‘No, Mrs Fraser. She hasn’t.’ Switching her gaze back to Bart, Hannah said, ‘Would you tell my aunt I called by? I’ll come back another time.’
‘Only your mam said nowt to me about upping and going. I was only talking to her the other day, Monday it was. I met her coming back from the library. Likes her romances, your mam.’
Hannah looked Mrs Fraser in the eye. She knew the woman did not like her mother. No one in the street did.Years ago Naomi had told her on the quiet that all the neighbours thought her mother was an upstart and full of airs and graces since her aunt had been taken ill. She’d defended her mother at the time even though she had secretly agreed with Naomi. And now Mrs Fraser was talking as though she was her mam’s best friend. ‘My mother received the offer of a wonderful housekeeping post down south a short while ago, and as my aunt was having the operation which would hopefully make her well, she thought it was time to make a move. Of course if Aunt Aggie hadn’t recovered like she has my mother would have stayed and continued to help.’
‘Oh aye?’ Mrs Fraser didn’t finish with ‘And pigs fly’, but she might as well have from the look on her face.
‘Yes,’ said Hannah firmly, just as the shop door opened and her aunt and uncle walked in.
Caught off guard, Hannah found herself lost for words. Her aunt looked so different for one thing.When she had imagined seeing Aunt Aggie again she’d pictured the two of them hugging, perhaps even crying, but this smartly dressed, expensively coiffured woman in front of her appeared like a stranger. She saw her uncle’s gaze flash over them and he took a step backwards, presumably in shock, and then her aunt said,‘Hannah! Hannah, lass,’ and opened her arms.
The next few minutes were all bustle and half-spoken sentences and no one noticed that Edward hadn’t said a word. No one except Jake, that was. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Hannah’s uncle. Eventually Agatha led Hannah and Jake out of the shop and up the stairs to the flat, stopping halfway to shout,‘Edward? You’re coming too, aren’t you? I’m sure Bart can cope in the shop for a while without you, he does it all the time now.’
She didn’t wait for his reply. The words had been expressed in the form of an order and it was apparent to Hannah and Jake that she was used to being obeyed.
Hannah’s head was whirling as she entered the flat. Her repugnance at seeing her uncle again was partly alleviated by her amazement at the stranger who was her aunt. Gone was the vulnerable, dependent woman she had loved with all her heart and in her place was a person of authority. And her physical appearance was so changed. She looked well, her hair was cut and styled and her clothes were beautiful. Hannah glanced down at her aunt’s feet. They were encased in fancy, soft leather shoes with decoration round the sides and little heels. They would have cost the equivalent of a man’s weekly wage.
She had no time to dwell on this, however. Agatha turned to face her once they were in the sitting room, her voice reproachful as she said,‘I’ve missed you, hinny.’
‘I’ve missed you too, Aunt Aggie.’
‘Was the row with your mam really so bad that you couldn’t call and see us? Not that I don’t appreciate you taking care of her, Mr Fletcher,’ Agatha glanced Jake’s way for a moment, ‘but this was your home when all was said and done.’
Hannah was aware of her uncle sidling into the doorway but she kept her eyes on her aunt as she said, ‘It was pretty awful.’
‘Well, sit down, sit down.’ Agatha waved her hand towards the three-piece suite, and as they sat down, and without looking at her husband, continued, ‘We’ll have a pot of tea, Edward, and some cake and scones.’
When Edward had disappeared, Agatha, her voice soft now, said, ‘Tell me about the do with your mam, lass. I take it you know she doesn’t live here any more or you wouldn’t be here.’
Hannah nodded. ‘She came to the farm.’
‘Did she now?’ Agatha’s face hardened. ‘Brass neck, that woman. And did you give her short shrift?’
‘She stayed overnight and then I put her on a train for London.’ It was Jake who spoke, entering the conversation for the first time. As Agatha’s eyes moved to his face, he added, ‘She won’t be back.’
Agatha nodded. ‘No doubt she told you what a cruel woman I am.’
‘I knew, Aunt Aggie. About Mam and . . . The row I had with Mam was all to do with that and other things. She - she said she never wanted to see me again.’
‘Until it suited her.’ Agatha shook her head. ‘So, you know.’ She let her back rest against the chair. ‘Well, it might surprise you to know I had cottoned on a good few years ago. I think your mam wanted me to know, or suspect at least. She derived pleasure in emphasising she had the whip hand.’ Turning to Jake, who was sitting impassively watching the pair of them, she added, ‘Can you understand a woman like that? I had taken her into my home in time of need, and it was my home, not Edward’s, I might add. My father worked hard to build up this business.’ And then she made an impatient movement with her hand.‘But I’m digressing. I opened up my home and heart to her in the early days and that was how she repaid me. She is a dreadful, dreadful woman.’
Jake’s voice was flat as he said, ‘I agree with you, Mrs Casey.’
‘But?’ Agatha’s eyes had narrowed.
‘It takes two to tango.’
Agatha drew in a long breath. ‘Aye, it does. You’re right there, but men are such physical creatures. Edward was in a difficult position and in a moment of madness she took advantage of the weakness inherent in all men, and then virtually blackmailed him into continuing with their affair.’ When Jake made no comment, she added, ‘You disagree with that, Mr Fletcher?’
For a moment there was dead silence in the room. ‘Does it matter what I think?’
‘Perhaps not but I would like your opinion nonetheless. ’
Jake nodded. ‘Very well. I have no idea how the liaison between your sister-in-law and husband came about, Mrs Casey.You are right in your observation that he is a weak man but I beg to differ with the statement that all men are the same. They are not. And frankly it annoys me that he has been placed in the position of victim in all of this.’
‘You don’t like him.’
‘I think he is a licentious, spineless excuse of a man, since you ask.’
Agatha nodded but did not comment. Turning to Hannah she said, ‘If the row with your mam was concerning her and Edward, why didn’t you say anything to me, lass? Why just skedaddle?’
‘I didn’t want you upset.’ In this Hannah could speak the truth. ‘What could you do about it as you were, lying in bed and so ill? I couldn’t bear the thought of that being added to your suffering.’
‘You’re a good lass.’ Agatha sighed deeply. ‘And what do you think of your uncle now?’
‘Honestly?’ At her aunt’s nod, Hannah continued, ‘I agree with Jake.’
‘I suppose that’s natural.’ Agatha leant forward slightly but did not lower her voice as she said, ‘I wouldn’t like either of you to be under the misapprehension that I’m a stupid woman and that Edward is getting off scot-free. I have found I am enjoying my new lease of life and I intend to buy what I want and go where I please. I shall consider no one but myself, do you understand? For the time being it suits me to have someone to fetch and carry and do my bidding and . . .’ She paused. ‘And yes, be a companion.’
She smoothed the fine wool material of her skirt. ‘My father shared your low opinion of my husband, Mr Fletcher. For that reason he had the foresight to tie up my inheritance in a series of legal nicities which means my position is now a strong one. Edward was persuaded to sign papers before our marriage. Whether he was aware of their content, I don’t know. He says not but that is by the by. His signature on those documents has now placed him in a vulnerable position. Strange how our circumstances have been reversed. Basically it pays him to toe the line because if we divorce or I die he gets nothing. Children of our union would have inherited everything. Failing that, the nearest living relative. Ed
ward had quite a shock when this came to light when I had my solicitor call shortly before my operation to put my affairs in order in case the worst happened. I have to admit I hadn’t realised the full significance of those papers when my father died, but I was in love then. Everything I had was Edward’s as far as I was concerned. I am in love no longer, I haven’t been for quite some time.’
Hannah felt a shiver go down to her toes. She couldn’t equate this controlled, even cold woman with the warm Aunt Aggie she’d known from a baby. And then her aunt said, ‘Don’t look like that, Hannah. You have no idea what I’ve had to put up with since I was forced to take to my bed.’
At this Hannah rose quickly, walked across to Agatha and knelt down by her aunt’s chair. ‘I do know, Aunt Aggie. At least some of it. And I don’t blame you, don’t think that, it’s just that . . .’
She couldn’t explain what it was. But the change in her aunt was more unsettling and disturbing than she could express. It confirmed that nothing in life was straightforward, nothing turned out as you expected. She was glad her aunt had a new lease of life, as she’d put it, but with her return to full health, something had happened and it was chilling. She drew in a deep breath. ‘I want you to be happy, that’s all. You deserve to be happy.’
‘Thank you, hinny.’ For a moment there was a flash of the old Aunt Aggie and then the softness was gone. ‘I intend to be. I’ve a mind to sell the business and travel a bit, do Europe like the toffs, you know? I’ve always hankered on seeing far-flung places.That surprises you, doesn’t it? I can tell.’
‘I suppose so.’ Hannah stared into her aunt’s carefully made-up face. The old Aunt Aggie would have smiled at the thought of wearing lipstick and powder. Nor would she have considered having her hair cut short in one of the avant-garde bobs that had been declared the rage earlier in the year. But it suited her. And she was pleased for her, how couldn’t she be? Reaching up, she hugged her aunt quickly before returning to her own seat just as her uncle entered the room carrying a tray.
Agatha didn’t look at her husband as she said, ‘Afternoon tea, how lovely. Put the tray on the coffee table, Edward, and go and look after the shop while Bart delivers those orders on his bike. And tell him to be careful with the eggs this time. Mrs Skelton complained that two of hers were broken last week.’
As her uncle scuttled across to the table, Hannah forced herself to glance at him. He, too, had changed considerably but, unlike her Aunt Aggie, not for the better. Her uncle seemed to have shrivelled like a wrinkled prune. His clothes hung on him and it was obvious he hadn’t had the benefit of a new wardrobe. He didn’t look like the same man who had attacked her that frightening day fifteen months ago.
She didn’t feel sorry for him.The thought was almost aggressive, as though someone had accused her of being hard hearted. Nor would she, whatever happened. She didn’t let herself think about what he’d tried to do most of the time, but she had the odd moment, often when she was tired or just about to drift off to sleep, when it was as real as the day it had happened. His hot mouth slobbering over hers, the feel of his hands and sharp nails clawing at the top of her legs, the smell and weight of him as he had crushed her into the hard ground. It could have ended so differently.
They did not stay long. Hannah was grateful Jake made an effort to keep polite conversation going with her aunt because she found herself at a loss as to what to say. She was fighting the urge to cry and yet there was no logical reason for it. Her aunt was in a better position than she had been in years so why was she feeling so desperately sad for her?
When she and Jake stood up to leave, Hannah got the impression Agatha was as relieved as she was. They had reached the small landing just outside the flat’s front door when she felt her aunt’s arms go about her. ‘I wish you’d come before, lass. Oh, I know it would have been difficult, knowing what you knew, but I missed you.’
‘I missed you too, Aunt Aggie.’The hurt in her aunt’s voice brought the tears she had been fighting for the last half-hour pricking at her eyes. ‘And I would have come except I was worried I might say something out of turn and you’d guess about Mam and Uncle Edward.’ It wasn’t the whole truth but it would have to do.
‘Aye, aye, I can see that.’ Her aunt continued to hold her close for another moment and then pushed her away, saying, ‘Now it’s all out in the open, you’ll come again?’
Hannah nodded. ‘I don’t come into town much though.You must come to the farm too and see everything. ’
As Hannah wiped her eyes, Jake said quietly,‘I second that, Mrs Casey. You’ll be very welcome.’
‘Thanks, lad.’ Agatha smiled at the tall broad-shouldered figure. ‘And I’m right glad about your bit of luck an’ all by the way, inheriting the farm and everything.’
Neither Hannah nor Jake acknowledged Edward Casey as they left the shop part of the house, and it wasn’t until they were seated in the horse and trap and halfway down the street that Hannah said,‘Do you think she’ll come?’
‘Why wouldn’t she?’
‘I don’t know. She - she’s so different, I suppose.’
‘Didn’t you expect her to be? After all the years of being incarcerated in that one room, her life has been turned around and it looks like she’s going to make the most of it. Good luck to her, I say.’
Her eyes misted. He didn’t understand. But then why would he? And how could she explain that she felt she’d suffered a bereavement? He’d think she was daft. But it was true. The old Aunt Aggie had gone and in her place stood a woman who was almost a stranger. She should have gone to see her when she was still poorly, maybe then the bond wouldn’t have been broken. Or maybe she should have explained about her uncle’s attempted rape. Her aunt would have understood then that she couldn’t have faced going back to the house with her mother and uncle still in residence. Oh, she didn’t know - perhaps nothing would have made any difference. One thing was for sure, it was too late now.
The tears gathering in her throat threatened to choke her, and she turned her head and concentrated on the view ahead as the horse and trap turned into Southwick Road. Blinking her eyes clear, she told herself fiercely she was not going to cry. Her aunt was well and healthy and making a new life for herself and her uncle had got his come-uppance to a degree. Furthermore, her mother was out of the picture. Things had settled at the farm again after the trauma of Joe’s death and then Seamus’s, and Naomi and her young man were coming for Sunday tea at the weekend, weather permitting. Everything was fine, or as fine as it could be after the recent tragedies. It just didn’t feel like it, that was all. And still, deep inside, although she was trying not to dwell on it, she was constantly steeling herself against the day when Jake would take up with someone and the decisions she would have to face then.
PART FIVE
1929 - The Resurrection
Chapter 20
The last two years had been uneventful and mildly prosperous on the whole for the residents of Clover Farm, in spite of the increasing unemployment nationwide.
The newspapers reported the country was in the middle of a slump, something the working class were well aware of.The number of broken men, women and children entering the grim walls of the workhouses, the babies crippled with rickets, the children with ringworm and TB and a whole host of other diseases, the men who quietly ended their lives rather than see their families starve, had risen month by month since the General Strike.
It was foreign competition that was causing the problem, the newspapers chirruped, along with the Wall Street crash. The northerners’ answer to that was they had been living in a slump all their lives, and what could stockbrokers jumping off skyscrapers across the ocean have to do with anything? And if things were so bad for everyone, why were semi-detached houses with bathrooms and indoor privies being built all over the hockey down south? The country had always been split in half, the men said over their pints of beer - one of which had to last all night - and the politicians and powers that be regarded no
rtherners as second-class citizens.
So the bitterness grew. Marches to protest at decreasing wages and lost jobs became normal, along with the violence which often ensued.
It said plenty for how desperate things had become in the Wood household that when Rose asked Jake to take Stephen on at the farm when he left school the day after his fourteenth birthday, there was no murmur of complaint from Wilbur or Adam. Wilbur hadn’t worked in months, and with the cuts in the miners’ pay packets, Adam’s wage was almost on a par with what Naomi brought home some weeks. Wilbur’s last shreds of pride were tied up with Rose not working and in this one thing she dared not defy him. But they couldn’t manage on the two small wages and Jake’s food parcels. And so in the autumn Stephen left for Clover Farm.
Now it was the day before Christmas Eve, and Hannah and Jake had called at the house in Wayman Street weighed down with bags of this and that for Rose, and stocking-fillers for the younger children. Outside the house was a crystal white world.The snow was thick on the ground with more to come in the heavy laden sky, but inside Rose’s kitchen it was warm, the fire in the range casting a mellow glow over the old battered furniture and scrubbed flagstones.
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