Brow of the Gallowgate

by Doris Davidson

  She had no interest in the remainder of the letter, this part was a dreadful blow, and so unexpected. It would be better to tell Charlie about it now – she’d heard him talking with Vena about looking for a house, to leave the attics free for Donnie – so she went out on to the landing.

  ‘Vena! Charlie!’ she shouted. ‘Come down a minute.’

  She handed them Donnie’s letter without a word, and after they’d read it, Charlie said, ‘You must be very disappointed, Mother.’

  Noticing that their faces had fallen, it came to Bathie that they’d be disappointed, too, and she remembered Albert telling her that she should let them lead their own lives.

  ‘I don’t want you to feel you’ll have to stop here because Donnie’s not coming back. I’ll be glad if you did, it’s not that, but if you want a house . . . ’

  Charlie glanced at his wife. ‘We have found a house we like. It’s for rent, and it won’t be vacant for a few months. But we can’t leave you now.’

  ‘Why not?’ Bathie felt that her life, and her family, was disintegrating around her, but she kept herself well under control. ‘Your father and I will still have Gracie and Ishbel, so you won’t be leaving us on our own. Just be sure it’s what you want before you sign anything.’

  Charlie kissed her icy brow self-consciously. ‘Thank you, Mother, I should have known you’d understand.’

  Before long, Vena took a job in the Ladies’ Department of a large store. ‘I can’t just sit at home twiddling my thumbs,’ she told her mother-in-law, when Bathie expressed disapproval at married women going out to work. ‘And, anyway, we’ll need all the money we can get, if we’re going to furnish a house.’

  Bathie would have been happy to give them something from her grandmother’s inheritance, but when she said as much to Albert, later, he ordered her not to.

  ‘Let them ask for money, if they need it.’

  ‘They’ll never do that,’ she protested, ‘and you gave Ellie and Jack enough money to buy their furniture.’

  ‘Times were different then,’ he excused himself.

  Recalling old Joseph Duthie saying, years ago, that young people shouldn’t get things too easily, he added, firmly, ‘They shouldn’t have everything handed to them on a plate.’

  The tone of his voice, and his challenging stare, defied her to argue, but she was hurt that he’d provided for Ellie, his favourite, and not for Charlie, who was hers. Still, she thought, afterwards, things could be a lot worse. Charlie and Vena would always be in Aberdeen, Helene would make sure that Donnie kept writing home, Flo and Hetty sent letters every week, as they had promised.

  Gracie was spending less time in the shop now that her brother was back, and the warm summer days seemed to have had an uplifting effect on her. Her face broke into smiles more often, and she took more care with her appearance. Her mother didn’t think there was any special reason for it, and was just glad that the girl had got over that sailor.

  Ishbel was outgrowing her clothes, width-wise as well as lengthwise. She’d only be twelve on her next birthday, so goodness knows when she would stop. She was almost the same height as Ellie, and like Ellie used to do, she always asked about things she didn’t fully understand.

  Ellie visited every Wednesday and Sunday with four-year-old Kathleen, who, in spite of Ellie’s earlier fears, spoke beautifully, with no trace of baby-talk. Ellie, herself, was more reserved nowadays, and carried her slim figure with an erectness which made her seem even taller than she was. Her deep blue eyes were quite unfathomable at times, but she seemed to be happy enough.

  Everything seemed to be going well with her family, but a vague sense of foreboding touched Bathie now and then. She usually managed to shrug it off, though, and scolded herself for always imagining trouble to be lurking round the corner.

  Washing down a shelf one forenoon in September, Bathie was quite unaware that anyone had come up the outside stairs until a deep voice said, ‘Hello, Bathie.’

  She dried her shaking hands on her apron, almost afraid to turn round, and her insides turned a somersault when she did. The familiar face was still craggy, the hair still tightly curled although it was white now, the grey eyes still tender.

  ‘It’s good to see you again, Gavin,’ she said cautiously. ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’

  ‘Neither have you. You’re still as bonnie as ever.’

  The compliment flustered her. ‘My hair’s grey.’

  ‘Only a few more silver strands, and it suits you.’ He looked at her for a moment as if he were drinking in her whole appearance, then said, softly, ‘I expected a warmer welcome than this.’

  There was still something in her heart for him, although it wasn’t love, so she went to him and kissed his cheek. His hands came up and, holding her face firmly, he kissed her full on her mouth, then stepped back, smiling at the alarm in her eyes. ‘Don’t worry, Bathie,’ he assured her. ‘I’m not going to say anything out of place.’

  ‘I’m glad about that. Sit down there, Gavin, and tell me everything that’s been happening to you, and I’ll finish the shelf and start getting the dinner ready.’

  Like Charlie and Vena at first, he seemed reluctant to tell her anything, but described some of the places he’d seen.

  He then asked about her family, so she brought him up to date.

  ‘You knew about Flo and Will Dunbar getting engaged – that was before you went away – but Hetty fell in love with Bella Wyness’s son, when he came here in 1918.’

  ‘Bella Wyness? She was the one you dismissed rather abruptly, wasn’t she? How did you feel about that?’

  Bathie was glad that he didn’t know the real reason for Bella’s dismissal. ‘Martin’s a very nice lad, and they were deeply in love. Anyway, Flo and Hetty sailed for Wanganui in March, and they’re both married now, and in their own houses. They write every week. Donnie’s married and works with his father-in-law in Croydon, though he’s speaking about starting up on his own, but I don’t know if it’ll ever come off.’

  ‘He’s got his head screwed on the right way, so he should make a go of it. What about his wife?’

  ‘Helene was a nurse during the war, and she’s a really sensible girl, so she’d be able to help him quite a bit.’

  Recognizing that Bathie was in her element discussing her children, Gavin asked, ‘Is Ellie’s husband out of the army yet?’

  Her face sobered. ‘Jack Lornie was killed in 1917.’

  ‘Oh, poor Ellie. How did she take it?’

  ‘She’s much quieter than she used to be.’

  He smiled. ‘I can hardly picture Ellie being quiet.’

  ‘She’s got her little girl, of course, so that keeps her busy, though Kathleen isn’t the handful that Ellie was herself when she was small.’

  They were still laughing about Ellie’s childish exploits when Albert and his two assistants came upstairs. Charlie and Gracie soon let their old doctor know how pleased they were to see him, but their father stood back thoughtfully.

  Bathie flushed, then was annoyed at herself. There was no need to feel uncomfortable, but she couldn’t help glancing at Gavin, who stepped forward with his hand held out.

  ‘Hello, Albert, it’s good to see you again.’ To his wife’s great relief, Albert’s face broke out in a large grin. ‘Welcome back, Gavin.’ He took the outstretched hand and shook it with genuine pleasure. ‘How long is it?’

  ‘More than three years.’

  ‘A lot’s happened in that time. You’ll be staying for a bite of dinner?’

  Gavin glanced at Bathie, who nodded. ‘There’s plenty, and you’re very welcome.’

  Before he went back to the shop, Albert said, ‘Stay and keep Bathie company for a while, Gavin. She needs somebody to speak to, somebody nearer her own age than the girls.’

  ‘Will you be needing me this afternoon, Father?’ Gracie looked at him hopefully. ‘If you don’t, I’ll clear up here then I want to go to Broad Street to buy some embroidery threads to finish the tab
lecloth I’m sewing.’

  ‘For your bottom drawer?’ Albert regretted teasing her when he saw the look of pain in her eyes. ‘Aye, it’s all right, Gracie lass. Charlie and I’ll manage fine.’

  Turning to their visitor, Bathie said, ‘Come through to the parlour, Gavin, out of Gracie’s way. She doesn’t like anybody standing over her when she’s doing the dishes.’

  She felt much more at ease with him since her husband had shown his pleasure at welcoming him. ‘I suppose you’ll be taking over again shortly. Dr Proctor’s quite good, but I’ve a suspicion he’s beginning to feel his age a bit.’

  ‘Aren’t we all?’ Gavin grinned then screwed up his face. ‘I don’t know if I should take over again, Bathie. It might be better if I started a practice somewhere else. I’ll have to find a younger man for this one, of course, so I’ll probably be in Aberdeen for a while yet.’

  She looked away hastily as his eyes held hers once more. He could still affect her, she mused, and he knew it. Perhaps that was why he was going away.

  Fortunately, Ellie came in at that moment with Kathleen, who regarded the stranger curiously for a minute and then ran straight across to Bathie.

  Ellie paused on the threshold, not recognizing Gavin until he said, ‘Don’t you remember me, Ellie?’

  ‘DrMcKenzie!’

  He stood up and took her hand. ‘I was very sorry to hear about your husband, my dear. So many fine men were killed.’

  ‘Thank you, but I’m getting over it now.’

  ‘Yes, time heals everything, although one never forgets. You’ve got a sturdy wee girl there, and she’s very like you.’

  ‘She’s dying to start school, but she’s only four.’

  ‘Already? How time flies. It doesn’t seem all that long since I attended at her birth.’

  From the safety of Bathie’s lap, Kathleen announced, ‘My Granny’s going to buy me a school bag when I go to school.’

  The man’s eyes crinkled up. ‘How do you like being a Granny, Bathie?’ he chuckled.

  ‘I love it.’

  They talked about the old days until Ellie went to make a pot of tea, and Kathleen followed her mother into the kitchen.

  Gavin’s smile was touched with sadness. ‘Ellie’s a fine-looking woman, but what else could anyone expect, with you for a mother? She has Albert’s hair, but she reminds me of you, when you were younger. The set of her head, the way she looks up sometimes, I don’t know, but it’s something.’

  ‘I just wish she’d meet another man. She’s only twenty-seven and she must be lonely. All her love goes on Kathleen.’

  ‘It’s good that she has Kathleen,’ Gavin reminded her.

  When Gracie came in, a few minutes later, she said, ‘I hurried back to make you a fly-cup, but Ellie’s doing it.’

  ‘Sit down for a while, Gracie. Did you get your thread?’

  ‘Yes, thank you.’

  The girl was shy in Gavin’s presence, but when Ellie came through with the tea-tray, conversation began to flow again.

  Bathie couldn’t help comparing her two daughters: Gracie listening but not joining in; Ellie joking and laughing, her blue eyes dancing, her cheeks pink and tendrils of her auburn hair swinging gently round her face when she moved her head. She hadn’t looked so happy for a long time.

  Transferring her gaze to Gavin, Bathie saw that he, too, was much more animated than before. His thin face was scored with lines now, but that wasn’t what made him appear older, nor was it his white hair. She couldn’t pin it down until she realized that it was an expression in his eyes at times, the same as in Charlie’s and Vena’s when they came home first.

  At four o’clock, Ellie stood up. ‘Well, Kathleen Lornie, it’s time we were going home.’

  ‘You could have your supper here,’ Bathie offered. ‘And you, too, Gavin, there’s always more than enough.’

  ‘No, thank you, Mother.’

  ‘No, thank you, Bathie.’

  They spoke in unison then laughed hilariously. ‘It’s very kind of you,’ Gavin went on, ‘but I told John Proctor that I’d be back, and Mrs Main, the housekeeper, will likely have prepared supper for the three of us.’

  He rose to his feet. I’ll walk home with you, Ellie, if you don’t live too far away. My legs need a stretch. I’m not as fit as I used to be.’

  ‘No, no. It’s all right, Doctor,’ Ellie said quickly. ‘I’m still in Schoolhill, and it’s no distance at all.’

  ‘That settles it. It’ll be a little constitutional for me.’ He turned to Bathie. ‘I’ll come to see you again, if I may?’

  ‘Of course, Gavin. You’re welcome any time.’ She kissed her granddaughter and stood at the top of the outside stairs until they went into the close, out of sight.

  ‘I can see what’s going to happen next,’ Gracie observed, rather mournfully, when her mother went into the kitchen.

  Puzzled, Bathie said, ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Ellie’s going to fall in love with Dr McKenzie.’

  ‘Oh, no!’ Bathie’s heart turned over. She’d wished that Ellie would find somebody, but . . . not Gavin?

  ‘Her eyes never left him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s in love with him already. He’s the only man who’s paid any attention to her for years.’

  A small sigh escaped from Bathie. She’d been too pleased that Ellie and Gavin had been getting on so well together to notice anything else, and felt slightly irritated now.

  ‘Oh, Gracie, that’s nonsense.’

  Gracie turned away with a shrug. ‘If Ellie makes up her mind to something, that’s it. You know her.’

  ‘He’s only a year younger than your father, that makes him fifty-two, and she’s only twenty-seven, just half his age.’

  ‘You can’t count, Mother,’ Gracie remarked dryly. ‘But have it your own way.’

  Bathie wandered through to the parlour to think. If Ellie had set her heart on Gavin, he stood no chance against her. But it was ridiculous – Gracie’s mind must be twisted. She must still feel bitter about the sailor.

  A dozen times, Bathie convinced herself of this, and a dozen times she wavered. What if it was true? Even if they did fall in love, what was wrong with that? She’d made it clear to Gavin, years ago, that it was Albert she loved, so he was free to love whomever he pleased . . . but surely not Ellie?

  But she was being selfish. She didn’t want Gavin herself, but she was begrudging him her daughter. It was laughable, in a way, but she didn’t feel like laughing. Could this be the trouble she’d thought was lurking round the corner?

  When Albert came in, he said, ‘I thought you’d have asked Gavin to stay for supper. He was looking very well, wasn’t he? He’ll maybe meet a nice woman and settle down now he’s home.’

  ‘I hope so.’ As long as it isn’t Ellie, Bathie thought, and despised herself for it.

  Ellie made sure that her daughter was tucked up in bed properly, then went into her kitchen to ponder over what had happened that afternoon. She’d known Dr McKenzie for as long as she could remember, and had never thought twice about him, so why should she start now? He’d only walked her home out of politeness, and he was old enough to be her father. Of course, she hadn’t seen him for a long time, but there had been something about him today that hadn’t been there before. A sadness in his eyes? A difference in his voice?

  Whatever it was, it had set her pulses racing as she’d thought they would never do again. His eyes had been tender when he’d bidden her goodbye, she was sure, and his hand had held hers for longer than was necessary.

  She used to think that he was in love with her mother, but that had been silly. He liked her mother, anyone could see that, and her mother liked him, but there couldn’t have been anything more in it. Gavin was too decent to let himself fall in love with another man’s wife, but . . . another man’s widow?

  She jerked up, angry at herself, and stifled all thoughts of him over the next two days. She had no control over her dreams at night, however, and
wove fantasies in which he took her in his arms and declared his love. When she went to the Gallowgate on Sunday afternoon, therefore, she couldn’t help being disappointed that he wasn’t there.

  On the way home, she told herself that she was behaving like a love-struck schoolgirl. A woman could read more into a man’s attentions than there really was, especially a woman who had been a widow for years.

  When Bathie and her husband were making ready for bed, she could see that there was something on Albert’s mind, and waited for him to come out with it. They had been lying in the darkness for a few minutes before he did.

  ‘I thought you would have invited Gavin to start coming to supper on Sundays again.’

  She’d been afraid he’d be jealous if she did that, but it seemed he was doubting her because she hadn’t. ‘I didn’t know how you’d feel about it,’ she said, carefully.

  Turning towards her, he lay silently for a moment. ‘I’m not jealous of him now, and I always got on well with him.’

  Bathie didn’t really believe what Gracie had said about Ellie, but she wondered if it would be storing up trouble to have her and Gavin here every Sunday. Still, she’d have to invite him, or tell Albert why she wouldn’t, and he’d just laugh at her for being stupid.

  It became a habit for Gavin to see Ellie and Kathleen home on Sunday evenings, until even Albert remarked on it. ‘I don’t know if it’s a good thing, you know.’

  Bathie was so troubled that she couldn’t keep her fears to herself any longer. ‘I’m sure it’s not a good thing – Gracie thinks Ellie’s falling in love with him.’

  ‘Has Ellie said anything to you?’

  ‘No, but I think she could be. Haven’t you noticed the way she looks at him sometimes?’

  ‘How would you feel about it if it’s true?’

  She evaded the issue. ‘He’s far too old for her.’

  ‘Age makes no difference when you’re in love, but I didn’t mean that. I suppose I should have asked how you would feel if Gavin fell in love with her?’

  ‘If you’re worried that I’d be jealous, you needn’t be. I’ve always liked him, liked him a lot, but it was never love, as you very well know, Albert Ogilvie.’