by June Francis
‘Ta-ra,’ said Lucia, plugging in a small portable electric fire instead of lighting the fire.
The boys and Theresa were on their way downstairs, but there was no sign of Gabrielle, who nearly always had to be dragged out of bed. Lucia left Theresa getting out bowls, spoons and cereal while she went upstairs and woke Gabrielle, throwing back the covers and yanking her upright. ‘Rise and shine,’ said Lucia.
Her sister groaned. ‘I don’t want to go to school. I’m not well.’
‘Rubbish! You were perfectly all right last night.’
‘Why d’you never believe me?’ asked Gabrielle. ‘I feel sick.’
‘You don’t look sick. Anyway, if it turns out you are sick, your teacher will send you home.’
‘But she knows there’s nobody at home.’
‘She has Auntie Nellie’s phone number and she’ll fetch you.’
Gabrielle sighed and rose from the bed. ‘You’re cruel. Mam wouldn’t have made me go to school.’
‘Mam was soft with you; besides, she liked the company. I have to go to work.’
‘I miss Mam.’
‘We all miss Mam … and Dad too. Now hurry up and get dressed.’
Lucia lingered no longer but hurried downstairs, pleased to see the boys and Theresa seated at the table eating breakfast. ‘You’ll still be here for Michael getting back from his paper round? He mightn’t have his key with him.’
‘Will do. You off now?’
Lucia nodded, thinking of what Tim had told her last evening about his and Isabella’s conversation. She’d like to talk to Nick about it, and with a bit of luck he might drop by at the coffee bar.
Her luck was in because Nick entered the coffee bar shortly after the lunchtime rush was over. He was alone and sat at a table by the window. Immediately she went over to take his order and tell him she needed to talk to him. She gave Josh the order of steak and kidney pudding, chips and peas before making Nick a cappuccino and taking it over to him.
‘So what is it you want to talk to me about?’ Nick asked.
‘I want your opinion about Tim,’ replied Lucia, glancing about to make certain there was no one in need of her services before sitting in the seat opposite Nick.
Nick’s attractive lean features looked taken aback. ‘What? Why?’
‘Because you’ve met him, and your father is a detective inspector who was on the scene when the robbery Tim was caught up in took place.’
‘He was the driver of the getaway car. Is that what you want to know?’
‘No, I know that already. Give me a few minutes to explain.’
Nick gazed at her expectantly from dark blue eyes as she launched into the tale Tim had told her the evening before, about what Isabella had suggested he write and Tim’s reaction to her suggestion. ‘What do you think, Nick?’ she asked when she had finished her story.
‘I don’t know much about writing, but I don’t believe Tim would have had a gun or been able to attempt to disarm the other man while driving a car,’ he said. ‘Is that it?’
‘No, I want you to ask your dad what he knows about the crook who escaped with Tim.’
‘OK! I’ll do that.’ said Nick. ‘Now, is there any chance my food is ready?’
‘I’ll go and get it.’ Lucia stood up and left the table. Returning a few minutes later with his plate of food, and leaving him alone to eat in peace, she trusted him not to forget to speak to his father.
That evening, Lucia received a visit from Inspector Sam Walker. Although he mustn’t have been far off forty, he was a good-looking man, with few wrinkles, a mop of tawny hair and deep blue eyes. He held himself well and had a good pair of shoulders. She invited him to sit down and offered him coffee and cake. He thanked her, and rested comfortably in an armchair by the window overlooking the back garden.
‘You certainly have your hands full,’ he said, having turned the chair so he could look more easily into the garden at the children playing. ‘I hear one of the children is likely to be Tommy McGrath’s.’
‘We know him as Tim Murphy,’ said Lucia, ‘as I’m sure you know. Jerry is the fair-haired lad in the grey shorts and navy blue overcoat. The other fair-haired lad of a similar height and build is my brother, Joseph. They’ve become great pals.’
‘That’s good. Jerry being an only will need a good mate to share secrets and problems with.’
‘I agree. Jerry spends more time here than he does next door. What with his father writing his book.’
‘I’ve heard about this book and am looking forward to reading it.’
‘So am I,’ said Lucia. ‘I presume you’re here because of what I said to Nick?’
Sam’s smile was one of singular charm. ‘Yes. Sid was the cousin of the leader of the gang, William Donahue. It doesn’t surprise me that Donahue would prefer not to believe his cousin would cheat him by hanging back when it came to the robbery and scarpering with the loot from a former robbery, but it surprises me that the journalist doesn’t take Tim’s word for his version of what happened.’ He took a bite out of his slice of cake. ‘This is lovely cake. Did you make it?’
‘No, my aunt Nellie made it. She often makes two at a time. One for her own family and one for us.’
‘It’s good that you have her.’
‘I know. I have another aunt who’s coming over from America this year. It’ll be great to see her.’
‘There are aunts and aunts,’ he said. ‘Some are good and others are horrors. My father’s aunt, who helped to raise us after my mother died, was a terrible bully.’ He glanced out of the window. ‘One can’t always depend on family to do right by us. But I think in your case, and that of your brothers and sisters, you’re blessed. And young Jerry is fortunate to share in that blessing.’
‘He’s no trouble.’ Lucia drained her coffee cup. ‘He’s been brought up well – and I hope you’re not going to say “no thanks to his father”.’
‘You know his background?’
‘Yes, Tim’s told me some of it himself, and Maggie and various other people have warned me against him. My uncle is a priest; he visited Tim in jail and he shares my belief that he deserves a second chance.’
‘I agree with your uncle, as well. Father Francis, isn’t it? He has a parish Scottie Road way.’
‘That’s right. I didn’t realize you knew that much about him.’
‘Our paths have crossed. I believe him to be the best kind of priest. We were both aware when Tommy went off the tracks that his bullying father was partly to blame. He was a bit of a tearaway but there’s no evil in him.’
‘Thank you,’ said Lucia, tears in her eyes.
Sam stood up. ‘I’d best be going. Thanks for the coffee and cake.’ He held out his hand and she shook it.
‘Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it.’ She meant that sincerely, as it really helped having a detective inspector saying what she needed to hear.
‘I think Nick told you and Tim that the rest of the gang, bar the leader, will be out of prison any day now?’
‘Yes, he did.’
‘Hopefully they won’t give Tim any trouble, but if they do show their faces, tell him to let me know,’ said Sam.
It was just getting dark when she saw him out and, while she remained in the doorway waving him off, she heard the neighbouring door open. The next moment she noticed Tim going down the steps towards the car parked at the kerb, then caught sight of him on the pavement and heard the murmur of his and Sam’s voices. She wished she could hear their conversation, but unfortunately their voices were not loud enough for her to catch what they were saying, so she went back indoors to dish out dinner and call the children in from the garden, hoping that Tim would not be annoyed with her for discussing his business with the police, if that was what the two men’s conversation was about.
Seven
The following morning, thoughts of Tim were thrust to the back of Lucia’s mind because Gabrielle complained again that she wasn’t feeling well. She looked flu
shed, and when Lucia felt her sister’s forehead, it was burning hot. She knew that she was going to have to keep her from school. ‘Well, you do appear to have a temperature. Is there anything going round in school?’
‘Patrick McIver was sent home a few days ago and hasn’t come back yet.’
‘Have you heard what’s wrong with him?’
‘He’s got spots,’ Gabrielle said. ‘I haven’t got spots.’
Lucia swore inwardly. ‘That could be because they haven’t come out yet. You’re staying in bed.’
‘Can’t I just lie on the sofa by the fire? It’s cold upstairs.’
‘No, it might be contagious.’ Lucia knew she was going to have to make a few phone calls. First she telephoned the school and spoke to the head, who informed her that several children had gone down with measles. She also phoned the coffee bar and told them she was going to be late. She decided that it would be pointless to take Gabrielle to the doctor’s surgery when she knew that most likely her sister had caught the measles. Lucia remembered having the ailment herself when she was eight. Michael had caught it, too, so had Theresa. That meant Joseph and James were the only ones who could have already caught it from Gabrielle.
She groaned, thinking she was going to have to keep Joseph and James from school as well. She had better warn Tim that there was a possibility Jerry might have caught the measles too. She would also have to tell Josh and Maggie that she might have to take some time off from work, despite the fact that she couldn’t really afford to lose out on wages. It would be far better if Theresa stayed home from school and took care of the children, as that way she could still go to work.
She explained to the children that they were going to stay home because it was probable that they were already infected and that they were to be good while she went next door to explain the situation to Mr Murphy.
At her knock, Tim came to the door and stood gazing down at Lucia with a frown. ‘Jerry’s not well, he won’t be going to school today.’
‘I think he’s probably caught the measles. Gabrielle isn’t well either, and she told me that one of the lads at school was off with measles. I hope you’ve had it, Tim, because I’ve heard it can be even nastier if an adult catches it.’
‘Bloody hell,’ said Tim. ‘I can’t remember if I’ve had it or not.’
‘Your mam will remember. Give her a ring. I was going to suggest that Jerry might as well stay with my lot if he is infected.’
‘He hasn’t got any spots,’ Tim said, his face brightening momentarily.
‘They don’t always come out straightaway,’ said Lucia.
‘I’d better ring the doctor,’ Tim said.
‘Do, I’d be interested to hear what he has to say. I’m not bothering. I have a good idea what needs doing. Main thing is to get their temperature down and, in some cases, keep them in a darkened room. I remember that’s what Mam did for me, Michael and Theresa when we had it years ago. The spots can be itchy, so calamine lotion can help there. Also it’s possible to have spots on the throat which makes swallowing painful, so plenty of fluids.’
‘You’re going to have your hands full,’ said Tim. ‘I wish I could help you.’
‘You find out if you’ve had measles first,’ Lucia said.
She was dismayed when an hour later Tim knocked on her door and told her that the doctor had confirmed that Jerry most likely did have measles because there was an outbreak in Liverpool that was gaining ground.
‘Did you phone your mother?’ asked Lucia.
‘Yeah. Bad news, I’m afraid. She always kept me away from other children when there was anything going round.’
Lucia groaned. ‘If you pass Jerry over to me now, you just might be lucky and miss out on it.’
‘I told the doctor I hadn’t had it and he looked dismayed and thought it likely I was already infected and suggested Jerry and I both go to bed together.’
‘Who’s going to nurse you both? I’d do it but—’
‘You’ve your hands full already,’ he said. ‘I’d suggest me and Jerry staying with your lot so you could go to work, but I don’t think I have your nursing skills.’
‘Nice of you to think of that, but Theresa is going to stay home from school and take the daytime shift, so we don’t lose out on money and I’ll do the evening and night shift.’
‘You’ll be exhausted.’
‘I’ll survive and it won’t last forever. I’d better go now. I’ve a lot to do. Is there anything you want from the shops?’
‘No thanks. Mrs Hudson is doing my shopping.’
Lucia thought it unlikely that the old lady would be doing any nursing. It would be much too much for her, and so she wasted no more time worrying about Tim and Jerry or about Tim’s conversation with Detective Inspector Walker last evening out in the street after he had visited her. She felt slightly depressed when she entered the coffee bar and explained her plans to Maggie and Josh. They looked concerned and asked if she was sure that Theresa would be able to cope; they’d be happy to ask Rosie, who helped in the kitchen part-time, to give a hand waiting-on, and they would pay Lucia sick pay so she could have some time off to look after the children.
‘That’s generous of you,’ said Lucia.
‘Before you add “but I’m not sick”,’ Josh said. ‘We know that – but you could end up ill working all day and not getting enough sleep at night. We don’t want that happening.’
‘Thank you,’ said Lucia. ‘I really appreciate your kindness.’
‘You’re a good worker and we want to keep you,’ said Maggie, hugging Josh’s arm. ‘Don’t we, love?’
‘Obviously,’ he said.
‘Well, I’ll stay until Rosie turns up,’ Lucia said, her spirits having lifted.
A few minutes later Rosie arrived and the situation was explained to her.
Josh said, ‘Why don’t you stay and have some lunch, Lucia, before going home? It will put some strength in you, which you’re going to need to nurse the kids.’
‘Thanks, I will,’ she said.
Within moments she was tucking in to bacon, egg and baked beans, washed down with a cappuccino.
‘Now you get off home and look after your sister and brothers.’
Lucia thanked him again and left, thanking God for her good fortune in having such a kind employer. It was as she was walking down Renshaw Street that she was hailed by Tim’s brother, Marty, who was just coming out of his place of business.
‘Hi, Lucia, how are you doing?’ he asked. ‘I hope that brother of mine isn’t causing you any hassle?’
‘Not at all,’ she replied. ‘But I think he could probably do with some help from his family in the next week or so as there’s measles in our neck of the woods. Three of my lot have gone down with it, and it looks as though Jerry has it too. Could be that Tim could catch it next, as your mother said that he didn’t have it as a child.’
‘That’s true. She was over-protective with my brother and I don’t doubt that she was as much to blame for him going off the rails as my father was. He was jealous of the love she showered on him. It wasn’t until I became a parent myself that I realized it’s one of the most difficult jobs around. It’s absolutely essential that one has a spouse who shares your commitment to bringing up children the right way. I have to admit that I admire you, Lucia, for taking responsibility for your younger brothers and sisters. I hope you don’t find it a thankless task.’
‘Sometimes I feel like it is, but I love my family and so I carry on fulfilling the role that my parents expected of me if anything happened to them. I’m fortunate in having inherited the family home, mortgage-free.’
‘You are fortunate. Good luck with coping with a houseful of sick kids, and I’ll tell Irene to be prepared for a possible measles epidemic.’
‘Give Irene my love, and perhaps when we’re free of the dreaded lurgy we can meet in town and have a cuppa and slice of cake,’ said Lucia, remembering the days when she had seen a lot more of Irene when she visite
d Nellie’s house with her brother Jimmy.
Lucia was thinking, not for the first time, how arduous it must be for a parent to bring up their child alone. She remembered how it had been before her parents had married, having been kept apart due to the machinations of her father’s snobbish aunt. She had been shocked to the core to discover that the father of the unmarried Lottie’s baby was her nephew. A simple soul, Lucia’s father had been persuaded to go on a visit to a relative’s home, not knowing he had a baby daughter until he returned and managed to see Lottie alone. She had arranged for them to be married by Francis in no time at all. It was then that the newlyweds and Lucia had moved in with David’s ailing mother. Lucia had received a lot of love from Lottie when she was a single mother, but there had always been an air of sadness about her, as well as fear, until she and Lucia’s father were reunited.
Sadly, due to the war, there were lots of children being reared in one-parent families, and who was to say how this would affect those children in years to come. Would they always feel as if they had missed out on something precious? Or would they realize that there were two-parent families sadly lacking in the love and forbearance that should reign in every family, large or small.
When Lucia arrived home it was to find Theresa reading aloud to the children in the boys’ bedroom; Gabrielle was tucked up in bed beside her brothers.
All their faces lit up when they saw Lucia. ‘You’re home early,’ said Theresa. ‘Am I glad to see you.’
‘Josh let me off early; he’s told me to stay home with the kids and he’ll give me sick pay.’
‘So I’ll be going in to school?’ said Theresa, sounding relieved.
‘You thinking you’ll find that easier than helping nurse this lot?’ Lucia said, waving an arm in the direction of her younger siblings.
