by Mary Wood
‘Henry said as how he galloped off down the lane. He said he were limping slightly, but we were more concerned for lad here.’
Laura Harvey looked uncomfortable and unsure. He could see that she hadn’t missed his inference that she was thinking more of the horse than of the lad.
‘I’ll stay with Ardbuckle. You go after Diamond. Oh, dear, I hope he’s all right!’
Diamond hadn’t gone far; Jack found him standing near the gate of the bottom field. By the time they were back at the stable, the doctor had arrived and was checking Gary over. ‘How is he, Doctor? Is it bad?’
‘Well, he’ll not be riding horses for a while. It’s a bad sprain you have there, Gary. You must have twisted it when you landed. You’re lucky you haven’t broken it! And I’ll tell you something else, lad, you’re going to have a headache to boast of in the morning. You’ve a right bump on top of your head, so you’re to rest up and call me if you feel sick or if your headache persists. Is the horse all right, Jack?’
‘Aye, he seems to have escaped injury.’
Laura was busy checking Diamond over, and Dr Cragshaw went over to help her. It was well known that he knew as much about animals as he did about humans, his dad being a local farmer. Jack watched him check the horse.
‘You’re right, Jack, there’s not much up with him. He’s a little shaken, but nothing serious. Now Gary’s a different matter; he’s going to have to rest up for a couple of weeks. In fact he shouldn’t even walk on that leg for a few days, so if you can arrange to get him home, Laura?’
‘I’ll take him in handcart, Doc. He’ll be reet.’ Jack lifted Gary as he spoke, ignoring his protests and placing him in the cart. He laughed loudly at the lad’s plea to be put down, but once in the cart Gary stopped moaning and grinned up at him.
‘By, like you said, you’ve certainly changed of a sudden, Jack, but it’s good to see, man. It’s that good it’s taking me pain away.’
Jack caught Laura Harvey’s eye at that moment. She had a pleased look on her face, which changed in an instant to a look he’d seen many times before. He didn’t shy away from it, and although he was embarrassed to hold her gaze with company around, he managed to let her know he understood, by giving her a quick nod. He hoped the others would just think he was being polite. Something in him told him she’d taken it for what it was, and a tingle of anticipation shivered through him.
Issy stood leaning over the gate, chatting to Gertie as Jack came up the lane. He called out to her as he passed, ‘Any old rags, Ma? Cos I’ve plenty of bones.’
‘What’s you up to, Jack?’
‘I’m running a regular ambulance service, Ma, and Gary here’s me first customer.’
‘Has he had a drop too much?’
‘No, he just thinks he can ride a horse as well as I can, but he found out different, didn’t you, lad?’
‘Shut up, Jack, and get me home. You’re making me a laughing stock.’
‘I’m sorry, lad, but you had it coming. By! I’ve been waiting to get me own back on you for pinching me job from under me nose.’
‘Aw, I didn’t, man, I didn’t.’
‘I know as you didn’t, I’m only funning. I miss it though, lad – I’m not much for this driving lark. It were good when we had the studs, weren’t it?’
‘Aye, it were.’
‘I’m coming for you next, Ma,’ Jack called back to Issy as he manoeuvred Gary into the gate Gertie held open for him. ‘I’m going to take you to knacker’s yard. Mind, I’ve to fetch a bigger handcart first, as I’ll never fit you in this one.’
Issy’s laugh resounded down the lane. Her body heaved, and she dug her fists into her side to ease the ache the laughing caused her. It was good to hear. Gertie laughed too, but not as loudly. She’d taken charge of Gary and was bossing Jenny around as to what it was best to do.
Megan turned into the lane at that moment. ‘Hello, Megan,’ Issy called out. ‘What d’yer think of this pair of daft idiots?’
A sad feeling entered Jack as he saw Megan. She didn’t deserve to have to face the fact that Billy had caused Gary to be injured, and he didn’t want to be the one to land it on her. He looked down at Gary and spoke quietly to him.
‘Don’t forget as you’re not to say owt.’
‘He’s not to say owt about what, Jack?’ Gertie asked.
‘Aw, nothing, Ma. We were messing about and this happened. We don’t want Mrs Harvey knowing owt, so we’re keeping it quiet from all and sundry,’ Gary told her.
‘Eeh, Jack Fellam, have you been up to your tricks again?’
‘Aye, I have, Gertie. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it to end like this . . .’ He made a big thing of helping Gertie to take Gary inside, to cover for the lie, but he soon emerged when Gertie made it clear he wasn’t wanted. ‘We can manage now, ta very much. But think on, lad, though it’s good to see you’re feeling better. You should take more care of them around you when you’re on with your pranks.’ With this, she banged the door shut.
Jack looked over at Megan. She didn’t question anything she’d heard and he was glad of that. He noticed she had a lightness about her and thought it was probably down to the hope she’d been given for her future. Something stirred inside him as he saw that hope shining from her. She was close now. Her eyes, beautiful, deep and dark, looked into his and her laughter had a lovely sound as she asked, ‘What’s silenced pair of you? Was it sight of me? Cos you were making more racket than a playground of young ’uns afore.’
‘I’ve just been told off by Gertie, but I had it coming. Mind, your beauty had sommat to do with quietening me. It took me breath away.’
His tone was light, but he knew inside that he’d meant the words. He heard his ma laugh, but not Megan. As she looked up at him, a warmth flowed between them. It was only for a split second, but he felt as if he’d been punched.
Megan’s nervous laugh broke the spell. She moved away and called back at him, her words returning him to normality, ‘Go on with you, taking rise out of me. I’ll get you back one of these days, Jack Fellam!’
He didn’t answer her, but instead covered his confusion by laughing out loud.
Megan almost ran over to his ma. He could see that her face was red from blushing. He winked at her and she smiled back at him.
‘Well, lass, isn’t that a sight to gladden you? Our Jack, laughing and carrying on like he was always used to doing! We were only saying about it earlier, weren’t we? And I never thought to see day come again, did you, Megan?’
Megan was still looking at him as she answered, ‘No, I didn’t, Issy.’ Then she called over to him, ‘Let’s hope as it’s a turning point for you, Jack, eh?’
He went to answer, but his ma-in-law got in first. ‘Aye, and for us all too, lass, because I feel as though me laughing parts have been drying up as quick as me fanny this past while.’
Megan’s laughter joined his ma’s.
‘Now who sounds like a playground of young ’uns? Talk about calling pot black! Your noise is worse than any I were making.’
‘It’s your mam’s fault. I can’t repeat what she said, but it feels good to have a laugh.’
‘I heard her. By, you’re crude at times, Ma. You should be ashamed of yourself!’
‘Well, it’s good to have a laugh, and I’d like to bet as our Ciss is laughing an’ all, lad. She liked a joke, did Ciss.’
‘Aye, she did.’
Megan was looking at Jack with a concerned expression on her face. Issy had shocked them both by talking so lightly about Cissy, but he was glad she had. It’d take away the awkwardness he felt when talking of her when Issy was around. He smiled at Megan and felt a gladness that things seemed normal with her, too. He’d been letting his imagination take hold of him, with this new light feeling he had. Megan was like a sister to him.
‘Thou knows, Ma, I feel better of a sudden. I can’t explain it, but it feels good. I s’pose as I haven’t been much fun to be around these last two years, eh? And you’ve
not been able to talk to me about Cissy. Well, that’ll change now, love.’
‘No, lad, it hasn’t been easy for any of us. We suffered a big blow when we lost Cissy, but like I say, she’d be laughing with us now, especially if she knew as I’d wet me knickers!’
This set them off again, and Jack thought it was a healing laughter. For them to mention Cissy’s name in merriment was something he’d never thought would happen again. He knew that from now on he was going to find it easier to live with Cissy’s memory. It was as if she’d found a place in him that would always be hers, but was letting the rest of him go free to live his life as he wished.
The lightness in his mood stayed with him as he arrived back at the stables, where he found Laura Harvey still tending to Diamond. ‘He seems no worse for wear, Jack,’ she said as he came up to her. She’d taken to using his first name of late when no one was around. ‘All the same, I will ring the vet to check him over, just to make sure. How was Ardbuckle when you left him?’
‘In some pain, Ma’am, and he were worried as to how they were to get by without his money coming in. There’s four in the household, with his wife and his ma and lad an’ all, and they only have what he tips up to manage on.’
‘Oh? Well, call by the kitchen before you go home and pick up some provisions for them, and see if they are all right for coal. If not, let me know and I’ll have some sent round to them.’
He nodded, unsure of what to say. He’d not thought she would offer help. He’d spoken boldly and had made up Gary’s words because he knew they would find it difficult. He’d hoped to nudge her into thinking about what it would mean to Gary to be off work a while, but he’d not expected her to take him up on it. Her words broke into his thoughts.
‘Do you think you can cope with the horses while Ardbuckle is off work? I’ll need you to drive me into the office first thing each day, as I have important meetings going on this next week, but we could arrange a time for you to pick me up, so you could return here. What do you think?’
‘Aye, I could manage easy, and I’d be glad to.’ He patted Diamond’s rump. ‘I’ve missed looking after you, lad.’
‘So you haven’t enjoyed your job as my chauffeur then?’
‘I haven’t enjoyed much of anything these last two years, Ma’am.’
‘No, I can understand that.’
She looked directly into his eyes. He held her gaze. She’d travelled the same road as he had, having lost her husband and son. She understood, he knew that, and this mutual understanding made him feel a kindred connection to her.
She was closer to him now, although he hadn’t noticed her move or felt himself lean towards her. When she put her hand on his arm, he could feel its warmth and knew it would be soft to hold.
‘I’m glad you’re feeling better, Jack . . .’ Her cheeks reddened and he saw the hunger deep in her eyes. ‘I’ll have this business at the mine sorted out in a few days, then we’ll be able to exercise the horses together.’
He held her gaze again. She’d said enough. He understood. He felt acutely aware of her, and the calculating woman he’d known seemed to melt in front of him, until he saw a beautiful, vulnerable one. She removed her hand and held out the reins to him.
‘Will you see that Diamond and Prince are bedded down for me?’
Her words, though routine, were spoken in a soft, appealing voice. He felt an urge to touch her and, as he took the reins, he brushed his hand against hers. She flinched. A fear clutched at him. He’d overstepped his mark. He turned and led Diamond away, and the relief to escape the nearness of her quietened his insides.
He had a need in him, and he’d wanted to take her in his arms there and then. But then he wasn’t sure if it was just for her or if his need were general, because he’d had a feeling for Megan earlier, too. But that was different. That was . . . He pulled himself up. By, lad, what’re you thinking? He shook his head and raised his eyes heavenwards. He’d not had feelings like he’d felt today since Cissy had died. ‘Me little lass, I miss you.’ Even as he said the words, the effect they had on him was unlike what he’d felt the other thousand and one times he had said them. His confusion deepened. It had been a funny day.
33
Jack Succumbs
Laura’s problems at the mine had been escalating over the last few weeks. Demand was down, and yet the cost of labour was soaring. She had, though, received the boost she’d been hoping for: the contract to stockpile and supply the Byron Electric Company had at last come to a conclusion. She’d made many visits to the new company, negotiating the price per ton, and her chief engineer had worked hard to perfect a screening that would produce the exact quality of coal the company would require. At last it had paid off. The deal was to include them putting an electricity supply into the mine. This would mean she could install one of the new power-driven cutting machines, which would enable her to get rid of a good number of the workforce while at the same time increasing production.
Sitting in the back of the Daimler on her way to sign the last of the contracts, she felt relaxed.
‘So, how are you feeling, Jack? A little saddle-sore?’
He looked at her in his driving mirror. He seemed unsure of himself, probably due to what had happened when he’d brushed her hand. She hadn’t withdrawn it because she hadn’t wanted him to touch her; it’d just been so unexpected.
‘No, Ma’am. I thought as how I were going to suffer, seeing as it’s been a while since I’d last ridden, but I’ve been all right.’
‘Is Diamond doing well?’
‘Aye, he’s grand, Ma’am.’
‘Good, I’m glad to hear it. I’ve been worried in case he’d suffered any after-effects from that incident with Ardbuckle. I understand from Dr Cragshaw that Ardbuckle is doing well, but won’t be back at work for at least another two weeks.’
‘Aye, but he’s managing to get around, though, Ma’am. He’s made himself some crutches.’
She could see Jack was beginning to relax. He glanced at her again in his mirror. She held his gaze, then deliberately put one hand behind her neck and started to turn her head from side to side as if to relieve the tension. She sighed and arched her back, her breasts straining against her tight-fitting blouse. He averted his eyes. He’d noticed!
‘Actually, I haven’t much to see to at the office, so I’d like you to wait for me. I think today we’ll ride out together. I could do with the exercise.’
Jack knew what she meant. She had a way of putting so much into a few words – things that were nothing to do with what she was actually saying. He glanced in his mirror again, once more meeting her penetrating gaze, and he held her eyes for a moment longer before turning his attention back to his driving. They had reached the mine. He manoeuvred through the gates and eased the car to a halt outside her office. He didn’t look back at her again, but got out of the car and opened the door for her.
‘I’m looking forward to our jaunt out, Jack.’ Her body swayed towards him. ‘I won’t be long.’
The nerve that had tingled briefly when he’d seen her stretch herself now took a vice-like grip on his stomach muscles. He walked round the car and leaned heavily on the door, with his back to the office. He rolled a cigarette, lit it and drew deeply on it. He paid no heed to the noises of the mine or to the screen boys to the left of him, picking over the coal.
He had no doubt in his mind about what was going to happen, nor did he want to stop it happening, but he had a fear in him. His imagination wouldn’t allow him to think about what it would be like to couple with a lady like Laura Harvey. His only experience of love-making had been with Cissy. A picture of Cissy came into his mind. It didn’t come with guilt or pain, but with a kind of peace. Not that she’d approve of what he had in his mind, but her memory was no longer intruding on the new sense of freedom he felt.
He jumped when Laura Harvey finally came out of her office and called his name. If she noticed, she didn’t comment. Once settled in the car, she leaned forwar
d.
‘I think we’ll ride out to the south of the estate, Jack, to the paddock we have for family use. You know the place. You took picnic baskets there for us on several occasions a few years ago. It’s very secluded. I often ride there when I want solitude.’
Jack wasn’t used to talking in subtle riddles, but he’d understood her meaning and hoped she’d know his, too. He turned and looked into her eyes. ‘Aye, I know the place, Ma’am. It’ll be reet suitable.’
Laura’s blushes surprised him and, as he had done in the stables a few weeks ago, he saw how beautiful and vulnerable she could suddenly become.
They had reached Hensal Grange and were turning into the gates before he looked again in the mirror at her.
‘Will I saddle the horses then, Ma’am?’
‘Yes, Jack, thank you. I’ll just need to go to the house to change. I won’t be long, I promise.’
This last she’d said with a cheeky grin, and something in him felt at ease. The grin had put them on two footings: one where he was master, and the other where she was. It was going well – better than he thought it would.
As Hamilton came down the steps to help her alight from the car, Jack turned in his seat and smiled at her. He’d never done that before. They’d had laughs together over work matters, but this smile was from a man to his woman. She smiled back in the same way.
They met in the stables half an hour later. He noticed that Laura still had a nervousness about her, and he liked it. Her vulnerability made it easier for him than if she was her usual high-and-mighty self.
‘You’re all ready then, Jack?’
‘Aye, and you’ll be glad to know as smell of mothballs that housekeeper had tucked around me riding gear whilst it was in storage has all gone. It was reet strong last week when I first put it on. It made me eyes water.’
Laura laughed.
Making sure his riding habit didn’t smell of mothballs hadn’t been the only thing on his mind whilst he’d been getting himself and the horses ready. An odd sensation had come over him at the way things were changing between him and his boss. Had he really spoken to her like he spoke to his ma or Megan?