A Wedding at Mulberry Lane

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘Are you goin’ on leave?’ Maureen asked, feeling that she ought to make the first move in healing the breach, though she didn’t really know what she’d done to cause it.

  ‘I’m leaving the service,’ Carol said, though she didn’t turn her head to look at her. ‘I’m getting married…’

  ‘Oh?’ Maureen was startled, because she hadn’t even known that Carol was courting. ‘That’s nice for you – have you known him long?’

  ‘Long enough, not that it’s any of your business…’ Carol said rudely.

  ‘Sorry, I just wondered.’ Maureen turned away to sort out her clean uniform.

  ‘It’s your fault…’ Carol said suddenly and she sounded angry, resentful. ‘If you hadn’t stood him up all those times because you were working we shouldn’t have gone out so much and…’

  Maureen whirled round and looked at her, seeing the other girl’s red face and accusing eyes. ‘What are you talkin’ about – you can’t mean Rory? You can’t be marryin’ him? I don’t understand…’

  ‘He has to marry me, I’m pregnant,’ Carol said and her eyes filled with self-pitying tears. ‘My parents are going to kill me. I’ve let them down and they’ll never speak to me again – he’s not the sort of man they wanted me to marry…’

  ‘Rory is goin’ to marry you, because you’re havin’ his child?’ Maureen was trying to get her head round the girl’s startling announcement, because it was just too shocking to take in. She couldn’t have heard right! ‘But you hardly know him…’

  ‘We’ve been out six times,’ Carol said defensively. ‘He got fed up waiting for you – and I liked him, so he took me to the pub and the pictures – and we made love a few times in the back of a car he borrowed…’

  ‘Are you in love with him?’ Maureen was fighting an overwhelming desire to be sick. Surely Carol was lying? She had to be! This couldn’t be happening again. He’d gone with Velma in a temper and caused Maureen years of regret and heartbreak, surely he wouldn’t do it again? Yet, if she believed Carol, he had. Her thoughts were going round and round as she tried to make sense of things. Rory had taken Maureen away for that weekend and they’d fetched Shirley together. On both occasions they’d slept together and made love several times since. Maureen had thought they were a couple and been sure Rory loved her – but he’d been sleeping with Carol at the same time – even before they quarrelled! – taking the younger girl out when Maureen was working, making love to her in the borrowed car, blaming Maureen for trying to do her best for an innocent child for the breach between them, when all the time he was cheating on her. Carol had to be lying, because if she wasn’t Rory was a cheat and a liar. It was as if Maureen was on the edge of a deep chasm and one step would send her over the edge. ‘When did this start?’ she demanded fiercely.

  Carol took a step back as if she was nervous, but looked at her defiantly. ‘Right from the first night you weren’t off duty when you should’ve been. He was outside the gate when I went to tell him and he persuaded me to go with him – we’ve been out a few times since…’ Carol choked back a sob. ‘I swear I didn’t plan it – it just happened. My father will kill us both if he finds out I’m pregnant before we’re married.’

  ‘You stupid little fool,’ Maureen said, but then, quite suddenly, she discovered she wasn’t upset, just disgusted with Carol and with Rory. It was like being outside of a window and looking in, watching a play unfolding. ‘How could you let him? You went out a few times and you let him make love to you. I’ve known him for years and we were engaged…’

  ‘I know and I’m sorry, I really am, Maureen. I didn’t mean to break you up, but he was so lovely to me, telling me about his life in the Army – and it just happened, and now he has to marry me.’ Carol’s face was white now and tears trickled from the corners of her eyes. She probably didn’t even want to marry him, but she had no choice because she wasn’t the kind of girl who could go home and tell her parents the father of her baby wouldn’t marry her.

  ‘Yes, he does need to marry you,’ Maureen said and closed her eyes. ‘I shan’t stand in your way.’

  ‘I feel awful about you,’ Carol faltered. ‘I know he was yours and I’ve been horrible to you, because I was jealous…’

  ‘No, he was never really mine.’ Maureen opened her eyes to look at her, and it was as if the scales had fallen off and she was suddenly seeing things clearly. ‘I loved him once or I thought I did – but to be honest, you’re welcome. I hope he makes you happy…’

  Carol burst into noisy tears, but Maureen ignored her and walked out of the hut. She wasn’t going to offer comfort to a girl who had deliberately gone with another girl’s man. It was her own fault if she was in trouble and she was lucky Rory was prepared to stand by her – because if Maureen hadn’t quarrelled with him, he probably wouldn’t have.

  Maureen went for a walk around the grounds, deep in thought. She’d had her heart broken by Rory once, but this time it wasn’t going to happen. Maureen was older and wiser now and she knew Rory for what he was – a flirt and a womaniser. He’d known what he was doing and he’d taken advantage of a silly young girl’s blind adoration. Maureen knew now that if she’d wed him, it would’ve happened again and again over the years, making her wretched. He was the kind of man who would always cheat and make excuses.

  Rory had used her, just as he did any girl foolish enough to let him. Had Carol not opened her eyes to the truth, she would’ve let him draw her into a trap; Maureen might have been tied to him for life and miserable every time he let her down. She’d forgiven him for going with Velma, thinking it was partly her fault, but for all she knew it had been going on before she’d broken it off with him. Knowing Rory he would probably come crawling back and blame it all on Carol, but this time she would refuse to listen. Maureen had grown up and she had other more important things in her life.

  *

  Maureen thought she must be in trouble when Matron called her to the office later that afternoon. She knew Sister Martin was a bit cross with her for asking if she could leave on time the previous evening, but she couldn’t think of anything she’d done to necessitate a lecture from Matron. However, when she knocked and entered the office, Matron smiled at her and invited her to sit down.

  ‘Ah, Nurse Jackson,’ she said. ‘I’ve asked you to come and see me this afternoon for two reasons. The first is rather distressing I’m afraid, so perhaps I shall tell you the good news first. You are being transferred back to London. They have a chronic shortage of nurses at the London itself and asked us if we could spare any of ours – and Sister Martin recommended you, nurse. It appears that she thinks you have the makings of a fine nurse, and though she doesn’t want to lose you, we are up to full staff here and must help others less fortunate than ourselves. I imagine you won’t mind being transferred back home?’

  Maureen swallowed hard as she looked at her. It seemed Fate had taken a hand in her destiny and she would be glad to go back to the people she knew cared for her.

  ‘I have no objection, Matron. I am ready to go wherever I’m needed most.’

  ‘Ah, just as Sister Martin told me, good…’ Matron looked at her in silence for a moment. ‘I fear that my other news is not good, indeed it is a terrible blow for you, my child. There is no gentle way of breaking it to you – your father has had a stroke and has been rushed into hospital…’

  Maureen was glad she was sitting down, because for a moment she felt faint. ‘Dad is really ill? Last time I heard, he was fine…’ Her father had traded on his weak chest for years, but this sounded more serious.

  ‘These things are often sudden, as you know,’ Matron said. ‘I am so very sorry, nurse. You will of course be granted compassionate leave of eight days and you will report to your new posting at the end of that time…’

  ‘Thank you, Matron. I should like to see him…’ Maureen felt a lump in her throat. Her father had not always been kind to her but she still cared that he was ill and knew that she must go home as soon as po
ssible.

  ‘Naturally – and there will be things to arrange, of course. At least if you’re posted in London you won’t have to keep going back there in your free time. It has worked out quite nicely for you in the circumstances, though illness is never pleasant. I’ve informed Sister Martin and she will not be expecting you on the ward.’

  Matron had tried to be calm and reassuring, but Maureen felt her eyes prick with the tears she couldn’t hold back as she walked to her hut and began to pack her things. She felt odd knowing that she was unlikely to return and a little bewildered by the way things had changed so suddenly.

  ‘Gosh, I’m glad I caught you,’ Rita said, coming in just as Maureen was fastening her suitcases. ‘I’m going to miss you – and Sister told us about your father. I’m sorry he’s ill, Maureen. You’ve had your share of bad luck recently, haven’t you?’

  ‘It’s bloody awful.’ Maureen looked at her, eyes brimming with tears, and Rita held open her arms and they went into a fervent hug that helped a little. ‘It’s all come on top of each other,’ she said emotionally. ‘I’ve lost so many friends and…’ Maureen shook her head because she hadn’t told anyone at the hospital about Rory and what he’d done to her. ‘It isn’t as if my father and I got on all that well – but he’s family…’

  ‘Yes, I know…’ Rita looked at her with sympathy and Maureen wondered if she’d heard about Carol and Rory from somewhere, but she didn’t ask. She couldn’t take any more just at this moment. ‘It’s rotten luck, love – but at least you’ll be back with people you know…’

  ‘Yes.’ Maureen smiled and lifted her head. ‘They’re a decent lot in Mulberry Lane. I shall be fine when I get home, Rita – but we’ll keep in touch. I’ll write to you and tell you what I’m doing and you can visit if you come up to town now and then…’

  ‘I’d love to,’ Rita said; she hesitated, then, ‘And I’m sorry. I should’ve told you when I first suspected what Carol was up to, but I didn’t want to hurt you.’

  ‘Not your fault,’ Maureen said and managed a wobbly smile. ‘Besides, she’s welcome to him. He’s not worth cryin’ over.’

  ‘Plenty more fish in the sea,’ Rita agreed. ‘He was good-looking, charming, but I thought he had a roving eye when he came looking for you. I refused to go out with him a couple of times. He would’ve been the same if you’d married him.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Maureen said and this time she was able to smile properly. ‘I’ll get over him, Rita.’

  Chapter 25

  ‘Maureen love,’ Peggy said when she walked in the pub that September evening. ‘How’s your dad?’

  ‘About the same,’ Maureen replied and sighed. ‘He’s really ill, Peggy. All those times he played up and I got so cross because he did it just to stop me going out – but he hardly knew me when I visited him just now. He looked so poorly lyin’ there in that hospital bed – and he tried to smile and say somethin’. I think he wanted to say sorry…’

  ‘I’m so sorry, love,’ Peggy said and lifted the end of the bar so that she could come behind it. ‘Janet and Anne can manage here. We’ll go into the kitchen and have a cup of tea – unless you’d like somethin’ stronger?’

  ‘Could you manage a drink of some sort?’ Maureen said. ‘I’ve had tea at the hospital with Violet and more with Gran at home. I could do with somethin’ a bit stronger.’

  ‘I’ll get you a port and lemon in the kitchen. I’ve got a half bottle left that I keep for when you come. I know it’s your favourite.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Maureen said and shivered. It was a cool wet night and made her aware that the summer had almost gone. She could hear the faint sounds of Vera Lynn singing on the radio somewhere and the sentimental words made her think about the last time Rory had taken her dancing. Tears stung her throat but she choked them back. ‘I just need somethin’ to warm me up.’

  ‘Yes, it must be a shock to see your father that way. I think your gran was more upset than she let on. I know she makes out she’s cross with him for marrying Violet and pushing you out of your own home, but she only has the one son…’

  ‘Yes, of course she’s upset, we all are. I was surprised at how hard it has hit Violet. I thought she was after money when they got married, but I think I misjudged her. She seems heart-broken now that he’s really ill…’

  ‘Yes, that’s only natural,’ Peggy agreed, ‘and she’s probably frightened you’ll throw her out on the street if anythin’ happens….’

  ‘It’s not my property, it’s Gran’s. I don’t know what she’ll do with it. She asked if I would like to go back there after the war but I said no. I’d rather she sold it to someone and had the money for herself. I’m not sure what I’ll do in the future, but I shan’t go back to standin’ behind a counter. I prefer nursin’…’

  ‘I thought you were going to marry Rory when things settled down a bit?’ Peggy was surprised as she handed Maureen her glass of port and lemon. It was warm and comfortable in the big kitchen and the smell of apple pie was still lingering in the air. ‘Could you eat a slice of this? I’ve only just taken it out of the oven…’

  ‘I’d love some,’ Maureen said and smiled. ‘No one cooks like you do…’

  ‘What happened?’ Peggy asked, frowning as she sliced into the crisp pastry. ‘No cream I’m afraid…’

  ‘Fine as it is,’ Maureen sniffed appreciatively. ‘I love your apple pie… but I don’t love Rory.’

  ‘What did he do?’

  ‘We quarrelled over something, but then I learned the truth – what kind of a man he really is. He got a junior nurse pregnant and she told me he was goin’ to marry her – I hope he does for her sake, because her parents will be furious. She’s young and from a decent family, and madly in love with him.’

  ‘Not again!’ Peggy shook her head in disbelief. ‘What kind of a man is he?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Maureen said and her throat was tight, because it still hurt no matter what she told herself. ‘Not what I believed him to be anyway. I knew he could be thoughtless and selfish, but I thought he really loved me. There were times he made me feel so special – but he’d been havin’ sex with her ever since he came down to Portsmouth. They met every time I worked late. I feel such an idiot for not knowin’ – for fallin’ into his trap. He was just using me, Peggy, and if I’d married him he would have gone on doin’ it.’

  ‘A lot of people wouldn’t have taken him back after the first time,’ Peggy said. ‘I’m sorry, love. Wait until I see him again. He’ll get the rough edge of my tongue if he ever dares to come in here!’

  ‘Poor Rory,’ Maureen said and smiled wryly. ‘Don’t be upset for me, Peggy. I think I’ve probably been lucky to discover the truth before it was too late.’

  ‘He hurt you…’ Peggy looked sympathetic.

  ‘No, it doesn’t really hurt so much this time. I feel all kinds of a fool for trustin’ him, but I’m not breakin’ my heart over him. It’s anger and – yes, some hurt, but I’m glad I found out now.’

  ‘Good! It’s best just to get angry, love. That’s how I felt when Laurie had an affair – but we’d been driftin’ apart for years and I found my happiness in Able. I thought you’d found happiness at last.’

  ‘I have – in my work and my friends,’ Maureen said. ‘I’m glad to be back here with Gran and you – and Janet, Anne and Nellie, and I can take my turn with Shirley. She was so pleased to see me when I got back this afternoon. She threw her arms round me and hugged me so I kissed her and she told me she loves me.’ She’d been surprised how happy it had made her to feel the child’s love as she’d held her close.

  ‘I’m glad you’re back,’ Peggy said. ‘And I’ve got some news to tell you – I’m havin’ a baby…’

  ‘You’re havin’ a baby, but I thought…’ Maureen was startled and then saw the sparkle in her eyes. ‘It isn’t… It is his! Oh, Peggy, that’s wonderful. You thought you’d lost Able but now you’ll always have the child to remind you…’ The two women moved toget
her and hugged. ‘I think it’s lovely…’

  ‘Keep it to yourself, love. I haven’t even told Anne that it’s Able’s child, though Nellie knows. She doesn’t say much but she knows – and Janet, of course.’

  ‘Yes, of course I’ll be discreet. You don’t want people gossipin’ over it. Does Laurence know?’

  ‘Yes. He wants people to think it’s his so…’ Peggy shrugged. ‘I have to let him have his way, Maureen. I’m not ready to move out yet and – I suppose it’s the best. Laurie’s a good father most of the time, if he really accepts Able’s child and can live with it, then so can I – but I’d leave if he couldn’t. For the moment, he wants to carry on as we are – separate lives but still married.’

  ‘I think that’s pretty decent of him,’ Maureen said thoughtfully. ‘As long as he’s not horrid to you or the baby…’

  ‘I wouldn’t stand for that and he knows it. Besides, he’s not blameless…’

  ‘No.’ Maureen smiled at her. ‘Is Janet all right with it?’

  ‘Yes…’ Peggy’s smile faded. ‘Pip hasn’t written to me since I told him – not that he often does. It’s usually just a postcard, but… he was angry that I’d been away with Able. I know he will reject the idea of my havin’ a baby – and he won’t forgive me easily.’

  ‘He’ll come round,’ Maureen said. ‘He’s very young, Peggy. I expect he’s upset for his dad, but he’ll get used to it, because he loves you.’

  ‘Janet says the same,’ Peggy said and sipped her port and lemon. ‘Do you fancy another, love?’

  ‘No, thanks, one is enough for me,’ Maureen said. ‘I wanted to see you and talk to you, but I should get back now. Gran is tryin’ to be brave, but she’s a bit weepy – and I think she’s getting frail. This has been a blow to her. She calls Dad names and grumbles about him, but he’s her only child.’

  ‘You get back to her, Maureen. You know I’m always here when you want me. I’ll pray for your dad but there’s not much anyone can do except wait and hope…’