Sunlight on the Mersey

by Lyn Andrews

  ‘I’m sure she will too and it will be a busy time for everyone. I saw Miss Roberts here this morning,’ he informed her, thinking of the day he’d first seen her when she’d accompanied the postmistress here, almost a year ago now.

  ‘She was coming about the show. My mam is resting today, she’s tired after the journey but thankfully she arrived safe and sound.’ Rose got to her feet; she still had plenty of work to do.

  ‘Then she will be coming with Miss Roberts to the party, I presume?’ David enquired, thinking he would like to meet her mother.

  Rose nodded. ‘Aunty Gwen told her last night and she was very surprised but delighted. I’d better get back now, David, and thank you again for such a truly beautiful gift.’

  ‘I wanted to give you something special, Rose,’ he said, wishing she could stay but knowing that there were other demands upon her time. Olivia had instructed that the whole house be cleaned from top to bottom and rooms were now being prepared for the guests.

  Rose smiled. ‘It’s the most beautiful and special thing I’ve ever owned, David, you are so … kind and generous to me.’

  ‘You are my friend and you are very special to me, Rose. I mean that.’

  ‘Thank you, that means … a lot to me, David,’ Rose stammered before turning and leaving the room in some haste, her heart beating in an odd jerky kind of way.

  Outside in the hallway she leaned against the wall, her cheeks flushed. He had said she was ‘special’ and he’d gone out of his way to find out when her birthday was and had given her a beautiful gift, one he had put some considerable thought into choosing, to say nothing of its value. They were growing closer and she had become fond of him, but … but was that wise? She had been fond of Jimmy Harper once and that had only led to heartache. Hearing Nancy’s voice on the stairs she pulled herself together. She had no intention of telling Nancy or anyone else of David Rhys-Pritchard’s birthday gift.

  The flower show that year seemed to have attracted more interest than usual, Gwen thought as she and Kate got ready for Elinore Rhys-Pritchard’s engagement party. It had been quite an exhausting few days for the weather had held and the heat in the marquees had been stifling – to the detriment of the flowers and vegetables, which had to be frequently sprayed with water – but the increased crowds and added interest very probably had been generated by the forthcoming event. Neither of them had seen Rose during the day but they would see her this evening, she’d assured Kate. They were going to Plas Idris with Bob and his family and they were all looking forward to it.

  ‘Doesn’t it look … splendid and very big!’Kate commented as they walked up the drive and the house came into view. ‘I don’t think I could ever get used to a house that size, even though our Rose seems to have. I’d keep getting lost.’

  Dusk had barely begun to fall yet lights blazed from almost every window and little coloured lanterns had been strung between the branches of the trees and shrubs. The front door stood wide open allowing glimpses of huge vases and urns of flowers in the spacious hallway. From inside the house strains of music and laughter could be heard.

  Gwen smiled and nodded. ‘Just like the old days, it is, Kate. It’s lovely to see the place looking so well again.’ She lowered her voice a little. ‘And the fact that two of her floral arrangements have pride of place in the Grand Drawing Room has made even Mrs Llewellyn-Jones quite bearable.’

  There were many people making their way towards the marquee and they were joined by Bethan and her husband. Inside on long trestle tables covered with white cloths the ‘cold collation’ – as it was officially termed – was laid out.

  ‘That looks very appetising,’ Bethan said admiringly. ‘They certainly know how to give a party. Mind you, when I was a child the old master always held a ball for the tenants every year with no expense spared either.’

  ‘And we always had a wonderful time,’ Gwen added as Bob was despatched to obtain drinks for them.

  ‘Will we see the happy couple, do you think?’ Kate enquired. She’d never been to anything like this in her life before.

  ‘Oh, definitely,’ Gwen assured her firmly.

  Half an hour later, when everyone had arrived and the entertainment was in full swing, Kate spotted Rose accompanied by three other young girls, all still in their respective uniforms. Kate waved and Rose detached herself from her companions.

  ‘Isn’t this just wonderful!’ Kate enthused, sipping a glass of sparkling wine. She had no intention of dancing but would be quite content to sit and watch and she was looking forward to the buffet.

  ‘If you think this is very grand, Mam, you should see them up at the house. Oh, the dresses and the jewellery and the gentlemen in evening suits … even we’ve got our best uniforms on.’ Rose smoothed down the black skirt of her dress and tweaked the lace edge of her white apron. ‘The house looks gorgeous too, everything polished up, flowers in every room and all the best china and crystal,’ she added. Her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks flushed from both excitement and the warmth of the evening.

  ‘We’re hoping to see the happy couple,’ Kate confided.

  ‘Miss Elinore had just gone up to fetch her silk wrap when Mrs Mathews said we could come and join in so she’ll be here any minute now,’ Rose informed them.

  Gwen turned towards the open side of the marquee. ‘You were right, Rose, luv, here they come!’

  Everyone broke into spontaneous clapping as Elinore entered, looking quite radiant. She was accompanied by her fiancé and followed by her sister, brother and two cousins.

  Rose was very surprised to see Olivia and particularly David. She’d only expected Elinore and Ernest to put in an appearance.

  ‘Oh, doesn’t she look … gorgeous! There’s just no other word for it!’ Gwen exclaimed, thinking the girl had really blossomed. She had always been the prettier of the Rhys-Pritchard sisters but tonight she was radiant. Her light brown hair had been cut in a becoming bob and was encircled by a band of shell pink silk studded with pearls. Her matching silk dress had a skirt which floated in handkerchief points and a bodice heavily embroidered with seed pearls and silver bugle beads. She wore a necklace, earrings and bracelet of pearls and her eyes shone with obvious happiness.

  ‘And doesn’t Miss Olivia look well too,’ Kate added, thinking she’d never seen dresses like these before, except perhaps in the windows of Liverpool’s most expensive and exclusive shops. Olivia’s dress was of black crêpe de Chine and silk chiffon, embroidered with gold thread and beads. She still refused to have her hair cut but it was swept up elegantly and held in place by gold pins which were decorated with sprays of delicate gold flowers with tiny jewels for centres. Rose had already seen all this finery but she concurred with her mother and Gwen, thinking that David too looked splendid and quite handsome in his black tailed evening suit and white waistcoat, shirt and bow tie. You hardly noticed the scar now, she thought and she, at least, barely noticed the wheelchair, she was so used to it.

  The minister, Bethan’s husband Owen, took it upon himself to speak for everyone and he wished Elinore and Ernest every happiness and thanked them and David and Olivia for inviting everyone to share the auspicious occasion and with such magnificent hospitality. Then, when everyone went to shake their hands and offer their personal messages of congratulation, Gwen reached over and took Kate’s arm.

  Kate hesitated. ‘Oh, do you really think I should? I mean I’m not … a tenant and I don’t live in the village. I don’t even know them and I’m not sure what to say.’

  ‘Everyone was allowed to bring a guest and you’re mine. Just wish them well,’ Gwen stated firmly, urging her friend forward.

  ‘They won’t bite, Mam. They’re really very nice,’ Rose whispered for Kate was looking very ill at ease.

  Gwen introduced her to Elinore and Ernest and Kate wished them every happiness and was thankfully turning away when Rose caught her arm.

  ‘Mam, I’d like you to meet Mr David Rhys-Pritchard. Sir, this is my mother, Mrs Kat
herine Mundy.’

  David looked up at the thin woman in the blue and white flowered cotton dress and smiled as he extended his hand. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Mrs Mundy. Rose told me you were visiting Miss Roberts. I hope you are having a pleasant evening?’

  ‘Oh, yes, indeed! It’s all quite … splendid … sir,’ Kate replied, overcome with embarrassment.

  He smiled at Rose. ‘Rose is very kind, she gives up quite a lot of her free time to read to me and we often have quite animated discussions, don’t we, Rose?’

  ‘We do, sir,’ Rose replied.

  David looked at Kate thoughtfully. ‘Would it be impertinent of me to ask does Rose take after her father?’

  Kate relaxed a little; he was a pleasant young man and it wasn’t that hard to talk to him. ‘She gets her dark hair and eyes from Bill, my late husband, but she takes after me in her … build.’ She smiled at Rose. ‘But she has her father’s nature. He was a kind, generous, hardworking and good-tempered man.’

  ‘Then she definitely has inherited those traits. How are you feeling, Mrs Mundy? I hear you haven’t been well,’ he enquired politely.

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing too serious. I’m just getting older. A few weeks here in the country will perk me up no end,’ Kate replied, thinking that considering what this poor young man had suffered and would continue to suffer for the rest of his life, she wasn’t badly off at all.

  He nodded. ‘I’m sure you will benefit from it. Now, if you will excuse me, I must thank the Reverend Williams for his short speech. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mrs Mundy. I’ll see you tomorrow, Rose.’

  Rose took her mother’s arm as they turned away and followed Gwen towards the long tables where the buffet was starting to be served. ‘You see, Mam, he’s really very nice.’

  Kate nodded. She was glad the interview was over but she hadn’t failed to notice the expression in David Rhys-Pritchard’s eyes when he’d looked at Rose. ‘He is, luv, but don’t forget who he is or that you are a paid servant in his house,’ she said quietly.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  IRIS WAS TIRED BUT she wondered if she should wait up for Charlie who had gone to Florence’s house after supper. When he was out she found it very strange being in on her own, it was very quiet even though she had the wireless set. Kate had been away for over a week now, and she missed her. She was used to seeing her mother in the kitchen when she came through from the shop and of chatting to her of the day’s events. She’d had a long letter this morning which she decided to read again while she waited for her brother to return as she’d really only scanned through it, mainly to reassure herself that Kate was well.

  She settled herself in an armchair and reread the letter, smiling to herself. Mam really seemed to be enjoying herself; she’d been tired after the journey but she’d soon recovered and both Gwen and Rose were in good form. Iris felt very relieved that her mother was well and that her sister was happy. Kate was full of both the flower show and the engagement party, which, judging from her mam’s highly detailed and enthusiastic report, sounded like a cross between a rather posh street party and a very elegant Society event. They certainly had a lavish lifestyle up at Plas Idris, quite unlike her own, she mused, although she wouldn’t have wanted to swap. Kate had loved seeing all the beautiful flowers and the marvellous fruit and vegetable exhibits at the show, particularly the spectacular floral arrangements created by someone called Mrs Llewellyn-Jones, who apparently got first prize every year but who was something of a fusspot, according to Gwen.

  Mam had met the entire Rhys-Pritchard family, including the new fiancé and the servants, or so it seemed, and Iris wished she could have seen for herself the style of the gorgeous evening dresses and expensive jewellery and the engagement ring, which according to Kate made Florence’s ring look insignificant. The food and drink that had been laid on sounded mouth-watering and very lavish.

  She was reading the final paragraph, which contained the details of a picnic that Gwen had planned, when she heard Charlie coming in the back way.

  ‘I was rereading Mam’s letter. She sounds as if she’s having a great time. What’s the matter?’ she finished, realising from his expression that something was wrong.

  ‘It’s Florence’s dad, he’s been taken into Walton Hospital, that’s why I’m home later than usual.’

  Iris was instantly concerned. ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he going to be all right? Is Florence all right?’

  Charlie took off his jacket, sat down opposite her and ran his hands through his hair. It had been a very worrying evening. ‘When I arrived there was utter panic. He’d collapsed, Florence was in tears and her mam was half out of her mind with worry, but she’d telephoned for the doctor and when he arrived he sent for an ambulance straight away.’

  Iris’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, my God! What’s wrong with him?’

  ‘He’d complained of not feeling well, he had pains in his chest, then he collapsed. The doctor at the hospital said he’s had a heart attack but that he was now “stable” – whatever that means – but they’re keeping him in, so by the time I got Mrs Taylor and Florence home and calmed them down a bit …’ He stood up, crossed to the dresser and took out the half-bottle of brandy Kate kept there for emergencies. He poured a small amount into a glass.

  ‘But he is going to get better?’ Iris was forcefully reminded of the terrible foreboding she had experienced that awful day when her da had been taken to hospital. No wonder Florence had been in tears; it must have been an ordeal for her friend.

  Charlie nodded as he took a swig of the brandy. ‘They’re going to keep a close eye on him but they think he’ll be all right as long as he has complete rest and takes the tablets they’re giving him. He’s not going to be able to do anything, and I mean anything, for quite a while and he’s not to be worried or get upset over anything either.’

  ‘But they will let him go home soon?’

  Charlie nodded. ‘When they feel he is well enough.’

  Iris bit her lip. ‘Do you think we should let Mam know?’ she asked.

  ‘No. There’s nothing she can do, is there? And she’ll only start to worry about Florence. But now that both Florence and her mother have calmed down they’ll be fine. No, leave Mam to enjoy herself.’

  ‘It’s half-day closing tomorrow, I’ll go and see Florence,’ Iris offered, getting up to put the kettle on.

  ‘She’ll appreciate that; she’s not going into work tomorrow. She’ll telephone them in the morning.’ Charlie paused. He was feeling calmer himself now but Edward Taylor’s predicament had presented him with some problems. ‘There is something I have to discuss with you, Iris, before you go to see Florence.’

  She frowned. ‘What?’

  ‘Mr Taylor’s business – it’s not going to run itself.’

  Iris was outraged. ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Charlie! Don’t you ever think of anything other than business? The poor man is lying ill in hospital!’

  ‘And if I know him he’ll be worrying about his business and that’s not going to help him get better, is it?’ Charlie retorted.

  Iris had to agree with this and she nodded slowly.

  ‘So, what I’m going to suggest to Mrs Taylor is that I take over the business until he’s back on his feet again. I know enough about it now to keep things ticking over nicely.’ Charlie had thought all this through on the way home on the tram.

  ‘You’ll have to close up the shop, I can’t manage both businesses.’

  Charlie hesitated, wondering how she would take his next suggestion. ‘I know you can’t, Iris, but I was wondering if Tom Morrissey would stand in for me for a few weeks?’

  ‘Tom? But he already has a job,’ Iris protested.

  ‘He starts very early and finishes early, Iris. He needn’t open up until mid-morning,’ Charlie reminded her.

  ‘But he knows nothing about pawnbroking.’

  ‘And you knew nothing about greengrocery but you soon learned. I’ll go over everything wi
th him and he’s no fool.’

  Iris was considering this. ‘We can’t ask him to do it for nothing, Charlie.’

  ‘I don’t intend to but I can only afford to pay him the rate he gets now.’

  That wasn’t very much, Iris thought, but she was thinking of Florence’s father’s health and her friend’s peace of mind. ‘I’ll ask him in the morning.’

  ‘You will impress upon him how important it is for Florence’s father and that it will only be a temporary arrangement? He’ll be getting paid and doing us all a great favour at the same time,’ Charlie urged.

  But mainly you, Iris thought. Her brother had obviously worked all this out. He wasn’t prepared to close his shop and lose business but he also intended to make sure that Edward Taylor’s business didn’t suffer either and she was certain that both Mrs Taylor and Florence would be greatly impressed by this show of consideration on Charlie’s part. Still, for Florence’s sake she’d ask Tom.

  She asked him next morning and was surprised and somewhat relieved when he agreed, saying it would be an interesting experience and the extra cash would come in very handy.

  ‘It’s not going to be a fortune, Tom, in fact it’s just buttons,’ she reminded him as he went through to the kitchen to see her brother.

  When she arrived at Cedar Grove after lunch that afternoon she found Florence pale and still a little tearful.