The Winter Child, page 24
‘I hope so. Mr Braithwaite is still sceptical about it, but I’ve given this a lot of thought.’ For a moment Rose looked doubtful, then the determination came back into her face.
‘It’ll be a great success,’ Wally encouraged her, ‘and thanks for getting your mother the job.’
‘I shouldn’t get too excited,’ Rose said. ‘The pay won’t be much to start with.’
‘Oh, I don’t mind that.’ Her mother’s face was alight with excitement. ‘It’ll give me something to do. I’ve missed not working since the war ended.’
‘You’ll have plenty to keep you busy – the place is in a shocking state. I’ve made a start, but there’s a lot still to do.’
‘I’ll come with you tomorrow.’ Her mother put the kettle on. ‘We’ll soon lick it into shape.’
‘Annie!’ Rose called, as she caught sight of her sister disappearing up the stairs. ‘Would you do something for me?’
Annie’s face peered around the door and broke into a delighted grin. ‘Of course. What is it?’
Rose told her about the job, then said, ‘I want a notice made so I can stick it in the window.’ She wrote on a sheet of paper ‘Advice Centre – no problem too small – Consultation fee 1/6d’. ‘Do you think you can do that? I want “Advice Centre” in bright red letters.’
‘I can do it, but I don’t think I’ve got any paper big enough.’
‘I’ve brought some home with me.’ Rose unrolled a large sheet of cream paper.
Annie fingered it appreciatively. ‘This will be fine. It’ll take me a couple of days – I’ll want to make a good job of it. Can’t have you putting any old thing up, can we?’
How quickly Annie was growing up, Rose thought, as she watched her sister go up the stairs. At eleven she was quietening down a bit, and although she was not academically brilliant, she was doing well enough at school. Her writing and English were good, and she had a real aptitude for art. She was sure her sister would do well in life, because she also had plenty of determination.
‘I feel like a goldfish in a bowl,’ Joshua Braithwaite complained, as he stared out of the sparkling window. ‘No one’s going to come in when they can be seen by all and sundry.’
‘I’ve thought of that.’ Rose opened the door of a room that had been used for storage, and revealed a sparsely furnished but clean space. ‘And if we get more than one client at a time we can take them into the kitchen. So stop moaning, and tell me how you got on in court this morning.’
‘I lost,’ he grumbled.
She tutted. ‘You’ll have to do better than that. Why don’t you let me help with the next case?’
‘Good heavens, woman, you’ve only just been awarded your degree and you think you can do better than me! I’ve had thirty years’ experience. Anyway, I didn’t stand a chance today, the man was guilty.’
‘I’m not suggesting I can do any better,’ she said, placating him, ‘but fresh ideas …’
‘All right, you can work with me on the next one – if there is a next one,’ he remarked despondently. ‘I’m still waiting for this rush of clients you promised me.’
She winked at her mother and held out seven and sixpence. ‘Put that in your cash box.’
He looked at it in disbelief. ‘You’ve had five customers this morning?’
‘Yes, and word’s spreading. We’re on our way, Mr Braithwaite.’
‘Well, I’ll be blowed. I never thought this idea of yours had a chance.’
‘Why did you agree to it, then?’
‘Because of your enthusiasm. I used to be like that a long time ago, but I’ve lost heart over the years. I’ve been on a continual downward slide, and when I ended up here,’ he shrugged, ‘well, it seemed like the end of the line and I stopped trying.’
‘There’s only one way you’re going now,’ she told him confidently, ‘and that’s up.’
‘Do you know? I almost believe you.’ Joshua Braithwaite laughed. ‘I’d like you to call me Josh, Miss Webster. I shall enjoy working with you.’
‘And I’m Rose. We’re not going to earn a fortune, but we could make a real difference to some people’s lives.’
Her employer didn’t answer. He was gaping out of the window. ‘Who the …?’
The tall, elegant lady getting out of the smart car was unmistakable – Lady Gresham. Rose opened the door for her.
‘Thank you, my dear.’
‘What are you doing here, Lady Gresham?’ Rose was immediately suspicious. She hadn’t seen either her or her son for some time.
‘Business. I’ve come to see Mr Braithwaite.’ Then she turned and looked at Marj. ‘You must be Rose’s mother.’
She gave a little curtsy – old habits dying hard. ‘Yes, my lady.’
‘You’ve done a fine job in bringing up your daughter. I regret you were treated so harshly, but I do not regret Rose being born.’
‘Neither do I, my lady.’
Rose watched the scene through narrowed eyes. This meeting had been bound to happen sometime, but she could sense her mother’s unease.
‘Nevertheless,’ Lady Gresham continued, ‘I wish you had come to me on my return. I would not have allowed you to be turned out like that.’
‘That would have been a waste of time, my lady,’ Marj told her. ‘I would never have been allowed to see you, and your son denied everything. It would have been my word against his.’
‘And he would have been believed, not you.’ Lady Gresham looked sad.
Marj nodded. ‘This all happened a long time ago, when I was young and foolish and, as you can see, we’ve survived.’
Lady Gresham bowed her head in acknowledgement. ‘But your life has been unnecessarily harsh, I think. Will you accept my sincere apologies at this late date?’
Marj gave a slight smile. ‘I will, my lady. It was a long time ago and best forgotten now.’
‘That is gracious of you.’ Lady Gresham then turned to Rose. ‘Now, introduce me to Mr Braithwaite.’
When that was done Josh said, ‘Would you like a private room, Lady Gresham?’
‘No, no, this is perfectly adequate.’ She sat down and wasted no time in stating her business. ‘I run two shelters for ex-servicemen. Many are destitute, and I want you to represent them in the fight for a better life. An organization called the British Legion has been founded for the purpose of helping struggling ex-servicemen. I suggest you contact them.’
Josh surged into life, and Rose guessed that some of his old spirit was returning. He had strong views on this matter, as she had discovered when talking to him.
‘I would be delighted to take it on, Lady Gresham.’
‘Good, good.’ She handed him a piece of paper. ‘My homes are at these addresses. As you can see, they are not in the most salubrious areas, but that is where the need is most urgent.’ She glanced out of the window and gave a brief smile to the many curious faces peering in at her. ‘I shall, of course, cover all your expenses, and I shall expect you to start at once.’ She beckoned Rose. ‘You do not object to this arrangement, my dear?’
When Rose glanced at Josh, his face was a picture in the art of pleading without saying a word. ‘You’re employing Mr Braithwaite, not me, and I’m pleased you’re willing to try and help these poor men further. I firmly believe you’ve chosen the right man.’ Rose held the old lady’s gaze. ‘As long as you don’t try to engineer work for me.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it. You’ve made it clear that I’m not to interfere in your life, and I won’t. You want to succeed on your own, and I respect that.’
She stood up, leaning heavily on her ebony stick. ‘Please find time to come and see me again, Rose, and bring your delightful sister with you again.’
Although the request was issued in a casual way, Rose did not miss the appeal in Lady Gresham’s eyes. ‘We shall come on Saturday afternoon, if that is convenient?’
‘I shall look forward to it.’ Then, with a gracious nod, she walked out, leaving a stunned silence behind her.
Marj let out a ragged sigh and sank on to her chair. ‘She hasn’t changed much!’
‘My God, Rose, I feel shell-shocked after that encounter.’ Josh laughed with delight. ‘I’ve just been given the biggest chance of my career.’
‘I told you you wouldn’t lose by taking me on,’ she joked.
‘Er … I know it isn’t any of my business, but I couldn’t help noticing that you appear to know her.’
‘She’s my grandmother.’ Rose was shocked at herself. It was the first time she had acknowledged Lady Gresham as such.
‘But you said you grew up here?’
‘I did.’
‘Oh.’
‘I can see your mind working, Josh,’ Marj put in. ‘I was expecting Rose before I married Webster, and I gave her his name, but she’s Lady Gresham’s granddaughter. I was in service and too innocent to refuse the advances of the master of the house, but I’m proud of my daughter.’
‘I should think you are. She’s unique. I spotted that as soon as she breezed into this office, and I wondered what the devil had hit me when she told me her crazy ideas.’
‘They’re not crazy,’ Rose protested.
‘I’m beginning to realize that. Now,’ – he gathered papers together – ‘I think I’ll go and start talking to the men. It’ll be a hard fight,’ he said, with relish, ‘but if they won’t listen I’ll make some damned big waves.’
‘That will please Lady Gresham,’ Rose remarked drily. ‘She loves a good fight almost as much as I do.’
‘I don’t doubt it.’ He grinned boyishly, straightened his tie and brushed down his jacket.
He looks ten years younger, Rose thought.
‘Thanks,’ he said earnestly. ‘For the first time in many years I have something useful to do.’
When Josh had left Rose went and sat beside her mother. ‘You didn’t mind telling Josh about me?’
‘No. After I’d spoken to Lady Gresham, I realized I’d been worrying too much about it. I was never able to forgive them, you see, but now I’m happily married, it doesn’t matter any more.’
‘I’m glad, because although I’ve managed to keep them at arm’s length, I think they’ll become a part of my life whether I like it or not.’
‘Don’t carry a grudge for me,’ her mother told her, ‘because I can see now that I wasn’t blameless – and very foolish too. I think it’s time to put it all behind us.’
‘I agree. Now, I want to go to the council offices. Will you be all right on your own for a while?’
‘You run along.’
28
April 1923
Bill pulled his collar up as a chilly wind whistled around his neck. Spring was reluctant to come this year. The open space in front of him was nothing yet, but in his mind’s eye he could see the two houses he had designed for himself. His desire to have a home outside London had prompted him to find a suitable place, but when he had started to draw the plans, Rose had crept into his mind and taken over. He thought of it now as her home too. The longing to share his life with her was overwhelming.
He hadn’t seen her since her graduation party, but he had kept in touch with her progress through John. She was earning herself quite a reputation as the women’s champion – in and out of court.
‘Nice spot you’ve got here, Mr Freeman.’
He dragged his thoughts away from Rose to the contractor he’d brought out here with him. Then he unrolled the plans. ‘When can you start?’
‘Next month is the earliest.’ The man pondered the plans. ‘Nice houses. This will be a good investment. Roehampton is an excellent area, and it’s easy to get to London from here.’
Bill nodded. ‘Let me know when you’re ready.’
‘Rosie? Can we go and see Auntie Grace? We haven’t been for a long time.’
‘It’s only two weeks, Toots, and I’ve been very busy.’
Annie looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Why do you call me that?’
‘What? Toots?’
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t know. I started calling you that when you were little. Don’t you like it any more?’
She pulled a face. ‘It sounds like a baby’s name.’
‘Oh, well, in that case I’ll call you Annie because you’re certainly not a baby.’ Rose hesitated. ‘Or would you rather Ann?’
‘No, Annie’s all right.’ For a moment she had sounded rather grown-up. ‘Can we go to Auntie Grace’s?’
Rose put her papers back into the folder, and stood up. ‘We’ll go now, shall we?’
When she saw Bill there she was annoyed – he never came on a Sunday – but, of course, her sister was thrilled. ‘I’m so glad we came today,’ she cried, ‘but I had a job getting Rosie away from her work.’
‘You don’t have to wait for me,’ Rose told her. ‘You’re old enough to come on your own.’
‘I know, but I like to come out with you – it’s more fun.’
‘How old are you now?’ Bill asked.
‘I’m twelve,’ she told him proudly, ‘and Rosie will be twenty-one this year.’
‘My goodness,’ Grace sighed, ‘where have the years gone?’
‘When’s your birthday?’ Bill wanted to know.
‘March the sixth, and Rosie’s is September the eighteenth.’ Then she spun away from Bill. ‘Uncle John, there’s a lovely motor-car outside your house, is it yours?’
‘It belongs to Bill,’ John responded.
Rose glanced outside at the gleaming vehicle, then nearly burst out laughing when she saw what Annie was up to.
Her sister had sidled up to Bill with an appealing expression on her face. ‘It’s very pretty, Uncle Bill. Does it go fast?’
‘It does, but I don’t drive too fast because it can be dangerous, and I wouldn’t like to frighten my passengers.’
Annie smiled up at him. ‘Do you take lots of people out in it?’
Rose saw that Bill was fighting to keep a straight face. He lost the battle and chuckled. ‘Would you like to go for a ride?’
Annie clapped her hands. ‘Yes, please! Can we go now?’
‘Tell you what, why don’t we all go out? It’s a warm afternoon and I know a lovely spot – we could have tea out instead of Grace getting it for us.’
There was immediate agreement and Rose found herself swept along in their enthusiasm. It would make a change and she needed a break from work.
Little Harold was soon ready and they all spilled out on to the pavement. Annie rushed to the front of the car and read the name. ‘It’s a Sunbeam,’ she announced. ‘I like that name.’ Then she scrambled into the back of the car.
‘Grace, you go in the back with Annie,’ Bill suggested.
‘I’ll sit in the back too,’ John said, settling his family comfortably. ‘Then Rose can go in the front with you.’
During the journey, Rose couldn’t help admiring the car. The seats were cream leather, and there was a panel of gleaming wood with lots of dials on it. And as for the driver … well, he seemed to be working with hands and feet, but in a smooth, unhurried, efficient way. She glanced down to see how many pedals there were and felt a jolt as she saw Bill’s leg muscles tighten as he worked one of the pedals. The modern fashion for men’s trousers was too tight, she thought waspishly.
She gazed out of the window as they drove through Notting Hill. She hadn’t wanted to sit in the front in the first place, and Bill took up such a lot of room.
‘Look at that, Rosie!’ Annie caught her attention.
Bill pulled over.
‘What they doing, Uncle Bill?’
‘Putting up new houses.’
Rose’s irritation disappeared and she opened the car door. ‘I want to have a look.’
Grace stayed in the car with young Harold, but the rest of them made their way across the road. Rose left them all behind in her eagerness to see what was going on. ‘How many houses are you building?’ she asked a workman.
‘Ten.’
‘What was here before?’
‘Slums, but they was in a disgusting state. Nothing for it but to pull them down and start again.’
‘Why are you working on a Sunday?’ Rose fired another question at him.
‘I’m not, miss. I’ve only popped along to sort out what needs doing tomorrow … Oh, hello, Mr Freeman, come to see how things are going?’
Rose spun round. ‘These are yours?’
‘No, but I designed them.’
She surveyed him with new respect, then grabbed his arm. ‘Show me one that’s nearly finished.’
Fifteen minutes later there wasn’t a corner, cupboard or piece of plumbing she hadn’t inspected, and she was thrilled with what she’d seen. ‘You’ve done well,’ she told him. ‘Bathrooms, running water and electricity all laid on, and best of all a small garden for each house.’
Her intense gaze swept over the whole site. ‘Set out beautifully, not back-to-back like the old ones.’
‘I’m pleased you like –’
‘Are they for rent?’ Rose was too intent on asking questions to bother with anything else he might say.
‘No, they’re for sale.’
‘Pity. They ought to be available for people to rent.’
‘That isn’t anything to do with me,’ he explained patiently. ‘I only designed them.’
‘Of course.’ She gave him a brilliant smile. ‘Thank you for showing them to me. I’ll just go and have another look.’
Bill and John caught hold of her before she disappeared, and urged her back to the car.
Rose spent the rest of the journey deep in thought, not noticing where they were going. She had forgotten Bill was an irritating man. Perhaps she had misjudged him – after all, he had designed some lovely houses.
‘You know of any more being built like that?’ she asked after a while.
‘No, that was a commission I received when I first started my own business.’
‘They’re good.’
‘Thank you.’ He cast her a sideways glance of amusement.
‘We need to clear the slums and replace them with houses like that.’ She bubbled with enthusiasm.
‘Rose, we’re on a pleasant trip out,’ John reprimanded gently.
