Hers to Have and to Hold, page 6
The front room was a good size and contained enough furniture for her needs. She crossed to the window and looked out over the road, to the park, where there were several children playing and a game of football was taking place and groups of grown-ups were watching. Then she was shown a smaller room, which contained only a wardrobe, and realised she was going to have to buy a bed, bedding and a cot. She must visit the post office and withdraw some of her savings in the morning. She moved over to the window that overlooked the back garden, at the bottom of which was a wall with a door in it.
‘The top floor isn’t used often, mostly just for things kept in case they might be useful,’ said Amelia. ‘You can check them out and help yourself to anything that will be useful. I’m sorry there is no bed.’
‘You’re too kind,’ said Eliza. ‘I knew it was likely that I would need to buy a bed.’
They returned to the ground floor and Amelia told her more about what was involved in tracing Thomas’s ancestry and how they had met at the cheese counter in Chester market.
‘Thomas had been born in Chester, although his parents were from Mid Wales, not far from the border with Shropshire. His father had been a farm labourer who had travelled the country for seasonal work with his wife, and that’s how Thomas came to be born in Chester. There they had met Thomas’s father’s brother, who was a stonemason, doing renovation work to St Asaph Cathedral, known as the marble church, which is situated in Denbighshire on the main road to Colwyn Bay from Queensferry. He was father to Rosie, whom I met for the first time here in Liverpool, which is where her father moved to after finishing the work in St Asaph, because there was plenty of building work in Liverpool at that time.’ Amelia paused for breath. ‘Thomas didn’t want to be in farming, but he had the wanderlust when he was young and worked in a village bakery for a while, before moving on to Chester, where I was on a day trip. We married after he moved to Liverpool. I learned to type at the Mabel Fletcher College here in Liverpool and worked in an office until I married. Thomas enjoyed cooking and prepared all the meals when I started writing and had some success quite quickly.’
Eliza asked, ‘Did you want to be a writer before you worked in an office? Is that why you learned to type?’
‘Oh yes, but my parents thought I was being fanciful and told me I must get a proper job and earn a wage to help with household expenses,’ said Amelia. ‘My father was a foreman in a factory and my mother was a seamstress who worked from home.’ She paused. ‘Now, tell me about your parents?’
Eliza proceeded to tell her story. ‘My father was a sailor and died in a storm at sea, and then my mother was killed in a cycling accident when I was ten, and I was taken in by the Seamen’s Orphanage. I worked for a while in Barker and Dobson’s and then after the war broke out, I went into Ammunitions, where I met my friend Olive and was able to stay on after I was married for a few months, before leaving when I was four months pregnant. I didn’t like the thought of what the chemicals might do to the baby, but I needed the money, despite my husband sending me some once a month.’
It was at that point in her story that there was a banging at the front door and so she went to see if it was Jack. He stood on the step, smiling. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Nearly, I just need to know when I start and can move in. Perhaps you should come in and wait,’ she said.
‘I’ll wait here,’ he said. ‘We’ll get away quicker.’
‘All right,’ she said, turning and hurrying back to the lounge where she told Amelia it was Jack and he seemed in a hurry.
‘Then I won’t keep you,’ said Amelia. ‘Could you move in and start work on Monday?’
‘I’d like that,’ she replied. ‘Thank you!’
CHAPTER TEN
‘So, are you sorted out?’ asked Jack, opening the front gate for Eliza to pass through.
‘Yeah, I move in on Monday,’ she replied. ‘We had a good talk and I’m sure we’ll rub along all right. Tomorrow I’ll need to visit the post office, and buy a bed and a cot and a pushchair and bedding.’
‘I’m sure Mam will let you have the cot,’ said Jack, striding along.
‘Could you please slow down?’ she asked. ‘My legs are shorter than yours and I’m tired.’
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I could go on ahead home and return with my car and pick you up at the vicarage.’
‘You do that,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why we couldn’t have gone in your car earlier.’
‘I had to return the police car,’ he said, slowing to a snail’s pace.
‘Sorry,’ she said, hiding a smile. ‘But if you’re going home for the car, you’d best get a move on, slowcoach.’
He blew her a kiss and tore off. She dawdled in his wake as far as West Derby Road, waiting for a gap in the traffic before crossing and walking the short distance to the vicarage.
The front door was opened by the vicar’s son, Paul, whom she had taught in Sunday School a few years ago. He stared at her in astonishment. ‘Miss Griffiths!’ he exclaimed.
‘I know, long time no see,’ she said. ‘Is your father in? I won’t keep him long.’
Even as she spoke, the vicar appeared at the back of the hall. ‘Eliza, I wondered when you’d turn up, and I presume this is Alfie.’ He beamed at them both and invited her in. He told his son that Miss Griffiths was now Mrs Jones, and he took her and Alfie into his study, but not before asking his son to ask his mother to bring two teas. That done, he pulled out a chair and bid her be seated.
‘I’m so pleased that I will be christening Alfie when you’re ready. What a fine healthy baby he is.’
She nodded. ‘I wanted to come and show you that our prayers have been answered. The woman responsible escaped, though.’
‘And your mother-in-law? Did you manage to see her?’
‘No, but I will take Alfie to see her in the not-too-distant future,’ she replied. ‘It would be nice if she could come to Alfie’s baptism, but I need to sort that out first. I do have some other good news to tell you, though. I have a new apartment and employment. I don’t know if you know of Mrs Amelia Jones, the authoress who lives in Newsham Drive. Jack Molyneux, her local bobby, introduced us. The girl whom she had employed left to join the ATS, so I am to live in her house and help her in a variety of ways, and I can have Alfie with me most of the time.’
Before the vicar could respond, there was a knock on the door and he called, ‘Come in, my dear.’
Rachel, the vicar’s wife, entered, bearing a tray. ‘I’ve brought you two buttered scones as well as tea,’ she said. ‘But I have to remind you, love, that you’ll have to be leaving soon for Evensong.’
‘I wish I could attend,’ said Eliza, ‘but Jack Molyneux will be picking me up soon to take me to my friend Olive’s home, where I’ve been invited to stay the night.’
‘Then drink your tea and eat your scone,’ said Rachel, ‘and hopefully he’ll be here by then.’ She smiled at Alfie and said what a lovely baby he was. Then she left the study.
A short while later Eliza left, saying she hoped to be in church next Sunday morning. Once outside, she spotted a car parked at the kerb and as she walked down the path, Jack got out and opened the rear door for her. She climbed in and sat down with Alfie on her knee.
‘I thought it would be safer for Alfie if you sat in the back with him on your knee,’ said Jack, ‘although it’s more difficult to have a conversation.’
She agreed, thinking he could be thoughtful. Then she said, ‘Have you something to tell me?’
‘Yeah, but it can wait.’
‘No, I’ll only be guessing what it might be,’ she said.
‘Colwyn Bay phoned up. Alfie’s grandmother asked who it was who found her and when she was told it was you and your friend, tears ran down her cheeks. She said she would like to see you and Alfie as soon as possible. And that you must stay for a week or more.’
‘That will have to wait,’ said Eliza. ‘I can’t take time off when I’ve just started work and there’s the train fare. I do feel sorry for her, though, all alone and frightened.’
‘But she’s not all alone,’ said Jack.
‘Why? Who’s with her? Is it Glyn?’
‘No, it’s not him.’
‘You sound very definite,’ she said.
‘That’s because he’s in the Middle East. I don’t want to upset you, but he’s there because…’ he hesitated, ‘of Bryn’s funeral. Sorry, but that’s why he had to leave so quickly. They thought he’d want to be there when Bryn was buried.’
She was stunned because she had given no thought to a funeral. Perhaps because she had not been completely convinced he was dead. ‘How long has Glyn been there?’
‘Long enough not to be involved in the kidnapping. The inspector has been in touch with the officer in charge at the training barracks and he said they’d had a visit from a Mrs Bryn Jones, asking questions.’
‘But didn’t they consider that odd after receiving my letter addressed to Bryn?’
‘Apparently, one of the soldiers recognised her. He’d been a mate of Glyn from Territorial Amy days and he told her what Glyn had told him about his half-brother remarrying and his wife giving birth to a son during the Blitz in early May.’
‘So, there’s our answer,’ said Eliza.
‘Not the whole answer,’ Jack said.
‘So, who is staying with my mother-in-law?’ she asked.
‘A policewoman, I hear,’ replied Jack, starting up the engine.
Eliza sat back, hugging Alfie close and trying not to think too much, but her head was spinning with questions. When had Bryn been first married? Why hadn’t he told her that he had been married before? Why had they broken up? When did they get divorced? One thing was for sure: he hadn’t been honest with her. What about children? There were more questions she wanted answers to, but she wanted to stop thinking and go to sleep. However, she was going to have to make decisions about Alfie’s christening, such as when and who to have for godparents. And where to have the party afterwards.
Alfie wriggled and let out a cry, and instantly she thought, what a lousy mother I am! He hasn’t had a full feed, or his nappy changed since breakfast time, he must be really uncomfortable. Should she ask Jack to stop at his mother’s so she could do both those things or was it better to carry on straight to Olive’s so she wouldn’t be too late? Of course, she would have to ask for somewhere she could do both those things almost as soon as she stepped over the threshold. She was so glad that after this night she would have her own flat.
‘Is Alfie all right?’ asked Jack, throwing the words over his shoulder.
‘He’s hungry and most likely needs his nappy changing,’ she said in a muffled voice.
‘Can you manage in the back? My eyes will be on the road. Or d’you want me to stop at Mam’s?’
‘That would make me late for tea at Olive’s.’
‘I’m sure they’ll understand,’ he said. ‘Besides, you’ll need the cot.’
‘I don’t know. I think she’s already hurt because I didn’t invite her to the wedding and then I had your mam look after Alfie… And now I’ll be moving into our local authoress’s house.’
‘Ask her to be his godmother. I’m sure she’ll forgive you then,’ he said. ‘In the meantime, Alfie’s needs come first,’ he said.
So, they stopped off at Jack’s and only then did Eliza remember that she would need to take some of her and Alfie’s few belongings, but there was little time and she decided just to feed him and change his nappy, and change her own clothes, as they were dirty after her visit to the kidnapper’s deserted house.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘I’ll just drop you off,’ said Jack when they arrived at Olive’s parents’ house. ‘Olive and her mother will want to chat with you and fuss over Alfie.’
‘You’re probably right and I’ll most likely see you around when you’re on your beat, trying to catch the bag-snatcher or if you have any news for me. Thanks for putting up with me.’
‘It’s a pleasure,’ he said. ‘Mam would like it if you dropped in again with Alfie. She likes babies.’
‘I’ll do my best to make time. No doubt I’m going to be busy this coming week.’
When they arrived at their destination, Olive was standing in the doorway. Eliza did not wait for Jack to get out and open the door for her, but said, ‘See yer,’ and slid out of the car and waved to Olive.
‘Sorry I’m late, but I dropped in at the vicarage, and was persuaded to have a cup of tea and a home-made scone.’
‘I hope you’re still hungry because Mam’s saved some cake and sandwiches for you.’
Eliza beamed. ‘I’m still hungry and I wouldn’t turn down a slice of your mam’s cake for all the tea in China.’
Once Eliza was over the threshold, Olive said, ‘Can I have a hold of Alfie now, while you take your jacket off?’
‘Of course!’ Eliza handed her precious son over to Olive and said at the same time, ‘I mentioned getting him christened to the vicar, but I don’t know when that’ll be.’ She followed Olive up the lobby. ‘But I’d like it if you’ll be one of the godparents.’
‘I’d love to,’ said Olive.
‘It mightn’t be for a while, because I’d like Alfie’s grandmother to be there, but that will take some arranging.’ Eliza opened the kitchen living room door and held it open, so Olive could go first with Alfie.
‘You’re here at last,’ said Olive’s mother, getting to her feet and hobbling over to them. ‘Let me have a hold of him.’
‘I’ve only just got him, Mam,’ said Olive. ‘You’ll have to wait.’
‘I’m always waiting,’ said the older woman. ‘It’s time you found yourself a husband and gave me a grandchild.’
‘Don’t go on, Mam,’ said Olive. ‘I’m only in my twenties.’
‘I was eighteen when I got married,’ she said. ‘There’s a war on and there’ll be a shortage of men when it’s over.’
‘Oh Mam, don’t be depressing,’ said Olive. ‘I’ve heard all about the last war and about all the women who never experienced the joy of motherhood and how there would have been no Suffragette movement if they’d had husbands.’
‘That’s most likely partly true,’ said Eliza. ‘But not completely, because the fight for women’s rights began in other countries before the Great War and if I’m not mistaken, New Zealand was the first country where women achieved their aim.’
‘I wouldn’t know about that,’ said Olive’s mother. ‘But let’s drop the subject. Olive, go and put the kettle on and make the tea, and I’ll take the baby.’
Eliza hid a smile, as Olive obeyed her mother. Her father was absent, and Eliza could only presume he was in the parlour, having a bit of peace to read his newspaper. Unless he’d gone down the backyard to have a smoke, as he was not allowed to enjoy a cigarette indoors. His wife nagged him about the smoke penetrating the fabric covering the furniture and the curtains if she caught him, or so Olive had told Eliza.
She watched the older woman make herself comfortable in an armchair and tickle Alfie’s tummy. ‘Please, don’t do that,’ she asked. ‘He hasn’t long had a feed.’
‘But he likes it,’ said the older woman. ‘He’s giggling.’
‘Well, I’d rather he wasn’t sick over his new clothes.’
‘You’ve been shopping?’
‘No, I was given them for him,’ replied Eliza. ‘I’m going shopping soon. Not only for clothes but for a few bits of furniture.’ She paused and wondered if this was the right time. Nevertheless, she was going to have to tell them sooner or later and they should be pleased for her. ‘I’ve been offered rooms and a job in one of the houses on Newsham Drive. I move in tomorrow and start work.’
‘We thought you and Alfie would be staying with us for at least a month,’ said Olive.
‘That would mean your son having to sleep on the sofa. Anyway, this offer was too good to turn down,’ said Eliza. ‘I thought you’d be pleased for me.’
‘I am,’ said Olive. ‘I thought I’d see more of you.’
‘You can come and visit. We can take Alfie for walks in the park.’
‘But you’re going to be a live-in servant by the sound of it,’ said Olive’s mother. ‘What does your employer think of you having Alfie with you?’
‘She’s a childless widow and she thinks he’ll liven the place up. She’s an authoress and I’m going to be her researcher, as well as helping her in the house.’
‘An authoress! You mean she writes books?’ asked Olive’s mother.
Eliza nodded. ‘She’s a romantic novelist and you can find her books in the library.’
‘How old is she?’ asked Olive’s mother.
‘I didn’t ask her,’ replied Eliza, wishing she hadn’t started this conversation.
‘Guess,’ said Olive’s mother, moving Alfie to the crook of her arm and sighing.
‘Fifty, maybe.’
‘I see. Could you ask her for a signed copy of one of her books for me. I could give it to my sister for a birthday present.’
‘I couldn’t. It would be a cheek. I only start work tomorrow.’
‘But it’s my sister’s birthday on Friday,’ she wailed.
‘Then she’ll have to do without. Maybe next birthday,’ said Eliza. ‘Now where’s me cup of tea and cake, Olive?’
‘Coming,’ called Olive.
She placed an occasional table in front of Eliza, with a place mat, and set down a cup of tea and a plate with a slice of carrot cake on it. ‘Thank you,’ said Eliza, taking a sip of tea and then a bite of cake. ‘The cake is delicious as usual. Could I have the recipe?’
‘I’ll write it down for you before you leave,’ she said.
‘Anyway, changing the subject,’ continued Olive. ‘Have you had any more news about your mother-in-law?’
Eliza nodded. ‘She had a woman visitor the evening before we arrived, who claimed to be Bryn’s widow.’
