‘I know you do, sweetheart, we all do,’ David said gravely as he cuddled baby Edward close to his chest. ‘But she’ll always be with us in our hearts and we still have each other.’
They stood for a few moments letting the peace of the place wash over them as they listened to the birds in the trees, then slowly they all made their way back to the car.
The following day, Sunday waved them all off from the steps of Treetops with a smile on her face, and it was only once they’d gone that she gave way to the tears she’d been holding back.
‘I’m so tired of life, Cissie,’ she sniffed. ‘I’m worrying about how Livvy’s birth will go now.’
‘Don’t be so silly,’ Cissie scolded. ‘Livvy is blossoming, or she was until this happened. She’ll be absolutely fine. What happened to Kathy was just a tragic accident.’
Thankfully Cissie was proved to be right when Livvy gave birth to a fine, healthy little girl in September, who they named Eva Katherine. She was a delightful baby, only crying when she was hungry, and she went a very long way to lightening the mood at Treetops. Giles and Livvy were besotted with her and now at last Sunday felt that things might improve.
Eva was a week old when Edith took a cup of tea up for Sunday one morning and she told her, ‘I think I’ll have a day in bed, if you don’t mind, dear? I’m feeling rather tired. I think everything that’s happened the last few months is catching up with me.’ Edith nodded but she was concerned. ‘It just isn’t like her to want to stay in bed,’ she confided to Cissie. ‘Do you think we should ring the doctor to come out and take a look at her?’
‘Yes. In fact, I’ll do it meself right now.’ Cissie marched away to make the call. She had never really cared for the telephone and avoided using it whenever possible, but today she would make an exception.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
‘Aw please, lass, just try a mouthful,’ Cissie implored as she held the rich chicken soup to Sunday’s lips, but she merely gave her a weary smile and turned her head towards the window.
‘I don’t want anything,’ she said quietly. ‘I’m waiting for Tom. He’ll be coming for me soon and I must be ready.’
Sunday had now spent almost three weeks in bed getting weaker by the day and the doctor had told a very concerned Livvy and Cissie that there was nothing more to be done.
‘She has had an irregular heartbeat for some time,’ he confided – there seemed no point in hiding it from them any longer. ‘But it’s as if she’s given up now and wants to die. I think losing Kathy so tragically was the last straw. All you can do is keep her comfortable.’
Livvy began to cry and Cissie put her arms about her shoulder as Edith saw the doctor out.
‘There must be something we can do,’ Livvy sobbed, feeling totally helpless.
Cissie shook her head. ‘I’m afraid she’s just worn out,’ she said softly. ‘You must remember she had a very hard life until she came to live at Treetops, and even then she worked harder than anyone I know. She’s been a mother to dozens of children as well as her own.’
‘I know,’ Livvy sniffed. ‘But she still has so much to live for. We are all grieving for Kathy, but we have Eva now, and little Edward, surely that should give Mum the will to live?’
‘Ah, but she knows that Eva has a mummy and daddy who love her more than life itself, and Edward has David,’ Cissie pointed out. ‘And your mum is old and tired now. She still misses your father so much, so let’s just do what the doctor said and see how it goes, eh? It could be that she’ll rally round.’ But knowing Sunday as she did, deep down Cissie doubted it.
For the last few days she and Livvy had taken it in turns to stay with Sunday throughout the night. It was Cissie’s turn next and, as darkness fell, she took her place at Sunday’s bedside and lifted her knitting – she was making a little matinée coat for Eva. For some reason, though, Sunday seemed unnaturally restless and talkative that night so Cissie put the knitting aside and pulled her chair closer to the bed.
‘We’ve had a long and good life, haven’t we, Cissie?’
‘Aye, we have. It ain’t always been an easy one but we got by,’ Cissie agreed with a nod of her head. They talked of their past then, going right back to the awful time they had spent in the Union Workhouse in their childhood. They spoke of the joy when Sunday had been finally reunited with her mother, Lady Lavinia, and of the night they had found their Kathy’s mother on the doorstep of Treetops. It all seemed so very long ago now and so much had happened in between.
Slowly the evening shadows filled the room. It was early October and there was a nip in the air at night now and the first leaves were beginning to flutter from the trees. At one point, Livvy came in with baby Eva and Giles to say goodnight and Sunday kissed her beautiful new granddaughter affectionately.
‘May she grow in beauty and grace,’ Sunday whispered as they turned to leave the room.
‘Don’t talk like that, Mum, you sound as if you’re never going to see her again,’ Livvy scolded gently and after planting another kiss on her mother’s wrinkled cheek they quietly left the room.
‘I reckon it’s time to draw the curtains an’ put the light on now,’ Cissie said, feeling vaguely uneasy as she made to rise from her chair, but Sunday shook her head.
‘No, leave it as it is. I want to see the stars.’
Cissie sat back down. Outside the window was a black velvet sky with millions of stars twinkling, and taking Cissie’s hand Sunday whispered, ‘I never had a sister, Cissie, but if I had, I would have wanted her to be exactly like you. You have been my rock through all these long years and all the trials and tribulations, and I want you to know that I love you dearly.’
‘I love you an’ all, yer daft old thing,’ Cissie said chokily as she sat close, holding Sunday’s hand.
They settled into a companionable silence and shortly after that Sunday smiled and seemed to focus her attention on the shadows at the end of the bed. Cissie felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as she followed Sunday’s gaze, and just for a moment, she could have sworn she saw a shape there. She blinked and it was gone, and turning back to Sunday she saw that she was holding her hand out with a beautiful smile on her face that wiped away the years like magic.
‘Tom … I knew you’d come,’ she sighed and at the same instant Cissie felt the gentle pressure on her fingers slacken as Sunday’s eyes closed for the very last time.
‘Sunday … wake up … can yer hear me?’ Tears were streaming down Cissie’s plump cheeks as she gently shook her beloved friend’s shoulders, and yet already she knew that she had finally gone to a better place to be with the man she loved.
Bending, she placed a gentle kiss on her friend’s cheek before stumbling blindly over to the window and there she stopped abruptly as she stared down at the garden below.
Lanterns were strung in the trees and somewhere an orchestra was playing as a young Sunday in her beautiful ivory wedding gown glided across the lawn in the arms of Tom, her handsome bridegroom, in the moonlight. They were laughing and happy as they looked adoringly at each other and slowly Cissie smiled through her tears. Sunday’s passing would mark the end of an era and Cissie would always be grateful for being a part of her life.
‘That’s it, me lovelies,’ she whispered. ‘You have yer last dance an’ may yer both rest in eternal peace.’
Acknowledgements
As always, I’d like to say a huge thank you to my amazing team at Bonnier for all their help and support during the writing of my Days of the Week collection. I can’t believe it’s ended!
Also special thanks to a very special lady, my wonderful agent Sheila Crowley, and to my copyeditor Gillian Holmes, who always helps to put the final polish on the finished book with me.
Thanks to all my lovely readers who take the time to get in touch with their feedback. It always makes my day when I hear from you.
And last but never least, my wonderful husband and family and my fur babies. I am so lucky to have you all
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Dear friends,
Here we are with spring in the air again and Christmas already just a distant memory. Where does the time go? I love spring, especially this year as it’s also time for the last of my Days of the Week collection, Time to Say Goodbye, to hit the shelves.
In this one I wanted to bring you all up to date with Sunday, who you will remember was the main character in the first of the series, Mothering Sunday. In Time to Say Goodbye, we meet Kathy, who is the daughter of Kitty, who died giving birth to her in The Little Angel. Kathy is all grown up now and in this one we will follow her and Sunday’s trials through World War II.
I can’t believe that this is the last of the series, and I have to admit I’ve shed tears throughout this book. I have been able to bring back many of the characters that you will remember from the previous stories. There is Ben, Flora and Jamie, Verity and Edgar, Cissie and George – to name but a few – as well as lots of new characters that I hope you will come to love as much as I did.
This has been such a lovely series to write and I’ve really enjoyed all of your feedback, but I suppose all good things must come to an end.
However, as sad as it is to say goodbye to them all, I can tell you that once I’d dried my eyes, in no time at all I’d begun another series that I hope you will all enjoy just as much! The first book of this new collection will be out for Christmas this year. It will be The Precious Stones collection, in which each of our main characters will be named after a gemstone. In the first one you will meet Opal, whose brother is sent to Australia on a convict ship, leaving the poor girl to cope all on her own. I’m hoping the second one will be about an orphan girl called Pearl. I’m already working on that one now and I am loving it! Each of the characters becomes so real to me that I laugh and cry with them and, as always, I’m enjoying the research! It’s amazing that nowadays we can go anywhere in the world on our computer without even moving out of our chair!
Of course, as I’ve admitted before, I always find it so much harder to work during the spring and summer months when the gardens are just coming back to life again, and it will be harder still this year as we have just bought a new holiday home at the coast that we will want to use as much as we can. Looks like the trusty laptop will be coming with us and the dogs this year! It’s funny how different authors work best at different times of the day. I still prefer to work in the afternoon and evenings when all of the jobs are done and I can lock myself away with my characters.
Once again, I did a number of events last year where I was able to meet some of my readers and it’s always such a pleasure to put faces to the names of people I’ve met on social media. I hope to meet many more of you this year! Finally, do join the Memory Lane Club if you haven’t already done so. There are some wonderful competitions on there and lovely prizes to be won and you’ll also be kept up to date with what’s happening with all the Memory Lane authors.
I hope you all have a wonderful spring and summer and I’ll look forward to hearing what you all think of my latest offering.
Take care and much love,
Rosie xxx
Cissie’s Roast Chicken
This delightful chicken dish inspired by Cissie is sure to bring warmth and an incredible aroma into your home.
You will need:
1 whole chicken 1 lemon, cut in half
1 chopped onion Few sprigs of thyme
2 chopped carrots 30g butter
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 170°C/190°C fan/gas mark 5
2. Put the chopped onion and carrots around the base of the roasting tin.
3. Season the cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper, then place both lemon halves and the thyme inside the chicken.
4. Place the chicken on top of the carrots and onions and rub all over with butter, then season with salt and pepper.
5. Put the roasting tin in the oven and cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes. To check if the chicken is cooked, the outside should be golden brown and the juices should run clear.
6. Remove from the oven and rest the chicken for 15 minutes.
7. Serve with roasted potatoes and other vegetables, and enjoy!
The Days of the Week collection
Time to Say Goodbye is the seventh and final book in Rosie Goodwin’s Days of the Week collection, inspired by the Victorian ‘Days of the Week’ rhyme. If you enjoyed this, why not try the other books in the collection?
Turn over to find out more …
Mothering Sunday
The child born on the Sabbath Day,
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
1884, Nuneaton.
Fourteen-year-old Sunday has grown up in the cruelty of the Nuneaton workhouse. When she finally strikes out on her own, she is determined to return for those she left behind, and to find the long-lost mother who gave her away. But she’s about to discover that the brutal world of the workhouse will not let her go without a fight.
The Little Angel
Monday’s child is fair of face.
1896, Nuneaton.
Left on the doorstep of Treetops Children’s Home, young Kitty captures the heart of her guardian, Sunday Branning, and grows into a beguiling and favoured young girl – until she is summoned to live with her birth mother. In London, nothing is what it seems, and her old home begins to feel very far away. If Kitty is to have any chance of happiness, this little angel must protect herself from devils in disguise … and before it’s too late.
A Mother’s Grace
Tuesday’s child is full of grace.
1910, Nuneaton.
When her father’s threatening behaviour grows worse, pious young Grace Kettle escapes her home to train to be a nun. But when she meets the dashing and devout Father Luke, her world is turned upside down. She is driven to make a scandalous choice – one she may well spend the rest of her days seeking forgiveness for.
The Blessed Child
Wednesday’s child is full of woe.
1864, Nuneaton.
After Nessie Carson’s mother is brutally murdered and her father abandons them, Nessie knows she will do anything to keep her family safe. As her fragile young brother’s health deteriorates and she attracts the attention of her lecherous landlord, soon Nessie finds herself in the darkest of times. But there is light and the promise of happiness if only she is brave enough to fight for it.
A Maiden’s Voyage
Thursday’s child has far to go.
1912, London.
Eighteen-year-old maid Flora Butler has her life turned upside-down when her mistress’s father dies in a tragic accident. Her mistress is forced to move to New York to live with her aunt until she comes of age, and begs Flora to go with her. Flora has never left the country before, and now faces a difficult decision – give up her position, or leave her family behind. Soon, Flora and her mistress head for Southampton to board the RMS Titanic.
A Precious Gift
Friday’s child is loving and giving.
1911, Nuneaton.
When Holly Farthing’s overbearing grandfather tries to force her to marry a widower twice her age, she flees to London, bringing her best friend and maid, Ivy, with her. In the big smoke, Holly begins nurse training in the local hospital. There she meets the dashing Doctor Parkin, everything Holly has ever dreamt of. But soon, she discovers some shocking news that means they can never be together, and her life is suddenly thrown into turmoil. Supporting the war effort, she heads to France and throws herself into volunteering on the front line …
Ti
me to Say Goodbye
Saturday’s child works hard for their living.
1935, Nuneaton.
Kathy has grown up at Treetops home for children, where Sunday and Tom Branning have always cared for her as one of their own. With her foster sister Livvy at her side, and a future as a nurse ahead of her, she could wish for nothing more. But when Tom dies suddenly in a riding accident, life at Treetops will never be the same again. As their financial difficulties mount, will the women of Treetops be forced to leave their home?
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First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Zaffre
This ebook edition published in 2019 by
ZAFFRE
80-81 Wimpole St, London, W1G 9RE
Copyright © Rosie Goodwin, 2019
Cover design by Nick Stearn
Cover artwork © Larry Rostant
The moral right of Rosie Goodwin to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
Time to Say Goodbye Page 35