by June Francis
Rita was drooping and this time her aunt insisted she went to bed. She told herself she had to think what to do about Sam but the happenings of the day caught up with her and she fell into an exhausted sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Margaret walked into the pawnshop and found Ellen talking with one of the handsomest young men she had ever seen. He was definitely not a customer — too exotically dressed. His trilby was set at a rakish angle and instead of a tie he wore a yellow and red spotted scarf tucked inside the neck of his shirt. His suit was a deep blue and in his buttonhole he wore a red rosebud. She hazarded a guess to his identity. ‘Is this your brother?’
Ellen smiled and straightened up from the counter. ‘You’ve got it in one. Sandy, meet Rita’s aunt, Miss Sinclair.’
Sandy bowed before shaking her hand. ‘Thank you for being so kind to Ellen.’
Margaret felt a little discomforted and said, ‘Well, she’s pulled her weight this time. But you must come and see Rita. She’s spoken about you and the company and needs cheering up. I presume Ellen’s told you what’s been happening?’
He looked grave. ‘Terrible! But it would make a good story. Man imprisoned on the word of a beautiful girl seeks vengeance.’
Margaret was amused. ‘Don’t say that to Rita. At the moment she can’t stand looking in the mirror. She has a black eye, swollen jaw and is so stiff she can hardly walk. There’s my wedding in two days and her own in a couple of weeks and I can see it’s getting to her.’
‘Poor kid,’ said Sandy, looking concerned. ‘Tell her I’ll be around later with Ellen.’
Margaret thanked him, had a look at the books and the fire damage and left, having decided it was time to get rid of the shop. What with the yard and her other business, which she had told Will she had no intention of giving up, and a husband, baby and house to run she already had far too much on her plate. Sam was going to be busy up at the yard and probably he and Rita would start a family right away, and running the shop and having babies might prove too much for her niece. Then there was Josh. His father had yet to turn up.
She grimaced. But she was happy so was in a mood to want the whole world to be happy, too, even Alan. He had gone back to Scotland after saying to his twin and Billy that it was regrettable, but after all this time it would be foolish to believe they could start forging strong bonds. They had their lives and he had his but maybe they could still keep in touch. Billy had said that he hadn’t really expected any different and shrugged, saying all the people he really cared about were here in Liverpool, and he had continued with the task William had given him.
Her face had softened, thinking of Billy, remembering him bursting through the back door like a pantomime demon, sooty-faced and panting as she and Will canoodled, to tell them the house was on fire. She thought of Jimmy and her expression darkened. William had said to write the stolen money and his stepson off and no longer would he take responsibility for his actions.
Families were a right mixture. Margaret thought of her sister and niece. They couldn’t be more different. She’d still like to tar and feather her sister at times but her niece… Again Margaret’s face softened, but she wasn’t going to get all sentimental. She loved the girl and wished she would regain her good spirits soon.
*
Rita had been having a lovely dream, standing in front of St Catherine’s altar in her wedding dress and saying ‘I do’ to Billy, who was standing at her side. It was the knocker being violently wielded which woke her up. She eased herself upright and retrieved her book from the floor and placed it on the arm of the sofa. She remembered that Mrs Richards had gone shopping and taken the baby and Josh with her so as she could rest. Slowly she made her way downstairs.
She blinked in the sunlight and put a hand over her black eye but was able to see clearly with the other one the large good-looking black man on the doorstep. He removed his seaman’s cap. ‘You have ma boy?’
Her face lighted up. ‘You must be Caleb. I’m Rita.’ She held out her hand.
He looked relieved and took her small pale one in his large calloused hand. ‘Joshua is OK?’
‘He’s fine, just not here at the moment.’
His face fell. ‘Eve wrote —’
‘Mam’s not here. If you were hoping to see —’
‘No, no! I just want ma boy.’
‘That’s a relief,’ said Rita. ‘He’s only gone to the shops and should be back soon.’
The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Josh’s joyous voice cried, ‘There’s me dad!’
The next moment the boy had flung himself at his father and the bear hug the man gave the lad convinced Rita that Caleb’s feelings for his son were of the right sort and she invited him in.
Rita placed a steaming cup and a plate of sandwiches in front of Caleb and asked what his plans were for Josh.
‘You’ve no need to worry about ma Joshua. I’ve got a woman to look after him.’ His expression was earnest.
‘In Cardiff?’
‘Here in Liverpool. I know her from way back but her husband was alive then and I allowed ma self to be sweet-talked into taking Eve to Cardiff with me. Now ma Agnes is a widow woman so I’ll be staying at her place. She has no kids of her own and is happy to look after ma boy while I’m away.’
Rita decided not to ask whether he’d be divorcing her mother. It was plain to see that Eve and Caleb weren’t bothered about it, so why should she worry?
‘Agnes isn’t a looker like your mam but she’s kind and if you want to come and see Josh any time you’ll find a welcome.’
Rita thanked him and said she’d like that. Then she went to pack Josh’s clothes.
Shortly after, father and son left but not before Josh gave Rita a big hug and Caleb asked who’d hit her and said to send them to him. She explained what had happened and his eyes were like organ stops. Then she waved them off, convinced Josh was in safe hands and pleased she would be able to see him when she wanted. If only she could sort her own life so easily; she had hardly seen Sam since the day of the fires and it had been the same with Billy. She was starting to feel desperate.
*
Margaret arrived back at the house after shopping and visiting the padre and Sarah to find that Ellen and Sandy had arrived and were seated at the dining table with Sam, Billy and Rita, eating fish and chips. At least the brother and sister were — the other three were only picking at theirs. She said hello and then went upstairs to unpack her shopping and have a bath.
Rita was in some discomfort but did not want to miss any of the conversation that was about parents. Sam’s expression was tense and she wondered when they could talk about them and the wedding.
He must have noticed her gaze on him because suddenly he said, ‘I’ve got a helluva headache.’
‘I’ll get you some aspirin.’
‘You stay there,’ said Billy, placing a hand on her shoulder. ‘Tell me where they are and I’ll get them.’
She did so and watched him leave the room.
Sandy said to Sam, ‘None of us can be responsible for our parents. Yours sounds a brute. Mine was the same. Always wanting to toughen me up — cold baths and ten-mile runs with bricks stuffed in a haversack.’
‘That’s terrible,’ said Sam, his eyes wide as he absently reached for a chip. ‘Where is he now?’
‘He’s on his way back from India. I’m glad to say his return’s come at the right time. I don’t know if you know, we’re planning on going out there with the company?’
‘I’ve told him all about it,’ said Ellen, lighting a cigarette.
‘Good!’ Sandy smiled at Sam and continued what he was going to say. ‘Dad would only pull me down — denigrate what I’m doing and I’d rather not have to put up with that.’
Sam nodded and taking a deep breath, said, ‘I wouldn’t mind getting away for a while. I lost a mate recently, you see.’ Rita stared at him and so did Ellen. Sam reddened, aware of the effect his words must be having on Rita i
n particular. ‘I could paint scenery for you, Sandy — you ask Mr Brodie if I’m any good.’
‘He is,’ said Rita, making up her mind to seize this opportunity to straighten out matters between her and Sam. ‘He can drive a lorry, too. Didn’t you mention having some trouble with your driver? Something about him not being too keen on going abroad?’
‘That’s right,’ said Sandy, his startled eyes going quickly from her to Sam. ‘But I thought you two were —’
‘I won’t need much in the way of wages,’ said Sam, reaching out for Rita’s hand and squeezing it. ‘Just a place to doss down and some grub until I get the hang of things.’
‘Sam!’ said Rita. ‘There’s something I must tell you.’
‘Me too. I can’t go through with the wedding, Reet.’ He stared at her unflinching.
Sandy glanced at his sister, who said, ‘Let’s slip outside and leave them to sort this out.’
As soon as they were alone Rita said, ‘So Billy was right, Sam!’
‘I’m not your Mr Right, luv. You’ll be better off with him.’ He squeezed her hand.
‘It’s to do with Archie, isn’t it? He was the first real mate you’d ever had.’
‘You were that, Reet.’ His voice was husky. ‘I don’t really want to talk about it. But, honestly, the closer the wedding came the more I realised I didn’t have the right feelings for you. Billy really loves you. I could see it in the way he looks at you and I’ve seen that look of longing when you look at him, too.’ She went to speak but he placed his fingers gently on her lips. ‘Don’t deny your true feelings. I’ll be OK. I’ve been getting itchy feet lately, and even if Sandy turns me down I’ll be leaving Liverpool.’
‘Oh Sam!’ Rita’s eyes were moist. ‘I’m going to miss you.’
‘Aye! I’ll miss you too. But never say die, Reet!’ He kissed her and then blundered out of the room.
Rita stared through a haze of tears at the engagement ring on her left hand. Slowly she removed it. Sam could sell it. He would need the money it would bring.
Ten minutes passed before Billy entered the room. He looked at her face and without a word took her into her arms and held her close. ‘He’s going to go with Sandy and Ellen. He’ll be OK with them. They’ll see he doesn’t get too low and do something stupid.’
‘I know. He gets on with Ellen. Perhaps, one day…’ She lifted her head and looked up at him.
Billy said nothing but hugged her.
At that moment Margaret entered the room and stopped in her tracks. ‘What’s going on here?’
They turned to face her. Rita searched for the right words but in the end just said, ‘Sam and I have broken off our engagement. He’s got itchy feet and we’ve discovered that being fond of each other isn’t a good enough reason in our case to get married.’
Margaret was silent a moment. ‘I see. I suppose that’s why the pair of you have been miserable lately. Isn’t it a good job you’ve got Billy around to cheer you up?’
‘Isn’t it!’ said Billy with a sudden gleam in his eyes. ‘But you’ve still got your wedding to look forward to. So you’re not going to be too disappointed over Rita’s and Sam’s being cancelled, are you?’
Margaret smiled. ‘I think I’ll cope. Who knows? There might be another one on the cards before too long.’
***
Two days later Rita helped her aunt into a cream organdie frock with matching coat for her wedding. On her gleaming hair Margaret wore a close-fitting hat made of cream chiffon petals. Billy was best man and Rita was bridesmaid. The bruising about her eye had turned yellow but she had toned it down with face powder. Jerry and Sarah, Sam, Ellen, Sandy, Mrs Richards, Babs and baby Jonathan attended the ceremony. Afterwards they returned to the house where William would live with Margaret. A wedding breakfast had been prepared by Mrs Richards and it was sumptuous and an enjoyable time was had by all. Especially as it was obvious to Margaret and Rita that Sam was getting on fine with Sandy.
There was to be no honeymoon until the work at the yard was completed because Margaret and William wanted to keep an eye on things. Hopefully the work would be finished by August so the newlyweds could have a delayed honeymoon, a twelve-days cruise to the Mediterranean at the bargain price of a pound a day. These had been started by the White Star Line to provide work for laid-off crews, as well as to bring in some much needed revenue to the shipping company. As she sat at her desk, Margaret dreamt about getting away with Will, having put the pawnshop up for sale.
She was not the only one who dreamt of getting away. After saying goodbye to Sam, Rita knew she and Billy would not wait long before tying the knot. They desperately wanted each other and it was not easy controlling their physical feelings. He was camping up at the yard in two rooms and working his socks off helping run the place. When William suggested that he give up the sea and go into partnership with him he agreed: Margaret had returned the deeds of the yard to her husband on their wedding day. Rita was delighted and so they decided to break the news to Margaret and William that they wanted to get married.
‘We saw it coming, didn’t we?’ said William, beaming.
‘We couldn’t be happier,’ said Margaret, hugging them both. ‘You can have the second floor of the house for your own.’
Rita looked at Billy to see if that was OK with him. He nodded, knowing how much she loved the house in Abercromby Square.
It was decided that Mr Dixon and his family would move into the one at the yard when the repairs were finished.
The wedding day was set for August.
Rita was glad she had that short time to get used to not having Sam around. She shed her tears in private. She might not have loved him as a lover but they had been close and she missed him.
In Billy’s company she blossomed. He took her dancing, to the theatre and cinema and they crossed the Mersey on the ferry and had all the fun of the fair in New Brighton. They loved, they laughed and they told each other things about their childhood they had never mentioned to anyone else.
Almost unbelievably, considering how far the postcards had to come, two arrived on their wedding day. One was from Sam saying he was in Calcutta and it was hot, hot, hot! He was fine and she was not to worry about him but to be happy with Billy. She put the card next to the phoenix that Billy had given her and then, tight-lipped, gazed at the picture of the Statue of Liberty on the other postcard. As she read how Eve’s new fella had dumped her and that she was living in a two-bit place in Brooklyn and was it possible for her to arrange to have some money sent to her, Rita started laughing. Her mam would never change. She would be selfish to the end, but at least she no longer had the power to hurt her.
There was a tap on the door and Margaret said, ‘Can I come in?’
‘Of course! Read this.’ She handed the postcard to her aunt.
Margaret read it and said in a satisfied voice, ‘Everything comes to she who waits. We’ll let her stew. See if we get any more postcards. Today we’ve got more important things to think about.’
She helped Rita into her long white satin gown and placed the chaplet of white roses holding a trailing lace veil into place. ‘You look lovely,’ she said unsteadily, wiping a tear away.
Rita smiled. ‘You look pretty good yourself. Very different from the first time I saw you.’
‘You too!’ Margaret hugged her and then together they went downstairs where William was waiting to give Rita away.
The organ swelled and the first notes of the ‘Wedding March’ filled St Catherine’s. The men at the yard had been given the day off and all those who’d frequented the pawnshop were there to see Rita marry her Billy.
She gazed at the back of his head where his black hair curled in the nape of his neck and her heart seemed to swell with love.
He turned as she came alongside him and there was such a look in his eyes that she could feel the heat of his desire. He reached out a hand and she placed hers in it. The ages-old words of the service began.
The vicar
had got to the bit where he was announcing Rita and Billy as man and wife when there was the sound of a scuffle at the back of the church and a voice yelled, ‘It’s not right! I should have been the partner! The yard should have been mine!’
A murmur rippled through the congregation and all heads turned to stare at the wild-eyed figure struggling with the verger. ‘As for that slut you’re marrying she —’
‘You never give up, do you, Jimmy?’ Billy’s voice was thick with fury. He turned to Rita. ‘Don’t go away, luv.’
He raced up the aisle and grabbing his stepbrother by the lapels of his jacket hauled him outside. ‘What the hell’s wrong with you, man? You could have made good but you have to ruin everything you touch. What did you do with the money? You’re a wreck!’
‘Leave me bloody alone!’ snarled Jimmy, aiming a blow at him.
‘Enough of that,’ said the padre, coming at Jimmy from behind and twisting his arm up his back.
William touched Billy’s shoulder. ‘Get back to your bride. We’ll deal with this.’
Billy hesitated, then saw the expressions on the older men’s faces, and did as he was told.
The rest of the wedding passed off without a hitch despite the mood of shocked excitement in the air.
Billy held Rita’s trembling hand tightly as they left the church. Of the padre and Jimmy there was no sign. Even as they smiled for the photographs, Margaret asked William what had Jerry done to Jimmy.
‘I’m sure we’ll get to know before we leave tomorrow.’ He smiled reassuringly.
That night in the new double bed, Billy was telling Rita the same thing. They had not long finished making love. As her husband fell asleep in her arms she relived the moment when his lips had fastened on hers with a fierce hunger that had matched hers. He had kissed her all over and it was so much nicer than she had imagined. Her body seemed to have had a life of its own when they made love. His gentleness had washed away the memories of what she had experienced at Jimmy’s and Mr McGinty’s hands, and she looked forward to repeating the experience.