A Family Christmas

by Glenice Crossland

  ‘No we won’t trouble you; I can see you’re busy.’

  Lucy couldn’t help admiring the costume the woman wore. She blushed as she realised she was still wearing the floral pinafore with a splash of black lead down the middle. She hurriedly removed it. ‘I’m sorry I’m not changed. Friday is one of my busiest days. Well, actually they’re all busy days.’ She knew she was prattling on and smiled nervously.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure they must be. So with three children of your own why do you wish to adopt another child?’

  ‘We love him. Besides, his mother placed him in our care. We were the ones she trusted to look after him.’

  The woman nodded and the man made notes in a book.

  ‘And actually Bernard adopted us, really. He just naturally began to call us Mam and Dad, and he adores his brother and sisters. It would break his heart to be parted from them, especially Rosie. It would break our hearts too.’ Lucy’s voice broke as she considered such an eventuality.

  ‘Please, Mrs Grey, we’re not here to upset you. We are here to make sure you are suitable parents and your home is the right one in which to bring up the child.’

  ‘You can check the rest of the house. We haven’t much in the way of luxuries but it’s clean.’

  ‘We are aware of that. Your home is also comfortable and warm. We are also aware that Bernard is a happy and intelligent boy. We have spoken to his teacher and as it is a church school we have made enquiries and discovered that Bernard is being brought up in a Christian household.’ Peter began to stir and the woman went and peered into the pram. ‘All your children are beautiful, Mrs Grey.’

  ‘Yes they are – all our children including Bernard.’

  The man closed his book and smiled at Lucy. ‘That will be all for now, Mrs Grey.’

  ‘Does that mean we can adopt him?’ Lucy asked excitedly.

  ‘We shall be paying you another visit in the near future.’

  ‘But what shall I tell my husband?’

  ‘You’ll be hearing from us soon. Good afternoon.’ They walked out of the house, leaving Lucy feeling like a nervous wreck, going over in her mind everything that had been said. Should she have said this? Should she have said that? And after all the mind-searching she was no wiser about whether Bernard was destined to be their son. Only time would tell and if at the end of all the waiting the adoption couldn’t take place Lucy knew she would never recover from the heartbreak of losing a child who in every way had become part of her family.

  Prudence Grey tore up yet another letter from a lawyer by the name of Paul Tomlinson. She was ignoring the letters, just as she was ignoring the fact that she was a married woman. Her attentions had been transferred to a tall, dark man who could have been mistaken for Robbie Grey. The man was a regular borrower at the library and Prudence imagined he was attending so often because he was attracted to her.

  The chief librarian – an aging spinster – considered it scandalous the way her assistant was behaving every time the man returned his books. Had Prudence no shame? Flaunting herself, and she a married woman. She had employed her friend’s niece out of the goodness of her heart and this was how she was repaying her. Well, she wouldn’t stand for it; she would have to speak to her friend about Prudence’s behaviour. Who would have thought the daughter of a man of the cloth would demean herself in such a way? Pouting her lips, titivating her hair and thrusting out her chest at the man. It was disgusting. If the girl continued in this way she would find herself unemployed, as well as deserted by her husband. And who could blame him if this were her normal way of carrying on? Yes, she would certainly pay her friend a visit. It would prove embarrassing, but not as embarrassing as having to witness the carrying on in her library, which had always been a most respectable establishment until the arrival of Prudence Grey.

  Will was now a regular visitor at the home of Betty Hague. Her parents were fond of Will and her father had made a few discreet enquiries and discovered Will was a respectable, industrious lad and was the son of the late Bill Gabbitas, which in his opinion spoke for itself. Besides, Betty’s father liked a lad with a sense of humour and Will made him laugh. So Will was welcomed into their home and considered to be an eligible young man for their Betty. On Sunday afternoons a fire was lit in the Hagues’ front room and the couple were allowed a little privacy, though Mrs Hague made sure no hanky-panky was taking place by conveniently needing something at regular intervals. Sometimes it was the best fruit dishes from the sideboard, or a clean tablecloth in order to set the table for Sunday tea. On this occasion however, the parents had gone out on a visit to Mr Hague’s sister, leaving the lovebirds alone for the first time and Betty intended making the most of the empty house.

  ‘Would you like to see my bedroom, Will? I’ve distempered it myself.’ Will wasn’t the slightest bit interested in newly distempered walls but had other things on his mind, which would be much easier to manipulate in a room with a bed. So he showed the appropriate enthusiasm in the pretty pink walls and rose-patterned curtains before turning his attention to Betty, who was just as eager to be in his arms.

  ‘Oh, Will. I thought we’d never get the house to ourselves.’

  ‘Me too, though you shouldn’t ’ave brought me up ’ere.’ He didn’t mean a word of it and the young lovers were soon lying on Betty’s pink bed. When his hand moved to the bare flesh between Betty’s stocking and her knickers she made no resistance and was just as eager as Will to take their friendship a stage further. It was only when intercourse was about to take place that Betty thought better of it and decided things had gone far enough.

  Will felt slightly put out that he had been so near fulfilling his dream only to have it curtailed, but he put on a good face and knew that when he finally got round to it, it would be well worth the wait. He loved Betty Hague and the way she had responded to his touch told him that she felt the same. Aye, she had done the right thing by not giving in. He couldn’t have lived with himself if he had made her pregnant. There was time enough for that when they were married, and if he had his way a wedding would be taking place in the not-too-distant future.

  Will began to panic at the idea of Betty not wanting to marry him and thought he had better find out if she was in the same mind as he was. ‘Betty, I love you. Will you marry me?’

  ‘Oh, Will. I wasn’t leading you on in order to drag a proposal out of you.’

  Will looked put out and Betty smiled at his crestfallen expression.

  ‘I know that, Betty. But I mean it. I love you and I want us to be married.’

  ‘And I love you. I’ve loved you from the first time I saw you at the dance, and yes, I will marry you. Unless it’s just me decorating skills you’re after.’ Then Will kissed her, this time with a tenderness that told Betty it wasn’t only the sex Will was interested in. But by the feel of Will as he pressed up close to her the sex would come a close second and Betty would find it hard to resist him until they were married. But resist she would, even though it would be agony.

  ‘They’re home.’ Betty hurriedly straightened her clothing and Will thanked his lucky stars that they hadn’t been misbehaving after all.

  ‘Hello! What yer doing up there? Everything all right?’

  ‘Yes, Mr Hague, everything’s fine.’ Betty’s dad was already at the top of the stairs. Will looked round the room, indicating with his hand. ‘In the pink, Mr Hague.’ The man laughed. He should have known Will could be trusted – like his dad, he was.

  ‘I was just showing Will my decorating skills, Dad.’

  ‘Aye, a clever lass is our Betty. Mek a good little wife one of these days, she will.’

  ‘I’m sure she will.’ Will smiled at Betty. ‘And I hope I don’t ’ave too long to wait.’ Will was gratified by the smile that lit up Jim Hague’s face. Eeh but they’d had a narrow escape. He wouldn’t be visiting Betty’s bedroom again until they were married. He couldn’t trust himself to behave – not where Betty was concerned.

  In January 1936 King Geo
rge V had breathed his last breath. The lady at the top house of Side Row went into full mourning dress and covered her mirrors with black cloth. Mr Slater said if he went into mourning it would be at the thought of Edward’s accession to the throne. ‘No good’ll come of that,’ he predicted. Mr Slater needn’t have worried, as it happened. Edward’s reign was to prove short-lived.

  It was the beginning of April when John arrived home one day with a huge smile on his face. Lucy watched him strip off to the waist at the sink in the corner and rid himself of the coal dust. Then she placed the plate of meat and potato pie – which was more potato than meat – in front of him. ‘Well?’

  ‘Well what?’ John watched the anticipation light up Lucy’s lovely face.

  ‘Oh, come on. I know there’s something you’re holding back.’

  ‘I’ve been made deputy.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Your Ben’s leaving. Now Emma’s looking after little Joyce he’s decided to join the business. Mrs Scott has decided she wants to spend some of her money on a van. So he’s handed in his notice and put in a good word for me. They’ve given me his job.’

  ‘Oh, John. It’s no more than you deserve.’

  ‘Well it should have gone to somebody who’s been there longer than me but two of them don’t want to swap shifts and the other one is a poor attender, stays at home most Mondays, prefers to be at the Rising Sun.’

  ‘That’s something they can’t accuse you of.’

  ‘No lass, drinking on a work day’s a fool’s game if you ask me. Besides, with our lot there’s no money to spare, but I shall be earning more as a deputy. Enough to make a difference between worrying where the next meal is coming from and being able to put a bit away.’

  Lucy decided it was as good a time as any to break the news. ‘Enough to feed an extra mouth?’

  ‘What do yer mean, love?’

  ‘I mean I’m expecting again. Sorry.’ She added the word in a whisper.

  ‘Nay, lass, it’s nothing to be sorry about. It’ll bring its love with it like the others did.’

  ‘Oh, John, I do love you. You’re the kindest, most gentle man in the world.’

  John grinned. ‘Less of the flattery. When’s it due then?’ He took another mouthful of pie.

  ‘September maybe.’

  John nodded. ‘More the merrier,’ he said, relieved that he would be earning a bit more before then, but anxious that Lucy had caught on again after he had been so careful. If they went on like this they would end up like the Murphys, and they didn’t even have the excuse that they were Catholics.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  HERBERT READ THE letter from his sister, threw it down on the hall stand and went out, down the path and across to the church. Louisa wondered what news had caused her husband to return to his prayers when he had only just come home. She picked up the sheet of paper, looked at the signature on the bottom and began to read.

  My dear Herbert,

  As you know I was delighted to have Prudence come and stay with me after the upset when Robert left the sanctity of their marriage. However Prudence has disappointed me by letting down my friend the librarian, who was kind enough to offer her employment. I’m afraid Prudence is bringing the library into disrepute by acting more like a young teenager instead of a respectable married woman. Indeed she seems to have forgotten – or chooses to ignore – the fact that she is married. In short, she is flaunting herself at one of the patrons at her place of work. Unless Prudence ceases to make a spectacle of herself and conducts herself in a more appropriate manner I fear she will soon be dismissed.

  I think Prudence needs your guidance at this time and hope you will consider paying us a visit. Of course I shall look forward to welcoming Louisa too and maybe you can treat this as a short holiday. I fear you are burying your heads in the sand and hoping the problem will go away. This won’t do at all, dear brother. A solution must be found. Incidently, I have discovered Prudence is ignoring correspondence from a lawyer by the name of Paul Tomlinson.

  Please inform me of your arrival time.

  Your loving sister,

  Edith.

  Louisa placed the letter back in its envelope and went across to the church. Closing the old oak door quietly, she tiptoed to where Herbert was kneeling at the altar. She knelt beside him and bent her head in prayer. The scent of lilac in a vase close by mingled with the mustiness of old books and polished wood. Louisa loved this church, which usually stilled her mind and gave her peace. Today she found none of the usual calm. She touched her husband’s arm and he reached out and clutched her hand. She realised Herbert was crying.

  ‘Don’t, please don’t, Herbert.’

  ‘Oh, Louisa, what have I done?’

  ‘You? You’ve done nothing, my love.’

  ‘I have. I’ve ruined a man’s life to save my daughter’s reputation. When all the time her reputation was based on lies. And all the time I suppose I knew what my daughter was like – spoiled – because it was I who spoiled her; and devious, though she doesn’t get that from me or you.’

  ‘I, I think Prudence needs help, my love. I have thought so for some time, but I went on ignoring the things she did. I believe it was Prudence who tried to poison the livestock at Greenwood’s but I didn’t want to believe it. I’m as much to blame as you are. She’s sick, Herbert, I’m sure of it.’

  ‘What are we to do?’

  ‘Give Robert his life back. Persuade Prudence to give him a divorce. Make sure she has a lawyer, or at least answers the lawyer’s letters.’

  ‘I’m not a wealthy man, Louisa. Divorces can cost the earth.’

  ‘There may be a way. We must do our best for Robert’s sake.’

  ‘Yes, we shall take a few days’ break and go to Liverpool. Edith is right; the problem won’t go away.’

  ‘Now my love, let us pray; it may give us comfort.’

  Herbert nodded, then he prayed to the God he loved above all else. He knew He wouldn’t let him down.

  The library was almost ready for closing when the doctor hurried in to collect a book he had ordered. He hoped the assistant wouldn’t start flaunting herself and wished now he had sent his wife. The librarian went to find it and hoped Prudence wouldn’t make a spectacle of herself again. The poor man had been embarrassed enough on his last visit by her shocking behaviour. In order to prevent a repeat performance she turned to her assistant. ‘You can go now. It’s almost closing time anyway.’

  The doctor was relieved and smiled at his benefactress, who was surprised when Prudence didn’t hang around but simply put on her coat and left. The girl waited outside the building, convinced that the man who so resembled her husband was attracted to her. After all, he always smiled when she removed the cards and handed him the chosen books. She watched him leave the library and set off along the street, then she began to follow him, deciding to surprise him by calling at his home. Unlike Robbie Grey, he wouldn’t turn her away; he desired her – she had seen it written on his face. She watched him take out his key and unlock the door. After he had let himself in she waited a few minutes whilst she studied the name plate on the door. Then she rang the bell, already undoing her coat.

  Prudence was confused when a woman answered the door, a plump young woman. Then her confusion turned to anger – what was she doing here? He was meant to be alone.

  ‘Yes, can I help you?’

  ‘No, not you. I want him.’

  ‘I’m sorry, surgery’s closed for the night, but if you’re ill I’m sure my husband will see you.’ She turned and called his name. ‘Laurence, there’s a patient to see you.’

  ‘I’m not a patient, and you’re not his wife. He loves me. Why would he marry someone like you? Look at you, you’re fat.’ Prudence took off her coat, then undid the button on her skirt and slipped it down. Next she took off her blouse. ‘See, I’m slimmer than you and much more attractive.’ She continued to undress as the doctor’s wife looked on in horror.

  ‘Laurence. P
lease, where are you?’

  ‘Coming.’ He came to an abrupt halt at the bottom of the stairs.

  ‘What the …?’

  ‘I don’t know, she says …’ The woman burst into tears. ‘She says I’m fat and you’re attracted to her.’

  ‘Good lord. The girl’s ill; she must be. Please put your clothes on.’

  ‘No!’ Prudence placed her hands on her hips and posed in a sexual manner. ‘You know you want me. Well, I’m here now.’

  The door on the left opened and a pretty little girl came out into the hall. ‘Daddy, why is that lady getting undressed? Is she going to sleep here? Is that why?’

  ‘He’s not your daddy; he doesn’t belong to any of you. He loves me.’

  The doctor scooped his daughter up in his arms and took her back into the lounge. ‘Be a good girl and play with your toys, darling. The lady’s sick. We’ll make her better.’ Then he addressed his wife, who was trying to place Prudence’s coat round her now naked body.

  ‘I’ll ring for an ambulance, Joan.’ He picked up the phone and Prudence hurried forward and knocked the instrument from his hand. Then she spun round and slapped Joan sharply across the face, leaving the doctor’s wife shaking with fear. She backed away as her husband managed to make the call for an ambulance and the police. The girl was ill, mentally ill. She needed restraining and he doubted he could accomplish that on his own. The best thing in his opinion was to humour her. ‘Look, Joan will make us some tea and then we will all sit down and discuss what we are going to do. We’ve both been working all day and you are obviously overwrought.’

  ‘No, I’m just in love, that’s all. We’ll go away, you and me, leave the fat woman here, the one who calls herself your wife.’ Prudence began to laugh. ‘As though you would want her when you can have me! She must be mad to think such a thing.’ The doctor wished he could sedate the girl but everything he would need was kept in the surgery. By this time Prudence was laughing hysterically. The ambulance came at that point.