‘I told you, not before September.’
‘I can’t persuade you to bring the date forward?’
‘No.’
‘August,’ he suggested. ‘That’s only four weeks sooner but it doesn’t seem as far away as September. And don’t say you’ll think about it.’
‘If I agree to August, will you promise not to nag me to move it closer still?’
‘If I have to,’ he conceded reluctantly.
‘It’s only four months away. And there’s so much still to be done. I’ll need to save up to buy a dress and my bottom drawer –’
‘No, you won’t, because I’ve all the savings we’ll need and if we move in with my father the house is already furnished, so we won’t have to buy a single thing.’
‘I’d at least like to get our own china and bedding. And, as I won’t be wearing a uniform every day, I’ll need more clothes. A trousseau! Don’t brides have a trousseau?’
‘They do. I’ll buy you one as a wedding present.’
‘No, you won’t.’
‘Don’t argue with me. This has been a magical evening, one that I’ll want to remember all my life.’ He took her in his arms and kissed her. ‘I have a beautiful fiancée, a wedding to plan and two new nephews.’
‘To teach how to be naughty like you have done Harry.’
‘Children don’t need to be taught how to be naughty. They come that way naturally. And, after seeing those two and Edyth, Harry and Bella today, I hope we have babies. Lots of them and soon.’
‘Not too soon, I hope, and not two at a time.’ They reached the town and she checked her watch under the light of a lamp. ‘We need to hurry.’
‘Your fault for dawdling.’
‘Yours for kissing me.’
‘Race you up the hill.’ He gave her a head start.
They were both breathless when they reached the back door of Llan House. Joey opened his arms and Rhian practically fell into them.
‘How am I going to survive without you and your kisses until next Tuesday?’ he whispered, when he finally summoned the willpower to tear his lips from hers.
‘If I’m sent on any errands I’ll call in the store.’
‘I’ll save up all my tea and lunch breaks on the off-chance, so we can sneak half an hour together.’ He almost added ‘in the stockroom’ then he remembered the scene he’d witnessed in Pontypridd.
The door opened and a shaft of harsh yellow light fell on them.
‘Joey Evans!’
‘I recognize that voice.’ He turned to face the housekeeper. ‘Mrs Williams.’ He lifted his hat, then pulled off Rhian’s glove. ‘Before you get that carpet-beater you keep threatening to thrash me with, please note, Rhian’s wearing my mother’s ring and we’ve set the date for the first of August.’
‘I didn’t agree to the first of August,’ Rhian remonstrated.
‘You didn’t disagree either and I just happen to know that the first is a Saturday. A good, traditional day to marry.’
‘How do you know?’
‘I checked the calendar in Megan and Victor’s kitchen.’ He looked to the housekeeper. ‘Don’t tell me you’re too speechless to wish us luck, Mrs Williams.’
‘I’ll wish Rhian luck, Joey Evans. She’ll need it; you won’t, because you’ve already had more of that commodity than anyone man is entitled to in a lifetime. But what can I say? If the girl is fool enough to marry you, nothing I can say will stop her. But you’re not just getting a girl who looks and behaves like an angel; you’re also getting yourself a first-class cook and housekeeper. Of all the girls I’ve trained over the years, she’s the best.’
‘And that, Mrs Williams, is why I asked her to become my wife.’ Joey gave Rhian one last kiss on the cheek.
‘So much has happened today, I almost forgot.’ Rhian opened her handbag and handed Joey an envelope.
‘What is it?’
‘My engagement present to you. Don’t open it until you get home.’
Joey smiled cheekily at the housekeeper, lifted his hat a second time and walked back down the drive.
‘But you promised you’d tell us about Broncho Bill’s Wild West Exhibition, Rhian,’ Mair whined plaintively.
‘Rhian has more important things to think and talk about than the exhibition, Mair. And, as you’re going to see it for yourself with your mam, you can tell us all about it at the supper table tomorrow night.’ Mrs Williams collected the plates, cups and saucers from the table, effectively putting an end to the meal. ‘Come on, girl, up to bed.’
‘If you two want to go up, I’ll help Mrs Williams with the supper dishes,’ Rhian said to Bronwen and Cook.
‘Thanks. Here, you can have my apron to cover your suit.’ Bronwen untied hers and handed it over.
‘Rhian, you’re a pal.’ Yawning, Cook followed Bronwen and Mair up the back staircase.
Mrs Williams stacked the dishes on the wooden draining board next to the Belfast sink.
‘You haven’t said much other than “congratulations”,’ Rhian ventured, anxious for Mrs Williams’s blessing. She was the one woman she respected more than anyone else outside of Sali and Miss Julia.
‘You’re marrying into a good family that’s growing at quite a pace. Here we are only into April and there are three new little ones.’ Mrs Williams filled two enamel bowls with water from the brass boiler set in the range and carried them to the sink before refilling the boiler.
‘Victor and Megan looked so proud – and happy.’
‘Poor Megan Evans has every right to be proud. It must be jolly hard work bringing twins into the world. But I must say I’ve never quite understood why a man is congratulated when he becomes a father. His part is easy.’ The housekeeper tossed a handful of soda crystals into the water and plunged in the cleanest plates. ‘Do you want another cup of cocoa before going to bed?’
‘Yes, please.’ Rhian was still hoping that the housekeeper would pass an opinion on her engagement.
‘I’ll join you, so boil enough milk for two cups. It’s been quite a day for you, hasn’t it? Going to the exhibition, getting engaged, seeing newborn twins.’
‘It was a lovely day.’ Rhian unhooked a tea towel from the rack and lifted the first plate from the rinsing bowl.
‘But you’re still not sure you’ve done the right thing in getting engaged to Joey Evans?’
‘What makes you say that?’ Rhian set the plate she’d dried on the dresser.
‘Because you’re waiting for me to pass judgement on your choice.’
‘Joey promised me faithfully that he’d never so much as look at another woman again.’
‘Did he now?’
‘You don’t believe him?’ Rhian stacked the dishes on the dresser and watched the housekeeper’s face carefully.
‘Whether I do or don’t, doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you believe him and he fulfils his promise. There, that’s the last dish.’ Mrs Williams smiled. ‘There’s no need to look so serious; this should be the happiest time of your life. And, for what it’s worth, I do believe that since January you’ve changed Mr Joseph Evans for the better. Not that there was a lot wrong with him before, other than his wandering eye when it came to girls who were no better than they should be. As I’ve already said, he has a lovely family. And a steady, well-paid job. You’ll want for nothing. But then, with you for a wife, neither will he.’
‘Sali and everyone else in Joey’s family were so happy when we told them tonight.’ The milk began to boil; Rhian lifted the pan from the hob and poured it over the paste of cocoa powder and cold milk she’d mixed.
‘And so they should be.’ Mrs Williams left the dishwater in the bowls, rinsed the dishcloth out in cold, running water, wrung it out and set it on the tap to dry. She pulled a chair from under the table and sat down. ‘Do you want to inform the master that you’re engaged, or do you want me to tell him for you?’
‘Does he have to know so soon?’ Rhian sat next to the housekeeper.
�
��Yes, but for my sake not his. Mair is willing enough but she’s young. I wouldn’t like to take on another girl who needs training. Your replacement will have to be experienced and capable. Of course, it goes without saying that whoever she is, she won’t be as good as you.’
‘But I won’t be leaving for four months.’
‘The best staff go from the Labour Exchange within hours, and it wouldn’t hurt to take someone on sooner so you could show them the ropes for a month or so. Although the master may not want to pay double wages for that long. I’ll talk it over with him tomorrow.’ She took Rhian’s hand and admired the ring. ‘Very pretty, I had one just like it when I was your age.’
‘A regard ring,’ Rhian said in surprise.
‘You know what it is.’
‘Joey told me.’
‘I may be old and fat now, but I’ve had my moments.’ Mrs Williams looked back into a world she’d never mentioned to Rhian before. ‘Strange, at the time I believed I couldn’t live without my sweetheart. Now, I’ve forgotten what he looked like.’
‘What happened?’ Rhian asked.
‘We quarrelled. I can’t even remember over what. He went away and I never saw him again.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘I’m not.’ Mrs Williams lifted her feet on to the fender to warm them. ‘He was a sailor. Probably with a wife in every port. And he was a drinker. If I had married him I would have led a miserable and poor existence. As it is, I’ve a comfortable home here and enough savings to see me through until God calls me.’ She patted Rhian’s hand. ‘Put that ring somewhere safe while you’re working, we don’t want the mistress accusing you of scratching any of her precious furniture.’
‘I will.’ Rhian finished her cocoa.
‘I’ll see to the cups. You go on up to bed. And sweet dreams.’ Mrs Williams’s eyes twinkled. ‘Your Joey may be a bit of a handful, but he is very good-looking. Some girls would give their eye-teeth and a full head of hair for a husband who’s half as handsome. One more thing, wait until morning to give Miss Julia your news. And don’t give me that innocent look; I know you two are as thick as thieves, even if no one else in the house does.’
Joey turned the key that was kept in his father’s front door, whether anyone was in the house or not. He switched on the electric light that had been installed in the downstairs of the house, walked down the passage and opened the kitchen door.
‘Tonia!’ Startled, he stepped back as his cousin rose from the easy chair next to the hearth. ‘What are you doing here at this time of night?’ He looked around. ‘Is your mother with you?’
‘No.’
‘Don’t tell me that you’ve been sitting here alone waiting for me?’
‘I have to see you.’
‘I want you out of here now.’ Gripping her by the shoulders, he propelled her out of the kitchen.
‘No one knows I’m here. My mother thinks I went to bed early but I sneaked down the back staircase while she and Annie were listening to the gramophone.’
‘I hate to disappoint you, but at least half, if not all the women in the street know you’re here. They’ve so little to do; they’ve been watching my comings and goings for years.’
‘I came in the back way, so no one would see me.’
‘That’s even worse. All of the kitchen and most of the bedroom windows on this side of the street overlook our back garden.’ He opened the door.
‘Let me at least get my coat,’ she said crossly.
‘You have thirty seconds.’ He stood on the doorstep while she walked back down the passage.
‘I have to talk to you.’ She lifted her coat from the rack.
‘About what I saw this afternoon? I told you I wouldn’t tell anyone, and I won’t.’
‘Joey, Tonia, bit late to be visiting, isn’t it?’ Mrs Hopkins pushed past them and entered the house.
‘There’s no need for you to come in, Mrs Hopkins,’ Joey protested. ‘I’ve just this minute returned from Victor’s. I’ll see to whatever needs doing.’
Mrs Hopkins looked suspiciously from Joey to Tonia. ‘You seem to have your hands too full to see to anything beside your cousin at the moment, Joey.’
‘Tonia came up with a message from her mother. Megan has had twin boys. They’re calling them Jack and Tom. I’ve just been up to see them.’ Feeling unaccountably guilty, Joey was conscious that he was talking too quickly and saying more than necessary.
‘I heard she’d had twins. Both of you went to see her and the babies?’ Mrs Hopkins blatantly fished for information.
‘Just me, Mrs Hopkins,’ Joey answered uneasily.
‘I see. Well, it’s late. If you’re sure about the fire, Joey …’
‘I am, Mrs Hopkins.’ Joey held the front door open. ‘I’ll see to it as soon as I’ve walked Tonia home.’
‘I can see myself home.’ Tonia flounced out on to the pavement.
‘You’ve caused trouble enough for one day,’ Joey muttered too low for Mrs Hopkins to hear. He jammed his hat back on his head and joined her. ‘Goodnight, Mrs Hopkins,’ he called when she crossed the road.
‘Goodnight, Joey, Tonia.’
Joey was aware that Mrs Hopkins was standing on her doorstep watching their backs as they walked down the street.
‘I only –’
‘Not another word, Tonia,’ Joey snapped. ‘The last thing I need is any gossip about you and me. I asked Rhian to marry me today.’
‘And she said yes?’
‘I managed to persuade her.’ He found it difficult to ignore her sneering tone. ‘And if Mrs Hopkins, or anyone else, tells her that they saw us alone together in our house, I’ll expect you to tell Rhian exactly why you thought it necessary to visit me at this hour of the night.’
‘You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone about this afternoon.’
‘That was before Mrs Hopkins saw us together.’
‘I wanted you to know that it’s over between Geraint and me.’
‘Which one of you ended it?’
‘Does it matter?’
‘It does if he used and dropped you.’
‘All of a sudden you’re concerned about me?’ she said sulkily.
‘You’re my cousin. That makes you family and I want to know if I have to beat him up.’
‘Don’t put yourself to any trouble on my account, Joey Evans.’ She ran off up the street and around to the back of the shop, leaving him angrier than ever with her – but most of all with Geraint Watkin Jones.
Joey returned home, took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, banked down the fire for the night and filled the coalscuttle. Restless, he almost wished there was more work to keep him busy. But there was nothing else to be done because Betty had been keeping the house even more immaculate than usual in expectation of the imminent arrival of Megan’s baby. He brewed a pot of tea, and it was only when he lifted a cup and saucer from the dresser that he realized he was spending a night alone for the first time in his life.
He poured his tea and sat at the table. The stillness and emptiness closed in on him, and his thoughts drifted back to his childhood. He saw his mother sitting in ‘her’ chair next to the hearth, mending the family’s shirts and trousers and smiling down at him while he played with his toys on the hearthrug. His father and Lloyd reading to him when he’d still been small enough to climb on to their laps, not fairy tales, but whole chunks of Das Kapital. His mother remonstrating with him and his brothers when they had burst in after school, and later the colliery, scavenging through her tins for cakes and biscuits because they could never wait more than a minute for their tea. Both his parents presiding over the table at meal times, trying to keep him, Lloyd and Victor in check as they teased one another.
The terrible time when ill-health and weakness had forced his mother to take to her bed and the meals he, his father and brothers had placed on trays and carried into the front parlour where his father had set up her bed. Meals they had carried out again untouched. The awful, straine
d atmosphere of his mother’s funeral tea. And afterwards the rapid succession of housekeepers that his father had employed and fired before Sali had come to the house and eventually married Lloyd. And the future …
Joey tried to imagine himself sitting in his father’s chair opposite Rhian twenty years from now, children lined up on the chairs between them.
He shuddered. He was not only tempting fate but wishing his father, if not dead, then certainly elsewhere and there was no way that he could ever fill his shoes. He finished his tea, dumped the tea leaves in the pigswill bin, rinsed his cup and saucer in cold water and picked up his jacket ready to go to bed.
He heard the crackle of paper and remembered the envelope Rhian had given him. He removed it from his inside pocket, opened it and withdrew a copy of the photograph he had begged her to give him the first day they had spent together. He smiled, realizing that he hadn’t been the only one who thought it was time to move their relationship out of friendship and on to a more intimate footing.
Rhian looked beautiful, but also unattainable. He had the strangest feeling that he was looking at one of the picture postcards that could be bought in any newsagent’s or stationer’s of royalty or film stars. He had never loved anything or anyone as much as he loved her. But whether it was nervousness generated by Tonia’s visit or Rhian’s uneasiness about his past, he had the strangest premonition that she might never be entirely his.
The night after Tonia’s visit proved a sleepless one. The days that followed were even worse. Every time someone knocked at his office door, fear crawled over Joey’s skin, drying his mouth and generating a sour, sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he steeled himself for another confrontation – with Tonia, or Connie if she’d discovered that her daughter had called on him late at night.
The one he dreaded most was Rhian. If Mrs Hopkins told anyone what she’d seen, he didn’t doubt that the news would reach Mrs Williams. And given the housekeeper’s fondness for Rhian and contempt for him, he suspected that she wouldn’t waste any time in passing it on. He hated the thought of Rhian suspecting that he’d broken his promise to her the very day he’d made it.
Sinners and Shadows Page 11
