by Kitty Neale
The journey seemed endless; the sound of the wheels riding over the tracks was making Andrew sleepy and he began to doze. Hunger eventually drove him to the dining car, and as he ate, he gazed at the passing scenery, his thoughts continually turning to those he’d left behind.
At last they reached Edinburgh, and leaving the train Andrew grabbed a taxi, sinking back in the seat with a sigh. He looked out of the window, and as the rolling countryside came into view, his heart lifted. He was home.
The house felt damp and empty as he walked in and there was no one to greet him. However, the furniture shone and he eyed it with appreciation, pleased that his cleaner had kept the place up to scratch.
Leaving the hall he went into the large reception room, finding that after the small cramped house in Candle Lane, his home seemed enormous.
Andrew walked over to the telephone, dialled his parents’ number and told them that he’d be round to see them soon.
‘Hello son,’ his mother said, when he walked in an hour later. ‘You look tired. Did . . . did our flowers arrive for the funeral?’
‘Yes, and they were lovely.’ He saw his mother’s eyes fill with tears, and going to her side, he took her hand.
‘Oh, Andrew, I can’t believe I’ll never see my daughter again.’
‘Now don’t get upset again,’ Duncan Munro cajoled. She dabbed at her eyes, then said, ‘And . . . and Laura’s son?’
‘He’s a fine boy, Mother, and as bright as a button.’ The tears began to run down her cheeks. ‘He’s our grandson, but we’ve never seen him.’
‘That can be remedied. I’m sure he’d love a holiday in Scotland.’
Duncan Munro cleared his throat, his voice husky. ‘Donald rang earlier, and when I told him you were coming to see us, he said he’d pop round too.’
As if on cue, the doorbell rang, and Andrew went to answer it. ‘Hello son. Any sign of my grandchild yet?’
‘No, Dad. I think he’s so comfortable in there that he doesn’t want to come out.’
‘Oh, it’s a boy, is it?’
‘I hope so, but then again,’ he mused, ‘a girl might be nice.’
As they walked into the sitting room, Andrew saw that his mother was dabbing her eyes. He wanted to tell them, to get it over with, but would the shock be too much for her? She brightened when she saw Donald, and it was then that Andrew made up his mind. ‘I’m glad you came round, son. I have something to tell you all, and I might as well do it now.’
‘You sound a bit ominous, Dad. Is it bad news?’
‘I hope not, son.’
Donald looked puzzled but sat down, and after a pause Andrew began to speak, doing his best to be brief. There was a gasp from his mother, a grunt of annoyance from his father, and Andrew found he couldn’t look at his son. It sounded terrible, he knew that. A wartime affair, a child he didn’t know he had, and now a granddaughter too.
The room was hushed as he finished speaking, but then his father’s voice broke the silence. ‘And you’re telling us that Laura lived next door to this . . . this woman!’
‘Ruth, Father. Her name is Ruth.’
‘Oh, Andrew,’ his mother gasped. ‘I can’t believe you did such a terrible thing.’
‘It was a wartime affair and those were extraordinary times. I was very young, away from my family for the first time, and well . . . it happened.’
‘Humph,’ his father grunted. ‘You were a married man, and Donald here must have been just a baby. You should be ashamed of yourself.’
‘I’m certainly not proud, but on finding I have a beautiful daughter and granddaughter, I can’t regret it either.’
‘Dad,’ Donald said, speaking for the first time, ‘this means I have a half-sister.’
Andrew braced himself and turned to look at his son. He dreaded the censure he would see in his eyes, but to his surprise Donald was smiling. ‘Yes, it does, and as I said, her name is Sally. I . . . I’m sorry, son.’
‘Dad, you don’t have to apologise to me. I loved my mum, but I knew you weren’t happy.’
‘Did you? I thought I hid it from you.’
‘I know you tried, but I’m not blind. Anyway, you and Mum had separate rooms so it didn’t take much working out. I also heard her talking to a friend once and she was making it plain that she found that side of marriage distasteful.’
‘Donald!’ Jane Munro snapped. ‘I don’t think this is a subject for the drawing room.’
‘Oh, Grandmother, this is the nineteen sixties.’
‘Nevertheless, these things should not be spoken of so openly.’
‘All right, I’m sorry,’ Donald said, then turning to Andrew and asking eagerly, ‘Can I meet her, Dad?’
‘Meet who?’ Andrew asked.
‘My sister.’
‘Err . . . yes, I suppose so. Perhaps when I next go to London you could come with me.’
‘If I can get away I’d like that, but in the meantime, tell me about her.’
‘Well, like me, she has red hair, but facially she’s a mirror image of your grandmother, and also has her healing gifts.’
‘Does she?’ Jane Munro said, her face softening. ‘And – and her daughter?’
‘Angel has red hair too, and again there’s a resemblance to you.’
‘Angel! What a strange name.’
‘It’s Angela really, but everyone shortens it,’ Andrew said, smiling as he thought about his granddaughter. ‘She’s a little tomboy, but adorable with it.’
He saw his mother’s eyes fill with tears again and with a small sob she said, ‘If I have learned anything from Laura’s death, it’s that I was an unforgiving fool. I cut her out of my life, and now it breaks my heart to know I’ll never see her again. Don’t lose touch with your daughter, Andrew. See her as often as you can and perhaps bring her to Scotland to see us. I . . . I’d love to meet her.’
‘Things are a little difficult for Sally. She cares for her elderly grandmother and has little freedom, but don’t worry, I’ll find a way.’
His mother suddenly paled and Duncan Munro rose to his feet, shuffling to her side. ‘I’m sorry, but I think your mother needs to rest.’
‘Yes, come on, Dad,’ Donald said. ‘This has all been a bit of a shock for them and it’s time we left.’
Andrew nodded, once again appreciating his son’s maturity and common sense. His parents were elderly, and of course they were shocked, but they had taken it better than he’d expected.
‘How about coming round to dinner tomorrow night, Dad? Maureen would love to see you.’
‘Yes, I’d love to,’ and as they parted, Andrew wondered how much longer it would be before his daughter-in-law gave birth to the baby.
In Candle Lane the following morning, Nelly Cox was almost ready to leave, and now bustled along to number five to say goodbye.
‘Oh, Nelly, are you sure you’re doing the right thing?’ Ruth asked. ‘The council might have offered you something other than a tower block.’
‘Yeah, maybe, but it still wouldn’t be the same. I’d be living amongst strangers, and to be honest, I can’t face it. At least in Osborne House I’ll be amongst people of me own age, and they lay on a lot of activities.’
‘We’re going to miss you, Nelly,’ Sally said, flinging an arm around the chubby old lady.
‘I thought you said you’d come to see me.’
‘We all will, won’t we, Mum?’
‘Definitely,’ Ruth said.
‘I’ll come even if they have to carry me,’ Sadie said, sniffing as though close to tears.
‘That’s good, and you had better keep me up with the gossip,’ Nelly said, her face strained and it was obvious that she too was fighting tears. ‘I’d best be off. I thought I’d leave in style so a taxi is coming to pick me up.’
‘What about the few bits you’re taking with you?’
‘They’re already gone. That nice young chap at number twenty offered to take them in his van.’
‘Oh, that was
good of him,’ Sadie said. ‘Yeah, some of the newcomers to the lane ain’t too bad.’
‘Newcomers!’ Ruth protested. ‘They’ve been living here for five years.’
‘That still makes them new,’ Sadie said.
The two old ladies gave each other a watery smile, and as Nelly turned to leave, Sadie croaked, ‘Take care, love.’
Ruth hugged her, and then Sally did the same, feeling a sense of unreality. It didn’t seem possible that Nelly Cox was leaving. She had been a part of their lives for so long, and always ready to lend a hand to anyone in trouble.
‘Please, don’t see me out. It’d be my undoing,’ Nelly begged.
‘All right,’ Ruth choked.
Nelly threw one last look at them and then closed the door behind her, and as Sally let the tears flow, it was as though a chapter had closed on their lives.
In Scotland, during the rest of the week, Andrew threw himself into his work. He dreaded going home, finding the house empty and unwelcoming, something he hadn’t noticed before his trip to London. For the first time since his wife’s death he found himself lonely, his thoughts revolving around Ruth, his daughter, granddaughter and Tommy.
He saw his parents frequently and had dinner with Donald and Maureen again, his daughter-in-law impatient for the baby to be born. She was huge and walked around with her hand permanently cradling the small of her back, amused when he suggested a run round the block to start things off.
On Thursday evening, over a week since his return, Andrew rang London. Ruth answered the phone and sounded pleased to hear from him. ‘How are you?’ he asked.
‘Fine, we all are – well, except for Denis that is.’
‘What’s the matter with him?’
‘He’s drinking heavily and is hardly home.’
‘But what about Tommy?’ Andrew asked worriedly.
‘Don’t worry. He spends nearly all his time with us. In fact, if I can catch Denis when he’s sober, I’m going to suggest that we have Tommy permanently.’
‘Ruth, that’s good of you, but now you really must let me help financially. I doubt you’ll get anything from Denis for his keep.’
‘There’s no need. He’s only one small boy and will hardly eat us out of house and home.’
‘Why do you have to be so stubborn? Tommy is my nephew and I want to help.’
‘I’ll think about it.’
Andrew sighed, knowing it would be a waste of time to push her. Even so he would see that he provided something towards Tommy’s upkeep and now asked, ‘Have you heard anything from the council about re-housing?’
‘No, not yet, but I doubt it’ll be long.’
‘I just hope you get offered something decent.’
‘So do I, but tell me, Andrew, how did your family take it when you told them about us?’
‘At first they were upset about our affair, but they came round, and I know they’d love to meet Sally, Angel and Tommy. Maybe they could come up here during the school holidays.’
Ruth was quiet for a moment, but then said, ‘Yes, I’m sure they’d love that.’
They continued to chat, but Andrew could sense something different in Ruth’s tone and after a while he reluctantly said goodbye.
With a heavy sigh he went to his study, picked up a folder and began to prepare a client’s overdue structural report. With pen poised, Andrew tried to concentrate, but found his thoughts going back to Ruth.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Andrew kept at it, and by the time another week had passed, he had begun to catch up on his work. He’d spoken to Ruth on the telephone again, and then Sally, inviting her to Scotland to meet his family when Angel and Tommy broke up from school.
It hadn’t been easy to arrange, Sally saying she couldn’t leave her gran, but then he’d spoken to Ruth again and she’d agreed to take a week’s holiday from work to look after Sadie. A date had been set for the first week in August, less than a month away, and he couldn’t wait. And it seemed his parents couldn’t either. When he’d told them they were thrilled.
Andrew flexed his arms, and stretched his back, feeling the stiffness easing. He’d had a lot to do since returning to Scotland and could do with a break, but then his secretary put another call through.
‘Dad, it’s a boy!’ Donald cried.
Andrew could hear the excitement in his son’s voice and grinned. ‘That’s wonderful, and is Maureen all right?’
‘Yes, she’s fine.’
‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
Andrew shouted a hurried explanation to his secretary before running out of the office. The hospital wasn’t far away and he was soon in the maternity ward, staring down at a bonny, bouncing boy who had weighed in at nearly eight pounds.
His eyes grew moist as he looked at his new grandson. He had a shock of red hair, a screwed-up little face, and both parents were bubbling with happiness. ‘Well, son, what are you calling him?’
‘He’s to be Andrew Duncan Munro, after you and Grandfather.’
‘Thank you,’ Andrew choked, his voice thick with emotion. ‘Well, Dad, there’s nothing to keep you here now. Your grandson finally decided to come into the world, and as you can see, he’s a healthy wee lad.’
‘What do you mean?’
Maureen smiled gently. ‘Every time you’ve been to us for dinner, you have talked non-stop about Ruth.’
‘Have I? I wasn’t aware of it.’
‘You’ve told us that she’s a fine woman, warm and caring, not to mention attractive.’
‘So what are you waiting for?’ Donald asked.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Dad, I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone, rattling round in that great empty house. We can tell you’re fond of Ruth, maybe more than fond. If she feels the same about you, why don’t you marry her?’
‘Marry her! Oh son, I don’t know about that.’
‘Don’t let your marriage to Mum ruin the rest of your life. You deserve a bit of happiness.’
Yes, Andrew thought, he was fond of Ruth, but shook his head at the thought of marriage. ‘It’s too soon, and we hardly know each other.’
‘Then go back to London and get to know her better.’
‘I can’t do that. I still have work to do, and anyway, Sally will be coming to Scotland with Angel and Tommy soon.’
‘Yes, Sally, Angel and Tommy, but what about Ruth? She must feel left out.’
‘She has to stay behind to look after her mother, but maybe I’ll invite her at a later date.’
Donald laid a hand on his arm. ‘Dad, you have a way of letting things slide, of burying yourself in work. If you leave it too long, Ruth will think you aren’t interested, and if she’s as attractive as you’ve told us, you could lose her to someone else.’
‘Donald’s right,’ Maureen said. ‘Work can wait. Your heart can’t.’
Andrew gazed at his grandson, a fine sturdy lad who would grow up in clean, fresh air. He thought about Angel, his lovely little granddaughter, living in totally different conditions, and it was then that he made up his mind. If he married Ruth it could solve all of their problems, and surely fondness was something to build on? ‘Yes, you’re right. I’ll go back to London tomorrow.’
‘And will you ask Ruth to marry you?’ Donald asked.
‘I think so, but she may say no.’
‘I doubt it, Dad, but you won’t know unless you ask.’
Andrew bent down to plant a kiss on his grandson’s head. ‘Have you spoken to your grandparents?’
‘Yes, after ringing you. They’re as pleased as punch to have a great-grandson, and don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on them whilst you’re away.’
‘Thanks son, and now that you’ve both sorted out my life, I’d best be off. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
Andrew hugged both happy parents, and then almost ran from the hospital. It was already four o’clock, but with any luck, he’d be in London by tomorrow evening.
On Friday evening, Ruth’s face was a picture when she opened the door. ‘Andrew!’
‘Aren’t you going to invite me in?’
‘Yes, of course, but why didn’t you let us know you were coming?’
‘It was a last minute decision and I thought I’d surprise you.’
Andrew found his heart thumping. Now that he was face to face with Ruth again, he began to recognise his feelings. Yet surely it was too soon to know? She smiled at him and his stomach flipped. There was no denying it. He wasn’t just fond of her – he loved her, and prayed she felt the same.
‘Dad!’ Sally cried, as he walked into the kitchen. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’ve come to see you of course, but first I want to speak to your mother. Ruth, will you come out to dinner?’
‘But you’ve only just arrived.’
‘I know, but I have something important I want to talk to you about, and it can’t wait.’
‘Is something wrong?’ she asked worriedly.
‘No, nothing at all,’ he said, smiling softly.
‘Oh, Dad, Angel’s going to be thrilled to see you,’ Sally cried. ‘She hasn’t stopped talking about you since you left and is so looking forward to our holiday. We didn’t expect to see you before then. How long are you staying?’
‘I’m not sure, but I hope Denis can put me up again.’
Ruth frowned. ‘You’d be better off on our sofa. As I told you on the telephone, Denis is drinking heavily and rolls home at all hours. Nine times out of ten, Tommy sleeps here, and that suits me fine.’
Andrew fought to control his annoyance. There’d be enough time later to sort Denis out, but for now he had other things on his mind. ‘Well, Ruth,’ he said, ‘will you come out to dinner?’
‘Yes, but give me five minutes to get ready.’
‘You look fine as you are.’
‘At least let me put a bit of powder and lipstick on.’
Ruth was digging in her handbag for her compact, whilst Andrew turned to Sally. ‘My daughter-in-law just gave birth to a bonny wee boy.’
As comprehension dawned, Sally’s face filled with light. ‘That means I’m an auntie.’
