Moorland Mist

by Gwen Kirkwood

  Maggie thought Annie sounded very thoughtful and considerate. She felt she should leave it to William to explain all the arrangements but she thought it would comfort Eliza Greig to read the letter.

  ‘How kind of your cousin to invite them to stay, and how thoughtful his wife is,’ Eliza said gratefully. ‘I shall make sure I pack some clean bedding in one of the wooden chests. Bert says it will be all right to send all Emma’s stuff and wee Jamie’s because the railwaymen have a luggage van to store it all.’ She shook her grey head in bewilderment. ‘I can’t imagine what it must be like travelling on a train.’

  William was not looking forward to showing Emmie the place which was to be their home. He had never seen a place in such a state of neglect himself, and he was afraid Emma might be so overwhelmed she would burst into tears and want to go home. He didn’t know that the house was the least of Emma’s worries. It was the last thing on her mind as her wedding drew nearer and the parting from her family approached. In her own mind she had convinced herself that William was almost a stranger.

  Jim greeted William warmly when he met him off the train late on the evening before his wedding. The two brothers talked eagerly until William asked, ‘Why are we taking this road?’ Jim flushed and his mouth tightened.

  ‘I’m taking you to stay the night with Bessie and her husband but Father will be at your wedding tomorrow. So will Maggie, Bessie and I, and we’re bringing Queenie with us so you can take her back with you.’

  ‘I see,’ William said stiffly. ‘So Mother has not found it in her religious heart to forgive either of us,’ he added bitterly. ‘Well, so be it. We shall manage well enough without her blessing.’

  ‘Don’t be bitter, William,’ Jim said gently. ‘I’m sure Emma will make a good wife. Maggie has been down to Locheagle several times and she says you have a fine son, and Emma is a natural mother even though she is so young. Maggie is going to miss her but Emma has promised to write. Of course, Mother didn’t approve of her “fraternising” as she calls it and she wouldn’t allow her to do any baking for a wedding breakfast tomorrow. Father told her to buy extra groceries and take eggs and milk to Mrs Greig and she would see to everything. He has a great respect for the Greigs, I think. He doesn’t quarrel with Mother, he simply does what he wants to do and ignores her grim looks. Mother has not come out of this well. He asked her in front of Maggie and me if she would accompany him to the kirk. She pursed her lips and didn’t reply. We know she will not be there.’

  ‘Never mind. I’m glad you and Father will be there to support me.’

  ‘Do you need support?’ Jim asked in surprise. ‘Emma’s a grand lassie. Aren’t you sure about marrying her?‘

  ‘Oh, I’m sure I want to marry her, I’m not so sure she wants to marry me. I need her beside me, Jim. It’s lonely in a strange place where you don’t know anybody. It will take the two of us, working together, to make anything of Moorend Farm. Mother wouldn’t approve of the place at all. I pray Emmie will not take one look and want to run home.’

  ‘Well, Father and I will not be there to support you over that.’

  ‘Of course not. It will be up to me to make Emmie happy. Remember, she has three big brothers! Mind you, I don’t know if they will take time off work on a Saturday morning to attend their sister’s wedding in the circumstances. I haven’t had any details in Emmie’s letters about the wedding but I’m pleased she has arranged to have the baby christened before we move to Yorkshire. She hasn’t said much at all about getting married. Most of her letters are taken up with Jamie. We shall have to change his name to Jim before he goes to school. I don’t want him to be a sissy boy.’

  ‘At least she chose a good name,’ Jim grinned, ‘after two good men – Father and me!’

  ‘Aah-ah,’ William mocked.

  ‘Maggie says he looks like you now he’s lost his dark hair and he’s getting gingery brown hair like yours.’

  The following morning, William was doubly glad to have Jim at his side. He was surprised how nervous he felt. What if Emma changed her mind and didn’t turn up? He was almost relieved to see her three brothers arrive. Lily – Richard’s girl – and her parents had come too so they were obviously not as prejudiced as his own mother. Then Davy was introducing him to the Reverend Davidson and his wife and daughter before he and Jim were ushered into the vestry for a word with the minister before the service began. When they came out he saw that Emma’s mother had arrived. He knew who she was because he had seen her at the cottage door when he and Maggie had called. She looked like an older version of Emma too.

  ‘Stop fidgeting,’ Jim hissed softly. ‘Ye’re as nervous as a kitten.’

  ‘I should have talked to Emmie last night, even though it was late,’ he whispered back.

  There was a stir and everyone stood up. William couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Emma – his Emmie – walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. She looked beautiful in a dress of shimmering deep blue which suited her fair colouring and emphasized her curves – more curves than he remembered. Her lovely wide eyes looked more blue than green. She was wearing her hair on top of her head with a small matching blue hat, and she seemed taller and older and very pretty. He saw at once that she had lost her rounded schoolgirl cheeks and his conscience smote him when he remembered all she had come through in the months since he had last seen her. She gave him a tentative half-smile as she reached him and he clasped her hand tightly and smiled back at her, his eyes shining with admiration and relief. She was trembling slightly and he tried hard to reassure her with the pressure of his fingers and a tender look in his eyes.

  ‘Emmie.’ He breathed her name softly. ‘I was afraid you might not come,’ he whispered almost under his breath, but she heard and her eyes widened in surprise.

  He looked so handsome, standing tall and straight at her side. She knew he didn’t love her. He was marrying her because he felt it was his duty, but her heart filled with gladness, for surely he could have had almost any girl for miles around. William lifted his eyes and saw Maggie. Her eyes were luminous with tears but she gave him a smile and a little nod, and he was sure things were going to be all right after all.

  After the wedding service and signing of the register, the Minister’s daughter, Julie, stepped forward, cradling a baby in her arms in readiness for the christening and William saw his son for the first time. As they made their way outside afterwards, Emma and her family were even more surprised to see a small group of people had gathered to see the newly-married couple. Eliza tensed. Had they come out of curiosity, or to cast nasty remarks? But no, they had come to offer their good wishes to the young couple. William was surprised when he realized his father and Emma’s parents knew them all, until he remembered his father had attended Locheagle village school. If only his mother had been here to see their smiling faces and hear their greetings, he thought.

  They all paraded down the village street to the Greigs’ cottage where Eliza had a table groaning with food and to William’s joy, he saw Queenie tied to the garden fence. As soon as she saw him and Emma, she barked and wagged her tail energetically, straining at the leash. Both he and Emma bent to greet her, hugging the little dog in their shared delight.

  ‘Mind your good clothes, both of you,’ Maggie urged. ‘I hope Queenie will not be frightened of the noisy train.’

  ‘She’ll be fine when she’s with us,’ William said jubilantly and turned to his father. ‘Thank you, Dad.’

  ‘Aye, she’s a grand dog. We might need to send the next litter down to you to be trained,’ his father answered gruffly and William knew that was his father’s way of saying they would miss him.

  Twelve

  All too soon it was time to leave. Bessie had driven down with the pony and trap, bringing William with her that morning. Maggie, Jim and their father had come in the Bonnybrae trap. Emma’s brothers planned to walk ahead to the station to see their young sister off on her journey.

  ‘I’ll walk with you if you dinna
mind,’ William said. ‘There’s a long time to sit on the train and I’d appreciate the walk with Queenie.’

  ‘Ye’re welcome,’ Richard said jovially. He felt cheered that things were working out so much better than any of them had expected. He felt he would have liked both William and his elder brother if they’d had time to get to know each other and in better circumstances.

  ‘Maybe I’ll walk with you,’ Jim said. ‘It will give us chance to talk a bit longer. You can tell us all about this farm ye’re taking. I don’t think there’ll be room in the trap for more than Maggie and Emma with so many boxes.’

  ‘Have all these to go with us?’ William asked in surprise. ‘What are you bringing, Emmie?’ he asked, looking at the two wooden chests as well as two bulging carpet bags and a basket of food for them, plus baby essentials for the journey.

  ‘If the house is as bad as you said in your letters,’ Eliza said, ‘Emma will need some clean bedding. I would have sent the pair of you more of this food but I dinna think ye’ll be able to carry anything else, as well as the wee fellow and the dog.’

  ‘Ye’re right, Mrs Greig. Thank you.’ William smiled his appreciation. ‘I hadna thought of that side of things.’

  ‘Men never do,’ Eliza said wryly, shaking her head, completely won over by his smile.

  ‘We thank you for whatever you’re sending. The railway waggon will deliver the boxes at the other end.’

  ‘Are you coming to the station with us, Father?’ Davy asked. ‘It’s time we were setting out if we’re to beat the pony and trap.’

  ‘No, laddie, I’d better not,’ Bert shook his head. He knew what a strain it was for Eliza saying good-bye. ‘I’ll stay with your mother. Things will seem quiet once Emmie and the bairn are away.’

  ‘What about you, Father?’ Jim asked James Sinclair.

  ‘No, I’ll leave the walk to you young folk. I’ll take a lift back with Bessie and walk home across the fields frae her place. Maggie will have you for company on the drive home. She’s going to miss Emma.’

  ‘Come on, Emmie,’ Maggie said, ‘I’ll help you change. You look so lovely in your dress. I know William thought so too. I saw it in his eyes when he looked at you.’

  ‘D-do you think so?’ Emmie asked wistfully. ‘I know he is only marrying me because he – he feels it’s his duty, but I would never want him to be ashamed of me because I was only a maid.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll never be ashamed of you, Emmie! You made a wonderful job of sewing your dress. I will pack it carefully.’

  Emma felt shaky as she struggled against her tears. Whatever Maggie said, she wondered if she had done the right thing in agreeing to marry William. He looked so handsome when he was dressed in his good suit. Her heart had given a little flip of joy, but she knew he would not have chosen her as his wife in different circumstances. Why, oh why was she going so far away?

  ‘I have a surprise for you,’ Maggie said softly, understanding Emma’s uncertainty and not wanting her to burst into tears. Emma handed wee Jamie to her mother. She had such a lump in her throat she felt she would never be able to speak again.

  She had laid out her best brown woollen skirt for travelling in, and a new cream blouse which she had made herself with buttons, making it easy to open to feed Jamie on the train. She also had the lovely soft shawl her mother had knitted. Maggie saw them but she had previously hung up the new travelling dress and jacket which William had brought for Emmie. She turned her round to look.

  ‘William had it made especially for you, Emmie. I think it was Annie’s idea because she got the material from one of the mill owners. Isn’t it lovely – almost the colour of your eyes. You will look so smart.’

  ‘B-but how did he know my size, and how could I feed Jamie if I wore it? It is too good to travel in …’

  ‘I think William might be disappointed if you don’t wear it,’ Maggie said gently. ‘I suspect he thought you might want a new dress for the wedding. He had reckoned without Father buying material for both of us. Look, this dress opens at the front too. I expect Annie would know what’s required because she’s had babies of her own. You could always wear your shawl on top of the jacket to hide Jamie when he’s feeding.’

  ‘Oh, Maggie, I wish we didn’t have to go so far away.’

  ‘I know, Emmie, I know,’ Maggie soothed. ‘Just try on the dress. You don’t have to wear it if it’s not comfortable. See how the seams are sewn. William said the seamstress has got some kind of sewing machine which makes a very firm seam.’ Maggie ushered a distracted Emmie into the dress and deftly folded the brocade one and packed it carefully in one of the large carpet bags. Swiftly, she added Emmie’s skirt and blouse so that she wouldn’t change her mind.

  ‘It’s a beautiful dress,’ Emmie said, stroking the fine wool. ‘I’ve never had two new dresses at once, except working dresses.’

  ‘There’s a little hat to match. William said Annie had made it herself. I’m sure you will like her.’ Maggie organized Emmie as she talked, knowing there was little time to spare if they were to get to the train in time and unload the luggage.

  Saying good-bye to her mother and father was even worse than Emma had feared, and in the end Bert Greig caught Maggie’s anxious gaze and almost lifted his daughter and her baby into the trap, telling Maggie to get the pony moving or they would miss the train. He turned away abruptly but Maggie understood he was hiding his own emotions. The pony was well-rested and trotted at a good pace. The cool air rushing past helped to cool Emma’s damp, flushed cheeks and the miles to the station gave her time to calm herself and wipe away her tears. Jamie seemed to sense the upheaval but Maggie was thankful when his whimpering demanded Emma’s attention. Cuddling him close seemed to comfort her.

  ‘You look really smart in your new outfit, Emmie. No one would think you have a baby only a couple of months old. Your waist is so small and not even a corset.’

  ‘Oh, corsets! Mother was going on about that again. Ye’re so kind, Maggie. You will write to us, won’t ye?’

  ‘I certainly will and I shall expect lots of details of your new home, the bad bits as well as the good. William does admit it is in an awful state. I think he feels a bit guilty at taking you to such a place.’

  ‘Ma says we shall have to sleep Jamie in a big drawer until we can get a cot for him. I hope he settles all right.’

  ‘I’m sure he will if you do.’

  They were only just in time arriving at the station but the brothers willingly lifted the wooden trunks onto the platform, ready to load in the luggage van. William smiled warmly at Emma as he helped her down and took charge of the two large carpet bags, while keeping a tight hold on the leather strap he had fastened to Queenie’s collar. ‘Can you manage the basket as well as the bairn?’

  ‘Yes,’ she nodded, biting her lip and not meeting his eyes.

  Then all at once, her brothers were hugging her and even Jim kissed her cheek as they ushered her into a carriage and slammed the door shut. William let down the window to call good-bye and Jim came closer.

  ‘Keep him in order, Emma and don’t let him boss you,’ he grinned.

  ‘I–I’ll try,’ Emma responded with a watery smile.

  ‘Be sure to write, Emmie,’ Davy called. Then the train was drawing away. Queenie cowered down at William’s feet. She didn’t like the loud banging of doors and hissing steam. William soothed her and patted her head. There were two other men in the carriage sitting near the window. After a brusque nod, they ignored the newcomers so William and Emma sat opposite each other, keeping their distance from them.

  ‘Has he been good so far?’ William asked awkwardly, nodding at Jamie now snuggling down in Emma’s arms and ready to sleep.

  ‘He senses things are – are different, I think, but perhaps he will have a good sleep now.’

  ‘Annie says even young babies know when they’re in a strange place,’ William reflected. He looked at her anxiously. ‘I didn’t tell you before, Emma, but Annie is kind and
she means well. She insisted we must go to her house to stay tonight. She said you would be tired out after the excitement and the long journey, and it isna right to take you straight back to a filthy house with no one to welcome us or prepare a meal.’

  ‘I–I see,’ Emma said nervously. She didn’t know what else to say. ‘You know hard work doesn’t worry me …’

  ‘I know that, Emmie, but you needn’t be nervous with Annie. She’s not at all like my mother. In fact, she’s the very opposite. I think she wants us to stay because she’s curious to meet you and to see your bairn. She’s hoping the two of you will become friends. I think she still feels a bit homesick for Scotland.’

  ‘He – he’s our bairn.’

  ‘Aye, I suppose so,’ William said awkwardly. ‘It will take some time to get used to having a wife and a baby,’ he added. The two men looked up. One raised his eyebrows and eyed them more keenly, making Emma flush and chew her lip. William grimaced.

  ‘I’d forgotten about them,’ he mouthed silently. Emma nodded and they fell silent. The train made several short stops until they reached Carlisle.

  ‘I think they change drivers here, or stock up with coal, or something.’

  ‘Aye, they do,’ one of the men said. ‘This is as far as we go.’

  They squeezed past Emma and William, and jumped onto the platform as soon as the train stopped. Perhaps people thought the carriage was full when they saw William and Emma sitting near the door. Certainly no one entered. The porter came round, slamming all the doors and making poor Queenie jump. Jamie stirred and grizzled a little too but Emma was thankful he didn’t waken. Queenie stood up then and went closer to look at him. Emma patted her silky head.

  ‘You’re a good dog, aren’t you, Queenie? Maybe you’ll learn to guard this wee fellow when he starts to move around.’

  ‘Shall we move nearer the window?’ William asked. ‘Then you can see the scenery as we pass. I wouldn’t mind having one of those sandwiches your mother packed for us now.’