Jessie's Promise

by Rosie Clarke

  Chapter Twelve

  Maggie was in the laundry room, folding some towels ready for the airing cupboard when Jessie went in a little later. She swung round looking alarmed but smiled when she saw it was Jessie.

  ‘I thought for a moment it was someone else,’ she said. She looked odd, half-apprehensive, half-angry, Jessie thought and asked if something was wrong. Maggie hesitated, then said, ‘It’s just Carter. He keeps patting my bum and making faces at me. I don’t mind that so much but I’m worried about what he’s going to try next.’

  ‘He’s old enough to be your father!’ Jessie was shocked. ‘When did this start?’

  ‘A few days after we went to that dance. He’d always been friendly, but nothing like this. I don’t think he means anything by it, it’s just a lark, but I’d rather he didn’t.’

  ‘You should tell him he’s making a nuisance of himself. Do you want me to speak to him, Maggie? I could tell him to leave you alone.’

  ‘No!’ Maggie looked nervous. ‘He wouldn’t like that. He thinks you’re a bit above the rest of us. If you said anything he’d be angry. If he goes too far I’ll speak to Cook. I think he only does it when he’s had a couple of drinks. He’s sober as a judge most of the time, but every now and then he has a few.’

  ‘Well, you tell him to keep his hands to himself.’

  ‘I’m probably making too much of it.’

  Jessie wasn’t so sure about that. She’d thought Carter was a decent enough bloke when she first arrived, but someone had tried her door one night and she had seen Carter giving her an odd look a few times. She knew he thought there might be something going on between her and Harry Kendle, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d made a pass at her – but he had no right to upset Maggie. However, Cook would put him right if Maggie spoke to her about it.

  Jessie forgot about Carter as she took hot drinks to Lady Kendle and Nanny. She didn’t stay talking long with Nanny that evening, because she had some letters to write.

  She owed Archie a letter. It was becoming more difficult to write to him these days, because she wasn’t sure what to say. She tried to write about what she’d done with the children, what was happening in the garden as the seasons changed, and sometimes about what she’d seen in the newspapers. She was sure her letters must seem dull and that he would be disappointed, but she didn’t know what else to tell him.

  It was much easier to write to her aunt. She told her about Harry’s sister, saying how pleasant she was, very modern and smartly dressed, but was careful not to mention the way she had been teased about her feelings for him.

  Jessie hadn’t given her aunt the slightest hint about how she felt. Aunt Elizabeth had old-fashioned values. She wouldn’t approve of divorce. Jessie didn’t dare to think what she would say if she knew the truth of what had happened between her and Harry. She wouldn’t be angry and she wouldn’t condemn, but she would certainly be shocked.

  Sometimes Jessie was shocked at herself. Especially when she lay in bed thinking about Harry, wishing he were with her, wanting him to make love to her, longing for the fulfilment he gave her. She was a wanton woman and she wasn’t ashamed of it! In fact she knew that making love had brought her exquisite pleasure, far more than she had ever expected to find.

  Jessie smiled as she stroked the pillow where his head had lain, thinking of him there beside her. ‘Please let Mary divorce him,’ she whispered into the darkness. ‘Please let us be together for always.’

  She couldn’t wait for him to come home, and yet she was afraid – afraid that it would mean the end of her dream.

  *

  Jessie told Jack that she would bring Catherine to watch him a little later that morning. He went off quite happily with his aunt and Jessie spent some time reading to Catherine. It was nearly an hour later when she reached the paddocks and warmer than it had been earlier that day.

  At first she didn’t realise what Priscilla was doing, then she noticed the little jumps that had been set round the field. They were very low and probably quite safe but Jessie’s heart skipped a beat. She was certain Harry wouldn’t approve. He had intended to go much more slowly with his son’s lessons.

  Jack had seen her. He waved to her from across the field.

  ‘Watch me, Jessie!’

  ‘You be careful,’ she called, her heart in her mouth as he urged the pony to a canter and began to clear the hurdles one by one. Supposing he fell and hurt himself?

  In fact the pony cleared all the hurdles with ease and Jack halted in front of her, flushed with triumph.

  ‘Did you see me, Jessie?’

  ‘Yes, I saw you. You did very well.’

  ‘I’m going to do it again but I want the jumps higher. Will you set them higher for me, Aunt Priscilla?’

  ‘No!’ Jessie felt coldness at the base of her neck. ‘No, I don’t think you should, Jack. Not today please. Take your pony back to the stable. It will soon be time for lunch. I want you to come home with Catherine and me. You can play with her while I do the ironing. Will you do that for me please?’

  ‘Can’t I jump one more round?’ Jack looked obstinate.

  ‘Don’t be a spoilsport, Jessie,’ Priscilla said. ‘One more round, Jack. I’ll put the jumps up another notch.’

  Jessie watched as she adjusted the hurdles. They were still not very high but the pony found it more difficult to clear them. However, it was managed without incident and Jack was very pleased with himself by the end of the round.

  ‘I’ll be able to jump over the top notch by the time Father gets back,’ he said to his aunt. ‘He’ll be very proud of me then, won’t he?’

  ‘Very proud I should think,’ Priscilla said. ‘You’re doing awfully well, Jack. You throw your heart over and that’s a brave rider. I’m extremely pleased with you.’

  Jessie said nothing. She was certain Harry hadn’t intended anything like this when he put his sister in charge of his son’s riding lessons, but what could she say? She was merely the nursery maid when it came down to it. Jack was bound to take more notice of his aunt, especially when he was getting exactly what he wanted.

  ‘Shall we go home?’ she asked. ‘Cook was making her special lemon barley today and baking something nice.’

  ‘Oh good,’ Priscilla said. ‘I hope there’s seedcake. I love her seedcake. No one else makes it quite the same way.’

  Priscilla returned the pony to the stables and then they all walked back to the house together. Catherine walked for a while and then asked to be carried. Jessie picked her up; she was no hardship to carry.

  Priscilla was smoking. She talked about various musical shows she had been to see in London, asking Jessie if she liked the theatre. She herself had been to see a Dixieland jazz band at the London Palladium, and was a great enthusiast. When they reached the house they all had drinks and cake in the kitchen before Jessie took the children upstairs.

  Catherine fell asleep almost at once.

  *

  ‘I’m worried about her,’ Jessie told Nanny that evening. ‘She’s sleeping more than she was a week or two ago. She seemed a lot brighter then than she does now.’

  ‘I don’t think there’s anything wrong. She has always been like this,’ Nanny said. ‘She’ll be fine again in a day or so.’

  Jessie accepted what she said. She didn’t want to have the doctor out for nothing but she wished that Harry was at home so she could ask for his opinion. Perhaps she was worrying over nothing. She’d been so sure Harry’s pony would tumble when the jumps were raised and he’d managed the round quite easily in the end.

  However, when Priscilla asked if she was coming to the farm to watch him the next morning she said no, not this time.

  ‘I’ll stay here with Catherine. Jack has you to take care of him.’

  ‘Poor little love,’ Priscilla said, looking sadly at Catherine who seemed sleepy and kept falling over on her knees. ‘It’s such a shame.’

  ‘She was so much better,’ Jessie said, her throat caug
ht with emotion. ‘I can’t understand it.’

  ‘Oh, she’s always up and down,’ Priscilla replied with a shrug. ‘You worry too much about them, Jessie. You can’t wrap children in cotton wool. Mine had their share of troubles when they were younger; they picked themselves up again. I don’t believe in making too much fuss.’

  Perhaps Priscilla was right, Jessie thought after she had gone. She hadn’t really had that much experience with children, and all she’d done for them was instinctive, partly from her nursing training, and partly from a natural desire to love and protect.

  Catherine was waking up at last, playing happily with her toys. She suddenly seemed bright and full of energy and Jessie laughed at herself. She was seeing demons behind every bush!

  When Nanny came in she left her to watch over Catherine and went downstairs to fetch them all a nice drink of lemonade. It was a cool bright day and she thought it would have been pleasant to walk to the farm after all. It was rather late for that now, Jack would be coming home soon, full of himself as usual.

  As she passed the laundry room, Jessie heard a little cry. She stopped, hesitated, and then went in. Carter had Maggie up against the wall and was trying to kiss her. Maggie was struggling, fending him off as best she could.

  ‘I don’t think Maggie wants to be kissed. Would you mind leaving her alone please?’

  Carter turned as he heard her voice, a sneer on his face. ‘It’s just a little bit of fun. Maggie doesn’t mind. She knows I wouldn’t hurt her. She isn’t a sourpuss like you.’

  ‘Yes, I do mind,’ Maggie said and thrust him out of her way. ‘I’ve had enough of this and I’m telling Cook. She’ll put you right.’

  Carter glared at Jessie as the girl went out. ‘Happy now? I wouldn’t have raped her. I like the girl that’s all. It was just a kiss.’

  ‘Why don’t you ask her what she wants instead of just assuming she doesn’t mind? Maggie liked you and I thought you cared about her – in the right way, not just as a bit of fun.’

  ‘You’re so high minded of course,’ Carter said. ‘Butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth, would it? Except that I know what you’re up to on the sly. You wait until Mary Kendle gets back. Once she gets a sniff of what has been going on behind her back you’ll be out on your ear.’

  ‘I don’t have to listen to this,’ Jessie said turning away. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  ‘Oh, don’t I?’ Carter grabbed her as she would have left, jerking her round and slamming her against the door. He leaned towards her and she caught the smell of beer on his breath. ‘Well, let me tell you, Miss Holier Than Thou, I know exactly what’s been going on in your room. I could tell your nasty little secret if I wanted.’

  ‘Say what you like,’ Jessie said, giving him a push. ‘I really don’t care what you do.’

  She walked away, her heart beating madly. Had Carter been spying on her? If he had stood outside her room listening in the dark he could have heard her with Harry. But she thought he was just bluffing, just being unpleasant to punish her for spoiling his game with Maggie.

  Carter was a nuisance but she was inclined to believe him when he said he wouldn’t have raped Maggie. He was just one of those men who thought it was funny to catch girls and touch or kiss them. But Maggie didn’t like it and it was time he was stopped. Cook would give him the rough side of her tongue, but it wasn’t likely that he would be turned off. Lady Kendle relied on him to carry her downstairs and to take both her and Sir Joshua for little rides in the Bentley when the weather was pleasant. He had been with them for a long time and wouldn’t be easy to replace. They would probably dismiss Maggie if she made too much fuss. Kitchen maids were easier to find.

  Jessie went into the kitchen. Pam Bates had started work that morning and she was busy preparing vegetables at the kitchen sink. She smiled at Jessie but didn’t say much, and Jessie realised she must be feeling very strange. She thought Pam was brave to start a new job so soon after her husband’s terrible death, but she probably had no choice. The small pension she’d been given wouldn’t keep her for long if she didn’t work.

  ‘I’ve just come for a tray of drinks for the nursery,’ Jessie said. ‘Shall I help myself?’

  ‘You know where everything is,’ Cook said. ‘Sir Joshua has a few of his friends coming this evening so I’m busy today.’

  ‘I thought you looked busy,’ Jessie said. ‘That sauce smells good – has it got wine in it?’

  ‘Yes, champagne,’ Cook said and beamed at her. ‘It’s a kind of custard I make for their pudding and serve cold. I’m afraid it will be something simple for the children this lunchtime. Will cold chicken and baked potatoes be all right?’

  ‘I should think that would be fine,’ Jessie said. ‘I’ll take the tray up then.’

  She carried the jug of lemonade up to the nursery. Catherine came running to be taken up on her lap. She was thirsty and drank most of her lemonade down in one go.

  ‘Well, I think I’ll go and visit Lady Kendle,’ Nanny said after she’d had her own drink. ‘She was saying she might like to be pushed round the garden this afternoon, and she asked if I would like to walk with her and keep her company.’

  ‘It would be lovely as long as you keep out of the shade,’ Jessie said, going to the back window to look out at the courtyard. ‘But the wind may be cold…’ Something caught her eye. Someone was running towards the house, and Jessie could feel that odd prickling sensation at the base of her neck again. ‘I wonder why Priscilla is in such a hurry – and where is Jack?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Nanny came to the window. Priscilla was almost at the house now. Her hair was flying wildly and it was clear that she was distressed. Carter was in the yard cleaning the car and she grabbed hold of him, pointing frantically behind her and saying something that neither Jessie nor Nanny could hear. ‘Something’s happened. It’s Master Jack…’

  Carter threw his sponge in the bucket and jumped into the car. Priscilla got into the passenger seat immediately and he drove off as though the devil was after him.

  ‘Something has happened to Jack,’ Jessie said and her face was white. She was cold all over, shivering, and instinctively she knew that Jack must have fallen from his pony.

  ‘Yes, I think you must be right.’

  ‘I’m going to the farm,’ Jessie said to Nanny. ‘Look after Catherine. I can’t take her with me this time.’

  ‘But you can’t do anything,’ Nanny said, then, as she saw her face, ‘Go on then. You can’t rest here and nor can any of us until we know for sure.’

  Jessie hurried down the back stairs and out of the kitchen door. She knew from the shocked looks on the faces of Cook and Pam Bates that they had heard something but she couldn’t wait to hear what they had to say. She ran across the cobbled yard and through the kitchen gardens, taking the short cut through the narrow lane at the back. When she was taking the children for walks they went through the meadow because it was prettier, but today she had no time to look at the view. All she could think of was that something had happened to Harry’s son. Jack must have put his pony at the jumps too fast or something. She didn’t know how it had happened, but she was sure it was bad. Priscilla had been frantic with worry, and she’d needed the car – to take Jack to hospital?

  Please God that he was still alive. Jessie panted as she ran, her chest beginning to hurt as she pushed herself to the limit. She had to get there before they took Jack away. Neither Priscilla nor Carter knew how to treat an injured child. They could damage him just by moving him without proper care. Why hadn’t they come for her? Harry would have, just as he had when Jed Wylie cut himself with the scythe. She had to get there before they moved Jack into the car.

  Jessie had a stitch in her side but she ran on despite the pain. As she reached the paddocks, she saw that she was too late. A small group of farm workers were still there, staring after the Daimler as it drew away. Jessie bent double as she tried to catch her breath.

  One of the
m turned and saw her, coming towards her immediately.

  ‘Master Jack put the jumps up while Mrs Barrington was at the farm for a few minutes, miss. She came over to ask for a drink because Master Jack said he was thirsty. He must have done it while her back was turned. She’s in a terrible state, blaming herself for leaving him.’

  ‘What about Jack?’ Jessie asked as she found it possible to speak again. Her chest still hurt and she was fighting for breath. ‘What happened to him?’

  ‘The pony refused at the second from last hurdle. It wasn’t bought as a jumper. Captain Kendle never intended that, not for a year or two yet, that’s what he said. He wanted a nice steady pony for the boy to ride.’

  ‘But Jack – has he broken a leg or something?’

  ‘I’m not sure, miss. He was unconscious when they rushed him off to the hospital. I think he might have hurt his wrist, because it looked awkward but…’ He faltered and glanced down as if he couldn’t bear to look at her. ‘I think he hurt his head the worst, miss.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Jessie stared at him. Head and neck injuries were the worst in these cases, and they could have done harm by moving his head without support. It was an easy mistake to make for anyone who didn’t have any medical experience of these injuries. ‘Is there anyone with a car at the farm? Anyone who can drive?’

  ‘No, miss, that’s why Mrs Barrington had to run to the house and fetch Carter. Mr Goodjohn can drive but he’s at the market today. Sorry, miss. If you were wantin’ to get into town the next train is at two o’clock this afternoon.’

  ‘I see, thank you,’ Jessie said. ‘In that case there is nothing I can do but go back to the house.’

  *

  ‘He’ll be all right,’ Nanny told her when they talked about it later. Jessie was giving Catherine her lunch. She couldn’t touch anything herself, her stomach was churning. ‘Jack is as tough as old boots, you’ll see. They’ll keep the lad for a while to check him over, but in a few days he’ll be home and into trouble as usual.’