Maggie

by Marie Maxwell

  ‘That’s not true, and you know it,’ Ruby responded. ‘I try my best to be fair to everyone, including Maggie …’ She paused and then looked at him. ‘And you, even though you’re an adult.’

  ‘Like it or lump it, Rubes, I’m right. You only ever consider Maggie nowadays. She’s taking us for idiots, and the boys are suffering because we’re always bloody arguing about her. Well, it’s going to stop.’

  Ruby stared at her husband in disbelief. She understood that he was frustrated – angry, even; they both were – but she couldn’t believe that he was talking like that about his daughter, who had been through so much in the past few months. ‘Oh, listen to yourself, Johnnie. You go on about the boys as if they’re somehow separate from her. Maggie is our daughter. Absolutely ours, both of us, and whatever has happened to her is because of us. No one else. We’re just lucky to still have her in our lives.’

  ‘Not sure I agree with that,’ Johnnie snapped back. ‘She’s ours by birth, but we didn’t bring her up and, let’s face it, it’s becoming unbearable here. She might be happier somewhere else – maybe back in Melton at the vicarage. Mrs Hobart did say she’d think about it.’

  Ruby had tried her best to keep calm, but she could feel herself reaching breaking point; deep down she knew that Johnnie was right, that Maggie had most likely been behaving badly again and stolen the money from the office, but her maternal defence mechanism was suddenly working at full speed and she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘You’re kidding me, Johnnie. You’ve spoken to them? You’ve actually bloody phoned and spoken to them behind my back? You want to throw the towel in on our daughter? How could you!’

  ‘I had to. I needed to know if there was an alternative. I have to consider the boys …’

  ‘The boys, the boys, you keep saying that … Do you think I’ve forgotten we have them? Well, I haven’t, there are three, and they are our sons, but in exactly the same way Maggie is our daughter. We can’t just give up on her, especially when it’s OUR FAULT. The whole bloody mess is our fault. Not Maggie’s. It’s not that heartbroken sixteen year old’s fault her life is a mess; we did this to her,’ Ruby shrieked. She could feel the red mist of anger rising. She couldn’t believe that her husband, Maggie’s father, would go behind her back to find a way to get his own flesh and blood out of the house.

  ‘Rubes, listen to me. It’s for her sake as well,’ Johnnie reasoned as he started to pace faster and gesticulate with his hands. ‘She’s so unhappy; can’t you see that? She didn’t want to leave Melton in the first place, but we made her. We dragged her away from everything she knew because we thought we knew best. But we didn’t. Can’t you see we did the wrong thing? It wouldn’t mean we were abandoning her if we sent her back; she could come here whenever she wanted, and we could go there.’

  ‘Well, of course it would. You’re not stupid. You know it means exactly that, and that’s how she’ll see it. It’s not going to happen; we’re not sending her away.’ Ruby had turned to the kitchen sink and had started to wash the cup and saucers, but she spun round to stare at her husband, who was alongside her leaning against the draining board. ‘I can’t take much more, Johnnie. It’s bad enough trying to deal with it all as it is, but without you on my side? That’s just crazy – how can you think like that? Well, I’m sorry, but if she has to go then I’ll go with her. You can write her off, but I can’t.’

  Johnnie looked back at his wife, and for a few moments they locked eyes, but then without another word he walked across the kitchen and opened the door to the office. Ruby closed her eyes as the door slammed shut and the key turned in the lock. She knew it was the end of the conversation as far as he concerned.

  Both of them had taken a rare day off together, a day off when the boys were at school. They knew Maggie wouldn’t be around – she never was during the day – and they wanted to try and spend some time together. Their life had been one long round of crises since the day they’d received the phone call about the accident; it seemed to be just one thing after another, with someone or other upset by Maggie, and Ruby had been about to blow even before the latest revelations.

  She dumped the tea towel on the draining board and went through into the front sitting room and walked over to the overly ornate wood and glass cocktail cabinet, which she hated but which had come with the house. She looked at it for a few moments before opening the glass doors and reaching in to pour herself a large neat brandy.

  She took a sip and shivered at the first taste before, glass in hand, she walked across to the windows that overlooked the front garden and stared off into space.

  She had tried so hard with Maggie, but she could see no light at the end of the tunnel; in fact, it was getting darker by the day.

  The happy family they had carefully built was crumbling before her eyes.

  The two older boys, Martin and Paul, who were Ruby’s stepsons, were starting to play up for attention, and Russell was permanently on edge. He was only five and desperately wanted his big sister Maggie’s approval and friendship, but her resentment of him was so great that she ignored him as much as possible.

  Ruby hated seeing her son so upset, but at the same time she understood how Maggie could see Russell as her main rival. He was the biological brother who had always been Russell Riordan, who had always lived with both birth parents, and who would never be anyone else. Unlike his sister.

  She also had an ongoing dread of Maggie finding out about Martin and Paul’s mother Sadie, who had committed suicide several years before. They had simply told her that Sadie had died. With the way Maggie had been behaving lately, she could imagine her using it as weapon against them without thinking through the consequences.

  Staring silently out of the window of the family home, Ruby felt the tears building at the back of her eyes, and her bottom lip wobbled as if it had a life of its own. She was at a complete loss. Her daughter was totally out of control, and Ruby herself was about to fall apart. It had been hard enough when she and Johnnie had been on the same side, but they were at each other’s throats and the happy family home she had always wanted, that she’d had such high expectations of, was now a war zone.

  Ruby sat down in the armchair by the window and sipped the neat brandy slowly, savouring the feel of it as it burned the back of her throat before hitting her empty stomach. The struggle of managing a growing business, of looking after all the children and the family home had been a manageable struggle until Maggie came to live with them. Now every day was a challenge and a worry. She never stopped worrying about all her children, but especially Maggie, because she was sure something terrible was going to happen to her if they couldn’t find a way to get through.

  ‘What are you doing in here in the dark?’

  She looked up to see the outline of her husband in the doorway. ‘Thinking,’ she said.

  ‘Look, Rubes, I’m sorry. I was horrible, and I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I’m not sorry I phoned Mrs Hobart, but I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you first. Don’t you think it would be a solution? Not forever, but just until she gets over her hatred of us all. Mrs Hobart and the vicar could deal with her, she could go back to her old school, go to the tennis club, see her old friends, including that Andy …’ He paused and walked over to the table lamp and turned it on. ‘I did it for her. We dragged her away from everything she knew at a terrible time.’

  Ruby didn’t answer. In a way it seemed as if it might be a solution, especially as Maggie had never wanted to leave Melton anyway. ‘Don’t tell me you did it for her, Johnnie Riordan. You did it for you, because you’re throwing in the towel on your own daughter. Are we seriously going to tell her she hasn’t come up to scratch so we’re sending her back?’

  When her husband didn’t answer, Ruby emptied her glass and stood up. ‘Well, I’m not doing that, and if you don’t like it you can lump it.’

  ‘OK.’ Johnnie raised his voice as she started to walk away. ‘Just answer me. Do you know where she is right now? And yeste
rday? She’s not at school, and she sure as hell isn’t working. And now she’s stealing? I’m worried sick about her every minute of the day, don’t you know that?’

  ‘No, I don’t know where she is, where she was or where she is going to be, but I’ll find out, and I’ll certainly talk to her before I start calling her a thief.’

  ‘Hello, Maggie. Bet you didn’t expect to see us here, did you?’

  Maggie looked up and blinked at the two women standing by the bench-table where she was sitting; because she had been miles away listening to a tune on the jukebox and trying to memorize the words, it took her a moment to realize it was Gracie Woodfield, Ruby’s best friend, and her younger sister Jeanette. ‘Are you following me?’ Maggie asked.

  ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? I haven’t got time to even think at the moment, let alone track you around town!’ Gracie laughed. ‘No, we were just passing and saw you through the window, so thought we’d join you. That’s OK, isn’t it?’

  ‘Free country …’ She shrugged with a slight smile.

  ‘What would you like? Take your pick, it’s my treat …’ Gracie said as she took off her coat and dumped it on the plastic covered seat.

  ‘Frothy coffee for me, please, sis, and a cake, or maybe even two cakes if you’re paying, bugger the waistline.’ Jeanette laughed as she plonked herself down next to Maggie. ‘What about you? Same again? Do you want anything to eat? Go on, if Gracie’s buying you should make the most of it. She’s buggering off to Africa soon, and there won’t be much to spend her money on there!’

  ‘Just a coffee, thanks,’ Maggie said, looking down. She wasn’t used to hearing adults swear, and it had actually made her blush.

  ‘I know you know Gracie really well, but I’m sure you don’t really remember me. I’m Jeanette, Gracie’s baby sister. Everyone calls me Jeannie. I’ve got a twin called Jennifer, but she’s the black sheep of the family so we don’t talk about her.’

  Maggie looked at the two sisters and after some thought decided they probably had just been passing by; the large windows fronted on to the main high street, so she would have been easily seen.

  ‘So, this is the Sorrento, eh?’ Jeanette said as her sister placed the order. ‘I’ve walked past it often enough, but I haven’t been in here before. Is it the place to go now? Seems really modern and sort of American.’

  ‘It’s OK,’ Maggie replied. ‘It’s better than the seaside cafes on the front, and the music is really good. It’s a bit quiet at the moment cos everyone’s at work or school, but sometimes it’s full to bursting.’

  ‘I’m probably too old to be in here, really, but who cares? I can go home and say I’ve been in a coffee bar for the first time. The other nurses will think I am so cool and with it!’

  As Jeanette pushed her shoulders back and pulled a silly face, Maggie couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t really know Jeanette, having only met her once before that she could remember, but she liked her instantly; there was something about her easy-going manner that made her feel at ease. It was a nice feeling, after being constantly on edge for so long.

  Jeanette McCabe was several years younger than Gracie and Ruby, but whereas they were both slender and graceful, Jeanette was loud, blonde and round in a shapely hourglass way. She reminded Maggie of Diana Dors, all hair and hips and tight clothes.

  ‘So, what have you been up to today, Maggie? Are you waiting for someone or just killing time? We don’t want to cramp your style if there’s someone about to appear,’ Jeanette said cheerily.

  ‘Just hanging around. Anything to be out of the house and out of the way …’

  ‘Blimey, as bad as that, is it? Nothing worse than things going wrong at home. I once moved in with big sis over there to get away from annoying parents. Ended up having to put up with a bossy annoying older sister instead! And at one point all three of us were in the flat at the top of Thamesview. Gracie, me and Ruby! Now I live near the hospital at Rochford with a couple of bossy nurses … did you know I’m a nurse?’

  ‘No, I didn’t know. Aren’t you married then?’ Maggie asked.

  ‘No. Think I’m destined to be the old spinster woman; nothing ever works out for me. I keep picking wrong’uns; I’m really good at that.’ Jeanette laughed loudly. ‘What about you? I mean, I know you’re not married, blimey, not at your age, but have you got a boyfriend? Bet you have, gorgeous girl like you. I bet they’re queuing round the block to go steady.’

  Maggie laughed but didn’t get a chance to answer as Gracie came back to the table.

  ‘Sure you’re not hungry, Mags?’ she asked as she sat down opposite them.

  ‘No, I’m really not, but thank you.’ Maggie leant back in her seat for a moment. She was embarrassed that the two women had found her sitting in there on her own, and she really hoped they wouldn’t tell Ruby and Johnnie, although she knew Gracie probably would. Gracie and Ruby seemed to share everything.

  Jeanette picked up Maggie’s magazine which was on the table and flicked through it. ‘New Musical Express. You into music, then? I used to go out with a bloke who sang in the pub up the road. Last I heard he was doing something up in London, reckoned he was going to be a star.’

  ‘Yes, I love music and singing, and I’ve got loads of records. I’d like to be a singer, but …’ She hesitated.

  ‘But what? You’re already gorgeous looking. If you can sing as well, then why not try?’

  Suddenly, Gracie, who had been distractedly looking through her handbag, jumped up from her seat. ‘Oh, bugger, just remembered I was supposed to pick Edward’s shoes up before the cobblers round the corner closes. Be right back; don’t drink my drink, and don’t talk about me while I’m gone.’

  ‘That’s Gracie for you! Couldn’t sit still if you paid her. She’s like a flea on a wet flannel,’ Jeanette said after Gracie had disappeared from sight. ‘Anyway, singing. Go on …’

  Maggie thought about it. She’d hated not having anyone to confide in, and although Jeanette was older than her in years she seemed to be on Maggie’s wavelength. ‘I made a record … well, not quite made a record, but I had a go in the record booth by the pier. Andy, the boy I know from Melton, is going to play it to his dad, who’s in the music business in London.’

  ‘Wow, that’s so exciting.’ Jeanette looked really interested, which encouraged Maggie.

  ‘But you mustn’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t have said! No one knows.’

  ‘My lips are sealed. We’re all entitled to our secrets. I hope it works for you. You will let me know, won’t you? And I’d love to hear it. I may have to pop round so you can let me listen.’

  ‘It sounds really strange. I’ve never heard my own voice before, but at least I’m in tune!’

  ‘You give it a go. Follow your dream, my darling.’

  For a few minutes, sitting at the table chatting about everyday things, Maggie felt almost normal, and by the time Gracie came back with the shoes Maggie felt as if she had found a confidante, someone who seemed to be interested in her as a person rather than as a child with a tragic background.

  Twelve

  ‘Maggie, I have to talk to you,’ Ruby said. ‘Can you come into the kitchen? Please?’

  Maggie knew what it was going to be about, and she’d already decided exactly what she was going to say when they asked her about the missing money. She was fired up and ready to fight.

  ‘Johnnie is really upset. There’s some money missing from his office, so we’re talking to all of you to try and figure out what’s happened.’

  ‘You don’t have to ask the others. I took it! It was me, guv; it was me what dunnit.’ Maggie held her hands up over her head and smiled. She watched Ruby’s face, trying to read her expression.

  ‘What do you mean? Are you telling me you took it? Just like that?’ Ruby asked.

  ‘Just like that. It was me. I took it.’ She stared at Ruby defiantly.

  ‘Maggie, that’s stealing; it’s dishonest. Do you realize I was about to question Isobel
about it? Imagine that. I stuck up for you, I said—’

  ‘Yes, it was dishonest. I mean, who would steal money from someone else?’ Maggie interrupted her quickly. ‘Oh, I forgot. Like you’ve stolen from me, you mean?’

  ‘Now you’re being silly.’

  ‘It’s silly to steal someone’s inheritance, is it? That’s not dishonest? But a couple of quid from the drawer and you want to hang me?’ Maggie let her hands drop and rolled her eyes at Ruby before looking away.

  ‘Maggie, that’s not true.’

  ‘Yes, it is. I’ve seen all the papers, and I’ve read fatman’s letters.’ Maggie smiled smugly when she saw the look of horror on Ruby’s face as it dawned on her exactly what Maggie had done.

  ‘You went through our personal papers? In the office?’

  ‘No, I never looked at any of your personal papers. I went through Mum and Dad’s papers, and as they’re dead they’re now my papers.’

  ‘That’s so deceitful.’

  ‘No, what’s deceitful is you never told me how much money I’ve got. Or how much you got from them. And you can have your share, I can’t. Not even giving me any pocket money when you’re sitting on a bloody fortune of my money?’ As her voice got louder, she started to gesticulate wildly. ‘My money, mine, Wheaton money, just like the hotel should have been Wheaton money. You must think I’m stupid.’

  ‘Maggie, I’ve explained this to you over and over – we all have. You can’t have your inheritance until you’re twenty-one. It’s the law, and as we’re your guardians we have to implement it. Johnnie and I have no choice in this.’

  ‘So you’ve got your share but I can’t have mine? I can’t even buy a packet of fags.’

  ‘Maggie, most of your inheritance is in the Melton house and surgery.’

  ‘Liar!’

  Ruby looked at her so sadly, that for a moment Maggie felt a twinge of guilt.

  ‘I’m going to have to tell Johnnie, before he talks to Isobel and the boys.’

  ‘Ah, I wondered how long it would be before the precious boys got another mention. Well, if you think I’m hanging around waiting for Mr You Do As I Say, then you’re mistaken. I hate him even more than I hate you.’