Born Bad

by Josephine Cox

  ‘Oh, charming, I must say.’ Brian thought he would never get used to her unpredictable moods. ‘I saw you come up the road and I tell you what, you really timed it right, because I’m gasping for a cuppa.’

  Fed up and tired, Nancy rounded on him. ‘Before you come in here you’d best get outside and brush all that rubbish off. Oh, and get them filthy boots out of my kitchen. I’m not in the mood to be scrubbing the floor after you.’

  The sight of an irritated Nancy advancing on him from across the kitchen sent Brian into a quick retreat. Racing out the door, he moved to a safe place where he brushed himself clean and stripped off his boots, which he placed very neatly side by side on the WELCOME doormat, before coming into the kitchen. ‘Presentable now, am I?’ he asked curtly. ‘Does this suit the lady of the house?’

  Still smarting from Don’s teasing, she ranted at him, ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Hands on hips and fire in her eyes, she looked a formidable sight. ‘Are you insinuating I have ideas above my station, is that it? Because if it is, you can make your own tea, and cook your own meals. How would you like that, eh?’

  Brian was shocked. ‘Hey! Whatever’s got into you? It was simply a cheeky remark to make you laugh, that’s all.’ Placing his two hands on her shoulders, he gently pushed her down into a chair. ‘Look, you sit there and I’ll make the tea. All right?’

  Feeling unusually vulnerable, Nancy nodded. ‘Yes, please, and I’m sorry to have yelled at you like that. It’s just something Dad said, about me wanting to be a lady of leisure.’

  Brian smiled at that. ‘Oh, I see, and along comes thoughtless Brian playing silly beggars. I don’t imagine for one minute that your dad meant to upset you. You know what he’s like. He teases, that’s all.’

  ‘I know. It’s just, it’s been a bad morning. I should never have gone into Leighton Buzzard. The shops were busy and the queues were never-ending. There was no crusty bread left in the baker’s and all the pork and apple sausages were sold by the time I’d got round to the butcher’s. My feet ache, my head’s throbbing, and I feel really fed up.’ She gave a long, noisy sigh. ‘The thing is, when I got in the door I was ready for a good row and Dad kind of got in the way.’

  ‘So, you don’t really want to be a lady of leisure then?’ Brian asked, the tiniest smile playing round his mouth. ‘Don got it all wrong, did he – as usual?’

  ‘’Course I would like to be a lady of leisure.’ Nancy playfully prodded him in the chest. ‘What woman wouldn’t like to live in a big house, or have servants, and be able to shop without counting the pennies?’

  It was only when Brian lapsed into silence and drew away, that she realised how cruel her remark was. ‘Oh, what a thoughtless cow I am!’ Throwing her arms round her husband’s neck, she pulled him to her. ‘There are more important things in life than having money in the bank and being pampered.’

  ‘Such as?’ Brian felt mortally wounded.

  ‘Well, there’s the love of a good man like yourself, and the fun of building a life together. Then there’s the children. I don’t dare imagine what life would be like without the children, and you.’

  Particularly the children, she thought proudly. Even though she said so herself, she had made an excellent job of raising them.

  Their son David was intelligent and ambitious; a successful man in the making, much like his Uncle Mac. As for their daughter Sammie, well, she was Nancy’s absolute pride and joy. Sammie was always straightforward and compassionate, and would fight to the death for what was right.

  Nancy admired those qualities in her, though she would never admit it, not even if she had to walk over hot coals. She herself had never laid claim to having as warm a heart. Brian was more like Sammie … being able to forgive unconditionally. But sadly, Nancy was not made in the same mould. It was something she deeply regretted.

  ‘You’re right, Nance. We do have two wonderful kids.’ Brian’s familiar voice found its way into her thoughts. ‘And yes, having a happy family life is worth more than gold.’

  ‘That’s it. We don’t really need all the things that Rita and Mac have,’ Nancy agreed, ‘because we have something that they were never blessed with – children. Also, I’ve got you, Brian. A man who keeps us all safe and will always look after us; a man who loves me without condition, even though sometimes I don’t deserve it.’

  She paused, remembering the hard times and the worries that they had come through together. ‘I know I don’t often say it, but I do love you, Brian.’

  When he now glanced up to look into her face, she planted a fleeting kiss on his forehead. ‘You’re a good man, Brian Wells.’

  He held her for a moment. ‘You’d best go and apologise to your dad,’ he suggested.

  ‘Dad can wait,’ she answered. ‘He’s got his head in the racing paper, busy picking out his winners for this afternoon. No. The two of us are going to sit down together with a cup of tea and a slice of that Madeira cake I got from the baker’s.’ She gestured to the table. ‘So go on then. Sit yourself down, before I change my mind. Your order is on its way, sir.’ She gave a mock curtsy. ‘But don’t expect anything too fancy, not in this café!’

  As always, Brian meekly did as he was told, encouraged by her words of appreciation for the energy and devotion he put into keeping this family fed, clothed and housed.

  Without gratitude there would be no sense of accomplishment, and of late, he had been increasingly comparing his own achievements to those of Nancy’s Uncle Mac. Not a very reassuring pastime, and one he would try his hardest to abandon.

  The trouble was, Nancy’s sour remarks about big houses, servants and being able to go anywhere she wanted in the world, had cut him deep. And though he knew in his heart it had not been meant in the way it was taken, the comments did hurt his sense of pride.

  On hearing the news that Mac and Rita were coming to stay locally for a short break, Brian was less than thrilled.

  ‘It’ll do Uncle Mac a power of good to come down here,’ Nancy said as she poured his tea. ‘I’m not sure it’s a healthy way to live, all that work and worry – not for Mac anyway. Rita simply enjoys the ride, reaping the rewards of Mac’s hard work. It doesn’t seem to worry her that she hardly ever sees him.’

  Brian had thought of all that, and something else too. There was this one particular question that often popped into his head, as it did now. ‘Do you think Mac ever has a little fling when he’s away?’ he asked.

  Nancy was not unduly surprised at his question, because at times the same thought had crossed her mind too. ‘I don’t really know,’ she answered, ‘but I suppose it’s likely. I mean, he’s a red-blooded man, and he has got that kind of way with him that could have women fawning at his feet.’

  Brian gave a wry little grin. ‘Might I ask if that includes you?’

  ‘Maybe the teeniest bit,’ Nancy confessed. ‘But it’s not a physical attraction or anything like that. It’s more a niece’s admiration of her rich uncle’s achievements. The thing is, I’ve grown up with Dad always singing his praises and it’s kind of rubbed off, if you know what I mean.’

  She laughed at the sorry look on her husband’s face. ‘Anyway, you’ve no need to worry, because firstly he’s my uncle, and secondly even if he wasn’t, he could never be my kind of man.’

  ‘Oh, and why’s that?’

  ‘Because you’re my kind of man. The first minute I saw you, I wanted you straight off. Nothing’s changed on that score.’

  ‘Well, thank you. I’m very pleased to hear it.’ And he was. ‘Coming back to Uncle Mac and other women,’ Nancy went on, ‘I reckon he might well have had a fling or two in his time.’

  ‘Really? What makes you say that?’

  ‘Well, let me ask you something.’ She herself had noticed it time and again. ‘I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the two of them holding hands, or showing any signs of affection to each other. In fact, I don’t think I’ve even seen them share a joke or laugh out loud with each other. Have you?
’

  Unlike Nancy, Brian had not really taken much notice, but now he was sure of it. ‘Come to think of it, you’re absolutely right,’ he gave a naughty little chuckle, ‘Ooh!’ He said it again: ‘Ooh!’

  The smile on his face was positively wicked; until Nancy told him to grow up, and ‘Get rid of that smug little grin!’

  The conversation finished right there and a silence descended. All that could be heard was Brian slurping his tea while Nancy ate her cake, reflecting on the possibility of Uncle Mac, the ‘cheat’. It was a curious observation. Cheating on Aunt Rita with another woman.

  Whatever next!

  Chapter Sixteen

  IT WAS GONE teatime when Mac and his wife arrived.

  Ushering Rita into the house before him, Mac greeted everyone in sight, which did not include the youngsters, as they and Patsy were all three upstairs in Judy’s room. ‘I’ve heard Elvis Pelsey that often, I’m beginning to think it’s me that’s headed for “Heartbreak Hotel”.’ Don was at the end of his tether.

  ‘It’s Presley!’ Nancy corrected him for the umpteenth time. ‘Not Pelsey.’

  Tutting and mumbling, Don made his way to the foot of the stairs. ‘I don’t know how many times I’ve asked them to turn that racket down! What with that and “Jailhouse Rock” … Thoughtless, that’s what they are.’ He turned to address Rita and Mac. ‘Kids today, eh?’

  ‘Aw, they’re all right.’ Mac could recall his own youth. ‘When kids start playing their music, they’re in a world of their own.’

  A bit riled, Don yelled up the stairs, ‘David! Sammie! Your Uncle Mac and Aunt Rita are here! Are you coming down or what?’

  A moment later the music fell silent, then came the clattering of feet running down the stairs. David arrived with the hint of a smile on his face and his girlfriend on his arm. ‘For us it’s hello and goodbye, I’m afraid. We’re just off out,’ he told everyone. ‘We promised to meet up with some friends and we’re already half an hour late.’

  ‘Hello, my love.’ Rita gave him a hug. ‘So, aren’t you going to introduce us to this pretty girl then?’

  Visibly embarrassed, David introduced Patsy to Rita, but when Mac stepped forward, the introduction was conducted more swiftly as David ushered his girlfriend towards the door. ‘Sorry, but we’ll have to rush or we’ll be late.’ A moment later they were hurrying down the garden path.

  ‘Well, he’s in a bit of a hurry, isn’t he?’ Mac said, rather put out.

  ‘His girl seems a sweet young thing,’ Rita commented.

  From the kitchen window, Mac monitored David and the girl until they were out of sight. ‘You’re right,’ he told Rita, ‘Looks like young David’s done all right for himself.’

  As he turned, Sammie came into the kitchen; dressed in a swirly brown skirt and fitting white top, she had a ready smile on her face and a definite spring to her step. ‘Hello again, you two,’ she said, and hurried towards them.

  Mac’s face lit up at the sight of her. ‘Ah, now here’s the prettiest of them all.’ Rushing forward, he gave her a long, affectionate bear-hug, at the same time vigorously rocking her from side to side and tousling her hair. ‘How’s my favourite girl then, eh?’

  ‘I’m fine, thank you, Uncle Mac.’ Sammie did not particularly care for those long bear-hugs, but then that was Uncle Mac’s way. Over the years she had learned to live with it.

  Rita was much more gentle. ‘Oh Sammie, you look lovely, as always,’ she said, offering a little kiss. ‘We’re only here for a couple of days – staying at the Swan in Leighton Buzzard. Mac’s had a really busy time of it lately; he desperately needed this break.’

  Sammie gladly returned the kiss. ‘It’s good to see you, Aunt Rita.’

  ‘Oh, but I was so glad when Mac suggested coming here.’ Rita glanced about. ‘Where’s your mum?’

  ‘She’s right here!’ Bouncing in, Nancy explained how she and Brian had been out the back. ‘Discussing a complete reorganisation of the vegetable patch. Anyway, enough about that, it’s good to see you.’ After throwing herself into Mac’s open arms, she then gave Rita a firm cuddle.

  Brian shook hands with Mac and thanked him again for the use of his house while they were away. Mac told him enough said, and so Brian then gave Rita an energetic cuddle and the softest of kisses on the cheek, making her blush to her roots.

  ‘Dad said you were coming to see us,’ Brian addressed Mac. ‘So – you decided to escape the rat-run for a while, did you?’

  ‘Got it in one,’ Mac answered. ‘You either stay one foot ahead of it, or you go under. So, I decided to opt out for a couple of days … catch my breath, so to speak.’

  Rita gave a kind of snort. ‘Huh! In that case, why have you brought all that paperwork with you then? And what were those two long phone-calls you made at the hotel, the minute we got through the door?’

  Mac seemed embarrassed. ‘Ah, well now, I didn’t say I was about to abandon my responsibilities altogether, love. Because if I did that, the sharks will have stripped me bare by the time I get back.’

  ‘Come through into the sitting room,’ Brian invited. ‘If we ask Nancy nicely, she’ll make us a pot of tea and perhaps rustle up a few little fancies.’

  Nancy’s voice cut in. ‘Yes, you four kindly clear off into the sitting room, and I’ll be along shortly.’

  Mac felt a pang of disappointment. ‘What about Sammie? Isn’t she joining us?’ Looking around, he realised she had gone.

  ‘’Fraid not. She’s off to the village hall. The Parish Committee are putting a dance on and Sammie’s been driving me crazy, wanting new shoes, a haircut and make-up. I told her, she doesn’t need all that fanciness, because she’s pretty enough as it is.’

  ‘Quite right.’ Mac had never thought Sammie would be a beauty in the traditional sense of the word, but there was something about her, with that wild blonde hair and a temperament to go with it. He, for one, thought she was very special.

  ‘You don’t mind, do you?’ Sammie returned to say cheerio. ‘Only it’s gonna be great. Good music and plenty of dancing; I’ve been really looking forward to it.’ Brought up by the sight of Mac’s disappointed expression, she promised, ‘Oh look, I’ll go and tell them I’m not coming, if you like?’

  ‘No, you can’t do that,’ Rita interrupted. ‘Your mates want you there, so get off and enjoy yourself, my darling. After all, you’re only young once.’ She turned to Mac. ‘Isn’t that right?’

  ‘Of course it is.’ He winked at Sammie. ‘Besides, how can you not go now, when you’ll be the prettiest girl in the room? Rita’s right. You get off and enjoy yourself.’

  ‘Thank you, Uncle Mac. See you both soon. Bye!’

  ‘Right then.’ Brian began ushering them along. ‘Let’s go to the sitting room, shall we?’

  Everyone agreed, and the two women set the table in there with tea, cakes and chunky ham sandwiches. Everyone was completely at ease – with maybe the exception of Rita – who always found it difficult to relax in other people’s houses; even with relatives.

  ‘You know what?’ Don glanced about. ‘How about breaking open those two bottles of wine I hid in the kitchen cabinet?’

  ‘Yes!’ everyone yelled in unison – even Rita – and so the wine was dutifully produced, with five best glasses, and a corkscrew.

  A few minutes later, warmed by their first glass of a rich Bordeaux, they chatted about this and that, yet beneath the surface was the same old question that always arose whenever they got together.

  Rita raised the subject now. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Judy, have you?’ she asked nervously, her cheeks rosy from the wine. ‘I mean … has she been in touch at all?’

  Nancy positively bristled. ‘We’ve heard nothing,’ she answered with a stiff smile.

  ‘Which is just as well, in the light of recent circumstances,’ Don added.

  ‘What circumstances?’ Mac wanted to know.

  ‘Best forgotten!’ That was Don.

  ‘Re
ally?’ When Mac caught Nancy giving her father a curious glance, he would not be silenced. ‘What’s happened? Have you heard something? Is she all right?’

  In a quiet, aching voice and knowing that once Mac had the bit between his teeth, he would not let it go, Don told him a half-truth. ‘We heard she’d gone completely off the rails – boozing, keeping company with men of a certain kind – that sort of thing.’

  Rita was shocked. ‘Oh, dearie me. Poor Judy.’

  ‘Poor Judy nothing!’ Nancy exclaimed. ‘We all knew which way she was headed.’

  ‘It’s best if we don’t discuss her,’ Don said wisely. ‘Water under the bridge and all that.’

  Very slightly intoxicated, Rita could not accept that – and when she now voiced her opinion, it was totally out of character. ‘Judy was never really a bad girl. I always thought she was such a lovely little thing … so kind and considerate.’

  ‘Well, you were wrong, weren’t you?’ Mac patted her on the back of the hand. ‘She may have been a sweet little girl once, but not any more. People change,’ he said forcefully. ‘They change, and often there is nothing anyone can do.’

  Close to tears and made more emotional by the wine, Rita went on to make matters a good deal worse. ‘Don’t you ever regret throwing her out?’ she asked of Don. ‘If you had let her stay and helped her through that terrible time, don’t you think it might have all turned out better?’

  ‘Rita!’ Mac shook his head, furious. ‘Don’t interfere! It’s none of our business.’

  ‘Oh dear, I am so sorry!’ His wife was mortified. ‘Mac’s right. I am interfering … please, just forget what I said.’

  Don, however, decided to lay the ghost of his lost daughter once and for all. ‘You’ve no need to apologise,’ he said gently. ‘The truth is, it was not just rumours we heard about Judy. I actually saw her with my own eyes, drunk on the streets, and actually engaged in a vicious fight. She was with another drunken person – a man who, according to certain quarters, is a brute of questionable reputation.’