by Jonker, Joan
Cyril smiled at his trusted secretary. ‘You pour, if you will. You are much more efficient and will have the job done in half the time.’
As soon as they were alone again, he bent forward. ‘Tell me about this man, and how I can help you?’
‘I work as a secretary and he is my boss. All anyone in the office knew about me was that I was a war widow and my name was Mrs Sinclair. I made no friends, and no one knew I had a daughter. It was my boss who broke down the defences I had wrapped around myself, and gradually I fell in love with him. He is kind, thoughtful, humorous, and very much in love with me.’ Evelyn sighed. ‘But I haven’t told him about Amelia, he doesn’t know I have an eight-year-old daughter. It wasn’t intentional to begin with. I never thought our feelings for each other would lead to anything. Then, when he asked me to marry him, I didn’t have the courage to tell him about her. To be truthful, I’m afraid it will change his feelings for me. He will think I am deceitful for not telling him sooner.’
‘If he really loves you, it won’t change his feelings. Why should it?’
‘Because I’m afraid then everything will have to come out in the open. That my name is really Lister-Sinclair and I was married to Charles, but his name is not on the birth certificate. If you remember, you advised me not to put Charles’ name down as the father. Which means my friend will jump to the conclusion you and Gwen jumped to: that my baby was illegitimate. I couldn’t bear to face him and have him think I was a loose woman, so I’ve come to ask if there is any way this whole sorry mess can be put right? Can the birth certificate be made right, or is it too late now?’
‘Of course it can be put right. I will see to that as soon as possible, if you will let me have the original certificate with all the details on. And I have to hang my head in shame when I tell you I had the marriage annulled, on the grounds it had never been consummated.’
‘I had an idea you would do that, and dropped the “Lister” from my name so people would not connect me with your family. I don’t blame you for doing what you did. Although I was too wrapped up in myself at the time to appreciate how devastated you and your wife must have been, I can appreciate it now. The word “sorry” is totally inadequate, but it is the only one I can think of right now, and it comes from my heart.’
‘Let the past be erased from our memories,’ Cyril said, ‘and look to the future. I will attend to the birth and marriage certificates immediately, that will be no problem for me and no one else will be told. Except for Oscar and Gwen, who have helped me so much over the years and who have for a long time questioned their own attitude towards you. They will both be overjoyed to have you back as their friend.’ He sat back in his chair and held his chin in his hand. ‘Now, about this man you have fallen in love with. Am I allowed to know his name?’
‘He’s a solicitor – Philip Astbury.’
Cyril sat forward to rest his arms on the desk. ‘Philip Astbury! My dear Evelyn, I know Philip well! His family have been friends of ours for years, and they’re friends of the Wentworths. Oscar knows Philip particularly well. He and Charles used to be in the same class at school as Philip.’ He shook his head in disbelief. ‘It’s been such a marvellous day for me, meeting my granddaughter for the first time and seeing your good self again. And now, on top of that, comes the news that you and Philip Astbury are to wed! He’s a wonderful chap, very popular with everyone, and comes from a good family. I’m so pleased for you.’
‘I think perhaps you are taking too much for granted,’ Evelyn told him. ‘I can hardly face him and tell him I’ve been living a lie and have an eight-year-old daughter. I dread seeing the expression on his face which tells me I have lied to him and he no longer wants to marry me.’
‘Then you won’t have to tell him, I will.’ Cyril left his chair and rounded the desk to where Evelyn sat. ‘I did you a great wrong all those years ago, practically saying you were no better than a woman of the streets and leaving you to do your best with my son’s child. I can only say that I was distraught with grief, and wanted to hurt someone. Now I want to right that wrong, so please let me?’
Evelyn shook her head. ‘Much as I am dreading facing Philip, I feel I must do it myself. What a coward he would think me if I allowed you to do my dirty work.’
‘My dear Evelyn, I have known Philip Astbury since he was a toddler. I know his parents well, and his Uncle Simon. We are all good friends. I firmly believe Philip will be more understanding when I tell him of my role in all this, and how very much I wronged you. And if you will allow me to do this one thing for you, it will ease some of the guilt I have carried around for a such a long time. Please, I beg you?’
Evelyn sighed. ‘My fear is he may not want to take on an eight-year-old daughter. He has mentioned that his parents keep asking when he’s going to wed and give them grandchildren, and I know he will want to have a child by me as soon as possible, for I am not young, I am twenty-nine.’
‘How would Milly feel about you getting married? Would she feel left out?’
‘Good heavens, no! I have not been cruel to Amelia, but neither have I been a good, loving mother. She thinks more of the woman who lives next door who is very good with her. In fact, the pair of them idolise each other.’
‘Who is this woman next door? And where in Liverpool do you live?’
‘Amelia and I live in a small two-up-two-down house, and the woman next door is called Bessie. She minds Amelia for me until I get home from work. She has a job herself, though, so only has Amelia for an hour or so every night and every weekend. They get on very well together, and although I should be ashamed to admit it, my daughter would far rather be with Bessie than with me.’
Cyril stared at her for several seconds before speaking. ‘We can discuss these things another time, don’t you think? The best person to solve your worries and put your mind at rest is Philip, and we can’t guess what his thoughts will be on the matter. So, do I have your permission to speak to him?’
Evelyn nodded. ‘If you think it would be for the best.’
Cyril opened an address book which lay by the phone, and leafed through the pages. Then he lifted the receiver from the hook at the side of the telephone and dialled. ‘May I speak to Mr Philip Astbury, please? My name is Cyril Lister-Sinclair, and it is a personal call.’ After a few seconds, Evelyn could hear Philip’s voice and her heart turned over. She couldn’t hear clearly, but it sounded as though he was very pleased by the call.
‘Do you have a busy day ahead of you, my boy?’ Cyril asked. Then, ‘I was wondering if you could spare me an hour? No, it’s not something I wish to discuss over the telephone, I need to see you. No, nothing is wrong, I was just thinking it’s a long time since I saw you.’ He smiled. ‘Two o’clock will be fine, Philip, as long as I’m not taking you away from an important client. I look forward to seeing you.’
Evelyn jumped to her feet. ‘What am I going to do? I don’t want him to see me here, but Amelia isn’t back yet …’
Cyril waved her to her seat before picking up the phone and dialling again. When he heard Gwen’s voice, he asked, ‘Gwen, my dear, is Oscar still there with Milly? Oh, would you ask him to drive back here straight away and pick up Evelyn? I am sure you would like to see her after all these years. There is no need for him to bring Milly unless you are busy. I’m sure Evelyn will explain all about the events that led up to today when she sees you. But it would be best if you could find something for my granddaughter to do while the explanations are going on. She has no inkling, and it would be better to leave it that way for now.’ He suddenly burst out laughing. ‘No, you may not keep my granddaughter, even though you think she is delightful! My wife and I have priority, and I can’t wait for Matilda to see her. But right now, will you ask Oscar to make haste, please?’
Cyril was so happy he couldn’t keep the smile from his face. It was like a dream come true, to have part of his beloved son back in his life.
‘I know I have no right to ask any favours of you, Evelyn, b
ut it means so much having a granddaughter in my life. It’s as if my son will always be with Matilda and me. Every time we look at her, we will see his dear face. Would you allow me to take her home with me some time later today, when other matters important to you are settled? I don’t want to ring my wife with the news, I want to walk into the room and watch her face when she looks at Milly. I won’t even introduce them, I don’t think it will be necessary.’
‘I would be very happy for you to take Amelia home. You have been so generous today, with warmth, friendship and understanding. But if Amelia …’ Evelyn smiled. ‘It seems I’m going to have to give in, or be the only one calling my daughter Amelia. If Milly isn’t home when Bessie gets in from work, she and two other neighbours will be concerned about her. But we have several hours yet, so I’ll worry about that nearer the time.’
‘I shall have to meet this Bessie sometime. If Milly is fond of her, then I must make sure I become her friend. When everything is settled, would you take me to meet her?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Evelyn turned her head as the door opened. ‘Oh, here’s Oscar, I’ll get my coat from Miss Williams’ office.’ She hesitated then said, ‘Mr Lister-Sinclair, would you ring me at Oscar’s whatever the outcome? I shall be a bag of nerves, wondering what is being said in this office.’
‘I shall ring you immediately my meeting with Philip is over, or even when he is still here, if that is what he wants. Have no fear, my dear, I feel certain that everything will turn out well for you. Now, go with Oscar and renew your friendship with Gwen. You both have lots to talk about.’ His smile was one of encouragement. ‘Oh, and most of my friends, young and old, call me Cyril. And I would like you to look upon me as a friend.’
Philip didn’t wait for an answer to his rap on the office door but threw it open and strode across the room wearing a beaming smile, his hand outstretched. ‘Hello, old boy, it’s quite a while since we met. I hope you and Matilda are well?’
Cyril waved him to the chair opposite. ‘We are both in good health, thank you. And I don’t need to ask you, for you look remarkably well. Would you like some refreshment – a cup of tea or something stronger?’
‘I had tea and a sandwich before I left the office, I couldn’t cope with another cup.’ Philip rubbed his hands together, smiling. ‘I can still remember where you keep your stock of the finest wines and malt whisky in the city though, so shall I do the honours?’
‘Yes, my boy, a whisky would go down very well.’ Cyril watched as Philip opened the doors of the high cabinet which did indeed boast a fine selection of drinks. He was fond of Philip, and like all the people who knew him, had wondered why he had never married. It wasn’t that the chances weren’t there, for he was chased by every eligible female in their circle of friends. ‘So, how is life treating you, my boy?’
‘Life is excellent at the moment, Cyril, and I’m very happy.’ Philip placed a glass in front of him, then sat down with his own glass in his hand. ‘I’m delighted to see you, as ever, but rather intrigued by your telephone call. There is nothing I enjoy more than something with a hint of mystery to it.’ He swirled the whisky round in the glass before taking a sip. ‘Was there a reason for your call, or were you genuinely interested in my health?’
‘There was a reason, Philip, and I think when you hear it you will be surprised.’ Cyril was going to take things slowly and choose his words with care. ‘I believe you know a woman called Evelyn Sinclair?’
Philip’s brows shot up. ‘Yes, I know her very well! We’re courting! In fact, we will be getting married very shortly. It isn’t general knowledge at the moment, except that my parents know of her though they have not met. Do you know Evelyn?’
Cyril sat back in his chair and drew a deep breath. ‘I want you to listen without interruption for a short while, if you will. Evelyn Sinclair is really Evelyn Lister-Sinclair. She is Charles’ widow.’ He saw the shock on Philip’s face and quickly went on, ‘This is not to say she doesn’t love you, nothing changes that, but there are things you should know. It is quite a long story, and I don’t come out of it very well, but I think everything should be brought out into the open now and then you and Evelyn can start with a clean slate. So please be patient, dear boy, and listen to what I have to say.’
For half an hour Philip sat quietly, his expression changing at intervals. Cyril told him everything, kept nothing back. Except one thing, which was a little lie that would hurt no one: he told Philip that Evelyn conceived a child on the last day of her husband’s leave before he was sent overseas. He was hard on himself, too, revealing how he had ordered Evelyn to leave the house in Princes Avenue, even though she was with child. The fact that she had a child brought Philip to the edge of his chair, but not once did he try to interrupt.
‘Oscar and Gwen Wentworth were best man and maid of honour at Charles’ marriage to Evelyn, which was held in a registry office because Charles only had a few days’ leave and there was no time for the big society wedding my wife and I had envisaged for our son. Gwen was a friend of Evelyn’s all those years ago, but lost touch with her just after the baby was born. Oscar has been trying to trace mother and child for a while now, without success. In fact today has been a day of coincidences and surprises. He was due to meet a man at the Department of Education this morning, in the hope he could pull a few strings and find the school Amelia attended. He was going down the front steps when Evelyn was coming up.’ Cyril sat back in his chair. ‘So there you have it, my boy, the full story.’
Philip sighed. ‘Why didn’t Evelyn tell me all this herself?’
‘She wanted to. She loves you very much and is now terrified in case you think badly of her and walk away. She said you would think her a coward for not telling you face to face, but I talked her out of it. I took eight years of that woman’s life by wrongfully accusing her of having another man’s baby. I had just heard that Charles had been killed in action and was beside myself with grief. I couldn’t believe she could possibly have been made pregnant by my son in that one day. I wasn’t thinking clearly, Philip, and unfortunately Evelyn isn’t given to showing any emotion. I thought her hard-hearted when she didn’t grieve for Charles as I grieved.’
‘I’m having a problem taking all this in, Cyril,’ Philip said. ‘I was hoping to marry Evelyn in the next month or so, even though I knew very little about her life. She wouldn’t even tell me where she lived. None of that bothered me, I fell in love with her the minute I set eyes on her. Her being your daughter-in-law and the widow of Charles, I can live with. In fact, I would be delighted to be a close member of your family, and I know my parents would be pleased. They don’t know anything about her really, not even her name. Evelyn asked me not to tell anyone until she’d sorted her affairs out. When I came here today I thought it was a friendly call, I certainly wasn’t prepared for what you’ve told me. And, as I say, I can live with most of it. But for her not to tell me she has an eight-year-old daughter … well, I find that very hard to take.’
‘Evelyn knows that, and it is her worst fear. She said your parents were keen for you to marry and give them grandchildren, and she knows they would be unhappy for you to take on an eight-year-old girl.’ Cyril couldn’t keep back what was in his heart and mind. ‘Even though Milly is the most beautiful child imaginable. I am completely captivated by her, and she is the image of Charles. Now, there may be a solution to this, but I haven’t mentioned it to Evelyn. She was very nervous when she left here, knowing you were coming. But I will test it on you, to see if you agree with what I have to say. I am going to ask Evelyn to let Milly come to live with Matilda and myself. We would dearly love to have her, she would bring happiness back into our lives. Evelyn could see her whenever she wished, while you could be her uncle. That would leave you free to lead the lives of newly-weds. To have your own children, your own family. How would that sit with you, Philip?’
‘Cyril, I love that woman so much I will marry her no matter what her circumstances are. I admit I would like
to start a family of our own, but I wouldn’t make that part of the bargain. I would never take a mother away from her child.’
‘Even if mother and child agree, and it is best for both of them?’
‘Ah, I could live with that. But I can’t see Evelyn doing so.’
‘Then we must wait and ask her.’ Cyril didn’t want to mention the fact that there wasn’t the closeness between Evelyn and her daughter there usually was between mother and child. Nor was he going to mention the neighbour, Bessie, whom he would very much like to meet.
‘I am to ring Oscar’s when you leave, and he will bring Evelyn and Milly back here.’ Cyril was looking thoughtful as he tapped his fingers on the desk. ‘Do you have any business to attend to, or would you like to see Evelyn today and clear the air? Or perhaps you’d like some time to think things through?’
Philip seemed to come alive. ‘I don’t have any clients, you know it is always quiet the week between Christmas and New Year. Even if I had, I would cancel their appointments. I desperately want to see Evelyn, tell her that no matter what obstacles are in the way, I intend to marry her as quickly as possible. My parents will no doubt be concerned, but when they get to know her, they will understand why I love her so much. When you said you were distraught when Charles died, and saddened that Evelyn showed no emotion, I could understand both sides. You see, from what little she has told me, her parents showed her no love. It took me a while to break down the wall she had built around herself, but it was well worth the effort. She is the most loving woman I have ever met. And in time, Cyril, you will find that out for yourself.’
He got to his feet and began to pace the room. ‘I sound like a lovesick schoolboy, don’t I? Who would ever have thought that Philip Astbury, the philanderer who attended every party with a different woman on his arm, would become so besotted, so head-over-heels in love, that he was prepared to do anything for the love of a special woman?’
