‘Let you down badly, did he?’
‘Us! He let us down badly – there was a baby.’
She said nothing more and Ivor wasn’t interested enough to encourage further talk.
‘I understand that Jennie is still with your ex-wife,’ she said one day when she went into the café where he was eating lunch.
‘Ex-wife? Marie and I are still married,’ he said with a frown.
‘Then why was she going to see a solicitor a few days ago?’
‘What d’you mean?’
‘She and Jennie had an appointment with that Harold Howells near the town hall. They came out laughing like children, so whatever they had gone there for the result must have been good news.’ She didn’t mention the presence of Ernie: that would have spoiled the story, given it a completely different slant.
Twelve
Kitty Jennings called to ask about Jennie and Marie invited her in. ‘I’m sorry we haven’t met properly,’ Kitty said, accepting the offer of a cup of tea. ‘I’ve been neglectful of you, I usually welcome new people to the lane but, well, I wasn’t sure of the situation and didn’t want to appear nosy.’
‘It’s been a difficult time,’ Marie replied.
‘I knew Ivor when he was a child.’ Kitty looked at Marie hesitantly, wondering whether to go on. ‘We all lived in a different neighbourhood then, and moved here around the same time. His parents were wonderful people, friendly and kind, always ready to give help when it was needed. His mother did some lovely watercolours of woodland scenes. They were so happy, until Rhodri suffered so badly during the First World War. Then everything changed for them.’
Marie stared at her. ‘I know nothing about this. Rhodri doesn’t talk about his life, and Ivor didn’t tell me anything about his family. But I understood that Rhodri’s always been ill and that his mother, was, well – she had problems too.’
‘The fires you mean?’
‘I don’t know anything except rumours,’ Marie said defensively.
‘My husband is retired now, but he was the policeman who arrested her, after a neighbour’s house was nearly burned down, closely following the fire that almost destroyed the school where Ivor was a pupil.’
The defensive shield fell and suddenly it was a relief to talk to someone about Ivor. ‘I wonder sometimes whether Ivor believes that the mental illness his father suffers is something he can inherit.’
‘Nonsense, but if that was the case how would running away from you help?’
‘I don’t know. I don’t understand any of it. We were so happy – at least I thought we were – then he met up again with his father, my life fell apart, and I don’t know why.’
‘His father was a lovely young man. His confusion started when he narrowly escaped a horrible death, and saw many of his comrades suffer an end that was truly terrible. Trapped and burned to death they were, in a building hit by incendiaries. He tried to get them out but was beaten back by flames and smoke. His comrades had to hold him back when he wanted to try again. Poor man. He never got over it.’
‘What about his mother? She didn’t fight, or see anything terrible. Why was she so obsessed with fires?’
She looked away and went on softly, ‘You’d better ask my husband about that.’ She seemed unwilling to say more. Marie showed her around the house, introduced her to Roger, Royston, Violet and a rather unwell Jennie, who was resting on her bed. Rhodri didn’t appear to recognize her but proudly allowed her to inspect his cosy room before she left.
When she had gone, Jennie left her bedroom and came downstairs but she looked pale and wanted nothing to eat. ‘I think I’ve got a touch of flu,’ she complained. ‘Either that or the fish we ate yesterday was off. It did taste a bit funny, didn’t you think?’
‘It was fine, you’re just a bit bilious, that’s all. Probably the shock of facing Ernie with that story of yours,’ Marie said teasingly.
‘I think I’ll just try a drink of fizzy lemonade,’ Jennie said, ignoring the jibe, which would normally have had her returning a cheeky response.
Marie was confused. She was certain that Ivor’s parents’ problems were the reason for him leaving, but why? If Rhodri’s mental illness was due to his having been injured during the First World War, Ivor could hardly believe he would be tainted with the same condition. Trauma couldn’t be inherited, if only she could ask him. Again she felt that searing guilt. He’d been unable to talk to her: she had displayed something, an intolerance maybe, that made him unable to confide in her. She’d let him down and he had turned to someone else.
*
November 5th was the day jam rationing would end, Guy Fawkes would be celebrated, and it was also Jennie’s birthday. It was then Jennie planned to return to Ernie, having decided he had suffered enough for not believing her lies. Marie laughed at her sister’s crazy logic and helped her plan her birthday party, to which she intended to invite Ernie. ‘I’ll be generous and forgive him, and allow him to persuade me to go home with him,’ Jennie told her happily. ‘I expect to enjoy a bit of spoiling for a while.’
‘As ever!’ Marie replied.
Jennie woke one morning a week before her birthday and was immediately sick. Suspicions dormant in Marie’s mind came to the fore. ‘Jennie,’ she asked as they walked to the shop, ‘are you expecting a baby?’
‘Oh, Marie, don’t say it! I can’t be. Life wouldn’t be so cruel!’
‘If you are, that’s something you won’t be able to lie about. You can hardly insist that Ernie’s the father if what you told me is true.’
‘It is true. If I am having a baby there’s no possibility of it being his. Even I couldn’t invent a story to explain this. Oh, Marie, what can I do? He’ll never forgive me. Bill’s gone and in any case I couldn’t marry him. I’m married already, and to his father. What a mess. If it gets out that the child is his I’ll be shamed, a mother without a father for her baby.’
Marie had already suspected the possibility and thought about it. She said, ‘It will only be Ernie who knows the truth and I think he’ll keep quiet. He wouldn’t want anyone to know the truth or admit he couldn’t father a child, even at his age, so that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. He’ll want to cover up the truth for his own vanity. And Mam and Dad will believe the child is your husband’s – why should they think any different? So you have to face Ernie with the terrible truth, and there’s Bill, and whether or not you tell him.’
She raised a tearful face to her sister. ‘Oh Marie, what can I do?’
‘The hardest thing and the best thing would be to go to Ernie straight away and confess.’
Expecting Jennie to protest, Marie was surprised when she said, ‘I think you’re right, but I can’t go alone. Will you come with me?’
‘You’ll really do it? Now? Tell Ernie you’re expecting Bill’s child?’
‘I have to. There’s no chance he’ll stand by me. He has no moral obligation to do anything for me, but I have to tell him, and before I tell anyone else.’
‘Even Bill?’
Coldly, calmly, Jennie said, ‘Bill? I expect he’s already found himself a new love, and has promised her it will be for ever.’
Marie hugged her sister and promised to help in any way she could. ‘For a start, and only if you are sure, we’ll go and talk to Ernie as soon as we close the shop.’
Jennie decided not to announce herself or knock on the door like a visitor. After all, Ernie had admitted he wanted her back, so she could walk in without any concerns about her welcome. She went in through the back door with Marie following, and walked straight to the living room.
He was reading his evening newspaper, and the table was set for one, with a quarter of a tablecloth across one corner. She felt a surge of pity for him. He was alone and it was entirely due to her. Bill would have still been there, she would have been sharing his meal and he wouldn’t be sitting beside that pathetic table set for one.
‘Ernie,’ she said, walking towards him, pushing asi
de his paper and hugging him.
‘You’re coming home?’
‘Maybe,’ she said and gestured to her sister to wait outside the door. ‘First I have something to tell you, and afterwards you might not want me near you.’
‘I’ll wait in the hall,’ Marie said, making her escape. She had brought a magazine, but although she stared at it and turned pages nothing went into her brain, she was listening to the low murmur of voices coming from the living room.
Jennie didn’t hesitate, she made no attempt to edge her way towards what she had to say. ‘Ernie, I haven’t seen a doctor to confirm, but I think I’m going to have a baby. And as it can’t possibly be yours, I have to tell you that it’s Bill’s child.’
‘What did you say?’ Ernie spluttered to give himself a moment to get over the shock. Whatever he’d expected it was not this. He stood up from his chair, leaning on it and staring at her. His face was a sickly white, his eyes wide with disbelief.
‘I’m so desperately sorry, Ernie. I’d give anything for it not to be true. I know you won’t forgive me, not for this, and I’ll do whatever you want me to. It’s probably best if I go away somewhere straight away, so no one knows. Just tell me what you want and I’ll do it without question. I’m so sorry.’
When he spoke it was the voice of a stranger, faint and breathless. ‘I’d like you to go now and let me think about this. I can’t believe how badly you’ve treated me when all I wanted was your happiness.’
Jennie could no longer hold back her sobs. ‘I’m so ashamed, Ernie,’ she said and ran from the room. She pushed her way back through the hall and Marie stood to follow her. Ernie stood in the doorway to the living room, stooped and looking far older than his years, and Marie stopped briefly and said, ‘Ernie, I’m so sorry, you don’t deserve any of this.’
‘She lied you see, that’s what I dislike the most. In front of the solicitor she lied, pretended there had been nothing between them, and now, when I thought everything would soon be all right, this happens. You can’t lie about a child growing inside you. Not even Jennie could explain that away.’
‘I have to go after her,’ Marie said, touching his arm, wanting to stay and comfort him but knowing Jennie was her priority at that time. ‘If there’s anything I can do, you only have to ask. I feel for you, I really do.’
‘You can tell that sister of yours I wish I’d never clapped eyes on her.’
‘I think she must know that.’
*
Bill found out about Jennie’s predicament within days of her telling his father. Jennie told Lucy she was expecting a child and told her she was not pleased. Lucy confided in a customer who was a friend and the friend’s brother was in touch with Bill. His reaction was immediate. He took a couple of days off work and went home.
His father was just setting out for a walk and at once told him to leave. Bill was shocked at how unwell he looked and persuaded him to go with him to a café and sit where they could talk.
‘You’ve heard, I presume?’ Ernie said, refusing to look at his son. ‘That’s why you’re here, to meet up with Jennie and discuss your plans?’
‘I’ve heard. I presume the baby is mine and I want to know what you want me to do.’
‘Jennie wants to know that too. Everyone seems to be waiting for me to make up my mind. No one has an idea of what to do. The truth is there is nothing anyone can do. My wife is expecting your child. How can I find a way out of that situation?’
‘Isn’t the answer for me to wait for a divorce and marry her?’
‘Where does that leave me? A joke on everyone’s lips, that’s what.’
‘While if you and Jennie were together, pretending the baby was yours, everyone would think you were a hell of a man, fathering a child at your age,’ Bill said slowly.
‘Take her back you mean? How dare you suggest such a thing?’
‘The only gossip would be good gossip. Jennie would never tell anyone the truth.’
‘She already has, or you wouldn’t have heard. As for the truth, Jennie wouldn’t know the truth if it came up and bit her.’
‘The few who know about this believe the child is yours. Only I knew at once that it couldn’t be.’
‘Oh, go away. I can’t bear to look at you.’
‘You have my address and I’ll agree to whatever you decide.’
Before returning to London. Bill was unable to resist seeing Jennie, and the next day he stood near the bus stop at the end of the lane leading to Badgers Brook. Darkness was falling and he was hidden by trees on the grassy verge. He guessed she and Marie would be on the bus soon after five thirty and planned only to watch them as they walked home. He had no intention of talking to her, or letting her see him, but the car driving straight at them changed that.
He didn’t take any notice of the low purr of its engine as it approached from behind, his attention was on the two figures walking in the middle of the road. But when it picked up speed and appeared to be aiming straight towards the two sisters he was close enough to run and grab them both and throw them into the ditch as the car hit him, caught his overcoat and dragged him along the road for several yards.
A couple came out of the nearest house having heard the racing engine and the squeal of brakes, and, having assured themselves that the women were shaken but unharmed, helped Bill into the house while someone ran to telephone for help.
‘Did you recognize the car?’ the man of the house asked. ‘The police will be glad of any help. There’s a mad man out there. This has happened twice before, a woman run down and the driver not stopping. Whoever he is he has to be caught.’
‘I don’t remember the make of the car, but I do know it wasn’t a man driving, I’m sure of that,’ Bill said slowly. ‘I’m absolutely certain it was a woman.’
*
The car stopped half a mile further on and the driver ran off. It was very dark and on the little-known road the ditch that became the woodland stream called Badgers Brook was a hazard that was unavoidable. The muddy drop into the shallow water sent the figure sprawling and all the weight of the body went on one ankle. The trousers and jacket were smeared with mud. It was imperative to get away and, dragging one leg painfully, the driver made a path through the sedges, across the strip of water and on to the field beyond. It took a long time but eventually a road was reached and a van stopped and the driver offered a lift.
‘Hello,’ he said with a smile. ‘What are you doing out here? Don’t tell me you’re walking home from a date that went wrong?’
‘No, the evening was a reasonable success,’ Effie replied.
*
The police asked Marie, Jennie and Bill endless questions but none of the three could throw any light on the reason for the deliberate attack. No one could decide who had been the intended victim, although with Jennie being hurt previously, she was afraid she was the most likely target. The reason was a mystery she couldn’t fathom.
Bill was treated for shock and bruises but was released on his insistence the following morning. Jennie and Marie weren’t harmed apart from muddy grazes and a few bruises from landing in the wet ditch.
Jennie told the nurses about her possible pregnancy, which the doctor confirmed. Her anxieties were calmed and she was reassured that the baby was unharmed, although she was told to rest for a few days.
Jennie told Ernie what had happened and he went to the hospital to be told that Bill was on his way back to London. ‘You’d better come home with me,’ he said gruffly. ‘She’s been staying with her sister,’ he explained to the nurses standing near. ‘I think you need to be looked after, especially as you’re carrying our child.’ He looked at her as he said it and tears welled in her eyes.
Jennie didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t just walk back into Ernie’s house. Apart from those words for the benefit of the nurses, nothing had been said to make that easy. Instead she went back to Badgers Brook and for two days she rested on the couch near the fire, warmed by its cheerful glow as w
ell as the heat it produced. Both she and the roaring fire were tended by a concerned Rhodri.
On the third day, after Marie had left for work, she took the next bus into Cwm Derw. It was no use trying to hide and that was what she had been doing, using her pregnancy as an excuse to avoid people and their comments. She was helping Marie to re-dress the window when Ernie walked in. At once Marie stopped struggling with the display of autumn dresses and left them alone, going into the only available place, the tiny fitting room.
Jennie sat on one of the two chairs, inviting Ernie wordlessly to do the same.
‘I think it’s best if you come home,’ he said.
‘You mean you’ll let me stay, me and the baby? I thought you only meant a few days while I recovered.’ She spoke more sharply as she added, ‘I won’t part with it you know, so don’t think it.’
Marie stifled her nervous laughter. Even at such a moment as this, Jennie had to make the rules.
‘Come this evening after the shop closes and we’ll talk about what’s to be done,’ Ernie said. ‘I’ll make us something to eat.’
‘Thank you, Ernie dear.’ Jennie looked up with blue eyes filled with remorse.
Marie almost choked. Could that submissive voice belong to her sister? What an actress she was. But when Ernie left and she went out into the shop she saw that Jennie was crying and the tears were genuine. She hugged her and tried to reassure her that everything would turn out for the best. ‘Things usually do for you,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I don’t know how you do it, but you come up smiling every time. Even after a disaster like this.’ There was only a slight hint of envy there as she saw, fleetingly, how badly her own life had turned out. She wondered what she had done to deserve such heartache.
*
Ivor watched as a group of boys struggled to build a bonfire. It was situated on a piece of waste ground where once a house had stood, before bombs had destroyed it. There was plenty of space in what had once been the garden for people to gather as they enjoyed the fun. Although the scene as the children prepared was filled with shouts and bursts of laughter, he felt sad. Fires, even for a happy occasion like bonfire night, reminded him of his mother and her attraction to their destructive power. Turning away he went into a pub and ordered a drink.
The House by the Brook Page 26