Many a Tear Has to Fall, page 15
Maggie understood how he felt. ‘They generally only pop up at the weekends,’ she said, rubbing her cheek against his beard.
He turned his head so his mouth was against hers and murmured. ‘Good. You’d better write down the cottage’s particulars, and any other information I might need.’ Their lips met briefly.
She moved slightly away from him and opened her handbag and took out a pencil and paper and wrote down directions to the cottage. ‘Don’t forget to ring me and let me know when you’re coming. Although, hopefully, we’ll be able to see each other before then.’
‘Will do.’ He kissed her again and then hurried away.
Seventeen
Irene rang the bell again and waited impatiently. She was bursting with news, but still nobody came. Neither was there any sign of life coming from next door. It was a Wednesday afternoon in late July 1959, so it could be that Dot had gone out for the afternoon into town on a shopping spree, and Jared and Emma might be up at the cottage with Maggie and Owen.
Irene sighed. Her news was going to have to wait. Still, she could drop by later on the way back from visiting the children’s home, where she needed to speak to Deirdre without delay. As she walked briskly down the lane to the home, she thought how great it was to be free. She had left Josie and Jerry with Peggy and Pete’s mothers, who were taking the two children on the ferry to New Brighton. The sun was shining and there was only the lightest of breezes, so it was a perfect day to be out in the fresh air.
Irene was made welcome at the children’s home but, before she could tell Deirdre her news, her friend volunteered her to help get the children ready for an outing. ‘I thought a nice picnic and a nature walk,’ said Deirdre, fastening up a child’s cardigan.
‘It sounds just the ticket,’ Irene said. ‘But you must let me—’
‘By the way, you’re not the only volunteer here,’ Deirdre interrupted. ‘Dot’s here. She’s helping with the babies for a change.’
Irene was delighted. ‘I called at the house but got no answer. I must have a word with her before we go.’
‘You can have a word with her later. She’s busy now.’
‘I thought she had taken a liking to Georgie,’ said Irene, dropping her voice. ‘Didn’t she take him up to Whalley that time I couldn’t go?’
‘Yes, but I’m not sure about how Billy feels. Anyway, today she’s helping out with the babies.’
Irene stilled. ‘Has she ever said anything to you about adoption?’
‘No.’ Deirdre patted the shoulder of the child in front of her and straightened up. ‘Why? Has she mentioned it to you?’
‘No, but if she’s coming here regularly, it could be that it has occurred to her that adopting a child is a fine thing to do.’
Deirdre looked thoughtful. ‘She does have a soft spot for Georgie but that doesn’t mean Billy would be in favour of adopting him. He’s the sort of man who would want a son he could teach the tougher sort of games to play. Don’t you think?’
‘You’re probably right,’ Irene murmured, watching the lovable little boy who had been a favourite with her at the former children’s home where she and Deirdre had worked. ‘Anyway, I could be completely wrong about Billy and Dot not being able to have children. They might just have chosen not to do so in this day and age. It’s not as if they were Catholics like you and me.’
‘Are you suggesting she could have visited the family planning clinic?’ asked Deirdre. ‘Perhaps you could ask her.’
Irene thought it would be better if Dot brought up the subject first. She could object to being asked such a personal question. Besides, Irene had a much more important topic to discuss with Dot and Deirdre.
She waited until she and Deirdre and the small group of handicapped children had left the home behind. Both had children by the hand who preferred keeping close to a grown-up. Georgie was one such child; he clung to Irene’s hand as he gazed about him happily.
‘I’ve some good news,’ Irene burst out, not taking her eyes from two of the girls who were skipping ahead amongst the trees.
Deirdre smiled. ‘You’ve set the date for your wedding.’
‘I should have known you’d guess right away,’ said Irene wryly.
‘When is it to be?’
‘The twenty-sixth of September, the Saturday before Michaelmass Day. I want you to be my chief bridesmaid. What d’you say?’
‘I’d be made up!’ Deirdre’s plump cheeks were rosier than ever. ‘What colour frock will I have? And will there be other bridesmaids?’
‘Josie, of course. And I think I’ll have my stepsisters, Daisy and Rosie, as well. The daughters of Mam’s third husband. Marty’s mother thinks we should have Jerry for a pageboy.’
‘I don’t see why not. He’s a nice-looking little lad and you don’t want him to feel out of things.’
Irene could think of nothing to say to that which wouldn’t sound unkind, so remained silent.
‘We’ll be able to have chrysanthemums in our bouquets,’ Deirdre said happily. ‘I love those creamy big-headed ones! I only wish Jimmy and me were getting married as well.’
‘Have the pair of you discussed it?’
‘Yes, but it won’t be for ages. We’re thinking the year after next, because we’ll need to save up, not only for the wedding, but we’d like to be able to put a deposit down to buy our own house.’ Deirdre paused. ‘Actually, I’d prefer to get married earlier and carry on working after we’re married. It’s not as if Jimmy is going to be coming home from work every day, and I’d have to be there for him.’
‘But what if you started a baby?’ asked Irene.
Deirdre was silent a moment and then she said, ‘There are ways and means of preventing a pregnancy.’
Irene took her eyes from the two little girls a moment. ‘But you’re Catholic, and if you’re talking about the rhythm method then I wouldn’t trust it. From what I’ve read, it’s not completely reliable.’
‘Am I to believe that you and Marty haven’t tried it?’ Deirdre said quietly.
Irene stared at her. ‘Marty and I haven’t been sleeping together, if that’s what you think. He has two kids to support, without risking bringing another one into the world right now.’
Deirdre flushed. ‘It was Jimmy who …’ Her voice trailed off.
‘What did my brother say to you?’ Irene asked indignantly.
‘He thought you and Marty would be making the most of your opportunities. What with the pair of you spending so much time together in the house during the evening, even if you do go off to the Marshalls’ house every night. If you’re not, then all he said was the pair of you must have the willpower of saints.’
Irene chuckled. ‘I’m no saint, and neither is Marty.’
Deirdre stared at her, perplexed. ‘I don’t know what to make of that.’
‘Make of it what you will. All I know is that, come the twenty-sixth of September, I’ll probably go a little crazy.’
‘Will you be giving up work?’
‘I don’t know yet. The wedding is still a couple of months off. I’ll think about it more seriously nearer the time.’
It was on that note that they were disturbed by piercing screams, and both shot off in the direction of the noise. After they had stopped the fight between two of the girls over a large fir cone, Deirdre said breathlessly, ‘I often wonder how little girls are able to scream so loud. I hope I have boys when I have children. I’m just glad Matron’s not around, or I could be getting the sack for negligence.’
‘Rubbish,’ Irene said robustly. ‘You’re a very conscientious nurse. These things happen and I don’t see a need to mention it, do you?’ She smiled. ‘Now, where’s the food for the picnic?’
Later that afternoon, Irene left the children’s home with Dot. As they walked along the lane, they discussed the forthcoming wedding and who was going to give Irene away.
‘Marty was talking about asking Jimmy to be his best man. He thought Billy might not mind giving me away,’ said Irene.
‘I’m sure he’ll be happy to give you away,’ said Dot.
‘And he’s known me as long as Jimmy, with us having grown up in the same street.’
‘Anyway, you and Marty are best waiting until Jimmy gets home before mentioning this to Billy. Whichever task Jimmy takes on, he’s going to have to make a speech.’
‘I know.’ Irene pulled a face. ‘I think I’d prefer listening to what Billy has to say about me rather than have my brother chuntering on, making jokes at my expense.’
‘He wouldn’t,’ said Dot, smiling.
‘Oh, wouldn’t he?’ groaned Irene.
She changed the subject. ‘Anyway, will you tell Billy we’ve set a date? And Emma, Jared and Maggie? I’m presuming they’re up at the cottage. I’ll be sending proper invitations out, of course.’
Dot nodded her blonde head. ‘Maggie’s going to be at the cottage most of the summer. All that fresh air will be good for her chest. Did you know she discovered she has a TB scar on her lung?’
‘Poor ol’ Maggie.’
‘Oh, she’ll survive. She’s tougher than she looks. And now she’s given up smoking and has put on a bit of weight and has herself a new boyfriend, I’m sure she’ll come on in leaps and bounds.’
‘She already has another boyfriend! She hasn’t been home five minutes,’ Irene joked. ‘What’s his name?’
‘Timothy Murphy.’
‘Sounds Irish.’
‘He’s a Scouser, although she met him in London. Anyway, Emma told me that he has his own business.’
‘Emma’s met him?’
‘Yes. Apparently he’s not bad looking, despite the beard. I must admit, after hearing that Norm had dropped her, I was worried she might take up with someone completely unsuitable on the rebound. But it sounds like she has more common sense than I credited her with.’
‘What about her modelling? What about London? Will she ever go back?’
‘Who’s to say? You know Maggie.’
Irene frowned. ‘I was always closer to Betty. Although Maggie and I used to go to school together sometimes, we were never the best of friends, and what with her going off to London, I haven’t seen much of her. D’you think I should include the boyfriend on the invitation?’
‘Perhaps you could invite him just to the evening do. That’s if you are having one?’
‘We haven’t made up our minds yet. Marty and I would like to go away for a few days on our own, and that will cost money.’
‘I’d wait and see how things go. After all, if she and the boyfriend see scarcely anything of each other during the summer, it could be that their relationship will die a death.’
Eighteen
Maggie was taking scones out of the oven when the telephone rang. She almost dropped the tray, and only just managed to save most of the scones from sliding to the floor. As it was, two landed on the tiles.
‘Damn!’ she muttered, dashing to pick up the receiver, hoping it might be Tim. To her delight it was; as soon as their brief conversation was over, she wasted no time in making preparations for his visit.
She could not wait to see him as they had not met for several weeks, and she was especially pleased that he was able to come that day, because not only was she was on her own, but the sun was shining. He had mentioned staying in the village overnight, having decided to leave Fang for a neighbour to feed and walk, and his mother was happy to look after Jerry. So Maggie whizzed round to the local pub to see if they had a vacancy and to do some shopping while she was out. She would have liked to have offered the spare room, only she knew that tongues would wag, and that meant Emma and Jared would get to know of it when they came here for the bank holiday weekend.
Fortunately the Spotted Dog had a room available for that night, although she was told they were fully booked for the coming weekend, so she booked a room and then visited the shops and bought some locally produced lamb, extra vegetables, butter and cream, as well as a couple of freshly baked crusty loaves, before hurrying back to the cottage. She had already made a pan of soup and set about preparing a Lancashire hotpot just as Emma had taught her. The two ruined scones she threw out to the birds.
Once the hotpot was in the oven, she made another dozen scones and a coffee and walnut cake, thinking they should satisfy Tim – and any customers who called, although she doubted she would be overwhelmed by tourists until Saturday. She would have to make a huge hotpot and more scones for then. She would leave it to Emma to make such Lancashire culinary delights as Chorley and Eccles cakes, as she was the expert, but she knew that she was going to have to perfect her own attempts sooner rather than later.
By the time Tim’s van drew up outside, later than she had expected, Maggie had dealt with six customers, bathed, changed, put on make-up and redone her hair several times. She was on pins, in case he thought her cooking was rubbish. She prayed that they wouldn’t be disturbed by a sudden rush of visitors to the abbey.
Her heart lifted as he climbed out of the van and smiled at her.
‘So you managed to find me,’ Maggie said, taking a couple of steps across the pavement towards him.
‘I’m here, aren’t I?’ he said, seizing both her hands. ‘You look good enough to eat.’
She laughed. ‘I thought you’d be hungry by the time you got here, so I’ve made a hotpot and baked a cake and some scones.’
His eyes lit up. ‘Sounds just what the doctor ordered. I’m starving. I’m not much of a cook and I’ve noticed lately that the waist of my trousers was getting looser.’
‘I wish I could say the same about my waistband,’ Maggie grimaced. ‘If not many customers drop in, I end up eating the food before it either goes off or stale.’
‘You still look good to me,’ he said.
‘Flatterer.’ She tugged on his hands. ‘Come inside. You can have something to eat and then I’ll show you the village.’
‘Don’t you have to stay here in case of customers?’
‘I’ll put the “Closed” sign in the window now you’ve arrived, so we can relax,’ she said, leading the way through the front room, which was set out with tables and chairs and a Welsh dresser on which was a display of goods for sale.
Tim gazed about him. ‘Nice!’
‘I’m glad you approve,’ Maggie said as he followed her into the kitchen.
He let out a low whistle. ‘This is a great kitchen. You wouldn’t believe from the front of the cottage that it was this big.’
‘It’s been extended. There was a huge back garden, because in Emma’s great-grandmother’s day she grew all her own vegetables and kept hens. We don’t bother with hens any more. On a warm day, customers can eat outside, because the garden is still a fair size.’
She opened a door off the kitchen into a small square, the other side of which was another door. ‘This is the downstairs lavatory and there’s another one outside. And upstairs Jared has built a proper bathroom over the extension.’
‘He’s clever is your brother?’ said Tim.
‘I suppose he is. I probably take him for granted.’
‘You shouldn’t.’
Maggie glanced at him and thought he looked serious. She slipped her hand through his arm. ‘I suppose we all take our families for granted. Especially big brothers who have always done things for us.’ She drew him over to the table. ‘Another time I’d like you to meet Jared, but right now you’re to sit down and relax while I dish out the hotpot.’
Soon they were seated across from each other, and between mouthfuls of lamb and vegetables, they talked about what they had been doing. After they had finished eating and washed up, she suggested they went to the inn first, before she showed him the rest of the village.
‘Let’s do that later,’ he said, drawing her into his arms.
There was an expression in his eyes that caused her heart to race; she did not argue, but surrendered to his embrace.
They tumbled on to the sofa and kissed passionately. It seemed a natural progression from there to going further. Yet when his hands began to fumble with her clothing and his fingers undo buttons, alarm bells rang in her head. This was generally the point where Maggie called a halt, and this moment was no different.
‘Better not,’ she said unsteadily, managing to worm her hands between their bodies. ‘Please!’ she gasped.
‘Please do or please don’t?’ His breathing was rapid and uneven.
A giggle rose in her throat. ‘Don’t tempt me!’ She pushed against his chest with both hands.
‘I thought it was what you wanted,’ he said, shifting to the end of the sofa and frowning.
Maggie buttoned up her blouse. ‘I’m not saying it isn’t, but I can’t see the sense in taking risks,’ she said unhappily.
He stared at her for several moments. ‘Come here,’ he said abruptly, stretching out a hand.
She hesitated, and then slowly slid along the sofa towards him. He put an arm about her shoulders. ‘I want you, Maggie. And what with being alone and it feeling so fantastic us being together, I was tempted.’
‘I’m sorry if you think I led you on. But a girl has to be careful.’
‘So does a bloke.’
‘I just don’t want to get into trouble. It happened to someone I know and she ended up having to have an abortion. It was horrible.’
‘Wouldn’t the bloke marry her?’
‘Good God, she hated him. He was a married man and he raped her!’ She shuddered. ‘Just the thought of him makes me feel sick.’
‘Not all men are like that.’
‘I know that!’
‘If you were to get pregnant, I’d marry you. I could do with a wife.’
Maggie’s emotions were in confusion. ‘You’re not asking me to marry you, are you?’
‘If I were, would you say yes?’
‘I don’t know.’ She stood up. ‘Shall we go and have that walk?’
‘All right!’ He got to his feet and said in a tight voice, ‘You’d best show me where this inn is, seeing as how you’ve booked me in.’
Maggie went and slipped on a cardigan. ‘You’re annoyed with me, aren’t you?’
