Isabel's Wedding

by Pamela Oldfield

  ‘Ah! Do I detect problems?’ Stunned by the fact of fatherhood, he seemed unfazed by the prospect.

  ‘Nothing we can’t solve,’ she told him with more hope than conviction and hurried to the stairs to call Luke and Fenella down to hear the good news.

  It was just before midnight that her footsteps stopped outside Luke’s room and Isabel hesitated, glancing back along the poorly lit passage as though uncertain what to do next. She knew that Fenella was sleeping in Luke’s room but was her brother with her? If he was it would make her mission twice as awkward. Crossing her fingers she took a deep breath and tapped apprehensively on the door. There was no answer and she had raised her hand to knock more loudly when the door opened and Fenella stared out at her. Obviously surprised by her visitor Fenella said defensively, ‘If you want me to say I won’t be at the wedding you needn’t ask because I won’t be there – which means that Luke won’t be there either!’

  ‘Are you alone?’

  Fenella nodded.

  ‘May I come in?’

  Glancing down, Fenella saw that her visitor was barefooted and dressed only in a nightdress and shawl.

  Silently she opened the door further, allowing Isabel to enter. She then retreated to the bed and sat down. ‘If it’s Luke you want he’s downstairs, sleeping on the sofa.’

  ‘It’s not Luke. It’s you.’ Unsure how to start, Isabel crossed to the window and glanced outside. ‘The clouds are clearing,’ she said. ‘It might be fine tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s all that matters then!’ Fenella snapped. ‘As long as the weather is fine for your wedding – that’s all you care about, isn’t it? You don’t care if you make people unhappy. You don’t worry about your godmother who’s in hospital . . . you don’t appreciate your sister who’s worrying herself to a shadow trying to make everything right for your big day!’ Her voice rose. ‘You don’t understand that Luke is tying himself in knots for someone he loves – me! You have a newborn baby in the family—’

  ‘I was with Bertie but I’ll—’

  ‘—but you haven’t said a word about him!’

  Stung by the accusations, Isabel turned from the window. ‘You’re hardly perfect! Pushing your way into this family, upsetting us, getting the Frattons talked about in the village . . .’

  ‘Since when did a little gossip hurt anyone?’

  ‘They’ve been gossiping about you and Luke. Does that hurt? Because it hurts us! We don’t care to be the subject of gossip!’

  ‘I should think you’d be used to it by now! They started whispering about the Frattons years ago when your father ran off!’

  Isabel closed her eyes, holding back a furious reply, reminding herself that she had promised her father that she would ‘mend fences’, as he had put it.

  Unaware, Fenella reached for the bedspread and wrapped herself in it as though to protect herself from the harsh words that would follow.

  ‘It hurts us,’ Isabel told her in a quieter tone, ‘because it risks Luke’s future and his career! Aunt Alice is going to disapprove of you, and Luke depends on her goodwill. If you love Luke you should bear that in mind.’

  There was a tense silence as they glared at one another.

  ‘This is getting us nowhere.’ Fenella sighed heavily. ‘What do you want exactly, Isabel? Why are you here? I’d like to get some sleep.’

  Isabel hesitated. ‘I came to apologize, if you must know.’ She rushed on before Fenella could reply. ‘I know what you’re thinking – that it didn’t sound much like an apology, but that’s because you didn’t give me a chance. I came to say you are invited to the wedding and I’m sorry about everything . . . about you and your husband . . .’ Isabel faltered. She was making a mess of everything and she had promised Father.

  Fenella watched her curiously. ‘This is all a bit sudden, isn’t it?’ She had tucked her legs under her and was staring up at Isabel from the rumpled bed and looked much younger than she was.

  Isabel sat down on a nearby chair. ‘I’ve been talking to my father,’ she said with a touch of pride in her voice. ‘He means a lot to me and I . . . I was getting very confused and unhappy and I had nobody to talk to except Olivia who . . . well, she’s only my sister and she’s not much older than me.’

  Fenella raised her eyebrows. ‘Luke says she wants to help you but you won’t listen to her.’

  Ignoring this unwelcome truth, Isabel leaned forward and clasped her hands around one knee. ‘Father’s different. He—’

  ‘He’s hardly perfect either – as fathers go!’

  Stopped in her tracks, Isabel considered this slur and ignored that too. ‘Father doesn’t want me to have any regrets later about my wedding day and he wants it to be the happiest day of my life and as he says, how can it be if you and I and Luke are at loggerheads? He’s right, I know, but it’s not simply that. I mean, if you marry Luke, and I expect you will, you’ll be part of the family.’

  ‘So you’re only doing it to please your father?’

  ‘Not the way you mean! No! Truly, Fenella,’ she went on earnestly, ‘I could see it quite clearly when he explained it. He’s a really wonderful man! I was already wishing that things were different between you and me for Luke’s sake – that is I didn’t want us to be at odds but I couldn’t bring myself to face the truth until Father explained it.’ She waited for Fenella’s response but when none came she shrugged. ‘Oh dear! I’m getting this all wrong, aren’t I?’

  Fenella drew the bedspread closer round her shoulders and said nothing.

  Isabel said, ‘I do want us to be friends. You’ll be my sister-in-law after tomorrow. Father says families are important—’

  ‘And blood’s thicker than water!’ She drew a sharp breath. ‘Luke said you could be unpredictable.’

  Isabel frowned. Was that a compliment, she wondered. She made a last attempt and moved from the chair to stand beside the bed; then she held out her hands. ‘Could we start again, do you think?’

  Seconds ticked by and after a heart-stopping delay Fenella took the outstretched hands in hers, smiled suddenly and nodded. ‘We could certainly try,’ she said.

  Ten

  The ward just after two o’clock in the morning was eerie in the subdued lighting and full of the usual sounds – patients snoring, coughing, tossing in discomfort or calling out in their sleep – and Nurse Allington kept her voice low.

  ‘Mrs Adams might need a sleeping draught,’ she told her colleague, ‘and Miss Bradley in the far right bed, poor soul, will almost certainly need a bed pan before the night is out.’

  The night nurse, new on the ward and still doing her training, lowered her voice, glancing uneasily along the row of beds. ‘What about that Miss Redmond? What shall I say if she starts demanding . . .?’

  ‘Pretend not to hear her. I’m afraid to say she has exhausted my patience. She’s a very selfish woman who expects constant attention. She seems to think that she is the only patient on the ward.’ Exasperated, she rolled her eyes. ‘If she asks me once more to fetch her clothes I shall—’

  ‘But she might need something – that is, something else like a drink of water or . . .’ She frowned in the direction of Miss Redmond’s bed. ‘I think she’s waving her hand now.’

  ‘I’d not put it past her but her carafe has been refilled and she has had her pills.’

  ‘And if she wants help to go to the lavatory?’

  ‘That’s quite different – but she doesn’t. I took her to the toilet not twenty minutes ago. But of course, when she does need to go, you must take her there and bring her back but try not to lose sight of her. She’s determined to discharge herself against the doctor’s advice. And don’t get into any arguments, nurse. Last time she called for me it was to bring her clothes and send for a cab! She has a way with words and could talk the hind legs off a donkey but it’s not good for her and the doctor wants her to stay calm!’

  ‘She is waving.’ She peered through the gloom. ‘She’s sort of beckoning.’

&nb
sp; Nurse Allington tutted. ‘She’ll soon settle down. Doctor Long is adamant that she must not be allowed to discharge herself and most certainly not in the middle of the night!’ She gathered some reports. ‘It looks as though she has gone to sleep at last.’ She smiled. ‘Think yourself lucky! I’ll take these reports to the superintendent.’

  ‘Nurse! I need a bed pan!’ Miss Bradley’s querulous voice was high with anxiety.

  Nurse Allington gave a short laugh. ‘There you are! What did I say? See to the poor soul, nurse, and I’ll be back soon.’ She hurried away towards the swing doors and was gone.

  Sighing, the nurse hurried to fetch a bed pan and on the way back saw that Miss Redmond was at last silent. She whispered a promise to another patient, who complained loudly that her sleeping draught was not working, that she would be with her directly. The night shift had begun in earnest.

  The morning of Isabel’s wedding dawned with a frisky wind but clear blue skies and Olivia uttered a prayer of heartfelt thanks. One less problem for Isabel, she thought as she pushed aside the covers and thrust her feet into her slippers. As she was pulling on her dressing gown there was a knock at the door and Isabel appeared.

  ‘I just wanted to know for sure . . .’ she faltered. ‘I know you will think me quite mad but . . . is papa still here?’

  Olivia stared at the pale face. ‘Still here? But of course he . . . What makes you ask that?’

  ‘I just wondered. I want to be sure before I allow myself to be excited. I knew you wouldn’t understand but . . .’ She was almost wringing her hands.

  Olivia gave her a reassuring hug but her sister’s fears had nevertheless put a small doubt into her mind. ‘We’ll find out,’ she said and, leading the way, knocked on Larry’s door. She called, ‘Time to get up! The big day has arrived!’

  A loud groan and creaking bed springs assured them that he was still with them and a huge smile lit up Isabel’s face as she returned to her room. Olivia hurried to the kitchen to start the breakfast which today would be very frugal – porridge and toast and a large pot of tea.

  Thirty minutes later the family were gathered round the kitchen table – Isabel, in high spirits; Fenella and Luke very much wrapped up in themselves; Olivia anxious as a mother hen and Larry, whom she thought somewhat subdued, but forcing a cheerful expression.

  Isabel, now flushed with excitement, said, ‘I wish Theo was here with us, and Mother. Then we would be a complete family sitting round the table for the first time ever.’

  Fenella said, ‘I’m sure your mother is with us in spirit.’ She sipped her tea and added, ‘Would you like me to brush your hair, Izzie, and pin it up for you?’

  Izzie? Inwardly delighted, Olivia hid her surprise but her sister accepted the offer gracefully, adding, ‘But we’d better make a start and finish it before Miss Denny arrives.’

  Luke said, ‘Fenella and I are going to visit Theo and Cicely – just a short visit to see the new baby but we’ll be back in time to give you a helping hand.’ He glanced at Olivia. ‘I’m hoping Aunt Alice won’t make a surprise appearance.’

  Isabel’s eyes widened fearfully. ‘Oh no! That would ruin everything. Oh she couldn’t, could she?’

  ‘Most unlikely. The doctor is determined not to release her for a few days more even though I can imagine she is being a thorough nuisance. So eat up, everyone. I want to have breakfast out of the way so we can concentrate on getting ready.’

  As the hands of the church clock reached four Isabel stood at the church entrance with Larry, her heart thudding with disbelief. This was her wedding day and her father was there with her – a long-held dream that she had never thought would come true. Her arm was through his and when she turned her head he smiled and winked at her.

  The little church held a congregation of twenty-two people and as Isabel waited for the musical cue that they were to start their walk down the aisle, she picked out those she loved most from among the visitors ranged in front of the altar steps. Theo was there by kind permission of his wife and new baby and Olivia was there next to Luke who had his arm round Fenella. Miss Denny, as planned, had chosen to sit to one side. On the other side of the church Bertie’s parents stood side by side, Dorcas already weeping into her handkerchief, and there were some others of their family as yet unknown to Isabel.

  As the organist struck the first notes and the bride, her face aglow, walked slowly down the aisle, the telegram boy discovered that at Laurel House there was no one at home. Disappointed that there would be no tip, he slipped the telegram through the letter box and went on his way.

  As Dorcas Hatterly put her handkerchief away, Luke squeezed Fenella’s hand and Olivia breathed a deep sigh of relief; the bride and groom shyly exchanged their rings. Larry Kline admitted to himself that his initial deceit had been a bad mistake but that, by some miracle, it had turned out well. At least for the moment, he amended silently. Eventually there would be a reckoning!

  Later, the little company celebrated, the speeches were made and applauded, and the wedding was declared a huge success by all present. Only Olivia had to force her smile as the fateful telegram waited beneath the mantelpiece clock; only she knew that Alice Redmond had died during the previous night.

  Two days later Luke was on his way to Newquay and Fenella was making arrangements to follow him. Alice’s body was to be sent down there the following day and held briefly in a local funeral parlour which she had specified in her will. The affairs of the gallery could not be left without a guiding hand and, although it had closed for three days as a mark of respect, Luke knew that Alice would have laid down strict instructions which involved passing the ownership of the gallery into his hands.

  There was also the matter of her funeral, all of which she had planned with meticulous care, and Olivia and Isabel would also attend. In the meantime Laurel House felt empty and Olivia was grateful for Larry’s presence.

  They were sitting over a late breakfast next morning when Larry finished his toast and said, ‘I meant what I said, Olivia. I think the best thing for both of us is to settle in California. Have you given the idea any thought?’

  Olivia almost choked on her toast. She had dreaded this moment and she had given the matter some thought but she had reached no conclusion. ‘I thought you might stay here,’ she said. ‘Isabel has taken it for granted that you will.’

  Larry shook his head. ‘This isn’t about Isabel or Luke or Theo. This is about you and me – and I have a life back home. I thought I might be needed here but Ellen’s family is fine – except for you and I think you would be happy out there with me instead of here on your own.’

  She shook her head. ‘Something might go wrong and who would they turn to if I were in California?’

  ‘They would deal with their own problems. They’re adults, Olivia. They’re not meant to rely on you. I reckon you’ve done your share . . . and please don’t mention Mrs Whinnie. It was a reasonable idea if you were desperate for money but you’re worth much more than that. If you come back with me you’ll have your own room in the hotel and I’ll teach you how to run it and when I pop off it will be yours.’ He grinned suddenly. ‘Am I anywhere near tempting you?’

  ‘But I have to tell them the truth about you and . . .’ She regarded him unhappily.

  ‘No you don’t. That’s my job. I’ll write to them when I’m good and ready – but all you have to worry about is whether you’re coming to California with me or staying here.’

  Olivia began to collect the plates but Larry put a hand over hers. ‘Leave them! There’s no way you’re going to slide off and start washing up until we’ve settled this.’ He sat back in his chair and looked at her. ‘What do you think Ellen would say if you could ask her? D’you think she’d trust me to look after you?’

  She hesitated, startled by the question.

  ‘D’you think she’d have come to California with me if I’d asked her to, all those years ago – if Jack hadn’t messed everything up for all of us?’

 
; ‘You can’t expect me to decide just like that! It’s a big step!’

  ‘Then take a big step! Why not?’ He leaned forward, grinning. ‘It’s your turn, Olivia. Your brothers and sisters won’t begrudge you your chance at a new life. They each have a new life. They can’t begrudge you the same chance.’

  Olivia was beginning to wonder where Larry thought their life together would lead. Surely he was not imagining that they could live together as man and wife, and if not then what would her position be? She was not his daughter and she hoped he had no plans to pretend she was but it was a rather embarrassing thing to ask about.

  As if reading her mind he said, ‘You would simply be the daughter of a friend. That’s what you are, Olivia. It’s quite simple.’

  ‘But it might happen – although I doubt it will – that I meet someone . . . that is, I mean a man. What would happen . . . I’d be leaving you in the lurch, wouldn’t I?’

  He laughed gently. ‘I’d be delighted for you. Nothing is set in stone and if circumstances change we’ll change with them. Promise me you’ll give the idea serious thought.’

  ‘I will. I’ll talk to the others and—’

  ‘No, Olivia! You must make up your mind before you talk to them. They will naturally want you to stay in England because that will suit them. You can’t blame them. They don’t want to lose you but they have their lives and you have yours.’

  Olivia nodded, wanting to be convinced. The idea, frightening as it was, was growing on her. Did she dare give up all that she knew and held dear, and go to California with Larry?

  ‘I’m leaving for Liverpool for the ship’s passage in two weeks’ time – wait, Olivia!’ He held up his hand to forestall any more arguments. ‘I’ll book my passage in three days’ time and I’d like to book two cabins! What do you say?’

  Olivia shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Knowing that if she spent too long considering the offer she would never agree to go. ‘I’ll do it!’ she whispered.

  1904! 20th July. Four years later!

  After all this time I have found my missing diary, which I thought I had left behind at Laurel House, and will write a few last lines before abandoning it for ever. I’ve been rereading it and it seems that that life I had in England is more like a dream than my own past, and the last four years have flown so fast – but then a lot has happened. Larry says I now sound like an American although I cannot hear the difference myself.