by Mary Wood
‘I’ve no regrets, love, and I’ve never been better than at this moment in me whole life.’ Some of her shyness was creeping back, but she found the courage she needed and told him, ‘I’ve never had feelings like you gave me, Jack.’
His kiss felt sweet, and yet at the same time she felt a great sadness. She wanted to be with Jack forever, but she knew that couldn’t be.
When they returned, Issy busied around without looking directly at them. Or was it Megan’s imagination? Whatever it was, she felt a blush redden her cheeks. Jack laughed and winked at her.
‘There you are! We thought as you’d never come back. Me and Sally have made some sandwiches and kettle’s boiling for some tea, and I’m starving to skin and bone.’
‘Right then, Ma, we’re ready and waiting. Do the business and serve up.’
Issy huffed and puffed, but didn’t pursue it. Jack didn’t help matters, as he looked like a cat that had just caught a mouse.
‘Sally’s been telling me more about your first client, Megan. It sounds as though you’re off to a good start.’
‘Oh, you mean Lady Gladwyn?’
Jack drew in a loud, deep breath as she said this. She turned to look at him and caught the look of shock that passed over his face. But then he smiled – a little too quickly, but she didn’t have time to quiz him before Issy spoke.
‘Sally says you’re on with making her a whole new winter outfit.’
‘I am, Issy. I feel reet lucky, getting Lady Gladwyn as me first customer. It seems she drove past me shop and were taken with garments as I had on display. And best of all is, if she’s pleased with what I make for her, she’s said as she’ll recommend me to her friends. In fact, I were surprised as she didn’t recognize me. She were a regular at Madame Marie’s. I told her as I were trained there, and I nearly told her as all clothes she bought from there were my designs, but I didn’t. Somehow it would’ve been like a betrayal to Madame, and she didn’t deserve that.’
‘Well, that’s good. Once you get a foot in door with that lot, you’ll not look back. I’m reet glad for you, lass.’
‘Thanks, Issy. Like you say, it’s a start. I need to build up a few more clients, though, and fairly quick, if I’m to keep going. There’s not much of me start-up capital left, so it’s a bit of a worry at the moment. But it’s worth it. Me life’s that different in just two weeks, it’s like a miracle!’ She squeezed Jack’s hand. She couldn’t help herself, and she looked at him and whispered, ‘A real miracle.’
He smiled at her, but once again she felt there was something wrong. A worry entered her. Was he regretting what had happened?
To cover her fear she chatted on, telling them about Lady Gladwyn’s house and how she and Sally were going to have to work from early morning until late at night to get the work done. It was to prove they could deliver on time, just as much as the fact that the gentry were slow in paying, that would drive her, she told them.
‘It’ll work – I know it will. I’ll make it work,’ she said as she finished her tale. ‘Anyroad, that’s enough about me goings-on here. What’s been happening back at Breckton? I s’pose as Bert’s created some trouble. Has he had a go at you both?’
They skipped over the incident that had happened just after she left, as if it was nothing, but Megan knew what it must have been like, and loved them both all the more for trying to ease her mind.
The next piece of news they told of shattered that ease and sent a quiver of fear through her. Bert had been sacked. Oh God, he’d be looking for her as it was, but his time would have been limited. Now he’d not rest until he’d found her, she was sure of that.
‘That news has upset you, hasn’t it, love? We knew as it would, but we decided we had no choice but to tell you. You’re going to need to take care. I’m only sorry as you’ve already had contact with customers, before me and Ma could get over to you. We thought p’raps you could change your name or . . .’
‘Change me name? Oh, on shop you mean? Well, I have, Jack. I mean, I haven’t put a sign up or owt as yet. But I have registered the business in Hattie’s name. Bert knew nowt of Hattie. We’ve called shop “Frampton’s Exclusive Frocks and Gowns”. I know as I’d always said as it’d be “Madame Megan’s”, but thinking about it, that’d be daft, as if Bert found out I were on with carrying me dream through, that’d be the first shop name he’d look for.’
‘And you’ve not thought on changing your own name? What does Lady Gladwyn know you as?’ Jack asked.
‘I don’t know as she knows me as owt. Her maid introduced me to her as “Megan from Frampton’s”, but she’d not think on it. She never used it. Well, you know how top-drawer are. They can talk to you without really talking to you. Why? Do you think it’s important as no one knows me real name?’
‘Yes, I think it’d be best. I think as you should change your name completely, for business purposes.’
‘But why?’
He didn’t answer her for a moment. She looked from Jack to Issy. Both seemed tense. Afraid even. They glanced at each other and then looked away quickly. ‘What’s wrong? What should I know? Issy? Jack?’
‘It’s Mrs Harvey. She’s not back yet from her sister’s, but I’ve heard tell she’s coming back soon. She knows folk. Folk as you’re dealing with – like this Lady Gladwyn. In fact she’s one of Mrs Harvey’s closest friends. She’s bound to tell her about you.’
‘But why are you worrying over her, Jack? I can’t see her running to Bert to tell him. She probably don’t even know as he exists. I think you’re worrying over nothing, love.’
The look passed between them again, and this time Issy’s face held a warning. The fear that clutched at Megan’s heart held a more sinister coldness than did the fear of Bert. This was fear of the unknown. Whatever it was they were holding back held terror for her. No, I’m being silly. There is no chance in heaven or hell that these two would do that to me.
‘Look, lass, our worry is if Mrs Harvey becomes a customer, right? Well then, her household’s going to know – at least them as deals with her clothes. And thou knows as none of them can keep owt to themselves. They thrive on the fact that it’s news about goings-on up at the big house as keeps us all entertained, and as most of them live in the Miners’ Row . . .’
‘Oh God! You’re right. I never thought about it like that. It were always a possibility, I s’pose. Mind, it’s not too late as, like I say, Lady Gladwyn’ll not remember what I’m called.’
There was a silence for a moment, and during it a thought occurred to her.
‘Happen as I could stop all home visits – make it a rule as clients come to me shop, like they had to at Madame Marie’s. Then, if Mrs Harvey does become a customer, she won’t expect me to go out to hers.’
‘Well, that might work, but it still has its worries,’ Issy said.
‘It needn’t. I mean, they never bring their maids shopping, so that’s not a worry. And thinking on it, it might turn out in our favour, as you might have to pick up stuff when it’s ready for her, Jack. Or at least you could warn me if someone was to come with you.’
‘It sounds good, I know, but . . .’
‘I shouldn’t worry, Jack. Mrs Harvey wouldn’t recognize me if she saw me. I can only recall one occasion in me whole life that she looked at me. It were a funny look and it made me feel a bit ill at ease. It were as if she had a loathing of me. It happened just after we lost Ciss, and me and you were sitting on step together, Issy. I couldn’t understand it at the time, and still can’t. Though I’d not thought about it till now.’
Jack once again drew in a deep breath. His discomfort seemed to have increased. Why?
‘Anyroad, Bert losing his job might turn out for us an’ all. He’ll probably just disappear down to Sheffield, or somewhere he could get set on at a pit again.’
‘Happen as you’re reet, lass. We’re probably meeting trouble halfway, when it’s not even travelling our road. But we wanted you to be aware of the dangers.’
Jack’s hand curled round hers, and a warmth entered her. All the talk of Bert had overshadowed what had happened between them. She squeezed his hand. It was going to be hard to say goodbye. Would she ever get used to it? And, worse, how would she cope not knowing when she would see him again? And, her body asked, how would she keep her yearnings for Jack’s love-making stilled?
All too soon the time for them to go arrived. Jack stood on the steps with Megan. Issy and Sarah were already in the car, and Sally and Billy leaned through the car windows, talking to them.
‘I need a few minutes with you, Megan. I need to say me goodbyes in private.’
They drew back into the shop. Jack pulled her to him and held her. His face buried into her neck. ‘Megan. Megan . . .’ An anguished love croaked audibly in his voice. ‘I’d never mean to hurt you ever, Megan. Not ever.’
He felt her stiffen. ‘What is it, Jack? I feel as sommat isn’t right. I know, without you telling me, that you’d never hurt me. Oh, me love, when can you come to me again? How soon? I can’t bear to be apart from you.’
He skipped over her first question as if she hadn’t asked it. How could he do any other?
‘I don’t know, love. It’s not going to be easy. I’ve to be careful, as I’d not be able to live with meself if I led Bert to you.’ His heart, heavy with guilt, made his chest squeeze tightly. He knew that her greatest danger of being found was through his affair with Laura, but how could he tell her?
Johnson had been over to Hensal Grange to collect some things for Laura. It had surprised Jack that he’d not been instructed to take them to her, but after listening to Johnson, he’d known why. Johnson told him all that had happened: how ill Laura had been at the cottage, and how she’d become consumed with grief when she’d seen him kissing a woman in the sea at Bridlington.
All kinds of fears had attacked Jack since that day: fear for Megan; fear of losing his job and home; fear for Sarah and his ma-in-law. And fear of Megan ever finding out. Oh God! He held her even tighter as his shame burned through him. It’d been bad enough telling his ma-in-law, but he’d had to. He’d had to discuss with somebody what Johnson had said. Issy had been shocked, but as ever she’d understood. Like him, her main worry had been for Megan and the danger this all posed her.
Megan stirred in his arms. ‘Hey, you’re crushing me bones and . . . well, you’re getting me feelings going inside me.’ She drew away from him.
‘Oh, Megan . . . Megan.’ He drew her near again. ‘I’ll work sommat out, lass. I promise. I’ll be back soon.
Somehow, I’ll be back.’
Again she drew back from him. ‘Come on, me love – they’ll be shouting for us. You need to calm yourself.’ She took his hand, then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. ‘Just hold on to my love. Hold it safe inside you. Touch it whenever you touch your heart, and we’ll always be together.’
They walked back through the shop. They stood together for a moment, not talking or touching, and yet they were joined, as he knew they always would be.
The parting was happy, full of hugs and kisses and promises to see each other soon, but it didn’t lessen the weight of Jack’s guilt. What will Laura do? What will she do? Was the sacking of Bert part of her plan to get revenge? Or am I just being silly? Somehow, I don’t think so . . .
43
Adding the Final Link
‘Darling Laura, you look much better. How are you feeling?’ Daphne held her sister at arm’s length and then hugged her to her.
‘I’m loads better, darling. Two weeks in this clinic has done wonders for me. My breathing is fine now and I’m eating well. I’m nearly finished packing, so we needn’t hang around for too long.’
‘Charles is just having a word with the doctor. He wants to know how long before all your results are in. The shadow they found on your lung is very worrying, but hopefully now that your infection has cleared, your last X-rays will show that it has gone.’
‘Oh, I’m sure it has. I’ve hardly coughed for a few days now. I’m eager to get home and deal with some important matters. One thing I’ve done while I’ve been in isolation this last two weeks is to think, and it’s been good for me. I have a plan formulated in my head, and I now need to get home and put it into action.’
‘You don’t mean you’re going home straight away, dear? You can’t – you’re not strong enough. Come home with us. Stay a week or so. Charles is talking about taking some time off and arranging a cruise for us, somewhere really hot. Now that would be lovely, wouldn’t it?’
‘It would, and I certainly won’t rule that out. But as for staying with you, it’s not possible. There is so much that needs my attention, both on a business and on a personal level.’
‘Hello, old thing.’
‘Charles, come in. Don’t stand there with your head poked around the door like that. You look silly! Oh, it’s good to see you. I’m going to need someone sensible to help me with this sister of mine.’
‘Come here first and give me a hug. You look – well . . . better. A lot better, my dear, but you’ve a long way still to go, and I expect Daphne has been trying to persuade you to take it easy? Thought so. I told you, my darling, that you would do no good. Now, now, I’m not going to start a fight with you. I know you mean well and you’re right in everything you say, but if I know Laura – and don’t forget I’ve been in the ring with her, when it comes to arguments about what she should or shouldn’t do – she’s having none of it. Am I right?’
‘Yes, you’re right. But I’m not for saying no to everything. That cruise sounds good and you could do with a rest yourself, Charles, so don’t let me stop your plans on that one. But I have so much to see to. You understand, don’t you? You know I have such a lot going on. The Byron contract’s going to be the saving of me, and I’ve a lot to put in place for it to happen on time. There’s recruiting of experienced men for a start, then accommodation for them. I need some good men in place to oversee the installation of the cutting machines, so that has to take priority, and—’
‘Hey, hold on, old thing. You’re making me feel exhausted, just listening to you. Look, I can take some time off. How about Daphne and I come with you? That way I can help you with it all.’
‘It’s not that simple, Charles. I – I have some personal things to see to. I need to straighten out my life. I’ve been silly. Well, Daphne knows what I mean. So it’s better that I go home alone and sort it all, whilst I’m feeling so well. You are only at the end of a telephone line if I need some advice. Besides, if the worst comes to the worst and I need prolonged treatment, I can have it knowing that everything is ticking over well, both in my business and in my private life.’
‘You know, she has a point, Daphne. What do you say, darling?’
‘Oh, all right. But you will contact us if you need the slightest help, won’t you?’
‘Yes, of course, darling.’
Matters settled, Charles left them to go in search of Johnson.
‘Darling, how are you really? I mean – well, you know, about . . . well, that chauffeur of yours, and that awful business of seeing him with another woman?’
‘I’m all right about it. At least I think I can handle it. How did I let such a thing happen, Daphne? I feel such an idiot. But I fell in love with him. I know: I can’t believe it myself, but it’s true. There’s no future in it, I know that, and it looks like he’s fallen for someone else anyway.’
‘He’s a cad! No, that’s not right. A man of his class cannot be called a cad, but – oh, I don’t know. What do the lower classes call men like him?’
‘That’s not fair, really. Jack didn’t ever commit himself to
me. Oh, he said nice things and we were good together, but he always cautioned me about taking it all too seriously, and he was right. It’s a pity we can’t make our feelings behave to order.’
‘I’m so relieved, darling. You seem to be well in control. You’ll be fine. Look, just do one thing for me. Stay a couple of nights. I’ve got something organized for tomorrow night. Nothing big – only Charlotte Gladwyn rang. She and Derek are going to be in York and I’ve asked them to dinner. She can’t wait to see you. Now you’re set on going home, we could arrange for them to drop you off. At least then you won’t have to see Fellam too soon, and you will have company on the drive. What do you say?’
‘All right, if it will make you happy. It will be nice to see Charlotte. I haven’t seen her for ages. And no, I’m not yet ready to see Jack.’
Laura thought she’d pulled that off well. Daphne seemed quite content, and now the coast was going to be clear when she got home. It shouldn’t take much to pull Jack back into line. It was only a hitch, she was sure of it. That woman would be out of the way in less than two weeks once the sacking of her husband and eviction of them both from the tied cottage was completed. Surely then, if I threaten Jack with losing his job and home, he’d want to carry on with things as they were. After all, he has enjoyed it as much as I have.
Finding something to wear the next evening proved a problem, but Laura eventually settled on one of the frocks that belonged to her niece.
Daphne’s daughter Theresa had had her coming-out ball the year before and was now enjoying a year in Europe with her twin brother Terence, before deciding which of the many beaux who had offered for her hand she would marry. Theresa was the same height as herself, but tinier in build, so the frock fitted perfectly. Examining herself in the mirror had been a painful experience. She needed to put back on the weight she’d lost. And she needed to feel stronger. Her mind was strong, but she tired so quickly.