Meadow Lane

by Maureen Reynolds

Eliza gave her mother a warning glance but Sadie wasn’t in the mood for sarcasm. ‘No, Martha, I’ve been really busy with going for new clothes for my son and also looking for a job.’ She refused the cup of tea when Eliza offered her one. ‘No thanks, I’ve just had a cup of coffee.’ She looked at Martha. ‘I bought the coffee from Braithwaite’s shop.’

  Martha, who was in the middle of eating a Rich Tea biscuit, said, ‘My, you are Mrs Moneybags, aren’t you?’

  ‘In America, coffee isn’t a luxury but an everyday drink.’

  Eliza wanted to defuse this conversation. ‘When are you going back, Sadie?’

  Sadie gave her a look. ‘I’m not going back, Eliza. I’ve just said I went for a job interview and I’ve got the job.’ Martha spluttered on her tea while Sadie seemed delighted by this reaction. ‘Yes, I’ve got a job as an office assistant and saleswoman at D. Fleming and Son on King Street. I start on Monday.’

  ‘I know that shop, that’s where we bought our wireless from a few years ago. It’s a busy place if I mind right,’ said Eliza.

  Martha wanted to know why she was home for good. ‘Is there a reason you’re not going back to your husband, Sadie? Has he divorced you?’

  Sadie was outraged. ‘No he hasn’t. I’m hoping he’ll come over here to stay.’ She turned to Eliza. ‘We have a farm which is miles from anywhere. The nearest small town is twenty miles away and although it’s a pleasant place there’s nothing happening there. My one pleasure is going to the movie house on a Saturday but it’s closing down so there’s nowhere else to go.’

  Eliza sympathised with her but she said there wasn’t too much to do anywhere. ‘One place is much like any other.’

  Martha butted in. ‘What nonsense, Eliza. You’ve had a fulfilling life here with me. What else do you need?’

  Sadie could have gladly strangled this selfish woman. ‘I remember when I was a girl, you were engaged to be married to Michael, Eliza.’

  Martha snorted. ‘She had a lucky escape from that.’

  Eliza looked sad. ‘No, we didn’t get married. My dad died suddenly and Mum couldn’t cope on her own so I postponed the wedding. Michael got a job abroad and we just lost touch.’

  Martha said, ‘If he had wanted to get in touch with her he would have.’

  Eliza was tired of all this talk of Michael so she changed the subject. ‘Morag and Rory are having the baby christened tomorrow and I’m hoping to go to the church with Grace and Anna. Would you like to come as well, Sadie?’

  Sadie said no, she wanted to get ready for her work on Monday. Martha was surprised. ‘Do you need a whole twenty-four hours to get ready?’

  Sadie was annoyed but she nodded. ‘Well it’s a big step for me and I want everything to go fine.’

  She stood up and Eliza said she wanted to go to the baker’s shop so she would walk along with her.

  ‘Get some cream cakes and chocolate biscuits when you’re out,’ said Martha.

  When they were outside she apologised for her mother’s rudeness.

  ‘I haven’t thought of Michael in years but when Morag and Rory moved in next door I saw his brother Murdo and he resembled Michael so much when he was that age, so now he’s on my mind all the time.’

  Sadie sympathised. ‘I know how you feel but marriage isn’t all honeymoons and roses so maybe you did have a lucky escape.’

  Eliza didn’t look convinced but she headed towards the shop while Sadie went inside.

  Evie, Tommy and Eddie had arrived back from the town and Eddie had gravitated towards the Gow household while Tommy went inside her own house. Thomas had been making the tea and had placed three plates with boiled ham and sliced tomatoes on the table and was busy slicing a loaf. ‘Put the kettle on, Tommy, your mum won’t be long now as she gets away early on a Saturday.’

  Tommy did as she was told. ‘Dad, did you know Woolworths store was owned by an American millionaire? Eddie told us that.’

  Thomas said no, he didn’t know that. ‘I always thought it was owned by someone in Dundee.’

  Anna came in at that moment and Tommy repeated the story to her but her mum was tired as she flopped down on a chair. ‘What a busy day I’ve had. The shop has been packed all day and it’s been so hot.’

  Thomas said the tea was ready ‘After your tea you can put your feet up for a rest. No doubt the bar will also be busy tonight with people wanting to quench their thirst with pints of beer.’

  The next morning was also sunny and hot. Eddie was up early and when he went outside he met Evie and Tommy. ‘We’re going to the church to see the baby christened, do you want to come with us?’ asked Tommy.

  Eddie didn’t really want to go but as there didn’t seem to be any alternative, he agreed.

  Grace and Eliza appeared, dressed in their best dresses and jackets and wearing hats. Tommy said her mother had decided not to go as she was having a lie-in. Then coming along the lane was Morag, Rory and Murdo pushing the pram with the baby asleep inside. When they came abreast of Eddie, Morag handed him a small decorated bag. ‘This is Catriona’s christening piece, Eddie,’ she said.

  The two girls waited but the party passed on. ‘Why did we not get a bag,’ asked Tommy who looked deeply disappointed.

  Grace explained that the tradition was to give this gift to the first man or boy they met if the baby was a girl but if it had been a boy then one of the girls would get it.

  Eddie decided to put this bag in the house. His mother was still fast asleep but his granny was sitting at the table with her breakfast of tea and toast. Eddie told her about the gift.

  ‘You better put it in your room,’ she said.

  Before putting it on the dressing table, he opened it. There was a piece of iced cake and a two shilling coin wrapped in tissue paper and he was deeply touched by this so-called tradition. He joined the rest and they made their way to Bonnethill Church where they found seats at the back as it was full of worshippers.

  Morag wore a green dress and jacket while the two men were looking handsome in dark suits. There was a young man and woman standing beside them at the font and the baby looked lovely in a long white robe with a frilly hat.

  The girls were transfixed by this service but Eliza couldn’t take her eyes away from Murdo and the sight of him brought back painful memories.

  After the service they made their way back to the lane where Grace had put on a feast of lemonade, tea, sandwiches and cakes. The MacCallums had made their own arrangements for their christening meal but everyone else enjoyed Grace’s hospitality. Tommy wanted to know who the two strangers at the church had been and Eliza explained they were the baby’s godparents and that every christening had these people who promised to look after the child’s spiritual life.

  ‘The other people in the front pew were the parents of Morag and Rory,’ she said. ‘I saw them when they came to look at the house with the young couple.’

  Grace had arranged for Anna, Thomas, Maryanne, Bella and Albert to come and join in and also her mother Evelyn who had been driven over in Bill’s van, and because the room was too small to accommodate them, a table and chair were carried outside and everyone sat in the sunshine. Even Sadie put in an appearance and Tommy was eager to tell her about Eddie and the christening piece.

  Sadie was surprised but she was pleased that her son seemed to be settling in the small community. Eliza said she had better leave early to go back to Martha but Bill and Thomas, who had drunk beer instead of tea and juice, said they would go and bring her along so she could join in the celebration.

  Eliza was unsure. ‘She can’t walk far, Bill.’

  ‘Then we’ll carry her, won’t we, Thomas? Maybe Eddie can help us.’

  They set off. Martha was very disgruntled that she had been left alone but she brightened up when the men appeared. It took some manhandling but with Bill and Thomas holding on to each arm and Eddie holding her walking stick they managed to walk the few paces to the Gows’ front door where she was put into a chair beside the table whic
h held all the food. Her eyes lit up when she saw the spread and she managed to eat four or five sandwiches, four cakes and two scones with jam. Bill said with a chuckle that he was glad she was just here for an hour or two and not a fortnight and everyone laughed.

  They all agreed that having a new baby in the lane was a good sign for the future and as the sun moved from the front of the houses, it was time to break up the party. There was just the one problem. Martha was stuck in her chair and they couldn’t budge her even with a lot of pushing and pulling.

  Eliza was beside herself with worry but everyone else had to hide their laughter as it was like moving an elephant.

  Albert joined Sadie, Grace and Anna, and with six pairs of hands they soon dislodged her and she tottered to her feet.

  ‘Just take your time, Martha,’ said Bill. ‘We’ll get you home okay.’

  ‘I should bloody hope so,’ she replied but she was laughing. After getting her installed in her own chair at home, Eliza joined her and she thanked the men for all their help. Sadie had watched all this and she said briskly that Eliza should invest in a wheelchair for her mother and all the women agreed.

  ‘I must tell Eliza to ask the doctor about a wheelchair,’ said Grace. ‘After all, she is too heavy for her daughter to manage.’

  ‘Especially after five sandwiches and four cakes,’ replied Maryanne, who as usual had eaten very little.

  Eddie stayed behind with Evie’s granny, Grace, Bill and Tommy to watch the television while Sadie and her mother went home. Eddie loved Evie’s house as it was always friendly and homely. He felt a bit guilty about this as it wasn’t his granny’s fault that her house was cold and uninviting.

  Many years later he was to remember this sunny day as one of joy and laughter.

  25

  Sadie was up early on Monday morning as she was determined make a good impression on her first day at work. Her mother had left earlier for her job in the sweet factory and Eddie was eating a bowl of cornflakes.

  ‘Now you will remember to go to Evie’s house after school until I get home? I’ve spoken to Grace and she doesn’t mind looking after you.’

  Eddie nodded as this was the sixth time she had mentioned this routine and he would be glad when she was ready to leave as he knew she was feeling nervous. He hoped that once she had done one day at the shop she would be less jittery. As it was, she had tried on three dresses already but thankfully she had settled on an outfit and was ready to go.

  ‘Wish me luck, Eddie,’ she said and he went with her to the door where she walked to the end of the lane before turning and waving.

  Eddie was torn between his love for his mother and his longing to be back home with his dad, and he hoped she would come to her senses and decide to go back to where he felt he belonged. He took the blue airmail paper from his pocket and, moving the empty bowl, he began to write his letter.

  He decided to mention how unhappy he was in Dundee and how he wanted to be home. He sent news of his granny and his mother and signed off, ‘Your loving son.’ He would post it on his way to school but he still didn’t understand why there had been no word from America and he was worried that his dad maybe didn’t want him or his mother back. Evie and Tommy calling at the door made him collect his bag and he set off with them.

  Meanwhile Sadie made her way towards King Street. It was another hot day and she couldn’t remember such a sunny and warm summer. Normally it would be a mixture of sun, heavy rain and cold winds. When she reached the shop it was already open for business and she panicked, thinking she was late, but Bert, who was standing behind the counter, put her mind at rest.

  ‘The shop opens at eight-thirty but the workshop starts at seven-thirty,’ he said, and started to show her how to use the cash register and the cash ledger which she had to fill in every day before leaving. ‘David said I can help you for today to show you the ropes so if you need to know anything just ask.’

  Sadie was pleased to hear she wouldn’t be expected to know how everything was run but she was confident that she was a quick learner. As it turned out, her first customer was difficult: a small woman who was unseasonally dressed in a coat with a headscarf over her hair. ‘I’ve been looking at yon television in the window, the one with a deposit and weekly terms,’ she said.

  Sadie went with her to the window where the said television was displayed, along with two others. ‘Which one are you interested in?’

  The woman pointed to the set that resembled a piece of furniture with its screen surrounded with a polished wooden cabinet. A large placard stated that it could be purchased for ten shillings deposit and ten shillings a week.

  Sadie looked around for Bert and was relieved when he came through from the back shop. ‘This customer wants to buy this television on easy terms,’ she said and Bert smiled at the woman.

  ‘You’ll need to fill out a hire purchase form but we’ll need your husband to come and sign it.’

  The woman looked annoyed. ‘I’m a widow but it’s my three sons who want to buy it and they’ll be paying for it.’

  ‘Can one of your sons come in and sign the form Mrs…’

  ‘I’m Mrs Petrie and I’ll get my oldest boy Robert to come in after work tonight.’

  Bert said that this was ideal. ‘We can deliver the set this week after one of our electricians fixes up your aeriel and he’ll install it as well.’

  Mrs Petrie, satisfied that everything was in place, left. Bert said that once the hire purchase form was signed and the deposit paid then the customer would get a payment book which she would bring in every week with the instalments.

  As the morning wore on it became clear to Sadie that this a busy business and her next customer was a well-dressed woman wearing a summer suit and fashionable hat. She browsed around the table lamps and Sadie went to help her, finding to her amazement that she was a good saleswoman. The customer finally bought one of the dearest lamps and paid cash which Sadie rang up on the register. At midday, Bert showed her where she could eat her meal in the staff room but as she hadn’t prepared anything she decided to go for a short walk in the sun.

  As she was leaving she met two of the young electricians coming out of the workshop. They both stopped in their tracks and one gave a wolf whistle. ‘We heard there was someone glamorous starting but we thought Bert was kidding us.’

  Sadie loved having this effect so she gave them a big smile before going on her way. Then in the afternoon a young lass came in and enquired about a record player. Sadie showed her the latest Dansette model and the girl was over the moon. ‘It says I can have it on easy terms,’ she said.

  Sadie repeated what Bert had said to Mrs Petrie. ‘You’ll need to get your father to come in and sign the form.’

  The girl’s face fell. ‘Oh, he won’t come in as he hates music in the house and he won’t let me have it.’

  Sadie wondered how she was intending to play it had she been able to buy it but instead she said, ‘Maybe you should save the money up and when you have enough then come in and buy it.’

  The girl was almost crying. ‘That’ll take ages. I wanted it now.’ Sadie almost said, don’t we all, and the girl went out of the shop with a disappointed face.

  Then just before five o’clock a young man in overalls stained with paint came in and said he was Robert Petrie. ‘I’ve to sign a form before we can get our television.’

  Bert produced it and by five-thirty another purchase was completed. Sadie felt tired after being on her feet all day but Bert was pleased with the day’s takings and it was all entered in the cash ledger. He produced a bunch of keys and said he would lock up after letting Sadie leave and she was glad to be out in the fresh air although she was pleased about her first day at work.

  It had been years since she had done any outside work and the thought of earning money made her feel important. She would no longer have to rely on money from someone else. Ed wasn’t a mean man but she sometimes felt beholden to him if she wanted to buy something that wasn’t dee
med necessary. How well she recalled old Joel muttering how his late wife never needed any money as he provided for her. Sadie had once told him he lived in the last century when women were looked upon as chattels. Ed had laughed at that but Sadie knew she had hit a raw spot with her father-in-law.

  She was making her way along the street when she saw a man hurrying past her. She gasped and called out, ‘Peter Ronaldson, I don’t believe it.’

  The man turned and it was his turn to look surprised. ‘Sadie, where did you spring from?’

  She pointed to the shop behind her. ‘I work in that electrical shop, D. Fleming and Son.’

  He seemed stunned. ‘I work there as well. I’m an electrician.’

  Sadie noticed they were passing a pub with a small lounge bar. ‘Come and have a drink with me and we can talk over old times.’

  Peter said he couldn’t. ‘I have to be home as we’re having visitors.’

  Sadie put on her wide-eyed look. ‘Please, just for old times.’

  Peter didn’t want to go but he also didn’t want to be churlish so he went in with her. The lounge was empty but there were a few tables and comfy looking chairs. Sadie sat down while Peter ordered a couple of shandies. Sadie would have loved something stronger but she smiled at him. ‘You don’t look a day older than when I last saw you, Peter.’

  He noticed that she had brought her chair right beside his and he was uncomfortable with being so close to her. He gave a rueful smile. ‘Our two young apprentices mentioned this good-looking blonde assistant but I never dreamed it was you. Are you on holiday from America?’

  Sadie made a face. ‘No I’m not. I’ve left my husband and brought my son Eddie back here. We are living with my mother at the moment but I’m hoping to get a house of my own.’

  Peter blurted out, ‘I’m married as well and we have two children.’

  ‘Do you have a photo of them?’ she asked innocently which was a camouflage because Sadie was never innocent or naïve.

  Peter produced a small snapshot from his wallet and passed it over. ‘My wife is Norma and the kids are Peter and Laura.’