‘Saturday?’
‘Yes; yes, Saturday.’
‘What time shall we come?’
‘Well, say, any time after two; come for tea.’
‘Oh, I’ll be glad to see you, Hannah. I worry about you, you know; I’m daft, but you never could look after yourself.’
‘Goodbye, big sister. See you on Saturday.’
Hannah lay back and drew in a deep breath.
She had a family; she had a lover, and what a lover; she had Peter; she had friends, like Mr Gillyman and Natasha; she had a book about to be published; and strangest of all she had a friend named Mrs Drayton. It was a strange world, but a beautiful world with such kind people in it. She lifted her wrist and admired her new watch. Peter had said there were diamonds on its face!
A diamond watch and fifty thousand pounds in the bank and a life before her with David. She should be the happiest girl on earth. Yes, she was, and she would heed no longer that voice in the back of her mind that kept hinting she was still living in Alice’s dream. Everybody was real now.
The children were sitting on chairs. There was John with his head bowed. Claire staring straight ahead, as was Winnie; only Maggie gazed about her.
Janie was sitting near the head of the couch. She was smartly dressed in a blue outfit, and her hair showed it had been attended to as recently as that morning, for the thick brown waves were uniformly taken back from her brow and behind her ears.
Eddie sat an arm’s length away from the couch, and, Hannah smiled to herself as she thought that the most expensive suit in the world couldn’t alter Eddie’s pose, nor his voice although as yet he hadn’t said anything untoward.
She turned to look again at her three nieces and her nephew. How long they would be able to remain in those statuesque positions she didn’t know, but she was sure it wouldn’t be for much longer. It was too much to expect of any of them, especially Maggie, as was demonstrated almost immediately as David, leaning over the end of the couch, said, ‘You’re looking very smart today, Maggie.’
When Maggie suddenly crossed her legs as if remembering something, uncrossed them and almost clapped her heels together, David emphasised, ‘Well! you are.’
The bright gaze was turned up to him, and the voice came clear and sharp, ‘Because I look dolled up?’
Hannah, realising immediately that Janie was about to say something to her daughter and that it would be in the form of a reprimand, put out her hand and gently slapped her sister’s, then shook her head; and so Janie took a deep breath and waited.
‘Dolled up? I don’t think you look dolled up.’
‘You said you liked me in my bum-freezer.’
‘Yes; yes, I did; but you see . . . well, you’re out visiting.’
‘What’s that got to do with it?’
Before Hannah lowered her eyes, she saw David rub his chin hard with his hand; then he said, ‘I understand’ – he swallowed – ‘that bum-freezers are on the way out.’
‘Not up our way, they’re not. Peggy Stains—’
‘We don’t want to hear what Peggy Stains has to say, Maggie.’ Her mother’s voice had been low and firm, and her daughter answered, ‘Well, I was just going to say—’
‘I know what you were going to say, you told me this morning what Peggy Stains said. Now, if you repeat it . . . well, you know what’ll happen.’
When the chuckle came from behind Maggie’s chair, Maggie put her head back and looked at Peter, and he, bending down to her, whispered, ‘Hung, drawn and quartered?‘ and she, shaking her head, replied, ‘No; skinned alive.’
There was a suppressed gurgle round the room now, but when Maggie added, ‘But that’s only after I’ve been starved for days . . . bread and water,’ the laughter broke loose.
Peter’s voice was controlled as he looked along the line and asked, ‘Now, would you like a drink? Orange juice? Pineapple juice? And I’ve got an idea: I think we’d all be better off in the kitchen. I have a special chocolate meringue cake there just crying out to be eaten. How about it?’
It was Maggie who got up first and, reaching in front of her two sisters, she pulled John to his feet. Then, as if she were quite used to the flat, she made for the kitchen, with Claire and Winnie following, one on each side of Peter.
David sat down on the chair Maggie had vacated and, laughing again, he looked up the couch to where Janie was sitting with rather a straight expression, and he said, ‘You’ve got a girl there, Janie.’
‘Yes, I have, and don’t I know it; she’s getting out of hand.’
‘There’s a pair of you.’ This came from Eddie. ‘I’ve told you before it’s no use arguing with her, she’ll have the last word if it kills her; and she’s way ahead of you every time, you know that.’
Hannah looked from one to the other. She had just witnessed a new side to Eddie Harper. She would have expected that, being the man he was, he would have blustered and yelled at his daughter to do what she was told; but he only had to speak one word and Maggie obeyed him. Odd, yet they were both alike.
When there came a high screech of laughter from the kitchen, Janie said, ‘That’s John.’
Then when other hysterical voices joined John’s, David sprang up from his chair, saying, ‘I’m missing something, I must see this,’ and almost ran to the kitchen leaving Janie to comment, ‘Well, really! boys will be boys,’ but she was smiling.
Almost immediately Eddie, too, stood up and went to Hannah’s side and said quietly, ‘Let me see your neck, girl.’
‘Oh.’ Hannah put her hand up to her neck, saying, ‘There’s nothing there now.’
‘Just let me have a look.’
Slowly, she unbuttoned her dressing gown; then he was exclaiming on the discoloured flesh and in a most strange way, for he was saying, ‘He didn’t do a bad job. He has big thumbs.’
‘Oh, Eddie, shut up!’ When Janie pushed him he took no notice, but said, ‘What about your shoulders?’
‘Now, Eddie’ – Hannah wagged her finger at him – ‘I’m not going to show you my shoulders. Anyway, you have to make an appointment to view, and the fee’s double.’
‘I’ve seen enough.’
He was solemn-faced as he sat down, and Hannah, now leaning across Janie towards him, said, ‘Oh, Eddie, please! please forget about it. It’s all over. Don’t take anything into your own hands.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t. How could I? He’s a big fellow, is Humph.’
Hannah now lay back; her gaze on Janie was pleading, but Janie shook her head as much as to say, I can’t do anything about it. Then, changing the subject entirely, Eddie said, ‘Fine flat, this . . . well, this room, anyway. Never been in one like it. Wouldn’t mind taking a pattern of it for our new place. You know we’re moving, don’t you, Hannah?’
‘Yes,’ added Hannah, laughing. ‘I have been told.’
‘Well, just wait till you see it. It’s a fine house, with a big garden.’
‘And in a posh neighbourhood, too,’ added Janie. Hannah suddenly laughed, saying, ‘I thought you’d come here to commiserate with me’ – she pursed her lips here for a moment – ‘and also to congratulate me on the fact that I’m engaged to be married.’
‘No!’
Eddie hitched a chair nearer to Janie’s now. ‘When did this happen?’
‘And what about the divorce?’ put in Janie.
‘Oh, I’m told the divorce will be plain sailing: Humphrey has a ready-made wife and two children. As for the engagement, how long before we marry depends on David’s divorce. That’s going to be a bit more difficult. What I’ve seen and heard of the lady is not good. First, she’s as big as a house-end and as strong as a horse. And secondly, there’s a psychiatric problem on her mother’s side of the family which seems to have touched her. Both her mother and sist
er are permanently hospitalised.’
A series of high squeals and laughter came from the kitchen; then Peter appeared, pushing a laden trolley, which brought from Janie a smothered ‘Oh! Just look at that.’
‘Now would you believe that.’ Eddie was addressing Peter now, and he said, ‘You’ll understand this, Peter, but the last words she said to me before leaving the house today were, “Don’t you go remarking on everything you see or telling them where you could get things for half the price,” and what does she do?’ He laughed now, then pressed his lips tightly together, before adding, ‘But she’s right. It’s a very nice sight.’ Then it was impossible for him to resist the next quip, ‘Just like we have every Sunday.’
Hannah was laughing as she looked at Peter and said, ‘Thanks, Peter.’
‘And what was all that noise in the kitchen about?’ put in Janie.
‘Oh; your daughter is a very good mimic, Mrs Harper. I left her demonstrating the different ways people attack a plate of jelly.’
Eddie shook his head and laughed, but Janie drooped hers and for a moment she shaded her eyes with her hand and muttered, ‘Oh, not that! Not that!’
‘And I think I’d better warn you, Mrs Harper, that you’ve lost your daughter, and you, madam, your future husband.’
‘Is that so?’ said Hannah now. ‘But how has it come about in such a short time?’
‘These things happen, madam. You know they do.’
‘Yes, yes’ – Hannah laughed up at him – ‘you’re right, Peter; I know they do. But what has the lady to say about it?’
‘She hasn’t given her opinion as yet, madam, but I’m anxious to get back and hear more.’
They all laughed as Peter hurried from the room . . .
An hour later Maggie gave her the answer to the question, and caused not a little embarrassment. It was as they were ready to leave that David, paying special attention to Maggie, took her hand and, shaking it, said, ‘Thank you, Maggie, for a delightful afternoon. I don’t know what you’re going to be when you grow up but—’ only to be interrupted by Maggie, her tone definite, her eyes holding a deep twinkle as she gazed up into his face and said: ‘Oh, I do. Oh yes, already I do. I’m just going to hang around like Aunt Hannah did with the wrong man until somebody like you comes along, and then grab him on the hop.’
It was her father who almost lifted her off her feet by gripping the collar of her coat and dragging her towards the door, where Peter was standing, his expression a mixture of amazement and amusement.
During this embarrassing declaration Janie had stood perfectly still, her eyes riveted on her daughter; but now she sprang back to the couch and, taking her sister’s hand, she said, ‘What can I do with her? I’m sorry, Hannah. I mean, she’s never heard us . . . we’ve never discussed anything in front of her. I don’t know what to do with her.’
‘It’s all right. It’s all right.’ Hannah was smiling now, although at the same time she was thinking, That girl wants taking in hand. But she reassured Janie: ‘What would life be without her? Go on. Go on. It’s been a lovely day.’
‘Yes; but what an end! Oh, he’ll give it to her, and I’m glad; it’s about time. He’s been all for her but he’s seen her antics for himself today.’
‘Will you go on! They’ll be waiting for you.’
‘She’s spoilt everything with that stupid comment; upsetting you like that.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous; she hasn’t upset me at all. Look, this is how much she’s upset me,’ and Hannah thrust her arms up quickly and pulled Janie down to her and, kissing her hard, she said, ‘There you are. Go and plant that on Maggie for giving us a really jolly afternoon.’
Janie said nothing more; she only looked down on Hannah, then shook her head before hurrying away.
But as Hannah waited for David to return after seeing them off, and Peter to come from the iron stairhead where he was standing looking down on them, she repeated Maggie’s words to herself, ‘grab him on the hop’, and they no longer seemed funny.
Chapter Fifteen
The weeks that followed took in Christmas and the New Year and nothing happened to mar Hannah’s happiness. Only one incident made her thoughtful, and something else brought her joy, but for the rest she was mainly back living in Wonderland where, once a week, she met up with Mrs Drayton for lunch or had her to tea, and once a week she and David had dinner with Natasha and Gilly. If they went out for a meal themselves it was always at Micky’s.
It was just before Christmas when they were shopping in Harrods that she first met Alex Busby. After David had introduced her, Alex said, ‘Let’s go and have a coffee. I was hoping I might run into you in London; there are bits and pieces I’d like you to know.’
And so it was over coffee that they heard that Carrie and her two other brothers were in America, and that Alex had planned this so that he could arrange the disposal of The Manor before they returned. It was impossible, he had told them, to keep up two places, for it was he who was having to foot the bills for The Manor and the two racing stables.
He knew there would be skull and hair flying when she returned, which would be some time in February, he thought, but by this time he hoped the new owners would be settled in and she could do nothing about it.
At one point he had looked from David to his very attractive companion and asked with a wry smile, ‘How are things going?’
And to this David had answered, ‘Very well indeed; couldn’t be better, except for one thing: Hannah’s divorce will be through in the New Year, and I must, Alex, I really must press for mine.’
At this, Alex had bowed his head, saying, ‘Oh dear, dear. Well, you know as well as I do what’ll happen. She swore she’d never give it to you.’
‘She can’t withhold it,’ said David; ‘we’ve been apart for so long. I could claim it on those grounds alone, but if she puts up any opposition, as I know she will, then I’ll be obliged to mention the subject that nobody likes to mention: that she’s insane. You know it, Alex, better than anyone. How the boys keep things going in order to protect her beats me. Of course, it could be said it is their pastime that keeps them going. You know, Alex, I can’t understand why she wasn’t put away years ago. You all kept me in the dark until I experienced for myself what was wrong with her, and afterwards heard about your mother’s delicate illness that kept her in the nursing home. And her sister, too, supposedly preferring to stay with another branch of the family. My God! I must have been dim . . . ’ At this point Alex put in, ‘I know we’ve been over all this before and we still haven’t got over the shame of what we did, but, believe me, we did think that marriage would settle her down. Apparently, as I’ve explained before, it worked with Mother. After she married and had us lot she was as right as rain for years. It was Father’s taking a mistress that shot her back.’
‘But I didn’t take a mistress,’ said David. ‘The first experience of her madness I had was on our honeymoon. Just imagine, on our honeymoon! and all because she found me laughing with a young girl who was staying in the same hotel. From then on, as you know, my life was a nightmare. So, if anyone has worked for a divorce I have, and it is already in the hands of my solicitor.’
Alex now bit on his lip and shook his head before he said, ‘It’s asking favours of you again; could you hold your hand until . . . well, the New Year, because if she were to have to return now for any reason the sale of The Manor could fall through: she has threatened to set fire to it rather than let it be sold. It’s been on the point of being sold so many times of late but this time we’re exchanging contracts early in the New Year. As soon as it’s clinched I’ll give you a ring. Would you do this for me, David?’
David had looked at Hannah, but she had turned her head away: she wasn’t going to make a decision about a matter that was, as she saw it, going to change her life.
She heard David say, ‘I’m sorry, Alex, but I can’t promise you anything definite; all I know is I want to marry Hannah’ – he put his hand across the table and gripped hers – ‘and as soon as possible. Her divorce could come through at any time.’
Disappointed, Alex said, ‘Well, don’t forget, David, Carrie always said she would shoot you before she’d give you a divorce. She’s crafty in her madness, you know, even though in her really sane moments she’s the most unhappy creature on earth.’
‘You say she’s to be pitied; well, so are those who come into contact with her,’ said David grimly.
Their parting had been amicable, and that’s all that could be said for it, but Hannah knew that the meeting had worried David.
It was the third week of January, and a Thursday. Hannah was in Gilly’s office working with David in sorting out books. It was Gilly’s suggestion that she should come in part-time and help David in his never-ending job of cataloguing the hundreds of volumes of old books lying on the floor of the office. Hannah was delighted by the offer, and the fact that she could spend half the day with David made it more pleasurable still.
On this particular morning, Gilly’s younger brother, who was in his late forties and had been widowed three years previously, called with his new wife, a young woman of twenty-five, and their recently born baby daughter. They were on their way to her family in Devon and had just looked in.
The look-in almost turned into a party, for the baby’s health had to be drunk, then drunk again, and if it wasn’t that the younger Gillymans were due to get the train at one o’clock and had their seats booked, the admiration party would have continued all day. Neither Natasha nor Gilly showed any distress at the sight of the new baby.
That afternoon, there was little work done, and Hannah and David went home early. It was as Hannah stretched out her hands to the warmth of the fire that she said quietly, ‘I hope ours will be as healthy and as bonny.’
The Thursday Friend Page 26