‘Frank!’ she said, her voice suddenly choked. ‘Oh Frank, you’re home!’
Chapter 21
Carrie’s first euphoric moments were quickly followed by the arrival of her father and Wilf. The gladness on Wilf’s face was clear to see, but Carrie held her breath as Pa came into the house, wondering if old hurts would be forgotten and forgiven. But she had reckoned without Pa’s new status now he was in work, and Frank’s new maturity. Once Pa had expressed his surprise at the visitor home from the sea, it was the son who went straight to the father and put his arms around him.
‘It’s good to see you, Pa, and to make the acquaintance of this little ‘un before he gets too big to handle,’ he added, as Carrie lifted Henry out of his carriage and brought him to meet his brother for the first time.
‘Oh ah, he’s a proper Stuckey and no mistake, and quite a handful already,’ Pa agreed, and any awkwardness between them quickly passed with the attention everyone gave to the baby.
‘So how goes it with you, Frank?’ Wilf asked, once the excitement had died down a little, and Ma had brought a steaming pot of mutton stew to the table for the evening meal.
‘Very well,’ Frank said. ‘And you too, I hear. Ma tells me you’ve landed yourself a good situation and a fair companion to go with it,’ he grinned. ‘You can’t keep anything from me now, bruth. I’ve heard most of the gossip in the hour I’ve been here.’
Carrie bounced the infant Henry on her knee a moment longer before returning him to his carriage while they ate their meal. Ma would have given Frank all the news in her usual terse manner, summing them all up in a few short phrases. She could just imagine the way it went.
‘Wilf’s got himself a steady job now, making toys for a shop and taking special orders, and he’s as good as engaged to Gaffer Woolley’s daughter. Your Pa’s gone into partnership with Gaffer Woolley and become a reg’lar coffin-maker — and before you turn up your nose, that’s not a job that’s likely to go out of fashion! Our Carrie’s helping me now, while she waits for that young man of hers to come back from his prize-fighting shenanigans, touring about the counties. The two young ’uns and myself do well enough, and that’s about the size of it.’
Oh yes, Ma would have put them all in their neat little compartments, Carrie thought, with a smile.
‘What of you, Frank? Have you got some exciting tales of foreign parts to tell us about?’
He laughed easily. ‘One place is very like another when you see little more of it than the deck or the hold of a ship, Carrie. Sometimes the turnarounds are so quick, you hardly have time to set your feet on dry land before you’re back on the briny again.’
‘Come on, you’re not leaving it like that, boy,’ Sam said. ‘Ain’t you been ashore and seen none of they fancy French mam’selles I’ve heard tell about?’
‘Sam,’ Ma said disapprovingly, while Billy pricked up his ears at once.
‘What’s a French mam’selle?’ he asked curiously.
‘Never you mind, and get on and eat your supper,’ Ma said smartly. ‘I daresay our Frank will tell you a thing or two about the different places he’s seen when he’s had time to draw breath. There’ll be plenty of time for that when he’s settled down again.’
In the small silence that followed, Ma looked at Frank sharply. Carrie didn’t miss the way his jaw tightened, the way it always used to when he felt awkward at having to tell them something unpleasant.
‘How long are you home for, Frank?’ she asked him, when nobody else seemed to have the courage. It stood to reason that this was only a temporary visit, even though she sensed that all of them had simply assumed he’d come home for good, having got the wanderlust out of his system.
‘About a week,’ he said carefully. ‘That’s what I wanted to tell you about, but it can wait until after supper.’
Sam put down his knife and fork with a clatter.
‘Tell us now, boy,’ he said.
It was one of those moments when a tiny presentiment shivered through Carrie. It wasn’t a feeling that something dire was about to happen, but more like a ripple of sadness for a change of circumstances it was impossible to avoid.
‘I’m not satisfied with what I’m doing, Pa,’ Frank told him. ‘Oh, I can’t deny that my urge to see foreign places is as strong as ever. But loading cargo at the docks here in Bristol, and unloading ’em again in France or Spain is hardly an adventurous life —’
‘It is for they who ain’t never travelled farther than their own back street,’ Sam grunted.
‘But I’ve done more than that now, and it’s given me a taste for it,’ Frank said, and none of them could miss the renewed enthusiasm in his voice.
‘What have you got in mind, Frank?’ Carrie said.
He glanced at her, smiling. ‘I seem to remember that friend of yours, Elsie, asking if you’d ever like to travel to America on the Great Britain. Do you recall it?’
She nodded. ‘On the day of the launch. Some chance! Anyway, the ship can’t even be moved now, until the Cumberland Basin locks are widened to let her out!’
‘Yes, but I don’t mean to travel on anything so grand as the Great Britain,’ Frank said quickly, ‘but I do mean to go to America, and try to make a life for myself there.’
Carrie heard her mother give a little cry. It was rare for May Stuckey to betray her emotions so openly, but she couldn’t help it now.
‘Frank, no. America’s on the other side of the world. If you go so far away from us, we’ll never see you again.’
He left his place and went around the table to kneel by her side and take hold of her hands in his.
‘I know that’s likely, Ma,’ he said gently. ‘America’s three thousand miles away, but it’s the land of opportunity, and a man can make a name for himself there. I can use all my skills, and in a new young country where fortunes are made, and great mansions fill the towns, there will always be a need for craftsman-made furniture.’
‘You seem to have thought it all out pretty well,’ Sam said slowly.
But Carrie noted that he eyed his second son with more respect than of old. Sam had always dismissed Frank in favour of Wilf, but since standing on his own feet for six months and more, Frank had clearly found the strength of purpose he’d always lacked before.
He stood up and returned to his own seat at the table.
‘Not only that, but I’ve got my passage booked,’ he stated. ‘I’ve been saving my wages all this time, and aside from bringing home a few gifts for you all, I’ve sunk it all into this new venture.’
‘Then good luck to you, bruth,’ Wilf spoke up before his father could start making objections. But it seemed as if Sam was silenced as much by the authoritative note in Frank’s voice than his actual words.
‘What did you bring me, Frank?’ Billy’s voice broke in eagerly. ‘Can I see it now? And can I come to America with you?’
Frank laughed as the boy’s eagerness broke the tension.
‘No, you can’t come to America with me, Billy-boy. And the gifts must come later, Master Impatience! It’s been a long while since I ate some of Ma’s mutton stew, and I don’t aim to let it get any colder.’
He smiled at Ma, encouraging her to smile back at him, and to get some colour back into the cheeks that had gone so pale at his news.
‘But you won’t be here for my wedding!’ Carrie said suddenly. ‘Oh, Frank —’
‘What wedding is this? Don’t tell me you’ve got that poor young boatman leg-shackled already, even though he’s out of town for a while,’ he gave a mock groan. ‘Ma didn’t tell me that bit of news.’
‘I thought Carrie would want to tell you herself,’ Ma murmured, clearly having no more appetite for food, and pushing it around her plate.
Carrie spoke quickly. ‘We’re getting married on my birthday, and I know John would have wanted both you and Wilf to stand up for him on the day.’
She avoided looking at Wilf, not sure how he was going to take this. John hadn’t even mentione
d it, but she was sure he would have done, when the time came. And surely Wilf wouldn’t refuse.
‘You’ll have to make do with young Billy here in my place,’ Frank said. ‘And I must have had a sixth sense when I bought your gift. You can use it for your wedding, and it will remind you of me on the day.’
‘Well, now I can’t eat anything else, either,’ Carrie exclaimed. ‘You’ve got to show us now, Frank!’
Those that were hungry finished their meal, while those who were too impatient to eat, had permission to leave the table and wait while Frank rummaged through his baggage for the paper parcels he handed to each of them. There was a fine embroidered Spanish shawl for Ma, and a bottle of best French brandy for Pa; a Spanish whittling knife for Wilf, and a French ball and hoop game for Billy. He hadn’t forgotten the baby, and there was an outfit made of fine French lace that would fit the brawny Henry. And for Carrie …
She opened her parcel with excited hands. Out spilled a bolt of the loveliest cream watered silk she had ever seen. It would make a perfect wedding-gown, and her throat tightened with pleasure at the sensual texture of the exquisite material, imagining John’s face when he turned around from the altar, and saw her coming towards him on Pa’s arm, wearing such a gown …
‘Well? Does it suit?’ Frank said, when she seemed too stunned to say anything.
‘Oh, Frank. It’s beautiful!’ She rushed at him, nearly knocking him over with her hugs and kisses. ‘Ma will help me make a wedding-gown out of it, I’m sure, and it will be almost as if you’re there on the day.’
‘Except that he won’t be,’ Ma said sadly. She took a deep breath, and gave them both a small nod. ‘But you’ve made your decision, son, and ‘tis like Carrie says. You’ll be in our thoughts all the while we’re making the dress, and while your sister’s wearing it.’
And they all knew Ma couldn’t go farther than that in giving Frank her blessing.
* * *
It seemed that Frank was no sooner home than he was preparing to leave again, but he was there long enough to see the new toy shop in Park Street open.
All of them, except Billy, who was too innocent to see anything unlikely in his hopes, felt certain they would never see Frank again. Billy, with all the optimism of an eight-year-old, was just as confident that one day, he too would cross the Atlantic, and become as rich Frank was going to be.
But they all tried not to dwell on the sadness of Frank’s approaching departure. True to his word, Cedric Woolley had done a fine job of advertising the shop-opening event, with posters all around the town, and announcements in the local newspapers. There was to be free lemonade and balloons for all the children bringing their parents to the shop, and Wilf was beginning to realise what a shrewd businessman he was.
A stout, middle-aged lady was installed in the shop as manageress, with a young boy to assist her. Wilf’s part in the business was confined to the workshop at the back, but Cedric had also been canny enough to insist that all the advertising matter included the name of the skilled craftsman responsible for the hand-crafted toys.
‘Made to exclusive order’ was one of the advertising slogans blazoned out on posters everywhere, and by the end of the first week, Wilf’s name was becoming as well-known as the toy shop’s, and he had enough orders to keep him busy for the next few months. It was clearly going to be a huge success, and Wilf was already hinting that Carrie’s might not be the only wedding on the horizon in the forseeable future.
* * *
The day before Frank was due to leave Bristol, brother and sister took a last long walk up to Clifton Downs, the way they used to when they were children.
‘Our fortunes seem to have taken a turn for the better at last, Frank,’ Carrie said.
Frank nodded. ‘Our Wilf certainly looks well set up now, though I never thought Pa would settle for being a coffin-maker. Not that there’s ought wrong with it,’ he added hastily, at her look. ‘But it’s not as creative as making different pieces of furniture, is it? There’s ain’t much you can do to alter a coffin shape!’
‘I suppose not. But it don’t mean to say Pa’s going to do the job for ever, does it? He may find different work later on. And he’s promised to make a settle for me and John as a wedding-gift, so he’ll be kept busy.’
They took a breather and sat down on one of the grassy slopes overlooking the river. The day was just warm enough for the dampness not to seep through, as long as they didn’t sit for too long. The seasons had moved on, and spring was almost upon them. Carrie gazed down at the tall-masted ships jostling for space far below in the glassy river.
For those of a fanciful nature, she thought suddenly, the river reflected all their lives. So often it was stormy and turbulent, full of upheavals and hidden currents … and at other times it was as smooth and unruffled as silk. And if it wasn’t tempting fate too much, she could hope that the river’s calm appearance today was a good omen for all of them.
Frank glanced at the perfect profile of the girl sitting so deep in thought beside him now. He realised, with surprise, that she was quite a beauty.
He’d always known she was pretty, but now she could be called quite stunning, with those coppery curls tumbling about her face, and her cheeks all flushed and dewy-fresh from the exertion of the climb up to the Downs. He hoped John Travis appreciated what a pearl he was getting for a bride.
‘Have I got a smut on me nose or summat?’ Carrie grinned, aware of this sudden scrutiny, and lapsing into the old familiar way of talking.
Frank shook his head with a smile. ‘I was just wondering if John Travis knows how lucky he is, and what a fool he must be to go away for months and leave a girl like you. If I’d had a girl of my own, I doubt that I’d ever have gone to sea.’
Carrie felt her face flush even more. You didn’t expect to hear such compliments from a brother, but this one was slightly more removed from the close-knit family circle now, and saw things from a distance.
‘John had good reasons, and in the end I respected them,’ she said, quickly defending him. ‘But in a few weeks’ time he’ll be home to stay.’
She drew in her breath as she spoke, almost as if, by putting the wishes into words, they would disappear.
‘Are you happy, our kiddley?’ Frank said abruptly. It was so long since he’d called her anything so familiar that the tears stung her eyes for a minute, and she nodded vigorously.
‘As happy as it’s possible to be when John’s not around. I miss him so much — but I suppose I’d best not go on about that too much, or you may start feeling guilty about your own plans.’
‘As soon as I get settled, I’ll write and tell you all about America,’ Frank said, so resolutely that she knew nothing would ever make him reconsider his future. And why should it? He was young and fancy-free, and had a good head on his shoulders … a shadow suddenly fell across her vision, and as she looked up quickly, her heart jolted.
She jumped to her feet without thinking. Frank stood up in a far more leisurely manner, clearly seeing no reason whatever to kow-tow to the likes of Miss Helen Barclay and her companion in these green open spaces where the air was free for all to share.
‘Good afternoon, Carrie,’ Helen said graciously.
‘Good afternoon, miss,’ she stammered, wishing to God she had all the social graces at her command right now.
‘I trust all is well with your family?’
Eyeing the handsome gent beside her, Carrie immediately guessed that Helen was out to impress, and doing her best to appear civil to the most irritating of persons she had ever had in her employ.
‘Yes, thank you, miss,’ she said, resisting the need to bob. ‘We’ve got a new baby boy in the family now,’ she added, doubting that kitchen gossip about the event would have reached these aristocratic ears.
‘Well done,’ Helen said vaguely. ‘Then my fiancé and I shall send your parents our felicitations. And how go your own affairs? Is this your new young man?’
Carrie almost laughed
out loud, though Frank was handsome enough to be anyone’s beau, of course.
‘Good God, no, begging your pardon, Miss Helen. This here’s my brother Frank, who’s shortly to be leaving for America to seek his fortune.’
‘Good gracious me!’ Helen said, as Frank made her an elaborate bow. The gentleman with her wished him well in his venture, and told his lady-love they had better walk on, or she would be getting cold from standing about.
Carrie watched them go, mimicking her mincing steps for a moment before Frank told her laughingly to stop it.
‘Well! Who does she think she is? I don’t owe her nothing now, and fancy thinking I could forget my John so quickly and be walking out with somebody else. It just reminds me how often she chopped and changed her mind over her own gentlemen callers.’
‘I take it you’re glad to be out of her employ then?’ Frank said mildly.
Carrie laughed out loud. ‘I should just say I am!’
He tucked her arm inside his as they strolled on across the Downs. ‘When I think of settling down, I shall look for a girl just like you, our Carrie.’
‘Will you? What do you suppose American girls are like, then?’
‘It may not be a truly American girl. So many folk are going there now, it’s just as likely to be an Irish girl or a Londoner, or even a German or Dutch, by all accounts.’
‘I hope you’ll be able to understand ’em then, or you might find yourself hitched to one of ’em before you know it!’
She’d never thought much about America before, nor of the people who lived there. It gave her a funny feeling to think of Frank starting up a whole new life with an unknown girl of a different nationality, and in time producing American children.
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘Just ghosts,’ Carrie said. ‘Nice ones, though.’
* * *
The days dragged once Frank had gone, and Ma moped about for a couple of days, and then put on her usual brave face, saying there was no use crying over things that couldn’t be changed.
Hidden Currents Page 36