by Kitty Neale
It was Amy’s half day. It had been raining when she left for work that morning, forcing her to get a bus to work, and it was still teeming down now. She swiftly put up her umbrella as she left the shop, deciding that bad weather or not, she had to buy her Christmas presents, and then nearly bumped headlong into Miss Winters.
‘Isn’t this rain awful?’ the woman said. ‘I think it’s going to ease off soon, but in the meantime why don’t you join me for a cup of coffee?’
Amy would rather get on with her shopping, but seeing the appeal in Miss Winters’ eyes she agreed and they dashed into Arding &Hobbs, hurriedly folding their umbrellas. The Christmas decorations looked lovely, festive and cheerful, but they hardly paused as they made their way up the elevator to the tea room.
Once seated, with Miss Winters insisting on buying them both a cake to have with their drinks, she said, ‘How are you, Amy?’
‘I’m fine, thank you.’
‘How is your young man?’
‘His business is doing really well and … and we’re getting married next year.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful, Amy. Have you set the date?’
‘Yes, the second Saturday in April.’
‘A spring wedding, how lovely. What church are you getting married in?’
‘It won’t be a church wedding. We’re getting married in the registry office,’ Amy said, thinking that on the odd occasions when she saw her, Miss Winters showed a keen interest in her life, almost as if she didn’t have one of her own to talk about. She had always thought her lonely, and felt sorry for her former manageress. Impulsively, she asked, ‘Are you spending Christmas with anyone?’
‘Err … yes … a friend.’
Amy hoped this was true, that Miss Winters wasn’t going to be alone for the festive season. They continued to chat for a while, but then Amy said, ‘I’m sorry, I’ve got to go now. I want to buy some presents.’
‘Yes, me too, but I think I’ll finish off this pot of tea first,’ Miss Winters said. ‘It was lovely to see you again, my dear, and maybe we’ll bump into each other again soon.’
Amy said goodbye, feeling sorry again for her former boss as she left the table and took the elevator again to the ground floor. However, with a limited amount of money, her mind was soon elsewhere as she searched the store for presents.
Mabel was on the look-out for Phyllis and finally saw her arriving home. She waited five minutes and then popped next door, huffing as she said, ‘I suppose you’re going to tell me that you’re too busy for a chat again.’
‘Now look, I only said that once and it was on Monday. I didn’t get home until after two thirty and I still had my laundry to do.’
‘I’m not surprised. You seem to spend all your time with Rose.’
‘Mabel, I work for her.’
‘It’s more than that. The pair of you are as thick as thieves now.’
‘I admit we’ve grown close, become friends, and Rose has been good to me.’
‘Yeah, but she’s buying your affection.’
‘That isn’t true,’ Phyllis protested. ‘I don’t know what’s come over you lately, Mabel, but it seems to me you’re jealous. Rose has only given me things that she was going to chuck out, and that’s hardly buying my affection.’
Mabel slumped onto a chair. ‘All right, I’ll admit it, I am jealous, but it’s not about the stuff Rose has given you. It’s just that since you got back in with her I feel like I’ve lost my best mate.’
‘Don’t be silly, of course you haven’t,’ Phyllis protested.
‘You’ve just said you and Rose are close now, friends as well as cousins, so that leaves me out.’
‘No it doesn’t and I don’t know where you got that daft idea from.’
‘It isn’t daft. Rose has taken you away from me.’
‘She’s done no such thing!’ Phyllis snapped. ‘I haven’t dropped you, nor do I intend to, but it sounds like you think I can only have one friend.’
‘I don’t think that,’ Mabel said, backtracking. She was making herself sound childish and realised that now. ‘It’s just that you’re the only friend I’ve got.’
‘No I’m not. You’re friends with Edna, and that woman who lives in number twelve. Then there’s …’
Mabel broke in, ‘None of them have spoken to me since that business with Frank Cole.’
‘Maybe you should make the first move, talk to them. I should think you’ll find that it’s all water under the bridge now.’
‘Yeah, maybe I will,’ Mabel said, thinking that it might be nice to get chatting to Edna and the others again. She could open the conversation by hinting that she knew a lot about Rose and Samuel Jacobs, which was sure to pique their interest.
Since Frank Cole had left, Mabel’s appetite for gossip had returned, and it would be nice to find out what was going on locally. Her decision made, she decided to make a start on her overtures in the morning.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Celia saw Amy carrying bags of shopping as she hurried past her window, and her lips tightened. She managed to put on a front when Amy came to the house now, but it was one that hid her true feelings. Her opinion hadn’t changed – she still felt that Amy was socially inadequate and totally unsuitable for Thomas, but all her attempts to undermine the girl had failed. Thomas had found it charming that Amy had been tongue-tied the first time she was invited to dinner, and he didn’t seem to notice the girl’s dreadful etiquette.
Amy’s parents were just as bad, when at Thomas’s insistence Celia had invited them to dinner. Stanley Miller had slurped his soup, and then to her horror he had lifted the bowl to drink the last dregs. Celia had been disgusted and wanted as little to do with them as possible, but there had been a return invitation. It was, of course, a disaster, and with so little in common Celia hoped her feelings were reciprocated. Now, as the months passed, she was running out of ideas to undermine Amy.
Celia saw a taxi pulling up outside and gasped as a familiar figure climbed out. With a cry of delight she hurried to open the door, uncaring of the rain as she ran to his side. ‘Jeremy! Oh, Jeremy! You’ve come home!’
‘Hello Mum,’ he said, grinning then pulling out two suitcases before paying the driver.
Celia ushered him inside and then threw her arms around her son. ‘I can hardly believe you’re here,’ Celia enthused. ‘Leave your cases there for now, darling, and come into the living room.’
Jeremy smiled when he walked into the room, his eyes coming to rest on the tree. ‘It’s just as I remember it, though there wasn’t a Christmas tree in view when I left.’
‘Considering it was in July, that’s hardly surprising. Please, darling, tell me that you’re home for good.’
‘Mum, I’ve only just arrived and I don’t know what my plans are yet.’
‘At least say you’ll be here for Christmas?’
‘Of course I will.’
‘That’s something,’ Celia said, hoping that Jeremy would decide to stay for a lot longer than that. ‘Sit down, darling. Are you hungry?’
‘I wouldn’t say no to a sandwich,’ Jeremy replied.
Celia was almost crying with happiness and dashed a tear from her eye as she looked up at her son. Jeremy had left little more than a boy, but had returned a man and a very handsome one too. She made him a sandwich and then listened as Jeremy told her about his travels; the places he’d been, the jobs he had done, all of which had been transient. It sounded as though her son had been living the life of a nomad, and she felt it was time he settled down in one place. If she had anything to do with it, Celia decided, that place would be here, by her side.
‘I was still in Greece and got your letter,’ Jeremy continued. ‘I had found work harvesting olives, but you sounded a bit desperate so I decided to come home.’
‘I’m so glad you did,’ Celia told him.
‘Have you heard from Dad since you wrote to me?’
‘No, not a word, and I have no idea where he is.’
‘It was a bit of a surprise to hear that he handed his business over to Tom. How is he coping with it?’ Jeremy asked.
‘I prefer Thomas, but I suppose calling him Tom is all right. Anyway, he’s done well; increased trade and pays me a salary for keeping the accounts. However Thomas has made it clear that I’m to have no say in the running of the business, and of course I don’t get a share of the profits.’
‘What sort of money are we talking about?’ Jeremy asked.
Celia rose to her feet and finding the account books, she showed them to her son. ‘When your father ran the firm it was just a one-man band. He made enough money to see that we were well provided for, and employed Thomas, but refused to expand. In the short time since Thomas took over he’s already gained new contracts, employed more glaziers and purchased new vans. Despite that expenditure, as you can see,’ Celia said, pointing to the latest figures, ‘Thomas has hugely increased profits.’
Jeremy whistled through his teeth and then said, ‘He’s done well, but by rights, surely the firm should be yours.’
‘You’d have thought so, but as your father made sure that everything was done legally there’s nothing I can do about it,’ Celia said sadly.
‘Well morally I think it’s wrong and when I see Tom I’ll tell him that the least he can do is to offer you a half share in the firm.’
‘As the elder son, you should have a share in it too, but Thomas will never agree. He’s changed and hardly listens to a word I say; especially when it comes to that common slut he’s going to marry. I told you about her in my letter and I’m frightened that once they’re married, Amy will persuade Thomas that he doesn’t have to employ me, and … and if that happens, I … I’ll end up destitute,’ Celia sobbed, putting on the tears.
Jeremy moved to her side and placed an arm around her shoulder. ‘Mum, stop worrying. You’ve got me now and I’ll deal with Thomas.’
Celia sniffed, but inwardly she was smiling. She had someone on her side now, and at last the future looked brighter.
Though around seven years had passed since he’d last seen his brother, when Tommy walked into the living room, he recognised him instantly. ‘Jeremy,’ he gasped, ‘I can’t believe it.’
‘It’s good to see you, Tom. What were you, about thirteen or fourteen when I left home?’ Jeremy asked as he stood up.
‘Yes, about that.’
‘You’ve grown up, but you’re still a skinny runt,’ Jeremy said, his grin taking any malice out of the words.
As they hugged awkwardly, Tommy noted that his brother was still taller than him, his body muscular, and with his dark hair and vivid green eyes, he was strikingly handsome. Jeremy had been his idol, the older brother he’d looked up to, and it had been gut-wrenching when he left home. Now he was back, and Tommy hoped it was permanent as he asked, ‘Is this just a visit, or will you be staying?’
‘I’m not sure yet, it depends.’
‘On what?’
‘This and that, what prospects there might be for me here, that sort of thing,’ Jeremy replied.
‘Thomas, it’s wonderful to have Jeremy home again and I hope we can find a way to persuade him to stay.’
‘I hope so too, Mum.’
‘Jeremy and I have been chatting for so long that I’ve got behind with preparing dinner. I’ll get on with it now and leave you two to catch up.’
As their mother left the room, Tommy coughed and sat down. He felt rough and had spent the day shivering or sweating in equal measures. Mild, familiar symptoms had started a couple of days ago, signalling the onset of bronchitis, but as he was too busy to take time off he’d have to work through it. Jeremy took a seat too, and Tommy managed to rally, saying, ‘From your letters, I know some of the places you’ve seen, but I’d be interested to know more.’
‘Well now, as I told Mum, I made my way home from Greece, but I went to so many countries that it would take a long time to describe them all,’ Jeremy said, going on to talk about one or two.
As Tommy listened, he felt that in comparison to his brother he’d hardly seen or done anything. Yet even so, he’d never had a yearning to travel, preferring all things familiar. The thought of having to find any menial sort of work in a foreign country to earn a crust, as Jeremy had, didn’t appeal.
‘That’s enough about me,’ Jeremy said. ‘What about you? Mum tells me that you’re getting married.’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘I’m twenty-five and don’t fancy settling down yet. Don’t you think you’re a bit young for the marriage game?’
‘No, I don’t. Amy is the girl for me.’
‘She must be pretty special.’
‘She is,’ Thomas enthused.
‘In that case, when am I going to meet her?’
‘This evening if you like,’ Tommy suggested, though in truth all he wanted to do was to crawl into bed. He couldn’t give in though, and if his mother saw that he was under the weather she’d start mollycoddling, something he didn’t want. ‘Amy only lives at the bottom of the Rise so we can pop down there after dinner.’
‘You’re on,’ Jeremy agreed.
‘Thomas, I don’t think you should take Jeremy to meet Amy this evening,’ Celia said. ‘Surely it can wait. With all that travelling to get here, he must be tired.’
It was Jeremy who answered, ‘I’m fine, Mum.’
‘Well don’t be long. It’s bound to catch up with you and I think you need an early night.’
‘We won’t be out for more than an hour or so,’ Tommy assured her.
‘Make sure you aren’t.’
‘Yes, Mummy,’ Jeremy mocked, affecting the voice of a child.
‘Oh you,’ she said, yet smiling as she went back to the kitchen.
With a wry grin Jeremy said, ‘Mum’s already making me feel like a ten-year-old again. Is she always like
this?’
Tommy nodded, relieved that his mother was too focused on Jeremy to worry about him. ‘It’s worse if you’re ill. You’ve only got to sniff and she wants to confine you to bed, though with a business to run I can’t take time off unless I’m really rough.’
‘Yes, we’ll have to talk about your business,’ Jeremy said, ‘but it can wait for now.’
Tommy frowned, but then Jeremy said he was going upstairs to freshen up before dinner, leaving him to wonder about his brother’s enigmatic remark.
Though he hadn’t said as much, Jeremy had grown tired of travelling. He’d already been thinking about returning home when his mother’s letter arrived, and reading her impassioned words had set the seal on his decision. What he hadn’t thought about at that time was his father’s piddling little business, but that had changed when his mother had shown him the accounts. He was interested now – very interested, and somehow he was going to make sure that as the elder brother, he rightfully got his share.
A little later, over dinner, his mother looked at Thomas and said, ‘You look a bit flushed. Are you all right?’
‘Yes, I’m fine. It’s just a bit warm in here, that’s all.’
Jeremy wasn’t so sure. Out of their mother’s sight he’d seen Tom use his inhaler a few times and had heard him coughing. However, soon after they had finished eating, Tom said, ‘Right, Jeremy, are you ready?’
‘Yes, let’s go,’ he replied.
‘Don’t be long. You look exhausted, Jeremy.’
‘I must admit it’s catching up on me, but it’s still far too early to go to bed. See you later, Mum.’
She called goodbye and shortly after he and Tom walked out into the cold night air. Jeremy shivered, stuffed his hands into his pockets and picked up his pace. They were halfway down the Rise when Tom started coughing again, bending over and holding a hand against his racking chest.
‘Tom, are you all right?’ Jeremy asked, worried that his brother seemed to be struggling for air.
‘Yes … yes … just give me a minute.’
Jeremy wondered if they should turn back,
but then Tom rallied and they began to walk again until they came to some houses with the fronts partially obscured by scaffolding. Tom knocked on one of the doors and because the light was behind her, Jeremy could barely see the young woman who opened it, though he did notice that she was tiny.
‘Tommy, I wasn’t expecting you, but come in,’ she invited, stepping back.
As they went inside, Tom said, ‘Amy, my brother has just returned home from his travels and I’ve brought him to meet you.’
As Amy closed the door and then smiled up at him, Jeremy found himself riveted. She was indeed tiny, but beautiful, with curly blonde hair, a cute little nose and wide, cornflower blue eyes.
‘Amy, this is Jeremy,’ said Tom, jolting him out of his daze.
‘Hello,’ she said, a little shyly, ‘it’s nice to meet you.’
‘It’s even nicer to meet you,’ Jeremy said, putting on the charm. ‘Tom didn’t tell me that you’re absolutely gorgeous.’
Amy flushed prettily and Jeremy was smitten, unable to believe that his mother had described this fantastic girl as a common slut. In all his travels he’d never met anyone who’d had this shattering effect on him, and he was sickened that she belonged to his brother.
Jeremy’s gaze was pulled away from Amy as Tom introduced him to her parents, and they were invited to take their coats off. He was again polite and charming, while noting furniture that looked absurdly large and grandiose in such a pokey room. He was asked to sit down by Amy’s mother, while noting that Tom was still standing with an arm around Amy. She was looking up at him with obvious affection and Tom was smiling down at her.
‘As you can see, they’re a right pair of lovebirds,’ Amy’s mother said. ‘Come on, you two. Can’t you take your eyes off each other for a minute and sit down?’
‘Sorry,’ Tom said, reluctantly taking a seat, but then a heaving cough hit him again.
‘Tommy, are you all right?’ Amy asked worriedly as she perched on the arm of his chair.
‘Yes,’ he said, recovering. ‘Don’t worry. It’s just a touch of asthma.’
