by Dilly Court
‘Just here for the weekend, Griff. But it’s always lovely to come back to Lightwood Common.’
‘Well, can’t stand here chatting – I’ve got to wave the green flag. The train can’t go unless I say so.’ He scuttled onto the platform.
Ginnie walked through the ticket office and out into the forecourt. Duke pawed the ground as if he recognised her, although she suspected that was wishful thinking, but it gave her a warm sense of belonging and Percy made a grunting sound which she took to be a greeting. She tossed her suitcase into the trap and climbed up to sit beside him. ‘Nice evening,’ she said as he flicked the whip above Duke’s right ear. ‘I hope you’re keeping well.’
Even as the words left her lips she realised that she had said the wrong thing. For the next mile and a half she was regaled with detailed accounts of Percy’s medical complaints from rheumatics to problems with his digestive system. ‘But I find a pint of mild helps,’ he said pointedly as he dropped her off outside the Ferryboat Inn.
‘I’ll put one in for you, Percy.’ She paused for a moment, breathing in the fresh country air and the sweet scent of honeysuckle and roses combined with the damp woody smell of the riverbank. It was blissfully quiet with only the gentle lapping of the water and the rustle of the leaves caressed by a warm breeze. Ginnie walked slowly across the gravel to ascend the steps. She had been happy here and also desperately sad, but this was where she had first met Nick and it would always hold a special place in her heart. Lights blazed from the pub windows offering a welcome to weary travellers, and as she opened the door she was greeted by a gust of cigarette smoke laced with the smell of beer and a babble of voices.
‘Ginnie, darling.’ Avril’s voice rang out across the bar. With a final pull on the beer engine she filled a pint mug and passed it to one of the local farmers. ‘There you are, Ted. That one’s on the house.’
Lionel stood up to embrace Ginnie. ‘It’s good to see you, my dear.’
‘It’s lovely to be here.’
Avril lifted the hatch in the bar counter. ‘Come through, Ginnie. There’s supper laid out in the kitchen. Make yourself at home and I’ll join you later.’
Lionel held his hand out to take Ginnie’s case. ‘Let me take that.’ He followed them into the kitchen.
‘I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything,’ Avril said, glancing at the inviting array of food set out on the table. ‘I’d better get back to the bar, but I’ll shoo the locals out early and then Ginnie and I will have a nice girly chat.’
‘I suppose that means I’m having an early night,’ Lionel said with a rueful smile.
‘Of course you are, darling.’ Avril blew him a kiss. ‘Girl talk might make you blush.’
‘I’m sure I’ve heard it all before. Anyway, I’ll take this upstairs to your room, Ginnie, and then I’ll be getting back to the vicarage. I’ll see you both in the morning.’
Ginnie waited until he had left the room. ‘I thought you two were living together, Avril.’
‘We have to keep up appearances, darling. The locals are frightfully old-fashioned, and if Lionel spends the night here he has to creep out at dawn and hurry home. It’s quite fun, but that will all stop when we get married and it will seem awfully dull.’
‘Auntie Avril, you’re quite shocking.’
‘I know I am, darling. But you look terribly tired and painfully thin. You need feeding up, my girl. Sit down and enjoy your meal and we’ll talk later, but I want to see a clean plate.’
‘You sound just like Mum.’
‘We are sisters, Ginnie. Although God knows, no one would think it most of the time.’
Ginnie sat down at the table and ate as much as she could of the cold meat and salad, but she was overcome with exhaustion. Avril had obviously gone to a great deal of trouble to make the food look appealing, but Ginnie had little appetite. A bowl of strawberries and a jug of thick cream were tempting and she ate a few, but she was longing for her bed in the room with a view of the river.
She was washing the dishes when Avril breezed in from the bar. ‘I thought they’d never go.’ Her smile faded. ‘You look whacked, darling. Never mind the chat. Auntie Avril’s sending you straight to bed. We can catch up in the morning.’
Ginnie emptied the washing-up bowl. ‘I am a bit tired, but it’s wonderful to be here, and it was good of you to put me up at such short notice.’
‘No thanks needed. You’re family and it’s lovely to see you. Now go.’ She flapped her hands, shooing Ginnie out into the hallway. ‘Get a good night’s sleep. That’s an order.’
She was lulled to sleep by the gentle lapping of the river passing over the stony shallows, and the occasional hoot of a hunting barn owl. At home there was always background noise whether it was Toni crying for her two o’clock feed or the occasional motor vehicle owned by a neighbour who had enough petrol coupons to drive home after working a late shift. The milkman’s horse clip-clopped down the road at dawn, pulling the float laden with glass bottles that rattled and clinked together like partygoers making a toast. In the peace and quiet of the countryside Ginnie slept well for the first time in weeks. If she dreamed she had no memory of it when she awakened refreshed and feeling much better than she had when she arrived the previous evening.
Downstairs in the kitchen Avril had set the breakfast table and the aroma of hot coffee and frying eggs and bacon made Ginnie’s mouth water. Wearing a frilly apron and looking unusually domesticated, Avril gave her a beaming smile. ‘Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?’
‘Very well, thank you. In fact it’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had for ages.’ Ginnie took a seat. ‘It’s good of you to go to all this trouble for me.’
‘Nonsense. It’s lovely to have you here again. I really missed you girls when you went home.’
‘But you’ve got Lionel now. Have you set a date for the wedding?’
Avril dished up the bacon, eggs and fried tomatoes and put the plate in front of Ginnie. ‘Toast will be ready in a moment.’ She placed two slices of bread under the grill. ‘Actually you’ve arrived at the right time. Lionel and I wanted a quiet wedding without all the hoo-ha that normally goes with such occasions. Shirley’s nuptials are a case in point and neither of us wanted that, so as it happens we’ve arranged for a simple ceremony next Wednesday. You will stay for it, won’t you?’
‘I don’t know. I’d really love to, but I said I’d only be gone for a couple of days. I’ve left Ida and Jimmy to run the shop and I’m not sure how well they’ll manage if I’m away too long.’
Avril turned the toast over and put it back under the grill. ‘So why did you decide to do a bolt?’ She met Ginnie’s startled look with a wry smile. ‘I know you, Ginnie. You’re so conscientious that you make the rest of us look like slackers. It must have been something serious to make you cut and run. It wouldn’t have anything to do with Nick Miller, would it? You never told me how it went in Los Angeles, but I assumed that it didn’t go too well.’
‘It didn’t.’ Ginnie fingered the brooch that Nick had given her, which she wore with almost every change of clothing. ‘He’s in London. He turned up out of the blue without a word to me. I haven’t heard from him since I left Eagle Rock, and then I received a phone call from Danny to say he was meeting Nick at the airport.’
Avril only just managed to save the toast from being cremated and placed it in the silver rack. ‘He’s blind and yet he travelled to London on his own?’
‘Apparently he had a successful operation to restore his vision. Danny said he’ll never regain enough sight to work as a surgeon, but he’s gone after a job in research at Moorfields.’
‘And he wants to see you, quite literally.’ Avril poured coffee into two cups and passed one to Ginnie. She sat down opposite her. ‘But you don’t want to see him.’
‘I don’t know, and that’s the trouble. I can’t face going through it all again. He’d changed and I only saw flashes of his old self when I stayed with his family.’
‘But darling, he was going through a rough time. You must make allowances.’
‘And I did, but he’s a stubborn fool and his male pride got in the way. Now, all of a sudden, he wants to see me and I don’t know if I can cope.’ She toyed with the bacon on her plate. ‘There’s another complication. You met him at Shirley’s wedding; he was Laurence’s best man.’
‘Steven, wasn’t it? He was nice.’
‘He is nice. He’s lovely and he’s kind and he’s acting for me in my battle with the council. I told you all about that on the phone.’
‘You did, and I was furious with that Mallory chap. He’s an absolute sewer.’
‘He wants to ruin us out of spite. Livvie started the family feud when Shirley married Laurence, but I really thought we’d sorted all that out and were friends. I realised that I’d been mistaken, and all along she wanted to take my business away from me, so I sacked her and now her father’s intent on ruining me.’
‘I understand all that, but why is Steven a problem? It sounds to me as though he’s been a godsend.’
‘I think he’s getting serious about me. I’ve done nothing to encourage him, but I feel terrible because he’s taken me on as a client even though he knows I’ll never be able to repay him.’ She looked up and met Avril’s intense gaze. ‘No, don’t even think about it. You’ve done enough for me. You paid my airfare to the States and for that I’ll be eternally grateful, but I can’t take any more of your money.’
‘It’s mine to give, darling. Both my late husbands left me very well provided for and before the war I was doing very nicely thank you in the licensed trade, and hopefully when rationing finally comes to an end things will pick up again. Besides which, I’ll soon be Mrs Vicar, as the locals put it, and Lionel has a private income as well as his stipend.’
‘I really appreciate the offer, but if I lose the business I’ll have to try to get a job and my only training has been in the shop. I couldn’t hope to earn the sort of money I’d need to repay a loan.’
Avril took a sip of her coffee and reached for the sugar. ‘I do try to do without but I can’t bear saccharin. I know the liking for sweet things is a weakness, but sometimes one just has to give in to a craving.’ She stirred her coffee, staring thoughtfully at Ginnie. ‘Some people are addictive too. Think about it, Ginnie. You’ve devoted your young life to helping your father run the shop, and now you’re supporting your mother and sister and her two babies. You’re going to be old before your time and you’re missing out on the good things in life. Why not give Nick another chance? He must have deep feelings for you or he wouldn’t have considered leaving home and taking a job in London. I’m sure they pay far higher wages in America than they do over here.’
Ginnie shook her head. ‘Do you mind if we drop the subject for a while?’
‘Of course not, but only if you promise to eat up. Starving yourself isn’t the answer, darling. Having a nice figure is one thing, as I know myself, but the skeletal look is definitely not in.’
‘I’ll try, but I’ve got into bad habits, missing meals and eating on the go.’
‘We’ll soon put a stop to that, Ginnie. And you will stay for our wedding, won’t you? After all, I can’t expect Mildred to drop everything at home just to come up here for a register office do, and Shirley has her hands full with those two delightful babies, so you’ll be my one and only blood relative.’
Ginnie felt herself weakening. The prospect of almost a week away from the worry and the pressures of work was almost too tempting to resist. ‘I’ll think about it.’
‘Good.’ Avril refilled her cup. ‘And when you’ve finished eating we’ll go into town and you can help me choose my outfit. I was going to wear one of my old Paris gowns, but now I think I’ll splash out. I’ve saved all my coupons since you and Shirley were last here, so we can go mad. We might even find something for you.’
‘Oh, I don’t know . . .’
Avril raised a perfectly manicured hand. ‘But I do, and it’s not open to discussion. We’re going to have a lovely day out. I’ve got a new girl from the village who helps out in the bar at lunch times. It will be good for her to cope on her own, and Saturday is usually quiet because everyone goes shopping these days, joining the queues for bread and just about everything. It picks up in the evening, but we’ll be back long before opening time.’
Avril borrowed Lionel’s ancient car and drove them into Shrewsbury where they spent a pleasant few hours searching for the ideal wedding outfit, but nothing lived up to her expectations. In the end it was Ginnie who came away with a fashionably short dress in peach shantung, and a matching hat trimmed with a veil and a large silk rose. ‘But it will look as though I’m getting married,’ she protested, gazing at her reflection in the tall mirror.
‘Modom looks lovely.’
The assistant spoke as though she had a plum in her mouth and, Ginnie thought hiding a smile, as if she had a ramrod in place of a spine. ‘It’s a bit dressy for me,’ she said doubtfully.
‘It’s a perfect fit, modom. It might have been made for you.’
Avril nodded in agreement and clapped her hands. ‘It’s absolutely wonderful. You must have it, Ginnie. I insist.’
‘But what about you? I don’t want to take all your coupons.’
‘Darling, I’ve got all forty of them untouched. You could have five dresses and enough coupons left for a pair of shoes.’
Ginnie hesitated. It was tempting. She had not had a new frock since the beginning of the war and all her old clothes were too large and hanging off her. ‘If you’re sure, Avril.’
‘I’ve never been more certain of anything. We’ll take the hat as well and I might try on that little creation I spotted in the window. It would go wonderfully with my Balenciaga. I bought it in Paris before the war when he was just starting out, and I still adore it.’ She turned to the shop assistant who was staring at her open-mouthed. ‘The crimson silk hat with the veil. It’s a copy of one worn by Myrna Loy, but I don’t suppose she’ll mind if I emulate her style.’
The assistant left the cubicle, walking backwards as if in the presence of royalty.
Avril doubled up with laughter. ‘I just love name-dropping when I come up against a snobbish madam.’
‘You are a dreadful tease,’ Ginnie said, chuckling.
‘And I’ve made you laugh. That’s the first time you’ve allowed yourself to relax since you arrived last night. My therapy is working, darling. Now you simply have to stay for our wedding.’
‘I’ll have to let Ida know, and then I’d better ring Mum and tell her that I won’t be home for a few days longer.’
‘I’ll take care of Mildred and you can sort it out with your helpers at the shop. My sister needs a firm hand and I know exactly how to deal with her.’ Avril turned to take the hat from the shop assistant who had returned and was handling the creation as reverently as if she had just discovered the Holy Grail. ‘Yes. That’s the one. Myrna and I have the same good taste.’ Avril placed the confection of silk, tulle and feathers on her head. ‘What do you think, Ginnie? I’ve always fancied I could act Myrna off the stage in those Thin Man films and I adore William Powell, he’s such an attractive man.’
‘It’s lovely,’ Ginnie said, smiling. ‘You look beautiful.’
She was to echo those words when she helped Avril with the finishing touches to her wedding outfit. ‘Absolutely stunning,’ Ginnie said, standing back to admire the full glory of her aunt’s Paris gown and the perky little hat. ‘You look as glamorous as any film star.’
‘And you look wonderful too,’ Avril said proudly. ‘I knew that shade of peach would complement your colouring.’
Ginnie glanced in the mirror on Avril’s dressing table and pulled a face. ‘You’re very kind but I’d give anything for really dark hair like yours or to be naturally blonde like Shirley, even if she does resort to a touch of peroxide now and then. But I’m just mousey and that’s the end of it.’
‘Golden blonde, d
arling,’ Avril said firmly. ‘The few days you’ve spent outside in the sunshine have given you natural highlights. I’d have to spend a fortune in the hairdresser’s to get that effect. You’re a very attractive girl.’
‘And you’re being kind. I know I was standing behind the door when good looks were given out – that’s what Gran used to say. Shirley got them all.’
‘My mother had an acid tongue, and she used to love putting me in my place too. Mildred was her favourite, but then my dear sister was a goody-goody and never did anything wrong and I was the rebel. Mother would be struck dumb with amazement if she knew I was marrying a Church of England clergyman.’
‘Well, you look fantastic and I’m sure she’d be proud of you.’ Ginnie ran to the window. ‘There’s the taxi. It’s time to go.’
Avril primped in the mirror for the last time. ‘I’ve been through this twice and yet I’m as nervous as a young bride. That’s mad, isn’t it?’
‘I’d say it’s quite natural. Now are you ready?’
‘I am as ready as I’ll ever be.’
Lionel was waiting for them in the vestibule of the register office. The look on his face as he greeted his bride brought Ginnie close to tears. It must, she thought, be every woman’s dream to be admired and loved so deeply. For a moment she envied her aunt, but she could not begrudge Avril a single second of the happiness that she would undoubtedly have with Lionel.
Ginnie followed them into the room where the ceremony was about to take place, but she came to a sudden halt in the doorway. Avril had told her that it would be a simple affair with only a couple of witnesses but the secret must have leaked out as the seats were packed with well-wishers. It looked as though half the village had turned up, and as the congregation turned their heads to get a better view of the bride, Ginnie realised that Shirley was seated in the front row next to Steven. Surprised and delighted, she followed Lionel and Avril up the aisle between the plush-covered gilded chairs, but as she was about to sit down next to her sister she sensed that there was someone staring at her. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as if she had seen a ghost and she was poised for flight when Avril turned and gripped her by the arm.
