A Wedding at Mulberry Lane

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘I’m happy with what we had,’ Maureen said and hugged her. ‘I’ll see you on Sunday. Bye for now…’

  ‘Bye, love…’

  Maureen looked back out of the car window as they were driven away, then she turned to Gordon and saw that he was watching her.

  ‘Are you all right, love?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, of course – and you?’

  ‘Happiest man alive.’

  ‘Me too,’ she said and leaned against his shoulder. His comforting strength made her feel secure and loved in a way she never had, opening up a new vista for her. ‘Thank you for today, Gordon.’

  ‘I haven’t even given you your gift yet,’ he said and took a small box from his pocket. ‘Like a lot of the presents you were given today, it’s not new – but I think you will like it.’

  Opening the black velvet box, Maureen saw the ring. Shaped like a daisy, it was made up of platinum and small diamonds that sparkled against the soft velvet.

  ‘Oh… I’ve never seen such a pretty ring,’ she said, looking at him in delight. ‘I never expected anythin’ so beautiful…’

  ‘I wanted you to have an engagement ring, even though we were never engaged, but one day the diamonds will be a lot bigger. After the war, I’m goin’ to get us a lovely home and give you nice things, Maureen. You’ve given me so much and I want to make you happy.’

  ‘Just always be the same as you are now,’ she said and leaned in to kiss him on the lips. ‘I’m not bothered about material things, Gordon – just be kind and lovin’, that’s all I need…’

  Chapter 30

  Janet and Nellie finished the washing up together. Mike had gone upstairs to rest for a while after Maureen and Gordon’s visit. He said he was tired and wanted a lie-down before they had dinner, but Janet knew he was feeling mixed up and uncertain.

  Seeing him in clothes that hung on him had made her aware of how thin he’d become. In the hospital he’d always worn pyjamas and a dressing gown and it hadn’t been so noticeable. Beside Gordon’s slightly tanned complexion and his strong body, Mike’s pallor and weakness had seemed more noticeable and she thought it had made him realise just what he’d lost.

  ‘Why don’t you take Mike a cup of tea up?’ Nellie suggested. ‘It must have felt awkward for him with a wedding goin’ on ’ere, Janet. He’s been used to bein’ quiet at the hospital – leastwise, all the other men are like him. They’ve all suffered and known terrible pain. Normal life must come as a bit of a shock.’

  ‘Yes, I think it upset him to see Gordon and Maureen,’ Janet said. ‘I know he wanted to and he would’ve liked to join in more – but it does make you realise just how different his life is now.’

  ‘Yes, well, it’s a good thing you understand,’ Nellie said and smiled at her approvingly. ‘Not all wives stick by their ’usbands the way you have, love.’

  ‘I love him,’ Janet said and put the small teapot, two cups and a jug with a little milk on the tray. ‘Maybe he’ll drink it if I have mine with him.’

  ‘You go on up then, love. It’s ’ard fer you, but it must be a lot ’arder fer ’im.’

  ‘Yes, it is, I know.’ Janet smiled at her, picked the tray up and carried it upstairs. Her mother and Anne were clearing up in the bar, getting things ready for the evening opening. She would’ve helped more if she could but Anne had got the afternoon off to attend the wedding and help Peggy, and Mike needed her.

  He was sitting on the side of the bed staring at the wall, but smiled as she entered the room. He watched as she set the tray down and then poured their tea and brought the cups to him, sitting down beside him to sip her tea.

  ‘Is it all right?’

  ‘Lovely, a darn sight better than we get in the hospital,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry, Jan. This can’t be easy – havin’ a stranger in your home…’

  ‘You’re not a stranger to me, Mike,’ she said and put her cup down on the bedside cabinet. ‘You are my husband and I love you very much.’

  ‘I’m a shadow of the man you married,’ he said and set his cup down next to hers. ‘I was thinkin’ when I saw Gordon, it isn’t fair on you to be stuck with me for the rest of your life. I don’t know when I’ll be able to take you dancin’ or out for a meal – or make love to you…’

  Janet leaned towards him and kissed him on the lips. His arms went round her and he held her pressed hard against him, a little shudder running through him. Looking into his face, she saw tears on his cheeks as he released her and sat back.

  ‘I do love you, Jan,’ he said in a choked voice. ‘I love the girl you are – the way you care for our child and the way you are with me – but it isn’t fair to you if I can’t remember, if I can’t be a proper husband to you. I wanted to come to the weddin’ with you, but I couldn’t manage it…’

  ‘You’re still not well…’

  ‘No, I think I could do most things,’ Mike said seriously, ‘but I can’t bring myself to be with strangers – even your mum is difficult for me, and she’s lovely. I have to make myself talk to her.’

  ‘It will get better,’ Janet said. She reached for his hand and held it. ‘I’m just glad to have you here, Mike. All the rest will come in time…’

  ‘I thought we might go for a little walk in the dark,’ he suggested tentatively. ‘Just for a start, Jan. Just you and me – look in the shop windows and, if I can face it, stop for a drink…’

  ‘Just as we used to,’ Janet said and leaned in to kiss him again. This time he didn’t try to hold her, but he touched her cheek. ‘I should like that, Mike. I’ll do anythin’ you want. You don’t have to do anythin’ you don’t feel up to – I don’t mind…’

  ‘How did I get so lucky?’ Mike asked and she saw tears hover even though he refused to let them fall. ‘Some of the chaps – their wives have found other men. They’ve been carryin’ on while their men were away, and they just walk out when things get rough – but you stuck with me, even when I was rotten to you.’

  Janet nodded, because she’d seen it herself. Ellie Morris, from the hairdresser’s, was always having drinks with soldiers, and had let them take her home when she was more than a little merry.

  Pressing her face to his shoulder, Janet held back her tears. She loved Mike and always would, but he would never know how close she had come to having an affair with Ryan. That was all over now. Ryan had gone away and Mike would soon be able to come home for good, and he would never need to know that she had once thought she might love someone else.

  ‘Let’s go for that walk after dinner,’ she said. ‘I’m goin’ to help Mum get cleared up. Have a rest and then come downstairs when you’re ready…’

  Blinking back her tears, Jan took the tea tray back to the kitchen. She wasn’t brave or perfect and she was finding this much harder than she would admit to anyone else, but she would find a way to make things right. Mike had to be sure of his place here, to be sure he was loved, and then perhaps he would be able to face the future.

  *

  ‘Well, Maureen looked happy, didn’t she?’ Peggy said when she and Janet were sitting alone in the kitchen in the lull just before the pub opened again. ‘When Gordon first asked her to be his wife I didn’t think it was a good idea. I thought she would come second to his daughter, but you can see he really loves her.’

  ‘Yes, I noticed it the other night, when he saw her in the bar. You’d been to Sam’s funeral and Gordon couldn’t take his eyes off her.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad everythin’ has worked out well for her.’ Peggy’s gaze narrowed as she looked at her daughter. ‘Where is Mike? He seems so tired. I think he’s findin’ this harder than he’d expected.’

  ‘Yes, he is tired, that’s why I took his dinner up to him on a tray. He has to get used to everyone, Mum. It’s horrid meetin’ people that you should know and just can’t remember.’

  ‘Of course, it must be uncomfortable for him. It will take time for Mike to get back to normal again, Janet.’

  ‘We’re goin’ for a lit
tle walk later…’

  ‘Yes, get a breath of fresh air…’ Peggy looked at her daughter sadly. ‘What about you, my love? This is hard for you, too. You’ve been married a couple of years and yet you’ve really had hardly any life together.’

  ‘I’m all right, Mum. I’m lucky I’ve got him home. I can wait for all the rest of it – besides, there’s no choice. Mike can’t help being ill,’

  ‘No, he can’t and he will get better – but you did have a choice, Janet. You could have chosen another life if you’d wished.’

  Janet shook her head. ‘Ryan is a good friend and if… But no, I shan’t even think about it. Mike is the man I love. He’s my husband and I want to stick by him, even if it takes forever.’

  ‘Good. I’m proud of you, my love.’ Peggy smiled at her. ‘Now, there’s some good news for a change. Jack Barton told me that Violet has given him the job in the shop. It’s just for a couple of months while he sorts out his family – but…’ She hesitated, then, ‘I know you won’t say, Janet. Jack told me in confidence: they’ve given him a choice, he can return to prison when his parole is up or sign up for the Army…’

  ‘He has a chance to go into the Army rather than return to prison?’

  ‘Apparently the parole board think he isn’t a habitual criminal and they seem to believe that given the opportunity to go straight he would not reoffend. Jack says it’s the last thing he would do, because he bitterly regrets what he did. He told me that he thinks he will join up. His family would get half his wage paid direct and they could probably manage fine on that – and stuck in prison he can’t do anythin’ for them.’

  ‘I think it’s a wonderful chance for him,’ Janet said. ‘If he hadn’t been in prison when the war started I’m sure he would’ve joined then anyway.’

  ‘Yes, that’s what he says. Once Tommy is out of hospital he will tell them he’s ready to serve his country – and he asked me if I would keep an eye on his son. He isn’t sure when Tilly will be well enough to leave hospital, but I said I’d cook a meal for Tom once a day, and see to his washing, though Jack wants him to keep the house for when his mother comes home, of course.’

  ‘Just remember you’re goin’ to need to take care of yourself in a few months…’

  Peggy smiled. ‘Yes, I know, but one more dinner plate makes little difference and Tilly may be home by the time I get so ungainly that I can’t manage to cook. Besides, I’ve got you and Nellie to help me.’

  ‘Yes, but you can’t take in all the waifs and strays, Mum.’

  ‘Pip hasn’t been home for weeks,’ Peggy said, her eyes clouded by sadness. ‘I know he’s angry with me but if he came home I’d feed him and wash his things – so it won’t hurt me to give Tom Barton a helping hand while his mum is ill.’

  ‘I’ll write to Pip and tell him to stop sulkin’,’ Janet said. ‘I know they’re busy, but he must get a leave sometimes. It isn’t fair of him to hurt you like this.’

  ‘I hurt him – and his father,’ Peggy said with a wry look. ‘That’s how Pip sees it. I don’t blame him for taking your dad’s side, but it does hurt – especially when I know that what he’s doin’ is dangerous. He’s my son and if anythin’ happened…’

  ‘I’ll write to him, make him see sense,’ Janet said and gave her mother a hug. ‘You’ve been hurt enough and none of this would’ve happened if Dad hadn’t cheated on you.’

  ‘I’m not sure of that,’ Peggy said. ‘I fell in love with Able. I might have been more careful if Laurie hadn’t cheated – but Able was so lovely, Janet; I’m not sure I could have resisted him. He made me feel young and beautiful again.’

  ‘You are still young and beautiful,’ her daughter said loyally and Peggy laughed.

  ‘Well, the other good news is that the hospital has told Jack that Tom will be coming home by the end of next week at the latest. His head wound has healed and he’s gettin’ better, though his arm is still in a sling. At first they thought he might lose it, but they managed to save it. However, he has to have therapy on it before he’ll be able to use it properly again.’

  ‘Tom won’t like that,’ Janet said. ‘He likes to be busy. I’ve never known anyone so keen on tryin’ his hand at so many jobs.’

  ‘He wanted to leave school and work for himself. Of course he also wants to serve in the Army, but it will be years before he’s old enough.’

  ‘What does his father say about that?’

  ‘He blames himself, but says if he’s sendin’ home a wage there won’t be the need for Tom to leave school, but he won’t stand in his way if it’s what he wants.’

  Janet nodded. ‘I think Tom likes to work with his hands; he’s not cut out for office work. We just have to hope he’ll be able to do what he loves and that his arm will heal.’

  ‘His father seems to think it’s just a matter of time.’ Peggy saw her daughter’s smile. ‘What is that look for?’

  ‘Jack Barton seems to tell you a lot?’ Janet quirked her left eyebrow teasingly.

  ‘No!’ Peggy shook her head emphatically at her daughter. ‘Don’t get daft ideas in your head, Janet. Jack is a friend and Tilly is also a friend. There’s nothin’ funny goin’ on and there won’t be.’

  ‘Just teasin’, Mum,’ Janet said. ‘I think Jack is an attractive man, but he has a wife and son, and I know you loved Able. It’s just my little bit of fun.’

  ‘Good,’ Peggy said seriously. ‘I had an affair with Able, but that was special. Besides, I’m hardly in the right condition for conductin’ torrid affairs, am I?’

  Janet met her gaze and started laughing, and then Peggy joined in. It was a release for all the pent-up emotion of the past few months and they were still giggling when Mike walked in. He smiled as he saw their faces and arched his brows.

  ‘What’s the joke? Can anyone join in?’

  ‘Janet thinks one of my customers fancies me,’ Peggy said and Janet nodded, still laughing. ‘Are you feelin’ any better now, Mike love?’

  ‘Yes.’ He met her look steadily. ‘As a matter of fact, I think I am, Peggy.’ He turned to Janet with a look of invitation in his eyes. ‘Shall we go for that walk now, love?’

  Chapter 31

  ‘This is nice,’ Maureen said, looking about her at the room Gordon had booked for their wedding night. The bedroom was fitted with cream furniture edged with gold and there was a deep bronze satin eiderdown on the bed, and an elbow chair covered with similar material on the seat. The curtains were gold and cream, and there was a lovely bathroom, which had grey marble tiles and taps that gleamed and gushed piping hot water, and also a separate shower. ‘Real luxury…’

  ‘I wanted the best for you,’ Gordon said and smiled as she sat on the edge of the bed, bouncing experimentally. ‘I wish we could have gone off to Spain or France or somewhere exotic for our honeymoon…’

  ‘No, this is perfect,’ she said and held her hand out to him with a shy smile. ‘Everythin’ has been perfect all day. I am very happy, Gordon.’

  ‘Are you – truly?’ he asked and took her hand in his, holding it carefully, as if he thought she might break. ‘To have you as my wife is a dream come true, Maureen. I’m afraid you’ve got a slow old thing for a husband. I didn’t wake up to how much I felt for you until it was too late – but I know it now.’

  ‘You’re not old and I don’t think either of us was ready back in ’39,’ Maureen said and held his hand tighter. ‘I’m ready now, Gordon.’ She said, moving closer and smiling up at him invitingly.

  ‘I love you very much,’ he said and leaned towards her. ‘I never expected that I would ever know such happiness again, Maureen.’

  ‘I want you to be happy,’ she said. ‘It isn’t the perfect start for us, Gordon, but I plan on bein’ a good wife and mother – and I love you too.’

  ‘Maureen…’ he hushed her with a gentle kiss. ‘You don’t have to say anythin’. I’ve got the most perfect wife I could have and the rest of it doesn’t bother me. Why should it? I’ve been married be
fore and I have a daughter I love. If you can accept that, I can certainly accept that you’re havin’ the baby of someone you once thought you loved…’ He smiled at her. ‘I just think I’m lucky to get you.’

  Maureen looked up into his eyes and saw that he meant every word. She smiled and put out a hand to trace the line of his cheek. Suddenly, she felt a surge of love and a desire to feel his arms about her. In that moment she realised that she’d come to appreciate and care for him through his wonderful letters and he meant more to her than she’d understood.

  ‘Don’t you think you’d better show me then,’ she said huskily. ‘I’m eager to try out this lovely bed…’

  A slow smile started in Gordon’s eyes as he saw the teasing light in hers. He pushed her gently back against the pillows and bent over her, his lips moving softly against hers.

  ‘I think that’s a pretty good idea,’ he whispered. ‘After all, we don’t have much time to waste…’

  *

  Maureen lay listening to her husband’s steady breathing as he slept beside her. Gordon had made love to her so sweetly, taking care to give her pleasure so that she felt a warm satisfaction in his loving and was able to give herself without restraint, enjoying the touch of his hands and the feel of his smooth hard flesh against her own.

  Gordon was a considerate lover. He’d teased her and they’d laughed together, easy and natural without any of the awkwardness she’d feared might happen when they were in bed. He’d given her a feeling of belonging that she’d never felt before, and together they’d experienced a rare happiness, a surety and content that she knew wasn’t given to all. Her heart filled with gratitude and love. She’d been given a second chance and she believed this time her love would be returned and appreciated. Gordon would never let her down. He would never dream of sleeping with another woman just because Maureen wasn’t available. She was so lucky to have this loving, considerate and tender man as her husband.