by Anne Forsyth
Nancy nodded. She hadn’t really expected anything else. But it would have been a real feather in her cap if she’d been taken on right away. Still . . .
‘We’ll let you know in due course,’ he said. ‘I want to appoint someone fairly soon.’ He looked a little despairingly at the heap of files on the cabinet. ‘Yes,’ he added, ‘as soon as we can.’
Nancy made her way downstairs into the bright spring sunshine She told herself she’d done well and sounded confident.
Anyway, if she didn’t get this job, there were bound to be other opportunities.
Out in the street, she glanced up at the clock. Plenty of time yet before she caught the bus. There was time for a stroll up the High Street. She would have a look at the new spring styles in Aitken’s, and there would still be time to pop down to Bridge Street to Bruce and Glen, the grocers, and get some of the cheese that Joe especially liked.
‘It’s Mrs Mackay, isn’t it?’
Nancy stopped, puzzled, trying to place the middle-aged woman who stopped in her path. Fair hair, glasses, a nice friendly expression—where had she met her? At church, or maybe at a coffee morning?
‘I haven’t seen you for ages. Or your Lorna,’ the woman went on.
Suddenly Nancy was able to place her. This was Mrs Nicol, the mother of Lorna’s friend, Mandy.
‘So how are you all?’ Mrs Nicol went on. ‘Isn’t it great that spring has arrived at last?’
‘Mrs Nicol, I’ve always meant to thank you for putting Lorna up that night,’ Nancy said. ‘I was really worried about her in that dreadful snowstorm. It was such a relief to know she was with you.’
‘With us?’ The woman looked puzzled. ‘But . . .’ She looked confused and a little embarrassed. ‘We haven’t seen Lorna in months—not, oh, not since before Christmas.’
She suddenly seemed to realise that something was wrong.
‘I’m sorry—but I’ll gladly have her to stay any time. That night—she probably stayed with another friend. You know what these young people are like . . .’
She turned away hastily, a little embarrassed.
‘Nice to see you, Mrs Mackay,’ she mumbled, and was gone.
Nancy gazed after her. So Lorna hadn’t been at Mandy’s house that night. She felt all the pleasure of her day evaporate. She couldn’t wait to get home to have things out with Lorna.
She’s lied to me, she thought grimly. Well, we’ll see what she’s got to say for herself. And this time, she isn’t going to get away with it!
Usually when Nancy got off the bus, she’d pause and look up at the great girders of the new bridge. Not long now before it would be open. What a difference it would make to people’s lives.
There would be more visitors from the south who would drive across—and maybe stop, looking for a first class bed and breakfast place before heading north to Perthshire and beyond.
But today she hardly glanced at the bridge, her face set as she made her way up the hill towards home.
* * *
‘You’re quiet this evening.’ Joe looked up from the newspaper.
‘Am I?’ Nancy’s thoughts were far away as she rinsed out the tea towels. ‘Maybe I’m just a little tired.’
‘You do too much.’
All of a sudden Nancy was tempted to tell Joe, but she knew he’d be furious. Better to have it out with Lorna herself. Besides, she thought, Joe had enough worries of his own.
That selfish girl, she thought angrily, with no thought for her parents.
‘Well, don’t sit up too late,’ Joe yawned. ‘I’m going to turn in now.’
‘I’ll wait for Lorna, then I’ll lock up.’
Nancy hung the dish-towels to dry and settled down by the fire with her knitting.
It was getting late before she heard Lorna’s key in the door, and her quick, light footsteps.
‘Had a good evening?’ Nancy tried to keep her voice even.
‘Yes, thanks. We went to the pictures.’ Lorna yawned. ‘Well, I’m off to bed.’
‘Just a minute.’
Lorna turned, surprised.
‘What is it?’
Nancy’s tone had been icy.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘I want to have a word with you.’
‘Oh, Mum, can’t it wait till the morning?’
‘No,’ Nancy said, her voice rising. ‘You’ll sit down now. And stay till I have the truth out of you.’
‘Mum, for goodness’ sake!’ Lorna was alarmed. ‘What on earth’s wrong?’
‘I met Mrs Nicol today.’
‘Oh?’ Lorna seemed surprised. ‘Mandy’s mother.’
‘Exactly. And she told me they hadn’t seen you for a while. Not since before Christmas, in fact.’
* * *
Lorna sat down. ‘Well, yes, I don’t suppose I’ve seen her often lately—I can’t really remember. Is that all?’
‘No, it is not!’ Nancy’s voice rose. ‘She told me that night when you rang to say you were staying with Mandy, you weren’t there. And I want to know—where were you?’
‘Well, I may have been somewhere else, staying with another friend . . .’
‘Lorna!’ Nancy was really angry by now. ‘It’s time to stop lying and tell me the truth about where you were. I thought—I thought you could be trusted.’
For a moment, Lorna paused as if she were going to answer back, then she burst into tears.
‘I didn’t mean to,’ she said, between gulps. ‘I was with Pete’s family—but you needn’t worry. I’ll never stay there again.’
Nancy was astonished. This wasn’t the reaction she had expected.
‘This is the boy you mentioned a while ago?’
Lorna mopped her eyes.
‘Yes, but I didn’t mean to . . . to lie to you, Mum,’ she said. ‘It was deep snow that night, and I knew—I just knew if I said I was with Pete, you and Dad would start thinking the worst of me . . . you always do.’
Nancy sighed.
‘I don’t understand, Lorna. Start at the beginning.’
The story poured out. How she’d gone to visit his family and they’d offered her his sister’s bed for the night. It had been awkward. Then she’d phoned home and said she was with a friend—but Pete had overheard and accused her of being a snob, because she hadn’t told her mother about him and his family.
‘We had a row.’ She sniffed. ‘And now I’ll never see him again.’
‘How long have you known him?’ Nancy asked.
‘Oh, a while . . .’ Lorna said evasively.
‘But you’ve never brought him home?’
‘I thought Dad—you know what he’s like . . .’
‘Your friends are always welcome, Lorna. I don’t like this hole and corner business. So you’ll bring Pete home to meet us.’
‘Can I, Mum? Really?’ Lorna began to cheer up. ‘If I ever see him again . . .’
Nancy was feeling drained by now.
‘I’m going to heat up some milk for us, Lorna, then you can go off to bed. It’s been a long day.’
Before she went upstairs, Lorna gave her mother a rare hug.
‘Thanks, Mum.’
Nancy put up the fireguard and turned back the rug before she went upstairs herself.
But a thought niggled. Lorna’s behaviour showed that she wasn’t so grown up, after all. Was it right to look for a job when her daughter still needed her?
* * *
It was a perfect spring day. Shona had enjoyed the trip across by train looking down into the sparkling waters of the Forth. And there was Mark waiting for her.
He’d been really contrite about the date he’d missed a few weeks back.
‘I had a sudden rush job, love, and had to hurry away—and I quite forgot to look at my diary,’ he’d explained over the phone. ‘You must let me make it up to you.’
‘I tried to ring you on the number you gave me on your card,’ she’d said. ‘To tell you I couldn’t make it either.’
‘Oh
, that must have been an old one—stupid of me. But no, they wouldn’t know me—anyway, I work from home now. But letting you down—that’s unforgivable.’
‘Anyone can make a mistake.’
‘That’s right.’ He’d grinned. ‘I’ll take you on a special day out, somewhere in Edinburgh, perhaps?’
She knew she was looking her best today and Mark glanced at her in admiration.
‘Now what are we going to do today? Perhaps we could see what’s on at the Caley picture house or the Playhouse?’
She drew a deep breath.
‘I’d like to go somewhere in the fresh air, Mark, after being in school all week.’
‘Then that’s what we’ll do,’ he said, tucking her arm into his side. ‘What about a stroll along the front at Cramond? Then we could head into town, go to a restaurant—the Wee Windaes. Or what about a Chinese meal?’
‘I’ve never eaten Chinese food before,’ Shona said.
‘Never? Then you’ll enjoy it. There are lots of Chinese restaurants now.’
He led her up the slope.
‘My car’s parked quite near.’
* * *
As they drove along Princes Street Shona remembered all the times she and Gran had spent happily window-shopping. Gran had enjoyed a stroll along the street, looking into the windows of Binns, and Jenners, and there had always been time for a cup of tea and a scone at Mackie’s.
And she remembered as they drove out Corstorphine Road, how at this time of year she had taken Gran for a walk in the grounds of Lauriston Castle to admire the great swathes of daffodils.
‘My, but we’re lucky!’ Gran would say. ‘Having places like this to visit.’
At Cramond, Mark parked the car and they strolled around the old churchyard, before making their way down to the shore.
‘This is wonderful!’ said Shona, taking a deep breath of the sea air. ‘It’s such a beautiful spot.’
But Mark’s eyes were on Shona.
‘You’re wonderful,’ he said.
Shona laughed uncertainly.
‘I mean it,’ he said. ‘You’re the most marvellous girl I’ve met in a long time.’
‘And you’ve met a lot of girls,’ Shona teased him.
‘No-one quite like you.’
Shona was silent for a minute. It was a new experience for her, to be admired like this. And she thought how easy it would be to fall in love with Mark—how handsome he was, how debonair—yes, that was the word. How different from all the other boyfriends she’d known. He was a man of the world.
‘I grew up not far from here,’ she went on. ‘But I haven’t been to Cramond for years. Do you belong to Edinburgh?’
He hesitated.
‘Originally, yes, but I’ve lived all over the world, New York, Paris, of course.’
‘That must have been exciting, all that travelling.’
‘But I’m settling down now,’ he said.
‘Where do you live?’ Shona asked casually.
‘Oh, I’ve a flat in the New Town,’ he said. ‘I’d ask you there, but I’ve just moved—it’s all a bit of a clutter at the moment . . . boxes of books and records, stuff spread all over the place . . . Another time, Shona, when it’s all straightened out?’
She nodded, liking the grip of his hand in hers.
They wandered along the shore, skimming stones over the waves, and sat on a low wall, Mark spreading his jacket out for Shona. What a wonderful day, she thought, wishing it could go on for ever.
Later, they went for a drive round the city, and then to the Chinese restaurant.
‘I’ll order for you, shall I?’ Mark suggested. ‘Let’s see . . .’ He glanced over the huge menu. ‘I think I know what you’d like. It’s your first Chinese meal,’ he said, ‘and I want you to try everything.’
Shona was impressed by the way he called to the waiter, and ordered one exotic dish after another.
‘They know me here,’ he said confidently.
‘That’s enough!’ Shona laughed as she laid down her spoon after a delicious dessert of lychees.
At last he drove her back to the station.
‘Before long I’ll be able to drive you over the new road bridge.’ He smiled.
‘I’ll be in touch soon,’ he said after a quick kiss as he sped away. Shona had barely had time to thank him.
It had been a wonderful evening, but there was an incident that Shona remembered, a memory that niggled. On the way into the Chinese restaurant, a girl passing along the pavement had suddenly stopped, and whirled round. She was about Shona’s age, dark-haired and wearing a smart belted showerproof raincoat in a bright yellow, her hair swept up in a French pleat.
‘Harry!’
Mark had looked disconcerted.
‘I’m sorry, you’ve made a mistake,’ he’d said quickly. ‘I don’t know you. Come on, Shona.’
‘But, Harry!’
The girl had stood still.
‘I’m sorry—you’ve mistaken me for someone else.’ He had almost pushed Shona out of the way and into the doorway of the restaurant.
Shona had glanced back. The girl was still standing on the pavement. Shona had caught the look on her face. Puzzlement, then anger, as she glared at Mark.
‘What was all that?’ Shona had asked.
‘I’ve no idea,’ he’d said airily.
‘But then why did she call you Harry?’
‘Obviously she thought I was someone else. Now, what would you like to drink?’
But Shona hadn’t been able to forget the girl’s expression.
‘It looked as if she knew you.’
‘I can’t help it if I’ve got a double, can I?’ He’d gazed down at her. ‘I’ve never seen her before. She just made a mistake.’
Now as the train rattled over the Forth Bridge, Shona tried to put the thought out of her mind. Apart from that little incident, Mark had been wonderful.
Had the girl really made a mistake?
* * *
‘Right on time.’ Joe checked his watch and nodded approval as the first morning ferry left the pier.
Nancy smiled to herself. Joe took such pride in his timekeeping. Even today, on a day off, he couldn’t resist watching to see that everything was in order.
What would he do without his job? She knew he’d miss the daily routine—would a job on the tolls be enough for him, or would he be bored? He wasn’t near retirement age . . .
Was there something else he could do? And how would he react to her idea of getting a job? There was no need to mention it yet, she thought, as she filled the teapot.
‘Breakfast’s ready!’ she called. Roy was already out with his friends, and Matt was on an early shift. Walter had left the house soon after seven, and Shona was spending the weekend with one of her teacher friends from school.
Lorna appeared, ready dressed.
That’s a change, Nancy thought. Her daughter was looking attractive this morning, wearing a pretty soft pink jumper knitted in a shell stitch and a trim grey woollen skirt.
Nancy put two slices of bread to toast under the grill.
Since that evening a few weeks ago, when she’d confronted Lorna, life had been much easier. And though Lorna hadn’t said anything, Nancy had a feeling that she’d made it up with Pete.
Certainly she sang about the house now, and was willing to take her share of the household chores. And just last Friday, on payday, she’d brought Nancy a bunch of flowers.
‘It won’t be all that long now.’
Joe was still looking out of the window at the bridge.
‘Mmm?’ Nancy’s thoughts were far away.
‘Till they close the two halves of the bridge in the middle,’ said Joe. ‘Walter thinks it’ll be in about six months’ time.’
Nancy glanced out of the window.
‘It’s amazing,’ she said.
For months they had watched the two parts of the bridge, from the north and south of the Forth, as they extended towards the middle of the rive
r.
‘Aye,’ said Joe. ‘A real feat of engineering.’
But his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the postman, coming up the path.
‘I’ll get it. Bills, most likely.’
Joe returned, carrying one or two letters.
‘There’s one for you,’ he said, handing over an envelope to Nancy. ‘Looks official.’
Nancy turned from the cooker and stared at the envelope, noticing the postmark and the name of the firm on the envelope.
‘Well?’ Joe looked puzzled.
‘I went for a job interview,’ Nancy said hastily. ‘I didn’t say anything—I meant to tell you, but . . .’ Her voice trailed off.
* * *
Joe was annoyed, Nancy could tell. She hurried on. ‘It was just that—well, I thought we could use the extra money . . .’ She faltered.
‘You might have discussed it with me,’ Joe said coldly.
‘I know, and I’m sorry. I thought . . .’
Lorna set down her cup. Poor Mum was clutching the envelope as if it were dynamite.
‘Hadn’t you better open it?’ Joe said.
Nancy tried to be offhand.
‘I won’t have got the job, so it doesn’t matter.’ She could see now that he felt hurt.
She picked up a knife and slit open the envelope.
‘Well?’ Joe asked stonily.
Nancy drew a deep breath.
‘I’ve got the job, Joe. They want me to start as soon as possible.’
Joe said nothing, and Nancy’s heart sank. As she cleared the table, he followed her out to the kitchen.
Nancy flushed.
‘I . . . well, I didn’t think I’d get the job, really.’
Joe looked at his wife.
‘You won’t do anything like that again, will you? It’s good you did . . . But, well, I wish you’d felt you could talk to me.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Nancy bit her lip. ‘I should have told you. It was just that, well, I suppose I wanted to do something on my own.’
Joe’s face cleared as his arms went around her.
‘Next time you have a great idea, let’s talk about it, shall we?’
‘I promise,’ Nancy said.
‘Come on, then.’ He smiled. ‘Let’s make a brew and you can tell us all about it!’
* * *
It was a fine crisp autumn morning when Nancy set off for her first day at work.