Erin was glad that her daughter had raised the subject herself. ‘Speaking of letters, I waved to you this morning but you were too busy with the postman to see me.’
Unable to rest her crooked spine with any comfort, Belle shuffled sideways and leaned her ribs against the chair back, knowing what was to come and wondering how long it would take her mother to get around to it.
‘I mentioned it to your Nan. She said you’d probably invited him in for a cup of tea. Do you do that often?’
‘Quite often.’ Belle tried not to smile.
‘I said to Dusty, you should consider your reputation, Belle.’
‘How many people have you been discussing me with, Mother?’
‘Only those two.’
‘And what was the general consensus of opinion?’
‘Belle, I’m only trying to guard your respectability. People might think … well, you know.’
‘They’ll think he’s been there all night.’
Erin looked uncomfortable. ‘Yes.’
‘Well, he has,’ said Belle. And to her mother’s horror announced, ‘That’s right, Mother – I’ve got myself a fancy man.’
For some seconds Erin could merely splutter. When she became more coherent, she rasped, ‘But who is this man? How long have ye known him?’
‘You know already. He’s been delivering your mail for the last four months.’ Belle recalled the start of their intimacy. There had been no courtship; she had just looked at him one morning, and he had looked at her, she’d asked him in for a cup of tea and had added an invitation to supper, and the next morning he had still been there. He was not as intellectual a partner as Brian – she missed their profound talks – but Joe was not unintelligent and he had a dry sense of humour. She found his company very stimulating.
Erin gasped at the flagrancy. ‘I can’t believe … you’ve known him for a matter of months and now you … Well, wait till your grandmother hears about this! She’ll go hairless. Can I at least tell her when the wedding’s going to be?’
‘What wedding?’
‘He refuses to marry you after he’s … ? Well, I’m going to write to the Postmaster and have him sacked!’
‘And of course you’ll mention my name.’
‘I will not!’
‘But you’ll have to sign your name, won’t you? Otherwise how will the Postmaster know it’s not from a crank?’
Erin glared at her. ‘Then I’ll speak to this … whatever his name is …’
‘Joe.’
‘… and tell him what I think of him!’
‘I’m sure you’ll find he’s very nice when you do speak to him. I asked him to come tonight but he had other plans.’
‘Huh! Probably had some other poor chit to foist his attentions on! That’s why he won’t marry you, he’s got a string of silly girls just like you on his round.’
Belle could quite believe that this was true. Far from being put off, it made her feel relaxed to know that he might have other women and so would make no emotional demands on her. She feigned tiredness. ‘Mother, you know my views on marriage.’
‘But that was before! I understood that you didn’t feel romantically inclined towards Brian but now you’ve met this man who you obviously care about …’
Inwardly, Belle raged at her mother’s attitude, but kept her voice even. ‘Look, I’ve told you and I’ll tell you again: I will never change my views on marriage. Joe knew that from the beginning. It’s not serious between us.’
‘Not serious. My God, you could have a child!’
‘No.’
Her daughter’s surety gave Erin a ray of hope. ‘Oh … forgive me. I thought when you said … It hasn’t gone that far, then?’
‘Mother, when I said he stays the night I meant that he stays in my bed. When I say I don’t want marriage, that doesn’t mean I’m not entitled to another kind of relationship, and when I say there’ll be no children I mean that I have taken great pains to prevent them.’
‘How can you prevent God’s will!’
Belle had to laugh. ‘Oh, Mother, I’m sorry but you’re so unworldly.’
Erin was about to slap her daughter’s face. Then she remembered the last time she had done this; they had not spoken for many months afterwards, during which time Belle had nearly died. Erin had sworn she would not be so petty again. But this … She stared at the woman in front of her, seeing her for the first time as a woman and not simply as her daughter. ‘If I’m unworldly then I’m glad. Huh! And you acting the aggrieved maiden when that landlord accused you of taking in male lodgers! All the values I’ve ever taught you … It’s bad enough for a couple not to wait till they’re married, but to make yourself cheap like this …’
‘I’m sorry you think that, and I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but you must understand that it’s my life.’
‘No! It’s not just your life, Belle. How does this behaviour affect the rest of us? What sort of example are you setting those children? And what must the maid think of your behaviour?’
Belle had been told in no uncertain terms just what Sally thought of it. After an angry row she had given a week’s notice, then just before she was due to leave she had retracted it, saying that as Belle had been so good a friend for so many years she would turn a blind eye to her failings – ‘But I don’t know what my mother would say if she knew I was working for such a woman!’
Erin’s angry words continued. ‘All the things you said about your uncle … Why, you’re almost as bad as he is! And to brazenly admit that you’re meddling with God’s gift of life …’ Abruptly, she turned back to the drawer. ‘Now where are those blessed napkins. Ah, here they are. Come on, they’ll be waiting for their potatoes.’
‘Mother, I know you’re angry at me, but…’
‘Yes!’ Erin spun back, eyes glittering. ‘Yes, I am angry – but more than that. I’m ashamed of you, Belle.’
‘You’d like Joe if you met him!’ called Belle to her mother’s retreating back. Then with a heavy sigh, followed.
After a conversation with her own mother, Erin handed a napkin to Dusty. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Belle’s … friend?’
‘It was none of my business, Erin. I’m sorry, you must be upset.’
‘Upset? Hah! I can’t believe it even now – an’ d’ye know what Mother said when I told her?’
‘She threw a fit, I suppose.’
‘Oh yes! But not for the reason ye might imagine. D’ye know what she said? – “At least Brian was a doctor”!’
Dusty turned her face away to hide a smile; Erin was obviously furious.
‘I’m sorry my daughter has subjected you to such embarrassment, Dusty. Ye must move back here right away.’
‘I’d prefer to stay with the children, Erin.’
‘Oh yes, of course.’ Erin agreed. ‘It might be a good idea if you did. Could you do anything to stop her silly behaviour, Dusty?’
‘I’m a guest in Belle’s house, Erin. If I interfered I’d soon outstay my welcome.’
Erin nodded in despair. ‘Is he actually living there?’ Dusty said no, but he visited frequendy. ‘Huh! I’ll wager they’re nocturnal visits. What sort of man is he? As if I need to ask.’
‘He’s very nice – and he does seem fond of her.’
‘To think he’s been delivering my mail,’ said Erin. ‘I’d have him sacked if I could do it without dirtying Belle’s name. The things I’ve had to put up with from that girl. My own daughter a scarlet woman – it’s worse than being an old maid!’
* * *
He had forgotten her birthday. She had waited all day for a card that had not come. Joe must have thought her mad when she asked him to search the depot just in case it had gone astray. She lay there in the freezing cold bed, worrying about Dick. What if the detective had caught up with him? That would be the only reason he had not corresponded with her … unless he was enjoying himself too much in the boudoir of some French tart. She flung herself onto her side, w
arming her toes against the stone hot water bottle. Belle had thrown a small party for her. If only Dickie had been there … She fell asleep.
The next thing she knew, a cold draught circulated round her legs. Someone was rolling into bed beside her. It was still dark. Half-conscious, she assumed it was one of the children and put an arm out to pull the body closer. But it was a man’s body. A man whose scent she knew. A man who kissed her and wished her Happy Birthday, before delivering the most personal of birthday gifts.
* * *
In the morning, before the rest of the house was awake, they made love again. Lying there afterwards, he told her most of what he had been doing in France, leaving out the parts she would not want to hear. ‘Then yesterday, I happened to see the detective, no less. Aye, would ye believe it? So I packed my hanky and whizzed home.’
She lit a lamp to see what time it was. ‘Well, thank you, Richard. I had hoped you’d come because of my birthday.’
He said he had, then narrowed his eyes in suspicion. ‘Hey, just a minute, little Miss Prim – how come you knew it was me last night?’
‘I heard the creak of the stairs and thought, that’s the tread of a dirty, lousy, cheating, womaniser.’ She matched his distrustful glare. ‘What I want to know is, how did you know which room I’d be in?’
‘I didn’t, but any port in a storm.’
She gave him a sharp nudge and told him to get up. He stuck his toe out of bed, announced that it was too cold and snuggled back down. ‘Ye want to warn Belle to be careful, leaving her front door unlocked like that – it could’ve been anybody creeping in.’
‘You mean like a double murderer?’
‘Hey, now stop that.’ He flung the covers off and sank his teeth into her naked bottom. Her screech of laughter brought a small face to the door. On seeing Dick, Julia shouted, ‘Me daddy’s home!’ and the room turned into a public thoroughfare. Dusty pulled the covers up to her chin as Freddie and the girls swarmed over the bed, grabbing their father round his neck.
When the pandemonium had died down, Freddie’s mien turned to one of woe. ‘Me cat’s gone, Dad.’
Dick punched the air. ‘Ah, drat the thing – when we get back to America I’ll buy ye ten cats.’
‘No, you won’t.’ His wife was firm. ‘We may get one cat if you’re very good – now clear off, all of you. Go on, out! You can see your father when he comes down to breakfast.’
When they had gone, Dick showed admiration for her change in tactics. ‘I can see ye’ve got them licked into shape while I’ve been away.’
‘Yes, and I’m not having you undo all my good work, so that’s the last time you mention buying presents.’ Leaving her toilet until later, she dressed hurriedly. The bedroom was literally freezing; there was a pool of ice on the windowsill.
‘Ye don’t like presents?’ He pulled on his trousers. ‘Shame. I brought ye something back. I’ll have to give it to Belle now.’
‘I shall have to acquaint you with a few facts before you go downstairs. I don’t want you and your big mouth upsetting things.’ She told him about Joe.
He laughed cheekily and reached for his tie. ‘The postman’s been slipping her a little something with the mail, has he?’
‘Don’t be vulgar – and I don’t recall seeing much mail from you!’
‘I did send you a letter.’
‘One.’
‘That wasn’t answered.’ He looked around the spartan room for a mirror. Finding a tiny one on the wall, he adjusted his tie and smoothed his hair.
She picked up a brush. ‘Why didn’t you come to see me when I was in hospital?’
He hung his head. ‘I was mad. I thought ye’d done it on purpose just to get me back. Are ye okay now?’
‘There was nothing wrong with me.’ She collected her mass of silver hair and wound it into a knot.
‘That’s what Mam said – that’s why I thought you’d set me up.’
‘The pain was genuine enough. I’ve never known anything so bad. I should imagine it was like having a baby … The doctor said it could have had something to do with wanting the children.’
He came to hold her. ‘Will she let us take them, d’ye think?’
His wife was optimistic. ‘We’ve been on better terms in your absence.’
‘It must be this fancy man keeping her happy,’ grinned Dick. ‘Come on then, let’s go down. She’s likely waiting for me with her boot poised.’
When they descended there was another welcome from the children who were now at the table, spooning up porridge, all but the naked babe whom Sally was lowering into an enamel bowl by the fire. He sat there round-eyed, watching the confrontation between Dick and Belle like a fat little Buddha.
Aside from a few sarcastic remarks, Belle was quite warm towards her uncle, taking his innuendos about her bedfellow in good part. Joe was delivering mail at the moment, but Belle told her uncle that he usually called back for breakfast when he was halfway through his round. While Dusty took charge of the baby, the nursemaid went to lay rashers of bacon in the frying pan. In between then and breakfast, Dick gave everyone an account of his time spent in Paris. Only when the children had been sent off to do their chores did he tell his niece about the detective. She asked what he intended to do now.
‘After I’ve eaten I’d better show my face at Peasholme.’
‘In broad daylight? Isn’t that dangerous?’
‘Belle, ye give the police more credit than they’re due – they couldn’t give a damn about a twenty-six-year-old murder.’
‘Then the police guard outside my grandmother’s was just an illusion?’
‘Ah, they had to show willing – but who d’ye think put the news about that I’d escaped to America? I’d be nothing but a headache to them.’
The cavalier attitude sparked anger in his wife. ‘The other detective seems to thrive on headaches!’
‘Dusty, he’s probably still combing the streets of Paris. Don’t give him another thought – they’re all as thick as pigshit in the West Riding.’ Both women exclaimed their repulsion. ‘Sorry, ladies, a slip o’ the tongue.’ His wife declared that her hand would slip in a moment. ‘Sorry, sorry, sorry – ah, breakfast’s here!’ Dick beamed and reached hungrily for the plate. ‘As for my long-term plans, Belle, it’s back to America for me.’ His wife asked despondently if they would go at once. ‘I guess we could risk a week or so longer – but you’re not to let Mam persuade us to stay till Christmas. I know I said the detective was thick, but that would be shaving things a bit too close. Besides, I’m ready to be off.’ He crammed bacon into his mouth.
Dusty picked up her knife and fork, but did not eat. Her voice was dull. ‘Do you realise that this will be the second Christmas we’ll have spent on board a liner?’ She wanted to broach the paramount subject of the children, but feared that Belle would say no. If she did, then it would have to be a choice between going with her husband, or staying with them. She could not say what that choice would be.
The clock struck eight and Joe returned for breakfast. Belle waited until they had eaten to tell him that her mother knew about their liaison. He flopped back in his chair and said he did not dare take Erin’s mail now. Dick told him to relax; he and his wife were going to Peasholme, they would deliver it for him. Gratified, Joe downed his tea and sorted out a pile of letters, then left to resume his job.
Whilst Dick had another cup of tea, his wife went to wash and pack her bags. Disliking her uncle’s impish scrutiny, Belle took the breakfast pots away, but when she came back his grin still followed her.
‘Uncle, don’t you know it’s rude to stare?’
‘Tut, tut, tut.’ He eventually shook his head in sly disgust. ‘When the cat’s away the mice will do all sorts o’ naughty things they shouldn’t.’
‘If it’s your aim to humiliate me …’
‘Humiliate ye?’ Dick put his cup down, wiped his mouth and approached her. He used both hands to lift the abundant hair away from her face and back o
ver her shoulders, speaking in a low croon. ‘I’m envious as hell.’
She smiled and moved away, which was lucky for at that point her aunt returned. Dickie said he would wait till he got to Peasholme to have a wash. Pocketing the letters, he asked his wife if they had sufficient finances to see them back to America. She said they had plenty. He then sent the nursemaid for his overcoat and hat.
‘Don’t forget your luggage,’ Belle reminded him.
‘I’ll pick it up on the way out.’
‘I didn’t mean the bag in the hall.’ Belle went to the door and called to Freddie and his sisters, telling them there would be no lessons today. ‘Get your hats, coats and gloves.’
She noted the stupefied looks on her aunt and uncle’s faces, and spread her lips. ‘I hope you don’t mind if I keep their other clothes. I’ll need them for the next batch and I’m sure you have more money than I do. The legalities will be finalised before you go back to America.’
Dusty opened her mouth but no words came out. Her vision blurred and her heart thumped.
‘Ye mean, ye’ll let me have them?’ blurted Dickie, mouth widening.
Belle took a step forward and spoke quietly. ‘Before you get too complacent, Uncle, I have to tell you that you are the most unprincipled rogue I have ever had the misfortune to meet. At your advanced stage of life it is doubtful that you will ever alter your ways. My decision was based on the superior qualities your wife has shown during your absence … and perhaps the fact that the children have made it plain they regard you as their father, warts and all – though it was some task to persuade their grandmother that you are not a dangerous criminal, I can tell you.’ She watched her tearful aunt gather the children into her arms and hug them tightly. Dusty was too choked to say thanks, but it was evident in her eyes as she gripped Belle’s hand.
Dickie grinned down at his son and daughters. ‘Well, let’s go see your Nan and give her the good news! Oh, wait a minute, the excitement’s got to me, I’ll have to go see a man about a dog.’ He made for the lavatory.
When he came back his wife was ready to go, the children grouped around her … and a baby in her arms. He stared at her, then nipped the bridge of his nose and blinked. ‘I must be suffering from double vision. I swear I can see six when there should only be five of us.’
Dickie (Feeney Family Sagas Book 4) Page 49