by June Francis
Joy believed him. ‘So what am I to do about the party? I can’t retract my words. You saw how pleased Patsy was with the idea.’
‘I know.’ David stared into the fire. ‘I think you’d best time the party for when Donavan’s out of the way. She doesn’t have to know of our suspicions. She has a home here. Greg will take care of her, so what use is a father to her now?’
Chapter Thirty-Five
It was St Patrick’s day and Joy was praying that Patsy’s eighteenth birthday would be one that the girl would remember with pleasure. Once David’s ankle was out of plaster, Joy had seen him several times when he had visited next door. He had spoken to Patsy and Greg about the children and they were truly pleased at the idea of having some time to themselves.
Joy had asked her brother Freddie to check over the car to make certain it was still roadworthy in the hope that she could persuade David to go out on trips. He had already had his furniture taken out of store and moved into place. He would not take up residence until after Patsy and Greg’s wedding which was arranged for Whit Saturday. David had heard from Rodney who had agreed to drop the asking price of the house by fifty pounds.
Joy was on edge, uncertain whether Donavan – or Doyle, if it was him – would walk in on the party. He had been coming and going at different times lately. One little bit of proof – if it could be called that – to add to the little they knew was the carved wooden dolphin that David remembered packing for Patsy when she had moved to Seaforth. He had asked her about it and she had told him that her father had carved it.
‘Not definite proof,’ David had said to Joy. ‘But how many seamen fathers have you heard about who whittle away at wood and make such perfect little models?’
‘None,’ she had replied.
‘What are you thinking about, Aunt Joy?’ asked Flora, coming into the kitchen. ‘You look miles away.’
Joy was not about to reveal her thoughts to anyone, other than David. ‘Have you finished the flowers?’ she asked. ‘We’ve still loads to do and I don’t want you skiving off.’
‘You’re saying that just because you think I’m annoyed you’re giving this party for Patsy Doyle. Well, I’ve nothing against her. It’s you I’m worried about, Aunt Joy,’ Flora said solemnly. ‘You haven’t been yourself lately. I’ve even been wondering if you’re in love.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ said Joy brusquely. ‘I’m too old to fall in love.’
‘I don’t believe that. I’ve noticed the way you look at David Tanner when you think nobody is watching and he’s the same with you.’
‘You’re imagining it. He’ll never ask me to marry him.’ Joy was convinced that, however deep David’s feelings were for her, the rejection and pain he had suffered during his previous marriage meant he would not allow himself to believe that a different kind of woman would accept him as he was because she loved him.
‘But it’s leap year, Aunt Joy,’ said Flora. ‘You could ask him.’
Joy’s heart seemed to flip over and she was aware that the girl was watching her. ‘Don’t look at me like that! We’ve work to do,’ she said sharply.
‘Where’s the birthday cake?’ asked Flora.
‘In a safe place where Robert can’t get to it.’
‘Makes sense.’ Flora gazed fondly at Robert who was now over a year old. He was running a wooden engine along the floor that Mr Donavan had made. ‘He is clever with his hands is Mr Donavan,’ she said.
‘Yes, very talented,’ said Joy. She could no longer behave normally with him and felt certain he must have noticed.
‘I was telling Mr Donavan about today’s party,’ said Flora.
‘You didn’t!’
‘I did. What’s wrong with that?’ said Flora, looking affronted. ‘Is it supposed to be some kind of secret? If so nobody has told me.’
‘No, but…’ Why hadn’t she thought of casually telling Flora not to mention the party to him?
Flora’s green eyes narrowed like a cat’s. ‘What’s up? You look guilty.’
‘What on earth have I got to be guilty about?’ protested Joy. ‘Did you say who the party was for?’
‘I told him it was for Greg’s fiancée as he’s seen him around when he was helping decorate next door.’
‘He didn’t ask her name?’
‘No, but he did ask why we were having the party here?’
‘So what did you say?’ asked Joy, her body tense.
‘I told him it was because Patsy was an orphan and she’d lived here for a while with her brothers and sisters until they’d had to go into the Seamen’s Orphanage.’
Joy groaned inwardly. ‘What did he say to that?’
‘He asked me where Patsy lived.’
‘You didn’t tell him!’ cried Joy.
‘Yes, why not?’ protested Flora. ‘He said that he’d like to give her a birthday card, because having listened to Greg talk about her, he felt he knew her.’
Joy was startled into saying, ‘He certainly blooming does. It must be him!’
‘Who must be him?’ asked Flora, looking puzzled.
Joy did not answer but went to the telephone and asked for a call to be put through to David’s office. When she came off the telephone she told Flora she was going to have to leave her to do the sandwiches, as well as look after Robert, because an emergency had come up and she had to go out.
* * *
Patsy was humming ‘The Boy I Love is up in the Gallery’ as she took Helen’s party clothes out of the chest of drawers. She was looking forward to the party and was grateful to Joy for arranging the event. She would have a chance to see all the work that Greg and David had done in the house. Useful experience for when they could start work decorating this house, she thought with a happy sigh.
Having sorted out Helen’s clothes, Patsy went into her own bedroom and opened the wardrobe and gazed at the frocks hanging there. She took out the one she had bought in the January sales. There was a sudden bang, bang, bang of the door knocker and she ran downstairs to answer its summons. She opened the door and her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her sister. ‘What are you doing here, Kath? I thought you’d be going straight to Joy Bennett’s.’
‘I thought I’d come here first with your birthday present,’ said Kathleen, smiling. ‘It’s something to wear.’
Patsy was thrilled. ‘If it’s anything like what you’ve got on, I’ll be made up. Is what you’re wearing the latest fashion?’
‘Would I wear anything else?’
Patsy stared at Kathleen in admiration. Gone was the simple shift dress of a few months’ ago and in its place was a navy-blue figure-hugging frock with embroidery round the neck and sleeves; a red velvet rose was pinned at the waist. As for the hem, it went up and down like a wave with one catching only the odd glimpse of a knee when she did a twirl. ‘You look stunning!’ exclaimed Patsy.
Kathleen winked. ‘That’s the kind of effect I’m looking for and all I can say about what you’re wearing is that I have made you something better.’ She held out a parcel. ‘I hope you like it.’
‘Thanks!’ Patsy’s eyes sparkled. ‘Come on in.’
Kathleen closed the door. ‘I’ve also got good news for you about our Jimmy.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Chris Davies’s dad has arranged it so Jimmy can work in the railway engineering yard. He’ll be starting right at the bottom but, as he’s dead keen and is prepared to roll up his sleeves and do what he’s told, then I’m sure he’ll cope with the hard work.’
Patsy let out a whoop and would have danced with her sister up the lobby if Kathleen had not warded her off. ‘That’s great news!’ Then she paused. ‘But that means he’ll have to find digs in Chester.’
‘It also means that you and Greg won’t have him living with you. Don’t say I don’t think about you! Mr Davies has found him digs. He’ll be staying with a widow woman who lost her son in the war. She’ll probably spoil him soft.’
Patsy went to hug her s
ister again but Kathleen warded her off once more. ‘None of that. You’ll crush me rose. Now open your present.’
Patsy led the way into the dining room and removed the string and wrapping paper. She gasped. The dress was of pink embossed satin with a white fur cowl neckline. There was plenty of material in the skirt and it came in at the waist and had three-quarter sleeves. ‘It’s lovely!’ There were tears in Patsy’s eyes.
‘I thought, the way the weather’s been mad so far this year, that you needed a bit of fur,’ said Kathleen. ‘Are you going to put it on so we can see how it fits?’
‘Of course I am,’ said Patsy, almost jumping up and down with delight.
The pair of them went upstairs and Patsy changed into the party dress. When she saw herself in the mirror she was thrilled. ‘I look so fine. You wouldn’t believe I was just an all-purpose maid.’
‘You’re nothing of the sort. Housekeeper more like and soon you’ll be Mrs Molyneux.’
Patsy smiled. ‘I can’t believe everything has turned out so well. As for the dress, thanks so much, Kath. I feel great in it.’
‘It’s a perfect fit if I say it myself.’ Kathleen gave a satisfied smile.
‘Clever you,’ said Patsy.
‘Aren’t I just?’ said Kathleen, chuckling. ‘So when will we be leaving for the party?’
Patsy gave a little shiver of excitement. ‘I’ve never been the centre of attraction. I’ll call the kids in soon to get ready and, by then, Greg should be here.’ The words were no sooner out of her mouth when she heard a banging on the front door. Who was it this time? She went to open it and Helen immediately darted past her into the house. ‘What’s up with you?’ asked Patsy.
‘There’s a man asking where Mr Tanner lives,’ panted Helen, her eyes wide with fear. ‘Do you think it’s Uncle Rodney come to take us away?’
Patsy frowned. ‘I doubt it, love. Where is this man?’
‘Talking to our Nelson. I thought I’d best get you.’
Patsy went outside and almost immediately saw Nelson standing near the lamp post, talking to a man in a navy-blue reefer jacket. The latter’s head was cocked to one side and he was obviously listening intently to the boy. Patsy could not see his face clearly but there was something about the way he held his head that was familiar.
Suddenly he turned and looked in her direction. For a moment they just stared at each other. He reminded her of her father and she wondered if he could possibly be of some relation to him. Then he threw back his shoulders and jutted his chin and began to walk towards her with a slight rolling gait that she did recognise. Her heart began to pound. It couldn’t be! Yet there was a grimness about his mouth that reminded her of the last time she had seen her father. He had stormed out of the house after another flaming row with her mother, saying that he might never come back.
He stopped a couple of feet away from her. ‘It is you, Patsy,’ he said, a look in his eyes that twisted her insides and made her want to cry. ‘And looking all grown-up and so fine and ready for your birthday party.’
‘How d’you know about that? Is it really you, Dad?’
‘Yeah, girlie, it’s me, your old dad.’ There was a quiver in his voice and his eyelid was twitching. ‘And I know about your party because I lodge with Mrs Bennett under the name of Donavan.’
Patsy’s mouth fell open and for a moment she could not speak. This couldn’t be real. ‘I don’t understand! Did you know we’d lived there? Why change your name? Where’ve you been all this time?’
‘You’ll probably hate me when I tell you. I lived in America for several years and I stayed away deliberately because I wanted a new start away from your mother and her men.’
Patsy felt as if she had been smacked in the face. ‘Bu-but what about us kids? Didn’t you care about us?’ she cried.
He looked miserable and jammed his hands into his pockets. ‘Of course I cared for you, Mick and Kathy. Jimmy, I wasn’t sure whether he was mine or not. The twins definitely weren’t,’ he rasped.
‘Even so, if you cared for those of us that were yours, then you wouldn’t have let us believe you were dead!’ A tear rolled down Patsy’s cheek and then another. She felt cold and shivery and wrapped her arms around her. ‘I mourned for you, Dad. We had a terrible life when you didn’t come back. Why have you come now when everything is going well?’
‘Because I couldn’t bear the voice in my head telling me I was a rotten father any longer!’ His eyes glistened with tears. ‘So I came back to Liverpool. Only when I got here I was just too bloody selfish to want to live with your mother again and I thought you children would hate me and I don’t blame you for doing so. It was just chance that I ended up at Mrs Bennett’s place.’
‘But-but weren’t you washed overboard, then?’ asked Patsy, trying to make sense of what he was telling her.
‘Yeah, but I was rescued by a fishing boat off the coast of America. I was in a bit of a state and so one of the men took me into his home and he and his sister looked after me. I was out of me head for a while.’
Patsy wiped her eyes on the back of her hand. ‘So you didn’t plan to leave us when you left home?’
‘Perhaps the thought was there, buried, only waiting to—’
‘What’s going on?’ interrupted Kathleen, coming out onto the step to stand alongside her sister. ‘You’ve been crying, our Patsy,’ she said. ‘Did this bloke upset you?’ She glared at the man standing a few feet away.
‘Aye, I did, girlie,’ he said hoarsely. ‘You must be Kathleen. I used to call you my little blonde beauty when you were only a tot.’
‘You what?’ Kathleen took a step closer to him and peered into his face. ‘You look familiar. Who are you?’
‘Kath, this is our dad! He didn’t drown after all. He was rescued and lived in America and for a while he’s been lodging with Joy Bennett.’ Patsy’s voice sounded raw.
Kathleen gasped. ‘I don’t get it! If he stayed away all this time what’s he doing here now? Did he lose his memory or something? Forget that he had seven kids?’
‘I didn’t have seven kids last time I looked,’ growled her father. ‘Had another, did she, to another bloke?’
Patsy gulped. It was true what her father said but she did not like hearing it. ‘Anthony was adopted. It broke my heart to see him go. If you’d been here, Dad, then—’
‘No! You can’t lay the blame for that on me, girlie. He wasn’t mine.’
Patsy cried, ‘I know that, Dad, but even so, if you’d been there, then Mam mightn’t have been murdered by that swine of a brother of hers and…’
Her father’s face turned white and his mouth worked but no words came out. Then he managed to say, ‘I had heard but I’ll not take responsibility for that either, girlie. I was a sailor and that meant I spent time away. If she’d been faithful to me, then things would have been different.’
‘It wasn’t our fault,’ said Patsy in a hard voice.
‘No, girlie, I know that.’ His voice had sunk so low that the girls could barely hear him.
Patsy and her sister looked at each other. ‘What’s he doing here?’ asked Kathleen, looking bewildered. ‘What’s he want of us? He wasn’t here when I needed him.’
‘I just wanted to have a look at you all and see how you’d turned out. If you need money, I can—’
‘Money!’ cried Patsy, twisting her hands together. ‘We needed money years ago when you weren’t here, not now! We’ve built lives for ourselves. We’ve managed without you, Dad.’
‘What’s going on? What are you doing here, Mr Donavan?’ asked Greg.
Relief flooded through Patsy and she flung herself at her fiancé. He put his arms round her and hugged her to him. ‘What’s wrong, love?’
‘I only came to wish her a happy birthday,’ said Donavan, taking an envelope from his pocket. ‘If you’ll give this to her.’
‘Whatever it is, I don’t want it,’ said Patsy in a muffled voice.
Her father forced the envelope
into Greg’s hand and then walked away. ‘I don’t understand,’ said Greg. ‘Why should he—?’
‘He’s our dad,’ said Kathleen bitterly. ‘He thinks he can come back and we’ll welcome him with open arms.’
Patsy lifted her head and presented a ravaged face to Greg. ‘How could he have deserted us when he knew what Mam was like?’ Her head drooped on Greg’s shoulder and she wept.
He half carried her into the house, followed by Kathleen and Nelson. Helen was sitting at the bottom of the stairs. ‘Are we still going to the party?’ she asked.
Patsy lifted her head. The last thing she was in the mood for was a party. ‘Do you want to go, love?’
‘Yes!’
There was a long silence while Patsy struggled with her emotions. ‘Then we’ll go.’
‘Are you sure, love?’ asked Greg.
‘Our Kath has made me a new frock and I want to show it off.’
‘Donavan could be there,’ he said. ‘And if he is—’
‘He won’t be! I think he got the message that we don’t want him,’ said Kathleen fiercely. ‘Now, you kids, scoot and get ready.’
They were all prepared to leave when David and Joy arrived.
‘What are you two doing here?’ asked Greg. Then his eyes narrowed. ‘Or can I guess?’
David stared at his set face. ‘Patsy’s father’s been here, then?’
‘He’s my father, too, you know?’ said Kathleen belligerently. ‘And we’ve sent him away with a flea in his ear.’
Joy exchanged glances with David. ‘Do you think he’ll go back to the house?’ she asked.
‘Yes. I don’t doubt he’ll pack his things and leave.’
‘Then, hopefully, he’ll have gone by the time we arrive there,’ said Patsy. ‘Obviously you knew who he was and didn’t tell me.’
‘Not for certain,’ said David, looking uncomfortable. He told the girls everything.
‘So his conscience really was bothering him,’ said Patsy, overcome by conflicting emotions.
‘It sounds like it,’ said Greg, his eyes on her drawn face.
‘Perhaps he deserves a second chance,’ said David.