by Rosie Clarke
‘Yes, we can have that,’ he said at last.
Catherine stirred in Jessie’s arms as the taxi drew to a halt. She looked up at her, her innocent eyes wide and inquiring, so beautiful that she almost wrenched the heart out of Jessie.
‘Go zoo now?’ she asked.
‘Yes, we’re going to the zoo after we’ve had our lunch,’ Jessie said and kissed her. Catherine had suddenly become infinitely more precious.
*
‘Well, there you are, Jess.’ Aunt Elizabeth wrapped her in an embracing hug as she went into the warm and well-remembered kitchen that evening. ‘I was beginning to think you weren’t coming after all.’
‘I’m sorry to be late,’ Jessie said and gave her the box of chocolates she had bought for her at an exclusive shop. ‘We took the children to the zoo this afternoon and then we had tea at a posh restaurant and bought a couple of toys at a marvellous shop before we went home. You should have seen them, Auntie. Catherine adored all the animals but especially the elephant. The keeper let her stroke the one they have walking about. It took a bun from her and she laughed and laughed. Jack liked the tigers best but they both had a wonderful time. They were so tired when they got home that they went off to sleep at once but I had to see to them before I could leave.’
‘Of course you did, love. I don’t mind. I’ve put an apple pie in the oven for you but that won’t hurt for a few minutes. Come and sit down and tell me how you got on this morning. What did the doctor say about the little girl?’
Jessie explained and her aunt listened, looking distressed and shaking her head. ‘Well, that is a sad thing. You must stop there and take care of her now, Jess. You couldn’t think of leaving the family in the lurch after that.’
‘No, I couldn’t,’ Jessie agreed. ‘She’s such a little darling, Auntie, and Jack is so bright and clever. I love them both. It’s almost like having my own children.’
‘Don’t forget they aren’t,’ Elizabeth said looking at her anxiously. ‘Remember that the family could ask you to leave whenever they like.’
‘That won’t happen,’ Jessie said and smiled as she remembered Harry’s last words to her before they parted, thanking her for a wonderful afternoon at the zoo.
‘I don’t think I ever knew what it was like to be this happy before,’ he’d told her. ‘Thank you for giving me this, Jessie.’
‘Well, just remember it could happen,’ her aunt said. She had hoped that Jessie might decide to come home in a few months but she could see that wasn’t likely. ‘You look well, Jess. Living in the country must suit you. You don’t miss the shops and the theatres then?’
‘Sometimes,’ Jessie replied. ‘I miss you, Auntie, and I miss our talks over supper. It would be nice to go out together again, but I’m not sure when that will be. I couldn’t think of asking for time off, not at the moment – and it will be worse when Alice leaves.’
‘Alice – that’s the parlourmaid, isn’t it? Didn’t you say she wasn’t as friendly as some of the others?’
‘She wasn’t at first,’ Jessie agreed. ‘But we get on well now. I’m sorry she’s thinking of leaving but she wants to come to London. She might write to me here.’
‘I’ll send her letter on if she does,’ Elizabeth said, pausing for a moment before continuing, ‘I’m thinking of opening a shop to sell the bread and cakes soon, Jess. The bakery is doing reasonably well, though not as well as I’d like. Eddie thinks we could do better if we had a shop. He’s got a good business head on him, I’ll say that for him.’
‘Are you sure you want the extra work? He can’t run the bakery and the shop, can he?’
‘No, I’ll be doing that myself,’ her aunt said. ‘To tell you the truth, I haven’t enough to do these days. If you’d been unhappy where you are I was going to suggest we run it together – the place I’m thinking of is big enough for a teashop as well. You quite liked working in a teashop before the war, didn’t you?’
‘Yes, it was a pleasant job,’ Jessie agreed. She’d heard the sigh in her aunt’s voice and felt sorry. ‘I’m sorry, Auntie dearest. I would have liked that if it hadn’t been for Catherine.’
If she had never gone to Kendlebury, never fallen under the spell of the family, never fallen in love with Harry Kendle and his children.
‘Well, it can’t be helped,’ her aunt said. ‘I shall find a girl to help out when I want her, and you’re doing something worthwhile, Jess. I wouldn’t want you to give that up, not while you’re happy.’ She smiled as she got up to take the apple pie from the oven and bring it to the scrubbed pine table. ‘There’s cream to go with this. You said not to make supper but I’m sure you can eat some of this, can’t you?’
‘It smells gorgeous,’ Jessie said and smiled at her. She was very fond of Aunt Elizabeth. ‘Cook makes delicious food but she can’t make apple pie like yours.’
It wasn’t quite true but it pleased her aunt, and she wanted to make up for letting her down over the teashop.
‘Did you get a chance to pop in and say hello to Archie?’
‘He was closed when I came past and I didn’t want to stop because I was already late.’
‘He’s got a young man working there part-time now,’ her aunt said looking thoughtful. I’m sure I don’t know why he took him on. I shouldn’t have thought there was enough work for two of them.’
‘Archie likes to go to house sales to buy his books. Perhaps it gives him more freedom.’
‘Perhaps it does,’ her aunt agreed. ‘He was asking if I thought you might come up to town for a little holiday sometime. I told him I would ask you but I didn’t think that was possible.’
‘It isn’t easy for me to come up to town unless it’s with Captain Kendle and the children, but it would be nice if you could get down to see us one day, Auntie. You could stay in a small family hotel in Torquay and I could bring the children to see you.’
‘That would be nice,’ her aunt agreed. ‘Yes, I might take a little holiday before I open the shop. I haven’t been away in years. That was a good idea, Jess. I’ll think about it and let you know.’
Chapter Ten
It was like going home when they returned to Kendlebury. Josie looked at the golden glory of the old house as it nestled into the sunshine, letting the sense of peace sink in to her soul. She realised how much she had come to love the place and wondered how Harry could even think of giving it up for her sake. She would never want to leave if it belonged to her.
Just for a little while she could pretend it did. The house was a different place without Mary Kendle. There was a much more relaxed atmosphere. Cook was happy as she worked, no longer seeming so rushed or worried when she was serving up meals, and Maggie went around whistling tunelessly. Even Alice seemed less miserable than she had been when Jessie left for London.
‘I’ve told my mother,’ she confided to Jessie when they had a moment to talk in private. ‘She says that I should go to the Sally Army like you said. Ma would let me stay at home and keep the baby but my Da would go mad. Besides, she thinks I should try my luck on the stage afterwards. She’s always thought my voice too good to waste.’
‘You could stay on here a bit longer if you decide to have the baby,’ Jessie said. ‘I’m glad you told your mother, Alice. At least she won’t be anxious when you go away.’
‘I feel better now I’ve told her,’ Alice admitted. ‘I’ll probably stay on here until Mrs Kendle comes back and then I’ll go. You’re sure the Sally Army will arrange it all for me?’
‘Quite sure, if you go to the address I gave you. They take in a lot of girls like you. Some of the girls stay there for weeks beforehand, others just go in for the birth, but you have to agree to give the child up – unless you can prove that you’re going to be able to provide a good home, of course.’ She smiled at Alice. ‘I’m sure you won’t regret your decision.’
‘Well, I’m not definite yet but Ma wants me to have the baby. She doesn’t hold with abortion.’
‘You’ll make u
p your own mind.’ Jessie was thoughtful. ‘I wonder what will happen here when you leave.’
‘Mrs Pearson’s sister has a daughter in service. She was saying the other day that Lily isn’t happy where she is. I expect she will get her to come here if she can.’
Jessie wondered how that would work out but kept her thoughts to herself. She was too busy and happy to worry much about anything.
Lady Kendle seemed refreshed after her brief stay in hospital.
‘They gave me some pills to take,’ she told Jessie. ‘They appear to be doing me good. Besides, it was just a little warning, nothing to worry about. The specialist told me I would probably go on for years.’
‘I am very pleased to hear that, ma’am.’
‘My husband was relieved,’ Lady Kendle said. ‘Now, what about you, Jessie? My son tells me the doctor was most insistent that the bond between you and Catherine should not be broken. Are you prepared to stay on with us for some years to come?’
Jessie felt herself blushing under the other woman’s scrutiny. There was something odd in that look, as if she suspected a secret – but perhaps that was Jessie’s imagination? She couldn’t know anything, because there was nothing to know.
‘I shall stay for as long as Catherine needs me, if I am permitted, ma’am.’
‘You are thinking of Mary’s behaviour when I was ill?’ Lady Kendle frowned. ‘I believe she was harsh with you. I can’t promise that it won’t happen again, but I can promise that you won’t be turned off without good reason. Sir Joshua is still master here and I’ve told him that I need you. He will make sure that Mary understands that in his own way. My husband is a just man, Jessie, though some have cause to doubt it, but I know him better than most – and I know that he would never go against my wishes in this matter.’
‘Thank you, ma’am.’
‘All I ask is that you do nothing to make me change my mind.’
The look that accompanied her words convinced Jessie that she was aware of her son’s feelings towards her. He might not have spoken of them but his mother had sensed the change in him. Jessie’s cheeks were warm as she met the older woman’s gaze.
‘I understand there are some things that cannot be forgiven, ma’am. I hope that I shall never disappoint you.’
‘I believe that you will try not to,’ Lady Kendle said and smiled. ‘Now, tell me, did you have a chance to see your aunt?’
‘Yes, just for a short time. She is thinking of opening a teashop.’
‘That sounds interesting. Didn’t you tell me she already owns a bakery?’
‘Her husband left it to her. She still owns it but she doesn’t run it these days, and she has time on her hands since I left.’
‘Yes, I am sure she must miss you, but the shop will be an exciting venture for her.’ Lady Kendle nodded her approval and Jessie left her to sit comfortably in her chair by the window while she went to the nursery. Nanny had given the children their tea and Jessie washed them before putting them to bed.
It was always a special time of the day. They smelled so sweet and looked like little angels as she tucked them up in their beds. Catherine was clutching the elephant her father had bought for her at the zoo, her arms curled protectively about it as she settled down to sleep. Jack had been given a stuffed tiger as his souvenir of the trip, but it had been put on the shelf with his other toys and clearly meant less to him than his soldiers. Jessie wondered if Catherine had ever been given a gift she really wanted before, and realised that she probably hadn’t. No one had ever considered what she might like, giving her dolls as a matter of course when it was her birthday or Christmas.
‘So,’ Nanny said to her after they left the children to sleep. ‘You’re not regretting coming back then? Mrs Pearson wondered if you might feel homesick after you’d been back for a few days.’
‘No, though I did feel a bit sorry that I couldn’t help my aunt set up her teashop.’
‘You would be more independent working for her.’
‘Yes, perhaps,’ Jessie agreed. ‘We get on so well together, you see – but the children are more important for the moment. My aunt wouldn’t want me to leave when I’m needed. Has Captain Kendle told you what the doctor said?’
‘About Catherine having a weakness in her heart?’ Nanny nodded and looked sad. ‘I’m sorry for the poor little lass. She hasn’t had much luck in her life, has she?’
‘No.’ Jessie was sombre. ‘All we can do is love her. She needs all the care and kindness we can give her, Nanny.’
‘Yes, I can see that and she gets none at all from her mother. Her father has started to take more interest in them both of late, and that’s a good thing. I was worried about him; he seemed so sunk into himself, no time for anything but work, but he’s more like he used to be before the war now and I’m glad of it.’ She looked at Jessie thoughtfully but there was no criticism in her expression. ‘I thought I might go and live with my sister once you were used to things here. She came to see me while you were away. We had tea in Mrs Pearson’s parlour and talked it over – but I can stay on for a bit longer, until Jack goes to school perhaps, to make it easier for you. If I’m still of use to you?’
‘You know you are. I value your advice. Besides, Jack loves you and he respects you. If I have trouble I only have to tell him that Nanny wouldn’t be pleased and he subsides.’
‘I’ve always been firm but fair and he knows it. He can be a little monster at times, but he’s a good lad – very like Master Harry was as a boy.’
‘So you won’t think of leaving yet – unless you’ve been feeling unwell again? I wouldn’t want you to do too much.’
Nanny assured her that she was feeling quite like her old self and Jessie went downstairs to have her supper.
Cook put the plate in front of her and poured a cup of tea. ‘Captain Kendle tells me he wants a picnic tomorrow. He’s taking the children out for a few hours.’
‘Oh…’ Jessie was surprised. They had been home for two days now and she’d seen nothing of him. He hadn’t been near the nursery, but he’d warned her that he would be busy for a while. ‘I wonder where he’s taking them.’
‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ Cook said. ‘He told me to pack enough for four. You’ll be needed to look after the children, of course.’
‘Yes. He couldn’t manage them alone. I wish I knew where we were going so I knew what they ought to wear.’
‘Well, a picnic isn’t very formal, is it? Not when it’s for children anyway. Different if it was for a shooting party. We used to send the second-best silver and glass then.’
‘Do they still have them?’ Jessie asked, remembering the accident that had killed Sir Joshua’s eldest son.
‘Not since the war. Sir Joshua says he isn’t up to it these days and the captain says he had enough of guns in the war. Alf Goodjohn from the farm keeps us supplied with game in season. I think he sells any surplus to a hotel in Torquay, but the captain knows about it.’
‘Knows about what?’ Carter asked as he came into the kitchen. ‘He didn’t know about this until I showed him.’ He threw a small pile of leaflets onto the table. ‘Distributing these all over town they were.’
‘What are they?’ Cook asked, because he was clearly annoyed about something.
‘The work of political agitators!’
Jessie picked up one of the leaflets and read it. Written in dramatic style it was inciting the workers of factories, shops and public services to stand up for their rights.
‘This is rather strong language,’ she said with a frown. ‘It implies that all employers are the same, exploiting their workers and treating them with contempt.’
‘It’s true enough in a lot of cases,’ Cook said. ‘You wouldn’t credit how hard it is for some, Jessie. We’ve got it easy here compared to most.’
‘Don’t forget I was born in the East End,’ Jessie said. ‘My mother died of diphtheria because she was the only one willing to nurse her neighbours.’
�
��It’s hard for some I’ll not deny that,’ Carter said. ‘But they aren’t all like that. Captain Kendle looks after his people, and they appreciate it. The foreman gave me these leaflets. He said he’s had someone round trying to make trouble but he sent the fellow away with a flea in his ear.’
‘Well, there’s no harm done there then,’ Cook said.
‘But there might have been. We’ll have strikes all over before they’re through. You mark my words. I don’t know what this country is coming to!’
Jessie was silent as she listened to their discussion. She wondered if the man distributing the leaflets was Paul Smith. He had certainly been in Torquay a few weeks earlier, but perhaps he had merely been the instigator of the unrest.
She put the worrying thought from her mind. It was really none of her business, though she was glad it hadn’t caused trouble for Harry Kendle. She didn’t imagine he could afford to have the work disrupted at his factory.
She spent a little time with Maggie and then went upstairs to write some letters. Archie had written to say that he’d been disappointed not to see her when she was in town.
Jessie wrote back to say she was sorry that she hadn’t had time, but she knew that wasn’t quite the truth. She might have been able to pop in for a few minutes if she’d really tried but it had seemed best to stay away.
There was no point in letting Archie think that she might marry him one day. She had never considered it but now the idea was even more impossible. She might have no hope of a relationship with Harry Kendle but she was in love with him and she couldn’t think of marrying anyone else.
*
When Jessie woke the next morning she found an envelope had been pushed beneath her door. It’s message was simple. Harry was taking them to see a pony he was buying for his son and planned to have a picnic somewhere on the way back.
Jack will need his riding things, he had written. Something that washes easily for Catherine would be advisable. And make sure you all wrap up warmly. Please be ready as soon after nine as you can.
