by Joan Jonker
‘Oh, Madelaine knows that, George, I tell her very often. In fact I had a word with her this morning while she was having her breakfast. I told her how much we appreciate her helping her sister, and explained why it was natural for us to make a fuss of Theresa, but that she must never feel left out because we love both of our daughters dearly.’
‘And did she understand?’
‘Madelaine is very grown up and understanding. She said she knows we love her, and she doesn’t mind if Theresa gets all the attention because she loves her sister and will do anything for her. She looked me straight in the eyes, George, and said, “She will get better, you know, Mam, I know she will.”’
George squeezed her hand. ‘She’ll be thirteen in a couple of weeks, but it doesn’t seem any time since she was a baby and I was bouncing her up and down on my knee.’
‘And bragging about her taking after you. I remember you saying she had your dark hair and brown eyes. I was quite jealous because she bore no resemblance to me.’
High-pitched young voices and a clattering on the stairs heralded the entrance of the two girls. Pink-cheeked and bright-eyed, they scrambled for their chairs. ‘Now, before you ask, I didn’t help Tess with the writing,’ Maddy said. ‘All I did was show her how to look a word up in the dictionary. And I explained that you have to know the first few letters of a word before you can do that. Anyway, what she’s written is all her own work, scout’s honour.’
Tess was flushed with excitement and pleasure as she held a piece of paper aloft. ‘Who wants to read it first?’
Ann held out her hand. ‘So there’s no favouritism, your dad and I will read it together.’
George leaned towards his wife and put an arm across her shoulders. Their heads close together, they read the revised edition of their daughter’s morning activities.
‘Excellent!’ George looked up to see Tess with a hand covering her mouth to stifle a giggle. ‘What are you laughing at?’
‘I want you and Mam to mark it, like they do in school.’
Ann tapped her chin, pretending to give it some thought. ‘Well, you made three mistakes in your last effort, and there’s only one in this.’ She turned to her husband. ‘What do you think, George? Eight out of ten?’
‘Oh, I think so. She’s worked hard getting her spelling right, and she now knows the difference between “to” and “too”. A very good effort, I should say.’
‘Right, young lady, eight out of ten. And I’ll underline the word you’ve spelt incorrectly.’
‘I know which word it is, Mam, our Maddy told me. But she wouldn’t tell me how it should be spelt because she said that would be cheating.’
‘I’ll write it at the side and you can study it when you’re in bed.’ Ann passed the paper back. ‘And you do know the difference between “to” and “too”?’
The shoulders of the two girls shook with laughter. ‘Go on,’ Maddy said, ‘tell them how you learned the difference.’
‘I will if you start.’
‘Oh, all right. Are you coming to bed?’
‘I will if you’re coming too!’
Their laughter was infectious, and when they were joined by their mother and father, the rafters rang as never before. And while George was thinking how much younger and prettier his wife looked when she was happy, Ann was thinking of all that she’d missed over the years. But she made a vow to make up for it. From now on there’d be much more laughter in this house.
When Maddy came home from school on the Friday, she was grinning from ear to ear. ‘No more school until the beginning of September, Tess.’ Rubbing her hands together she made for the kitchen, where she could hear her mother pottering about. ‘You’ve not heard from Wales yet, Mam?’
‘No, love.’ Ann ran her hands down the sides of her pinny. ‘I did tell you it would probably be Saturday before we heard, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it comes in the post tomorrow.’
‘I hope she says we can go, I’m not half looking forward to it.’
‘Yes, we all are.’ Ann lifted the lid on the pan to make sure the potatoes were simmering. It was Friday, fish day, and they were having mashed potatoes with poached cod. ‘I’ll come and sit down for fifteen minutes, and explain to you and Theresa what we’ll be doing if Mrs Owen can’t take us.’ Her hands on her daughter’s shoulders, she propelled her into the living room. ‘We’ll sit at the table so we can see each other. Come on, Theresa.’
‘I don’t want to go anywhere else, Mam, I want to go to Wales.’ Tess was in one of her stubborn moods. ‘I want to see the cows and sheep.’
‘Oh well, I can’t do anything about it if the woman is already booked up.’ Ann thought giving in to her mood wasn’t the answer. If she was too soft with her daughter, she wouldn’t be doing her any favours. It was a big world out there and with so many people out of work it was every man for himself. Life, and people, could sometimes be cruel. ‘You needn’t listen if you’re not interested, love, you carry on reading your book. But I’m sure Madelaine would like to know what your father and I decided we’d do for treats if Wales falls through.’
Her words had the desired effect and Tess linked arms with her sister. ‘I’ll listen with Maddy. I’m not having her knowing something I don’t.’
‘Your father and I are as eager as you to go to Wales, but in the event it doesn’t happen we thought we’d find other things to do so you wouldn’t be disappointed. Days out wouldn’t be the same as going away on holiday, but at least it would be something for you to look forward to. We thought we could go on the ferry to Seacombe one day, and walk from there to New Brighton. There’s plenty to do and see there, like paddling in the sea or looking around the fairground. You could have a ride on the bobby-horses, that would be nice.’
‘You and me could sit on the same horse, Maddy,’ Tess said, appearing a little more cheerful. ‘I could sit on the back and put my arm around you so I wouldn’t fall off.’
‘I think you’d be safer sitting in front,’ Maddy told her, ‘then I could keep tight hold of you. And you could hold the reins and gee the horse up to go faster.’
‘They don’t go very fast,’ Ann said, smiling. ‘But they do go up and down.’
‘Did you and my dad think of somewhere else we could go another day?’ Maddy asked, crossing her fingers and hoping it was the place she would most like to go.
‘Yes, we thought Southport would be nice. We could take sandwiches and have a picnic on the sands.’
Maddy grinned. ‘I was hoping you would say that. We’ve only been to Southport once, and that was years ago. But I remember it was nice there.’
‘I’d still rather go to Wales, though,’ Tess said. ‘But I won’t cry if we can’t.’
‘I should hope not!’ her mother said. ‘You are too old to cry because things don’t go your way, Theresa. Especially when you are offered something in its place.’
‘What time does the postman come, Mam?’ Maddy asked. ‘Is it before Dad goes out to work?’
‘He’s usually in the street about seven o’clock, so he could be here before your father has to leave.’
‘I’ll be awake by then, I know I will. My tummy is doing somersaults now, so as sure as eggs are eggs, it will have me awake early.’
‘And me!’ Tess said. The sisters slept together from choice. There was a spare bedroom, but apart from a cot it had never been furnished, because when she was little, Tess was terrified of the dark, and Ann had agreed she could sleep with her sister as a temporary measure. But when the time came to separate them, both girls refused to be parted and all attempts to do so ended in tears. ‘My tummy’s like yours, Maddy, it’s going up and down and round and round. It’s bound to wake me up early.’
‘If you are awake, you must not get out of bed.’ Ann pointed a stiffened finger. ‘I don’t want either of you wandering about the house at seven in the morning. If the postman brings a letter, your father will let you know. Whether it’s good news or bad, you will be to
ld right away. And as the eldest, Madelaine, I expect you to heed what I say.’
Tess tilted her head and looked into her sister’s face. ‘That’s what you get for being the eldest, Maddy. There’s no fun in it, is there?’
‘It has its good points,’ Maddy said. ‘It means I get to leave school two years before you and that is the best part about it.’ She looked across at her mother. ‘Anyway, we’ll all be happy tomorrow because I know the letter will bring good news.’
‘I hope so, love, I really do.’ Ann got to her feet and pushed the chair back under the table. ‘Don’t forget, your father and I are looking forward to a holiday as much as you are.’
‘I know that, Mam. And you both deserve one more than me and Tess because you work so hard. But cheer up, because I’ve got this nice feeling that tells me we will get our holiday. I bet any money that this time tomorrow we’ll be sitting here all excited and talking about which clothes we’re taking away with us.’
Tess found this very interesting. ‘Maddy, what does this nice feeling feel like? And how do you know it’s about the holiday?’
‘I can’t explain the feeling, Tess, it’s just there. And I know it’s about the holiday because that is the thing I want most.’
Ann stood with her hands on the back of the chair and watched the faces of her two daughters as they talked. Theresa so innocent and trusting, Madelaine so kind and patient. They were more than just sisters, they were friends as well. And their love for each other ran deep. No harm would come to Theresa while Madelaine was around to protect her, and Ann thanked God for that. For her younger daughter would always need protecting.
Tess didn’t know how long she’d been waiting for her sister to stir, but it seemed ages. And she could tell by the lightness in the bedroom that it was broad daylight out, so it must be nearly time for getting up. ‘Maddy?’ She gently nudged her sister. ‘Maddy, are you awake?’
After a few seconds there was a movement under the bedclothes, and a sleepy voice asked, ‘What time is it?’
‘I don’t know, but it must be getting on ’cos it’s really light outside.’
Maddy rubbed her eyes before raising herself on one elbow. ‘Is Dad up yet?’ She kept her voice to a whisper. ‘Have you heard him moving around?’
‘Not yet. But he might be up and keeping quiet so he won’t wake us.’
Maddy giggled. ‘He needn’t bother being quiet, seeing as we’re both awake now.’ Then she put a finger to her lips. ‘Shush, I’ve just heard their bedroom door open. Not a word now, Tess, just lie nice and still.’
The creaking stairs told them their father was on his way down, and soon after they heard more creaking as their mother followed to see to his breakfast. ‘It must be a quarter to seven,’ Maddy whispered. ‘That means the postman could be here any time.’
‘Ooh, isn’t it exciting?’ Tess took hold of her sister’s hand and placed it on her chest. ‘Can you feel my heart thumping?’
‘Don’t get yourself too excited, Tess, because even if the postman comes, it doesn’t mean we are definitely going on holiday. I’m sure the lady would take us if she could, but she might not have any room. And then you’ll be so disappointed you’ll make yourself ill.’
Tess gave this some thought for a moment, then asked, ‘Have you still got the nice feeling you had yesterday, Maddy?’
‘I’m not saying, because I don’t want you to get your hopes up.’
‘Ah, go on, Maddy, please? I promise I won’t cry or make myself ill if you’re wrong.’
Just at that moment they heard the sound of the flap on their letter-box being lifted, and then the faint plop of a letter falling to the floor. The girls looked at each other, and by silent consent they swivelled their bottoms and slipped their legs over the sides of the bed.
George heard the sound as he was eating his toast, and he called through to the kitchen, ‘The postman’s been, love.’ He reached the hall just seconds ahead of his wife. In his head he was saying a prayer as he bent to pick up the letter. ‘Please God, eh, love?’ He was straightening up when he spied his two daughters sitting on the top stair and his heart went out to them. ‘Come on down, don’t sit there in suspense.’
Ann was waiting for them as they scrambled down the stairs, and she put her arms around their shoulders and squeezed. ‘Fingers crossed, girls.’
George tore the envelope in his haste, and pulled out a single sheet of paper. He began to read as three pairs of eyes watched his face for a reaction. And when he grinned they all ran to stand near him. ‘What does it say, Dad?’ Maddy asked. ‘Hurry up and tell us.’
George handed the letter to his wife, then held his arms out to gather his daughters to him. ‘Mrs Owen will be very pleased to accommodate Mr and Mrs Richardson and their two daughters, and will look forward to welcoming them to Rose Cottage for their five days’ holiday.’
There were shrieks of delight from the girls as they clung to his waist. ‘Oh, Dad, isn’t that marvellous?’ Maddy’s pretty face was aglow with happiness. ‘We’re very lucky.’
Tess’s happiness threatened to bring on the tears and she sniffed up in an effort to stop them putting in an appearance. After all, she’d promised her sister she wouldn’t cry. ‘You said everything would be all right, Maddy, didn’t you? That nice feeling you had brought us luck.’
‘I think you might have brought some luck yourself, love,’ Ann said. ‘Tell your father and Madelaine what you did before you put the letter in the pillar-box.’
Tess smiled and shyly lowered her head. ‘I kissed the envelope.’
‘In that case, how could we lose?’ George was over the moon. They’d never had a proper holiday before because there was always something more urgent to spend the money on. After they got married, it took a few years of hard saving to furnish the house. And they’d just got it as they wanted it when Maddy came along, and then two years later Tess was born. And with her being sickly, there were doctors to pay and medicine to buy. But now, at last, he was able to take his family on holiday and he was a proud man.
‘Rose Cottage in the village of Hope,’ Ann said, handing the letter to Maddy. ‘With names like that, how could we not have a good holiday?’
‘And what a lovely day to get the good news.’ George ruffled his daughters’ hair before sitting down to finish his breakfast. ‘The sky is blue with little white fluffy clouds dancing around, and the sun is getting ready to shine. It puts me in mind of the saying “God’s in His heaven, all’s right with the world”. For all is right in our world today.’
‘It certainly is, love,’ Ann said. ‘But you’re going to have to put a move on or you’ll be late for work. And you, young ladies, can go back to bed. You may take the letter with you, and I’ll bring a drink up after I’ve seen your father out.’
The girls didn’t argue with that. After giving their father a quick hug and kiss, they ran up the stairs with Maddy clutching the precious letter. They climbed into bed and propped the pillows up against the headboard so they could sit in comfort. And as soon as they were settled, Tess said, ‘Read it to me, Maddy.’
‘Dad told us the main things, which is what we wanted to know, but there’s more in the letter than that. Mrs Owen sounds very nice and friendly and I’m sure we’re going to like her. She says her visitors usually get there about four o’clock, but to be on the safe side she’ll reckon on five o’clock for our dinner. And as we’ll be hungry, she’ll make sure there’s plenty to eat. And she hopes we have a safe journey and is looking forward to meeting us.’
Tess leaned her head on her sister’s shoulder. ‘We are very lucky girls, aren’t we, Maddy?’
‘We certainly are, Tess.’
When Ann entered the bedroom twenty minutes later, a cup of tea in each hand, it was to see her daughters sitting up in bed, their heads resting on the pillows and smiles on their faces as they tried to picture what Rose Cottage, in a village called Hope, would look like. Maddy imagined a quaint little cottage with clim
bing roses covering the front of the house and forming an arch around the door. But Tess saw the cottage in the middle of a field, and there were cows chewing the cud and mooing, and little lambs playfully frisking by their mothers.
‘Here you are, girls, and don’t spill any on the bedclothes because I only changed the beds on Monday.’
‘Thanks, Mam.’ Maddy reached for the cup. ‘Me and Tess have been wondering what time we’ll be leaving here on the Monday morning and will we be going on a train?’
‘I’m sorry, love, but we don’t know any details yet. We’re going down to see Uncle Ken tomorrow and we’ll know more then. He and Auntie Milly have stayed with Mrs Owen a few times so he’ll tell us how to get there and anything else we want to know.’
In her excitement, Tess leaned forward too quickly and her tea came close to spilling over. But she righted the cup just in time and rolled her eyes. ‘Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Aren’t I a silly girl?’
Ann’s lips parted to issue a reprimand, but one look at her daughter’s face kept the words back. How could she tell the girl off when she’d not long been given the most exciting news of her life? It would be a miserable soul who spoilt her pleasure.
‘Can we come with you to Uncle Ken’s, Mam?’ Maddy asked. ‘I haven’t seen Joyce or Billy for ages.’
‘Well you don’t think we’d go and leave you two in the house on your own, do you? Of course you’re coming with us.’ Ann turned and put her hand on the door knob. ‘That’s all the questions for now. I’ve work to do, and I want it done before you come down. So be good girls and amuse yourselves until I call you.’