Sunshine and Showers

by June Francis

  Joy knew the story and thought Rita Wright just did not know how to be grateful for her good fortune in possessing four decent children and a brother who had been prepared to shoulder some of her responsibilities. ‘I don’t know how your mother would have coped if she were in Patsy Doyle’s shoes with no money, no home and five younger brothers and sisters to worry about,’ murmured Joy.

  ‘How is Patsy?’ asked Wendy, easing the bridesmaid’s dress over her head. ‘I heard that she was working as an all-purpose maid to a Mr and Mrs Tanner.’

  ‘Now, who mentioned that name to you?’ mused Joy. ‘It wouldn’t be the great detective, would it?’

  Placing her bridesmaid’s dress on a hanger, Wendy avoided Joy’s gaze. ‘Why should you think that?’

  ‘From something your Uncle Robbie told me this morning about you and Grant being at the tea dance yesterday,’ said Joy. ‘I believe her husband is back from America today. What’s he going to think when he hears that a Mr O’Hara has been her regular dancing partner?’

  Wendy sighed. ‘You know, you’d make a good detective.’

  ‘Did Mr Tanner hire Grant to keep an eye on his wife?’ asked Joy.

  Wendy gazed at her woodenly. ‘I’m not at liberty to say.’

  ‘That means I’m right,’ said Joy.

  Wendy mimed buttoning her mouth.

  ‘Understood,’ said Joy, inspecting her own reflection. ‘But I am concerned about Patsy. I visited her at the Tanners’ house the other week. She’s worried about them. Is a divorce on the cards, would you say?’

  Wendy said, ‘I can’t discuss the case but I can tell you that Mr Tanner is back home. He phoned the office this morning. Now, I think I’d better go and make an appointment to have my hair done for the wedding. You coming, Minnie?’

  ‘Yeah, OK,’ said her sister.

  ‘I’ve asked Patsy to come to the wedding,’ said Joy. ‘I haven’t heard back from her as to whether she can make it, so I just might drop by at the Tanners’ house. I don’t want Mr Tanner putting the kibosh on her having the day off.’

  ‘I don’t see why he should,’ said Wendy. ‘He seemed a decent bloke to me. See you soon.’ She made for the back door and Minnie followed her out.

  Alice looked at Joy. ‘Are you really going to go to the Tanners’ house? You could walk straight into a row if Grant has told Mr Tanner about his wife and this man, O’Hara.’

  ‘That’s true but I want to make sure that Patsy is OK. It would be upsetting for the girl if she was caught up in a nasty divorce case and called upon to be a witness in court. Even worse if she gets hurt because no one was there to take her side and protect her.’

  Chapter Eight

  Patsy stared in disbelief at the alarm clock and flung back the bedcovers and slid out of bed. She could scarcely believe that she had slept past her normal waking time and that it was ten o’clock. Mrs Tanner would be having a fit if she was waiting for her to bring her breakfast in bed. Then the memory of what happened during the night came flooding back. She dressed quickly and tiptoed downstairs to the first-floor landing but the house seemed as silent as the grave. She wished that she hadn’t thought of the word grave with its connotations of death. Suddenly she heard a groan. The sound caused her to freeze. There came another groan and then a noise of someone throwing up.

  David’s door opened and for a moment he and Patsy stared at each other. Then he said, ‘There’s no need to creep about the place as if you were a burglar. Tell my wife I want to talk to her.’

  ‘I doubt she’s in a fit state to talk to anyone right now,’ said Patsy bluntly. ‘It sounds like she’s being sick again.’

  The muscles of his face tightened. ‘You’d best go and see if she needs help. No doubt she’ll be expecting someone else to mop up the mess.’

  ‘Yes, Mr Tanner.’

  Patsy supposed that it had not occurred to him that his wife could be suffering from morning sickness. She did not bother knocking on Rose’s bedroom door but went straight in, only to baulk at the smell of vomit. She pinched her nose and hurried over to the window and opened it and took several deep breaths before facing her mistress.

  A wan-faced Rose lay back against the pillows, having placed the chamber pot on the bedside table. She waved a hand in its direction. ‘Empty that,’ she ordered.

  ‘Yes, madam. Obviously, you aren’t feeling any better this morning.’

  Rose muttered, ‘Did I dream my husband was here last night?’

  ‘It was no dream,’ said Patsy. ‘He wants to talk to you.’

  ‘I don’t want to see him,’ groaned Rose. ‘I’m feeling dreadful.’

  ‘That’s not surprising given the state you were in last night,’ said David, appearing in the doorway. ‘We’ve got to talk.’

  ‘Not now,’ said his wife in a faint voice.

  ‘No. In an hour’s time. I expect you to be dressed by then.’

  Patsy picked up the chamber pot and followed him downstairs. How she hated chamber pots. After she had emptied it in the outside lavatory and cleaned up afterwards, she returned to the kitchen. To her surprise, she found David putting on the kettle.

  Without looking at her, he said, ‘If I remember rightly you told me that my wife had been sick several times. She should see a doctor.’

  Patsy nodded, wondering what would happen if the result of such a visit was the news that she was pregnant. Would he be overcome with delight? Or fury if he suspected that the child might not be his? He made no move to leave the kitchen and ring for the doctor but opened several cupboards before removing a packet of grape-nuts. He found a bowl and filled it with cereal before asking for milk.

  Patsy found the morning newspaper pushed halfway through the letter box and a couple of envelopes on the doormat. She picked up both letters and the newspaper before opening the front door. Outside it felt like a normal day and she took several deep breaths. The sun was shining and a couple of sparrows were chirping in the privet hedge. All might have been well with her world if last night hadn’t happened but she was convinced more than ever that change was on its way. She picked up the milk bottle from the step and went back inside and closed the door.

  She found David sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands and remembered Rose sitting in a similar position in the kitchen in the middle of the night. ‘Are you all right, Mr Tanner?’ she asked solicitously, placing the milk, newspaper and envelopes on the table.

  ‘I’ll never be all right,’ he answered in a muffled voice. ‘I don’t know what to do.’

  ‘Eat your breakfast?’

  She thought she caught the sound of a laugh. He lowered his hands and looked at her. ‘You’re a tonic. What do you think is best to make my wife less queasy?’

  ‘A cup of tea and an arrowroot biscuit,’ said Patsy firmly. ‘That’s what I’ve heard some woman swear by.’

  ‘See to it.’ He reached for the milk but then changed his mind and picked up one of the envelopes instead and slit it open with a knife.

  Patsy watched him out of the corner of her eye as she reached for the biscuit tin. She heard him swear and turned round. ‘Did you say something?’ she asked.

  He did not answer but left the kitchen in a hurry. She heard his feet thudding on the stairs. She switched off the kettle and crept up after him. He burst into Rose’s bedroom and did not bother closing the door. Patsy’s heart was beating fast as she sat on the stairs where she could see through the open door.

  ‘What do you want? The hour’s not up yet,’ said Rose angrily.

  ‘He’s married! Did you know that?’ asked David.

  Rose gasped. ‘I don’t believe you. You’re lying. Anyway, how can you know that?’

  ‘I’ve been having you watched while I’ve been away. The detective’s reports were waiting for me at the office but the very latest one was pushed through the letter box this morning. How do you feel about Mr O’Hara being married?’

  ‘How dare you have me watched!’

 
Patsy heard the sound of a slap and then that of a struggle. She stood up and moved towards the bedroom.

  Rose Tanner cried, ‘It’s not true, it’s not true!’

  ‘According to Mr Simpson it is! No, don’t you try and hit me again. A man can only take so much.’

  ‘I’ll go and ask him,’ said Rose in a seething voice. ‘You’re a freak! He’s a proper man.’

  There was the hiss of an indrawn breath and then he roared, ‘And you are an adulteress!’

  ‘You’ve driven me to it. Now let me past,’ screamed Rose. ‘I’m going to prove you wrong.’

  ‘You won’t, you know!’ David came out of his wife’s bedroom and went into his own.

  Rose appeared in the doorway. Patsy shrank back against the banisters but there was no hiding place. Rose came towards her, dressed but not looking her immaculate self. ‘You’re a witness, Patsy, that my husband is a liar and a bully.’ She brushed past her and ran down the stairs. Making straight for the front door, she opened it and then slammed it shut behind her.

  ‘Oh dear,’ murmured Patsy, walking slowly downstairs. ‘Should I leave now?’

  She went to the kitchen and a few moments later the door opened and David stood there. With his fists clenching and unclenching, he looked so wild. Patsy panicked. She lunged for the bread knife and held it in front of her. ‘None of what happened is my fault. Please, don’t hurt me.’

  ‘Bloody hell, Patsy, what do you think you’re going to do with that?’ asked David, his expression altering. ‘I’m not looking to hurt you! I assume you heard all that went on.’

  ‘I couldn’t help it,’ said Patsy in a trembling voice. ‘I don’t blame you for being cross but some men are inclined to take their anger out on the nearest person to hand.’

  ‘Well, you don’t have to be scared of me. If I were a violent man I would have beaten Rose by now for the way she has spoken to me in the past. I might have made mistakes but I tried to make up for them.’ He snatched up the other letter from the table and left the kitchen.

  Patsy put down the knife and sat on a chair. She caught sight of the bowl of grape-nuts and poured milk over the cereal. She began to eat, concentrating on each mouthful. She had only eaten half of it when she pushed the bowl away, unable to eat anymore.

  What a mess! She felt all of a dither. What was she to do? She could not think straight. Suddenly she decided to do what she often did when she was in a bit of a state. She got up and opened cupboards and took out ingredients. As she beat the cake mixture she began to feel much better. When the cake was in the oven, she felt better still. The house was so silent that it was difficult to believe that Mr Tanner was still there. Perhaps he wasn’t. Maybe he had left by the front door. She decided to go and see if he was in the house. First, she went to the drawing room. The door was open and there was nobody inside. Perhaps he was upstairs. She hurried up and stood on the landing, listening. The sound of a drawer slamming and then footsteps convinced her that he was all right.

  She hurried downstairs and decided to scrub the front step. She was still feeling a little twitchy and that was another task that always calmed her. After heating up the water, she carried the steaming bucket with cloths and a scrubbing brush around to the front of the house. She was halfway done when she heard the front gate open. She glanced up and could scarcely believe her eyes when she saw Joy Kirk standing there, watching her.

  ‘You all right?’ asked Joy. ‘I thought you might need someone to talk to.’

  ‘How did you know?’ Patsy clambered to her feet and stumbled towards her. ‘Mrs Tanner came here with another man and all hell was let loose,’ she whispered.

  Joy put an arm around her. ‘She’s a fool, that woman. Shall we go into the kitchen?’

  Patsy nodded.

  They went round the side of the house and into the kitchen and sat down. ‘A little dicky bird told me that Grant Simpson has been keeping his eye on Mrs Tanner,’ said Joy.

  Patsy’s eyes widened. ‘The great detective is involved in this?’

  ‘Yes. I suppose it’s not surprising. I presume Mr Tanner has an office in town and so does Grant.’

  ‘I think Mr Tanner’s is near Fenwick Street.’

  Joy nodded. ‘So close to Grant’s office which is in Fenwick Street. So what happened?’

  ‘There was a terrible row in the middle of the night and a letter came this morning. Apparently Mr O’Hara is married.’

  ‘I know. Mr Bennett has known him for years, and when Wendy asked him about Brendan O’Hara, he told her what he knew.’

  ‘Mrs Tanner went out in a rush to find out whether it was true.’ Patsy brought her head close to Joy’s. ‘I think Mrs Tanner is having a baby and I’m wondering whose baby it is.’

  Joy’s jaw dropped. ‘That’ll make things awkward. Are you sure?’

  ‘Mam had six kids after me. I mightn’t have been aware what was going on with the first three but I remember she had morning sickness over the twins and Anthony.’

  A door opened and there was the sound of footsteps coming downstairs. ‘Patsy!’ called David. ‘Are you there?’ Before she could answer, he had pushed open the kitchen door and walked in. He stopped in his tracks and stared at Joy. ‘Who are you?’ he asked.

  She stood up. ‘I’m Miss Joy Kirk. I’ve come to see if it’s all right for Patsy to come to my wedding on Easter Monday.’

  ‘I thought my wife had already decided that Patsy could have the day off.’

  ‘So she might have done but I hadn’t heard from Patsy and I needed to know for definite that she and her sister were coming.’

  ‘Well, now you do,’ he said shortly, tapping his fingernails against the door jamb.

  ‘You want me to leave?’ asked Joy.

  ‘Did I say that? I just hope Patsy hasn’t been telling you I’m a danger to her.’

  ‘No, she hasn’t. But are you?’ asked Joy boldly.

  His austere features darkened. ‘You’ve got a nerve asking me such a question.’

  ‘It was you that mentioned your being dangerous. I know something of your situation and I don’t want Patsy getting caught up in anything nasty.’

  ‘Please, Miss Kirk…’ Patsy shifted uncomfortably on her chair. ‘I didn’t say that he—’

  ‘No, you didn’t,’ said Joy, staring at David. ‘I will explain, Mr Tanner, why I know something of your situation. Not only does my future husband play in the dance band at the tea dances your wife attends but my future niece is engaged to the detective, Grant Simpson. Not that she has betrayed any confidences. Rather, I put two and two together when I was told that she and Grant were at the dance and asking my fiancé questions about Mr O’Hara.’

  ‘Is what you have to say supposed to make me feel better?’ rasped David, his grey eyes glinting. ‘How many more people know what’s going on? I can’t afford a scandal in my line of work. I understand your concern for Patsy, Miss Kirk, so perhaps you should take her with you when you leave!’

  ‘No!’ Patsy was aghast and sprang to her feet. ‘I don’t want to leave. I don’t believe I’m in danger. I admit I was feeling upset and scared earlier because I was thinking of my uncle who killed my mother. But you’re not like him at all, Mr Tanner. I want to stay.’

  David could only stare at her. ‘Your uncle killed your mother?’

  ‘Yes! He also killed Mr Bennett’s dog when he broke into the house. He was a burglar and in cahoots with their neighbour.’

  ‘Good lord!’ David Tanner’s eyebrows nearly shot through the top of his head at this latest revelation regarding Patsy’s family history. ‘You have had a tough life, Patsy. You can stay. I have business in Seaforth. I’ll see you later.’ He nodded stiffly in Joy’s direction and left the kitchen.

  ‘Ooof!’ exclaimed Joy, sitting down. ‘So that’s your Mr Tanner. He’s different than I imagined.’

  ‘He’s had a bad night and an even worse morning,’ said Patsy. ‘Mrs Tanner has gone to see Mr O’Hara.

  ‘She cla
imed that he was a real man, not a freak like Mr Tanner.’

  ‘My goodness, what a thing to say to your husband.’ Joy was aghast. ‘I wonder what will happen when she discovers that Mr O’Hara is getting a divorce. Mr Tanner could use those words against her if he decided to divorce her but, of course, that would mean involving you.’

  ‘I don’t want to be involved in any divorce case,’ said Patsy hastily. ‘Although, you heard what he said about not wanting a scandal.’

  ‘She could still leave him and he might have no choice in the matter,’ said Joy, tapping her fingers on the table. ‘Well, if the Tanners’ marriage does break up, Patsy, you won’t be able to stay here alone with him. However much you would like to do so. You must come and stay with me.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she gave a relieved smile. ‘You know, little as I like to admit it, I might have been annoyed, shocked and frightened at times but living here has been as good as one of Tilly’s stories,’ said Patsy. ‘I’m desperate to know how it’ll end.’

  Joy felt the same. It was all such a mess and Mr Tanner was going to have to cope with something that was surely not of his making. It made planning her wedding seem a simple matter. She looked out of the window at the garden and was suddenly aware of a restlessness that was unfamiliar. Obviously Mr and Mrs Tanner were not right for each other. Maybe their marriage was one of those that would never have happened if it had not been for the war. Hers to Robbie would not be happening if it was not for the war taking away the man she had loved. Was she doing the right thing marrying him? How well did she know him? She toyed with the belt round her waist. Then she told herself that she probably knew him better than many a bride knew her future husband. There was no changing her mind now just because the sight of Mr Tanner had unsettled her.

  Chapter Nine

  ‘Where’s my husband?’ Rose Tanner carefully closed the back door and stared at Patsy.

  The girl thought, how many more times is she going to ask me that question? If she had been here the last few months when he arrived home, then she wouldn’t be in this mess. ‘He’s gone to Seaforth,’ she replied.