Bow Belles

by Bow Belles (retail) (epub)

  Her gentle smile made him suddenly awkward. Clearing his throat loudly, he made a great show of looking round for a vase in which to deposit his offering. Kate watched him tenderly, her smile growing wider as he blundered across to the stone basin and laid the bouquet in it. Grinning sheepishly, he said, ‘That’s grand, isn’t it? All that searching, and nothing to put them in!’

  Holding out her hand, Kate said softly, ‘I thought it was me that was supposed to be nervous!’ She wrapped her arms round his neck, ignoring his protests that she would get herself soaking wet.

  ‘Hey, hold on a minute!’ he laughed nervously. ‘At least let me get out of me clothes… Oh! I mean…’

  Seeing his discomfort, Kate threw back her head and laughed merrily. ‘I expect I’ll be seeing a lot of you without your clothes on from now on!’ Then, at the look on his face she asked him, ‘What’s wrong, John? You’re not having second thoughts, are you? If you are, I’d rather know now than…’

  ‘Oh, dear God!’ He closed his eyes, tightening his arms round her waist. ‘How could you ever think such a thing, Kate? Don’t you know I love you more than life itself? It’s just that… Well, with all that’s happened, I don’t want to rush you… I’m afraid of frightening you…’

  His words were cut off by Kate’s fingers pressing against his lips. ‘You could never frighten me, John, not unless you stopped loving me.’ Cupping his face in her hands, she whispered, ‘Let’s go to bed. I won’t feel really married until we do.’

  He swept her up into his arms and carried her reverently towards the bed.

  In the early hours of the morning Kate woke with a start, wondering for a moment where she was. Then she remembered. Propping herself up on her elbow, she gazed down at the sleeping form beside her. She remained in the same position until her arm began to ache, then carefully snuggled back down under the covers. Cuddling up against John’s back, she closed her eyes, feeling safer and happier than she’d ever felt in her life.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  ‘I’ll have to go now, William. There are still arrangements to be made for the move to the new house. Do you remember me telling you we are moving?’ When no answer came, Florrie swallowed hard and carried on. ‘Bridie has been an enormous help. It was she who found suitable accommodation for us all. It’s practically the same as home, but… Well, anyway, it’s in a different area, Hackney, so the rent is a bit higher, but it will be good for the children to get away from…’ Her words faded into silence as William continued to stare at her vacantly. She wasn’t sure if he understood anything, but she persevered. ‘Kate and John will be here soon. They said they would visit about six, and it’s nearly that now.’

  William looked at the woman at his bedside, no sign of comprehension in his watery eyes. Turning his head, he saw the two young girls, and the small boy perched on the edge of the bed. Then his head dropped, his laboured breathing telling his visitors that he had fallen asleep again.

  Wearily, Florrie rose to her feet. ‘Come along, children. Your father needs his rest. We can come back tomorrow.’

  Billy climbed down reluctantly. He couldn’t understand why his dad didn’t speak any more, and he was missing his Kate. The house didn’t seem the same without her. Still… His face brightened as he recalled that today was Saturday, and Sunday was always spent at Bridie’s house. With the resilience of the young he clambered to the floor and dutifully kissed his father’s cheek before skipping from the hospital ward. Sally, too, was distressed to see her father so ill; only Alice breathed a sigh of relief that the day’s visiting was over. It was so hard to sit here every day for an hour with her dad falling in and out of sleep all the time.

  They were at the end of the corridor leading to the exit when Robert rounded the corner, almost cannoning into them.

  ‘Robert!’ Florrie couldn’t stop the note of pleasure from creeping into her voice at the sight of the man she loved.

  ‘Hello, Florrie! Hello, children!’ he acknowledged the small group. ‘How did you find your father today?’

  In all innocence, Billy piped up cheerfully, ‘Don’t be silly, Doctor! We just went to the ward. It wasn’t hard to find him!’

  Throwing back his head, Robert laughed. ‘Of course it wasn’t, young sir. You’ll have to forgive me for my ignorance. It must be my age that’s making me so forgetful!’ Addressing the children, he said gaily, ‘Would you mind if I had a word with your mother? You can wait downstairs, and look –’ He took out a florin – ‘There’s a toffee-apple vendor outside the gates. This should be enough to buy one each.’

  They all looked to Florrie for approval, and when she nodded her head, they trooped down the stairs, glad of the chance to get out into the fresh March air.

  Left alone, the elders looked at each other with longing. There was so much they wanted to say, but the knowledge of the sick man lying just a short distance away prevented them from voicing their feelings.

  Keeping his voice normal, Robert asked, ‘Has William managed to say anything today?’

  ‘No, nothing. He doesn’t even seem to know we are there most of the time.’

  Robert heard the weariness in her voice, and clasped his hands behind his back, fearful he might lose control and pull her into his arms. ‘Hasn’t he tried to communicate by writing?’

  Startled, Florrie raised her eyes to his. ‘No, never… Why, has he with you?’

  Avoiding her gaze, Robert made a great show of consulting his hunter. ‘Lord, look at the time! I’m late for my rounds.’ Replacing the watch in its pocket, he took Florrie’s hand in farewell, holding it a fraction longer than necessary. ‘I’ll have to go, my dear. Oh, by the way, Kate tells me you’ve found a house. When exactly are you planning to move?’

  ‘Next Saturday,’ Florrie told him, upset and confused by his apparent lack of real interest. It could have been a stranger standing before her enquiring about her plans.

  ‘I hope you’ll be very happy in your new home. Now I really must go. Goodbye for now, my dear.’

  Florrie waited until he disappeared into the side ward, her face crumpled in disappointment. He had seemed in a hurry to get away from her. Maybe he had at last accepted that there was no future for them. Fighting back threatened tears, she lifted her chin proudly. Well, she didn’t need him. She could manage very well on her own, thank you very much! But she did need him. Oh, dear lord, how she needed him!

  * * *

  ‘Mr Browning, are you sure? I mean… forgive me for asking, sir, but are you aware of the implications of your request?’

  William’s fingers trembled in agitation, his head bobbing up and down alarmingly as he fought to make himself plain. Seeing his plight, Robert helped him pick up the pen, and, holding his fingers steady, he watched as the nib moved erratically across the paper. It was a laborious task, and when he was finished, William flopped back on to his pillows, his features gaunt and pale.

  Paying no heed to the note, Robert held the man’s fleshy wrist, raising his eyebrows in concern at his rapid pulse. Putting his professional instinct ahead of his personal feelings, Robert laid William’s hand back on top of the sheet. ‘You mustn’t agitate yourself, Mr Browning. You need to rest. Please… Oh, all right… It’s all right,’ he added quickly as the elderly man began to cry. ‘I’ll read the letter. Please just calm yourself.’

  Pulling up the chair reserved for visitors, he sat down, thoughtful. Only yesterday William had done the same thing, and the contents of the brief note had left Robert stunned. He had asked Robert to take Florrie and the children into his care. At the time, Robert had taken the scrawled note to be but a symptom of the man’s rambling mind; now he wasn’t so sure. Putting the paper down, he took a deep breath and began to read.

  ‘Please do as I ask. It is the only unselfish thing I have ever done. Let me have this last chance to redeem myself.’ Robert bowed his head, compassion rising in him at the turmoil that must be consuming the poor man.

  Folding the note carefully,
he looked directly at William, and asked for the last time. ‘Are you fully aware of what you are asking, Mr Browning?’ And when he nodded his grey head vigorously, Robert grasped his hand. ‘Then I shall do as you request, sir. That is, if Florrie and your children are willing.’

  Satisfied that his family would be looked after, William closed his eyes gratefully, feeling at that moment more of a man than he had ever done before.

  * * *

  The furniture van containing the family’s belongings had already left. Now they were waiting for a cab to ferry them to their new home.

  ‘Thank you for everything, Bridie. I don’t think I could have managed without your help.’

  Bridie flapped her hands in pleasurable annoyance. ‘Get away with you, lass! Sure an’ what else are friends for if not to help?’

  Something in her demeanour made Florrie look more closely at her. ‘What is it, Bridie? You’ve been like a cat on hot bricks all morning… No, I tell a lie, you’ve been acting strangely for the last couple of days, now I come to think of it.’

  Again Bridie flapped her hands. ‘God above, woman, what are you on about? Can’t a body act strange once in a while? Ah…’ she cried with relief. ‘There’s the cab arriving. Come on, youse lot!’ she called to the children who were taking a last look around the house that had been their home.

  ‘I wonder what’s keeping Kate and John?’ Florrie said as she picked up her hat and gloves from the table. ‘They said they’d be here to see us off… Oh, by the way, do you know anything about this house they’re thinking of renting? Kate’s been very mysterious about it. Whenever I ask, she just says nothing has been settled yet.’

  Bending down to fasten the top button on Billy’s coat, Bridie carefully avoided Florrie’s quizzical gaze. ‘Don’t ask me, lass,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘Nobody tells me anything. Anyway, they’ll be here soon, so I suppose you’ll find out what they’re planning soon enough.’

  ‘Will dad be coming to the new house when he’s better?’ Billy, his face excited at the new adventure of moving, looked up at his mother.

  ‘Maybe, son,’ Florrie answered. ‘You must remember your dad isn’t very well and he will have to stay in hospital for a long time yet. But yes…’ she added quickly as a shadow of doubt swept over the boy’s face. ‘As soon as dad is better, he will come to live with us. Now then, get yourself outside while I lock up.’ Happy at the reassuring words, Billy scampered outside to join his sisters.

  ‘Well, this is it, Bridie. I can’t say I’ll be sorry to leave. I know you’ll find this stupid, but… but I’ve hardly slept a wink these past months. It’s as if Alex is still here. Everywhere I go reminds me of him.’ She shuddered violently as a malevolent presence seemed to engulf her, then, quickly, she shut the front door and pushed the key through the letterbox. She was about to move then stopped, frozen to the spot. There, standing by the hansom cab, stood Robert, his normally confident face etched with uncertainty.

  ‘Well, go on, lass,’ Bridie urged from behind. ‘What are you waiting for?’

  Whirling round, Florrie faced her. ‘You knew he was coming to see us off, didn’t you? Oh, Bridie,’ her voice held a deep sadness, ‘don’t you realise this only makes matters worse? It was very kind of you to arrange it, but…’

  ‘Tush, lass, tush! Get yourself away to your man – ’cos he is your man when all’s said an’ done. Listen to what he has to say afore you make up your mind what to do. G’wan now, afore I start bawling!’ With a gentle push, she urged Florrie down the path and on to the street.

  Robert waited, one hand nervously twiddling the brim of his hat. Then, without a word, he handed Florrie the two letters William had written. She scanned the scrawled writing, not believing what she saw. She stared at Robert, then re-read the letters, pulling and twisting her features as she tried to understand their import.

  ‘Florrie!’ There was so much love and longing in that one word. So much hope. But how could she, how could she do as William asked? He couldn’t really mean it. He had always put his own interests first. There was no malice in her husband, it was simply how he was. Yet what if she were to take him at his word? Her heart pounding, she tried to think rationally. What of her children? How would they react to her living with another man? They still loved their father. If she were to take them into Robert’s home, surely they would see it as betrayal of their father? At the sound of hooves clattering towards them, she recognised Kate and John approaching.

  Jumping down from the cart, Kate ran over to her mother. ‘Mum! Oh, Mum…’ Throwing her arms round Florrie, Kate gave heart-rending cries. And, with each cry, Florrie’s hopes died. When the spasm was over, Kate stood back, her face smiling through the tears. ‘Be happy, Mum… Be happy!’

  Her loving words caused Florrie tremendous relief. She had imagined her daughter was condemning her, instead of which she was giving her blessing. Now her own tears were raining down her cheeks. ‘B—But what about the house, and… and all the furniture?’ Florrie spluttered through trembling lips.

  Kate looked at John before turning back to her mother. ‘Do you remember what I said about the house we were thinking of renting not being settled yet? Well… if it’s all right with you, we’ll change your rent book into our name. Besides…’ she gave a tremulous laugh, ‘where else could we get a house fully furnished at no extra cost?’

  Not knowing what to say, Florrie looked around the smiling group, her heart full to bursting. Kate, John and Bridie: they had all known of William’s wishes and Robert’s plan to carry them out. But why hadn’t Robert come to her himself with the news, instead of enlisting the help of her daughter and friend? Then she looked at him and knew why he had resorted to subterfuge. Even with the knowledge of Kate’s acceptance of her father’s wishes, Robert had still been afraid Florrie would refuse him. This way, he had presented her with a fait accompli.

  When Robert put his arm round her waist, she allowed him to help her into the carriage. Reaching out of the window, she grasped Kate’s hand. ‘Are you sure, love? I mean, are you sure you don’t mind?’

  Shaking her head, Kate fought back her conflicting emotions. Of course she minded, how could she not? But she had no right to stand in the way of her mother’s happiness. She knew with deep sadness that her father would never come out of hospital, even though he could live for many years. And she hoped and prayed he would have a long life. During the time he had left, she would visit him every day, and sit with him as long as he needed her.

  What use would it be to deny her mother those same years in the company of the man she truly loved? For that was where she would eventually end up. Why waste precious years, when both her parents could be happy now? Her father was happy in his own way. He had the constant company of the nurses and his fellow inmates, as well as the daily visits from his family. Also, for maybe the first time in his life, he had no worries, no responsibilities, no decisions to make. Yes, her father was content, and she must see that her mother was afforded the same contentment, the same happiness, that she herself had found with John.

  ‘It’s what dad wants, Mum. Besides…’ she managed a shaky laugh, ‘we’re all coming to tea tomorrow, aren’t we, Bridie?’

  ‘Aye, we are that.’ Bridie nodded in confirmation. ‘We want to see how the other half lives, don’t we, lad?’ she added, digging the silent John in the ribs. But John merely smiled. He wasn’t sure if he approved of what was happening, but again, it was none of his business. And if Kate and her father didn’t mind, then who was he to judge? Placing an arm protectively over Kate’s shoulder, he said gruffly, ‘Well, isn’t there something else you wanted to tell your mum?’

  When Kate blushed, Florrie’s face lit up in pleasurable anticipation.

  Suddenly shy, Kate leaned forward and said proudly, ‘It’s not the place I’d have chosen to make the announcement, but I’m having a baby. I only found out yesterday.’ She cast a reproving glance at her husband. ‘I was going to wait until you were set
tled before I told you, but… well, anyway…’ She broke off, embarrassed at speaking about such a private matter in public.

  Not trusting herself to speak, Florrie gave a huge grin. So she was to become a grandmother! Oh, it was wonderful, wonderful news!

  ‘How d’yer feel about becoming a granny, Florrie?’ John was staring directly at her, beaming with joy. Then he stepped forward and held her hands. ‘You’ve no need to worry about Kate. Like I told you on our wedding day, I intend to take very good care of her. An’ when the baby’s born, I’ll be the proudest father in the whole of London!’ Giving her hands a final squeeze, he helped her into the carriage. ‘We’ll be over tomorrow, Florrie. Now, you’d best be off before these two drown me in their tears!’

  Grateful to get away from the emotional scene, Robert tapped the roof of the carriage with his cane, and found himself gazing at three pairs of eyes. Alice was looking excitedly hopeful, Sally’s stare was openly hostile, while Billy seemed oblivious of what was going on. Disconcerted by the girls’ expressions, he was forced to look out of the window.

  Without thinking, he reached for Florrie’s hand, then quickly placed it firmly in his lap. It wasn’t going to be easy. Christ, no! He had no idea how the children would react to living under his roof, even though he would insist on Florrie returning to her old room – for the time being. Then there was the gossip to contend with. Lord, but people were going to have a field day once news of this got round! But what the devil was he thinking of? Since when had he ever worried about propriety? Florrie was here with him, and that was all that mattered for now. They would take it one day at a time. It was all they could do. Things would work out all right eventually… They had to.

  * * *

  Kate stood watching until the carriage disappeared from view, then walked slowly over to John and Bridie, who were waiting for her. Taking John’s outstretched hand, she climbed up into the cart and seated herself between the comforting bodies of her husband and dear friend.