by June Francis
‘I’d rather not think the worst of people,’ said Wendy, tilting her chin. ‘Uncle Robbie knew what he was getting when he asked Joy to marry him.’
Pain flickered across Rita’s face. ‘He was only a man and we all know what fools they can be. Well, he told me something and I was just checking it out. I suppose you’ll only give me hassle if I carry on here, so I’m going home.’
Wendy said, ‘OK. I’ll come with you. You know, this is a time, Mam, when we should be being kind to each other.’ Her voice wobbled.
Rita’s eyes were suddenly shiny with tears and she rushed from the room. Wendy followed her not knowing what her mother might do next. Hopefully Grant would call at the house before returning to the apartment where he lived with his widowed sister, Elspeth. At that moment Wendy was in need of a bit of tender loving care herself.
Joy heard the front door close and went out into the garden to check on Rex and wait for her sister. She so desperately needed her.
When Hanny arrived, she enveloped Joy in a bear hug. ‘I can scarcely believe it,’ she said.
‘That’s how everyone is going to feel,’ said Joy, dabbing at her eyes. ‘I can imagine their faces and it hurts me to think about how upset they’re going to be when they find out.’
‘You have a list of the names of Robbie’s friends?’
Joy nodded. ‘I don’t expect the young ones of our family to come to the funeral.’
Hanny agreed. ‘Shall we have a coffee and have you any whisky? I think you could do with something to relax you.’
‘Robbie enjoyed his whisky.’ Joy swallowed the lump in her throat.
Neither sister spoke until they had their mugs of coffee and whisky and sugar and were sitting down by the fire in the drawing room. It was Joy that broke the silence. ‘To think that only the other day Robbie was grieving for Brendan O’Hara. They say things come in threes, I hope to God that doesn’t mean another death.’
‘What of the woman that Patsy works for? The one who was in the car accident?’ asked Hanny.
‘Mrs Tanner. According to Patsy she’s regained consciousness.’ Joy sipped her coffee in silence and then said abruptly, ‘You’re the only one I can share this with. I feel I’ll burst if I don’t say what’s on my mind.’
‘Go on,’ said Hanny, gazing at her intently.
Joy took a deep breath. ‘It started with the puppy. He’d whined the night before and so I took his basket up into my bedroom last night. Robbie saw me hugging Rex and…’
‘He wanted some hugs?’
Joy reached for the whisky bottle. ‘You can imagine what happened next. I let him take what he wanted. What made me angry was that all he said afterwards was that I was a virgin. He seemed so pleased with himself about it that I wanted to hit him but I told myself that I wouldn’t have to put up with him for long. I’d had this voice in my head telling me that he’d die soon.’ Joy paused and with a trembling hand poured a little more whisky in their mugs. ‘I went back to my own bed but he came into me later and did it again. Now I’m wondering if that’s what killed him.’
‘If it did, then it’s not your fault but his own. I’m amazed at his age that he managed it twice in a night,’ said Hanny frankly.
Embarrassed, Joy moaned and took a large gulp of the whisky and coffee. She rested her head against the back of the chair. ‘You know, I still feel angry with him. If he’d stuck to our bargain he’d still be alive now.’
‘You don’t know that but I admit it’s likely and very sad,’ said Hanny.
‘You will stay, won’t you? I’d appreciate your help with all the arrangements.’
‘Of course! I wouldn’t leave you on your own.’ Hanny sighed. ‘It’s not as if it’s the first time we’ve had to lay out the dead and make their final passing a memorable one.’ Hanny leant towards Joy. ‘Whatever you do, don’t go blaming yourself. Robbie was old enough to know the risks he took marrying a much younger woman.’
Joy took another gulp of her drink. ‘I wanted to call off the wedding not so long ago. I felt something briefly for someone and it made me restless and question what I was doing marrying someone I didn’t love.’
‘Why didn’t you?’
‘He was married. Besides it was nothing like love at first sight or what I felt for Chris,’ said Joy, ‘but I tell you, if Rita knew what I’m telling you, then she would have another reason to believe that I wanted Robbie dead.’
Hanny reached out and put a hand over her sister’s. ‘But you didn’t and she’s not ever going to know. Robbie’s time had come. Better he went the way he did than coughing his heart out for months and dying of some horrible lung disease. Neither of us will ever forget the way Dah suffered.’
Joy nodded. ‘Will you write and tell Tilly? She was fond of Robbie.’
‘Of course I will,’ said Hanny softly. ‘She’ll want to send her condolences to Wendy, too. You know what friends they were. His death won’t make that much difference to their lives. It will to you, though. He’s bound to have left you the house and the income from the properties that Eudora left him, so you should be all right financially.’
‘Yes,’ murmured Joy. ‘Whatever Rita says I have a right to this house. But I’ll need to give myself some time to get over his death before I decide what I’m going to do with the rest of my life now he’s gone.’
Chapter Fifteen
‘It seems odd not having a grown-up breathing down my neck,’ said Kathleen, sitting on the garden seat and watching Patsy peg out the washing.
‘Make the most of it.’ Patsy pushed in the last peg before sitting beside her sister. ‘You can’t stay here much longer. Have you made up your mind yet what you’re going to do about Alice Bennett’s offer? You don’t want to leave it too late. If you’re not going to accept it, go and sign on.’
‘I thought with you being here all on yer own there was no rush.’ Kathleen held her face up to the sun. ‘I had a dream last night that, if I accepted her offer, she just might make me manageress of her shop one day.’
Patsy smiled. ‘You know my dream. Us Doyles living together in a house like this.’
Kathleen snorted. ‘You’ve got a hope. Leave me out of your plans!’
‘OK! But I’m hoping to provide a home for Jimmy and the twins in a few years time. At least if you do take up Alice Bennett’s offer, she’ll be there if you need advice about anything.’
Kathleen folded her arms and closed her eyes against the sun and made no comment. Patsy shut her eyes and was just relaxing when the telephone rang. Immediately she got up and went indoors, wondering if it was David Tanner with news of his wife.
She was surprised to hear Wendy’s voice on the other end of the line after the operator’s. ‘Hello, Wendy,’ cried Patsy. ‘It’s nice to hear your voice. What can I do for you? If it’s Mr Tanner you want, he’s still in Blackpool.’
‘No, it’s you I want to speak to,’ said Wendy, her voice sounding strained. ‘I’ve some sad news, Patsy. My Uncle Robbie has died.’
Patsy was stunned and for a moment could not speak, and then she managed to say, ‘Was it a motor accident? Is Miss Kirk… I mean Mrs Bennett all right?’
‘No, it wasn’t an accident. He had a heart attack.’
‘I’m so sorry, Wendy.’
‘Thanks.’
‘How is Miss Kirk… I mean Mrs Bennett coping?’
‘It was a terrible shock as you can imagine. I don’t want to say anymore now, Patsy, it’s all so upsetting. We just wanted to let you know,’ said Wendy, a tremor in her voice.
Patsy heard the click as the call was terminated. For a moment she just stood there and then she put down the receiver and hurried into the garden. She blurted out, ‘You’ll never guess what’s happened!’
Kathleen opened her eyes and held up a hand to shade her face from the sun. ‘What?’
‘Robbie Bennett’s dead!’
Kathleen gasped. ‘But he only got married the other day. How can he be dead?’
&
nbsp; ‘Apparently he had a heart attack.’
‘Bloody hell!’
‘I know!’ Patsy sat down and stared into space, thinking of Joy and how she must be feeling.
‘He was old, though,’ said Kathleen after several moments. ‘It was bound to happen sooner or later. Better him than her. She’s still reasonably young and will have the house and everything. Not bad.’
‘You are hard. I wonder when the funeral is; Wendy didn’t say.’
At that moment the telephone bell rang again and Patsy got up and went inside, wondering if it would be Wendy telling her the date of the funeral.
‘Patsy?’
Immediately she recognised David Tanner’s voice. ‘Yes, Mr Tanner.’
‘My wife is coming home. She says there’s no sense in her staying here any longer when she can rest at home, so we’ll be on our way soon.’
‘You mean today?’
‘Yes. Do you have trouble with that?’
‘No, Mr Tanner.’
‘Besides, I must get back to the office. The work is piling up. There’s something I need you to do before we arrive.’
‘What is it?’
‘Remove all the mirrors in the house.’
‘All of them! Why?’
‘Don’t ask questions, Patsy. Just do as I say. You’ll have your answer soon enough. Now, make sure there’s a meal ready for us. We should arrive back about four o’clock.’ He rang off.
Patsy put down the receiver and turned to see Kathleen standing in the doorway. ‘Mr and Mrs Tanner are coming home today,’ said Patsy.
‘Then I’d better go,’ said Kathleen.
‘Where will you go?’
‘To Chester. Can you lend me the fare?’
Patsy sighed. ‘OK. But first you can help me take down all the mirrors.’
Kathleen looked incredulous. ‘Why are you doing that?’
‘It can only be because Rose Tanner can’t bear the sight of herself,’ said Patsy. ‘I can’t help feeling sorry for her.’
‘Yeah. Well, let’s not waste time on sympathy but get the mirrors down. I want to be on my way.’
The removal of the mirrors meant there were patches of clean wallpaper on the walls. Patsy was certain Mrs Tanner would have something to say about that. Her heart sank as she realised just how much she was dreading Rose Tanner’s return. No doubt she would be even more inclined to fly off the handle than before and Patsy could easily be the target for her moods.
As soon as the mirrors were stowed in the attic, Kathleen was set on leaving. Patsy handed her a florin and asked, ‘Did Mrs Bennett tell you how to get there?’
‘Yeah! I can either take the ferry or the underground train from Central. Either way I need to catch the Chester train in Birkenhead,’ said Kathleen, picking up her bag.
‘Right you are, then,’ said Patsy brightly. ‘I hope all goes the way you want.’
‘Thanks!’ Kathleen pecked Patsy’s cheek. ‘I’ll see yer when I see yer.’
‘Write to me and let me know how you’re getting on,’ said Patsy, returning her kiss.
‘I’ll do me best.’ Kathleen twiddled her fingers and walked jauntily down the path.
Patsy watched her until she was out of sight and then went back inside the house. She set about making up the beds, thinking about what to cook for the Tanners’ evening meal. She just hoped that whatever she did would be to Mrs Tanner’s taste.
* * *
‘Careful, careful, mind my knee!’ screamed Rose through the black lace veil dangling from the brim of her hat. She clung to David’s lapel as he carried her inside the house. Her other arm was strapped to her chest and one leg was bound to a metal splint and stuck out at an angle.
‘I am being careful,’ he protested.
‘Not careful enough. This is all your fault.’
‘Don’t start blaming me all over again,’ warned David. ‘I didn’t get you into this state – this is down to your lover!’
‘Don’t say that in front of Patsy,’ she hissed.
‘Why? She knows all about Brendan O’Hara. She was here when you brought him to the house, remember?’
‘Trust you to remind me of that,’ said Rose through gritted teeth.
Patsy hovered in the background as David swung his wife round and gazed at the various closed doors. ‘Where do you want to go?’ he asked.
‘To my bedroom, of course! I’m exhausted and I need to rest.’ Rose turned her head in Patsy’s direction. ‘I hope there’re clean sheets on the bed.’
‘Of course, madam!’ Patsy’s voice was stiff with outrage. ‘As if I’d leave the soiled ones on.’
‘Don’t answer back, Patsy,’ said Rose. ‘Or you’ll be out on your ear. What I really need is a nurse.’
‘You can forget that,’ said David icily. ‘I can’t afford a nurse and a maid after the money you’ve wasted. Now behave yourself, Rose.’ He turned to Patsy. ‘Run upstairs and make certain Mrs Tanner’s bedroom door is open, there’s a good girl.’
‘Yes, Mr Tanner.’
Patsy took the stairs two at a time and flung open Rose’s bedroom door. The scent of the spring flowers she had picked from the garden mingled with that of furniture polish. She stood aside whilst David placed Rose on the bed.
‘How is that?’ he asked, stepping back and gazing down at his wife.
‘I need to be further up and I can’t shift myself,’ said Rose. ‘You’ve no idea of the pain I’m in,’ she added on a sob.
‘Trust you to believe you’re the only one who knows what pain is.’ He hoisted her up higher so that she was sitting almost bolt upright against the pillows. ‘Is that better?’
‘I need more pillows and a glass of water to take my pills.’
David looked at Patsy. ‘I’ll fetch the pillows,’ she said.
As she left the bedroom, David said, ‘Do you want me to help you undress, Rose?’
‘Good God, no! Patsy can do that when I’m ready. What I need is my handbag.’
‘A please wouldn’t go amiss,’ he said, his grey eyes angry.
Patsy returned with the pillows and, at Rose’s direction, managed to place them to her satisfaction. ‘That’s better,’ she said, closing her eyes. ‘Now, if you’ll remove my shoes.’
Patsy did so. ‘Is there anything else you want me to do, madam?’
‘Yes! But allow me a few moments just to lie here. It’s such a relief to be back in my own room. You’ve no idea what I’ve been through. The horror of it all,’ moaned Rose. ‘Poor, poor Brendan!’
Patsy’s sympathy evaporated. If Rose had not lied and gone away with Mr O’Hara, then he would still be alive today. ‘Shall I bring you something to eat, madam?’ she asked coolly.
‘Not yet.’
David re-entered the bedroom, carrying a black patent leather handbag and a glass of water. ‘Is there anything else you need?’
‘No. You can go now. I’ll send Patsy if I need you,’ she said, reaching for the handbag.
David’s lips tightened. ‘I’ll be in my study, Patsy,’ he said in clipped tones. ‘You can bring my meal to me there in half an hour.’
‘Yes, Mr Tanner.’
As soon as her husband had gone, Rose took her pills and leant back against the pillows. ‘So how did the wedding go?’ she asked.
Patsy was surprised that she should be interested after all that had happened to her. ‘Lovely! But I’ve had bad news today.’
Rose’s shoulders stiffened. ‘What do you mean bad news?’
‘Mr Bennett has had a heart attack and died.’
The veil was sucked against Rose’s face as she drew in a rasping breath. ‘I can’t believe it,’ she mumbled, pulling away the veil with an unsteady hand.
‘I know. I felt like that, too.’
‘He was such a friendly, cheerful person. So gifted.’ Rose dabbed at her eyes with the veil. ‘The poor man! Who’ll be next? Me?’ Her voice broke on a sob. ‘I had such plans and now they’re shattered! I want a gin
and tonic.’
‘I’ll tell Mr Tanner.’
‘No. Give me some time,’ muttered Rose. ‘Serve the master of the house first and then you can bring my supper with that G and T.’
‘Yes, madam.’ Patsy was glad to escape to the kitchen.
Half an hour later, when she carried casseroled chicken into Mr Tanner’s study, she noticed papers all over his desk. He looked up. ‘I hope you’ll be staying on with us, Patsy. I know my wife will cause you more work, but the next few months are not going to be easy for any of us. If you feel that you’ll be able to cope with extra duties, then I intend to increase your wages to ten shillings a week.’
Patsy blinked at him. ‘But that’s double what you pay me now!’
His eyes twinkled. ‘I can add up, Patsy. I have no doubt you’ll earn every penny.’
Patsy hesitated. ‘Is Mrs Tanner’s face cut very badly?’
He nodded. ‘Her broken nose has been fixed and hopefully, as time goes by, the scars will fade and she’ll feel that she can dispense with the veil.’ He fiddled with the fountain pen on his desk. ‘There is another important matter which I suspect you might already be aware of and that is that my wife is having a baby. I did think that with the accident that she might have miscarried – but no.’
‘Congratulations, sir,’ she said politely.
‘Quite. I am hoping the baby will help to put the recent upset behind us and that we can take up the threads of our life together again. The child is due in October.’
Patsy thought he was a hero to have his wife back. She wondered if he suspected the baby might not be his but he seemed prepared to accept it as his own. ‘A baby needs a lot of love and attention, Mr Tanner, but it can bring people together.’
‘That is my hope,’ said David. ‘Can I take it that you will stay?’
‘Oh yes, Mr Tanner.’
‘So how did the wedding go?’
Patsy hesitated and then said in hushed tones, ‘The wedding was lovely but since then we’ve had news that Mr Bennett has died of a heart attack.’
‘So your Miss Kirk – Mrs Bennett, I mean, is a widow! Good Lord, how is she coping?’
‘I don’t know. I spoke to Mr Bennett’s niece, Wendy. You’ve met her.’