A Family Christmas

by Glenice Crossland

  Robbie was pleased at the lawyer’s use of his christian name and read the documents Paul had given him. ‘But what about the court costs?’

  ‘Forget them. I might need a favour myself one of these days. Besides, I’m feeling quite proud; these cases are extremely rare you know.’

  ‘Well, at least let me take you out to dinner. It would have to be tomorrow though, then I need to go home. I’m sure you’ll know of a decent place.’

  ‘Very well, I shall bring my wife and you must invite Tom and Nellie. I’ll ring them when I’ve made a reservation.’ He grinned at Robbie. ‘I’m warning you it won’t come cheap.’

  Robbie grinned back. ‘It’ll be worth it, whatever it costs.’

  ‘To marry the girl you love? Yes it will, if you truly love her.’

  ‘I do, I definitely do.’

  ‘Now, let me run you to Tom’s.’

  ‘No, thanks all the same. The last time I left your office I felt like throwing myself from the top of the tower. Now I feel like I could climb to the top. I’d like to walk.’

  ‘Very well, and if you should ever need my services again, you know where to find me.’ The two men shook hands again, both satisfied with the outcome, but sorry for the Goodmans who, despite making things right for Robbie, must be feeling nothing but despair at the whole sorry episode.

  Robbie called at a toy shop before going to Nellie’s and bought a teddy bear for the baby. He opened the door of a jeweller’s but then realised he had no idea what size ring Dot would require, so closed the door again, cringing as the shop bell rang out, leaving an assistant glaring at him through the glass. He breathed in the salty air and threw back his shoulders. A couple of teenage girls stared at him and giggled as he gave them a wink. Robbie Grey was a happy man.

  Nellie was delighted to see Robbie and catch up on the news from home. She was even more pleased that their friend had solved Robbie’s problem so satisfactorily. He insisted on paying for his bed and board despite Tom’s protests, but agreed to eat with the couple rather than in the guests’ dining room. When he told them he had decided to go to Liverpool and visit Prudence, Tom insisted on driving him there the following morning. ‘I don’t think it’s something you should do alone,’ Tom said. ‘I doubt it will be a very pleasant experience.’

  ‘I know that, but it’s something I need to do. If I don’t it’ll be hanging like a cloud over me for ever.’

  ‘Very well, but I’m going with you. Besides, we shall be there and back in half the time the bus takes.’

  As it happened the visit wasn’t as horrendous as Robbie had feared. Prudence was seated in a pleasant room, working on her crocheting. When Robbie walked towards her she glanced at him and carried on.

  ‘Hello, Prudence. How are you?’

  ‘Fine. Do you like the mat I’m making?’

  ‘It’s pretty.’ It was just a long tangled length of silk thread.

  ‘It’s for my house when we move in.’

  ‘Your house?’

  ‘Yes, haven’t they told you I’m getting married?’ A porter wheeled a patient into the room. ‘Maurice.’ Prudence beckoned him over. ‘Come and meet this man. I forget his name but I think he used to be a friend of mine. This is Maurice, the man I’m going to marry. Isn’t he handsome?’ The porter grinned. ‘I sure am. Though not the marrying type, I’m afraid. Still, it gives young Pru here something to look forward to. Pleased to meet yer. Did you know Pru back in Yorkshire?’

  ‘Yes. Actually we were married for a time.’

  The porter laughed nervously. ‘Sorry, but I didn’t know any of her husbands were real. According to her, she’s had at least half a dozen husbands. I’m apparently about to be the seventh. Not blooming likely. Still, it keeps her happy, all the arranging.’

  Prudence beckoned for her visitors to come closer. ‘Don’t tell my father, but we’re going to have a baby.’

  ‘Oh, when is it due?’ Robbie asked.

  ‘Any day now.’

  ‘Well I’m pleased for you.’

  Prudence counted out the chains. ‘One, two, three.’ However she seemed oblivious now to anything happening around her.

  ‘We’re going now, Prudence. Goodbye.’ There was no reaction from the patient. Robbie looked questioningly at the porter.

  ‘Don’t worry about Pru, she’ll be all right. She’s had electric shock treatment and it takes their memory away for a while but it’ll come back eventually.’

  Robbie frowned, concerned. ‘Isn’t that painful?’

  ‘No, I don’t think they feel anything.’

  Tom wondered how he could know that if he had never had the treatment himself. The porter went off to help another patient.

  ‘Come on Robbie, let’s go.’ Tom led Robbie from the room. They encountered the porter again on the way out.

  ‘Look after her, Maurice, won’t you,’ Robbie said.

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about Prudence; she’s happy enough up there in the clouds, so long as she’s a wedding to plan.’

  ‘All the same.’

  ‘She’ll be well looked after here. It’s a good place this, and so it should be considering how expensive the care is. Her aunt seems to gain some satisfaction by keeping her here – seems to be worth a few quid with nobody else to spend it on, which is fortunate for Pru.’

  ‘Well thanks anyway, for humouring her, I mean.’

  ‘No problem. Good for the ego to think she fancies me.’ Maurice laughed and left them to see themselves out.

  Robbie was surprised to realise how sorry he felt for Prudence and her parents. Even so, the relief that she was out of his life at last was tremendous.

  ‘Come on, let’s go. It’s all over, Robert, and now you can begin again.’

  ‘Yes, I know.’ Even so he couldn’t control the emotion. He sat in the passenger seat of the car, his head in his hands, and wept. All the tension of the past months escaped at last.

  ‘Come on, Robert. I’m sure she doesn’t remember anything that happened. Like the man said, she’s oblivious to it all.’

  Robbie nodded. Prudence might not remember but he would. He would never forget the horror of it all, even if he lived to be a hundred.

  By the time they reached the guest house Robbie was feeling better and looking forward to dinner that evening. Lily was looking forward to babysitting little Henry and Mrs Cooper to going to the pictures with Edith, the grandma she had met whilst on her daily walk.

  The restaurant was the poshest he had ever set foot in and Robbie felt out of his depth at first, but the food was so delicious and the conversation so stimulating he soon forgot his nervousness. Besides, Nellie had come from the same humble background as him and she was holding her own. It was when the talk turned to the inevitable war that the two ladies became quiet. Tom and Paul didn’t seem to notice and carried on discussing the fact that the British navy had been mobilised, so Robbie intervened.

  ‘I think we’re upsetting the ladies with all this talk of war. But if we must, let’s look on the bright side: they’re forecasting an end to the Spanish War in the next few months.’

  ‘Ah, you’re right. We shouldn’t be discussing such morbid subjects on what’s supposed to be a celebration dinner.’

  ‘Hurrah. At least Robbie cares about us. It’s marriage, Robbie: it makes men blind to our feelings. When you marry Dot you must remember that and don’t become complacent.’

  ‘Who’s become complacent? You know I love you, darling wife, more than life itself.’ Diana was the light of Paul’s life and a good friend to Nellie.

  ‘Ah, yes, until someone more stimulating comes along to talk of warships and Hitler and the Munich Agreement.’

  ‘Sorry, my love. So let’s all have some more wine and talk about Robbie’s forthcoming marriage. When is the wedding likely to be?’

  ‘I haven’t asked her yet. In fact she doesn’t even know I’m here.’

  ‘Let us know as soon as she accepts your proposal and we can keep a room vacant
for your honeymoon. That’s if a Blackpool honeymoon would be to your liking,’ Tom smiled. ‘It will be our wedding gift to you both.’

  ‘Why thanks, it would be great. It might be quite soon actually; I want to be with Dot so much and if there is going to be a war I don’t want to waste any time.’

  ‘There’s no IF about it, Robbie.’

  ‘Oh now we’re back on that subject again,’ Diana said.

  ‘Sorry.’ Robbie apologised to Paul’s wife.

  ‘Apology accepted. Anyway I agree; don’t leave it too long.’

  ‘Easter would be nice,’ Nellie said. ‘Besides, we aren’t quite so busy then.’

  ‘OK, I’ll suggest Easter. Thanks, Nellie.’

  ‘Another poor bachelor going to the gallows.’ Paul pulled a face and his wife gave him a playful punch on the arm.

  ‘See what I mean? She’s even attacking me now.’

  The meal continued with much laughing and drinking. When the bill came Robbie thought it might have been cheaper to pay the lawyer’s bill than the one for the restaurant. It was still worth every penny to be free to go home and marry the girl he loved.

  The next morning, even the thought of Dot couldn’t take his mind off the hangover, especially with the train journey to face.

  Lucy threw her arms round her brother-in-law at the news. ‘Oh Robbie, that’s the best news we’ve had in ages. Do Louisa and Herbert know?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve just called and told them – well, thanked them actually. It must have been an ordeal for them. Paul said it would have been so much more difficult without Herbert’s cooperation.’

  ‘Yes, well, don’t forget it was his fault it happened in the first place.’

  ‘Oh, Lucy. I don’t know why they didn’t realise how ill Prudence really was. They must have noticed, being with her all day.’

  ‘I don’t expect they’d want to admit what she was like. Or maybe they thought the love of a good man might be the making of her.’

  ‘She’ll never be cured. In fact she’s much worse. I feel so sorry for them all.’

  ‘Yes, but it’s over for you now.’

  ‘Aye. I’m going to have a pot of tea and a couple of aspirins and then I’m going to see Dot. Well, Little Arthur really.’

  ‘Better get my best hat out then.’ Lucy looked at herself in the mirror. ‘I know you’ll laugh but the wishing mirror’s worked again.’

  ‘I’m not laughing. I’ve wished in it every day since the trouble with Prudence began.’

  ‘Really? So you don’t think I’m daft, then?’

  ‘You’re not daft, Lucy. You’re the nicest, most sensible and kindest sister-in-law a man could wish for. In fact I love you Lucy Grey, but I love Dot Greenwood more. So,’ Robbie gulped down his tea and carried the pint pot to the sink. ‘I’m off to ask her to marry me.’

  Little Arthur was leaning on the gate of the long field, deciding whether to plough half of it or leave it all as pasture. The dog left his side and ran to meet Robbie, circling him in excitement. Little Arthur’s face lit up when Robbie came and leaned on the gate beside him.

  ‘All right, lad?’

  ‘Aye, are you, Mr Greenwood?’

  ‘Fair to middling.’

  ‘Mr Greenwood, I know I’ve caused you all a lot of grief in’t past but I can assure you I love Dot and I promise as long as I live I will never hurt her again. Mr Greenwood, can I ’ave your daughter’s hand in marriage?’

  Little Arthur looked questioningly at Robbie, the young man he had grown so fond of. ‘So yer free to marry ’er then?’

  ‘I am. I wouldn’t be ’ere otherwise.’

  ‘Then aye, yer can marry me daughter. That’s if she’ll ’ave yer.’ He grinned at Robbie and held out his hand. Robbie shook it eagerly, once again surprised at the strength of a grip in so small a man.

  ‘So can I go and ask ’er then?’

  ‘Aye, and let’s ’ope she starts to smile again. She’s been like a bloody wet weekend these past months, not like our Dot at all. Well, goo on then, if yer gooing.’

  Robbie grinned and set off along the lane. Gertie and Gussie came to meet him, flapping and pecking at his legs. Bloody geese.

  Dot was carrying a bucket of mash towards the chicken huts. He followed her slowly, intending to surprise her, but the geese were making such a din she turned to see what all the noise was about.

  ‘Robbie?’

  ‘Dot.’ Robbie knelt down on one knee in the churned up mud – or was it cow dung? ‘Dot Greenwood, will you marry me? I promise never to do anything again to cause you pain. And I shall love you to my dying day.’

  Dot stood there for so long he thought she was about to refuse. In truth she was in shock. Then she knelt down in the sludge in front of him, uncaring that the knees of her overalls were becoming saturated. ‘Oh Robbie, do you really need to ask? Of course I’ll marry you. And in case you’re wondering, I love you too.’

  He held out his arms and Dot leaned closer until their lips were touching. He kissed her tenderly and then fiercely, with all the passion withheld over the past months. When Dot withdrew she looked down at the ground and they began to laugh until they seemed close to hysteria. Dot rose to her feet. ‘Do you really want to marry me? Looking like this?’

  ‘No! I shall expect you to put on a dress.’ This set them off again, bringing Boadacea hurrying out to see what all the laughter was about.

  ‘What the hummer thumps is going off here? Did yer fall down or summat?’

  ‘No, Mrs Greenwood, the only falling I’ve done is falling for yer daughter, so I’ve just been on my knees proposing to her.’

  Boadacea’s face broke into smiles, ‘Eeh, lad, couldn’t yer have found somewhere not quite as mucky?’

  ‘Couldn’t wait. I thought I’d waited long enough. Besides, all this cow muck might bring us luck.’ Robbie hugged his future wife close. ‘In fact it’s brought me luck already. Dot’s accepted me.’

  ‘Well, thank heavens for that. She might put a smile on that miserable mug of hers now for a change; she’s been about as happy as a wet haystack since you left her.’ She looked the couple up and down. ‘’Ere, yer not coming in my kitchen caked up in cow muck. Get them trousers off and let’s get ’em cleaned.’

  Robbie clung like glue to his trousers. ‘No, it’s all right, Mrs Greenwood. I’ll stop out ’ere.’

  ‘I’ve heard of some strange places for proposals but this one takes some beating.’

  Little Arthur came into the yard. ‘Well, Boady, lass. Tha knows that bottle of rhubarb wine tha made after our Dot was born? Well I think this is a good time to open it. Come on, let’s go inside.’

  Robbie glanced at Boadacea. ‘It’s all right, Mr Greenwood; I’m all mucky. I’ll stop out here.’

  ‘Will you ’ell as like. You’ll come inside. I insist.’

  ‘All right, but I won’t sit down.’ Boadacea didn’t object so they all trooped inside, the muck on their knees stiffening by the second.

  Little Arthur lifted up the pegged rug and opened a trapdoor which led down into the cellar. When he climbed back out again he was carrying two bottles, both as clear as spring water. ‘Now then, let’s get this poured and drink to the happiness of our Dot and Robbie.’

  ‘Nay, me duck, we mustn’t drink two bottles. It’ll be potent after all these years. We shall be three sheets to the wind after one.’

  ‘I know that. This ’ere other one is for Robbie to take ’ome. His lot’ll be wanting to celebrate as well. I expect they’ll be as glad to ’ave our Dot in the family as we are to ’ave Robbie.’

  Boadacea got out four crystal glasses and poured the wine. ‘You can take the bottle of elderflower, Robbie,’ Little Arthur said. ‘It’s just as good as the rhubarb.’ He raised his glass. ‘And now, to Robbie and Dot’s future ’appiness, and may all their troubles be little ones.’

  Dot giggled and Robbie blushed and took a swig of the wine, almost choking on its strength.

  ‘What did I t
ell thee? A drop of good stuff is this. If it doesn’t mek thi ’air curl nowt will. Anyway, lad, welcome to the family.’

  ‘We’ll need to find somewhere to live first,’ Robbie said.

  ‘Eeh, that won’t take long; our Dot’s been working on that ever since that there gypsy told her fortune.’

  Dot’s face turned red. She hoped Robbie didn’t think she was too forward at surmising he would marry her.

  ‘What does yer dad mean?’

  ‘Come on, I’ll show you.’ Dot led the way to the old cottage next door. The walls had been plastered by a farmer’s son Little Arthur had met at Cragstone cattle market. Dot had distempered them and scrubbed the flagged floor, which was now covered by a carpet square. The only furniture was a table – but Robbie could see to the furnishings. The range had been scoured to remove the rust and blackleaded until it shone. Pretty chintz curtains hung at the windows. Dot led him into the other room, which was just as empty and just as clean and bright.

  Robbie went to the window and looked out at the view, the same view he had first seen when he came over the hill from Lincoln. He couldn’t believe so much had happened in so little time. He turned to the girl he had loved since the day he first set eyes on her. ‘Is this for us?’

  ‘Course it is. You don’t think I’d go to all this trouble for somebody else to live here, you idiot. Come upstairs.’

  The wardrobe was still there, less dusty. It had been too good to burn; in fact it looked almost new after a good going over with Boadacea’s homemade polish. They went into the other room.

  ‘You must have been working in here when I saw the light, on the nights I was walking Baby.’

  ‘There’s never been a light on in here. There’s no lamp, no candles and certainly nothing as posh as electricity up here.’

  ‘But …’

  ‘I told yer, it’s the ghost of a shepherd who once lived here. I hope it isn’t going to put you off.’

  ‘No, no it’s grand. It’ll be heaven waking up to that view every morning.’