Alice in pain. The threat of things going wrong and no one realising, the sweat, and the screaming. Would Alice scream? Perhaps not, and the slimy newborn sliding out, the most primitive experience any human being faces, was horrifying for him. If only his mother were there. But she wasn’t. So he had to be a man and face up to it. His hands shook as he struggled with making Alice a cup of tea. She loved tea at the moment, and it had to be in a delicate china cup. As he carried it to her, for she’d retired to the sitting room as the sofa was more comfortable in there, he braced himself to be cheerful and in charge.
‘Here we are, darling, your favourite cup of tea. If it isn’t right I’ll make another.’ He sat on the other end of the sofa and admired her. With him as its father and Alice its mother how could their expected child be anything other than beautiful?
Alice experienced another of those strange pains, but it didn’t upset her quite so much as the others, so maybe they were fading. Johnny felt relieved.
Someone rattled the knocker on the front door, the door opened and footsteps could be heard in the hall. Alice sensed something very familiar about the footsteps. They sounded like . . . but they couldn’t be . . . Marcus! Oh! God! She struggled upright, fearful of meeting him at a disadvantage. Why had he come? Not to stay! Please God not to stay; she didn’t feel strong enough to face that.
The sitting room door opened and there stood Marcus March, smiling. Smiling? Marcus? They were both shocked: all Marcus had become to them was letters from a solicitor about Alice’s divorce. Nothing more; they never contemplated how he fared nor what it would be like seeing him again, because they never expected to. But there he stood, smiling, holding himself with unaccustomed confidence, which was a surprise in itself.
Hand outstretched, he went to shake hands with Johnny. ‘Nice to see you again, Johnny. How are you?’
‘I’m very well thank you, Marcus. You look to be in fine fettle.’
Marcus didn’t reply. He turned to bend over Alice and kiss her forehead. ‘Nearly time for you, isn’t it, Alice?’ He turned again to Johnny, saying, ‘You’re a lucky man, but I expect you know that.’
‘Indeed I do. Tea or something stronger, or lunch even?’
‘I think lunch would be taking things too far in the circumstances . . . but a cup of tea would be more than welcome. I’ve driven down from London. Took an age, so much traffic.’ He went to look out of the window. Johnny flicked a look at Alice and winked. She smiled back, nervous of this invasion, worrying something nasty would come out of Marcus’s mouth and her whole world would fall apart.
While Johnny made a cup of tea for them Marcus sat on the other end of the sofa. ‘I thought I’d come myself to say I’m so sorry I caused our marriage to fall apart. Sins of omission rather than anything deliberate. I’ve found someone who thinks the sun shines out of me. I’ve become aware it doesn’t, but she thinks it does. It makes for a very happy life. It does me good. I think the world of her, and she of me. I don’t deserve to be so happy, I know that, but I can see you’re happy too so that makes it all right, doesn’t it?’
Alice was struck speechless by his understanding.
‘I can see Johnny’s good for you. I went up to the big house to find you, thinking he’d have bought it by now. Seen all the furore in the news about old Fitch’s collapse. I can just see you as Lady of the Manor.’
‘I’m not moving there.’
‘And what does Johnny think to that?’
‘He’s disappointed.’
Marcus leaned over and took her hand in his. ‘You should encourage him, if it’s what he wants. It’s only right if you love him.’
Alice almost laughed in his face. Marcus discussing love! What did he know about it? Then she looked into his eyes and saw compassion there. She wriggled free, uncomfortable at seeing emotion like that in Marcus’s eyes, of all people.
‘I mean it, Alice. I’ve learned a lot about loving and giving from Laura; it was her that helped me to survive when I was in pieces about you. She’s built me up, given me a new start. I’ve got a few copies of my very first novel in the car; can I give you one? I’ve already signed it to you both. Only if you want it, though.’
‘Well, yes, all right then.’ She got up to go out with him to the car, but he insisted she stayed where she was. ‘You’ve done enough running about after me in the past. It’s my turn now.’
The novel was in hardback, with a very attractive cover.
Alice was impressed. ‘Why, it looks great. Love the title: Sky Spies. The illustration is excellent. So appropriate.’
‘You sound surprised.’
‘Not surprised, no, of course not.’
‘Laura thought up the title. Brilliant jacket, isn’t it? You should have had more confidence in me.’
Johnny came in with the tray of tea and relieved Alice of having to find a sincere reply.
The three of them chatted politely whilst drinking their tea, then suddenly Alice felt deeply tired and it showed in her face. Marcus recognised her fatigue and said he must go. ‘You look tired, Alice. Look after her, Johnny. She’s very precious, but then you know that. My trouble was I never realised how precious she really was until it was all in ruins. Don’t make the same mistake, will you?’ He took hold of Alice’s two hands and bent over her; as he kissed her cheek he squeezed her hands affectionately. ‘Hope very much that all goes well with the baby. Let Laura and me know when it all happens. Remember what I advised, Alice. Thanks for the tea, Johnny.’
And then he was gone.
Johnny broke the silence. ‘Well, that was a surprise! He’s so much more approachable. So what did dear Marcus advise?’
‘He didn’t.’
‘I heard him say it. Remember what I advised, he said.’
Alice, emotionally exhausted by keeping her cool while Marcus was there, declared she couldn’t remember his advice, but Johnny knew she was being evasive. ‘The pains, have they stopped now, darling?’
‘Just about.’ Alice paused as though she had something else to say but couldn’t quite find the words. ‘Johnny.’
‘Yes?’
‘I’ve got to be truthful. He said if you wanted the big house I should go along with it if I loved you. I do love you, but I can’t go along with it. It isn’t in my nature to live in a house like that and all it entails.’
‘It entails whatever you want, no more, no less. You would make your own style of Lady of the Manor, just as Kate has done. I mean, headteacher of a village school and Lady of the Manor.’ He grinned. ‘That’s a funny combination if ever there was one.’
Alice smiled.
‘Besides, think of your son, our son. Think of his heritage. The big house should be his by right, don’t you think? But anyway, this Freedom Blade no doubt will buy it, so don’t worry.’ Johnny hoped to goodness not, but he didn’t want to worry Alice right now. His determination to be the owner hadn’t diminished. It was all a question of timing. He turned to speak to Alice again but she was asleep. How beautiful she looked, fair-haired, fair-skinned, sweet-faced, long eyelashes fluttering slightly, as though she dreamed a dream, elegant hands gently holding the bump that was their son. How he longed for his arrival. He had to buy the house for his son, for all the future generations of Templetons, of that he was certain. Somehow Alice had to be persuaded.
Chapter 19
Gilbert had taken over the training of the Ladies’ Choir, both for the competitions they were pledged to undertake in the New Year and the performance they were giving during the Christmas services in the church, which was a new departure for them. Some had queried whether or not it was the right thing to be doing, but Gilbert with his charm and his underlying sexy personality had won them over. Beth had been allocated the task of organising the music for the church performance and also for the competition. So she had two sets of music to print out and covers to design for them for each and every member of the choir.
She loved helping Gilbert. He was such an enthusiastic p
erson to work for, always so ready with genuine praise that working for him became a privilege. But the sexy side of him touched her not one bit. It was Jake who provided that for her, even though he was away in Cambridge and she hadn’t seen him since he’d treated her to tea in the George. They communicated by texting almost every day, and Beth had not told her parents that they were regularly in touch. She knew she should, but at the same time things were so delicate between them that she felt she mustn’t tell anyone at all. But five days before Christmas Beth did tell them both.
Alex was now home and the four of them were just finishing breakfast when Beth said, ‘Jake will be home for Christmas tomorrow.’
‘Will he? How do you know?’ Caroline asked.
‘He texted me yesterday.’
Caroline had no inhibitions about asking for further explanation of this surprising news. ‘Does he text often?’
‘Every day. Well, nearly every day.’
Alex laughed. ‘The crafty beggar. He said he was, but I didn’t believe him.’
It was Beth’s turn to be surprised. ‘When did you see him?’
‘At a party just before I came home.’
‘You never said.’ This was Caroline, trying to keep cool about the matter.
Peter smiled. ‘He must be besotted.’
‘Dad! We’re just good friends.’
‘OK, sorry. Will you be seeing him then?’
‘Of course. He’s spending Christmas Day with his dad and coming to see us on Boxing Day. Just for an hour, not for a meal or anything. Like I said it’s all very casual.’
Caroline, keeping a smile well hidden said, ‘Oh! Right. Your granny and grandad will be delighted to meet him.’
‘I’d forgotten they’re coming for Christmas. Oh! Well, he’ll have to put up with the inquisition.’ Beth was delighted she’d got away with her news without too much opposition, but the thought of her granny meeting Jake was almost too much to bear. Granny would be like some kind of high executioner, interrogating him about his pedigree, his attachment to Beth and a very in-depth discussion about his future plans and most especially his earning potential.
‘Can you ask her to soft pedal her inquisition, Mum? She could frighten him off.’
Alex intervened. ‘No such luck, sister dear. She won’t frighten him off; from the way he was talking to me he’s too devoted to you.’ Alex pretended to be sick, which made Beth slap him. He just laughed and Beth flung herself out of her chair and went upstairs to avoid any more leg pulling. I could kill him, I could, the stupid boy. Who wants a brother like Alex? Certainly not me . . . then she stopped on the top step wondering what Jake had said about her. She raced back down the stairs, burst into the kitchen and asked, ‘What did he say to make you think he was devoted to me?’
‘Look! I hardly said a word; it was just the way he so delicately asked questions to confirm you weren’t seeing anyone else. As I said at the time, I am not my sister’s keeper so I can’t say for certain,’ he grinned, ‘but she is very captivated by the chap she’s working for at the moment, so maybe . . .’
Beth was furious. ‘I am not.’
‘I said he’s married and has five children and he’s acknowledged to be the sexiest man in the village but—’
Beth was about to slap him again.
But Alex reassured her. ‘I didn’t really, but he is thrilled to bits with you, though; I could tell by the way he tried to be casual but wasn’t, if you know what I mean.’
‘Huh!’ Beth stormed out, leaving her astonished parents cringing as the kitchen door slammed shut.
Alex drank the last of his tea, stood up and said he was going back to bed, which he did.
Peter took Caroline’s hand in his and kissed the back of it. ‘Darling, it had to happen. He’s not a bad chap. We’ll just have to get used to the idea.’
‘He’s leaving Cambridge in the summer, so you know what that means: she’ll give up her place at Cambridge and go to live with him wherever he goes. Heavens above, this isn’t what I wanted for her.’
‘It isn’t what I wanted, but it’s her life and she has to live it as she sees fit.’
Caroline swung round on him, her eyes angry. ‘Let her do that without a fight? Just let it happen when we know it isn’t for the best?’
Peter sighed. ‘It isn’t what we want, is it? We can advise, but we can’t make her do what we think fit. Now can we?’
Caroline collapsed back on to her chair, her face grim with concern. ‘She’s worth more than just being a prop to a man with an ego the size of . . . I don’t know, whatever. All that charm.’
‘We’ll have to hope her own good sense will prevail; after all, they are very young.’
‘Exactly, too young to have good sense. Peter, please, have a word with her. She’d listen to you.’
The doorbell rang and Peter went to answer it.
The man in question was standing on the doorstep. He held a beautiful bouquet in his hand.
‘Hope you don’t mind me calling early, sir. I wonder, can I see Beth? Is she in? If it’s inconvenient I’ll come back.’
‘Jake! Of course, please come in. I’ll give her a shout.’
Peter stepped back to allow him room.
‘Is Doctor Harris in? These are for her, as a thank you for the meals I’ve had here in the past.’
‘Yes, she is; she’s in the kitchen. Go through. I’ll tell Beth you’re here.’
Beth came down, her face glowing with pleasure.
Jake couldn’t help it, he bent his head to kiss her cheek, but she avoided him, suddenly embarrassed in front of her parents and worried by the feeling of fear she experienced as he leaned towards her.
There was an awkward silence so Caroline found something to say about her flowers. ‘Look, Beth, Jake’s brought me these flowers! Aren’t they beautifully Christmassy?’
Beth dragged her eyes away from Jake and admired the blooms. My word, they were beautiful, magnificent even. Flowers for her mother? Why?
Jake smiled at her, and it worked its magic as usual. ‘I thought we might have lunch out.’ It wasn’t a suggestion, more a decision.
‘That would be lovely. It’s still early though. Shall we have a coffee first?’
‘Yes, thanks.’
The two of them sat in the sitting room drinking coffee, feeling self-conscious and not quite knowing what to say. But Jake appeared happy just to be with her. Beth, with so many weeks of not seeing him, felt uncomfortable.
Together they both said, ‘It’s—’ and laughter broke the ice. Then Alex came in carrying a coffee and before they knew it conversation flowed. It turned out that Jake was hoping to do research when he’d got his degree.
‘Where?’ asked Alex.
It was then the bombshell landed.
‘At an American university, I hope.’
Alex and Jake discussed it and what it would mean, leaving Beth confused and upset. American? Then I’d never see him. Is he going there on purpose to avoid me? How could he? She cautioned herself to be grown up about his news. After all, they’d no mutual arrangements, no talk of living together or marriage – they simply knew each other and he was free as she was to live anywhere in the world without obligations or breaking promises. But it was hard.
‘Thing is,’ Alex was saying, ‘now’s the time to do it, when you’re completely free to do whatever you want, and it’s a marvellous opportunity. I envy you.’
Jake warmed to his theme and by the time he turned to her for her response he’d painted a very convincing argument for going.
Poor Beth muttered that it seemed a long way to go, which wasn’t what she’d determined to say. She’d meant to be sensible like Alex, but instead she’d been feeble and she could have kicked herself for it. ‘But if that’s what you want, it does sound a brilliant opportunity.’ And somewhere deep down Beth was relieved.
‘You’d approve?’
‘It’s not for me to approve or disapprove.’
‘I’d
still like to know how you feel about it.’
‘Like Alex; it’s a wonderful chance, if that’s what you want and you get the offer . . . I-I-I’ll take the mugs out.’
In the kitchen, emptying the dregs of the coffee and stacking the mugs in the dishwasher, Beth wanted to weep. Great big tears of disappointment welled in her eyes, but she wouldn’t cry; she was tough. The real Beth Harris didn’t cry. But somehow . . . she was terribly mixed up. Part of her felt glad for him and relieved he was going away.
Footsteps sounded in the kitchen. It was Jake. ‘I wanted your approval. It’s only for a year. That’s no time at all.’
Beth turned to face him. ‘No, it isn’t. It’s a good opportunity for you, and just think of your CV. It will look good.’
All Jake did was kiss her forehead and squeeze her hand. ‘Dad tells me a new restaurant has opened in Culworth, so I’ve been to see it and booked a table – they’re like gold, it being near Christmas, but I persuaded them we wouldn’t take up much room. Shall we try it? For lunch? It’s much less pompous than the George.’
The expression on his face was that of a little boy pleading for approval and she couldn’t resist him. ‘It sounds lovely. I’ll go upstairs and change.’
‘America may be far away, Beth, but it won’t separate you and me. Believe me. We’ve time on our side and we mustn’t rush things. While I’m away, make a go of it at Cambridge, get your degree; you’ll never regret it.’ Then he kissed her, properly, and she almost drowned in the waves of passion that rolled over her. Shaken to the core, she raced upstairs to change.
A Village in Jeopardy (Turnham Malpas 16) Page 18