by Mary Wood
He made an effort to listen to her. Laura was different from him. She was of the stiff-upper-lip class. He’d listen to her orders, and then he could go.
‘If you are not feeling up to taking the car into York next week for its service – you remember, I arranged for it to be done whilst I am still here, and have the use of Lady Crompton’s car? Well, if you are unable to, don’t worry. You can get Hamilton to telephone through to the garage and rearrange a date. But we do need to concern ourselves with the horses . . .’
Some of what she was saying was going in. And it helped. It helped him to put up a curtain in his mind, to block out what he really had to deal with.
This feeling lasted until after he’d said goodbye to her, promising that he would take care and that he would contact her if he needed any help from her. It didn’t lift during the drive home, but the moment he entered his home and saw Issy, it fell away and the pain hit him afresh.
PART SIX
The Consequences
1930
38
A Future Hope Cut Deep with Sorrow
‘I can’t believe it, Harry! That we should find two shops in the same road! And both are fit for purpose. But, best of all, I haven’t told you yet, but there’s a house for sale just two streets away that I’m going to bid for. It’ll be perfect. I can have it turned into two flats: one for Daisy and Phyllis, and the other for me and Sally.’
‘You’ve not thought any more about my proposal then?’
‘Aye, I have. But I’m still not sure. I need time to get over Arthur. I’m flattered as you want me, Harry, but it’s only been a short while since it all happened. I want to take it slow. It’s for your sake as much as mine.’
‘But I want you so badly, Hattie. I – I need you in all ways. I mean, whilst I was just keeping you hidden in here,’ Harry tapped his chest, ‘I could cope. But now as I’ve declared meself and think as I have a chance, it isn’t so easy to ignore the nearness of you and—’
‘Harry – Harry, stop this. You’re not being fair to me or to yourself. You promised me . . .’
‘But can’t I just hold you, and maybe a kiss?’
‘Oh, Harry.’
‘All right, lass. I’ll not mention it again.’
Harry turned his attention back to his paper, and Hattie poured the tea Ma Parkin had brought to their table. Her mind was troubled over Harry. She knew she had feelings for him. He even occupied more of her thoughts than Arthur did of late. But what if that wore off? How can I be sure?
Her thoughts were cut off by Harry’s sudden exclamation. ‘Oh, no!’
‘What is it, Harry?’
‘Didn’t you say Cissy’d called her babby “Bella”? And wasn’t she a Mongol?’
‘Aye, I did. Why?’ She almost didn’t want to know the answer.
‘I’m afraid as she’s been killed. Poor little lass. It appears she was playing near a mineshaft and fell down it.’
‘No! Let me see. It must be her. Oh God, poor Jack. Oh dear, how will Issy and little Sarah cope? They doted on that young ’un.’
As Hattie read the story, some gladness returned to her. It appeared that Billy had shown his better side. He’d tried to save little Bella and had sustained a broken leg in the process – not that that bit of the story gave her any uplifting, as she didn’t want him hurt; but it was Megan she was thinking of, and how it would be good for her that her lad had showed he did have a good streak in him.
‘Oh, Harry, I don’t know what to do. That this should happen just as everything is almost ready for Megan! I daren’t go to them. There’ll be so many folk milling around. How would I answer their questions? I mean, Issy’s always passed me and the girls off as lassies as she worked with, on an estate out York way. It’d be difficult for me to keep that up, as I don’t know what she’s said about me role and suchlike.’
‘I should write them a letter, if I was you, love. They’ll understand. And put in it as you’ve found a place. Give Megan some hope, at least.’
‘No, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. Me finding a place is the last thing as Megan needs to be thinking of. She’ll have her hands full helping Issy and Sarah and Jack. I will write, though, and offer me condolences. And then I think as I’ll concentrate on getting all the paperwork for the shop completed, and get the upstairs ready for her, so as when I do go to tell her she can come straight away.’
‘Aye, all right. You know best. But I’ll not be of much help to you, I’m afraid, as I’ve only to sign on the dotted line to finalize the papers on my shop. So I’m going to be busy with buying equipment and setting it all up. Will you be all right?’
‘I’ll be fine. I’m experienced at this side of things.’
She couldn’t tell him so, but she was in fact glad that Harry was going to be out from under her feet for a while. She needed to sort out how she felt about him, and if she was to take him on. Some part of her wanted to, but it wasn’t easy to give herself fully again. Not so soon; she’d no trust in her. That was the worst thing Arthur had done to her: destroyed the trust she’d had for folk she’d thought of as good, and it’d left her feeling alone. Afraid and very alone.
Hamilton’s voice droned on. Jack looked around the kitchen at all the familiar faces. He was still closed off from the outside world. They’d all tried to help, but he wasn’t for being helped. He needed to work his own way through the grief that held him, and he was doing that. He knew he had to; knew he couldn’t let it take hold of him, as it had done after Cissy had died. His family needed him. He was to be there for them.
‘ . . . so Lady Crompton informs me that Mrs Harvey will not be home for at least another two weeks, though she is making excellent progress and is getting back to full health again,’ Hamilton said.
Hearing of how Laura had suffered a bout of pneumonia after he’d left had not touched Jack deeply. He was sorry to hear it, but that was all. He tried not to think of her, or of what they’d done. He’d had a letter from her and had been shocked by the wording of it. It spoke of her love for him, and of how she wanted to be with him to comfort him. He’d burned it and hadn’t replied, even though she’d asked him to.
At this moment he didn’t know which way his life was going. The only good thing was that Megan had been delayed from leaving. Hattie had had personal problems, and the finding of a shop was not something she could put her mind to at the moment. He was selfish in feeling glad – he knew it, but he couldn’t have got through this without Megan around. She didn’t know how he felt about her. He’d kept himself closed when he was around her. It wouldn’t do for her to find out. He couldn’t imagine what she’d think of him, as she’d more than likely be put out and it would spoil the friendship they had.
‘I will speak with you after, Jack. There are some special instructions for you from Mrs Harvey. If you will be good enough to come to my room, I will convey them to you.’
Jack nodded at Hamilton.
His thoughts turned to Billy. The poor lad had suffered for his heroics, with his leg broken in two places. But he was getting around some now, as Gary had given him the crutches he’d made. He’d cut the length down to size, but you had to smile at the sight Billy made, with the top bits being too big for him. He looked like a scarecrow with his arms propped up. He was showing a better side of late, was Billy. He’d have to find some way to thank the boy – give him a reward, so that he knew that when he was good it was appreciated. If only he could take them all to the seaside. By, that would be something. Give them all something to look forward to.
Hamilton had finished talking and was motioning for Jack to follow him.
‘Come in, Jack. Now, Mrs Harvey is worrying over the service of the car. She says it is getting well overdue. She understands the position you are in, but wonders if you feel up to taking it in yet?’
‘Aye, get it sorted, and I’ll see to it.’
‘She has also instructed that you go over to Lady Crompton’s cottage in Scarborough and t
ake some clothes for her. Her maid has packed them. Mrs Harvey is leaving hospital tomorrow and will be convalescing at the cottage.’
‘Well, if you could fix up the service for this week – let’s say, Friday – and arrange for me to take clothes and stuff next week. Tuesday’d be a good day, then any new parts will get a good run-in.’
‘Very well, I’ll let you know if that is suitable. Thank goodness Lord Crompton has had a telephone installed in the cottage at Scarborough, as it means I can contact Mrs Harvey direct. Well, thank you, Jack – that will be all. I’ll confirm all the arrangements with you as and when they are settled.’
As soon as he left the office Jack’s thoughts returned to Megan. It was dinnertime and he’d taken to going home to have his snap. He’d found it a comfort to be with his ma-in-law, and it put his mind at rest to see she was all right; and, with any luck, Megan would be there and he could talk of his idea to go on a day out.
On his way home he stopped off at the graveyard. The mound of fresh earth on Cissy’s grave tugged at his sore heart. ‘Bella, me little Bella.’ He knelt down. ‘Ciss love, I’m glad as she’s with you, lass. You had no time with her when she was born, and doctor said as she’d a lot of suffering to face in the future. Be happy together, lass, and remember: whatever I do in the future or whichever path me life takes, you and little Bella will always be in me heart.’
When he approached his cottage Jack was surprised to hear laughter coming from the kitchen.
‘Eeh, Jack. You should have been here five minutes ago. Your ma was in full swing. She’s had me in stitches.’
‘Well, I’m glad of it, though you needn’t be telling me what she’s been saying. I can guess as it was on the crude side.’
‘Aye, you know Issy. Anyroad, how’re you feeling, Jack?’
‘I’m all right, Megan. I’ve been at graveyard. Thou knows, despite everything, it feels good that Bella is with Ciss. I like to think of them together at last.’
‘Aye, you’re reet there, I’m sure of it. And, like you say, it’s good to think on. Well, I’ve to make tracks. I’ll . . .’
‘Wait on a mo, Megan. There’s sommat as I wanted to talk to you and Ma about. Ma, what d’yer think on us all having a day out. A trip to seaside?’
‘A trip to seaside! Where did that come from?’
‘Well, I thought on it when I was in Scarborough with Mrs Harvey. But . . .’ The memory of holding Laura to him shuddered through his body. Never, never again! But then, would he have any choice?
‘That’d be grand, Jack. But how’re we going to manage it? I mean, we could go on train, I s’pose, but I’ve looked into that in the past and, with all changes as you have to make, it takes hours. It isn’t worth it for a day. And what of Megan? She’d not be able to get out.’
‘Oh, Jack didn’t mean me.’
‘I did, Megan. I were thinking on giving Billy a treat, to sort of thank him for how he tried to save Bella and for being a good lad this last couple of weeks. And I’ve a lot to thank you for an’ all. D’yer think as you could sort sommat, so as you could come? We’d go in car, so you’d be back in time for Bert coming in.’
Megan’s cheeks reddened.
‘Well, I . . . I s’pose as I could. It’d have to be when Bert is on six-while-six day shift. He’s on that next week. I’ve managed many a time to get to Leeds on them days and he’s known nothing of it. How far is seaside?’
‘It’s some sixty to seventy mile. I’m to take some stuff to Mrs Harvey on Tuesday of next week, and I were thinking on taking you all to the next resort. It’s called Bridlington. I don’t know what it’s like, but if it’s owt like Scarborough, it’ll be grand. I could then go on and take Mrs Harvey’s stuff and be back with you about an hour later.’
‘I couldn’t get into the car with you, Jack. Somebody’d say sommat to Bert.’
‘No, I know, and nor can Ma, for that matter. I’ve not got permission to take me family anywhere. Look, I’ve thought all of this through. You and Ma and Sarah and Billy could catch the train to Church Fenton, and I’ll pick you up there. The Leeds-to-York train runs on the hour from six a.m. till last one at ten p.m. If Bert’s off to his shift by five-forty, say, you could be on the seven o’clock train. How does that sound?’
‘I reckon as we could do it, Megan. Eeh, lad, you don’t know what this is doing for me. Planning sommat as exciting as a day out! It’s bucked me up no end.’
‘I’m glad to hear it, Ma. But Megan’s still looking unsure. Come on, Megan love, it’s only one day.’
‘Aye, it is. And if owt goes wrong and Bert gets to know, then so be it. Yes, I’ll go. I’ll sort everything so as I can.’
‘That’s settled then. I can’t wait. Seaside! I’ve never been, have you, Megan?’
‘No, I haven’t, Issy. We were going once. On a charabanc outing with miners’ welfare, but Bert put a stop to it at the last minute—’
There was a knock at the door. Opening it and seeing Hattie stood there stopped Megan in her tracks.
‘Hattie! Oh, Hattie. It’s good to see you. I never heard your car.’
‘Well, it’s outside. And you three look like you were up to sommat. You jumped out of your skins when you opened the door.’
Issy took hold of Hattie. ‘Oh, it’s good to see you. Come on in and sit yourself down. And thanks for your letter, lass. It meant a lot to receive it. It were a comfort, and we all understood how it were as you couldn’t come. Anyroad, you’ve been through the mill yourself an’ all. How’re you coping, love?’
‘I’m doing all right. It isn’t easy, but I have Harry and he’s a comfort.’
‘Oh, Hattie, I couldn’t believe it.’
‘I know, Megan. It’s still not sunk in with me.’
‘But I’m glad as you have Harry. He’s a good bloke, is Harry, and it were always obvious as to how he felt about you.’
‘Was it?’
‘Aye. He were a proper gentleman to us all. Our station being a lot lower than he was used to dealing with didn’t matter to him. He treated us all as if we were young ladies, but with you there were a tenderness in how he was. I hope it works out for you, love. I mean, it’s what you always wanted – a proper relationship. A man as wanted you for yourself. A man as you could go to as his wife.’
‘I did, didn’t I, Megan? And I remember even saying once as I wished that could be Harry.’
‘There you go then.’
‘Aye, Issy, there I go.’
‘Well, that’s poor Hattie sorted out, between the pair of you. Now, when’s a man to get his snap? I’ve to go back to work soon, thou knows.’
‘Trust a man to think of his belly! Your sandwiches are in the pantry under that linen cloth. Now, I’ll put kettle on.’
‘I’ll see to the kettle, Ma. Take Hattie through to the parlour.’
‘Ta, Jack, you’re a good ’un. Sometimes!’
‘Come on, Hattie, before they start up with their banter.’
As soon as they were in the parlour Hattie asked, ‘Well, what were you all on with, when I came in? You all looked guilty.’
Issy told her about their planned outing.
‘That’s sounds just the thing. It’ll cheer you all. I only wish as I were coming, but some of us have work to do! No, I’m only fooling. I’ve done it all now, and all it needs is your presence, Madame Megan.’
‘You mean . . .’
‘Aye, I’ve found a place and it’s all ours, and you know what? Harry’s place, you remember? I wrote you about Harry starting up? Well, he has a place in the same street!’
Jack came in before she had time to reply. He put the tray of tea down on the occasional table. ‘Well, I’ll leave you ladies to it. I’ve to get back to work. I’ll see you later, Ma.’
As he went out, his heart was heavy. The joy he’d felt at the prospect of having one day with Megan had dissipated. Hattie’s arrival had taken it from him. He’d heard all that had been said. Hattie had news that would take Mega
n away from him for good. And he didn’t want that. He couldn’t even begin to imagine a future without her.
39
The Beginning of a Plan Is Put into Action
‘You look . . . worse . . . than I do . . . Daphne.’
‘Well, darling, I have lain awake for most of the night. I’m worried about your health. I’ve contacted Charles and asked him to make some enquiries in York as to who is the best specialist for you to see.’
‘Oh, don’t fuss, Daphne. I’m feeling a lot better now. Is there any tea left in that pot? I’m—’
A fit of coughing prevented Laura from finishing what she was going to say, and she held her napkin over her mouth. Daphne came to her side, and her arm on her sister’s shoulder gave comfort. The coughing subsided. Laura lifted her head. The glaring red stain on the napkin filled her with terror.
‘Oh God! Daphne, what is wrong with me? That’s . . . never happened before.’ Tears trickled down her cheeks.
‘I don’t know, darling. We’ll have to get to York right away. I’ll telephone Charles.’ Daphne’s arms tightened around her. ‘Don’t be afraid, darling, it may be that you’ve an infection in your throat and the coughing has made it bleed.’