One Week in August

by Margaret Thornton

  ‘I’m smiling because you’re here,’ said Lilian, ‘and it’ll be the fire that’s made my cheeks red. To be honest, Phil, I feel as though I’ve no energy. I’m quite content to sit here and do nothing, and it all seems so … far away. I know our Janice is working her socks off. She’s a good lass, but she’s young and strong and I know she’ll cope. And my Alec is very good; they’re waiting on me hand and foot. But I’m so listless, and I know that’s not like the usual me at all.’

  ‘It’s nature’s way of helping you to get well again,’ said Phil. ‘Your body needs a good rest after your operation, and after all the hard work you were doing before you were taken ill. I’m sure you’ll be raring to go again before long.’

  ‘Aye, maybe you’re right,’ she replied complacently. ‘And what about you, Phil? Let me see. You live somewhere in Yorkshire, don’t you? And your father owns a pub?’

  ‘Yes, I live near Ilkley,’ Phil reminded her. ‘It’s a sort of country inn rather than a pub. It’s called “The Coach and Horses”, not a very original name, but it used to be a coaching inn. We’ve modernized it a lot since my father took it over. We’re not too busy at the moment, so my dad can spare me for a few days.’

  ‘I see …’ said Lilian, smiling and nodding. He was not sure that she had taken in all that he had been saying.

  Janice arrived then with the tea and biscuits on a tray. ‘Are you having a good chat, you two?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, Phil’s been telling me about where he lives in Yorkshire. Now … where is it?’

  ‘Ilkley, Mrs Butler,’ replied Phil.

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’ Lilian nodded. ‘Ilkley, like in that song, ‘On Ilkley Moor baht ’at.’ She laughed. ‘His father’s got a pub there.’

  Phil thought that Janice was looking a little exasperated, but she was trying not to let it show. ‘I’m sorry I can’t stop and chat,’ she said. ‘Freda and I are making steak and kidney pies, and we’re just putting the crusts on before they go in the oven.’

  ‘Would you like some help?’ asked Phil.

  Janice felt that she ought to say no, but it was what they really needed so badly at that moment. ‘Would you, Phil?’ she said. ‘Thank you, we’d be ever so grateful. We might have been trying to do too much today.’

  ‘I’ll have my cup of tea, then I’ll be right with you,’ said Phil, smiling at her reassuringly.

  Janice gave him a thankful smile as she went out. Phil drank his tea and ate two custard creams. Mrs Butler was enjoying her tea but not saying anything now. He put the cups and saucers together on the tray and stood up.

  ‘I’ll go and see how the ladies are getting on in the kitchen,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you later, Mrs Butler.’ She smiled at him, and he could see that she had retreated into her own little world again.

  ‘My goodness, are we glad to see you!’ said Janice when he appeared. ‘We’re not having the best of days, are we, Freda?’

  ‘We’ve had better,’ replied the lady in a floral apron. She looked competent and cheerful, and Phil guessed that she was not the sort to get in a panic. He knew that Janice, on the other hand, was somewhat overwrought at the moment.

  ‘We’re getting there,’ said Freda, ‘but we’d be glad of an extra pair of hands. You’ve not really come to work though, have you, Phil?’

  ‘I’ve come to see Janice, because her plans have been changed, and to see her mum, of course. But I’m ready, willing and able!’ He smiled. ‘Now, tell me what you want me to do. I’d better put an apron on first.’

  Janice handed him a blue and white striped butcher’s apron. ‘The carrots and the spuds need peeling, but we can do that. Perhaps you could see to the trifles, give them a professional look? The jelly’s ready, and I must admit we use tinned custard. There’s a big tin of peaches, and the Swiss rolls need to be soaked in sherry. And you can put the finishing touches to them.’

  While Phil set to work quietly and efficiently Janice and Freda got on with the more mundane jobs of peeling the vegetables. ‘We’ll have mashed potatoes,’ said Janice. ‘It’ll be easier than roast, and the garden peas are frozen ones.’

  She then explained to Phil why the day was so fraught with problems. ‘Olive’s got the flu,’ she said. ‘She wasn’t well yesterday, and today she rang to say she was really bad. So there’s only Nancy and myself to serve the meals. We advertised for someone to come and help in the kitchen, and a woman came in last week. She said she was an experienced cook, and she did her best, I suppose, but she wasn’t all that good. Actually, she was more hindrance than help, then she said on Sunday that she wouldn’t be coming again. So there’s just Freda and me now, and Nancy to do the waitressing. I’m still learning the job and feeling my way.’ Janice sighed. ‘I felt so sure I could do it but it’s harder than I thought. Freda’s been wonderful, though, and she’s taught me such a lot.’

  ‘I’m doing what I can,’ said Freda, ‘but I’m only an ordinary plain sort of cook, I can’t attempt anything fancy. And Janice has worked wonders, despite what she says. There’s not much gone amiss, and we haven’t had any complaints.’

  ‘You seem to be doing OK to me,’ said Phil. ‘The kitchen’s clean and tidy, and that’s a good sign.’

  ‘That’s my mother’s training,’ said Janice. ‘She always tidies up as she goes along and I’m the same. And so is Freda. We don’t like to work with everything in a mess. But today – I don’t know – I felt as though everything was getting me down.’ She grinned at Phil, ‘You’re an angel sent from heaven!’

  He laughed. ‘I’ve never been called that before. But I’ll help as much as I can while I’m here. I don’t intend to sit on my backside and watch you work.’

  ‘I’m really grateful, Phil. But I’m hoping we’ll be able to spend a bit of time together. The Illuminations are on, you know, and those of us who live here don’t always bother to go and see them. I certainly haven’t had time this year.’

  ‘I caught glimpses of them when I was stationed at Weeton,’ said Phil, ‘but I’ve never seen them all. How long are they on?’

  ‘Till the end of October. That’s two more weeks after this one. I can’t wait for the season to come to an end. I know now how Mum used to feel.’

  ‘And you’ve visitors in right till the last week?’

  ‘Yes, but it’s tailing off a bit now. I think there are fourteen next week, so that’s not too bad.’

  ‘And then you’ll be closed … for how long?’

  ‘Until Easter. We usually have a few visitors then, but the season starts in earnest round about Whitsuntide. Then it’s all go for the next five or six months.’

  Phil was thoughtful as he worked away at the sherry trifles. ‘What are you going to do when this season comes to an end?’ he asked. ‘It’s too late for you to start your university course, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, much too late. I had to tell them that I couldn’t come because there was a crisis at home, and not to keep my place for me. I said that I might apply again next year, but I don’t really think I will.’

  Phil thought she sounded rather regretful. ‘Your mother might be OK again by then,’ he said. ‘And she was so eager for you to go, wasn’t she?’

  ‘She’s forgotten all about that now. She seems to have forgotten about most things. It’s really heart-breaking to see her like this, Phil.’

  ‘I’m sure it must be. It’s early days, though, Janice, and the operation’s been a shock to her system. But she’ll get better in time … Now … are these trifles up to standard? I’ve done my best.’

  ‘They’re superb, Phil,’ she answered. ‘Real professional. Obviously the work of an expert hand. It seems a shame to break into them.’ The trifles were in three large dishes. The whipped cream stood up in points, decorated with cherries, angelica and flaked nuts. ‘We’ll take them into the dining room on the trolley, then the visitors can see your work of art before we dish them out.’

  ‘Now, we’re almost finished, aren’t we, Freda? Y
ou go when you’re ready. Nancy will be here soon to see to the tables.’ Freda usually left in the late afternoon to see to her own family meal, but since Lilian’s illness she had been coming in each morning to help with the breakfasts, as well as doing her afternoon stint.

  ‘OK, if you’re sure, Janice,’ said Freda. ‘Don’t worry, it’ll all be fine. Everything’s under control now, and Phil’s here to help you. See you in the morning then, bright and early. Cheerio for now, Phil. We’re jolly glad of your help.’

  The evening meal went ahead without any hitches. Nancy arrived promptly, and the three of them worked together to set the tables. The cloths were still on from breakfast time, and those that had spillages were turned over.

  Phil insisted that he would help to serve the meal as well. He was a young man who liked to look smart on occasions, and he put on a dark jacket to match his trousers. Janice wore her black dress and changed her working apron for her frilly waitress one.

  It was well turned eight before the family could start their own meal, after the two of them and Nancy had cleared away the visitors’ pots and cutlery.

  ‘Thank God for the dishwasher!’ said Janice. ‘I can’t imagine now how we managed without it. When I hear tales of the olden days, when Grandma was in charge, I’m astounded at all they had to do. It’s bad enough now, with all our mod cons.’

  ‘What you’ve never had you never miss, I suppose,’ said Phil. ‘Fridges and freezers, washing machines, dish-washers, hoovers, television, aeroplanes … What a long way we’ve come in this century, and we’re only halfway through it. Whatever will have happened by the year 2000, I wonder?’

  ‘We might even be flying to the moon, who knows?’ said Janice. ‘Although I’m quite content down here. I’d like to go up in an aeroplane though, sometime,’ she added wistfully.

  Alec and Ian, and Lilian as well, were very appreciative of the meal when the family plus Phil, finally sat down to eat. Their meal was the same as the guests’, except for the mushroom soup that had been served as the first course. It was normal for the family to eat just the two courses.

  ‘By heck! That was good,’ said Alec. ‘You’ve done us proud, Janice, and I believe you had a hand in it an’ all, Phil.’

  ‘He saved my life, Dad,’ said Janice. ‘It was all getting on top of me till Phil came to our rescue. So it all turned out alright, and Phil says he wants to help while he’s here.’

  Alec nodded seriously. ‘It’s very good of you, Phil, lad. We’ll see you right, of course.’ He cast an anxious glance at his wife who seemed oblivious to the conversation. She was carefully spooning up what remained of her trifle. She had eaten her meal with obvious enjoyment, slowly and carefully, leaving only a little of the steak pie. It was a good sign that her appetite was returning.

  ‘I’m only too glad to be here to help,’ said Phil. ‘Just a bed for the night, that’s all I need.’

  When they had cleared away, with Alec and Ian helping as well, Janice showed Phil up to his room on the second floor. They had scarcely had a minute to spare until then.

  ‘Very nice,’ he said, taking in the single bed covered with a blue candlewick spread, matching the blue patterned curtains at the windows and the blue cushion on the small armchair. There was a washbasin with two blue towels on the rail, and the wardrobe and dressing table were of light oak in the utility style that had been brought in following the war years, plain but practical and functional.

  ‘Very nice, indeed.’ said Phil again. ‘I can see your guests have all the home comforts they need, if all your rooms are of this standard, and I’m sure they are.’

  ‘Yes, we got rid of all the old-fashioned furniture, bit by bit, at the end of the war,’ said Janice, ‘although I wasn’t really taking much notice of what was going on at that time. That was when the visitors starting coming again. Grandma was one of the old- type seaside landladies, you know, not all that keen on moving with the times. But Mum’s made changes of her own since Gran died two years ago. I miss her though …’ She smiled reminiscently. ‘She could be a real old battleaxe, I suppose, but she was kind to me and Ian. Anyway, I’ll leave you now to put your things away. The toilet’s just next door,’ she added. ‘Sorry there’s no bathroom – one of these days, maybe … But if you do want to have a bath you can use our private one downstairs.’

  Phil grinned. ‘Thanks, it’s all just fine. A home from home. Do you fancy going out in a little while? A walk along the prom, perhaps? Or … are you too tired?’

  Janice was bone-weary, but she didn’t want to say so. ‘I think I’d prefer to stay in and chat tonight,’ she said. ‘We’ll probably have the lounge to ourselves. Most of the visitors stay out quite late with the Illuminations being on. Is that OK with you?’

  ‘Suits me fine,’ said Phil. ‘I’ll see you downstairs then, in a little while.’

  Lilian and Alec were watching the television in the living room, the sound turned down to a quiet murmur as Ian was doing his homework at the other end of the room.

  ‘Phil and I will sit in the visitors’ lounge,’ Janice told them. ‘I feel too tired to go out. We’ll go and see the Lights another night, but I don’t know just how long Phil will be here.’

  ‘He’s been a good help today,’ said Alec. ‘Not that I’m forgetting what you’ve done, Janice, love. You’re doing a grand job keeping things going.’

  ‘Thanks, Dad. I’m glad there are only two more weeks, though. I know now how Mum feels at the end of the season.’

  ‘And then what will you do?’ asked Alec. ‘I’m concerned about you, Jan, giving up your course, and it’s too late now, isn’t it?’

  ‘I had no choice, Dad. I had to keep things going, with help of course, Freda and the other two, and now Phil. But what will happen in the future I just don’t know.’

  ‘None of us do, love,’ said Alec. ‘We’ll have to take one day at a time.’ He looked fondly, but anxiously, at his wife. Lilian was sitting complacently, seemingly unaware of the conversation. Then she looked at Janice and smiled.

  ‘That Phil’s a nice lad,’ she said, ‘I think he’s just right for you, Janice, love.’

  ‘We’ll see, Mum,’ said Janice. ‘Yes, he’s very nice, but we’ll see how things go.’

  As she had hoped, there was no one in the lounge. She flopped down in one of the most comfortable armchairs. The furniture in that room dated back to the thirties. This was something they had not changed, as the contemporary styles such as G-plan and Ercol did not suit the homely feel of the room. It felt good to relax at last, the first time she had rested that day apart from at meal times.

  Phil soon joined her, dressed casually now in a chunky sweater and grey flannels. He sat opposite her and leaned forward. ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he began, looking at her earnestly. ‘I’ve decided to stay here and help out till the end of the season. That is … if you would like me to?’

  ‘Of course I would, Phil!’ she answered eagerly. ‘It would be wonderful! But what about your job at home? You’re supposed to be helping your father, aren’t you, now you’re home again?’

  ‘Dad’s had to manage for the two years I’ve been away, and he’s still coping very well with the staff he’s got. I told you before that I feel like a spare part sometimes. I’m not really needed all that much. And it was always my idea to branch out on my own eventually, not to stay in Ilkley forever.’

  ‘I’m overwhelmed, I really am,’ said Janice. ‘We’ll pay you, of course. I’ll sort it out with Dad.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it,’ said Phil. ‘We’ll come to some arrangement. I’ll ring my father tomorrow and tell him.’ He smiled. ‘He might even be relieved to see the back of me.’

  ‘I really thought I could do it,’ said Janice. ‘When Mum was taken ill I didn’t hesitate. I said I’d take over and see to the hotel. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it’s been much harder than I imagined. Not only the cooking and organizing – and I’ve had help with that – but there’s the money side of it
as well; the visitors’ bills, and the wages and everything. Dad never had much to do with the running of the hotel. It was always Gran, and then Mum. How on earth did she do it all, Phil? There are courses now for hotel management, but she never learnt anything like that. And she never had any training in cookery neither, except some classes at night school …’

  ‘But she had years and years of experience at home,’ said Phil. ‘She watched what her own mother was doing, and that’s a very good way of learning. It’s the way all those boarding-house women learned their trade. It was handed down from mother to daughter, trial and error some of the time. And you were only just starting to learn, weren’t you? You said you hadn’t taken much interest until this last summer. And Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know!’

  ‘Yes, that’s true,’ admitted Janice. ‘I still have a lot to learn. Do you know, I found myself thinking, sometimes, that I should have gone to uni after all? That I wasn’t cut out for all this. Then I knew I had to carry on because of Mum.’

  ‘Only two more weeks, then you’ll have to think about what you want go do next. Have you given it any thought?’

  Janice shook her head. ‘Yes … and no. Get a job in Blackpool, I suppose. I’ve got my O levels and A levels; quite good ones actually. But I intended to go to uni to get a degree – it was what Mum really wanted me to do – and then decide later what career I would follow. But now … who knows?’ She smiled at Phil. ‘But I’m feeling better about things already. Now, I’m going to make us a drink. What would you like? Tea, coffee, hot chocolate?’

  ‘Chocolate, of course,’ said Phil. ‘I’ll come with you; and we must go and tell your dad what we’ve decided to do.’

  Alec was alone in the living room. Lilian had retired early, as she usually did, and Ian had gone to bed as well. He was surprised but very pleased to hear what Phil had suggested.

  ‘It’s all hanging in the balance at the moment,’ he said. ‘It depends on Lilian. We can’t look too far ahead. But we’re OK now till the end of the season. It’s very good of you, Phil. I appreciate it, and I know Janice does … Make me a cup of tea, please, will you, Jan? Then I’ll call it a day.’