A Second Chance

by Shayne Parkinson

  Maudie drew herself up stiffly. ‘Well, I’m sure I don’t know why everyone’s making such a fuss about this wedding. It’s not as if things are as they should be.’

  Rosie, always alert for signs of strife, looked up at once. ‘What’s she mean, Ma?’

  ‘Never you mind what she means,’ said Lizzie. ‘Little girls should mind their own business. And so should some big girls,’ she added with a dark look at Maudie. ‘That hem’s good enough, Maisie—no one’ll be taking much notice of Kate, anyway. Rosie, get your old clothes on and you and Kate can go and tell your father to come up for afternoon tea.’

  She watched as the little girls slipped out of the pink dresses, pulled on their everyday ones and went outside. ‘Beth, you can… now, where did she go?’

  ‘She went up the passage,’ Maisie said, casting an accusing look at Maudie. ‘She’s probably gone off to have a cry.’

  Lizzie glared at Maudie. ‘Oh, thank you very much. We’ve just got her to stop bawling all the time, and now you set her off.’

  ‘What’s she bawling for?’ Maudie asked in surprise. ‘She’s getting married!’

  ‘Yes, now that I’ve finally talked your father round. The poor girl’s been that miserable worrying if she’d be allowed or not, she’s been making herself ill with it.’

  ‘She was crying till she was sick some nights,’ Maisie put in.

  ‘And now you come in all high and mighty, with your “things aren’t as they should be”,’ said Lizzie.

  ‘Well, they’re not,’ Maudie said, struggling to maintain her sense of moral superiority. ‘Richard and I didn’t—’

  ‘Richard and you weren’t out of my sight long enough to get up to any mischief,’ Lizzie cut in. ‘And don’t you go telling me you wouldn’t have, given the chance,’ she said before Maudie could express her outrage. ‘If I’d kept a proper eye on Beth like I did on you, this wouldn’t have happened either. But it did happen, and we’re trying to make the best we can of it. She’s not going to have a flash wedding like we gave you, what with us having to do everything in such a rush. And there won’t be any nonsense with engagement rings or honeymoons, either. Dave can’t afford that sort of thing. But it’s still the girl’s wedding, and she doesn’t need you trying to spoil it for her.’

  ‘I didn’t know she’d been miserable about it,’ Maudie said.

  ‘Should I go and see if she’s all right?’ Maisie asked.

  ‘No, leave her in peace for a bit,’ said Lizzie. ‘Take her a cup of tea when it’s ready, she can have it in there.’

  Maudie sat quietly, mulling over what her mother had said. The idea that she might have been responsible for marring Beth’s pleasure in so wonderful an event as her own wedding, even the small and plain one this was to be, was too heavy a burden of guilt to bear.

  When the rest of the family had come in, she placed Lucy on Frank’s lap, took Beth’s cup from Maisie and went through to her old room.

  Beth was sitting on the edge of the bed she had once shared with Maudie, their mother’s old veil on her lap and a needle and thread in one hand. She looked up when the door opened; on seeing who it was, she bent lower over the veil and appeared to be giving all her attention to the rent she was mending. But Maudie had seen the telltale red blotches on her face.

  Maudie placed the cup and saucer on the dressing table and sat down beside her. ‘Ma’s veil’s a bit ratty,’ she said, fingering the net gingerly. ‘You’re going to have an awful job trying to mend all those ripped bits.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. No one’s going to worry what I look like.’

  ‘Of course it matters!’ Maudie hesitated for a moment, then said, ‘Would you like to borrow my veil? You’d look really nice in it.’

  Beth looked up, startled. ‘I didn’t think you’d want me wearing anything of yours.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ Maudie took Beth’s hand in hers and squeezed it. ‘Sorry.’ After a moment she felt a matching movement of Beth’s hand that told her she was forgiven. ‘It’s good your baby and Lucy will be so close together, isn’t it?’

  ‘I hadn’t thought of that,’ Beth said. ‘I suppose I haven’t really thought much about the baby. Just about… you know. All the fuss and everything.’

  ‘You’ll have more time to think about it once the wedding’s over. I hope you have a girl, too. Girls are best.’

  *

  The day of the wedding dawned grey, with a heavy, lowering sky that threatened rain.

  ‘We’ll have to squeeze everyone into the parlour if it pours,’ Lizzie said, peering anxiously through the bedroom window. ‘I want to put the food out on the verandah.’

  Frank grunted. The weather was the least of his worries on this day when he had to allow Beth to go to David.

  The leaden sky kept up its threat all morning, without ever delivering more than a few spots of rain. Lizzie had decided to risk the weather, and as the guests arrived they were shown to a mixed assortment of chairs in front of the verandah. Beth and the other girls had disappeared to their room some time before, with Lizzie dividing her time between supervising their preparations and keeping the boys busy and away from the food.

  Maudie had had Richard bring her out the previous evening, and had somehow squeezed herself and Lucy into the girls’ room for the night. She and her mother, united in the cause of making Beth’s wedding a success, were getting on remarkably well.

  Only a small number of guests had been invited. Beth had made it clear she had no desire for a large wedding, and given how short a time there was to organise the affair, Lizzie had agreed readily enough.

  Amy and David arrived some time before the guests. Amy set to helping Lizzie, while David and Frank found themselves forced into an uneasy association. It seemed a long time to Frank before he was called into the house and David was told to take his place on the verandah, Thomas at his side.

  Beth emerged from her room. She and Frank stood silent, staring at each other. It was the first time he had ever seen Beth with her hair up, and certainly the first time she had worn such an elaborate gown. Her small figure was almost lost in the pale pink satin, all gathers and ruffles. She and Lizzie had discarded the bustle as hopelessly old-fashioned, which made the dress even longer for her than it already was. She looked far too young to be wearing such a gown, but Frank thought she looked beautiful. To see her in Lizzie’s wedding dress made his heart leap, until he recalled whom she was to marry. It should not have been like this, not for his little Beth.

  ‘Are you two going to stand there all day?’ said Lizzie. ‘I need to get out there ahead of you.’

  Beth took the simple bunch of flowers, picked from the garden that morning, that Maudie was holding for her. Lucy clung to her mother’s skirts, looking like a tiny image of the bridesmaids in the little pink dress Maudie had made for her out of Kate’s old one. ‘I’m ready, Ma,’ Beth said, and Lizzie walked off, casting a glance at Frank as she did. Frank held out his arm for Beth to slip hers through.

  It was the first time she had touched him since the day a few weeks before when he had given his consent to her marriage. He had had a brief, grateful embrace from her that day, but when she and David had returned from their conversation on the verandah Beth had turned a disapproving glare on her father, and she had been distant ever since. She clearly believed he had been unfair in thinking David might behave in any way like his father. Frank fervently hoped she was right.

  ‘You look really good, love,’ he said, squeezing her hand.

  ‘Thank you.’ The pretty brooch that had been a gift from Amy and Sarah was pinned to the front of Beth’s dress; she gave it a brief touch, as if for luck. Frank had hoped to raise a smile from her, though he could not produce one himself; instead she sent him a piercing look, in which he recognised a plea. If the plea was for him to be happy about her marriage, he found himself unable to grant it.

  Maisie and the little girls clustered behind them. Maudie drew the veil over Beth’s face before
stepping quickly off in her mother’s wake, Lucy on one hip. Frank led Beth out to the verandah.

  David’s eyes lit up when he saw her, and a small answering smile warmed Beth’s face briefly. But they both looked serious as they faced the minister. Frank thought he felt Beth’s hand tremble when he was asked “Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?”; almost, he thought, as if she feared he might refuse to do so. He felt Lizzie’s eyes boring into the back of his head, and realised that he had hesitated for a moment. ‘I do,’ he said quietly, sensing Beth’s relief as the words were uttered. He relinquished her hand and took his seat beside Lizzie for the remainder of the short service.

  ‘I pronounce that they be man and wife together,’ the minister said. David and Beth turned to face their guests, and Frank heard a murmur of approval that he felt no urge to join in.

  ‘I hope to God I’ve done the right thing,’ he muttered under his breath.

  ‘Of course you have,’ said Lizzie, as sharp-eared as if he had been one of her children. ‘Now shut up about it before anyone else hears you.’

  After the ceremony there were photographs to be taken. Old Mr Hatfield, who had served as Ruatane’s photographer for many years, had become too tottery to haul his heavy equipment about, and had sold it to an energetic young man who had recently moved into the district. Young Mr Hart rushed about cheerfully, attempting to coax a matching enthusiasm from his subjects.

  ‘Come along, there’s no need to look so solemn!’ he said. ‘I’m sure you can all manage a smile for the camera on such a happy occasion.’

  Frank knew he must look as sombre as he felt. He saw Lizzie and Amy smiling brightly, while Rosie was clearly revelling in the attention, and seemed to be cajoling Mr Hart into taking more photographs of her than were strictly necessary, but Beth and David stayed resolutely solemn. Frank might have thought Beth was already regretting her marriage, had he not seen her slip her hand into David’s whenever she thought no one was looking at them.

  ‘Ugh! Whatever is that animal doing?’ Frank heard Susannah say. She gave a small squeal and moved away from the wedding party, but Beth laughed aloud.

  ‘Look what Pip’s got!’

  Frank followed her gaze and saw the little black kitten walking towards Beth, stiff-legged and tail quivering with pride, a mouse clamped firmly in its jaws. It dropped the thoroughly dead mouse at her feet and looked up, clearly expecting praise.

  Beth thrust her bouquet at Maisie and scooped up the kitten. ‘What a clever boy.’ She kissed the kitten on the top of its head. ‘He’s given us a wedding present, Davie!’

  David fussed over the kitten with her, the two of them smiling and talking quietly. Beth looked happy and at ease for the first time all day. She persuaded Mr Hart to take a photograph of herself and David with the kitten, then insisted on taking the kitten up to the verandah and placing it on her lap when they were called for the meal.

  The wedding was small, but some formalities could not be avoided. Frank made a brief speech, thanking the guests for coming and wishing the bride and groom every happiness. When David rose to make his own speech, Frank saw his hands shaking slightly as he gripped the edge of the table. Frank recalled how terrifying he had once found it to speak in front of a group of people, even one such as this, where everyone was known to him. Despite himself, he felt a tiny trace of sympathy for David.

  David thanked everyone for their good wishes, then looked over at Frank. ‘And thanks, Uncle Frank, for letting me marry Beth,’ he finished in a rush. He sat down in evident relief, to a ripple of laughter from the guests.

  After lunch Arthur and Edie remained sitting enthroned in the two most comfortable chairs, and Lily spent much of the time in the parlour playing the piano, but the other guests milled about, chatting to each other and to the wedding party.

  ‘They grow up fast, eh?’

  Frank turned to find Bill at his elbow. ‘Yes, they do. Too fast.’

  ‘Must be hard giving one of your girls away. I’m not looking forward to it with Emma.’

  ‘It’s harder some times than others,’ Frank said in a low voice. Bill cast a quizzical look at him, but Frank did not elaborate. He suspected Lizzie had entrusted Lily with the knowledge of Beth’s pregnancy, and it seemed likely enough that Lily would have told her husband, but this marriage was not something he wanted to discuss, even with Bill. He mumbled an excuse and moved away.

  Lizzie saw him standing by himself, and brought a mug of beer over to him. Frank glanced around at the guests; his mood darkened when he saw David clutching a full mug.

  ‘He’s getting through that drink pretty fast,’ he muttered to Lizzie. ‘I saw him downing one a couple of minutes ago.’

  ‘Well, it’s not going to do him much harm drinking lemonade, is it? And we’ve got plenty of it.’

  ‘Lemonade?’ Frank echoed. ‘You sure it’s not beer?’

  ‘Of course it’s not. Dave doesn’t drink.’

  ‘Doesn’t he?’ said Frank, startled. ‘I didn’t know that.’

  ‘You would if you took any notice of things. No, he promised his ma years and years ago that he’d never drink, and he’s kept to it, even when he was away working at that mine place. He saw how his father got when he had too much, and Dave didn’t want to turn out the same.’

  ‘Humph,’ Frank said, unable to find anything to counter this unexpected piece of information. ‘Well, I suppose that’s something.’

  ‘He’s not his father, you know.’

  ‘I never said he was.’

  Lizzie pursed her lips at him, but let the subject drop. ‘They’ll be wanting to get away soon. Make sure you catch Dave first and tell him you’ll do his milking for him tomorrow morning.’

  ‘I don’t know about that,’ Frank said, aware that he was embarking on an argument he was likely to lose. ‘I don’t know if it suits me to. We’ll be milking till lunchtime if we have to do his as well.’

  ‘It won’t be that late, don’t talk rot. Anyway, that wouldn’t hurt you, just this once. You don’t begrudge the boy a lie-in, do you? He’ll have to milk this afternoon, you know.’

  ‘That’s his look-out. It’s a silly time of year to get married.’

  ‘Well, he didn’t have a lot of choice, did he?’

  ‘Yes, he did,’ Frank said grimly. ‘I don’t see why I should do his milking. It’s not as if he deserves it, the way he’s carried on.’

  He belatedly noticed how close to him Amy was passing, just as Lizzie gave him a sharp dig in the ribs. Amy’s serene countenance showed no sign that she had heard, but Frank felt an uncomfortable stab of guilt to go with the after-effects of Lizzie’s jab. ‘Oh, all right, then, I’ll do it for him.’

  David looked at him warily when he approached. ‘No need to worry about your milking in the morning,’ Frank said.

  ‘No, there isn’t. Uncle John said they’d do it for me.’

  ‘Oh,’ Frank was taken aback. ‘Well, that’s all right then. You’re sorted out.’

  David sought Beth’s eyes, then looked back at Frank. ‘We thought we might get going about now.’

  ‘Did you?’ Frank said, unable to think of anything more useful to say.

  He found Lizzie at his elbow. ‘Are you two off? You’d better give me a kiss then, Dave, now you’re my son-in-law.’

  David obliged readily enough, and Beth embraced her mother and Amy. Tears welled in her eyes as the emotion of the day threatened to overwhelm her. ‘Come on, don’t be silly,’ Lizzie said, but she gave Beth another hug, produced one of the extra handkerchiefs she always had about her person, and wiped the tears away quite gently. ‘You’ll be all right,’ she said, tucking the handkerchief up Beth’s sleeve.

  Beth turned to her father, hesitated, then allowed herself to be enfolded in his arms. He thought he felt a suppressed sob, and held her more tightly, but after a few moments Beth pulled away.

  Aware of Lizzie’s eyes on him, he shook hands with David. ‘You look after her,’ Frank sai
d, his voice made rough by the tightening in his throat.

  ‘I will, Uncle Frank.’

  The gig was brought around by Joe, with Mickey and Danny coming along behind leading three cows. Along with her kitten, a small bundle of clothes and an old pharmacopoeia that Richard had given Frank, but which had immediately been taken over by Beth as inspiration for her various animal remedies, Beth was leaving home taking with her the cows that Frank insisted were hers: Jewel, the once-sickly calf she had reared into a fine creature, and Jewel’s two heifer offspring. The cows wore halters, and were tethered to the gig on long leashes. It would mean a slow walk to David’s farm, but the distance was short.

  David helped Beth into the gig. He climbed in after her, and they set off.

  *

  Amy waved as the gig pulled away, the young couple’s attempt at leaving quietly thwarted by the hoots and yells of Beth’s younger brothers. She was glad to see things settled for David, but mingled with her happiness was an awareness that her house would be a very different place from now on.

  A voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘Your dress is quite lovely, Amy,’ Susannah, said, admiring the black satin gown. ‘Really, you look very nice indeed.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Amy said, startled by a compliment from such an unexpected source.

  ‘You surely didn’t get that made in Ruatane?’

  ‘No, it’s from Auckland. Sarah’s dressmaker made it for me.’ There seemed no need to tell Susannah just how many other dresses had been ordered at the same time.

  ‘Really?’ Amy was quite sure Susannah was wondering how Amy could have afforded such a gown, and perhaps speculating on whether Sarah had paid for it. ‘You were very fortunate to be able to stay with Miss Millish.’

  ‘Yes, I was. Sarah’s been very kind to me.’

  There was a brief, awkward silence, which was broken by Susannah. ‘I think it’s very nice that your son should be marrying Lizzie’s daughter, with the two of you always being such friends,’ she said, her manner stiff, but her sentiments genuine as far as Amy could tell. ‘You must be pleased to have him marrying so well. And… and I’m glad things are easier for you these days,’ she finished in something of a rush.