Another Man's Child

by Another Man's Child (retail) (epub)

  One day there was to be a Fletcher gathering at one of Jack’s sons’ homes. Molly was invited but as it was the day of the Sunday School outing to Southport and she had to have George at the meeting place round about the same time she excused herself. After seeing him off, she decided to pick some flowers and visit Nanna’s grave.

  It was peaceful as she walked along the path with only the sounds of birdsong and the breeze swaying the branches of trees. She placed the wild flowers on the grave then stood a moment, remembering, before making her way to that other grave where the real Jessica was buried. It came as something of a shock to find Nathan there and immediately her heart beat accelerated.

  Even though the turf softened her footsteps he must have heard her because he turned and smiled, not looking the least bit surprised to see her. ‘Hello, Moll. Why did you run away again? I told you if you ever needed help you were to come to me.’

  ‘You were in Leeds.’ Her voice shook. ‘Besides it was impossible. You must know what people were saying about us?’

  ‘I’m sorry you were put through all that. I should have ignored you at the wedding but I couldn’t. I was too damn’ glad to see you.’

  She understood. Hadn’t she felt the same? ‘How did you know I was here? Or is it purely coincidence and you’re visiting your first wife’s grave?’

  His eyes gleamed and he dug his hands into his pockets. ‘A bit of bribery. I couldn’t get anything out of that sister-in-law of yours but now she and Jimmy are having a baby and have moved into his mother’s street, I decided to see what I could get out of him by offering him a better position with a rise in wages.’

  She could not help smiling. ‘You’re devious! Everything all right at the factory then?’

  ‘If you mean, have things blown over, yes.’ He rested one hand on top of his wife’s gravestone. ‘Although I had a sticky interview with a couple of clergymen. But I repented of my sins and seeing as how I appeared to be living amiably with my wife and hadn’t run off with you, I’ve been forgiven.’

  ‘So you and Charlotte are getting—’ She did not finish the sentence, aware that they were being watched. It was Em visiting one of the other graves and fright churned Molly’s stomach. ‘I-I’ll have to go,’ she stammered and began to make her way to the gate.

  Immediately Nathan followed her and suddenly Em was there as well. ‘Moll! Mr Collins, how nice to see you. Is all well with you and the little girl? We heard you’d married again?’

  ‘Everything’s fine, thanks,’ he said politely.

  Molly could see he had no idea who Em was and wanted to tug on his sleeve and get him away quickly before she said something that would remind him of those sad days.

  ‘Any children?’ said Em.

  He glanced at Molly. ‘A son,’ he said.

  She wished one of the graves would open up and swallow her. How could he be so bold! If Em had known he was married, she must be getting her information from somewhere! Perhaps she’d find out that Nathan had no children with his wife. She might put two and two together now she’d seen them in each other’s company and then the Lord only knew she might feel it her Christian duty to denounce Molly to the church. ‘I’ll have to go,’ she muttered, and hurried through the gateway.

  Nathan caught up with her and took hold of her arm. ‘What’s frightened you, Molly?’

  She looked back and saw there was no sign of Em now. Was the woman a witch to vanish just like that? She had given Molly a terrible fright. Perhaps she was being irrational? Why should Em bother checking up on them at all? Her life had nothing to do with theirs. Even so the sight of the woman made Molly nervous every time she saw her.

  ‘Answer me, Moll!’ demanded Nathan. ‘What is it about that woman? I thought I recognised her and she obviously knows us.’

  Molly nearly died of fright. ‘Nathan, I’m making a new life for myself here and I don’t want to have to leave. Please go away.’ She looked up at him, a pleading expression on her pale face.

  His mouth softened. ‘Why should you have to leave? Not that it can be much of a life for you here.’ He looked her up and down. ‘Those clothes and clogs… Let me give you some money, Moll?’

  ‘I don’t want your money,’ she said agitatedly. ‘And the clogs are the ones you gave me.’

  ‘And you’ve kept them all this time?’ He smiled and touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

  His caress sent a shiver through her. ‘Don’t,’ she whispered. ‘You shouldn’t have come. I was beginning to settle down.’

  ‘Hell, Moll!’ he said huskily. ‘We’ve seen each other once in twelve months. Haven’t you missed me? There isn’t a night goes by when I don’t,think about you.’

  ‘Of course I’ve missed you.’ Her voice shook. ‘But there’s nothing I can do. There’s your wife to think about now.’ She carried on walking in the direction of the canal.

  ‘We’re not living amicably. Our marriage is a sham.’

  Molly whirled round to face him. ‘She knows about us?’

  ‘It’s nothing to do with that. It wasn’t so bad at the beginning. Lottie was interested in me and Jessica then. She saw us as a challenge. She liked the house and taking an interest in the factory. But now she’s fed up with Mother and gets bored easily when she’s home too much.’

  ‘Where is she now?’

  ‘London again. I see little of her.’ They had reached the Packet House Hotel and Nathan began to make his way down the steps to the towpath despite its starting to rain.

  ‘Can’t you make her stay at home?’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘It’s obvious you don’t know Lottie. Besides it’s more restful when she’s not around. She works Mother up into rages.’

  Molly was alarmed and forgot her newfound sympathy towards his mother. ‘She doesn’t take it out on Jessica, does she?’

  ‘No!’ He gazed at her in concern. ‘I know you’re fond of her but don’t worry. Jessica would tell me if there was anything wrong. She’s a chatty little thing. Always singing and dancing. She’s having proper lessons now.’ He touched her cheek again. ‘You’ve gone pale. What did I say?’

  She forgot Frank and even his daughter. Nathan’s physical presence was suddenly overpowering, reminding her of how he’d made love to her once and how happy her life had been then. She trembled as he stroked her neck with a gentle hand. ‘Accept help from me, Moll. If not for yourself then for George. To think I brought you to this! If I hadn’t gone along to the house the day he was born, none of it would have happened.’

  ‘No! It’s my fault.’

  ‘How’s it your fault?’

  She was silent, tempted to tell him the whole truth and get it off her conscience but fear of his being shocked by her deceitfulness stopped her from speaking. Suddenly she realised they were getting very wet and that they were only a few feet from Jack’s barge. There would be no one aboard now. She dived on to the boat and went through into the cabin. There she sat on one of the side seats with a locker beneath which served as an extra bed. Nathan followed. The interior was warm. Probably Jack had used the range that morning to cook his breakfast. The smell of fried bacon and eggs still hung in the air. ‘I’ve always loved these boats,’ said Nathan, sitting next to her.

  The breath was suddenly tight in Molly’s lungs as he reached out and took hold of her chin, turning her face so that she had to look at him. ‘Stop being frightened, Moll. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.’ Slowly, almost hesitantly, he brought her face up to his and covered her mouth gently with his own. She felt a fluttering like a moth’s wings inside her.

  His lips, cold and damp from the rain, pressed a little harder. When she still did not push him away, he very firmly kissed her again, forcing her head back until it rested against the cushions. His hands caressed the column of her neck, parting to wander slowly over each of her shoulders, then her breasts and stomach. She had the strangest feeling that she was floating. It was almost as if her mind had left her body and yet she
was experiencing every sensation.

  The sound of feet on the deck took them both by surprise. Surely it couldn’t be Jack back already? They stared at each other and stood up at the same time. She hurried out of the cabin followed by Nathan and came face to face with Jack.

  Molly blushed and would have gone past him if Nathan had not caught her hand andher back. ‘Mr Fletcher, Molly was showing me your boat. It’s really neat inside.’

  ‘What are thee doing here, lad?’ said Jack, scowling. ‘Where’s thy sense? Hasn’t thee caused her enough trouble?’

  The muscles in Nathan’s face tightened. ‘I don’t see how that’s any of your business. But if you must know why I’m here, Molly’s due some dividends from her shares in the company and I wanted to check that I had her address right.’

  ‘I-I’d almost forgotten about my dividends until he came,’ she said. ‘The money’ll buy me a new pair of shoes.’

  Nathan smiled and from an inside pocket extracted an envelope. He held it out to her. ‘Enjoy spending it, Moll. I’ll see you again.’ He raised his hat and bade them both a good day before going on his way, whistling.

  Molly had an absurd desire to giggle and was smiling as she turned to Jack. ‘I hope you don’t mind my showing him the boat?’

  ‘Thee’s a fool, Moll, if thee takes up with him again,’ Jack growled.

  Her smile faded. She had no wish to hurt Jack by telling him to mind his own business. She was fond of him but could not let him rule her life. Then he surprised her by seizing hold of her and pulling her into his arms. ‘Marry me, Moll? Let me take care of thee and little George. He needs a father.’ She struggled. ‘Uncle Jack, let me go! Are you mad? I’m already married.’

  It was obvious by the expression on his face that for a moment he had forgotten but he recovered quickly. ‘Then thee shouldn’t be messing about with him,’ he muttered, releasing her.

  ‘I’m not messing about.’ Molly smoothed the sleeve of her frock.

  ‘Then what were you doing in the cabin?’

  ‘Nothing of which I’m ashamed,’ she said, annoyed at being questioned.

  ‘You love him?’

  She did not answer but jumped off the boat on to the towpath and walked away. Jack had spoiled what had been lovely between her and Nathan and she was hurt and angry.

  As she lay sleepless on the mattress beside George that night she knew she would have to leave Burscough. It was pointless staying anyway now Nathan had traced her. Besides, she was scared stiff of Em’s mentioning any suspicions she might have about Jessica’s not being his daughter. She herself might be utterly wrong in thinking Em suspected something but she could not risk it. What if Nathan rejected Jessica because she was Frank’s daughter? The thought horrified her.

  Then there was Jack’s behaviour. She felt embarrassed every time she thought of what he’d said and done. But at least he’d made her face up to the truth that she and Nathan probably would have committed adultery if he hadn’t turned up. Her whole body ached for Nathan but she would return to Liverpool. The news he’d given her of Cath and Jimmy had made that decision easier. She wouldn’t have to face her old neighbours and would write Nathan a very circumspect letter, thanking him for her dividends, which were generous, and telling him that their case was hopeless and they might as well call it a day.

  * * *

  Cath was delighted to see Molly and George. ‘I’ve really missed you and I’ve had so many people asking about you, all concerned.’

  ‘You mean, I’ve still got some friends?’ she said wryly.

  ‘Maggie Block for one. She’s after giving you some work. Wants a frock made. Apparently she remembers what a good job you made of Doris’s wedding dress.’

  Molly’s spirits lifted a little. She wanted work and this was a start. If she made a good job of the dress Maggie might allow her to place an advertisement in her window. There were surely plenty of people in the area who wouldn’t have heard the gossip about her? And even if they had, they’d probably have forgotten her name by now. She went to see Maggie that evening, determined to have a go at building up a business this time.

  It was fortunate Molly had her dividend money because customers didn’t immediately come knocking at the door in droves. Only gradually, by word of mouth and advertising in shop windows, did her business grow. It was a struggle. As much of a struggle as trying to forget Nathan, but she persisted.

  She was just thinking she had succeeded when he turned up on the doorstep, rain dripping from the brim of his hat and with a parcel under his arm. Molly gazed at him through the window, uncertain what to do. He was definitely a sight for sore eyes but what was he doing here and could she cope with all the emotional turmoil of resuming their relationship?

  He banged on the knocker a third time then suddenly noticed her face at the window and shouted, ‘Let me in, Moll! It’s wet out here.’

  ‘I’m thinking about it,’ she called.

  ‘Don’t think too long or I might go away.’

  She went and opened the door, keeping him waiting on the step a moment longer. ‘You’re doing it again, you know. Turning up just as I’m managing to get by without you,’ she said crossly.

  ‘I’ve brought you work. Now let me in or I’ll change my mind.’

  Molly held the door wide and he stepped over the threshold. She closed the door behind him and immediately knew she had made a wrong move if she was to keep him at a distance. In the confined space of the lobby their bodies touched and the smell of him, mingled with the scent of his sandalwood soap and wet wool, was almost too much. She moved away quickly as a small voice piped up, ‘Mam, who’s that man?’ Molly hesitated before saying, ‘He’s brought some work for me so run along in.’

  ‘What’s he got in that box?’

  ‘I told you, work. Now in!’ She ushered George into the kitchen.

  Nathan followed. ‘Next time I come, I promise I’ll bring you a present, son.’

  ‘Don’t you go making him promises you won’t be able to keep,’ warned Molly, trying to ignore the treacherous warmth about her heart.

  ‘I saw your advertisement in Maggie Block’s window. How are you doing-?’

  ‘I’m glad of this work to be honest,’ she said, placing the box on the table next to her sewing machine and hoping that Cath would not return from the shops just yet.

  He rested one elbow on the mantelshelf and glanced around. ‘This is cosy. Nice fire. I could get you your own place like this.’ There was a glint in his eyes the like of which she had seen before and she knew he had not accepted that it was over between them.

  ‘No, thanks. I’m trying to stick to the straight and narrow. Stop making it difficult for me.’

  Nathan frowned. ‘It’s difficult for me, too.’

  They were both silent and Molly wanted him to go even as she wished he could stay.

  He sighed. ‘Does that have to mean we don’t see each other at all?’

  ‘Yes!’ she said emphatically. ‘It wouldn’t be sensible to see each other.’

  ‘How about just now and then?’ he persisted. ‘Say once a month, just so you could keep me informed about George’s welfare.’

  She was silent, not sure what to say to that, but thought he deserved some reward for bringing her work. Besides it would give her something to look forward to and bring colour to her life. She threw caution to the wind. ‘When and where? It would have to be away from here.’

  He smiled. ‘The Pierhead, a week on Sunday?’

  Molly thought, we sound like a courting couple making a date, and said swiftly, ‘I’ll have to bring George. Cath and Jimmy need Sundays to themselves.’

  ‘OK.’

  ‘Now you’ll have to go,’ she said, pushing him out before Cath arrived on the scene.

  They went to New Brighton and had lunch on the Ham and Egg Parade. Nathan bought George a toy boat and both of them enjoyed his delight. She daydreamed about Nathan, living for the next time she saw him. Their destination was S
efton Park where George sailed his boat on the lake. Their meetings were bittersweet. It was like being married but without the necessary togetherness. They visited Liverpool Zoo and Nathan said, ‘Jessica would have loved this. I did think of bringing her.’

  Warning bells rang in Molly’s head. ‘She might mention us to Lottie or your mother,’ she said uneasily.

  ‘Doesn’t George ever mention me?’

  ‘So far I’ve managed to steer him clear.’ Cath asked no questions which meant Molly told her no lies. Nor did her sister-in-law enquire where she had suddenly got work from.

  ‘Where next then? Is there any chance of an extra meeting – one in the evening? Just the two of us?’

  Molly met his eyes and said weakly, ‘No. We said we’d be sensible.’

  ‘Dinner, Moll. Or the theatre. That’s all,’ he said persuasively.

  It sounded so innocent. ‘Slip a note in when you send me work.’

  Nathan’s note arrived the day Cath was safely delivered of a daughter. Both parents were euphoric while George was grumpy and sought solace in Molly’s bed every night. She found having him there a comfort but would have preferred his father. She envied Jimmy’s and Cath’s happiness but at least the note was some consolation. There was a variety show on at the Empire that Nathan thought she would enjoy. Molly decided it was just up her street and made herself a new frock. They went to the early performance and afterwards to the Angel for dinner.

  ‘I missed out last time,’ said Molly, sitting back after spooning up her last mouthful of chocolate mousse. ‘That was lovely.’ Her eyes shone with pleasure.

  Nathan took her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb. ‘I’d like us to see more of each other. I’d like to make up to you for so many things you’ve missed out on.’

  ‘And how do we do that?’ she said, caught offguard.

  ‘Come and work for me at the house?’