She made them hot drinks. ‘Will you be able to get back in after the firemen put out the fire?’
Bill said it didn’t look like it. ‘The council will have to find accommodation for us all but what we’ll get offered is debatable. The worst part is Sadie and Maryanne. I don’t know if Sadie recovered in the ambulance.’
Evelyn asked where Tommy and her family were and was told they were thankfully away but that they would be coming home later to no house.
Finally they all went to bed. Evie was in her granny’s bed and her mum and dad on the ‘shaky doon’, as the mattress was called.
The next morning, Grace made them all breakfast and the radio was on. Suddenly the news announcer mentioned the devastating fire in Meadow Lane, Dundee: ‘There is one fatality and another person was taken to hospital where they are recovering.’
Breakfast was a subdued meal when they all realised Sadie hadn’t recovered. Grace couldn’t believe that such a young vibrant and beautiful woman could be dead. ‘If only she had gone back with her husband, she would still be alive. Poor Eddie, I don’t know how he’ll take this awful news.’
‘The fire chief said to meet him later at the houses to see what we can salvage and I’ll have to see all the neighbours to tell them, but we’ve nothing to wear,’ said Bill.
Evelyn said Grace could have something from her wardrobe even if they weren’t the same size. Grace found a skirt with an elasticated waist and a jumper but she was glad she always wore her pants under her nightdress as she drew the line at borrowing her mother’s underwear.
‘I can go and meet the fire chief and try to salvage some things from the house.’ She was almost crying but she knew she had to be strong to get them through this terrible time.
There was a knock on the door and Charlie Baxter, Bill’s boss, was standing there with a big bag. ‘I’ve brought round some clothes as I’ve heard the awful news. The woman next door told me everyone was asleep when it happened so I reckoned you wouldn’t be able to get dressed.’ He handed over the bag. ‘I’m sorry it’s just some men’s clothes as my wife Beth isn’t the same size as Grace.’
Bill didn’t know what to say, especially when he opened the bag and found the clothes were all new. ‘You’re welcome to them,’ said Charlie.
Bill was grateful. ‘Thank you, you’ve saved my life as I couldn’t walk about the town like this.’
After he left, Grace said what a great gesture it was. Bill didn’t want to laugh because of the tragedy but he smiled. ‘He’s always telling me his wife buys him clothes he doesn’t like so I’m sure he’s grateful to have an excuse to get rid of them, which is a blessing for us.’
Grace wasn’t so sure. ‘I still think it was very good of him to come round.’ Bill came through dressed and she had to laugh. The trousers and shirt were fine but the jumper had bold stripes down one side in shades of blue and red. ‘Oh, I see what you mean,’ she said.
Evie said he looked very smart but she said she was worried about everyone. Where will they get things to wear?
‘People are very good in situations like this and they will all rally round. You’ll have to stay with Granny as we haven’t anything for you to wear but we’ll try and get as much as we can from the house.’
‘What about Tommy, they won’t have heard about the fire so they’ll get a shock when they come home.’ Evie was upset but her mother said they would see them and help as much as possible.
‘What we have to remember, Evie, is that Sadie is dead and her mother in hospital so what we’re going through is nothing compared to Maryanne.’
Bill and Grace left and made their first call on Mrs Bell where they found Bella and Albert. Bill was surprised how well they were standing up to this catastrophe until he remembered Albert had been in the Great War and Bella had lost her fiancé in the fighting. They had both been through tough times and were made stronger by them. ‘We’ll be there this afternoon,’ said Albert. No one mentioned Sadie but they didn’t have to, their faces said everything and no words were needed.
When they got to Murdo’s flat, Morag and Rory were both dressed and busy getting Catriona washed and fed. Because of Morag’s quick thinking she had brought a pile of clothes out in the pram. ‘I had done my ironing that night but hadn’t put it away so I just picked it up,’ she said. They were all shocked by the terrible news of Sadie’s death but they were also very concerned about where they were going to live. ‘Do you think the houses will be repaired?’ asked Morag, but Bill didn’t know.
‘We have to see the fire chief this afternoon so we’ll get a better idea of what’s happening then.’
Rory went down the stairs with them. ‘Murdo’s flat isn’t big enough for us all, in fact we could hardly get the pram up the stairs, so I do hope we can get some different accommodation.’
Grace said they all hoped that but they would just have to wait and see.
They weren’t sure where Martha and Eliza were but then Grace remembered Mrs Donaldson had offered them a room at her house and they made their way there. Martha was complaining loudly about being turfed out of her house. ‘I always knew that Sadie would do damage to someone or something and I’m going to give her a piece of my mind when she gets back from hospital.’
Eliza and Mrs Donaldson stood silently by and judging from the house owner’s face, she looked like she was sorry to have taken Martha in.
Bill said, ‘Sadie is dead, Martha, she didn’t survive the fire and Maryanne is still in hospital.’
Martha had the grace to look shocked while Eliza and Mrs Donaldson burst into tears. Grace went to comfort them and Martha said, ‘I didn’t know that and I’m sorry for saying what I said.’
Bill took Eliza aside. ‘Can you come this afternoon to try and save as much in the house as possible? I think you should leave Martha behind as it will be a terrible job.’ Eliza nodded and began to cry again.
When they got back to Evelyn’s flat, Grace said that left just Anna, Thomas and Tommy to see but they had no idea when they would be back.
‘They can’t be too late as Thomas and Anna have to start work tomorrow.’
In the afternoon they all gathered in the lane where the smell of smoke was still overpowering. They were wearing an assortment of clothes that were either too big or in styles they would never wear in normal circumstances. However this was a tragedy and everyone looked as if they had been crying but trying to put on brave faces.
There were still some firemen standing by in case the fire started up again but judging from the amount of water running down the lane that seemed impossible. The fire chief warned them that a fireman would be with them and to stay as close to the front as possible. ‘Don’t try and get anything from the back bedrooms.’
They were all shocked when they cautiously ventured through the front doors. Everything was soaked and what wasn’t burned was unusable. Bill and Grace gave a quick glance at the furniture and the television but they weren’t worth taking out. Grace went into Evie’s bedroom which faced the front and managed to collect her school bag and some of her little treasures. She also picked up a pile of clothes that was on the kitchen chair. Like Morag, she had done the week’s ironing but hadn’t put it away. The clothes were soaking and streaked with black smoke but they could be washed. She also emptied the cupboard which held her wedding china that was never used but still sentimental to her.
Bill went to help Eliza but she was at a loss what to take so he helped her empty the big sideboard and carried everything out onto the patchy grass at the front.
Rory thought he could save the baby’s cot but the wood was soaking and as most of their lovely furniture was the same, he decided to gather up any mementoes of Catriona plus dishes and glasses that had been wedding presents.
Bella and Albert were the same, they gathered together household items that could be washed and Bella took her photo album and the framed photo of Davie before taking a last look at her home.
Grace said she should go
and try to salvage some items from Maryanne’s house but as it had suffered the most damage, she only ventured as far as the sideboard which was near the door. There wasn’t a great deal in it but she carried out what she could, and like Bella, she picked up the framed wedding photos. This was the one with Maryanne and her late husband but when Grace saw the picture of Sadie and Ed’s wedding she had to turn it over as it almost made her cry. From the brief glimpse of it she saw how radiant Sadie was. She looked like a girl who had the whole world at her feet and now she was dead. Grace thought life could turn out very cruel.
Then, just as they were nearly finished, the Cassidys turned up. Grace hurried over to them as Tommy and Anna began crying. Thomas said they had heard the news of the fire.
‘We were staying in a hotel in Glasgow when Tommy put on the wireless that was in our room. That’s when we heard about it. They said there was one death…’ He stopped as he couldn’t go on.
Anna came over and Grace had to tell them that it was Sadie. ‘Maryanne is in hospital but she’ll probably get home soon.’ She pointed to all the possessions lying on the grass. ‘We’ve been told to try and get some things from the houses but to stay near the front as the backs of the houses are all burnt.’
Thomas went in and, like Grace, he concentrated on Tommy’s bedroom, gathering as much as he could. He also took out the trunk from under her bed which was full of photographs and other sentimental items.
As they carried things back to their temporary homes, they agreed to meet up the next morning and decide what the next step would be. Before leaving, Grace asked where Anna and her family were going to stay.
Anna said, ‘Thomas is away to phone Pete to see if we can move into our new house tonight.’ She told her friend about the new job and the lovely house they were moving to. ‘I don’t know what we’ll do about furnishing it but we’ll get by. At least we’re all still alive while poor Sadie is dead.’
Grace said she was also worried about the elderly neighbours like Martha, Bella and Albert. ‘I don’t know where they’ll end up but wherever it is it will be a shock after living a lifetime in the lane.’
Anna asked if she could come with Tommy to say goodbye to Evie and Grace felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She tried to smile but failed. ‘We’re living with my mother in Ann Street, you know where it is and we’ll see you later.’
It was teatime when they came. Tommy and Evie were in tears at the thought of parting. Anna said they would soon make new friends at school which made them cry even more.
Thomas said, ‘We’re catching the train tonight to Glasgow. I’ve phoned my boss at the Windmill Bar and he says not to worry about working my notice. He sends his sympathy to us all.’
As they were leaving, Grace asked if they would manage to make it through to the funeral and they said they would. Tommy said she would always be in touch with Evie. ‘I’m going to wear my hair slide all the time so I don’t forget you and the times we shared living here.’
46
The next few days passed in a blur of emotions. Maryanne came home to stay with Dorothy. Sadie’s funeral was ten days away as there was a post-mortem to be done. Maryanne was distressed when it showed that Sadie had been very intoxicated before she died. They assured her that she wouldn’t have suffered much as the smoke had killed her and not the flames.
Ed came over from America but didn’t bring Eddie. He told Maryanne, ‘I’ve just told him his mum was dead but not how she died. He keeps blaming himself but I’ve told him that he’s only a child and that adults sometimes make their own decisions. Sadie made hers and we all have to live with the memories.’ He added, ‘I hope it wasn’t my letter about the divorce as I only wanted her to think about her marriage and come back to me. I would never have divorced her and she knew it.’
They were sitting in Dorothy’s kitchen and Maryanne said she was to blame as well. ‘I should have been stricter with her when she was a child but I wasn’t.
I was there when she got your letter and although she was furious, she said she had no intention of going back so don’t worry about that. She wanted to fight you over Eddie but she wouldn’t have won her case. I hope she is now resting in peace.’
Ed asked what was happening to everyone who lost their homes. Maryanne said the council was trying to get them sorted out but it was going to take time. ‘The Salvation Army has been a great help and they promise they’ll help out with what’s needed. Martha and Eliza have got a ground floor flat in Church Street and the MacCallums have moved into a new house at Fintry which I hear has been a great success for them. Morag has been telling Grace that it’s great to have a kitchen with hot water and a bathroom. Thomas, Anna and Tommy have moved to a new job and house in Glasgow.’
Ed said he was pleased to hear that, as he felt responsible for all the trouble. Maryanne stopped him. ‘It wasn’t your fault or anybody’s fault. Once Sadie made up her mind, nothing ever changed it so I think she should never have left you and that’s the truth.’
Grace was out shopping when she met Albert. ‘Any word on another house?’ he asked. Grace said they were meeting the council tomorrow as a house had become vacant above the ice cream shop on the Hilltown. ‘It’s got a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom so we’re over the moon about that. To be honest, Albert, although we’re grateful to my mother for putting us up, it’s getting stressful because she hasn’t the room. Thankfully she’s going off with her friend Elsie and her son for a day out tomorrow. Do you have any news of a move?’
Albert said the problem was that they were both single people. ‘Bella has been offered a one-bedroom house in Hepburn Street and she says she can put a settee in the living room and I can stay with her. But I’m not sure. I don’t want people to talk about us living together.’
Grace said he shouldn’t let that bother him. ‘I’m hoping Maryanne gets something soon as well.’
The weather turned cold on the day of the funeral. The service was held in Bonnethill Church where Sadie used to go to Sunday school. Everyone from the lane was there to support Maryanne and Ed, and quite a lot of the people from the surrounding streets came to pay their respects even though some of them hadn’t known Sadie.
Ed placed a huge wreath of golden chrysanthemums on the coffin and as everyone stood up to sing the first hymn, he had to wipe tears from his eyes as did most of the congregation. Hal Anderson was there as well as David Fleming from the electrical business. They both felt guilty that they perhaps contributed to Sadie’s state of mind. Peter was there with his wife Norma. He had told her of his previous relationship with Sadie and she had been so sorry to hear of her death. She held his hand during the service while he recalled the happy times he had spent with his beautiful ex-fiancée. He saw Sadie’s husband wipe tears away and he felt an overwhelming feeling of wasted lives.
The burial at Balgay Cemetery was just for the family and folk from the lane. Martha was in a wheelchair, and they all gathered around. Suddenly a bright shaft of sunlight shone down on the coffin, turning the flowers into a ring of gold. There was a moment of silent amazement but Maryanne was comforted by this. Sadie was truly at peace.
After the burial, they all went for refreshments at the Royal Hotel where Ed had booked a room.
Thomas and Anna had arrived from Glasgow but had left Tommy with Pete’s wife. Evie was also missing, she was at Evelyn’s house. It was a subdued meeting but Anna told Grace how wonderful everything had turned out for them. ‘Pete, Thomas’s boss, gave us a loan to furnish the house and he’ll take just a small amount back every week. Tommy has started in her new school and has made a few friends.’
Grace said she was pleased to hear such good news and mentioned they were also delighted with their new house. ‘You know the building, Anna, it’s the modern houses above the ice cream shop.’
Anna said she did. ‘I always fancied one of those myself.’
Ed came and spoke to everyone and said how grateful he was that they had all be
en so good to Sadie. Martha said she was her special friend and everyone raised their eyebrows at the blatant lie. However, Ed took it as a compliment to his late wife.
‘I’m trying to persuade Maryanne to come back with me to America as I don’t like her living on her own. It was fine when you were together but now you are all separated,’ he said.
Maryanne had been allocated a flat in Kinghorne Road and she was happy there but she was touched by Ed’s concern. ‘I’ll maybe come and live with you when I get old,’ she said. What she didn’t say was she didn’t want to be far from Sadie and she planned to take flowers to her grave every Sunday.
Morag and Rory went up to Ed to give their condolences and he asked them how they were doing.
‘Catriona’s getting bigger every day and soon she’ll be crawling into every corner,’ said Rory while Morag said she was delighted with her new house. ‘It means Rory has to catch a bus every day but it’s worth it,’ she said.
While all this chatter was going on, Albert and Bella had been sitting quietly with their tea. Just as the waitress came in to clear the table, Albert stood up. He seemed hesitant and had to take a drink of water before speaking. ‘I’d like to tell you that Bella and I are to be married next month.’
There was a silence in the room then everyone converged on the couple to give them their congratulations.
Albert said, ‘Bella thought I should make an honest woman of her as we share a house.’ Everyone laughed but he went on, ‘Seriously, we have known one another since we were in our teens so it hasn’t been a whirlwind courtship.’
Ed went over and said how pleased he was at their good news. ‘Maryanne told me that you both tried to persuade Sadie to come back to me and I appreciate that very much.’
Bella said they had both known her since she was a child and they had been very fond of her. ‘I only wish now that she had taken our advice and we wouldn’t be mourning her death.’
Ed said he felt the same. Before leaving, he made a speech. ‘I just want to thank you all for the part you played in Sadie’s life. You tried to help her and Eddie but it wasn’t to be. Sadie was like a breath of fresh air, a free spirit and a golden girl and that’s what I’ll remember about her. Not the way she ended up but the way she lived.’
Meadow Lane Page 27
