst with happiness. ‘You would be the best catch in the world to me, an’ I’d be right proud to be yer wife.’
Jimmy’s chest seemed to swell to twice its size. ‘In that case I’ll ask the Mistress fer permission to wed yer, the first chance I get.’ And then he kissed her and a thousand fireworks exploded behind her eyes. It was as they were standing there locked in an embrace that the first flakes of snow began to flutter down and Martha laughed. Eeh, this looked set to be the best New Year ever.
They joined the rest of the staff in the barn then and Jimmy did not return to Leathermill Farm until the early hours of the morning when they had all seen the New Year in together. By then the snow was already inches deep underfoot and coming down with a vengeance, but all of them were in too high spirits to care.
Although she was tired, Martha was far too excited to sleep when she first went to bed and she lay reliving every moment of the wonderful evening she had just spent before writing in her journal until the candle burned low. This would be an entry to show her grandchildren one day.
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