by June Francis
‘What about Daddy’s cousin?’ asked James. ‘Will she be coming this evening?’
‘I hope so, but I can’t say for sure.’
‘And will Daddy come back with you when you go, and will his arm be better?’ asked Flora.
‘He’ll probably have to stay in hospital for a bit longer to make his arm work properly,’ said Alice quietly. ‘I’ll find out more when I see him. Now off you go.’
As they left the room, Tilly said, ‘Will she be putting those two to bed while you’re away?’
Alice was surprised by the question. ‘You’ll be home in the evening. Surely you can bath them and read them a bedtime story?’
‘I suppose.’ Tilly leant back in her chair. ‘What about meals?’
‘You mean, will she cook them?’ Tilly nodded.
Alice wrinkled her nose. ‘You know, I haven’t thought about that. The pair of you are going to have to sort that out between you.’
‘Are you paying her?’
‘Questions, questions, questions,’ groaned Alice, putting a hand to her head. ‘She’s not even here yet. I’ll decide that if she comes.’
She had given no thought to rewarding Clara and her heart sank. Perhaps she should have. She had found a couple of china figurines, some old curtains and cushions in the attic that she reckoned might raise enough to pay for her trip south, but there would be little left over. But her sister had a point about giving Clara something for her troubles.
‘So where will she sleep?’ asked Tilly, lifting Georgie out of his feeding chair.
Alice snapped. ‘In the spare room. I suppose you’ve a complaint about that?’
Tilly shrugged. ‘It is a nice room but not exactly close to Georgie’s if he were to wake in the night.’
‘But near enough to you if he does,’ said Alice, pushing back her chair and standing up. ‘You’ve been a very fortunate young lady. When Mam died and Dad went off his head, you could have easily been placed in an orphanage. Instead, between the four of us, Hanny, Kenny, Seb and I made sure you had a home and lots of love. You’ve never gone without. In fact, you’ve been earning a wage recently and I’ve not taken a penny from you for your keep.’
Tilly reddened. ‘I do help in the house and with the children. It’s just that I feel she’s not one of us.’
‘Perhaps she isn’t yet but she’s going to be. She’s Seb’s cousin and, as I said to James, she’s family,’ said Alice firmly. ‘I think you lied before when you said you weren’t jealous. I think you resent Freddie flirting with her.’
‘You make me sound selfish,’ she protested. ‘And I’m not. It’s just that…’
‘Just what?’ Alice raised an eyebrow.
Tilly took a deep breath. ‘I suppose I have been used to having his attention in the past. I’m fond of him. He’s always been there in my life, teasing me and looking out for me – that is until he went to sea. I’ve always looked up to him, Kenny and Seb because I’ve never known my father. Now you’ve just said he went off his head. Is that why you don’t talk about him? Because he’s a lunatic? Or when you say “off his head”, do you mean he just was very angry at times?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ said Alice brusquely. ‘I have bad memories of those days. Just forget about him.’ She hugged Georgie tightly.
‘I can’t,’ said Tilly simply. ‘And what of my mother? You seldom speak of her either.’
Alice sighed. ‘Your mother was a lovely person with a tremendous faith that she lived by. She was brave and forgiving, and Kenny loved her as much as I did. He scarcely remembered his own mother and Mam treated him well.’
‘But Dad?’
Alice’s face tightened. ‘Enough, Tilly. I’ll say only that Mam believed his madness was out of his control. She always forgave him. I can’t. Right, I’m going to bath Georgie. Will you listen for the door in case Clara comes? And be nice to her if she does.’
* * *
It was dark by the time Clara and Freddie arrived in Chester. He parked his motorbike outside Hanny and Kenny’s and helped Clara down from her cushion. She stumbled and he steadied her. ‘A bit stiff, are you?’
‘Yes. But I enjoyed the ride.’
‘Great. When the weather gets better we could go to Wales for a day out.’
She smiled. ‘I’d enjoy that.’
He escorted her to Alice’s. Both were surprised to hear a voice reaching out to them through the darkened garden. ‘Is that you, Freddie?’
‘Yes. Is that you, Tilly?’ he answered.
‘Yes. Of course it’s me.’
Suddenly, Clara and Freddie spotted her rising up from a flower-bed like some ghostly figure.
‘I’ve Clara with me,’ said Freddie. ‘Did Alice tell you about the plan?’
‘Of course she did,’ replied Tilly easily. ‘I’ve just been picking some daffodils to put in Clara’s bedroom.’
Clara had never had flowers in her bedroom and was touched by the younger girl’s thoughtfulness. ‘That’s really nice of you,’ she said.
‘Well, we want to make you feel welcome, don’t we?’ said Tilly, her voice light.
‘I’m glad to help,’ said Clara sincerely. ‘But I’m no expert when it comes to kids. Especially little boys.’
‘I’m sure you’ll be fine. If you get stuck, Hanny will help you, and I’ll be here in the evenings when the other two are home. Although, I will be going out on Thursday, but I’m sure you’ll manage,’ said Tilly.
‘I’ll come round and keep her company,’ said Freddie.
‘I expected you to volunteer. Of course, we’ll be seeing more of you now that Clara’s here.’
Clara wondered if she had imagined the slight edge to Tilly’s voice.
‘You’ve no objections, have you?’ asked Freddie, sounding surprised.
A tinkle of laughter and a slap on his arm was her response. ‘Of course not. Are you coming in?’
Freddie shook his head. ‘Alice will have things to discuss with Clara.’ He turned to her. ‘I’ll be out tomorrow evening but I’ll call round the next day.’
She smiled. ‘Thanks for everything.’
‘My pleasure.’ He smiled down at her and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but he only touched her chin lightly with his knuckles and then walked away.
Neither girl spoke but both watched him until he reached his motorbike. He turned and waved before opening the gate and trundling it up the path.
Clara’s emotions were all churned up but she was not alone, so were Tilly’s. She could sense that Freddie really liked Clara but was that all it was or was it something deeper? It was only when he was out of sight that she blurted out, ‘Seen enough of lover boy? We’d best get inside, so Alice can tell you your duties for the next few days.’
‘Duties?’ The use of that word surprised Clara.
Tilly linked her arm through Clara’s. ‘Well, you have come to work, haven’t you? And I can tell you right now kids can run you right into the ground. I hope you don’t regret allowing Freddie to persuade you to come.’
Clara knew for certain now that Tilly did not want her there, but as there was no going back that evening or the next, she was going to stay. Alice needed her and if Tilly intended being awkward the next few days, then she would do her best to take no notice of her. Especially if she tried to treat her like she was a skivvy.
Chapter Twenty
If Clara doubted the warmth of Tilly’s welcome, who had disappeared upstairs, she could find no fault with that of Alice. ‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ said the older woman, giving her a hug.
‘I was glad to come. It’ll make a nice change for me,’ said Clara, returning her smile.
Alice laughed. ‘If you’re not used to children then it’ll certainly be that. Do you want a cup of tea or would you like to see your room first?’
‘Room, please. I brought a nightie in my handbag and a few odds and ends. Then I’ll have a cup of tea and you can tell me what I need to kno
w.’
‘You’ll need to have patience, for a start,’ said Alice, leading the way upstairs. ‘For some reason little ones like to do the same thing over and over again.’
‘It’s probably the way they learn,’ said Clara cheerfully, following her. ‘Repetition. It’s the way we were taught our times table.’
‘You’re right. But I admit I’ve never seen telling the same story over and over again in that light. Tell me, is there a children’s matinée at the cinema where you work – when it’s open?’
‘What are you talking about being open?’ asked Tilly, appearing at the top of the stairs.
‘The Palladium picture palace,’ said Clara, wishing she had a dress as pretty as the one Tilly was wearing. She must have rushed to change because it was different from the one she’d had on earlier. ‘It’ll be opening again next week.’
‘I prefer the theatre, myself.’
‘I like the theatre, too,’ said Clara, smiling. ‘Especially musicals.’
‘I prefer something more serious,’ said Tilly, and turned to her sister. ‘The children are asleep, by the way.’
‘I know. I checked them earlier.’ Alice frowned. ‘Why have you changed? Are you going out?’
‘I thought I’d go along to Hanny and see how the twins are.’
Alice raised her eyebrows. ‘Sudden, isn’t it? Don’t be late back.’
‘I’m only going up the road,’ said Tilly, her expression mutinous. ‘I don’t need being told. I’m not a child. I’ll be sixteen in July.’
‘So you will, but you won’t have a key to the door until you’re twenty-one, my girl, so don’t take that tone with me.’
Tilly flushed and, brushing past them, hurried down the stairs.
A tight-lipped Alice gazed after her sister for a moment, before turning to Clara and saying, ‘This way.’
Clara followed her to a bedroom at the front of the house. ‘I hope this’ll do you,’ said Alice with a smile as she clicked on the light.
Clara gazed about her and felt a lift of the heart. The room was large, its walls decorated in a pink, cream and green floral wallpaper. A dressing table reflected a vase of daffodils through triple mirrors and there was a proper wardrobe of pale wood. A patterned rug lay on the floor next to a double bed covered by a patchwork quilt.
‘It’s lovely! If you could see my bedroom back home…’ Her voice tailed off.
‘I haven’t always lived like this,’ said Alice, understanding in her voice. ‘I used to live in a terraced house with a backyard. It took me some time getting used to the idea that I was actually mistress of this house. This room used to be Seb’s paternal grandmother’s, who owned the house when I first arrived to work for Victoria. Seb had it completely redecorated and refurnished after the old woman died.’ Alice smoothed the patchwork quilt. ‘I made this myself. I’ve always enjoyed designing and sewing. I used to make hats for a living.’
Clara showed interest. ‘Do you still make hats? For yourself, I mean.’
Alice nodded her red head. ‘Yes. And for my daughter and Tilly and Hanny… although, not very often. I just don’t have enough time, what with Georgie and the house and shopping.’
‘Perhaps when Georgie goes to school you could take it up again, have your own little hat shop,’ suggested Clara with a smile.
Alice straightened up from the bed with an arrested expression on her face. ‘Now there’s a thought,’ she murmured. ‘Women will always want to wear hats, won’t they?’
‘Definitely,’ said Clara, going over to the dressing table and shifting the vase of daffodils. They reminded her of Tilly. Putting them there had been a thoughtful gesture. She wished they could be friends but the way the younger girl had spoken to her earlier had been irritating. Still, she would not let it get her down. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror and removed her black felt hat.
‘We need to settle terms, Clara,’ said Alice abruptly. ‘I can’t pay you much but…’
Clara whirled round. ‘I don’t expect payment. I’m doing it to help you and Seb.’
Alice looked relieved. ‘That’s really good of you, but it’s not going to be easy looking after Georgie… and you’ll have to shop and cook and clear up any mess he makes, as well.’
‘It can’t be any more difficult than coping with the house and Gran on my own and going out to work,’ she said, placing her hat on the dressing table.
Alice frowned. ‘It’s kind of you to say so, but it doesn’t seem right you working so hard for nothing.’
‘I’ll have my keep and I’m bound to learn from the experience. And I’ll be able to see a lot more of Chester.’ She placed her handbag on the bed and took out her cotton nightie.
‘Well, if the weather is fine then you’ll certainly enjoy wandering round Chester. Pushing a pram is a good way of walking miles without noticing it too much.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ said Clara. ‘It’s different here from Liverpool.’
‘Of course it is,’ murmured Alice, picking up Clara’s hat and turning it round between her hands before replacing it on the dressing table. ‘I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes to get your bearings. I’ll show you my bedroom later, so you know where to go if you need any clothes to change into while you’re here. Come down when you’re ready and you can have tea, cocoa, sherry, whichever you feel like.’
Clara thanked her. She placed her nightgown under the pillow and removed a couple of pairs of drawers from her handbag, not liking the idea of wearing someone else’s. She put them away and then took a comb from her handbag and tidied her hair. She sang softly as she did so, thinking of Freddie only a few doors away. Then she remembered that Tilly was visiting Hanny, so that meant she could be talking to Freddie right now. She probably hadn’t gone to see the twins at all! For a moment she thought how pretty Tilly was and how stylishly she dressed. Then she reminded herself that it was she whom Freddie had almost kissed and wanted to take to Wales come summer. She gave herself a final look in the mirror and went downstairs, determined not to think about Tilly making eyes at him.
* * *
Tilly stood in the middle of Hanny’s living room looking annoyed. ‘How could Freddie have gone out so quickly? It’s not half an hour since he dropped off Clara.’
Hanny yawned. ‘Sorry, love, you’ve missed him. Kenny was on his way out to a lecture about the Bolsheviks and Russia, so Freddie volunteered to run Kenny to the hall. As it’s something he was interested in, too, he said he would stay and bring Kenny home when it finished.’
Tilly groaned and flopped onto the sofa a foot or so from where Mrs Kirk was sitting. ‘I wish Kenny had mentioned the lecture to me. I’d have liked to have gone.’
‘Too late now. It’ll have started. So what did you want with Freddie? He said that he saw you earlier.’
Tilly shrugged. ‘Nothing in particular.’
Hanny put aside the magazine she had been glancing through and gave Tilly her full attention. ‘Is this to do with Clara?’
Tilly sighed. ‘How did you guess? I thought he was going to kiss her right in front of me there in the crescent. I felt so mixed up I was mean to her. Now I feel ashamed of myself. I lied to Clara last time she was here. I went and told her that Freddie was a flirt.’
A tiny smile lifted the corners of Hanny’s mouth. ‘I know you and Freddie have been close but he’s bound to be interested in other girls. You have to accept that. Obviously he fancies Clara if he’s visited her a couple of times and was prepared to pick her up and bring her here.’
Tilly looped her arms around her knees. ‘It made me feel all cross and hurt inside.’
‘Of course it hurts when someone you’ve been close to fancies someone else. It doesn’t mean he’s stopped liking you. But if you still want to be friends with Freddie, I’d make a friend of Clara, because it’s possible she might be the one for him.’
‘I know you’re right but it won’t be easy seeing him go off with her,’ muttered Tilly, frowning. ‘Wha
t I find difficult is that Freddie’s not interested in travelling anymore. All he wants now is to work for the business.’
‘So what’s wrong with that? He’s seen sights neither you nor I have seen and faced death, so it’s not surprising he wants the security of a job and a home.’ She smiled. ‘And you won’t be going anywhere, love, until you’ve earned enough money to travel. It could take you a good few years.’
‘I know,’ said Tilly. ‘But you do realise that if I’m going to be a rich and famous writer one day then Kenny’s going to need to advertise for a new secretary.’
Hanny laughed. ‘I doubt we’ll have trouble finding someone else with the glut of women in the country.’
‘You know what that means – a large market for women’s novels.’ She stood up. ‘Shall I make us a cup of cocoa?’
‘Good idea. Make one for Mother as well.’
Tilly did so and the next hour passed in desultory conversation before she decided it was time to go home. She left Hanny’s to walk the short distance to her sister’s home, breathing in the sweet scents of spring and the damp odour of the river. She thought how evocative smells could be and wondered if she ever did get to some far flung corner of the globe or America, would she wish she was back here? For a moment she felt sad, knowing it was going to be a wrench being parted from those who had stood in place of parents to her, but she was determined to do her utmost to follow her dream.
