Meadow Lane

by Maureen Reynolds

  Eliza sighed as she well knew the mischief her mother could get up to.

  Sadie made herself a cup of Braithwaite’s coffee and took it into her bedroom. After the coffee was finished, she brought out the bottle of gin from under her bed and poured herself a stiff drink.

  When Maryanne came back from work she thought Sadie was out but as the bedroom door was open, she looked in. She was sound asleep and the bottle was sitting on the bedside cabinet. Maryanne shook her head in dismay and shut the door. No doubt that would be another day off work tomorrow and she was worried that she would lose her job. No employer wanted this amount of absences and Sadie was lucky so far that her boss hadn’t sacked her.

  She realised she needed help in dealing with her daughter and the first people she thought of were Bella and Albert who had known Sadie since she was a child. She made her way along to Albert’s house. He was surprised to see her, especially as she seemed to be upset. She hesitated at the door but Albert ushered her in.

  As he was making a cup of tea, she said, ‘I’m really worried about Sadie, Albert. She won’t listen to me and she’s making herself ill over Eddie. To make matters worse, she’s drinking alcohol and not going to her work. I don’t know what to do with her.’

  Albert, although concerned, didn’t know how to respond to this plea. Sadie was an obstinate woman and had always been the same so he hadn’t a clue how he could help.

  ‘I wondered if you and Bella could have a word with her. She was always fond of you both and I think she’ll listen to you.’

  Albert felt so sorry for her and said he would see Sadie after her work tomorrow. ‘I can’t speak for Bella but I’m sure she will do all she can to help.’

  Maryanne thanked him. ‘I didn’t know where to turn to as I’ve got this terrible feeling about her. I had hoped she would have seen sense and gone back to live with Ed. I can’t understand why she seems to hate him.’

  After she left, Albert went to see Bella and she was in the same frame of mind. ‘Sadie never listened to anyone all of her life and I don’t see how we can change her mind to go back.’

  Albert said the same and Bella went over to the sideboard. ‘I think we both need a glass of sherry in preparation for tomorrow.’

  However, the next morning, Maryanne was surprised when she was getting ready for work to see Sadie make an appearance in the kitchen. She was dressed and she said she wanted to do some shopping before going to her job.

  ‘I want to get my hair cut and buy some more nylons as I’ve got a big ladder in one of my stockings,’ she said, making her coffee and putting a slice of bread under the grill.

  Maryanne was pleased by this change in her and said she would see her later. She wondered if she should mention that Albert and Bella wanted to see her but thought she would leave it. Maybe she would catch them before they had a chat with her as it seemed Sadie had come to her senses.

  Later, as Sadie walked along the lane, she wondered how the Cassidys were enjoying their holiday in Ireland. She hoped to have a holiday with Eddie when he came back to live with her. Grace noticed her passing as she was standing beside the sink, putting new curtains up in the kitchen window but Sadie was full of her plans for the day and the future and didn’t look in her direction.

  Evie was helping with the housework as there was nothing else to do. She was missing Tommy and was counting the days till she came back. She had written a letter to Eddie to let him know all the news of her holiday and Tommy’s trip to Ireland and she had received an answer. He was so happy to be back on the farm with his dad and grandad. He also mentioned that Esther had made a celebration cake for his arrival and some of his school friends had met up with him again.

  Tommy had also sent a postcard, saying she was liking her holiday all right but would be glad to be back. Grace said to go to see Eliza and Martha in case they needed any shopping done but when Evie saw them, they said Albert was bringing fresh bread back with him and they didn’t need anything. Martha asked Eliza, ‘Are you sure we don’t need something? Evie can go for it if we do.’ Eliza was firm with her mother; she had to be, because she suspected she would ask Evie to bring back chocolate biscuits.

  Morag walked along the lane pushing her pram. Catriona was growing up so fast and her eyes were taking everything in and she waved her chubby little arm at everything she saw. Evie walked along the lane with them. Morag said she was going to the park and Evie wished she could go with her but she didn’t like to invite herself. However, as she was going into the house, Morag asked her if she wanted to come with them. Grace was at the door, sweeping the step, and she was pleased Evie had something to occupy her as she knew how much she was missing Tommy.

  ‘I’m going to Barrack Park so Catriona can play on the grass.’

  That was fine by Evie who was enjoying walking along in the sunshine with the happy-looking baby and her mother.

  ‘Have you heard from Tommy? I hope she’s enjoying her holiday.’

  Evie said she had received a postcard from her. ‘She seems to be liking Ireland but she says she’ll be glad to be back here.’

  Morag said that was good. ‘She’ll be missing you, Evie, as you’re such good friends.’

  ‘I’m missing her as well. We’ve been friends for years.’ She didn’t mention writing to Eddie as she noticed no one seemed to want to say his name or mention his father. Perhaps, she thought, it was in sympathy with his mother. But although she didn’t know it, most of the people in the lane were in agreement with Maryanne, Ed and Eddie.

  When they reached the park they found a grassy spot and Morag lifted the baby out and placed her on the checked rug she had brought with her. ‘I like her to get some sun, especially at this time of the morning as the sun isn’t too strong.’ She had noticed the children’s playground and said, ‘Do you want to go and play on the swings?’

  Evie said no, she would rather stay and look at Catriona as she was entranced by the baby’s little legs and arms, and they both laughed when she began to blow milky bubbles from her mouth. Morag said she missed living on Skye as she loved the rural setting of her mother’s house but that she was getting used to being in an industrial city. ‘I love this park and when the weather’s good I like to come here most days. I also love our house and all the people in the lane.’

  Evie said, ‘Why did you leave Skye?’

  ‘Rory’s brother Murdo has his own joinery workshop here and he asked if Rory would like to work with him, so that’s why we came here. They are very busy with orders so we’re lucky.’

  The sun began to get a bit stronger so Morag said it was time to go. The baby was placed in the pram where she began to howl. She had enjoyed kicking her legs in the fresh air and was now annoyed at being imprisoned in the pram. Morag said she would settle down and as she began to walk along the path, Catriona decided to gaze wide-eyed at the passing trees. ‘She’ll get her dinner when we get home,’ said Morag, and the three strolled back towards the lane.

  Sadie had her hair trimmed and she bought her stockings on the way to work. She would change the one with the ladder when she got there. The pub was already open and Hal was behind the bar. Big John and two of his cronies were sitting at a small table with their dominoes. Hal said, ‘Come into the office, Sadie, I’d like a word.’

  Sadie was ready with her excuses for not turning up for several days. ‘I wasn’t feeling well, Hal, that’s why I’ve been off work. It’s all this stress over my son.’

  Hal was a hard-working, decent man and he felt sorry for her but this was more serious. ‘It isn’t to do with your not being here, Sadie. I’ve done an audit on the bar stock and there’s a big discrepancy. Have you been taking drinks and not putting the money in the till?’

  Sadie could have kicked herself. She should have put that ten shillings in when she was paid last week but she had forgotten all about it. ‘I think I owe you ten shillings, Hal, but just take it out of my wages.’

  Hal looked serious. ‘It’s a lot more than
that, Sadie.’

  ‘It can’t be. I usually take a drink when Big John offers me one and a couple of the regulars do the same.’

  ‘Well I’m sorry but I’ll have to let you go. My wife is now able to come back to work. Because of your sad circumstances I’ll forget about the money you owe.’ He handed over a brown paper wage packet. ‘These are your wages up till last week and I haven’t deducted anything.’

  For a brief moment Sadie almost burst into tears but then anger took over. ‘You didn’t tell me when I applied for this job that it was just a temporary one until your wife got better but you know something, Hal, I’ll be glad to leave this dump behind and get a decent job.’

  Hal was upset. ‘I did mention it was only temporary but you seem to have forgotten that, and I think you’ll have to become teetotal if you want to get another job as your work record is dismal.’

  Sadie turned her back and made for the door. Big John called out, ‘What’s the matter, Sadie?’

  She looked at him. ‘Ask Hal, as he’s just given me the sack. I think you should all change your pub from now on.’

  The men all looked over at the bar where Hal stood stony-faced. Sadie threw him a satisfied smirk then swept out into the street. As she was waiting for the tramcar, she suddenly felt deflated. Her life wasn’t going in the direction she had hoped for but there would be other jobs and she was determined to succeed.

  She didn’t want to go back home as the nosey neighbours would all want to know why she was home early again, not that she would tell them, but she couldn’t face sitting inside on a lovely day like today. She bought a Courier and sat on a bench in the City Square, looking for another job. All her life, she had got her own way and now she couldn’t understand why her life seemed to be disintegrating. Of course, she thought, it was everyone’s fault and not hers. She knew she liked a drink to relax but it wasn’t an issue like Hal had implied. She thought about posting him the ten shillings she thought she owed him, then said out loud, ‘Oh, stuff him.’

  This amused an old woman who was sitting at the other end of the bench. She looked like she had had a tough life due to her threadbare clothes and pale, lined face. ‘That’s right, lass, no man’s worth getting heartbroken over.’ Sadie gave her a grateful smile and made her way home.

  43

  Thomas and Anna were both glad the holiday was almost over. He had phoned Pete from the telephone box in front of Mickey’s shoe shop on the High Street and arranged to meet him on the Saturday. Pete was pleased that he was interested in the job and said he would pick them up at the station if he got in touch on arrival.

  ‘I have a house set aside for your family, Thomas, and I hope it meets all your wife’s expectations.’

  He told Anna this and she said her expectations were minimal as nothing could be worse than the house in the lane. ‘It’s not that it’s too bad but after living in Lizzie’s house with a proper kitchen and bathroom, it’ll be hard going back to what we have now.’

  They had planned to leave early on Saturday morning so that Thomas could hopefully have the interview with Pete later in the day. However on Thursday the weather forecast was bad. After a glorious summer, a storm was approaching and strong winds were due to arrive at the weekend.

  Anna was afraid the Irish Sea would be rough and she didn’t want them sailing when the weather was bad. She didn’t like water except if it was calm and she wasn’t going to take chances. ‘I think we should leave on Friday as it looks like it’s to be gale force winds,’ she said and Thomas agreed with her.

  Lizzie seemed to be a bit put out but she also didn’t want them travelling if the weather was bad. That night, they all went round the family to say their goodbyes and after lots of hugs and tears they were ready for the following morning.

  Anna found it hard to say goodbye to Katie but both of them knew she was only here for a holiday. ‘You’ll come back and see us, Anna.’

  Anna promised they would do that. ‘When Thomas gets the job in Glasgow we’ll be a lot nearer you all and it’ll be easier to come over.’

  Friday turned out cloudy but there was no sign of the gales. Lizzie was annoyed at the weather forecasters. ‘They never get it right and you could have had another day with us.’

  They left early to be in time for the ferry and as they went on board, the sea was rough but not too bad, but once they left the shelter of the harbour the wind strengthened and Anna and Tommy were seasick. Thankfully they hadn’t eaten the huge breakfast Lizzie had prepared so it was more a feeling of nausea than actual sickness. Anna had tried to stay up on the deck to see Ireland’s shoreline disappearing but she had to go into the passenger’s lounge to join Thomas and Tommy.

  The ferry seemed to lurch with every wave and Anna put her arm around Tommy. She thought if the ferry sank then they would go down together and she shut her eyes and said a prayer. Then as the ferry sailed nearer the west coast of Scotland the sea became calmer and soon they were disembarking at the jetty.

  Anna was never so grateful to be back on dry land and when she looked at Thomas and Tommy she knew they felt the same. When the bus got to Glasgow, Thomas said that he would phone Pete to ask him if he could have his interview today but when he got through, Pete wasn’t there and his assistant said to phone back later.

  He decided not to bother as it looked as if Pete was busy on some building site. He told Anna, ‘Do you want to catch the train back to Dundee or will we find somewhere to stay here until tomorrow?’

  Anna and Tommy didn’t hesitate as they had spied lots of lovely shops to visit but Anna wasn’t sure of their money. ‘Will we have enough to pay for bed and breakfast?’

  Thomas said they did but added, ‘We’ll have to live off bread and cheese next week.’

  They found a small guesthouse in one of the streets off Sauchiehall Street and a woman showed them a large room not unlike the one at Lizzie’s house that had the double and single bed. The price was within their means so they left their luggage and went to see the sights.

  Anna was amazed at the amount of shops and she spent most of the day with Tommy going in and out and looking at things they wished they could buy. At teatime, they found a fish and chip shop with a small eating area and as they were hungry after walking on the pavements they ate all their meal washed down with hot cups of tea. Anna said, ‘I wish we could have packed up that super breakfast that Lizzie made and brought it with us.’

  Thomas went out later and phoned Pete again and this time he got him in. He explained about coming over early but as they were staying overnight, he could see him in the morning. Pete asked the name of the guesthouse and said he would come and pick them up after breakfast.

  The next morning, the wind had increased but it wasn’t too bad when Pete drew up in his lovely new car. They all felt like royalty when they got in and when Thomas went to pay the bill, the owner said it had been paid by his friend.

  Pete was a good driver and he negotiated the busy streets until he came to his office which was a building on a large plot of land. There were houses nearby and Pete said his firm had built them. Lying to the rear of the office was a large building which he said was the storeroom and workshop. They went inside and it was stacked with wooden planks, tools and everything for the building trade.

  ‘This is where you’ll be working, Thomas, and it’s a complicated job keeping track of everything. That’s why I need someone I can trust as you wouldn’t believe what goes missing with some builders’ yards.’

  Thomas was grateful for Pete’s belief in him and he said so. Anna and Tommy had stayed in the car and they were very comfortable sitting on the leather seats. Tommy said Pete must be very rich and Anna agreed.

  When the two men got back in the car, Pete said, ‘Well, it’s time to show the two ladies where you’ll be staying if Thomas takes the job.’ They drove along the road, not far from the workshop, and stopped outside a new-looking bungalow. Anna thought that this couldn’t be her new house but it was. They were
all excited when they saw the lovely living room with a large picture window, the fitted kitchen and brand new bathroom plus the three bedrooms. Tommy said she could ask Evie to come and stay but Anna was so overcome by everything, especially the carpets and lino floors, that she was speechless.

  Pete asked if everything was all right and Thomas asked when could he start work. ‘I don’t think I’ll need to give my notice at the Windmill but if I have to, can I start after working it?’

  Pete said that was fine. ‘You can arrange to get your furniture sent here as soon as you like.’ He handed Anna a set of keys. ‘What are your plans for the weekend?’

  Thomas said they hadn’t made up their minds and Pete said, ‘The plan was to put you all up in a hotel tonight as I thought you would be tired after your sea crossing, and that offer still holds if you want it.’

  ‘I don’t want to put you to any extra bother, Pete, as you’ve been good enough as it is.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ said Pete. ‘I’ve already booked the hotel so you’re as well using it before going back tomorrow. I would have taken you out tonight but my wife’s parents are coming for the weekend so I can’t manage.’ He handed a card to Thomas which had on it the name of the hotel and a picture of it, and it looked grand. ‘Right then, I’ll drop you off at the hotel.’

  When they got there, Anna couldn’t believe her eyes. It was situated on one of the main streets but it had five steps leading up to grand mahogany and glass doors. After they got out and stood on the pavement, Pete rolled down his window. ‘I’ll say cheerio for now but give me a ring when you can start, Thomas.’

  The three of them stood bemused on the pavement. Anna was so pleased she had worn her new dress and jacket as well as Tommy being smartly dressed. Thomas had on one of his new shirts and as they climbed the stairs, she thought she was dreaming.