Cherry Tree Lane

by Anna Jacobs

  The hours passed and the emptiness of his house got on his nerves. Although he wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone, he felt uneasy at the way his steps echoed on the stairs and his cough seemed to rattle the plates on the dresser. He couldn’t remember when he’d last spent so much time on his own. It dragged your spirits down, being alone did, no one to talk to or watch. It wasn’t natural.

  ‘If I had that bitch here, I’d teach her a lesson, I would,’ he muttered as he went to bed, thumping the pillow good and hard to get rid of some of his frustration.

  What if something bad happened to Nell and Renie? If Cliff was anything like his stupid parents, he’d not be much use to them. They needed Bart to look after them properly. And he needed them for when he got old.

  On the Tuesday Mattie woke feeling nervous. She got up and drew back the curtains of the front room, then dressed and folded up her bedding. She’d slept down here for the last time. Tonight she’d be upstairs in Jacob’s bed. Her stomach churned at the thought of that, because she’d never lain with a man before and she’d heard it hurt the first time. And yet, the idea of not going through with this marriage made her feel even worse. She wanted to be his wife, couldn’t believe she’d been so lucky as to meet a man like him.

  She got dressed, not in her fine new dress, which she’d finished altering by lamplight last night, but in her everyday things. She had trouble pinning up her hair tidily, it was so soft and fluffy. She’d had a bath and washed it again the night before, so that it would look nice.

  In the kitchen she found Jacob sitting with a mug of tea in his hands.

  ‘Brewed it a few minutes ago.’ He pointed to the teapot covered by its bright, knitted cosy.

  This was more of Alice’s handwork, with a stitch dropped and running a ladder, Mattie noted. ‘Lovely.’

  When she returned from the outhouse, she found he’d poured hers and sweetened it just to her taste. She sipped her tea in silence, not sure what to say.

  ‘I’ll be glad when today’s over,’ he said suddenly.

  ‘If you’ve changed your mind …’

  He smiled and reached for her hand. ‘I’ve not changed it and I won’t. Stop worrying about that. I just don’t like fuss and bother.’

  ‘I wish we weren’t getting married in Swindon. I’m afraid someone might see me and tell my stepfather.’

  ‘Let them.’

  She couldn’t seem to make him understand that Bart Fuller was a vicious bully, a man people feared.

  ‘You’ll look pretty in that green dress,’ he said suddenly. ‘The colour suits you, with your hair.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She smiled as she poured them both another cup of tea. She was thrilled to pieces with the dress and had trimmed up a straw hat with matching ribbons and a flower she’d fashioned from scraps of material cut off the hem. She’d stiffened the flower with starch, and if she said so herself, it looked really pretty. The dress must have been made for someone very tall, because she’d had to cut a good six inches off the hem. She knew she’d never looked as good in anything, and that helped give her confidence.

  ‘You’ve got more colour back in your face now.’

  ‘I’ve still got a bit of a cough.’

  ‘It’s easing. Don’t overdo things this morning, though, or after the wedding.’ He waved one hand to take in the big farm kitchen. ‘This place has been a mess for over a year. It doesn’t need making perfect overnight.’

  ‘I can’t overdo things. I still get tired quickly.’

  Silence sat comfortably between them for a while, then he said thoughtfully, ‘It’s strange how Miss Newington is taking such an interest in us, even coming to the registry office today.’

  ‘Most women love weddings. And she’s excited about going back home to the north, even though she tries not to show it.’

  He shrugged, drained his tea and stood up. ‘I’d better go and feed the hens.’

  ‘Sarah said her mother used to look after them. I’ll take over once I’m better, if you’ll show me how. I’ve a lot to learn, I know. I’ve never lived in the country before. We went on a holiday trip once. I think it’s lovely of the Railway Works to give all their employees a free day out on their trains every year. But we never went again because my stepfather didn’t enjoy the outing. He said the concertinas and melodeons gave him a headache, and there were too many people crammed into each carriage. As if anyone cared about that when they were having a day’s holiday. He wouldn’t let us go again, not even when Mum cried and begged him to so that us girls could see a bit of the countryside.’

  ‘He sounds a mean devil.’

  ‘He is, in every way you can think of, spiteful, narrow-minded and unkind, not to mention stingy with his money.’

  ‘I won’t be stingy with my money, but we do a lot of bartering round here. We used to get all our cheese from swapping eggs. Good cheese country, this is. But I’ve only got a few layers at the moment. When you’re well enough to take care of the hens, I’ll get a few more in.’

  When Jacob had gone outside, Mattie sat on for a few minutes longer, feeling content. They hadn’t said anything important but it’d been nice to chat quietly before the day started. She would let the children sleep in a bit longer. They weren’t going to school today because Jacob wanted them to come to the wedding.

  Sarah was very excited about that and had had earnest discussions with Mattie about what to wear, so Mattie had put a bit of ribbon on the little girl’s battered straw hat. Luke was more pleased about missing a day’s school than about the wedding. His father had given him a good scolding for breaking his word and telling people about Mattie, and he’d said he only told his best friend, who had broken his promise not to tell anyone else.

  Luke had been sulking ever since, seeming to blame Mattie for his troubles. He hadn’t been rude to her, but he kept his distance and he gave her unfriendly looks when his father wasn’t nearby. Surely when he had good food every day and clothes properly washed and ironed, he’d be won round? Most people liked to be comfortable.

  She was sure she could be happy in this house. It was bigger than the one she’d left in Swindon, and she loved this kitchen, which was about twice the size of her old one. It jutted out at the back of the house looking over the field. Such a lovely, big room.

  She smiled as she got the breakfast things out. Who’d have thought running away would lead her to this? It was like a dream come true. If fate was even half kind to them, she’d have a good life with Jacob.

  Then her smile faded and she wondered how today would go. Her stepfather would be at work and if she kept her head down, perhaps no one would recognise her in the lovely dress and huge hat. She just wished they hadn’t so far to walk from the station to the registry office.

  But Jacob agreed with Miss Newington. He didn’t want to be married in the village and have Mrs Henty poking her nose into their affairs, and anyway, that’d take weeks, what with having the banns called. So going into Swindon was a risk they’d just have to take.

  Everything seemed different to Mattie today. She wasn’t used to spending much time in the town centre, because she’d shopped and worked locally, and had always been in a rush.

  When they left the station, Jacob offered an arm to each woman, but Miss Newington shook her head.

  ‘Prefer to walk on my own, if you don’t mind.’

  So Mattie had Jacob to herself, with the older woman stalking along beside them and the children trailing behind. They needed reminding from time to time to keep up because they kept slowing to stare round, from which she assumed that they didn’t often get into Swindon.

  As they walked along Mattie was surprised when older gentlemen tipped their hats to her and other women eyed her clothes with envy on their faces. Even the few younger men they encountered smiled appreciatively at her.

  Inside the registry office they sat waiting, not saying anything. The day seemed more than a little dreamlike by now.

  Another wedding group was sitting at t
he other side of the room. They were very noisy, chatting away, laughing, teasing the bride and groom. She watched the young couple, glad to see them looking so happy.

  At one point, the other bride nodded across the room to Mattie and she nodded back. They might be strangers but they were linked by the importance of the day and their roles in it.

  Then the other party was invited into the room where marriages were performed.

  Shortly afterwards the outer door opened and a gentleman entered the waiting area. Mattie was surprised when he came across to shake Miss Newington’s hand.

  ‘This is my lawyer, Mr Longley. I knew you needed a second witness.’

  His presence and elegant clothes seemed to overawe the children.

  When the lawyer shook the bride’s hand, he stared at Mattie for so long she wondered if her hat was crooked and put up one hand to touch it surreptitiously. But it hadn’t slipped. She knew that, really. So why was he still staring at her?

  The other wedding party spilt out of the inner room suddenly, and the young bride stopped to say to Mattie, ‘I hope you’ll be very happy.’

  ‘You, too.’

  That brief encounter made her feel much better, as if some of the other bride’s carefree joy had rubbed off on her.

  When it came to their turn to go into the next room, Jacob took her hand rather than offering her his arm. His was big and warm, and her gloved hand looked very small against it. But it felt so good to be held like that.

  She spoke the necessary words, added her signature to Jacob’s, and then it was done. She was married, something she’d never expected to happen, something she could only marvel at. Married!

  She smiled at her new husband and he squeezed her hand and gave her an approving nod.

  ‘Kiss the bride, then,’ Miss Newington said.

  He swallowed hard, then bent his head to hers. Mattie had expected a quick peck on the cheek, but he touched his lips to her, drew back an inch or two, then moved forward to kiss her soundly. She lost herself in that kiss, for it seemed to carry so many promises.

  It was Miss Newington clearing her throat that made them both remember they were not alone. But Jacob’s smile gave her the courage to face everyone, as did the lingering warmth of his lips on hers.

  Mr Longley said, ‘I wish you both happy!’ Then he turned to his client. ‘If I might have a quick word, Miss Newington?’

  They stood aside in the waiting room to let a very small and subdued bridal party enter the inner room.

  Jacob reached for Mattie’s hand and she stood lost in quiet happiness, not in a hurry to move out into the crowded streets.

  Emily went across to the Kembles, happy to see that Jacob was holding Mattie’s hand. They looked so right together it made her breath catch in her throat. ‘Perhaps you’d go ahead and wait for me at the railway station?’

  She didn’t wait for his agreement but let Frank escort her outside. ‘What did you want to see me about?’

  ‘The family I told you of, who were looking for a house. They’ve found somewhere else to live. I’m sorry. I shall ask around and I’m sure we’ll find someone to rent your house.’

  ‘Oh. What a pity!’

  ‘I’ll walk with you to the railway station.’

  ‘No need. I’d like a few moments on my own to think.’ She consulted her little fob watch. ‘The next train isn’t due to leave for a while, so I’ll just stroll there at my leisure. Thank you for coming to act as witness today.’

  ‘My pleasure.’ He raised his hat in farewell, set it firmly on his head and walked briskly off down the street.

  She made her way towards the railway station, feeling very disappointed about his news. She’d been hoping to move back to the north quickly.

  She stopped to stare in a shop window, wanting a few more minutes on her own before she faced Jacob and his new wife. The goods she saw reminded her that the two of them had received no wedding presents at all. That didn’t seem right, so she’d buy them one.

  Inside she chose a clock, a small but elegant timepiece. She left with it in a box, tied up with cord that formed a handle.

  But her day was marred by the news from her lawyer, even though she tried not to let it show and spoil the newly-weds’ day.

  * * *

  Fanny Breedon was walking past the station with a bag of shopping. She set it down for a minute and stared at a woman who was dressed so fine, envying her the beautiful green dress. She’d started to pick up the bag again when she suddenly realised who the woman was.

  She turned away quickly, apologising to a man she’d bumped into, and pretended to look into a shop window as the woman and her family stopped in the entrance. She kept her back turned but could see their reflections clearly.

  It was definitely Mattie Willitt! Everyone knew she and her sisters had run away and that Bart Fuller was furious about it. Well, when you lived on the same street you knew most things that happened. Everyone had decided Mattie must be far away by now. She’d be a fool to stay nearby because Bart would beat her within an inch of her life if he caught her. He’d done it before, hadn’t he?

  Even in the wavery reflection the green dress looked lovely. Where had Mattie got those fine clothes from? And who was the man she was with? Jealousy seared through Fanny as she looked down at her own much-mended garments, then suspicion crept into her mind. You didn’t get lovely clothes by behaving yourself, that was sure. Had Mattie gone to be someone’s mistress? You’d never think it of her, but people surprised you sometimes.

  Intrigued, Fanny kept her back turned till they went into the station, then hurried across the road, stopping just inside in the entrance. They were sitting on a bench now and if she went to stand behind that pile of boxes, she’d be able to see and hear better. She nipped quickly into place, delighted with this opportunity to find out what was going on. Just wait till she told people what she’d seen.

  ‘Shall we call you Mum now you’ve married Dad?’ the little girl asked.

  She had a very penetrating voice and the words carried clearly. Fanny stiffened in shock and peered between the boxes, trying to see Mattie’s left hand. But she was wearing gloves. And when she answered the little girl, she spoke quietly so that Fanny couldn’t hear a word. But she noted how fondly Mattie smiled at the child and then the way she exchanged smiles with the man. The boy wasn’t smiling, though, he looked sulky.

  Mattie Willitt married! How was that possible?

  And how come she’d never noticed before how pretty Mattie was? The younger woman had always seemed rather plain, a typical old maid, with her hair bundled back into a tight knot.

  A tall, thin, elderly lady entered the station and went across to join the small group, smiling at them. The man stood up, doffing his hat.

  ‘I hope everything’s all right, Miss Newington.’

  She shook her head. ‘It wasn’t good news, I’m afraid. The people who wanted to rent a big house like mine have found somewhere else. So I’ll have to wait a little longer to move back to the north.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

  ‘Not your fault, Jacob.’ She sat down next to Mattie.

  A couple of minutes later a train puffed into the station and when the passengers had got off, Mattie and her companions went through onto the platform and boarded it.

  Well! This was going to cause a scandal, an absolute scandal, but before the news broke Fanny was going to try to profit from being the first to find out what had happened to Mattie Willitt.

  She waited till the train had left, then asked a porter where it was going.

  ‘To Bristol eventually, and all stops in between.’

  ‘Thanks.’ That wasn’t much use. She walked away, trying to work it all out. Was Mattie living in Bristol now? No, she couldn’t be. If she was, she’d not be here in Swindon. Had she really got married today? It looked like it, what with everyone being dressed up fine. Mattie and her husband must be living somewhere along the line, then, somewhere much closer to
Swindon than Bristol, or they’d not have come here to get married, it stood to reason.

  Fanny walked back to her house, grimacing at the shabbiness inside and feeling envy of Mattie surge up again as she caught sight of her own reflection in the specked mirror over the mantelpiece, saw her sallow skin, the gaps where her teeth had fallen out, and the faded, shapeless clothes.

  It might be better, she decided, to tell Stan Telfor about what she’d seen, not Bart. That one never parted with a halfpenny unless it was doing the work of a penny.

  But Stan. Yes, he’d want to know. They’d read the banns out in church for him and Mattie, and he’d be furious at being made a fool of. He’d be much more likely to slip Fanny a shilling or two for bringing him the news. He wasn’t a stingy old devil.

  Decision taken, she waited impatiently for the rest of the afternoon to pass. When the hooter went at the Railway Works, echoing out across the town, she waited ten minutes, then put on her hat and coat, and went round to Stan’s house, telling her husband she’d forgotten something at the shops.

  Chapter Ten

  As Jacob drove them back into the village, Miss Newington said to him, ‘We’re all going to my house now. Cook has prepared a special tea to mark this occasion.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you.’ He turned to glance quickly at his wife, seeing how tired she was. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked softly.

  ‘You’ll have nothing to do but sit and be waited on,’ Miss Newington said in a coaxing tone. ‘And Cook will be so disappointed if there’s no one to enjoy her cake.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Mattie said. ‘Just a little tired, that’s all. It’s very kind of you to do this for us, Miss Newington.’

  Jacob would far rather have gone straight home but he pasted a smile on his face, added his thanks and drove up the lane, past his home.