A Family Christmas

by Glenice Crossland

  ‘Well, come on then, out with it.’

  ‘I need to move from the vicarage. I wondered if I could move in with you, just for a while until I find somewhere else.’

  ‘Oh?’ Jane felt rather threatened. If Reverend Goodman took umbrage at Robbie leaving it might mean them losing their home and her job. ‘Well, it could be awkward, Robbie. We shall have to think about it.’ Jane had never seen Robbie so downhearted. ‘Why do you want to leave?’

  ‘It’s OK. Sorry to have bothered you.’

  ‘Here, come back. We need to discuss this. Come on, tell me what’s wrong.’

  ‘Prudence. She’s pestering me all the time and I can cope with that. But now she’s started luring me into her room when she’s half-naked, and when I don’t respond she makes out it’s me who’s after her. I wouldn’t touch her with that sweeping brush, Jane. She’s creepy. Besides, I love Dot. I’m going to marry her when I’ve saved enough.’

  ‘I see.’ Jane frowned. ‘I agree, she is creepy and it could cause trouble with Dot. It’s just that with us living in church property it could be awkward. Why don’t you have a word with Herbert?’

  Robbie laughed. ‘What? He can’t see anything but the light shining out of her backside. Sorry, Jane. Anyway, I can see it could be awkward. Don’t you worry about it. I’ll be OK.’ Robbie went along the corridor and through the cloakroom, which now smelled of bluebells the children had placed in jars, instead of urine and dirty drains. Robbie’s shoulders were down and he dragged his feet along the school yard. Jane watched him through the window of the Baby Class – so called because it was where the five-year-olds began their learning. They would have to come up with a solution, but apart from them being in church property, Jane didn’t fancy their honeymoon period being gatecrashed by a lodger, even if it was her brother-in-law.

  ‘All aboard,’ the driver called as he pulled up on Top Row. The curtains were still drawn at most of the houses, it still not being quite light.

  Will carried out the bags for Lucy. Napkins, baby powder, clean clothes and nightwear. ‘Blimey, anybody’d think we were going for a month,’ he quipped. He went back and fetched a smart attaché case, loaned for the occasion by Mrs Rawlings. In this was packed all the wedding finery. Shirts put away after the last wedding had been brought out again. Clean underwear and Lucy’s new dress. All packed carefully to avoid creasing. Bernard stood, still half-asleep, waiting to take his first ever ride.

  ‘Everything on?’ the driver enquired. Then came Mr and Mrs Slater and Ernest, who had been invited as Will’s friend. The elder Slaters were being left on their own, much to their delight. ‘And think on, behave yerselves or else.’

  Mr and Mrs Marshall were all dressed up, Mrs Marshall sporting a new hat the colour of Colman’s mustard.

  ‘Don’t get drunk,’ Lewis called out of the bedroom window. Lewis and Kitty had always been closer to the younger girls than Nellie.

  ‘Right then, where to next?’ The driver asked when they all seemed to have settled down.

  ‘Our Ben’s,’ Lucy told him. ‘Then to pick up our Jane and Mary, not forgetting Robbie and Dot. After that we need to call at the manor.’

  ‘Fair enough, as long as somebody shows me where they all live.’ Will perched himself on the front seat in order to navigate until everybody was on.

  Ben and Emma were waiting with a crate of Nut Brown to be consumed on the journey. Mrs Slater warned her old man not to forget he was giving Nellie away. ‘Don’t you dare get too much ale and show me up in church.’

  ‘As if I would. I’m right proud to be standing in for Bill Gabbitas. The best mate I ever had, and I shan’t let his daughter down.’

  At the manor Mrs Cooper was trying to curb young Lily’s enthusiasm.

  ‘Oh Mrs Cooper, I shall ’ave to go for another tiddle. Don’t go wi’out me will yer?’

  ‘Goo on then, and hurry up. Yer’ll not be able to be peeing all’t time once we set off, yer know.’ Larry was almost as bad, hopping from one foot to the other. Mrs Cooper thought it a shame that Molly’s mam hadn’t let Molly come. The poor lass had been in tears.

  ‘Do I look all right, Mrs Cooper?’

  ‘Course yer do. I’ve told yer a dozen times. Anybody’d think you’d never been to a wedding before.’

  ‘I ’aven’t, nor on a chara.’

  ‘Aye, well, even so stop getting in such a tizzy or yer’ll end up being sick.’

  By the time they were all aboard and on their way it was coming daylight and the rising sun was colouring the countryside with vermilion and gold. ‘Just look at that for a sight,’ Mr Marshall said as they followed the road over Woodhead. ‘Finest sight in Yorkshire, that is.’ It would have been hard to argue at that moment, with the reflecting colours in the reservoir to their left. They could see a train on its way to Glossop.

  ‘Puffer train.’ Little Bernard pressed his nose against the window. ‘Like Mammie’s picture book.’

  ‘Yes,’ John agreed, hoping Lucy hadn’t heard Evelyn being mentioned. It seemed to upset her much more than it did Bernard. The little boy seemed quite happy to talk about her.

  Mrs Cooper had been given a seat at the front with Lily beside her and Lily could hear Larry, Will and Ernest Slater giggling on the back seat. She could feel their eyes on her and longed to go and join the young ones. Mrs Cooper watched Lily fidgeting and turning round, glancing in the direction of the lads.

  ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Lily, goo and sit at the back if yer like. Yer wearing me out just watching yer.’ Lily was off like a tornado, before she’d got the words out. Mrs Cooper sighed and spread her backside across the two seats. ‘Ah, that’s better.’ She watched John trying to keep little Bernard happy. She thought it was daft, him struggling with the little lad on his knee when there was a spare seat beside her.

  ‘Give ’im ’ere; he can kneel up beside me,’ she said. Mrs Cooper wished she had grand-bairns of her own. The little boy knelt beside her and chatted away to her about moo cows and baa lambs and then he settled down and slept, his head on Mrs Cooper’s knee. She closed her eyes and dozed and stroked Bernard’s hair. Give her a toddler any day than a daft giggly teenager like Lily. Even so, she loved the lass just as she did Nellie, and would grow to love the new cook before many weeks had gone by. She would miss Nellie though, who was the nearest thing to a daughter she would ever have. So she would enjoy this day, if it was the last thing she ever did. She would keep her eye on Lily and Larry though; that Blackpool air might make ’em irresponsible and them being like her children, she would make sure they came to no harm. At least she wouldn’t have little Molly to worry about.

  ‘I can see the tower, look, over there.’ Mr Marshall pointed out the landmark to the youngsters, who had never even seen the sea, let alone the tower. Everyone was relieved to be nearing the end of the journey with a few hours to spare before the wedding. The marriage ceremony might be important to the oldies, but to the youngsters the sea was much more exciting. Lily changed her mind, however, when they arrived at Nellie’s new house and Nellie took her upstairs.

  ‘I want you to be my bridesmaid, Lily.’ Nellie smiled. ‘I just hope your dress fits, that’s all.’ The dress in question was the most beautiful Lily had ever seen. Lilac satin with a wide sash to tie in a bow at the back. A posy of anemones lay on the dressing table next to Nellie’s pink carnations. Lily promptly burst into tears, much to Nellie’s consternation. Nellie hugged the young girl, who to Nellie’s knowledge had never had anything except serviceable working dresses, and even those probably hand-me-downs. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘You’ll make your eyes all red and they’ll clash with the colour of your dress.’

  Lily laughed. ‘Oh Nellie, I’m so happy; that’s why I’m crying.’

  ‘Yes well, come on, let’s see if it fits.’

  ‘Oh it’s far too pretty for somebody like me.’ The dress fit as though it had been made to measure.

  ‘No it isn’t. You’re not just pretty, you’re beautifu
l, Lily. I’m going to fasten your hair up under the head dress and then you’ll see how beautiful you are. You’ve got to do my hair in return. Like you did when I went out to dinner with Tom.’

  ‘Oh, Nellie. And now you’re marrying ’im and I’m going to be all dressed up.’

  The others had hurried down for a look at the sea but Lily was quite content making Nellie look beautiful. When they were ready Lily said, ‘Oh, I wish me dad could see me now, and me mam and our Molly.’

  ‘They will. I shall send you a photograph when they’re developed.’

  ‘Do yer think Ernest’ll think I look nice?’ Lily blushed.

  ‘Well, he’d have to be blind not to.’

  When all the guests had left for church Nellie and Lily came downstairs, where only Mr Slater remained. ‘Eeh, lass, tha’r a sight for sore eyes. And thee an’ all, love. Come on, let’s not keep that young man waiting any longer.’ A wedding car was standing at the bottom of the steps. Nellie Gabbitas was all set to make her marriage vows to the man she adored and who loved her more than life itself.

  * * *

  Margaret Johnson was in her glory; she had taken charge of the catering, leaving Nellie free to put the finishing touches to the house. Some of the guests seemed quite intimidating to Nellie, but Tom introduced his wife with pride and everyone agreed young Tom had done well for himself.

  John Grey found himself in conversation with a man quite a bit older than him. The man seemed quite taken with little Bernard, who had a habit of chatting away to everyone. ‘Handsome little boy, your son; he’ll set a few pulses racing in a few years’ time.’

  ‘Yes, I expect he will.’ John laughed. ‘He isn’t my son yet, though.’

  ‘Oh, I apologise. I just assumed.’

  ‘That’s all right. His mother died, father unknown. We’re about to start adoption proceedings.’

  ‘Hmm.’ The man looked at John. ‘I know it’s a personal question, but how old are you? It’s just that you look a bit young and being a lawyer, I do know that as the law stands, no one under the age of twenty-five is eligible to adopt.’

  ‘Oh!’ John hadn’t known that. ‘Not even if the child’s being cared for by us because he’s no relatives to look after him?’

  ‘I’m afraid not.’

  ‘Surely if I explain, the adoption can go ahead. I’m twenty-four so it’s only the matter of another year.’

  ‘Sorry, it is as the law stands at the moment. Best to wait, in my opinion. Actually it could cause problems if you apply too early. The authorities may decide you’ve no right to be caring for him.’ John considered what the lawyer had said. He knew how heartbroken Lucy would be if the boy was taken away now.

  ‘So you think it would be better if we waited a year?’

  ‘Absolutely. Keep quiet is my advice; don’t rock the boat.’

  ‘Right. Well, thanks for your advice.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ he laughed. ‘Not often we give out free advice. Would have cost you a few quid if given in my office.’

  ‘Thanks. Nice to have met you.’ John shook his hand.

  ‘You too. Paul Tomlinson, should you ever need a lawyer.’ He bent and ruffled Bernard’s hair. ‘Be a good boy for your father.’ He winked at John. ‘Good luck.’ He went off to refill his glass.

  Music had been arranged for the reception in the form of a trio, but it wasn’t quite what the younger guests considered up to date and Nellie gave them permission to go and see the sights of Blackpool. Tom’s young cousin eagerly offered to take them to the Pleasure Beach. Lily was torn between changing her dress and joining the young ones or staying in and wearing her bridesmaid’s dress. Of course Ernest Slater made up her mind for her. He had been eyeing her up all day. Tom gave his cousin enough money for them all to have a few rides at the Pleasure Beach and for their fares on the tram to get there.

  ‘It’s a long walk to the South Shore,’ Tom told them. None of them minded the walk. They crossed the promenade and walked along the sea front, watching the waves bashing on the sea wall, wetting their best clothes and in Lily’s case, her white, uncomfortable shoes she had forgotten to change. ‘Does anybody really go swimming in there?’ she asked.

  ‘All the time. It’s lovely when the tide’s out, or on a calm day.’

  ‘Well, you wouldn’t get me in there.’

  ‘Me neither,’ Dot agreed. ‘It looks far too dangerous.’

  ‘Now that’s what I’d call dangerous.’ Will looked up at the latest ride as they entered the fairground. ‘But I’m going on it all the same.’

  ‘Come on then.’ Clarence the cousin ran to the kiosk to pay. Lily wasn’t sure, but didn’t like to be the odd one out. ‘What would Mrs Cooper say?’ she asked nervously as the ride set off up the steep metal track.

  ‘She’d say, “Yer want yer brains washing.”’ Larry gave a decent impersonation of Mrs Cooper, making them all laugh. They soon stopped laughing as they reached the top and set off down the other side, with the ride gathering speed as they went. The girls screamed and they all hung on for their lives.

  ‘We do want our brains washing.’ Will was as white as Nellie’s wedding dress when the ride came to a halt.

  ‘Who’s for another go?’ Clarence called out, but nobody bothered to reply. After testing a few more rides they took a tram back along the prom and walked up by the station to Nellie’s house. All Nellie’s family and friends were to stay there for the night. Most of the men were inebriated by this time and the women not far behind them. Rosie and Bernard had been put to bed in the family room and Mrs Cooper, Lily and Dot were to share. The young lads were up on the top floor, where they told dirty jokes and acted the fool until it was almost light. Lily, due to habit, was awake by that time.

  ‘Mrs Cooper,’ Lily said as she saw the woman stirring. ‘Should I go and cook breakfast for everybody? After all, I am the bridesmaid.’

  ‘Eeh, lass, that’d be a lovely thing to do, and I’ll come and ’elp yer.’

  ‘I’ll come too,’ Dot said. ‘I’m not used to lying in bed.’

  ‘Come on then. More the merrier,’ Lily giggled.

  Mrs Cooper found a tray and set out breakfast for Nellie and Tom. She found a flower and put it on the tray.

  ‘Ooh, Mrs Cooper, doesn’t that look lovely? Can I tek it up? I know where their room is.’

  ‘All right, but don’t go in until you’ve knocked and they invite yer in.’

  ‘Ooh no, I’d better not.’ Lily and Dot began to giggle.

  ‘And we’ll ’ave less of that,’ Mrs Cooper said, but the girls noticed the merriment in the housekeeper’s eyes. ‘Is that batch o’ bacon done yet?’ she asked Dot.

  ‘Not quite. Shall I go and wake everybody?’

  Lily carried the tray up to the first room and tapped on the door with her toe.

  ‘Come in.’ Tom’s voice made Lily nervous, but she opened the door with her elbow and delivered their breakfasts without spilling a drop, either of fruit juice or tea.

  ‘Oh, Lily, how lovely. You’re supposed to be on holiday, not working or waiting on us.’

  ‘Ooh, I am on holiday. It’s the best time I’ve had in all me born days.’ And not one of the Millington guests would have disagreed.

  After breakfast Tom took the men to look round his garage, where Mr Smith had arranged to take possession of a new car. The rest of them made their way to the North Pier – though Larry would have liked to join the men, if only he’d been invited. The sea was calm now and the young ones decided to go for a paddle. Even Lily and Dot couldn’t resist taking off their shoes and stockings and running along the wide expanse of golden sand and standing in the water where the waves rippled round their ankles.

  ‘Ooh, it’s lovely,’ Lily said. ‘I wish I ’ad a bathing costume, then I could go right in.’ The sea looked so different now it was calm.

  ‘Aye, I’d go with yer. I bet you’d look all right in a costume,’ Ernest said. It wasn’t much of a compliment but it was enough to
send the colour flooding to Lily’s cheeks. They followed the tide mark along the beach, splashing each other and running away. Then Dot saw a gypsy coming towards them dressed in garments of orange, purple and red. The woman was carrying a basket of paper flowers and dolly pegs. ‘Me mam told me to look out for the gypsy woman on the sands. I’m going to have me fortune told. She’s the best fortune teller in the world is Gypsy Lee.’

  ‘How’d yer know that?’ Ernest said.

  ‘Because she told me mam’s fortune and everything she said came true. She even knew me mam was named after a queen, without being told.’

  ‘Tell yer fortune, lady?’ The gold at the gypsy’s wrists and throat gleamed in the sunlight. She came towards Dot. ‘Cross me palm with silver.’ Dot gave her a shilling. ‘Give me yer hand.’ The gypsy traced Dot’s palm with her finger. ‘You’ve a long and healthy life ahead of you. You’ll share it with a tall, dark man. A man who will never cease to be faithful to you.’ Dot’s heart sang. ‘But not yet. Years may pass before you can share your life. Long dark years, all because of the wickedness of a woman.’ Dot didn’t like the gypsy’s prediction now; it was scaring her. ‘Stay close to your family, the earth, the green fields. Your man will return; have faith. Beware a tall, slim woman, long-haired and evil. She will fight, but you will win in the end.’

  Dot wished she hadn’t had her fortune told now. It had made her sad, spoiled her weekend. Then she brightened. The gypsy had said Dot would win in the end. Besides, she had said he would always be faithful. She didn’t mind waiting a few years. In fact she would wait for ever so long as she knew she would eventually share her life with Robbie.

  Mrs Cooper finished helping Nellie prepare the vegetables for dinner. Then she put on her coat, hat and gloves. She would go breathe in some of the finest air in England; if that didn’t give her an appetite nothing would. She walked on Central Drive and down to the promenade. Every building, every street sign, even the salt air brought a rush of memories, some filling her with joy, others bringing heartache. She endeavoured to remember the good times. The way they had run down the steps to the beach, his hand holding hers, protective yet warm with longing. She remembered how the ripples on the sand hurt her feet. The shock of the cold waves round her ankles. Most of all she remembered the love they had shared on that wonderful week, before he was cruelly snatched away from her. No warning, no signs, just the news that he had died of a heart attack.