Belle’s anger was displaced by confusion. She gaped at the tall man with the striking good looks. ‘But I thought he was …’
‘An’ so did we all.’ Erin sighed heavily. ‘But the Devil’s sent him back to haunt us yet again.’ She spoke sharply to her brother. ‘Richard, will ye please go ’way and give us some privacy!’
‘Sorry.’ He retreated behind raised palms, face contrite. ‘It just sounded like ye needed an umpire.’
Belle was still watching the space where he had been even after the door closed.
‘If I’d known when you were arriving I’d’ve met ye an’ told you all about your grandfather,’ said Erin softly. ‘I’m sorry, Belle.’
Belle tore her puzzled eyes from the door, glared at her mother, then said abruptly, ‘I’m going home,’ and began to march.
‘Wait! Don’t ye want to know …’
‘You’ve kept it from me this long, Mother, I don’t see that another day is going to make that much difference!’ Belle spoke without turning and yanked on the door handle. ‘I’ll be back in the morning for an explanation.’ She yelled into the hall, ‘Brian!’ and the doctor appeared in the company of Thomasin and Sonny. The latter came forward with the obvious intention of kissing her, but she eluded him and headed straight for the outer door. ‘Save all your sympathies! You’ll put the words to better use by forming an explanation as to why none of you had the decency to tell me about Gra …’ She swirled away before she broke down and limped off down the drive.
‘Brian!’ Erin intercepted him before he could charge after Belle. ‘Try an’ make her see ’twas for her own good.’
Brian contributed nothing save a telling look, then seized the suitcases and hurried after Belle, calling for her to wait for him.
* * *
Dusty, having gone upstairs to look for her husband, closed the door on Belle’s noisy exit. ‘A very good impression you made, I’m sure!’ she snapped at Dickie who lounged on the bed. ‘You’re meant to be wooing her! Where’s all this charm that women seem to find so irresistible?’ She dismissed his manufactured forlornness with a flick of her hand. ‘Oh, put that face away! It won’t wash. I don’t know why you had to poke your nose in; it was between mother and daughter.’ The intoxication she had felt on Belle’s return was now causing a hangover.
‘I’ll make it up when she comes tomorrow,’ promised Dick. ‘I’ll be Prince Charming himself.’
‘Well, not too charming. We don’t want her to see what a lecher you are.’
10
Belle arrived with Brian at nine o’clock the following morning, dressed in the black robe-like creation that had been made for Rosie’s funeral. There were cool introductions between them and the couple from America. When all were seated in the drawing room and none seemed eager to voice the first sentence, she asked cryptically, ‘Would you care to draw straws?’
Her mother’s face crumpled. ‘Belle, please don’t make it any harder. We did it for … no, I’m not going to say for your own good – though your feelings were a priority – but we did it as much for your grandfather’s sake. He didn’t want you to see him in pain, didn’t want any of us to know, come to that. That was the reason he went off to Ireland for a so-called holiday at Christmas – so’s we wouldn’t see him in his final wretchedness. He thought it would be better if you remembered him as he was.’
Belle’s eyes did not waver. Only Brian had seen the full strength of her emotion last night. ‘And did he suffer very badly?’
Erin glanced at Thomasin, then said in gentle honesty, ‘While he was keeping it to himself he must’ve done, yes. But once we got him home the doctor did everything he could for him.’
Digesting this, Belle didn’t speak for a while, just stared rigidly at the black and gold lacquered sideboard.
‘If ye like,’ offered her mother, desperate for forgiveness, ‘I’ll take ye to see his grave this afternoon.’
‘Much good that’ll do him or me,’ mumbled Belle. Erin looked away. ‘And what about him?’ Belle’s eyes were on Dickie now. ‘Where did he spring from?’
‘If you’ve a few hours to spare, I’ll tell you,’ said her grandmother. ‘It’s a very complicated story.’
‘It must be,’ came Belle’s tart utterance. ‘For somebody who’s been dead and buried for twenty-six years he looks remarkably healthy.’
‘Doesn’t a good Catholic like yourself believe in miracles?’ quipped her uncle, blue eyes twinkling.
Thomasin butted in. ‘The brief details, Belle, are: your Uncle Sonny discovered his brother was still alive eleven or twelve years ago …’ Belle interrupted to ask how. ‘Oh, you’ll have to ask him when you see him,’ said Thomasin. Sonny had gone home. She carried on with her theme. ‘For reasons of his own he kept the knowledge to himself but the two of them stayed in touch by letter until the end of last year when your Uncle Richard decided that he wanted to come home and see his family.’
‘And if Uncle Richard wants something he has to have it,’ scathed Erin, receiving a glare from her mother who then went on.
‘Naturally, Sonny had to warn me that he was on his way … and at the same time Francis divulged your grandfather’s real reason for creeping off to Ireland.’
Why could he tell somebody like Francis, anguished Belle, and not me? ‘So presumably someone went over to Ireland to fetch Grandfather back?’
‘I did,’ Thomasin smiled sadly. ‘Though when I got there he’d already made his decision to come home to us. I think he realised that home isn’t a certain country but the place where your loved ones are.’
‘So that’s what he meant.’ Everyone turned to look at Brian, who was cleaning the lens of his glasses. ‘Just before we went to South Africa, he said to me, “Things might’ve changed when you get back, Brian. I hope you’ll be here to look after her …” I didn’t catch the implication then, but I do now.’
Belle reared again. ‘You didn’t say anything to me!’
‘Oh, stop trying to pin the blame on somebody, Belle,’ said her grandmother tiredly. ‘What if Brian had told you? Would you have interpreted the remark correctly? Of course you wouldn’t. Don’t you think we’ve all been asking ourselves how we failed to miss the signs, the telling little comments? Your Uncle Sonny found a bottle of stomach and liver tonic stuffed behind the cushion a year ago – yes, a year! He’s been going on and on about how he should’ve realised. If I as Pat’s wife didn’t twig then why should anyone else? Because we weren’t meant to, that’s why. There’s no call for any of you to blame yourselves or anyone else.’ But I do, she agonised. Me and Pat used to be able to read each other’s mind, why didn’t I read his suffering? Because I was too busy moaning about his embarrassing displays of drunkenness in front of my friends.
Belle’s mind still lingered over her grandmother’s earlier comment. A year. Uncle Sonny had found the medicine bottle a year ago. She saw her grandfather’s face wrinkle in pain … Forcing herself to return to the topic of Uncle Dickie, she said, somewhat tightly, ‘I have another question for you, Grandmother. When I arrived home yesterday I was told by my nursemaid that a certain Mr and Mrs Feeney had been making it a regular habit to take three of my children on outings. The permission for this seemed to have come from Mrs Feeney senior.’
Dickie spoke up. ‘I’m sorry if we stepped out o’ line. We were just so impressed with your achievement that Mam suggested we come along an’ have a look. They’re fine kids. Me an’ Dusty were really taken up with them, weren’t we, Dust?’
His wife nodded eagerly. ‘I imagine you’d have a surprise to see the baby; he’s adorable, isn’t he?’
‘I could have thrown him through the window,’ replied Belle without humour. ‘He didn’t stop crying all night.’
Dickie sought to appease. ‘If we’ve caused any offence by giving ‘em treats I’m really sorry, Belle.’ He gave her his best Dickie smile.
Belle speared his artless blue eyes with her own. ‘It’s not so much the treatin
g I object to, it’s that they’re going to miss it when you go back to America.’ Her manner became airy. ‘They seem quite taken with you both. I almost had to gag Freddie, I got so sick of hearing about these splendid people. He seemed to be under the impression that you were his new parents.’
‘I’m sure we never intended that,’ said Dickie.
‘Yes we did.’ Dusty leapt in. ‘Belle, I won’t lie to you …’
‘And your husband will?’ Belle treated her uncle to one of her head to toe scourings.
‘I didn’t mean that.’ Dusty shook her silver head impatiently, sending a loose hairpin to the carpet. ‘Dickie’s just trying to make amends for getting too involved without your permission, but I think it’s best we’re open from the start. What I mean is, I do – we do want to adopt them, if you’ll let us. Your grandmother said you were looking for a suitable home for them.’
‘That’s true.’ Belle was still aloof.
‘Then would you consider us?’
‘I’ll consider you, yes,’ said Belle politely, but far from reassuring.
Erin spoke now, picking up the hairpin and giving it to her sister-in-law. ‘There’s one more thing you should know before you make your consideration, Belle.’ Her mother guessed what this might be and said there was no need to bring that up. Erin said there was. ‘She’s complained of us keeping her in the dark, we might as well be frank about the other revelation.’
‘Ye’re just tryin’ to ruin it for me!’ complained her brother angrily.
‘If I do, then all to the better. I doubt Belle would forgive me if I let her hand over the children to someone who’d put his own mother in gaol.’
‘Erin, stop being petty,’ warned Thomasin. ‘And stop exaggerating. Nobody’s going to gaol.’
Belle’s face demanded an explanation. Against Thomasin’s wishes, her mother provided it. ‘Your grandmother could face serious charges relating to the insurance money she collected from your uncle’s supposed death.’
‘We’ve no indication of that being about to happen,’ argued Thomasin.
‘Nevertheless,’ Erin was insistent, ‘I think you should see what a load o’ trouble he’s landed us with, Belle. If you still feel like considering him as an adoptive parent then that’s up to you. I’m just being open.’
Dusty was crippled by a new emotion: helplessness. She had always been able to hold her own in any argument or crisis, but this was very different. If she struck back at Erin it could jeopardise her chances with the woman’s daughter. She must show Belle that she was capable of remaining calm, must keep on good terms with her … though at this moment she had never detested anyone more; hated her arrogance, her condescension, her superiority and, most of all, the way Belle made her feel weak. She must leave the room; if she stayed here she could not keep those feelings from her eyes. ‘If you’ll excuse me, Mother,’ she said, twisting the hairpin in her fingers, ‘I don’t think I wish to listen to any more. Belle, I hope we can resume this conversation in a more sensible climate.’
Dickie barely heard his wife’s parting remark, still concentrating on Erin’s disclosure. ‘You vindictive bitch.’
‘That’s enough of that sort of language,’ rebuked his mother.
’Ye’ll hear some language in a minute!’ Dickie’s stance was menacing.
‘Then you’d better leave the room as well,’ said Thomasin. ‘Go on, look after your wife, she’s obviously upset.’
‘An’ have her make defamatory remarks behind my back?’ Dick wagged a finger at Erin. ‘I bloody will not.’ He sat down stubbornly, face brooding. ‘She’ll doubtless have plenty more slander up her sleeve.’
‘About you being a thief, a cheat and a womaniser?’ asked Erin.
‘Oh, don’t stop there! Ye forgot to tell them about the necrophilia.’
‘I’m not familiar with that word,’ said Erin haughtily. ‘And I’m surprised you are, seeing as it’s got more than four letters. But whatever it is I’m sine you’re capable of it.’
‘Will you both please stop!’ cried their mother, banging her fist on the chair arm.
‘I’ve said all I have to say,’ said Erin, nose hoisted in the air. ‘’Twasn’t done out of spleen, I just thought Belle should be aware of what she’s dealing with.’ She looked at the clock then turned to her daughter. ‘Anyway, I’m sorry but I’ll have to go to the factory now, I’m late enough already. Will you come round for dinner tonight? We haven’t heard any of your news yet.’
Belle was ungracious. ‘Not tonight. I’ve things to do.’
‘Well, maybe later in the week then,’ pressed her mother.
‘Maybe.’ Belle remained aloof.
Erin compressed her lips at her daughter’s attitude. I knew she’d blame me for all this, her eyes said to Thomasin, before she left the room.
Her entrance to the hall disturbed her sister-in-law who had been standing head bent, arms gripped tightly around herself. ‘I can’t see why Belle’s so hostile towards me,’ she mumbled at Erin who was putting on her coat.
‘Don’t think you have the sole privilege.’ Not looking at her, Erin did up her buttons. ‘Ye heard the way she talks to her own mother. Think yourself lucky ye have no children. Sometimes I wonder if the pain outweighs the pleasure.’
Dusty bridled at the casual utterance. ‘I’d give anything to sample that pain!’ she said with feeling. ‘It’s nothing compared to the pain of being unable to bear Dickie’s child!’
A stupefied Erin watched her dash up the staircase. ‘I didn’t mean to be … I only meant … Sorry!’ But Dusty slammed the door on her apologies. Erin bit her lip, then called to John to bring the car round and went outside. But all the time she waited and stamped her boots against the cold, she could not get Dusty’s words out of her mind, and by the time the car arrived she had actually begun to feel sorry for her sister-in-law.
Thomasin was speaking to her grand-daughter. ‘Don’t set too much store by what your mother says, Belle. It’s true, yes, that I could be in trouble, but Dickie didn’t realise I had an insurance policy out on him. What I’m saying is, take him as you find him yourself and don’t let your mother colour your judgement. She’s very upset with him at the moment but she’ll come round. If you want my opinion I think Dusty will look after those children admirably.’
‘I should take your opinion and ignore Mother’s?’ But there was a tinge of humour to Belle’s words. ‘You know me, Grandmother, I only ever listen to my own advice.’ She noticed that Dickie had handed a silver case of cigarettes to Brian and was now putting a match to one of his own. ‘But were I to take my uncle’s manners as an example of his character it wouldn’t get him very far.’ When Dickie looked blank, she told him, ‘I smoke too.’
‘Oh, sorry.’ He fumbled for the case, flicked it open and extended his arm.
She took one and waited for him to light it, smiling at her grandmother’s scandalised expression. ‘I started while I was in South Africa; so did Brian. We found it calmed our anger.’ She forced the smoke through her lips. ‘Some of the things we saw … Anyway, I’ll save all that for next time. You sound as if you’ve had enough upset.’
‘You haven’t heard the rest of it.’ Thomasin told her about Mrs Howgego’s passing.
Belle shook her head in disbelief. ‘The Queen too …’
Thomasin gave a sad nod, but did not feel much like dwelling on the matter of death. ‘So … will you come for dinner on Saturday? You’ll be settled back in by then. I’d like to invite Sonny and the others over for a welcome home party.’
Some welcome, thought Belle, picturing her grandfather, but said that she would. Her grandmother was pleased. ‘I’ll get Vinnie to cook something special. In fact, I’d best go and see her now so she’s got time to prepare. I want it to be really nice for you.’
‘Sit there,’ said Brian. ‘I’ll ring.’
‘No, I’m not stopping here with you lot puffing clouds at me and your mother will have a fit when she sees what di
sgusting habits you’ve brought back with you.’ This last was said for Belle. Wincing, Thomasin pushed herself from the chair. Only Brian stood and waited until she had gone.
When he turned back he looked at Belle but her eyes were on Dickie. In fact, her eyes were all over Dickie. In an attempt to douse his qualms, Brian took a long drag of his cigarette and sat down. ‘How long do you intend to stay, Richard?’
Dickie kept his gaze on Belle as he answered. ‘We’re not sure.’ She was a beautiful-looking girl – pity about the handicap. He was still enjoying a lustful fantasy when Brian distracted him again.
‘Belle, I’ll have to be going. I’ve a patient to see.’
She tore her eyes away from her uncle. ‘I though Doctor Barley said last night that he’d handle things while you got straight at home?’ Brian had previously been in partnership with the said doctor until Barley had decided to sell up and retire, when Brian had continued the practice alone. However the other had kindly agreed to act as locum while Brian was in South Africa.
‘He did, but he also told me he’s got Mrs Hepworth on his list this morning and she can be very difficult. I said I’d see her.’
‘Oh well, you go and I’ll see you this evening. I’d like to grill my uncle for a while.’ Her eyes abandoned him.
Brian persisted. ‘I didn’t say exactly what time I’d call on her. I can wait till you’ve done here and give you a lift.’
‘I’m not incapable of putting one foot in front of the other, Brian,’ she chided. Before the doctor could say more, Dickie offered to take her home in the car. ‘There you are, I’ve got an escort. Now go and see to your woman.’ Belle waved him away.
Brian had no option but to leave, stubbing out his half-finished cigarette and cursing himself for inventing the patient – it was just the way Belle was looking at the other man that had spurred him to do it. She had never looked at him like that.
‘You’ve got beautiful hair.’ Dickie exhaled a chestful of smoke and brushed the front of his clothes to remove a sprinkling of ash. It was an instinctive and involuntary act; one designed to draw the onlooker’s eyes to his physical form, which was still in very good condition. Old habits never died. He answered his urge to flirt with her.
Dickie (Feeney Family Sagas Book 4) Page 21
