Towards a Dark Horizon

by Maureen Reynolds

  As it was a Saturday, Lily was still at the Overgate and I was just putting on my coat to go and collect her when there was a knock at the door. To my amazement it was Maddie. She looked cold. Her hands were thrust into the deep pockets of her dark coat and her blonde hair was tucked into a bright red beret. I thought her face looked thinner but she smiled brightly.

  ‘I’ve got a few hours off, Ann, and I thought I would catch you in.’

  I was so pleased to see her. ‘Come in, Maddie.’

  I had cleared the table prior to leaving for Lily but I offered her some dinner.

  ‘No, a cup of tea will be fine.’

  I made some cheese sandwiches and I noticed she ate most of them. I was worried about her thin appearance and I asked her, ‘Are you getting enough to eat at the infirmary, Maddie?’

  She laughed. ‘Oh, it’s not that. There’s always enough to eat but the food all tastes the same – soup, meat and puddings all with the same taste.’

  I was shocked. ‘What? Everything tastes the same?’

  She laughed again. ‘No, it’s just us pernickety nurses who think that. No, the food is fine.’ She made a funny face when she said it so I didn’t know if it was true or otherwise. ‘Still, I haven’t come to visit you to tell you about the infirmary kitchens, Ann. Tell me all your news.’

  I told her about Dad and Margot and I mentioned the sale of her house. ‘In fact you’ve just missed Dad. He’s away to look at a flat in Victoria Road with Margot.’

  Maddie seemed surprised. ‘Is your Dad really so friendly with her?’

  I nodded. ‘It’s really your uncle’s fault because he got Dad to help her right after Harry went missing and I suppose she still needs some help. Dad was saying that your dad and uncle are also doing their bit for her – your dad is selling her house for her.’

  ‘I really don’t know a great deal about her, Ann, although I overheard my parents discuss it last September when I had the weekend at home. She wanted to sell the house because she doesn’t like living in it on her own.’

  I was taken aback. Last September – that must have been just after the funeral, I thought.

  ‘What does your dad think of her, Maddie?’

  She gave this a moment’s thought. Her hands curled around her cup of tea. ‘He’s hardly said anything about her – just that he’s selling the house. My uncle John doesn’t know her very well either. Although Harry worked for him for loads of years it was his first wife that he knew quite well. I don’t think he ever met Margot before Harry’s disappearance.’

  And now they’re all running circles around her, I thought wickedly.

  After a moment’s silence she asked, ‘How is Danny?’

  Although she sounded casual I wasn’t fooled. ‘Still being a stupid fool, Maddie. Granny says he needs his backside kicked.’

  She laughed. ‘So he’s fine?’

  I nodded. What else could I tell her?

  She avoided my eyes. ‘I did hear that he has put in for a transfer to Glasgow. Is that true?’

  I nodded. ‘But I hope he doesn’t get it, Maddie. Minnie and her wee laddie Peter are going back to the west coast. Her man has got a shift to a branch of the Home and Colonial at Clydebank but I haven’t heard from her yet. She did say she would write.’

  Maddie was surprised and I told her of my meetings with Minnie. ‘She’s not interested in Danny. She’s got enough problems as it is and I feel sorry for her. I just hope she settles down and is happy.’ How could I explain the strange feeling that came over me when I said goodbye to them? Especially to Maddie who would think I was mad. I smiled. ‘Anyway how did you hear about Danny?’

  She blushed. ‘I get mum to quiz Hattie. She doesn’t like doing it but I’ve begged her to find out as much as she can.’

  ‘Has Danny been in touch with you?’

  She looked sad. ‘No, he hasn’t.’

  I suddenly felt very old and weary. What a prize idiot he was. I told Maddie this but she just shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘What can I do? Do I go and see him and beg him to get engaged again?’

  ‘I wish I knew the answer to that – believe me.’

  She stood up. ‘It’s time I was off but it’s been great seeing you again, Ann. I don’t know when I’ll see you again – I’m working really hard these days because my final exams will be this summer.’

  ‘Will they be difficult?’

  She nodded. ‘It seems to get harder every year and these exams are so important because, if I don’t pass, then I don’t qualify.’

  ‘Well, I hope you do pass, Maddie. You deserve to succeed.’ I put my coat on. ‘I’ll walk with you to the infirmary. I have to go and bring Lily home. She’s really doing well at school and I’m proud of her. How is Joy? Does she like the school?’

  ‘Yes, she does. She’s in a small private school and she seems to be very clever. She wants to be a solicitor like Dad.’ She smiled at the thought. ‘What about Lily? What does she want to be?’

  ‘At the moment, it’s a toss up between a film star and a spy.’

  That made Maddie laugh.

  We set off along Constitution Road with the wind blowing coldly against our faces.

  ‘How’s Colin?’ I asked.

  Maddie looked sad. ‘I’m not seeing him very much these days. I had to be honest and tell him I’m still in love with Danny and it wouldn’t be fair to keep going out with him.’ Suddenly she laughed and all the sadness disappeared. ‘Mind you, he didn’t take it as badly as I thought and he’s now seeing one of the girls from Dad’s office. So much for missing me! It seems to be my thing in life. Missed by no one – neither Danny nor Colin.’

  I stopped walking and looked at her. ‘Don’t you believe that, Maddie. Danny misses you very much but, as I said earlier, he’s just an idiot.’

  ‘Does he?’ She became serious. ‘Well, why doesn’t he come to see me and tell me what this is all about? It’s been two years since we split up and I still don’t have a clue why.’

  I had no answer to that thorny question but, thankfully, we had reached the infirmary gate.

  She glanced at her watch. ‘Heavens, I’d better run.’ She made a face. ‘We never seem to have time to see or speak to each other these days, do we?’

  ‘No, Maddie, we don’t but it’ll be better after you qualify. You’ll maybe get more time off.’ I didn’t add that we were all getting older and time seemed to be slipping away from us.

  Before reaching the door, she turned and called across the expanse of the driveway. ‘I forgot to ask how Greg is. Is he still in Glasgow?’

  ‘Aye, he is. We write to each other every week and I see him when he manages through for the day.’

  ‘But no marriage plans yet?’

  It was my turn to make a face. ‘How could we, Maddie? I’ve got Lily to bring up and I couldn’t ask a man to take on a readymade family.’

  ‘Well, if he loves you, then he should!’ On that note she turned and ran towards the porter’s window. I knew she had to report back in before resuming her duties.

  Her last statement stayed with me all the way to the Overgate. Did he love me enough to take on Lily as well? Obviously not.

  I gave Granny all Dad’s news and, like me, she was puzzled by Margot’s behaviour. ‘He said she was needing money?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Well, she’ll get a good price for that great house and, with her new flat costing much less, she’ll have a grand wee nest egg.’

  The next day was Sunday and we were having a late breakfast because Dad didn’t have his work to go to. He wasn’t very forthcoming but I was determined to ask him.

  ‘Did you see the new flat yesterday, Dad?’

  He stopped eating his toast. ‘No, Margot had to stay in her own house because the buyers wanted to measure the windows for curtains. She was really mad but there was nothing she could do. She wants me to have a look at it this afternoon.’

  ‘Is she going to meet you there?’

&
nbsp; He shook his head. ‘No, she can’t. The folk are coming back today to agree a price for the carpets. Their first offer wasn’t enough so they said they would tell her today if they want to buy them or not.’ He looked at me. ‘I’ve got the key in my pocket because the flat is empty. Do you want to come with me and we can both look at it?’

  I wasn’t very happy with this idea but, on the other hand, I was dying to see it. ‘What if Margot arrives and sees me there? She’ll not want me poking my nose into her business.’

  ‘No, no, she’ll not be anywhere near the flat this afternoon because the folk are coming at three o’clock to see her about the carpets. We can quite easily go and see the flat and you can give me your opinion of it.’

  I was taken aback by this. Why should my opinion count?

  As if reading my thoughts, he said, ‘Not that anybody’s opinion will count because it’ll be Margot’s choice as it’s her money.’

  Well, that was all right then. I still had my misgivings. After her lovely house and garden, how would she like to live in a flat that overlooked a busy main road?

  Lily arrived with the Sunday paper. She had offered to run down to Connie’s shop for it.

  ‘What about Lily?’ I said softly when she was out of earshot. ‘We’ll have to take her with us.’

  Dad seemed uncertain but he said, ‘Only if she promises not to say a word about it to Margot.’

  Suddenly she was at his side. ‘What have I not to say, Daddy? Where are we going?’

  Dad picked up the paper and his toast. ‘Never mind. You’ll find out soon enough. Now eat up your porridge.’

  She sat down and chattered between each mouthful. ‘Davie came in and he was wearing a great pair of shoes. Connie said they were brogues and they were shiny and polished. Connie said he looked like a country gent and all he needed now was a gun dog. He was really pleased at her and he laughed.’

  I said nothing but I was inwardly pleased as well. The pleasure on Mrs Chambers’ face when I delivered the three pairs of shoes from Hattie was still fresh in my mind.

  I thought they might be too big for him but she had laughed as she said, ‘Och, I’ll just stuff some newspaper in the toes and they’ll fit him just fine.’

  Whether she had done this or not, Davie was obviously wearing them and showing them off to Connie. What would her comments be in the morning? I wondered.

  Later that afternoon, the three of us went to view the new flat. After the cold wind of the previous day, it had turned a bit milder and the sunshine felt quite warm on our faces. It was a pleasant day for a stroll and having a good old nosey around someone else’s house.

  We turned left at the foot of the Hilltown and walked along the left side of Victoria Road. We had almost reached the Eagle Jute mills when we saw the block of flats. The tenement block looked well cared for and the windows were quite large. The entrance close was cleanly scrubbed but a bit dowdy with its dark brown paint. The flat was on the third landing and I thought that three was my number this week. Mrs Chambers also lived on the third landing.

  There were two doors at the top of the stairs, facing one another. Each had a smart coat of paint, a brass handle and a bell at the side. Dad opened the door on the right. It led on to a small square lobby but when he opened another door to the right, this was the living room and it was flooded with sunshine which streamed through the large window.

  ‘It’s only got the one bedroom,’ Dad said, sounding like a house factor showing a tenant around.

  We looked round this one bedroom which was also sunny and then saw the small bathroom and tiny kitchen. To be quite honest, I couldn’t see Margot being happy there after her lovely house and garden in Clepington Road but, if she needed the money … well, she would just have to like it.

  ‘Well, Ann, what do you think about the flat?’ Dad asked.

  I was amazed. Why did he want my opinion? ‘It’s a lovely wee flat, Dad, but will she not miss her great house?’ I answered truthfully.

  ‘No, she says she won’t. She says that house belonged to Harry and his first wife and she never felt it was hers. But this place will belong to her.’

  I must have put on my cynical expression because he became flustered.

  ‘Another thing – she wants to get away from her sister-in-law. She stays a few streets away and she’s aye going round and poking her nose into Margot’s affairs. Margot is getting really cheesed off with her.’

  I bet she is, I thought sourly.

  ‘What is the sister-in-law saying about Margot?’

  Dad seemed flustered again. ‘Och, she’s aye harping on about Harry. She said that Harry told her that he was unhappy before his accident – as if Margot can be blamed for that …’ His voice trailed away when he recalled Harry.

  While we had been chatting, Lily was happily looking out of the window. Watching the traffic go by. She had a good view of the road and she suddenly exclaimed, ‘Here’s Margot coming up the road.’

  Dad marched over to the window to haul her away. ‘Don’t be daft, Lily. Come away from there.’

  Lily pointed down the road.

  Dad almost collapsed. ‘Oh, it is Margot. Quick you two, down the stair.’

  He ushered us out and we quickly ran down the three flights of stairs like scared rabbits.

  ‘She’ll meet us in the close, Dad,’ I said breathlessly.

  ‘No, she’ll not. There’s a back door that leads on to the washing green. You can both go out that way.’

  We reached the back door, Dad tugged it open and we all darted outside.

  Dad said, ‘Right, you two stay here and I’ll go upstairs and make it look as if I’ve just arrived. Give me a few moments then you can both head for home.’

  What a palaver I thought but Lily’s face was flushed with excitement. ‘This is like being a spy,’ she said, her eyes gleaming with pleasure.

  But I couldn’t help thinking of Dad in that terrible state. He was never terrified of any other woman he knew, even my late mother.

  We decided to go to the Overgate. Lily related the story to her grandparents and they both laughed heartily – in fact, Granny had to wipe her eyes on the corner of her apron. ‘Och, that’s the best laugh I’ve had in ages.’

  Even Grandad chuckled. ‘It looks like our Johnny has met his match at last. She sounds just like Hattie.’

  Lily was in her element. ‘We belted out the back door, Granny, and we were in this wee back green and we had to hide like spies until Margot went upstairs.’ She turned to me. ‘What would have happened if she had looked out her back window? She would have seen us lurking like spies.’

  I laughed. ‘Then that would have been Dad’s problem. She was supposed to be seeing the buyer of her house about the carpets.’

  Grandad said, ‘Come on, Lily, you can take your old grandad for a walk but promise you’ll not be a spy.’

  She gave him a serious look. ‘Och, I can’t promise that, Grandad. After all, that’s what I’m going to be when I grow up – a spy!’

  He smiled. ‘Well, I suppose I’ll just have to put up with it if I want my favourite lassie to take her old grandad for a walk.’

  She took his hand. ‘Come on then, Grandad.’

  After they left, Granny said, ‘That lassie reads too many books. Her head is filled with nonsense.’

  ‘It’s Dad’s fault,’ I explained. ‘He was telling her about a spy called Mata Hari one night and she’s been like this ever since.’

  Granny became serious. ‘I feel sorry for Rosie. She never sees your dad these days.’

  I didn’t know what to say.

  She went on, ‘I’ve told her that she’s far too good for him. She deserves a man who thinks she’s the bee’s knees – no’ a man that only thinks about her when it suits him.’ That was the truth. He had used Rosie all these years and now he had discarded her. Granny was right to be outraged.

  Then she said, ‘Goodness! I nearly forgot with all this laughing at Lily’s story. Danny was he
re and he wants to see you as soon as possible.’

  ‘Does he want me to go to the Westport?’ I was mystified.

  She gave this a bit of thought. ‘No, I think he meant he would see you here. He knew you would bring Lily this afternoon.’

  I decided to wait. An hour later he appeared. He looked tired and Granny was concerned.

  ‘You need to look after yourself Danny.’

  ‘I’m fine, Granny. I’m just a bit tired because the shop is busy – especially on a Saturday when we work late into the evening.’

  Then he said, ‘Let’s go for a walk, Ann.’

  The early evening was lovely and mild but I knew the cold weather wasn’t too far away. These unseasonable spells should be enjoyed. A large moon shone over the streets, turning the smoke from hundreds of chimneys into a grey gauzy mist.

  I told him about Maddie’s visit. ‘She’s stopped seeing Colin. She told him she was still in love with you.’

  I waited for his answer but he remained silent.

  Annoyed, I went on, ‘Do you hear me? I’m telling you what she said.’

  His voice sounded tired. ‘I know it’s my own fault and I just wish I could maybe bump into her and it would be quite the natural thing to start talking but I can’t get up the courage to go and see her – not after what I’ve done to her. Anyway what would her parents think? They must hate me.’

  ‘No they don’t, Danny. Maddie hasn’t told them too much. They think you’re both waiting till her final exams are over. She sits them this summer.’

  He suddenly smiled. ‘Well, I promise I’ll sort myself out before then. But, in the meantime, there’s Kathleen.’

  ‘But she didn’t marry the awful Sammy on the second of January like he said, so that’s one blessing, isn’t it?’

  He agreed. ‘I just hope we’ve sorted her out about getting married. She’s agreed to stay with her parents until the bairn is born.’ He sounded relieved.

  ‘When will that be?’

  ‘Sometime in May according to Kit.’ He stopped and I saw the gleam of anger in his eyes. ‘I get so angry with Sammy Malloy. He messed up my life after Dad Ryan’s death and now he’s messed up Kathleen’s.’

  If it was any consolation to him, I felt the same. I told him so. To cheer him up I told him the tale of our flight from the flat. ‘I should get Lily to tell it. She makes a better job of it than me.’