A Wedding at Mulberry Lane

by Rosie Clarke

  Tom nodded, frowning as he realised that most of the stuff he’d found in Sam’s things had most likely come from the second-hand shop. There was probably a gang of kids hunting for stuff, and, as Sam said, there would be men of the criminal type organising the search when so many valuables were there for the picking. They wouldn’t risk their own lives, but would happily send kids in to do their dirty work and pocket the lion’s share of the profits.

  ‘Thanks, Alice,’ he said. ‘I’ll see if I can find him. If he’s there I’ll give ’im a good hidin’; it’s the only way to stop the little fool.’

  ‘Yes, well, I don’t know if there’s one of them devices in them ruins, but you don’t want nothin’ to happen to the lad, Tom.’

  ‘I’ll make ’im wish ’e’d never been born!’

  Tom set out grimly in the direction Alice had mentioned. He was angry, because he’d warned his brother over and over again, and he’d had enough of it. Sam thought he could get away with anything now that their father was in prison, but Tom was the man of the house and he was going to show Sam the error of his ways! Tom didn’t want people thinking his brother was a dirty little tea leaf and labelling the whole family as villains. He marched quickly, his heart drumming in his chest as his anger mounted.

  Tom was out of breath when he got to the area that had been badly damaged earlier in the year. Several houses were just piles of rubble but a couple still had a wall or two standing, and one had half the wooden roof structure hanging precariously, ready to fall in the slightest puff of wind. Tom saw three young lads, one of whom was his younger brother, and a man in a navy striped suit talking to them. He looked like a spiv and as he saw Tom approaching, he turned and walked quickly away.

  The boys started picking over rubble, not even bothering to glance up when Tom yelled to his brother. Sam ignored him until Tom arrived at the pile of rubble where they were working, then glanced up in annoyance.

  ‘What do yer want?’ Sam muttered, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

  ‘I’ve told you about pinchin’ stuff,’ Tom said, furious now. He charged up the rubble, grabbed his brother by the scruff of the neck and started to drag him down it, causing a shower of bricks to slide and pitching them both forward just as a loud explosion from the other side of the bomb site shook the ground.

  Tom felt himself caught up and blown forward by the force of the explosion; he felt sharp pain in his left shoulder and then everything went black.

  *

  ‘What was that?’ Peggy looked at her daughter as she was serving a pint of beer. ‘I didn’t hear the siren – but that was definitely an explosion.’

  ‘Perhaps it was a gas main,’ Janet said, rushing to the pub door to look out into the street. ‘It’s over by the market. There’s a cloud of smoke rising…’

  Now they could hear the sound of a police siren and shouting. Alice came running across the road, her face white with fear.

  ‘It’s my fault…’ she babbled as she clutched at Janet’s arm. ‘If anythin’ ’as happened to the lad I’ll never forgive meself…’

  ‘What are you talkin’ about?’ Janet said. ‘Did you see what happened?’

  Janet supported the elderly woman into the taproom and sat her down. Alice was trembling and clearly distressed. Peggy poured a drop of brandy into a glass and Janet put it into Alice’s hands.

  ‘What’s wrong, love?’ Peggy asked, kneeling down to take Alice’s hand. ‘What do you think has happened?’

  ‘I sent Tommy Barton after his brother,’ Alice said and took a gulp of her drink. ‘They were puttin’ up notices about an unexploded device and I saw young Sam goin’ up that way – the young lads ’ave been diggin’ for stuff on that bomb site where the jeweller’s shop was…’ Alice took another drink, her hand shaking. ‘I sent Tom after the lad…’

  ‘Take care of Alice,’ Peggy said urgently. ‘I’m off up there to see what’s goin’ on…’ She grabbed her jacket and pulled it on as she ran out into Mulberry Lane. Several of her neighbours were outside and she saw Tilly Barton looking up and down the lane; she was wearing a flowered pinny and a snood over her hair, her feet still in worn house slippers.

  ‘’Ave yer seen my boys, Peggy?’

  ‘Alice said Tom went after Sam when she told him there was an unexploded device in the rubble,’ Peggy told her.

  ‘No! Not my boys…’ Tilly started screaming and set off at a run. Peggy went after her, following as they ran up past the market to an area where intensive bombing had left a whole row of houses and shops in ruins.

  People were running and police whistles were blown. In the distance a siren could be heard. When they arrived at the scene, a police officer was trying to keep the small crowd back and they could hear the whine of an ambulance in the background.

  ‘Is anyone hurt?’ Peggy asked a man with a cycle. Dressed in a greasy boiler suit and a check cap, he was just standing there watching as other people rushed to help. ‘I think there were some boys from our lane up here…’

  ‘Two of them are over there…’ the man pointed to the far side of the rubble. ‘I don’t think there’s much hope for them. They must have been on top of it, probably set it off – but there’s a couple more where the copper is now. I reckon they’re hurt bad, but I think they’re still alive…’

  Tilly had reached the policeman kneeling on the ground. Peggy heard a piercing scream as she flung herself down next to the prone figures of two youths. Her cries and screams were wild and despairing as Peggy went to her and took hold of her shoulders.

  ‘Sam… my Sam…’ Tilly cried bitterly. ‘It’s Tom’s fault.’

  ‘Tom came to fetch his brother away,’ Peggy said and took her shoulders, half lifting her to her feet and trying to lead her away. ‘The ambulance is here now – let the men through…’

  Tilly shook her off and tried to fling herself on her younger son’s body, but one of the men dragged her off. Peggy took Tilly’s arms and forced her back as the ambulance men bent over the lads. Her throat was tight with fear and emotion as she watched them place a blanket over Sam, before he was carried into the ambulance, because she’d seen for herself how badly he was injured and expected the terrible outcome, but now Tom was being lifted on to a stretcher and placed into the ambulance as well, his face white and his eyes closed.

  ‘Will he be all right?’ Peggy asked the ambulance driver.

  ‘Can’t tell you yet, missus. His left arm is badly damaged and he has a head wound, but he’s alive at the moment. Sorry, love. See what you can do for the dead lad’s mother. Can you tell me his name?’

  ‘Sam Barton. His mother lives at number five Mulberry Lane…’

  ‘Right, thanks. Do you know the other lad?’

  ‘Tom is Sam’s brother. He tried to make him come away because it was dangerous.’

  ‘Well, he risked his own life for nothin’,’ the man said. ‘They never learn, these lads. That’s the second accident we’ve had this last month – but the last one wasn’t as bad as this…’

  ‘Oh God…’ Peggy caught a sobbing breath as she saw Tom’s pale face. ‘Pray God he’s all right. He’s a good lad…’

  Tilly had stopped screaming as the ambulance door was closed. She pressed forward, begging to be allowed to go with her sons, but one of the policemen held her back.

  ‘We’ll let you know how the boy is once the doctors have a look at him, Mrs Barton. There’s no point in your goin’ with them, because he will need surgery. You can visit him later…’

  Peggy took hold of her arm. ‘Come back with me, Tilly. I’ll get you a cup of tea or a drink. They’re takin’ Tom to the London – and Sam… we’ll make arrangements with an undertaker once we get the certificates. I’ll help you. We’ll all help you…’

  ‘Can you bring Sam back from the dead?’

  ‘No…’ Peggy saw the despair in her eyes and couldn’t find words that would ease her grief. ‘Tom still has a chance, though…’

  ‘What do I care
about him?’ Tilly said her eyes wild. ‘They’ve taken my boy – they’ve taken my boy…’ She put a hand to her face and then crumpled to the ground in a heap.

  ‘Perhaps I can help?’ a voice asked and an attractive man with silvered hair came forward. He was wearing a smart dark suit and smelled of fresh cologne. ‘I’m a doctor. She’s in shock. Can you help me get her in my car please? I’ll take her home and give her a sedative…’

  ‘She would be on her own,’ Peggy said. ‘I think you’d better bring her to me. I’m her neighbour and I can take care of her until she gets over the shock.

  ‘Are you prepared to look out for her for a few days?’

  ‘Yes, of course. I run the pub at the corner of Mulberry Lane. I know the family well. Tom does a lot of little jobs for me…’

  ‘Then she’ll be in good hands…’ He offered his hand to shake and Peggy took it. ‘Doctor Michael Blake. I work at the London and heard the explosion as I was on my way to work Mrs…?’

  ‘Ashley. Peggy Ashley.’ Peggy smiled. ‘Thanks. It’s only just down the road. If we can get her in the car…’

  Tilly was only half-aware as they manoeuvred into the back seat of the comfortable Morris car, its worn seats smelling of old leather and polish. Peggy climbed in with her to hold her if she started to struggle or scream, but she was quiet and stared straight in front of her, not acknowledging Peggy or speaking. Even when some of Peggy’s regulars volunteered to carry her upstairs and she was placed under the eiderdown, she didn’t give any sign that she knew anyone.

  ‘I’ll give her a sedative and she should sleep for several hours,’ Doctor Blake said to Peggy. ‘If you need me, call this number and I’ll come out in my own time. It will be in the evening or early morning – unless she would prefer her own doctor?’

  ‘I doubt Tilly bothers with a doctor often and I doubt she pays into a doctor’s panel,’ Peggy said. ‘I’m not sure she could afford for you to come out, sir.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of charging her,’ he said and smiled. ‘Just do what you can for her – because there’s no telling how a shock like this will take her when she does come out of it.’

  ‘Yes, of course. We all help each other in the lane, Doctor Blake.’

  ‘You more than anyone I believe?’ he said. ‘Yes, I have heard of Peggy Ashley of the Pig & Whistle.’

  He injected Tilly’s arm, replaced his syringe in his bag and stood up.

  ‘I’ll call again tomorrow morning. I hope she won’t be too much trouble to you, Mrs Ashley. Goodbye for now…’

  Peggy gazed down at Tilly’s face as she slept. Even in slumber she looked tortured, and judging by her comments when they took Sam away, she would be devastated when the fact of her son’s death really hit her. Peggy felt deep compassion, because the poor woman had been coping as best as she could with her husband’s imprisonment and now this had happened – her life must be nothing but grief and hardship. It made Peggy realise how lucky she was to have the pub, her daughter and son, and Maggie – and to have known Able’s love. She’d lost him but at least she’d had something wonderful to remember.

  She would do whatever she could for Tilly. A collection would have to be made, because Tilly just didn’t have the money to pay for a funeral. No one had very much to spare these days, but the people of the lanes helped each other and Peggy would put an empty cocoa tin on the bar, because whatever was donated would help to get the family through this terrible tragedy.

  *

  ‘How is she this mornin’?’ Alice asked when she entered the bar the next morning. ‘Mrs Tandy phoned the ’ospital last night and they said Tom ’ad come out of surgery and was ’oldin’ his own…’

  ‘Yes, I phoned early this mornin’, and they told me the same thing,’ Peggy said, smiling because it was good news. ‘Tilly is awake. I took her a cup of tea and she drank some of it but just shook her head when I asked if she wanted some toast.’

  ‘She’s upset over them boys…’ Alice nodded. ‘She spoiled that Sam somethin’ awful. Tom always got it in the neck, but Sam couldn’t do no wrong – even though he was a little tea leaf…’

  ‘We don’t know he stole anythin’,’ Peggy objected, though she knew Sam was up to no good on that bombsite.

  ‘I do,’ Alice said grimly. ‘I caught ’im in me purse once. That’s why I wouldn’t ’ave ’im to do me jobs. Tom is as honest as the day is long…’ she gave a little sob. ‘But that brother of ’is, ain’t much – and I know I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.’

  ‘You’re upset, Alice,’ Peggy said. ‘I don’t mind you tellin’ me the truth, but don’t say anythin’ like that to Tilly, will you?’

  ‘Nah, ’course not,’ Alice said. ‘Feel sorry fer ’er wiv ’er husband banged up an’ all…’

  ‘Yes, very sorry,’ Peggy agreed. ‘But I feel more sorry for Tom at the moment. He has a nasty injury to his shoulder and he may not be able to use it properly…’

  ‘No!’ Alice looked aghast. ‘What will the poor lad do if ’e can’t work no more?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Peggy shook her head. ‘I’d give him a job in the bar if he was old enough, but he was such an active lad – and so proud of what he was doin’ and earnin’.’ She blinked hard. ‘It will break his heart and I think it will break mine as well…’ Peggy felt the tears spill over as she could no longer keep her emotions in check. ‘It’s too much, Alice, it’s just too much…’

  ‘I know, love,’ Alice said and put out a sympathetic hand to touch hers. ‘I reckon there’s got ter be somethin’ good soon or we’ll all go right round the bloomin’ bend…’

  Chapter 22

  Peggy struggled to fasten the waist of her favourite pencil skirt, but it was no use. It wouldn’t close by almost an inch. She frowned as she took it off, because that was the third thing she’d tried on that was too tight but she couldn’t imagine why she was putting on weight… unless it was what they called middle-aged spread? She looked at herself in the mirror and her eyes widened as she noticed the new fullness in her breasts. Now that she thought about it, her breasts were a little tender – and it was ages since she’d had a proper period. There had been just a few spots for a couple of days last month and she’d wondered if it was the first sign of the change, but it just hadn’t occurred to her that she might be pregnant.

  Peggy stared at herself as she counted back to the last time she’d had a full period. It was the week before she’d gone away with Able for that lovely few days in the country. What an idiot not to have suspected it before, but she hadn’t felt in the least bit sick, which she had with both of her children – and after Pip’s birth, which had been harder than the first, she’d been told it was unlikely she would conceive again. Laurie hadn’t bothered to take precautions for years and she hadn’t fallen… but now she was almost sure she was having a baby.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, Peggy felt numb with shock. She knew they’d been careless that weekend, making love over and over again with no precautions, but it hadn’t bothered her, because she was sure her days of childbearing were over. It had disappointed her when the doctors first said it was unlikely she would have another baby, because she loved them and wouldn’t have minded a bigger family, but that was when she was younger…

  Peggy stared at her white face and felt her heart flip. How could she not have realised what was happening to her? She’d been in such distress over Able’s disappearance and the arguments with Laurie and then Pip – and then there was Janet and Mike. Recently, Tom Barton’s accident and his brother’s terrible death had sent everything else out of her mind. Even though Tilly had recovered enough to go home, Tom’s life was still uncertain as far as the residents of the lane knew, because the hospital wouldn’t give anyone but his mother full details and Tilly wasn’t bothered. Peggy had asked if she wanted to telephone from the pub but she’d refused.

  Struggling to bring her mind back to her own problems, Peggy felt the tenderness in her breasts and accepted what sh
e could no longer deny. She must be nearly three months gone and yet she’d experienced none of the usual symptoms but she knew in her heart it was true.

  She was carrying Able’s child. Peggy drew a shaky breath, feeling light-headed. It was as if he’d reached out from beyond the grave to give her a precious gift and tears of joy stung her eyes. Her cheeks were wet, but all she could do was just sit there and let it sink in. She was having another child – she was going to have Able’s baby. Peggy had thought he was gone from her, but now she would have him with her always: a child that looked like his father to love and cherish for as long as they both lived. Suddenly the world that had seemed so empty after they told her Able was missing was brighter. She crossed her arms over herself, hugging the knowledge to her.

  It was only as the rush of joy was subsiding that she started to think about the consequences. Laurie needed to be told, because she couldn’t deceive him if she tried – and she didn’t want to. There was no way the child could be his, and he was going to be angry and resentful, which was natural – but would he demand that she leave his pub?

  Peggy wanted to stay here where she had friends, but she had to face facts. Laurie would be entitled to demand a divorce, even though he’d been unfaithful to her first. Peggy didn’t know how she felt about that – divorce wasn’t something people she knew ever did. If couples split up, one went off and the other struggled on alone; it was very rare that they divorced and remarried, because it was just too expensive. Laurie had gone off, but he hadn’t abandoned the pub and although she was the temporary landlady, the lease was in his name. If he’d been a casualty of war she might get it made over to her, but in the circumstances he would win hands down – and she couldn’t fight him for it anyway. It wouldn’t be fair – no, it would be Peggy who would have to move out when Laurie insisted, but for the moment she was staying put.