‘I’m fine,’ Molly insisted.
He surprised her by saying, ‘If you’re wanting to do sewing work from home instead of what you’re doing now, I’m sure Mrs Arkwright could find you something.’ He turned to the woman. ‘My uncle would have recommended Molly. Her embroidery really is exquisite.’
‘I’ll see what I can do, Mr Collins.’
They left the room and walked towards his office. Suddenly she wanted to be away, apprehensive of what he might say when they were alone. ‘This baby,’ he began.
‘I know what you’re going to say,’ she said swiftly. ‘And, yes, it could be. But how am I to know? In the meantime there’s Frank, and as I told you before, if he ever suspected there had been anything between us, there’d be real trouble.’
‘I don’t want to cause you trouble.’
‘Then best forget this baby could be yours.’ She fiddled with her handbag. ‘I should never have told you. I don’t know why I did.’
‘Well, you did and I can’t forget it. If it’s a boy—’
‘Don’t you start,’ said Molly, exasperated all of a sudden. ‘Frank’s bad enough, going on about a son. I should never have come here.’
‘But you did.’ Nathan seized her hand and raised it to his lips. He gazed into her eyes. ‘I want you, Moll, but I won’t pester you. I don’t want you getting hurt. Don’t cut me out of your thoughts. I think we belong together and one day—’
The door to his office opened and his secretary stood there. ‘I thought I heard your voice, sir. There’s a letter here I need your help with.’
‘One minute.’ His tone was abrupt.
‘I’ll go,’ said Molly, dragging her hand from his. ‘It’s been really interesting, Mr Collins. Goodbye.’
‘I’ll see you get that certificate,’ he called after her.
She raised a hand in acknowledgement but did not look back.
Chapter Eight
‘Belong together… one day be together,’ muttered Molly under her breath, entering the refreshment house in a rush, having walked round town to rid herself of some of the tension inside her. Now she was hoping to reach her room without having to talk to anyone. The only way for Nathan and me to be together is for Frank to be dead again, she thought, and she couldn’t wish him dead. It’d be wrong. Besides she still felt something for him.
‘Molly!’
She glanced about her and was more than surprised to spot Frank’s sister Cath sitting at one of the tables. She waved Molly over.
‘What are you doing here?’ she said warily.
Cath flicked back her dark red hair and gazed at her from amused green eyes. ‘We had a letter from our Frank and Ma thought it was time one of us popped round to check up on you.’
‘Why? What does she think I’m up to?’ said Molly, annoyed.
‘Don’t ask me. I just do as I’m told,’ said Cath, leaning on her elbow, chin in her hand. ‘I’m fed up of it actually. So how’s tricks?’
‘OK. I’m sure Frank’s told your ma everything I’m up to, so if you don’t mind I’ve got things to do. Tarrah!’
‘Hang on!’ Cath sprang to her feet. ‘I made the effort to come here. The least you can do is talk to me.’
Molly eyed her up and down. ‘What do you want me to say?’
‘You could ask why I’m fed up.’
‘Who’s fed up?’ said a male voice.
Both of them spun round. Jimmy closed the door. He held a brown envelope in his hand.
‘None of your business,’ said Molly. ‘What do you want?’
‘Who’s this?’ said Cath, smiling. ‘Introduce us, Moll.’
The last thing she wanted was any of Frank’s family knowing her business. ‘Why can’t you take a great big hint and go, Cath?’
‘This place is open to the public, isn’t it?’ said Jimmy, returning Cath’s smile. ‘We don’t really need someone introducing us. How about a cup of tea, luv?’
‘Got one. But I don’t mind your joining us at our table.’ She held out her hand. ‘I’m Cath Payne, Moll’s sister-in-law. Not that she wants to let on we’re related.’
‘Why are you here, Jimmy?’ said Molly, getting in between them.
‘Boss sent me with this for you.’ He held out the large brown envelope.
‘Thanks. You can go now.’
‘I’m in no hurry.’ He stepped round her to shake Cath’s hand.
Molly hesitated, trying to think of something cutting, and Maggie Block called her over. By the time she returned Jimmy and Cath had disappeared. Damn and blast! she thought, wanting to smash something. She could only hope Jimmy would keep his mouth shut about Nathan and her connection with the factory.
* * *
Molly kicked off her boots and wriggled out of her apron and frock before crawling beneath the bedcovers. How she wished she had Nathan to cuddle up to! But that was like wishing for the moon. The weather was freezing and so many people were seeking shelter in the steamy warmth of the refreshment house that she was rushed off her feet. She would be glad to give the job up, had in fact given in her notice. Fortune had smiled on her in the last week in the form of a dividend payment. She had not expected to benefit so soon from her role of shareholder and was delighted.
Tomorrow she planned on visiting Mrs McNally’s landlord. A house had come empty in Ascot Street, the previous tenants having done a moonlight flit. Molly was impatient to get the key and see over the house. She needed to move in and get settled and to plan her confinement. She felt a quickening and placed her hand over her belly. She was strangely convinced she was carrying a boy this time. But the only positive thing she felt about his parentage was that she was the mother and the last thing she needed was Nathan putting in a claim for this child when he already had her daughter.
The following morning she walked down Ascot Street with the key to the house in her pocket. It came as something of a surprise to find Doris scrubbing her mother’s front step. ‘What on earth are you doing here at this time of day? I’m supposed to be visiting you and Jessica later, remember?’
‘Well, yer won’t be visiting me at Blundellsands no more.’ There was a smouldering expression on Doris’s face and she folded her arms across her chest. ‘I quit.’
‘Quit? But you can’t quit!’ Molly was dumbfounded. ‘What about Jessica?’
She sniffed. ‘That’s your problem, Moll. I’ve stood enough from that woman.’
‘But how am I going to get to see her?’
‘Don’t ask me. I don’t know why yer can’t just let her go. Yer having another baby. Put all yer luv into this one.’
Molly closed her eyes tightly and counted to ten before opening them again and glaring at Doris. ‘You don’t understand! You never will unless you have a child of your own. You don’t know how it hurts, not having her with me.’ The words caught in her throat.
Doris was unperturbed. ‘I understand yer only thinking of yerself. Yer’d be best putting her out of yer mind altogether and accepting you caused this to happen. Now yer’ve given Mr Collins somebody to love, yer’ve got to let her belong to him properly.’
‘I’ve done that! But—’
‘Yer haven’t. Or there’d be no buts.’
‘Well, there are,’ said Molly irritably. ‘What was Nathan thinking of, letting you go?’
‘In Leeds on business, isn’t he? Lady Muck’s in charge.’
‘Oh, Lord, I’ve got to do something. The woman’s mad!’ She clenched her fists, the door key to her new home digging into her palm.
‘Don’t be daft! She’s just a bad-tempered, jealous old cow.’ Doris got to her feet. ‘Anyway, he’ll be back today. He’ll sort things out.’
‘Perhaps I should go there?’ Molly gnawed on her lower lip.
‘Oh, no, yer shouldn’t. What if your husband…?’ Doris paused abruptly before adding, ‘And speaking of husbands, there’s a bloke just turned the corner who looks just like that photograph you showed me of your Frank.’
Molly whirled round. It was Frank. She realised there was no chance now of her going to Blundellsands.
He came running, lifting her off her feet and swinging her round and round before kissing her. When he set her down on the pavement Molly’s head was spinning. She clung to the front of his navy blue reefer coat until the world steadied. His eyes searched her face as he smoothed back loose tendrils of her hair. ‘Maggie Block told me about the house. She didn’t say you looked peaky, though, and that you’d lost weight.’
‘I haven’t lost weight,’ said Molly, collecting her wits and forcing a smile.
‘He’s not a bad looker,’ said Doris, gazing at the pair of them. ‘Introduce us, Moll.’
She did so.
‘Nice to meet you.’ Frank gave Doris a brief nod as he took Molly’s hand. ‘Let’s be going, luv. We’ve a lot to discuss.’
‘You couldn’t have chosen a better time to come home,’ she said, as he drew her away from Doris. ‘I’ve got the key and I’m just on my way to see a house.’
‘That’s good. So how have you been?’
‘Fine,’ she said brightly, in a dreamlike state. ‘I can scarcely believe you’re home at last. Sure you’re not a ghost?’ She felt all the way down his arm.
He grinned. ‘You’re crazy! I know it’s been a long trip but it’s really me, alive and well, and I can’t wait to get you alone.’ Immediately she felt on edge, yet it was no more than she’d expected of him. ‘Well, we’ll be able to be alone, won’t we?’ she said, switching on a smile. ‘Our own little house, Frank. A parlour house. We’re lucky to get it.’
‘I’ll decide that once we’re inside.’
She said no more but waited until she’d put the key in the door and stepped over the threshold.
‘Needs some work on it,’ said Frank, standing in the middle of the kitchen with his arm round her waist.
Molly gazed at the grubby walls and filthy black grate and her heart misgave her. ‘There’s nothing wrong that a good scrub and a coat of paint won’t cure,’ she said firmly. ‘At least we’ve our own lavatory and running water. There’s courts not ten minutes from here with only two lavs and a stand pipe between the lot of them.’
His brow creased. ‘That’s the trouble. What are we doing living round here, Moll? I’m sure we can get better.’
‘We will one day,’ she said swiftly. ‘But this’ll do us for now. I’ve got to know people and there’s lots going on – and we’re not far from town.’
He didn’t look convinced. ‘What’s the rent?’
She had paid a month’s rent in advance and it had taken all her dividend money. ‘Nothing for you to worry about. It’s paid,’ she said lightly, reluctant to tell him about being a shareholder.
‘How? You haven’t been near Ma to borrow money from her and you’ve shamed me by working at Block’s for your keep.’
‘Shamed?’ cried Molly, and would have said more but the expression on his face silenced her.
‘I thought you’d have come to your senses and gone to Ma – but not you.’
‘No, not me,’ said Molly, trying to smile and keep things light. She knew he barely had his anger under control by the nervous tic that beat at the corner of his left eye.
‘If you’ve got yourself into debt with some moneylender then tell me now,’ he said, tight-lipped.
‘I haven’t.’ Molly paused and with reluctance said, ‘To tell you the truth, I was left money by Mr Barnes in his will.’
He stared at her and said incredulously, ‘You mean – the man who owned that house where you were a nursemaid?’
‘Yes. He died a short while back. He used to like to talk to me. Knew my mother when he was young.’
‘Why didn’t you mention it in your letters?’
‘It wasn’t that long ago.’
He was silent for what felt a long time. She held her breath until eventually he said, ‘Did that Doris get money as well?’
‘Yes.’
‘OK, I believe you. Have you any of it left?’
She breathed the easier. ‘I paid a whole month’s rent and it took all of it. But now we’ve got this house we’re going to need furniture.’
‘I take it you haven’t any other money tucked away?’
Molly thought of the sovereigns. ‘No.’ She linked her arm through his, relieved he hadn’t blown his top. ‘I’m hoping you’ve got some, though.’
He smiled. ‘I’m quids in at the moment. We’ll have a night out on the town tonight. A show and a nice little supper somewhere, just the two of us.’
She decided that now was the time to tell him about the baby. ‘Three of us, Frank.’
‘Three?’ He frowned.
‘I’m having a baby.’
His expression immediately changed and he pulled her into his arms. ‘Why didn’t you tell me straight away, luv?’ His eyes shone.
She laughed. ‘You didn’t give me a chance! Too busy telling me off.’
‘Well, now I know, I won’t have you slaving away and losing this baby.’
‘I’ve already given in my notice.’
‘Now you’re showing sense.’ He kissed her. ‘You’ve no objection, I hope, to my telling Ma?’
‘I’d rather you didn’t right away,’ she said easily. ‘She’ll only start fussing me and that’ll drive me mad.’
‘But she’ll be over the moon.’
Molly managed to resist saying, Going there on her broomstick, is she? ‘I’m not saying not to tell her. Just let it be our little secret a bit longer,’ she said persuasively. ‘Until after Christmas. Let’s get this place sorted out first. It isn’t fit for anyone to call until I’ve brushed and scrubbed, and blackleaded the grate with Zebo. We’ll need to order coal, too – and get a decent bed. Then we’ll be snug as two bugs in a rug.’
‘So we’re just having a bed, are we?’ he teased, putting his arm round her waist. ‘I’m glad you’ve your priorities right, Moll.’ She flushed. ‘You know what I mean.’
‘Yeah, I know what you mean. Let’s find some better lodgings while we sort this place out. You deserve a treat.’
And so I do, she thought. But if you knew everything I’d been up to while you were away, you wouldn’t think so.
Much to Molly’s amazement they went to the Compton Hotel opposite St Peter’s in Church Street. ‘I thought your pay was lousy,’ she whispered, sitting on the double bed which felt as if it was packed with feathers, watching Frank unpack his things.
‘It is. But with its being a long trip I managed to make extra money cutting the crew’s hair and shaving those who didn’t want to grow beards. It mounts up. I bought you this.’ He dragged a tissue-wrapped parcel from his canvas bag.
She unwrapped it slowly to reveal a jade green dress. She stood up to hold it against herself. It had a mandarin collar and there were slits up both side of the straight skirt. On the bodice was embroidered a long dragon.
‘It’s silk,’ he said with a pleased smile, watching her.
‘It’s so soft.’ Molly held it against her cheek, revelling in the feel of the material. ‘I must try it on.’
‘You’re not very big.’ He frowned.
Her stomach turned over with sudden fear. ‘I’ve been working hard, Frank. It’s due in May.’
‘Right. You must feed yourself proper.’
‘I will now you’ve got money to give me while you’re at sea. I had to work, Frank – I couldn’t be beholden to your ma.’
‘OK, OK, let’s forget that now.’ He helped her with the buttons on her blouse and no sooner was she undressed than he had her on the bed. She thought of Nathan while he had his way, although she knew she shouldn’t. What did the Bible say? It was sinful even to look at someone with lust in your eyes.
Afterwards she put on the dress and gazed at her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. ‘I like myself in this,’ she said, lifting her hair and twisting it into a knot on top of her head.
‘I wish you’d leave your hair down. It’s pret
ty.’
She dropped her arms and the red-gold tresses rippled down her back. She had to keep him happy and free from suspicion. ‘If that’s what you want.’
He came up behind her, wrapping his arms round her. ‘We’ll go to the Empire and after the show have supper in Connelly’s Oyster Bar. You’ll wear the dress.’
‘Of course. Although, it’s very daring, Frank, with these slits up the side.’ She was four and half months pregnant but hardly showing.
‘You wouldn’t be able to walk in it without the slits. You’ll start a new fashion.’
Maybe. Who knows? she thought, imagining designing her own clothes.
‘I bought you something else, too.’ He lifted his canvas bag on to his knee and delved into its depths. ‘Two things actually.’ He flourished a fan, holding it up to his face and fluttering his eyelashes at her over the top. She could not help smiling, he looked so funny. She took it from him, batting her eyelids at him and practising closing and opening it.
‘It’s only made of paper and black lacquered wood,’ he said. ‘Didn’t cost much.’
‘I like it,’ she said, fanning herself ‘What’s my other present?’
‘It’s for the house.’ He drew out another tissue-wrapped parcel. She unwrapped it to reveal a china vase with a bearded man in long robes painted on it.
Molly inspected him carefully. ‘I like it. He looks friendly and wise.’
Frank took the vase from her and placed it on the dressing table. ‘And there’s one more thing I’ve got you.’
She shook her head at him, feeling terribly guilty. ‘You shouldn’t spoil me. I’m not worth it,’ she said seriously.
‘Of course you’re not but you’re the only wife I’ve got.’ He sounded cheerful about that and she felt even worse. From the very bottom of the bag he drew out a pair of embroidered slippers. ‘They bind women’s feet in China, you know. They shuffle along as if they’re crippled. It makes me sick thinking about it but these should fit you.’
They did. And of course went perfectly with the dress.
Another Man's Child Page 14
