“Do you mind if I use the bath in your room?” Jane asked politely.
“That’s fine. Only don’t be too long, because then everything will get cold. It doesn’t take you very long, does it?”
Jane ignored the question, and got her kit from her case. Her wrinkled clothes looked positively dismal. “Have you an iron somewhere?”
Serena was reaching in the cupboard for a mixing bowl. “Have I … a what?” Serena replied in an agitated, southern twang.
“A clothes iron?”
“Yeah. It’s in the laundry room, of course. That door left of the powder room you’ve been using.”
Jane started towards the laundry room, realizing that she might have to postpone a proper bath until after Serena’s meal. She made a quick visit to the small toilet, then went to the laundry area. She unfolded the board, set up the iron and waited for it to warm. There was a small window in the room, but it faced the brick exterior of the condominium next door. Jane crossed her arms over her robe, and stood thinking about the overbearing woman who was making breakfast for Billy and his son. No doubt, she’d rather Jane weren’t here, and probably wished that Billy’s home were large enough to send Jane to the maid’s quarters. Serena seemed a lot like a rather nasty girlfriend of Lydia’s who was inappropriately called Grace. Grace had been wealthy, her father owning a company that made high-end mattresses fashioned with royal crests. Money had a way of making some people more unattractive than the strain of poverty.
The iron was puffing steam, and Jane set about the task of releasing wrinkles from her inexpensive cotton top and skirt. Not an easy task.
Charlotte had had so many pretty things at her shop next door. She’d often tried to tempt Jane with a twenty-five percent discount, but Jane couldn’t see the point in spending a small fortune for one smart outfit that would make the rest of her wardrobe look worse by comparison. It seemed wiser to invest in her business, and she’d planned on taking on some help. Someone to make deliveries would be lovely, and increase her business. Jane felt a little charge of creative energy at remembering her business plans, but then her chest ached as it dawned on her, again, that her shop was gone. This was silly, she thought, pulling the two-pin plug from the wall, when there was nothing to be done about it.
Jane reluctantly ventured towards the large room that was half sitting room, half dining room, feeling a bit embarrassed that she hadn’t thought to make her bed immediately. Its rumpled sheets looked sad contrasted with the beautiful setting Serena had created at the opposite end of the room, where she’d put beautiful linens and fresh flowers on the table.
Serena, Billy and Jackson were already seated at the table as Jane emerged. “Oh, there she is … finally!” Serena chirped. No chance for a bath, or dressing at this point. Pulling the tie of her robe tighter, Jane tried to walk with dignity towards the table. At least she’d taken a minute to clean her teeth and splash her face, although she was sure of having a horrible case of bed head.
The blonde sat at the top of the table, with “one of her boys” on either side. Jane took a chair by Jackson. Serena passed a dish with waffles and strawberries to Billy. Billy responded with, “Ladies first,” passing the dish to Jane. The twitch of Serena’s lip was almost imperceptible.
Jane took a waffle and some berries and passed the dish across to Jackson, who followed his father’s example and gave it to their hostess. Billy took his portion next, and Jackson was given the dish. He paused and picked out a waffle.
“Don’t you like strawberries, Jackson?”
“No.”
“Well, you do like waffles, don’t you?” Serena asked with a mellifluous voice.
“Not exactly, no. I mean, it’s a bit like having pudding for breakfast, isn’t it?”
“Pudding?” Serena said disbelievingly. “Pudding is, well, like soft ice cream or something. This is nice and fruity, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I suppose so,” Jackson answered.
Serena suddenly changed her tone. “You are so adorable, do you know that? And silly, too, calling my waffles pudding.”
Jane wasn’t sure who was more confused at the language differences. She had to defend Jackson. “He means that it’s rather like a dessert, what with the fruit mashed and sweetened with red syrup.”
Serena didn’t appreciate the linguistics lesson. She glared pointedly at Jane, and then completely turned the subject.
Jane sighed, and wanted to spit out the overly sweet ruby stickiness that ruined perfectly lovely strawberries. How rude could one woman be? And at this hour of the morning. Jackson miserably stabbed a fork at his cold waffle and managed to swallow down half of it. Jane wished Billy had said something to defend them, but he didn’t. He just sat there with a grin on his face, as though they were a sort of happy, albeit strangely blended, family.
The meal drew to a close, and Jane said, “Serena, thank you for breakfast. I’ll do the washing up. Jackson, have you made up your bed?”
The boy nodded yes. Jane thought he seemed a different person. He was usually running around mad in the mornings, enough energy for four. He must be angry. Or perhaps he was as homesick as she.
“Jackson, I’d like to take you over to my mama’s house. She’s your other granny, ya know?”
Another nod from Jackson.
Jane felt protective instincts welling up inside. They’d only just gotten here. She knew she wasn’t particularly invited, but she didn’t care. She didn’t mean to abandon him to the Killian clan.
She slipped an arm about Jackson’s shoulders and said quietly, “I’ll go with you, if you’d like.”
His response was quick and surprising. “No, Auntie Jane. Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” He looked up at her and she realized that he was willing to go with his father anywhere.
“Well, I am definitely coming with you, young man,” Serena said, standing up from the table. Giving weight to her proclamation, she added, “I need to return this cornbread, and let you all explain to Miz Mossy why you wouldn’t eat any of it last night.”
• • •
Jane realized she was quite relieved to have a few minutes on her own.
The blonde leaned deeply on Billy’s arm and Jackson trailed behind, as Jane watched them leave from behind the curtains. Right. She was the hired help, after all, and if Jackson didn’t need her, she’d just as soon stay away from Scarlett O’Hara. Jane giggled, thinking of how she and Lydia would’ve made jokes about Serena. As soon as they vanished in Billy’s seldom used Lexus sedan, Jane dashed towards the phone.
She placed a call to Brambleberry Lane, and felt a surge of relief when Eleanor picked up the phone.
“It’s so wonderful to hear your voice, Eleanor!”
“Jane, you’ve only been gone hours. Is everything all right?”
“I don’t know. It’s all so different. I thought I’d be helping Jackson cope, but he seems suddenly as though he’s been with his father the whole of his life. And Billy has a miserable girlfriend that intends to keep him on a rather short lead, and thinks of me as a servant or something. I don’t think Jackson likes her any better than I, but as long as Billy is in the picture, he gets on quite well. Father and son are even sharing a room, they’ve got a pair of those bunk beds. I feel quite out of sorts, Eleanor!”
“Oh, dear,” Eleanor replied sympathetically.
“The three of them have gone out, so I am on my own and meant to do a little housekeeping before they return.”
“Housekeeping? But you’ve only just arrived. Why have they left you behind, Jane?”
“Well, I am the nanny, so I suppose that’s what I am to be doing if I am not required with Jacks. As long as Jackson is all right, I don’t mind, really. I am just surprised how he seems to have taken to Billy, much more than I imagined.”
“Jane, that poor little lamb can’t be that bra
ve, can he? To go off with them, without you there? Perhaps we just think of him as a baby, and he is growing up, isn’t he? Ah, well, I just hope it works out well, all around.”
“I am sorry that we left so suddenly. Anyway, enough about us. How is Mr. Collins getting on?”
Eleanor laughed. “I have a bit of news.”
Jane settled herself comfortably on the sofa and waited.
“Jane, Mr. Collins and I have decided to marry.”
“Oh, Eleanor! That’s wonderful! Darling, I know you’ll make each other so happy.”
“Thank you. Life never stops, even when you’re our age. I must say, I feel younger. To think of me, having another beau after all these years. And he was just in the village all of the time. It’s you, what did it, Jane. You brought Harry to me, that evening, dear. I am sorry, I am babbling. But there’s more. We’re putting a bit of money together and Harry is going to invest with James. He says he’s too young to retire, and he’s sure we’ll make a tidy profit. It’s all so exciting, Jane!”
“How wonderful!” Jane replied. It seemed as much had happened at home as the tumultuous hours of acclamation that she’d already been through here.
“We’re selling the house. Harry’ll want to be closer to work, you see. And this place is too big for us, we think. So, that’s sort of like saying goodbye to an old friend, too, I suppose. The properties we’ve been looking over are quite charming!”
Selling the house? Jane was speechless. Too many changes to grasp at once. Brambleberry Lane, going to the estate agents? Was Eleanor rushing things a bit?
“That’s the silver lining, but there’s a bit of dark cloud, I must say.”
“What’s that, then?” Jane said, fearing some disaster. She realized that she was still a little shellshocked from losing her own home and the shop. She didn’t want anyone else to change residences, or finish digging up her roots in the village, like Eleanor’s decision to marry and move would effectively do.
“Clarice has decided to go and live with her sister. Don’t mind me, Jane,” Eleanor said, suddenly teary and sniffling. “It’s just that you’ve all left so quickly, I haven’t adjusted, yet. Clarice has been here for so many years, and with you and Jackson gone, I am only glad that I have Harry, you understand. Of course, it’s rather an odd trade, I suppose, for I doubt Clarice would leave if Harry wasn’t coming in, but it seems I can’t have both. And of course I’ll no longer have a large manor house, needing help to keep up.” She stopped to blow her nose, too short a distance from the phone.
Jane’s tummy twisted inside. She realized that her life in Hartsbury had closed. The shop was gone, her home was gone, but that was just the beginning. Life as she knew it at Brambleberry House had changed too, even more than when they lost Lydia. Eleanor and Harry would be happy, that was balm to Jane’s heart. But Jackson would probably stay with his father in America. Nigel had not come home at Easter, and when he next visited his mother, there would be none of Clarice’s cooking, and perhaps not even a guest room for him at Eleanor and Harry’s new home. Jane had no reason to return to Hartsbury, really. The people she knew there seemed distant; everyone in the village seemed severed from her through heartbreak. Brambleberry House had been a formidable shelter for all of them over the years. Now it would be just another address on an estate agent’s list. People coming in, poking about. Making remarks about the old-fashioned wallpaper on Lydia’s bedroom wall. Jane felt panic icing in again. And this time, Billy wouldn’t be here to save her. She took a deep breath and tried to remember multiplication tables to divert her feelings of anxiety. Eleanor talked on about the little dinner she and Harry would have for guests after tying the knot, and Jane tried to listen.
When Jane said goodbye to Eleanor, she felt she said goodbye to belonging anywhere.
Chapter 24
Billy stared at the little hand flung over the side of the top bunk. Jackson’s hand seemed so small, but Billy knew from watching his niece, April, grow up that kids were little for a very short time. Thank God he was getting to know his son at all, but tonight he had a strange craving to know what the missing years had been like. What was Jackson’s first word? How had Lydia celebrated his birthdays? Billy had been sober for all of Jackson’s life time, yet he’d still missed it. He couldn’t blame Jackson’s mama, she only knew what he had been like before. He was a real mess, and didn’t deserve to be involved with his son.
Today had been just amazin’, Billy thought, smiling to himself. Mama, Yancy, and Lisa and April had all been just as smitten by Jackson as he was. When they first arrived at Mama’s house, Billy could tell that his mama was really strugglin’ to not scare the boy by lovin’ on him too much. Billy and Yancy and his family were kinda the opposite though, and got a little too quiet. Serena broke the ice, and started telling Jackson what she knew about each of them, starting with Mama.
“Your Grandma Mossy is one of the finest cooks I know,” Serena said. “You’ll probably beg to come over here and eat. Oh, and there’s Ranger, of course. He likes to be pet behind the ears. You two will be great friends.”
Jackson had made friends with the old dog right away. Billy smiled again, remembering that later, when they’d sat down to eat, Ranger was at Jackson’s chair beneath the dinner table, his chin pushed against one of Jackson’s knees. His boy sure did love dogs. They’d have to think about gettin’ one.
“And this handsome gentleman here is your Uncle Yancy,” Serena had told Jackson. “He’s your daddy’s only brother. He can play the guitar, too. And he’s super smart. Uncle Yancy has his own recording studio, and lots of famous people make their records there.” At this, Billy’s brother, stuffed his hands deep in his suit pants pockets and sort of pumped his head. He was a little emotional, and Billy was real thankful that his brother was touched to meet Jackson, and Billy liked what Serena said. “Uncle Yancy also likes collecting vintage cars, and he’ll take you for a ride in a convertible. Have you ever been in one of those?”
Jackson shook his head no. “We’ve too much rain to bother much with them, I suppose.”
Everyone laughed. Jackson immediately looked down and started petting Ranger, moving his head just as his uncle had done. Idn’t that something! Billy thought. He’s like my brother, too!
Next, Serena turned to Yancy’s wife. “And this is your pretty Aunt Lisa. She owns a ladies’ clothing store in Dallas. Aunt Lisa loves to read books by her pool when she has a day off. Of course, she doesn’t have much time to relax, because she has to keep Uncle Yancy in line!”
More laughter all around.
“Finally, your cousin April. She’s good at lots of sports. I don’t know too much more about April, yet, except that she and your daddy are very good friends!” Billy hugged April by the shoulders and she giggled.
They had a good meal of Mama’s fried fish, runner beans, fried potatoes, fresh tomatoes, and a skillet of cornbread, hot from the oven. Mossy said, “Jackson, have you ever eatin’ food like this, son?”
Jackson replied, “Sort of. It’s a bit like fish and chips, really.”
His sincere answer tickled everybody, and Billy couldn’t help but reach over and tussle his son’s hair. Jackson smiled, even though he probably didn’t know why everyone thought he was funny. Serena helped him understand by squealing, “Isn’t he adorable?” and “Muh!”, smackin’ a big kiss on his forehead. Conversation clipped along at a nice pace, and Jackson seemed relaxed and enjoyin’ himself. Billy kept close watch on him.
After the meal, everyone sat around talkin’ and makin’ room for dessert. Jackson leaned in close to Billy and said, “I shouldn’t like to wander about … .” Billy was half listening to Yancy, and replied, “Huh?”
“I need to go,” Jackson whispered.
“Why son? I thought you was havin’ fun? Everybody’s happy you’re here. Do you miss Jane or somethin’?”
“No. Not that sort, like leaving. I mean to the ’ed.”
Billy stared blankly at his son, wishing Jane were there. “To the what?”
Jackson widened his eyes slightly, showing impatience. “You know. The head.”
Billy still stared, speechless. What was the kid trying to say?
Jackson tried again. “The loo. The water closet. Where people rest!”
Billy was caught from the belly up in a big fit of laughter. Jackson was beyond smiling, though, turtle-backed, still, and hoping Billy would get over himself and show him the way. Jackson was horrified of going into the kitchen, instead of the right direction, and somehow in this house they both looked the same. Serena, who had been listening without interruption, saved the day, again, by discreetly leaning over to Jackson and saying. “See the hallway leading towards the street? Go that way. First door on your left.”
Serena had smoothed everything, and Billy was grateful. He closed his eyes, and dreamed of her.
• • •
At seven the next morning, Jane had tried to be quiet while making Jackson his breakfast. Billy was lured from his bed as well by the smell of bacon and eggs frying. Jane and Jackson heard him shower and then he appeared, shaven and dressed. “Smells awful good,” he said, grinning.
Jackson and Jane were seated at the table and eating quietly. “We were in need of a proper fry-up this morning,” Jane replied, and smiled back.
“Jane makes the best breakfast, next to Clarice, but Clarice isn’t here, so Auntie Jane’s is best,” Jackson said with authority, shoving the last bite of thin, streaky American bacon into his mouth.
“Such praise,” Jane retorted. Before Jane could offer breakfast to Billy, the master suite bedroom opened, and Serena’s scent reached over their breakfast and into the room. Jane thought she wore too much. She was just too much of everything, but to each her own, Jane decided.
“Good morning, y’all. I am dying for some coffee.” Jane stared in disbelief at Serena’s attire. It was quite normal. This morning she wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans. Billy didn’t seem to notice.
Heart to Heart Page 38