Walter gave Cissie a nudge as if to say, ‘Go on, you tell them, they’re your parents.’
Cissie looked at him and gave a weak smile before beginning. ‘Well, Walter and me, we’ve decided we want to get married quite soon, happen before Christmas.’ She saw her mother smile complacently before she went on to say, ‘Well … actually we’ll have to get married fairly soon because … I’m expecting a baby.’
Her mother’s smile disappeared and a look of horror took its place. ‘You’re … what! Oh, Cissie, how could you? How could you let us down like this? We’ve brought you up to be a good girl, and you know that you shouldn’t …’
‘Hang on a minute, Mrs Foster,’ Walter interrupted her. He took hold of Cissie’s hand. ‘I’m responsible as well, you know. And Cissie and me … we love each other.’ He looked adoringly at Cissie and she smiled back at him, so relieved that he was there with her.
‘Yes, happen you do,’ snapped Hannah, ‘but you should control yourselves. I thought better of you, Walter, but I reckon it would be her, egging you on. You’re a decent lad, but you’ve made your own bed, the pair of you, and you’ll have to lie on it. But you’ve brought shame on us, Cissie, on your father and me. How will I ever hold my head up again in front of all the folks at church?’
‘Hey, steady on a minute, Hannah,’ said her husband. ‘It’s not the end of the world, is it? It’s happened before to all sorts of folks. Like Walter says, they love one another and at least they’re engaged to be married.’ He turned to the couple. ‘What do you want to do, then? Have a quiet do, like, at the registry office? It doesn’t make any difference where it is so long as you’re wed.’
‘Indeed they won’t go to no registry office!’ retorted Hannah. ‘No, they’ll get married in church, good and proper. We’ll have no hole and corner affair.’ She turned to Cissie. ‘But you’ll not wear white, young lady. No daughter of mine’ll go to the altar wearing white when she’s no business to be doing so. No, it’ll have to be pink or blue, and if folks talk then it’ll be your own damned fault. But we’ll have a decent wedding in church with a reception and everything. Nobody’s going to say that I didn’t give my daughter a good send off, even if she didn’t deserve it.’
‘Hold on a minute,’ said Joe Foster, for the second time. ‘She’s my daughter an’ all, you know. I’ll be the one that’ll be walking her down the aisle, an’ I’ll be proud to do so. She’s always been a good lass, and if she’s made a mistake, so what? She’s marrying a decent lad … and I wish you all the best, the pair of you.’
He went over to Cissie and kissed her on the cheek, then shook hands with Walter. ‘Well done, lad … er … you know what I mean. I’m sure you’ll be very happy.’
Hannah had the grace to look a little shamefaced. ‘Well, I reckon we’ll have to make the best of it. What’s done is done. I’ll go and make that cup of tea.’
‘I think we can do a bit better than that, can’t we?’ said her husband. ‘Haven’t we got a bottle of sherry somewhere? The least we can do is drink a toast to the … er … happy couple.’
‘Yes, alright, if you say so.’ Hannah shot an exasperated look at Joe. She went to the sideboard and took out a bottle, half full, of dark brown sherry which they drank on occasions such as Christmas. She placed four small gold-rimmed glasses on a chromium tray and poured out the sherry.
‘I’ve got some shortbread biscuits,’ she said ‘I’ll go and get them.’ She disappeared into the kitchen.
‘She’ll come round,’ whispered Joe. ‘You know your mother. It could be worse. She’ll be making plans at church and choosing a new outfit to wear before long, as though everything’s hunky-dory.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ said Cissie, ‘for … well … pouring oil on troubled waters.’
‘Yes, thank you, Mr Foster,’ added Walter. ‘Cissie was real worried about what her mother would say.’ He stopped talking as Hannah returned carrying a tin with a Scottie dog on the lid.
‘Best Highland shortbread,’ she said with a glimmer of a smile. She handed round the sherry then the tin of biscuits. ‘Go on, Joe. Propose a toast, if that’s what you want,’ she said.
‘Aye … well, here goes.’ He rose to his feet and lifted his glass. ‘Here’s to our Cissie, and Walter, soon to be our son-in-law. I know he’ll look after her, and I’m sure she’ll do her best to be a good wife to him. So … all the best to the pair of you. Good health and happiness.’
That was a long speech for her father to make and Cissie was touched. She was amazed when her mother also raised her glass and repeated. ‘Yes, good health and happiness, both of you.’
Then, putting her glass down, she went over to Cissie and placed a perfunctory kiss on her cheek, then shook hands with Walter. She nodded at them. ‘Well, it’s up to the two of you now to make a go of it.’
Cissie reflected that her words were less than effusive, but at least she had made an effort.
It was two days later when Cissie and Val next walked home together.
‘Well, how did you go on?’ asked Val. ‘You told your mum, did you, and you’re still here to tell the tale?’
‘Yes, just about.’ Cissie laughed. ‘She went mad at first, but then she calmed down a bit, thanks to my dad. So … we’ll be getting married quite soon. We’re going to see the vicar, Walter and me – tonight actually – to see when he’s got a Saturday free. An’ I want to ask you, Val, will you be my bridesmaid?’
‘Of course I will; I’ll be delighted,’ said Val, putting an arm round her friend. ‘Just me, or will there be another one as well?’
‘No, just you,’ said Cissie, ‘seeing as it’s what you might call a shotgun wedding! Mam wouldn’t hear of us going to the registry office, though. No, it has to be a church do, but she won’t let me wear white. I’m not pure, you see … not a virgin,’ she whispered, ‘although Mam didn’t actually say that. I suppose I’ll have to wear something more like a bridesmaid’s dress in a pale colour. Will you come with me to choose it? I thought we might go to C&A in Bradford and choose both our dresses. What do you think?’
‘That’s a great idea,’ said Val. ‘I can kill two birds with one stone, as they say. I shall need to buy another dress as well for this Ladies’ Evening I’ve been invited to – some Masonic do. Sam’s father’s a Mason, and they have this posh do every year. Ladies are invited, but they’re usually excluded from everything that the men get up to. I never knew much about it before.’
‘Yes, I’ve heard tell of it,’ said Cissie. ‘It’s supposed to be all hush-hush, isn’t it? But I’ve heard that the fellows parade around with one trouser leg rolled up, and they’re blindfolded with a rope round their neck. What a daft carry-on, eh?’
Val laughed. ‘Yes, it’s a secret society. Nobody’s supposed to know about it unless they’re a member, but stories have been leaking out recently. Anyway this Ladies Evening’s a posh do, so I shall need a long dress. And the men wear evening suits. Fancy that, eh? Something my dad’s never worn, nor yours.’
‘And it’s tea with the gentry for you on Sunday, isn’t it?’ Cissie reminded her friend.
‘Yes; I get collywobbles when I think about it, but Sam says I’ve not to worry. His mother’s getting used to the idea now, of him being friendly with me. But I shall have to watch my Ps and Qs, won’t I?’
‘You always know how to behave,’ said Cissie. ‘Not like me! They wouldn’t want to entertain the likes of me.’
‘Don’t run yourself down,’ said Val staunchly. ‘I think you’re great, and you’re a good friend, Cissie. Sam likes you as well … and I hope he’ll get an invitation to your wedding, along with me?’
‘Gosh, yes! If you think he’d come. That’d be summat for me mam to brag about; one of the Walkers at my wedding.’
‘Well, he’ll be there, I can assure you,’ said Val.
And so on Saturday afternoon both girls found themselves wandering round the large C&A store in Bradford, mesmerized by all the colours and styles. They
had travelled from Halifax by bus and had a snack lunch at Woolworths. It was a treat for both of them to spend a day at the shops in a city that was bigger than their own home town.
C&A was by way of being a budget store, with a range of clothing to suit every pocket. There was, however, a rather more exclusive range for those special occasions, including dresses, coats and suits copied from designs of well-known fashion houses, but at a much more reasonable price.
‘Didn’t your mother want to come with you to choose your dress?’ asked Val, as they searched through the array of dresses on the racks.
‘No; I think she’s still quite annoyed with me,’ said Cissie, ‘though she put a good face on it the other night for Walter. I reckon she thinks it was all my fault … What colour do you fancy, Val. Shall we both have the same colour, or different ones?’
‘You’re the bride, so I think you should have something rather more stylish than me, and a different colour, too.’
An assistant came to help them, and Cissie explained that she was the bride, but she didn’t want to wear white because she had a pale complexion and blonde hair, and it would make her look rather washed out.
The woman nodded understandingly. ‘What about pale blue?’ she suggested. ‘Pink is pretty, but blue is rather more sophisticated for a bride. And your friend is your bridesmaid, is she? This peach pink would suit you beautifully,’ she said to Val, ‘with your dark hair. A lovely contrast to the bride.’
After they had each tried on a couple of dresses they took the assistant’s advice. The dresses were similar in style: full-skirted, mid-calf length with long sleeves and a scooped neckline. Cissie’s blue dress of silk taffeta was covered in lace. She also chose a tiny pillbox hat in a matching shade of blue, with a short organdie veil.
Val’s peach-coloured dress was of a similar fabric, but without the lace, and was less elaborate. The fitted bodice showed off her slim figure and the warm colour suited her hair and complexion.
The assistant did not disagree when Cissie decided on a size 14, a size larger than her usual 12. ‘I mustn’t have it too tight,’ she said, ‘or else I shall look fat. I’m not like Val here, fancy being able to get into a 10! I’m too fond of cakes and puddings.’
‘A very wise choice,’ said the assistant, diplomatically.
‘My dad gave me some money to buy my dress, and yours as well,’ said Cissie as they stood at the cash desk. ‘He’s been really good about it all.’
‘I’m quite prepared to pay for my own dress,’ said Val, although she knew it was customary for the bride’s family to foot the bill. ‘You’ve got enough expense with one thing and another. It’s very good of your dad. Your mum will come round in time, I feel sure she will.’
Cissie had already told her that Walter’s parents had taken the news quite calmly without a lot of condemnation. And as the two families were on friendly terms there was every chance that Cissie’s mother would be forced to smile and play her part as the mother of the bride.
‘Now, let’s go and buy your evening dress,’ said Cissie as they left the bridal department. ‘What colour do you fancy?’
‘I don’t know, but not pink or blue this time. Apparently all the ladies wear long dresses. I’ve never had an evening dress before, so I’m not sure what to go for.’
‘You’ll look as posh as anyone there,’ said Cissie loyally. ‘Gosh! I’d love to be a fly on the wall, ’cause I don’t think I’ll ever be invited to a do like that.’
There was a variety of styles and colours, but Val insisted that she didn’t want anything too fancy or elaborate. Eventually she chose a slim-fitting silk rayon gown in a deep cherry red colour, sleeveless, but with a wide stand-away collar.
‘What about shoes?’ said Cissie. ‘You’ll need some high-heeled evening shoes, and we haven’t got our wedding shoes neither.’
‘Oh, let’s think about that another time,’ said Val. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a cup of tea. Let’s go and have a drink at the Kardomah before we get on the bus.’
‘I had a letter from Janice today,’ said Val as they sat in the cafe enjoying their tea and a buttered scone. ‘I should have told you earlier, but we’ve had so much else to talk about.’
It had turned out that Val did the corresponding with Janice on behalf of herself and Cissie, her friend admitting that she wasn’t much of a letter writer.
‘Oh, that’s good,’ replied Cissie. ‘How’s her mother going on?’
‘Improving … but slowly, I gather,’ said Val. ‘She thanks us for the Get Well card, but reading between the lines I get the impression that she’s not too well at all.’
‘Oh dear, that’s a shame,’ said Cissie. ‘Mrs Butler made us so welcome didn’t she? I thought she was a lovely lady. We won’t be going back to Blackpool next year, like we said we would. It’s all changed now, hasn’t it?’
‘Yes, it was quite an eventful week for all of us,’ replied Val thoughtfully. She reflected that the happenings of that one week in August were having an effect on all their lives, her own as well as those of Cissie and Janice.
SIXTEEN
Phil had told Janice that he would come to Blackpool to spend a few days with her during the first week of October. She was looking forward very much to his arrival, hoping that he would not only add a sparkle to her own life, but would help to cheer up her mother as well.
Lilian was at home now after her two weeks’ stay in hospital. They had been told that the operation had been satisfactory, but Lilian was not at all like her former self. She was no longer the cheerful and optimistic person that she used to be. She did not complain, but on the other hand she did not say very much at all. They could tell that she was pleased to be home, but she had retreated into a little world of her own and it was difficult to communicate with her. As her normal self she would have been anxious to know how the hotel was faring, how her assistants were coping during her absence, but she appeared to have no interest at all. In a way that was a good thing. It would not help her recovery if she were to worry, but to ask no questions was unlike her.
Her hair had been shaved off one side, and Janice made her a light turban to wear until her hair grew again, but Lilian seemed unconcerned about her appearance. She still visited the hospital regularly for check-ups. Apparently it would be a while before she was given the ‘all-clear’, but the doctors were somewhat reticent about just how long it might be. She was not confined to bed, but spent much of her time sitting in an armchair, dozing from time to time or watching the television.
Phil arrived on the Wednesday afternoon in what was proving to be a chaotic week at the hotel. He had travelled by train and taken a taxi from the station. Janice had explained that she would be too busy to meet him at the station, but that they were all looking forward to seeing him. There was a room prepared for him as the hotel was not fully booked that week.
When he appeared on the doorstep in the middle of the afternoon Janice almost burst into tears of joy, but managed to control herself. He put his arms around her, holding her close for a moment then kissing her gently on the lips. Their relationship was, still, more of a friendship than a romance, but they both knew that the potential was there for it to develop.
‘Hello, Phil,’ she managed to say after a moment, blinking away incipient tears. ‘It’s great to see you again. But just look at me in my pinny!’ She laughed. ‘And flour in my hair I shouldn’t wonder.’
Phil laughed as well. ‘Great to see you, too. You look lovely, even covered in flour! But I can see that you’re very busy.’
‘You can say that again!’ she muttered. ‘Anyway, come along in. Mum will be pleased to see you. I told her you were coming.’ Lilian had actually shown some interest when Janice had mentioned Phil. ‘Dad’s at work, of course, and Ian’s at school. There’s just Freda and myself preparing the meal for tonight. Leave your case there, and I’ll show you your room later.’ Janice opened the living room door. ‘Mum, look who’s come to see us.�
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Lilian was sitting by the fire with a magazine on her lap. Janice had bought her a Woman’s Own to see if it would arouse some interest in her. She used to love magazines, when she had time to read them. She had been dozing, but she opened her eyes and looked round. Her face lit up with pleasure, and there was a spark of animation in her eyes which, regrettably, had been all too seldom seen of late.
‘Phil, how lovely to see you!’ Lilian got up and took hold of his hands, then she kissed his cheek. ‘Sit yourself down and talk to me. I’ve been in the wars, you know, but I think I’m getting better. I know Janice is busy, but perhaps she’ll make us a cup of tea, will you, love?’
‘In a minute, Mum,’ replied Janice. ‘I must go and see what Freda’s doing, I’ve left her on her own. Take your coat off, Phil, and make yourself at home. I won’t be long, but I must go and see what’s happening.’ She smiled at him rather apologetically as she hurried out of the room.
Phil could see that she was harassed and he wanted to go and help. It seemed to him as though Mrs Butler was leaving all the work to her daughter and appeared unaware of how very busy she was. He soon realized that the operation had brought about a change in Janice’s mother. She was so unlike her former self. She had been so active and ready to cope with anything. He surmised, from what he could see, that her recovery to full health and strength might take a long time.
‘It’s really good to see you again, Mrs Butler,’ he said. ‘I was so sorry to hear about your operation, but Janice says that everything’s going well. And I must say that you’re looking fine. There’s some colour in your cheeks, and you’re still smiling.’ He knew that a white lie or two could be forgiven. The worst thing you could do was tell an invalid how poorly they looked, and Lilian needed cheering up. In truth she looked drawn, with dark shadows beneath her eyes, and she had lost a little weight.
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