‘You’re as bad as my son,’ laughed the red-haired man. ‘Where’s he got to anyway? I think we’d better go and find them before he does any damage with his gift.’
‘Why, what did you bring?’ asked his mother.
‘A doll for Rosie and a clasp knife for Nick.’
‘A knife! What a bloody silly present to buy a little boy.’
‘Do have a care for my delicate senses,’ moaned the priest, feigning shock. ‘An’ you objecting when I didn’t class ye with the ladies.’
‘I’m sorry about the language, Liam – but I ask you! What sort of person would bring his six-year-old son a knife? Come on, we’d better go and retrieve him before he does any damage. We can go and eat at the same time.’ Patrick and his son gave assistance to the invalids. When they all arrived in the hall it was to find that Nick had made a start on slicing the birthday cake. ‘Well, I suppose I should be grateful it isn’t my furniture he’s carved,’ said the boy’s grandmother, then held out her hand. ‘I’m sorry, Nick, but I think you’re just a bit young for knives.’
‘Oh, Nan!’ His mouth turned down as the gift was confiscated.
‘No arguing.’ She dropped it into the pocket of her skirt. ‘Not if you wish to attend this party.’
Nick looked helplessly at his father, but received only a shrug and a sympathetic expression, whence he spun on Patrick. ‘Grandfather…’ Sonny felt a twinge of annoyance though he didn’t show it as Patrick reproved, ‘Ye shouldn’t’ve cut Belle’s cake before she even had a chance to blow out the candles.’
Dolefully, Nick joined the drift to the dining room, but was soon cheered at the sight of the heavily-laden table. Throughout the meal he and Rosanna bombarded Sonny with questions about Paris. What had he done there? Who had he been with? When she was allowed to slip a word in Thomasin asked when her son was going to see Josie.
He passed Rosanna the water-lily he had made from a napkin. ‘I’ve already seen her – for a flying visit, anyway. I stopped off at her place of work on the way home.’ He bit into a scone overflowing with cream and jam, catching a blob with his little finger before it fell to his plate.
‘And she let you in? I can’t say that I’d be so well-disposed towards someone who’d promised to marry me, then kept leaving the country.’ She flicked a crumb from the gathers on her bodice. ‘You have kept her dangling for a long time, poor lass.’
‘I’ve had a lot of thinking to do.’
‘Or was it that you got so carried away in your painting and forgot about her?’
He frowned reflectively, but took no offence; it was a fair point. ‘That was one of the questions that held me back for so long: had I been simply using her as a crutch for my wounded pride when my marriage to Peggy broke down? The other was: could she ever be as important to me as my painting?’
‘Well, I know the answer to the second,’ said his mother, bringing his face round expectantly. ‘I don’t think anything – even your children – could be as important as your painting.’
Finishing the scone he dabbed his mouth and took a sip from his glass. ‘That’s only partly true, Mam. It would be correct to say I could never be complete without my work – but on the other hand, I wouldn’t gain half so much fulfilment if I had no one to share it with.’ He pondered over what to choose next from the spread. ‘That’s why Josie is right for me; she’s willing to share.’ Foregoing another pastry he swivelled to face her, submitting, ‘I’ve finally set the date, Mother. We’ll be married on Rosanna’s birthday, November the fifth.’ Actually, it was mere guesswork that had placed Rosanna’s birthday on this date. She had been approximately six months old when Sonny had adopted her, but the family had decided that November the fifth – Firework Night – was the most apt birthdate for a firecracker like Rosie. ‘That’s why I wanted to see Josie before I came home, wanted to make sure she’d still have me.’ He smiled. ‘She’s coming round later – tells me she’s got a birthday present for Belle.’
‘You are positive you’re doing the right thing?’ his mother asked.
‘Mam, I know it’s going to be awkward for you to accept Josie as your daughter-in-law, her being an ex-employee, but…’ He had his chin tucked into his chest and Thomasin knew instantly that he was about to add a warning. She jumped in first, covering his hand.
‘Don’t worry, I won’t interfere like I did in your first marriage. I hold myself partly responsible for that unhappy episode.’
‘There was no one to blame. Peggy and I were very young… anyway, that’s all water under the bridge. I know this marriage is going to be a success. I’ve had ample time to think about it. I’ve done thinking. Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’
‘Indeed I will! Listen, Patrick! Everyone!’ She banged her glass on the table. ‘Rosie, cease that din, this concerns you too.’
‘Oh, no!’ hissed Sonny and put a hand up to object though it was far too late. ‘I didn’t mean everyone else to know yet, I wanted to wait for Josie to get here…’ He looked at his children who were his main concern. It would have been preferable to let them know in private that they were to have their new mother at last – or rather, mother without the prefix, for Peggy had been no mother to them.
‘Oh, Son, I’ve gone and spoilt it for you.’ Thomasin looked round, all were waiting expectantly.
‘I don’t suppose it matters that much,’ relented Sonny, then blurted out bashfully, ‘Well… I’ve decided to get married,’ and blushed all the way up to his ears at their congratulations. At twenty-four he still couldn’t control that childish trait.
After the ‘oohs!’ had died away Hannah asked, ‘May one know the lady’s name?’
‘Why, you know it already, Grandmother.’
Hannah exhaled heavily. ‘Oh dear… I had hoped that these long separations might have changed your views. Still intent on marrying beneath you… ah well, it looks as though it will be left to the fourth generation to carry my family’s blood on its proper course. Perhaps Nicholas will marry according to his station – though I have grave doubts about Rosanna.’
Sonny ignored the sour note and divulged more of the wedding plans. ‘It isn’t definite yet, but I think it more than likely that we’ll be getting married in the Register Office.’ He saw the shadow on Liam’s face. ‘Josie doesn’t want to become a Catholic and I can’t get married in her church… so we think the best thing would be – if it were possible – for both you and Josie’s priest to attend. Just so’s we can feel it’s been done in the sight of God.’
Liam swapped glances with Patrick, then picked up a stray currant from his plate and nibbled it. ‘I’m not sure that’d be possible, Son, much as I’d love to oblige.’ Sonny’s frown forced an explanation and Liam told him what Thomasin’s letters had not – indeed, why should they have, thought Sonny, his mother’s worries never went further than her shop window. Patrick’s son lost his good humour. ‘Has anyone thought to have words with Father Gilchrist?’
‘Aye, an’ a few choice ones,’ said Liam. ‘But it’ll take more than words to budge him from his obduracy. You know he’ll never recognise your marriage to a Protestant?’
‘But, Father, I always thought you blessed Mam and Dad’s wedding?’
‘An’ so I did… but then I’m not so holy as Father G.’
‘You don’t have to tell him, do you? Couldn’t you just do it?’
‘I’m not sure that’d be above board. I mean, I’m supposed to be retired.’
‘Retired my foot!’ shot Sonny. ‘A priest never retires.’
Liam grinned mischievously. ‘I suppose I could manage to sneak past the guard… But less of himself. Right now let me be the one to wish you and your bride every health and happiness.’ He looked into his glass. ‘Even if it is only with a poor substitute. To Sonny and Josie!’
‘Sonny and Josie!’ All glasses of lemonade were raised.
Rosanna had sidled round to stand at her father’s side. When he noticed her he pulled her onto his lap.
‘Are you still happy to have Josie as your mother?’
‘Ooh, yes!… As long as we’ll still be able to live here with Nan and Gramps.’
‘Oh well, I don’t know about that…’ he glanced at Thomasin. ‘It might make things a bit overcrowded now.’
‘I don’t know why you’re being so coy,’ returned his mother. ‘Unless it’s because you like to hear your mother grovel. I’ve told you a hundred times we’d love to have you.’
‘But that was before…’ Sonny looked at Erin.
‘Oh, I see,’ nodded his mother. ‘No, we’ve still plenty of room for as long as you want it.’ At his thanks she waved a hand. ‘Don’t flatter me with gratitude. It’s a selfishness that spurs the generosity – the house’d seem dead without those cherubs.’ She placed an arm around Nick who was sitting beside her, the other around Rosie, and squeezed. ‘Oh, they’re loved are these two!’
Erin’s eyes went to Belle whose unobtrusive nature had caused her to be overlooked. Rosanna, too, examined the child. ‘Will Belle stay here as well, Nan?’
Thomasin glanced up abstractedly. ‘Oh yes, we can’t forget Belle, can we?’ Then she returned her energies to the able-bodied.
No, but you’d like to, wouldn’t you, Mother? thought Erin bitterly.
Chapter Ten
‘What’re you grinning at?’
Sonny looked down at his new bride dressed in oyster satin and pulled her closer. ‘I’m just watching Belle – look at her stuffing that cake in her cheeks.’ But this was not the true reason for his mirth. It was the amusing thought that this wedding was almost as furtive as his first had been. Then, the reason for it had been his bride’s pregnancy, now it was simply to keep it from Father Gilchrist’s ears. To be here Liam had given the excuse that he was going to visit the doctor with his leg – this had nearly backfired when Gilchrist had offered to have the doctor called in, but Liam had said that he’d prefer the walk – which was a daft thing to say when one was meant to have a bad leg. Still, it had given the wedding guests a laugh when Liam repeated the story in his speech.
‘Rosie’s as bad.’
‘What? Oh aye!’ Sonny laughed at his daughter who was celebrating her seventh birthday as well as the wedding. The ends of her hair had been trailing in the custard which she was eating. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look tidy in her whole life. Maybe you’ll be able to make an improvement now you’re her mother.’
Josie’s face showed how happy she was at the new status, but she raised a pertinent question. ‘D’you think I’ll be able to? I mean I know they’re fond of me and they’re so excited at having a new mother… but they’ve been under your parents’ rule for so long, it might take a while to alter that.’
‘I know exactly what you mean,’ Sonny nodded. ‘I felt it when I came back from France. They were pleased to see me, yes, but if I ever refused them permission to do a thing they’d always turn to my father for confirmation. Still,’ he sighed, ‘I suppose I haven’t been as much of a father as I could’ve been.’
Josie objected. ‘You’ve been away a lot, true, but you always sent them letters and when you are home you spend a lot of time with them.’
‘Well, I hope we can spend a lot more time together now, all four of us.’ He smiled. ‘When we come back off our honeymoon, that is – and I promise that for the next two weeks I’ll not try to pick up a paintbrush.’
Sonny’s promise was fine while it lasted for the fortnight of their honeymoon, but painting was the way he earned his living and once they were home Josie was left to fill her days as best she could. At first this tended to be with the children, when they weren’t at their lessons, and the three would spend lovely afternoons going to the swings or on nature walks. Once or twice Josie had taken them to their father’s studio but when she realised how much this interrupted his concentration she stopped doing so. Her mornings were mostly spent alone. Josie had hoped to find a friend in Erin, but the other seemed consumed with one worry or another, never listening to what Josie had to say, just sitting there dreamily until Josie had finished speaking then responding with a totally different subject from the one her sister-in-law had been discussing. And then there was Mrs Feeney Senior. Josie couldn’t help the deference acquired whilst in the other’s service and would let slip the odd ‘ma’am’ at the end of a sentence. She knew it annoyed Thomasin but she couldn’t help it and it made her even more nervous when John’s mother snapped at her for doing it. Josie had always assumed that when she and John married it would be happy ever after – she was happy when she was with him and his children, but it didn’t feel like home. Had it not been for Rosie and Nick she would have asked John to take her away, but she couldn’t do that to them and neither could he. So, she just went on having these miserable mornings until it grew too much to bear.
‘I’ll have to get a job,’ she told her husband in their bed that night. ‘I just can’t go on feeling like this, no use to anybody. If I’m upstairs I irritate your mother, if I’m downstairs Mrs Howgego thinks I’m poking my nose in. I knew it’d be hard, John, but I didn’t know it would be this lonely.’
He sympathised, but added, ‘I can’t have you going out to work, Jos. Maybe we can find you something here that wouldn’t put Mrs Howgego’s nose out of joint – I’ll ask Mother.’ He broke off. ‘Oh no, she’s part of the trouble, isn’t she?’
‘I’m not going against your mam – she’s lovely, really. I think a lot of her… but I know I get on her nerves.’
He comforted her. ‘I don’t think it’s really you, Jos. It’s worry over Erin that’s making her ratty. She’s jumped down my throat a dozen times this evening.’
‘D’you think… well, I’d like to ask her if I could have my old job back – at least part of it, the housekeeping side, I don’t want to annoy Mrs Howgego any more than I have done. But I’m scared your mam would laugh at me.’
Sonny didn’t seem to think his mother would do that. ‘But are you certain it’s what you want?’
‘I must have something, John.’
He pressed himself against her plump body and mumbled into her throat, ‘I could give you something.’ She knew his meaning and smiled as he rolled on top of her. ‘There’s nothing I’d like more than your baby… but until it happens, would you ask your mam if I can keep house?’
‘Ooh, anything for you, you lovely squashy creature!’ Josie giggled as his fingertips searched for her ribs through the ample flesh and the question of an occupation suddenly became redundant.
* * *
Thomasin agreed to let Josie play the role of housekeeper, though she hoped it wouldn’t exacerbate the girl’s problem over her identity which was still an irritation – as was Erin, who did nothing but ghost about the house all day as if searching for something. Thomasin had hoped to have a little respite from her mother who was confined to her bed most of the time now, but Hannah was able to make life just as difficult from there, banging on the floor every five minutes with her cane. However, Thomasin had countered this annoyance by having a bell rigged up from the kitchen so it was the maid who took the brunt, but all this added to the bouts of depression she had over her dead son.
And then there was the child. Why can’t I love her? Thomasin asked herself so many times. Why does she look at me so accusingly? The partition which had existed between herself and Patrick before Belle came, had since acquired another layer of bricks.
In relief, there was the women’s committee which had invited her to join when she and her family had first moved here after the fire. It had taken some time to pluck up the courage or the interest: the first because she knew that her marriage to an Irishman was an open topic in the neighbourhood – she didn’t know whether the women had merely wanted her presence so that they could insult or ridicule her; but that had not been the case, instead they were full of admiration for the way she had transformed a small shop into a competitive business. Yes, membership of the women’s committee had turned out to be quite enjoy
able, especially of late when they had elected her chairwoman.
It was one of these meetings she was preparing to chair now. She dabbed a touch of light perfume behind each ear and adjusted the beads at her throat. Though she had little time to spare for these pursuits she had found that the newly-formed connections could be useful to her financially and so her time was not really misspent. Holding her skirts from the floor she hurried downstairs and, on Abigail’s information that Mrs Alderson had arrived, rustled across the hall and burst into the drawing room. ‘Good afternoon, Clara! I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to greet you.’
‘You are forgiven, Thomasin,’ smiled the visitor, a dumpy woman wearing a very loud purple dress. ‘I have your daughter-in-law to keep me entertained.’
On Thomasin’s entrance Josie had risen. Her fingers played with the material of her skirts. ‘Well, now that Mrs… now that my mother-in-law is here I’ll go and leave you in peace.’ Feeling ill at ease she made for the door.
‘Won’t you stay?’ enquired Clara. ‘I’m sure you’ll find our little discussions to your liking.’
‘That’s most kind of you.’ Josie backed away. ‘But I’ve got the household accounts to do, ma’am.’ She caught her lip – another blunder! Mother-in-law would probably be furious. Without further comment she rushed from the room.
‘Did I say something wrong?’ asked Clara perplexedly.
Thomasin came to sit beside her. ‘No, no, Clara. It’s simply…’ She dismissed the episode with a flick of her wrist. How did one explain that one’s son had married one’s former maid? She was saved from any attempt at this by the sudden arrival of the other members of the committee. Thomasin opened the meeting. After the Minutes of the last gathering had been read out by Rosalind, their Chairwoman embarked on the theme which she hoped would fire as great a concern as her own. ‘I don’t know if you are aware, but there is a plan afoot to demolish yet another stretch of the city walls.’ She awaited the indignant exclamations. Silence. She searched the politely-attentive faces, then went on, ‘I propose that this committee add its weight to that of the Yorkshire Architectural Society which is already engaged in the battle. Now, it is…’
Erin’s Child Page 16