Towards a Dark Horizon

by Maureen Reynolds

  Meanwhile, I took advantage of this encounter to empty my bucket down the sink. Thankfully the house was clean and it smelled fresh as I had been on the last chore of the weekly clean.

  I plumped the cushion up on the fireside chair. ‘Sit down, Margot, and I’ll make a cup of tea.’

  She sat down delicately, looking as if she had been invited to Buckingham Palace and had stumbled into the garden shed by mistake. Although her expression gave little away, I could well imagine her comparison with her last house and this new unknown flat. Still, she wouldn’t be staying here.

  Dad remained standing. ‘Don’t bother with tea for us, Ann. We’re having a quiet day today but we’re planning a get-together next Saturday for all the family.’ He stopped and looked at his new wife.

  She resumed the story. ‘Yes, it’ll be in our house in Victoria Road. I’ll write the address down and we’ll leave it to you Ann to invite your grandparents, Hattie and Danny – Greg too if he can manage.’

  Lily opened her mouth to speak but I gave her a warning glance and she remained silent.

  Dad said, ‘We’re going away for a couple of days. I’ll speak to my boss and get Monday off work so we’ll see you all next week.’ On that note they departed, leaving behind a fragrant scent of some expensive perfume.

  As our kitchen window overlooked the Hilltown, we looked out after they had gone. I was sure Lily was going to shout out at their retreating figures so I held her back. I expected to see them walk away down the hill but, to my amazement, they got into a taxi which had obviously waited for them – what an expense.

  Then, as I closed the window, the reality of the situation hit me. Dad normally worked on a Saturday morning and got his wages at the end of the shift. On a normal weekend, this meant I would have my housekeeping money by now – but not today. He had gone off with his new wife and left us with my small wage from the shop. That was enough to pay the rent and keep some pennies for the gas meter but it wouldn’t stretch to a week’s shopping.

  Lily had her own thoughts. They didn’t hinge on money but she was very unhappy. ‘What will happen to us, Ann? Has Dad left us on our own?’

  I tried to sound cheerful. ‘No, of course he hasn’t, Lily. When folk get married they go off on a honeymoon and that’s what Dad and Margot have done. He knows you’ve aye got me to look after you.’

  Lily looked doubtful and I didn’t blame her.

  ‘Come on – we’d better give Granny and Grandad the good news.’

  There was no taxi for us as we made our way to the Overgate. It was a strange day of sunshine and showers. One minute the sun shone brightly with a brilliant glow and the next it was blotted out by black clouds that bunched up like dirty cotton wool.

  Lily said, ‘We don’t need her address, Ann – we know where she lives.’

  ‘Aye, we know that but she doesn’t. Now remember not to tell her that we’ve been in her house before. Now mind that, Lily.’

  Childlike, she clapped a hand over her mouth. ‘Och, I forgot.’

  ‘Well, as long as you don’t forget when we visit them next week.’

  My grandparents were just finishing their dinner when we arrived and Lily eagerly accepted a bowl of broth.

  Granny was surprised by our visit. ‘I wasn’t expecting you today. Did you leave your dad with his dinner and decide to come and see us?’

  Before we reached the house I had also warned Lily to let me tell them the news first and, although she hadn’t looked happy about it, she agreed. I hadn’t made up a speech on my way here and, because there was no way I could break the news gently, I just stated quite bluntly, ‘Dad and Margot have just got married, Granny.’

  I then realised I should have broken the news more subtly because her face drained of all colour and she sat down. Grandad’s cup clattered against the saucer.

  He was angry. ‘He’s done what?’

  I went to sit beside Granny and she began to regain some colour in her cheeks.

  ‘I’m sorry, Granny – I shouldn’t have been so blunt.’

  ‘Och, it’s not your fault, lass,’ said Grandad crossly. ‘It’s that idiot son of ours who should have had the sense to make plans like everybody else. Running away like a thief in the night to marry a woman whose man is hardly cold in his grave …’

  I was surprised by this outburst because he was normally so reticent about matters in the family. He poured out tea for Granny and me and, by this time, she had recovered her composure.

  Lily, obviously thinking she had honoured her side of the silence bargain, now chattered on about what had happened. ‘Ann was washing the floor and I was colouring my book when Dad appeared and said he was married. Then Margot came in and she was dressed in a lovely bonny frock and hat in blue – no lilac. Well, she looked down her nose at Ann because she was looking like a tink and her hands were all wrinkled and prune-like and she shook Ann’s hand but I’m sure she didn’t want to do it.’ She took a deep gulp of air and, before I could stop her, she carried on, her eyes large with the excitement of the story. ‘Well, when they left, Ann and me, we hung out the window and what do you think, Granny?’

  Much to Lily’s delight, Granny said that she couldn’t even begin to imagine.

  ‘They were in a taxi and it had waited on them. Ann said what a terrible expense. We’re all invited to a party in her house in Victoria Road next Saturday – just the family so I don’t think we can invite Rosie.’

  It was a true saying, ‘Out of the mouth of babes …’

  Rosie. The name fell like a bomb on our ears. Granny looked at me with dismay. ‘Who’s going to tell her, Ann?’

  Although I didn’t relish the job I knew it had to be me. Poor Rosie – she worshipped him like a god. A flood of anger swept over me at this off-hand treatment by the both of them – Dad and Margot. Dad wasn’t some single man without any ties and they should have told us about their impending marriage – if only to allow us to make our own plans. Still, he was besotted by her so what could we expect?

  Lily began again, ‘Ann’s told me I’ve not to mention that we’ve been in her house so I’ll have to watch I don’t chatter too much.’

  Granny laughed and I was glad to see she had got over her initial shock. ‘Och, just you chatter as much as you like, Lily. It’ll do Margot the world of good to see what she’s taken on.’

  I decided to go and see Hattie and Danny first – glad of anything that would postpone my meeting with Rosie. Before leaving, I made Lily promise not to blurt out the truth should Rosie or Alice appear.

  Hattie was over the moon at the news but that was to be expected. Anyone with a lovely house and clothes was to be admired and welcomed into the family. ‘Well, I’m glad your father has at last got the sense to marry someone decent, Ann. When I think of some of the women he’s known since your mother died … well, I shudder. Remember that Marlene Davidson?’ Hattie’s shoulders shook in response to the memory.

  Marlene had been a good friend of his after mum’s death and he had lodged with her for a time but, when she realised he wasn’t going to marry her, she put him out.

  Hattie was still waxing lyrical. ‘I mean, look at her lovely house and her manners. Just compare her with Rosie – there’s no contest.’

  I was annoyed by her remarks. Marlene had been a good friend to him and as for Rosie … well, Rosie was a gem and I would have been happy if he had married her and not this other unknown woman. I told Hattie this and she didn’t seem pleased but she stayed quiet.

  ‘There’s to be a family party next Saturday in the house in Victoria Road. You’ve been invited along with Danny.’

  She sighed. ‘I’ve never understood why she sold her lovely house to buy a flat in a tenement. Surely she has money because she certainly didn’t marry your father for his wealth.’

  That was true so maybe she was as besotted with him as he was with her.

  ‘Danny works late on a Saturday night so I hope the party will be in the evening,’ she said.
r />   I had no idea what time it was due to take place. Margot had said Saturday but had given no time.

  ‘I’ll let you know when I see Dad, Hattie. No doubt he’ll be up to see us during the week.’ Although I didn’t tell her, I was as much in the dark about my own father as she was.

  To my dismay, when I returned to the Overgate, Bella was there. She launched a tirade in my direction the minute I opened the door. ‘Well, he’s finally got himself hitched has he? And I expect I’ll not be getting asked to the jamboree next week, will I?’

  I could have killed Lily with her chattering but I had only mentioned to say nothing to Rosie or Alice. So I shrugged my shoulders, feigning a nonchalance I didn’t feel.

  ‘They did say family, Bella, and, as you’re part of the family, then you’re invited as well.’

  Her face lit up with pleasure. ‘Well, that’s real nice of you, Ann.’

  Granny raised her eyebrows but I was in no mood for a confrontation. Dad deserved all he got in my opinion and, if that included Bella at the party, then so be it. After all, as I’d said, Bella was family and, if Margot hadn’t actually mentioned her by name, that was too bad. I still had Rosie to see and my patience was becoming sorely tried. How typical of my father to leave all the running about to others. There he was, swanning off on his honeymoon while we had to explain everything and even invite the guests to the wedding party.

  But, before I could make a move next door, Bella piped up. She pointed with her head in the direction of Rosie’s house. ‘How do you think she’s going to take this news after all her attempts to marry your father?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, Bella. Have you any suggestions?’

  She beamed with pleasure again. It had been a long time since anyone had asked for her opinion. To my surprise she gave this a bit of thought and, after a moment or two, she said, ‘Well, if it was me who had to do the dirty deed then I would come straight out with it and tell her she will just have to accept it but, as it’s you, Ann … well, I expect you’ll be more tactful.’

  So I was on my own it seemed. I marched firmly to the door.

  In an attempt at humour, grandad said, ‘Wait and I’ll see if Jeemy’s Emporium has a suit of armour to protect you, lass.’

  No one laughed and even Lily stayed quiet. Although she wouldn’t quite understand the exact situation, she must have felt the tension in the room.

  ‘Will I come with you, Ann?’ she said in a small voice.

  I went over and gave her a hug. ‘No thanks, Lily, but it was good of you to offer.’

  Grandad put his jacket on and took her coat from the peg at the back of the door. ‘Let’s go for a wee stroll, pet. It’s not a bad day and I’ll buy you some sweeties.’

  She needed no second invite and she shot out of her chair. ‘Can I have a bag of cinnamon balls, Grandad?’

  He nodded and they both disappeared through the door.

  Granny gave a huge sigh. ‘Poor Ann – there’s no cinnamon balls for you, is there? Just Rosie’s wrath.’

  For a brief moment I almost burst into laughter. Rosie’s wrath would make an excellent title for a book but the thought of the coming visit dampened my faint flicker of humour.

  Granny stood up. ‘I’ll better come with you, Ann – it’s not fair sending you in alone.’

  ‘Oh, no, Granny, it’s not your problem. In fact, it should be Dad that does his own dirty work and, if I thought I could get him here this minute, then I would make him do it. But I can’t let Rosie hear this news through the gossip channel. It’s just not fair to her or her mother.’

  Thankfully, Granny sat down beside Bella and both women stared at me as I went out.

  Rosie and Alice were both surprised to see me. I saw a strange expression flit over Alice’s face and I’m sure she guessed the news I carried wasn’t good. I was torn between telling Rosie there and then and maybe asking her to go out to a cafe for a cup of tea. But I finally decided to tell her in the house. I knew she would be terribly distressed and it was better to be like this in her own home and not in front of strangers or, even worse, some nosy neighbour.

  She was dressed in her usual combination of colours and fabrics. She gave the impression of being fat and frumpy when I knew she was neither. She smiled and her face beamed while my heart sank. ‘Och, it’s yourself, Ann. I’m just waiting for your dad to come for his tea.’ She saw my face and she stopped. ‘Is there anything wrong? He’s not ill, is he?’

  Although I hadn’t been aware of it before, I now noticed that I was twisting my hands as if wringing out the weekly washing.

  Alice saw it and gave me such a strange look.

  ‘Rosie, I …’ My mouth was dry.

  Rosie butted in. She sounded annoyed. ‘He’s not coming, is he? He’s sent you to tell me that he’s working for that woman, Margot?’

  She couldn’t have known how grateful I was for the mention of Margot’s name. It didn’t make my job any easier but at least we were on the same wavelength.

  ‘Rosie, I’m sorry to have to tell you …’

  ‘So he’s not coming?’ she said. ‘I was right?’

  Alice sat beside her daughter. She said gently, ‘Let Ann tell you her story, Rosie. She’s come with bad news, I think.’

  Rosie went white. ‘Oh, don’t tell me he’s dead?’

  Would that news be better for her than the truth? I wondered.

  I took a deep breath and looked straight at her. ‘Rosie, Dad got married to Margot this morning. I can’t tell you any more because Lily and I know very little ourselves.’

  She looked perplexed. ‘Married?’

  I nodded unhappily and appealed to Alice. ‘I’m really sorry but that’s what he’s told us. They’ve gone away for a honeymoon over the weekend but I expect he’ll be back in time for his work on Tuesday.’ I was blabbering but I couldn’t help it.

  Rosie said, ‘He’s married?’

  Alice said quite firmly, ‘Aye, it seems so, Rosie, and, if you ask me, he’s not worth worrying over. Good riddance to him, I say.’ She stopped as if suddenly realising she was talking to this monster’s daughter.

  But she needn’t have worried – I was almost as angry as she was. ‘If it’s any consolation to you, Rosie, we’re all very angry about it and I think he’s made one gigantic mistake.’

  Rosie was crying silently. Large tears rolled down her face and if I could have got my hands on Dad at that minute I would have given him a few home truths. What a dirty rotten trick to play on Rosie. She was rocking back and forth in her distress and Alice and I both put an arm around her.

  Alice’s voice was soothing. ‘Don’t upset yourself, lass. You’ll get over him in time and you’ll find a far better man. Just you wait and see.’

  To be honest, I also had tears in my eyes. ‘Rosie, we always hoped it would be you he married. I thought he just needed time.’

  Rosie remained silent but still rocked in her chair. The tear drops were now soaking the neck of her sludgy-green, hand-knitted jumper.

  Alice looked at me and made a motion for me to leave.

  As I stood up, she said, ‘It was good of you tell her, Ann, but I’ll not forget your father for this dirty rotten trick he’s played on my lassie – no, indeed I’ll not forget.’

  I had no option but to leave. I turned around at the door to see the two women huddled together. Alice calm and very angry and Rosie, poor Rosie in her mismatched clothes, still crying silently. On the stove, a pot of soup bubbled away and I saw the frying pan sitting with a packet of sausages beside it. Obviously it was Dad’s tea.

  Granny was also angry when I got back to the house as was Bella. Bella spoke first. ‘I suppose the lassie is heartbroken?’

  I was too choked up with emotion to answer but I nodded.

  Granny brought out the bottle of sherry. ‘I think we need this to settle our nerves.’

  Bella gazed at the sherry with disdain. She pulled her medicine bottle from her message bag. ‘I think we need something a bit s
tronger than sherry, Nan.’

  She poured them both a measure of whisky but I settled for a cup of tea. Granny brought out the biscuit tin with her homemade scones inside. ‘Bad news is aye easier to take in if you have something to eat.’

  And so Dad’s wedding day ended, not with a peal of happy bells and a flurry of confetti but with a flood of silent tears and a very deep anger that, apart from Hattie, ran right through two families.

  Although I hadn’t said a word at the time, I intended to catch him at his work the following week. I knew what time he took his dinner and I planned to accost him then.

  Mondays and Tuesdays were always busy in the shop. Millworkers popped in on their way to work and it was usually a cheery time with all the local news and gossip. I wondered if the news of Dad’s wedding had leaked out but it didn’t seem to have. I decided to confide in Connie.

  She looked at me in utter surprise. ‘You mean to tell me that your father got married without telling you and Lily?’ She sounded as angry as the rest of the family.

  I nodded. ‘I was going to ask a favour, Connie. As well as getting off for Lily can I also get a wee while off to go and see him during his dinner break at the warehouse? I’ve got loads of things to ask him.’

  ‘Aye, you can,’ she said, ‘and make sure you get the right answers.’

  On Tuesday, I could hardly wait till twelve o’clock and, when it came, I set off at a run towards Dock Street and the warehouse.

  It was sunny when I left but I soon got caught in a heavy shower of rain which soaked through my clothes. I was fuming when I reached the open door. The warehouse was a large shed-like building, stacked high with boxes and pallets of fruit and vegetables. At the far end lay the boxes of flowers. I loved the smell in this shed with its mixture of aromas and, as I stood beside the door, the sun came out again. A thin shaft of sunlight squeezed through the small musty window high up on the wall, its beam sparkling against the hundreds of cobwebs that covered the roof.

  I didn’t see Dad but one of his workmates appeared. ‘You’ve just missed your Dad, Ann. He’s gone home because he forgot to bring his piece bag. Have you brought it?’