Three Letters

by Josephine Cox

  When they drew up at the house Patrick flung open the wagon doors. ‘Right then, mateys, let’s get started.’

  No sooner were the doors opened and the first items of furniture brought to the lip of the wagon, than seemingly out of nowhere, people appeared to offer help in their droves.

  ‘All right, are you, Bob?’

  ‘We’ll give you a hand, Bob.’

  Soon, there were more curious people than was comfortable, everyone barging one into the other.

  ‘What ’ave you got in there … enough bricks and concrete to build a couple of houses I shouldn’t wonder?’ That was Frances Armitage, a sour-faced but big-hearted woman who was never happy unless grumbling.

  Bob explained how he’d had to empty Tom’s place, and that he’d brought all the furniture and stuff from inside.

  ‘It’s got to be sold,’ he said. ‘I haven’t got room to keep it all in my house for too long.’

  Mr Barnes asked if he had a double bed to sell.

  ‘Sorry.’ Bob apologised. ‘The landlord took it back, but there’s a single bed, and a wardrobe from the boy’s bedroom. Casey won’t need it at mine, ’cause his room’s already fitted out.’

  ‘How much are you asking for the two?’

  ‘I haven’t really thought about it yet.’ Bob put his thinking cap on. ‘Well, they’re in good condition. I can’t afford to let them go for … what …’ he was careful not to let his excitement show, ‘say, er, fifteen quid the pair, and that’s a bargain …’

  ‘Done!’ Mr Barnes was delighted. They shook hands on it, the furniture was removed from the wagon, and promptly delivered to Mr Barnes’ spare bedroom.

  The crowd of neighbours were curious as to what other bargains might be tucked inside that old wagon, and they were prepared to part with a shilling or two.

  Patrick helped out and got so excited that he sold all his own stuff at the same time. Within the hour, the wagon was empty.

  ‘Well, now, wasn’t that a turn-up for the book, eh?’ Patrick counted his own earnings, while his old friend counted the rest.

  ‘Well, I never!’ Bob was delighted. ‘I thought I might be lucky to get half that amount, and I expected it might tek a month or so, afore it were all gone.’

  He gave Casey and Dolly a cuddle. ‘Half the battle is won.’ He was pleased at the transaction, but then immediately swamped by a rush of sadness at the reason for the selling.

  Casey, too, was very quiet. ‘Well, lad,’ Granddad Bob slid an arm round the boy’s neck, ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that’s over and done with.’

  ‘Me too, Granddad.’ Even so, he could not imagine never seeing Henry Street again.

  Henry Street and the Blakewater would always be there.

  ‘Granddad?’

  ‘Yes, lad?’

  ‘Do you think we could go back sometime, Granddad?

  Suppressing emotion at the boy’s question, the old man answered softly, ‘Whenever you’re ready to go back there, just tell me, lad, and we’ll be off like a shot.’ When Casey’s eyes lit up, the old man reached down to ruffle his mop of hair. ‘Can I ask yer summat, lad? And if yer not happy about it, then we’ll just forget I ever said it.’

  ‘What is it?’ Casey could see how uncomfortable his granddad was. ‘Go on, Granddad, ask me.’

  ‘Well, I were just … I mean,’ quickly glancing about, he lowered his voice, ‘I were wondering if yer might want to bring Dolly along as well. I know she’d like that.’

  Casey did not hesitate, ‘Course we can, Granddad. I’d like it too.’

  ‘Oh, that’s grand! I’m right pleased. And now that’s been settled, I reckon we’d best get on.’

  As he went away, the old man wiped his eyes with the cuff of his shirt.

  That brief exchange with his grandson had touched him deeply, and he suddenly felt incredibly lonely. He had lost his son, Tom, and as for Ruth, he didn’t even know where she was, or if she would ever again show her face round these parts. If that turned out to be the case, then the lad had no parents at all, and that was the saddest thing.

  Just then, seeing Dolly and Patrick arguing about something and nothing, he was made to smile. Then, the two of them were laughing, and a moment later Dolly made her way to where young Casey was examining an item he’d picked up from the ground.

  Casey handed it to Dolly and she turned it over in her hands. Then she brushed it clean with the hem of her dress, and the two of them chatted about it, as they made their way to the house, Dolly with her hand on the boy’s shoulders, and the boy looking up at her, seemingly happy.

  Engrossed in each other, they did not realise that Granddad Bob was watching them. With a full heart and a smile on his face, he turned away. ‘Yer get days when it never stops raining, and your heart weighs heavy, he murmured. ‘Then yer get days when the skies are clear and yer can’t help but smile.’

  Pausing on the doorstep, he stole another glance at the two of them approaching. ‘Yesterday it were raining, Lord, and today we’ve got sunshine. ’Cause we’ve got each other – me and the boy – an’ now we’ve got this lovely lady who’s come into our lives, just when we need her the most.’ He chuckled aloud. ‘The Three Musketeers. That’s what we are.’

  Later that evening, while Dolly was happily getting their tea, Granddad Bob made Casey a promise.

  ‘Tomorrow morning, you and me – and Dolly, too, if she’s a mind – we’ll make our way into Blackburn town.’

  ‘Are we going shopping, Granddad?’

  ‘In a way, yes. We’re going to see Frank, the pawnshop man. I’ve heard that he knows a thing or two about guitars. So, we’ll show him what needs doing, and if he can’t do it, we’ll find somebody who can. Does that idea please you, lad?’

  From the excitement in Casey’s face and the way he threw his arms round his granddad’s leathery old neck, he was delighted with the news.

  ‘I can’t wait to play Daddy’s guitar again,’ he said. ‘I think it will make him really happy.’

  ‘Aye, lad. So do I.’

  That night as he lay in bed with the broken guitar beside him, Casey could hardly believe it. ‘Did you hear where we’re going in the morning, Daddy?’ His gaze was drawn to the window. ‘Granddad’s getting the guitar fixed, and I’ll be able to play again.’

  He was so excited, he could hardly wait for morning. When he thought of the guitar being mended, his heart beat faster, and several times he got out of bed and looked out of the window at the darkening skies.

  ‘I love you so much, Daddy. I miss you.’

  Somewhere deep inside he loved his mammy too. But he didn’t know her like he knew his daddy, and she didn’t love him like his daddy loved him.

  And, try as he might, he could not think of what he had done that was so very bad that she didn’t want him.

  Some time later, when he was sleeping, his granddad and Dolly looked in on him on the way to the bedrooms. After a long day, Dolly was staying over.

  The old fella was saddened to notice the stain of tears down Casey’s face. ‘He’s been through so much,’ he whispered to Dolly as they left the small bedroom. ‘Getting that guitar mended will be the turning point for him, I know it!’

  ‘And will it be the turning point for you as well?’ Dolly had seen how strong Bob had been for the boy. ‘I’ve caught you crying when you think no one’s looking. I know how brave and generous you’ve been with Casey … always there for him, always ready to hold and advise him. But what about you, my dear? Who have you been able to turn to?’

  Having no real answer, he hunched his shoulders. ‘A man just has to deal with things.’ She would never know how hard it had been, he thought sadly; but then it could not have been easy for her, when she lost her husband.

  Dolly brought him to a halt. ‘Listen to me, Bob, please. I know the boy lost his daddy, but you lost a son. You’ve had to carry the pain alone. I understand, I really do. But you’re not alone now, Bob Denton, because I’m here, and now
you’ve asked me, I intend to stay.’

  Taking hold of her hand, he squeezed it tight. ‘You don’t know how glad I am about that,’ he admitted.

  ‘So, I’ll take care of you. I’ll share your pain and take some of the weight off your shoulders.’

  Her kind words brought tears to the old man’s eyes. ‘You’re right, lass. This shocking business has rocked me to the heart,’ he confessed. ‘I’ve lost my only child, and my daughter-in-law’s tekken off to God knows where, and back there is a broken little soul, who desperately needs us both. I’ve lost an awful lot, Dolly … me and the boy both.’

  ‘I know that, and there’s the very reason why I want to take care of you … and the boy.’

  ‘I’ll tell ye what, Dolly, lass.’

  ‘Go on then.’

  ‘How about me and the boy … taking care of you and each other? So, d’you reckon that’s a good plan?’

  Smiling softly, she acknowledged his ‘plan’ with a tip of the head. ‘I’ve never known a man make so many plans,’ she admitted, ‘but I’ll tell you what, Bob Denton. I reckon that must be one of your very best.’

  ‘Well, thank you.’ He believed there was a ‘plan’ for every eventuality, and right now, he dared to seal this particular plan with a little peck on Dolly’s rosy cheek. ‘It goes to show, doesn’t it, Dolly?’

  ‘What’s that, then?’

  ‘Well, how Fate can tek with one hand, then give back with the other. Y’see, you lost your husband, and now me and the boy have lost something precious as well, but because o’ that, you found the boy, and now the three of us have been brought together. So now, I’ve got you in my life, and young Casey’s got a new and wonderful friend. D’yer see what I mean? We’ve all been hurt, and now we’re looking after each other.’

  ‘I know, and it’s wonderful, don’t you think?’

  ‘Aye, lass, it’s more than wonderful. And we do love you, me and the boy.’ He smiled coyly. ‘I don’t think you realise how much I love you … in another way, o’ course.’ He blushed.

  ‘I love you too,’ she confessed shyly.

  Wondering if he might take that as an invitation to walk her to his bedroom, she wagged a finger. ‘Oi! If you think that means I’m about to let you take adavantage of me, you’d best think again.’

  The old man chuckled. ‘It never even crossed me mind. In fact, after all this time, I doubt if I’m even capable o’ tekking advantage. All I meant was, I love you as a man might love his wife. I didn’t mean I was about to ravish you.’

  The idea of him physically carrying her to his bedroom made him laugh out loud. ‘Chance’d be a fine thing!’

  ‘Aye, well. You’ll get no “chance” from me, at least not until we’re man and wife, and happen not even then.’

  Wrapping her two hands about his face, she said softly, ‘Mind you, if needs be, I’d settle for a little cuddle now and then. So, seeing as you’re fond of “plans”, what d’you think to that little plan, eh?’

  He loved her all the more. ‘That’s a fine little plan,’ he said. ‘D’you know what, Dolly? Yer a woman after me own heart.’

  He watched her go into her bedroom. ‘Good night, Bob.’

  ‘Good night, Dolly.’

  As he made his way down to the far bedroom, he smiled to himself. ‘She’s a good ’un,’ he muttered under his breath. ‘Once we wed though, who’s to say it will all go as planned? As a matter o’ fact, I might have completely forgotten what I’m supposed to do. An’ even if I haven’t forgotten, me poor old parts might ’a given up anyway.’ He chuckled.

  Truth was, having been without a woman these many years, the last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself.

  In bed, he lay awake for a while, thinking about Dolly, and how it would all turn out. The idea of him having a real, warm woman in his bed after all this time was really nerve-racking. Even more, the idea of his being a masterful lover struck him as hilarious.

  His thoughts turned to the morrow and to Casey. He was determined that, whatever it took or however much it cost, he would keep his promise and get the guitar mended.

  ‘The boy needs to be playing again,’ he reminded himself, ‘and the sooner, the better.’

  That was the right and proper thing to do because, Bob knew for certain, it was what Tom would have wanted.

  In his mind’s eye he pictured the boy playing the guitar, and singing to the music. When he had that guitar, and he began to sing, it was like he drifted into a world of his own. There was something magic about him, and when he held the guitar, it was almost like a part of him. His fingers caressed the strings and the strings were made to shiver with emotion, the essence of which could silence a room full of people.

  And when he sang – whether it be soul, country or slow ballad – it was almost as though he was unaware of everyone and everything else around him. And those who heard him felt the magic, and were swept along with the mood of it.

  Bob had seen the boy’s talent nurtured and blossom, and even Tom had spoken of his amazement at the way in which Casey had taken to the music.

  ‘He’s far more talented than I could ever be,’ Tom had once confided in his father. ‘I teach him a chord or two, and he’s away as if he’s been playing it for ever.’

  Lying in bed, in the silence of evening, Bob remembered his son’s words. And they made him wonder, not for the first time, about how young Casey had acquired such a powerful instinct for the music.

  He himself loved to play, though he had not played for some time. Tom also, had shown early promise, but neither of them had ever played with the heart and soul that Casey did. With Casey, it was in the blood. It was like a hunger or a thirst that could never be quenched.

  Thinking about it now, he softly voiced his thoughts. ‘Where did yer get such musical ability, lad? Where did it come from? Lord only knows, because there’s never been anyone in the family possessed of such an instinct for the music.’

  Over the years he had often wondered about that.

  Tonight, inevitably, Ruth came into his mind. Yes, he’d heard the rumours, and yes, at times he’d been suspicious, but he had mostly been angered by the gossip; preferring to see the rumours as just spiteful whisperings, spread by bitchy women with loose tongues. Now, though, having recently learned a truth or two about Tom’s wife, he was made to consider the possibilities.

  After a while, a more disturbing suspicion crept into his thoughts. All these years, whenever he’d looked at young Casey, he’d seen his own son, Tom: that same sense of fun; the same wonderful smile. He’d seen the same sincerity in his own son and in his grandson, and each of them shared the same sense of decency and goodness.

  ‘Yer a silly old fool, Bob Denton!’ he chided himself. ‘You need to remember, you bred a fine son in Tom, and Tom bred a fine son in Casey. There’s nowt in this world as can change that … ever.’

  With that thought warming his heart, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep; but it was not a peaceful sleep.

  PART FOUR

  Chance Encounter

  CHAPTER NINE

  THE MEETING WAS held in the dining room of a smart hotel in one of the quieter areas of Blackpool. It was progressing well, and as the conversation deepened, Steve was convinced that he’d made a good choice in appointing this particular land agent to oversee the purchase of a suitable site for his recording studio.

  The agent outlined his plans. ‘Following your brief, I have located three prime sites. I believe any one of them could be suited to your purpose.’

  A middle-aged man of medium build and homely face, Edward Mull was an established land agent, well known and respected in the area.

  ‘All we need now is to sort out a time when you’re able to take a look at them.’

  Steve was delighted, though he was careful not to show too much enthusiasm in case the agent thought to increase his commission. Although, according to the contact who had introduced him to Edward Mull, the man could be trusted.


  ‘I was due to receive plan sets this morning only there was a delay at the other end of the chain – a simple dispatch hiccup, nothing for you to be concerned about. I will have the plans by tomorrow morning, even if I have to collect them myself. I’ve asked for current council notes on change of use and other details: reference planning and small restrictions regarding use of premises.’ He was quick to assure his client, ‘I’ve already had a sight of the original documents and, as far as I can tell, there should be no legal reason why you can’t choose whichever site would suit your purpose.’

  Though slightly irritated by the plans not being available, Steve appreciated how these things could often get caught up in red tape.

  So, how far apart are the sites exactly?’ Time was important to him. ‘If possible, I’d like to see them all in one day. That way, if they’re not right we can keep on looking. Or if I find one of them is just what I’m searching for, I can get it all tied up quickly.’

  The other man drew a small map from his jacket pocket. ‘Let me show you where we are in relation to the three sites.’ Pushing aside the used crockery, he spread the map across the table. ‘Providing we can make an early start, it should be easy enough to see all three in one day.’

  Tracing with a finger from their present position, he said, ‘D’you see how they form a triangle? The first port of call will be this one.’ He pointed to a site a few miles from the centre of Blackpool.

  ‘I spent some time up here in Blackpool when I was younger,’ Steve told him. ‘Me and a couple of mates did a few short tours, singing and playing music hereabouts. I remember we sometimes invited girls back to our hotel overnight.’ He smiled. ‘It was memorable, to say the least.’

  ‘Girls, eh? Aren’t you the lucky one – free with the girls and touring with your group into the bargain? My father was far too strict to allow me such pleasures.’

  Edward gave a weary kind of smile. ‘I was born and bred in a quiet little hamlet some way from here. My father was a vicar and my mother a school teacher. Going to Blackpool was not their idea of a day out. Oh, no! Their day out was a long train ride and four hours touring museums and walking round historic houses. Oh, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, because I learned a great deal that I wouldn’t otherwise have done. The trouble was, although it was their idea of heaven, I was never given the choice.’