by June Francis
‘I could have signed on for a shorter term.’
‘And what?’
‘Done what you did, I suppose, and helped with money.’
‘I’ve only been like a big brother to her. It’s Ma who’s done the looking after.’
‘But I still should have been told!’
‘I agree. But I’ve explained! So how about accepting that things haven’t been easy for any of us? Anyway, if anyone should be feeling hard done by, it’s me! You haven’t exactly acted like you care tuppence for me being your brother over Sarah. Since you’ve got back you’ve –’
‘OK!’ Mick leant towards him. ‘Let’s get this straight, brother. Sarah made a play for me. She’d been writing to me and came on strong. I knew you two had fallen out because Katie told me so. Sarah might be an insecure demanding little bitch but she still has a way with her that makes a man sit up and take notice. The trouble is, she needs a strong hand and you’re too soft with her. You shouldn’t let her walk all over you. Try playing the kind of games she plays sometimes and keep her guessing. I tell you, if I was thinking of marrying her, I wouldn’t let her rule me the way she has you.’
Bread and ham separated as they slipped from Ben’s fingers. ‘You bloody swine! You make me sound a right idiot. I suppose you think it’s funny to play games with my girl?’
‘Not half as funny as discovering my sister’s my daughter, and hearing my favourite brother knew all about it!’
‘Favourite brother? That’s a joke!’ Ben’s tone was wrathful as he squashed ham and bread together again. ‘I could kill you for the way you put on the charm when Sarah’s around.’
‘Save your strength. I think she’s still in two minds about which one of us she prefers. She believes you don’t love her enough in that romantic way women believe in. Now me, I might behave romantically but she’s still unsure whether I can be trusted and that’s got her in a dither. She might just decide to marry you yet, but I wouldn’t be ready to fall into her arms if she starts making a play for you again. Do as I say and act hard to get.’
‘I don’t get you!’ said Ben, shaking his head so a flaxen curl fell on to his forehead. ‘I love her, for God’s sake! But you –’
‘Shut up, Ben! I’ve had enough. This thing with Katie and Celia has thrown me and I don’t know whether I’m coming or going at the moment. Right now I’m trying to get into Celia’s head. What kind of mother is it who leaves her baby when she could have stayed with her?’
‘She had been through a lot and believed you were dead,’ said Ben savagely.
‘That’s no excuse. I’m going to have it out with her when I see her.’
‘What about Katie’s feelings? Celia could carry on saying you aren’t the father and she might believe her.’
Mick said grimly, ‘Whether Katie believes me or not, I’m taking her home. It’s where she belongs.’
‘I hope it’ll be as easy as you think. By the sound of it, she went with Celia of her own free will. You heard Ma. Celia played on her sympathy. I remember feeling sorry for her myself. There’s something about her. An air of – vulnerability.’
Mick knew it. It was that which had drawn him to Celia in the first place. She’d had a lousy mother but had done her duty by her. Celia had always been a carer and that was why he found it difficult to take in all that had been said about her leaving Katie. He remembered the times when she had stood up for what she believed was right. She had made him feel uncomfortable at times. Perhaps she still could, he’d have to see. ‘What’s this hotel like where she works?’
Ben stopped staring out of the window and thinking of Sarah. ‘For a posher clientele than ours, I’d have thought.’
‘What’s this Rita like?’
‘Not bad-looking – in her thirties, good figure. Carries herself well. Seems confident and loyal to her friends, if her not telling me where Celia lives is anything to go by. Maybe she’ll tell you if you use that fatal charm of yours.’
‘I’ve heard people say you’ve got charm. Not that I’ve noticed it myself,’ said Mick, with his tongue in his cheek.
‘Oh, shut up!’ Ben closed his eyes to shut out his brother and finished eating his sandwich.
Rita looked up as the two men entered the lobby and finished her conversation with one of the guests. ‘Celia’s not here,’ she called to Ben. ‘But I’m off duty soon. If you want to wait, I can show you where she lives.’
‘Thanks! What’s made you change your mind?’ he said, resting an arm on the counter and smiling at her.
Rita’s brows knit. ‘I don’t know if it’s anything to do with you but she asked for her cards on Monday. Mrs Henshall nearly blew a gasket. Celia actually answered her back and called her a blood-sucking vampire!’
‘You think she’s got a job somewhere else?’ interrupted Mick, looking her over and thinking Ben’s description was fairly accurate.
Rita glanced at him. ‘Who are you?’
He held out a hand. ‘I’m Mick Ryan and I appreciate your help in finding Celia.’
Rita looked at Ben. ‘This is your brother? The one who …?’
‘He’s much better,’ said Ben. ‘It’s amazing what doctors can do these days.’
Her lips twitched. ‘He doesn’t look a bit like I imagined.’
Mick fixed his brother with a hard stare. ‘What have you been telling her?’
Ben’s eyes gleamed wickedly and he said to Rita, ‘He’s a lot better since he had the brain transplant.’
‘Oh, aye! Perhaps it’s him who’s responsible for Celia going off. He looks normal but –’
‘Who said I’m not normal?’ said Mick, giving his brother a suspicious look. ‘What’s this about my brain? I’m not Frankenstein’s monster. What’s he been saying about me?’
Rita shook her head in smiling reproof. ‘In that case, I’ll meet you both in a quarter of an hour. The bar’s open if you want a drink?’
‘Point us in the right direction,’ said Ben, ‘and we’ll see you in a quarter of an hour.’
It was a silent trio that stood waiting at the level crossing in Aughton Road. Rita was wondering if she was doing the right thing taking them to see Celia, but her friend had been acting so strangely since Rita had mentioned visiting the Arcadia that she wanted to get at the truth. The train went by and a few moments later the barrier lifted and they crossed the railway track.
‘Is it much further?’ asked Mick.
‘No. A couple of minutes’ walk, that’s all.’ She averted her gaze. There was something about his looks that disturbed her and she did not want to dwell on why that should be. She took the two men past a line of shops and on beyond the Up Steps pub until she came to the house where Celia lodged. It had a small front garden bordered by a privet hedge which a woman was clipping.
‘Is Celia in, Mrs Moore?’ asked Rita.
The woman snipped off a particularly rampant length of privet. ‘She’s gone,’ she said, mouth tightening. ‘And not a word to me. I went upstairs and found the key in her door. Opened it and the room was empty of all her things. Not that she had much.’ She eyed the brothers. ‘You debt collectors? Is that why she’s done a flit?’
‘Do us a favour!’ said Rita, laughing. ‘Would I have brought them here if they were debt collectors? These men knew Celia when she lived in Liverpool.’
‘Besides, we’re not wearing bowler hats,’ said Mick woodenly. ‘I take it she didn’t leave a forwarding address?’
Mrs Moore shook her head and pursed her lips. ‘She’s gone, that’s all I can say. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve this hedge to finish.’
They walked away and Ben said, ‘Hell! That’s put the kibosh on things!’
‘You can say that again!’ Mick’s dark eyebrows almost met in a scowling line as he kicked a can in the gutter and sent it flying. ‘How the hell are we going to find her and Katie now?’
‘Katie?’ asked Rita.
‘Celia’s daughter and mine,’ he said.
Rita�
��s jaw dropped but she recovered quickly. ‘So that’s what this is all about! She’s a runaway wife with a child, and never mentioned a word to me because it was too terrible to talk about. Battered her, did you?’ Her eyes glinted coldly. ‘Well, the worm’s turned. I’m glad she’s got away!’
‘Hang on,’ protested Mick, scowling at her and digging his hands into his pockets. ‘You’ve too much imagination.’
‘I’m not the only one,’ she said, glaring at Ben. ‘I’m disappointed in you. I thought you were nice and caring.’
‘I am!’ he said. ‘You’ve got it all wrong …’
‘Too right she has,’ said Mick. ‘I’m not even married to Celia.’
Rita gasped. ‘Have you no shame? You’re worse than I thought!’
‘I know I’ve got my faults, but why don’t you shut up a minute and listen?’ said Mick. ‘There was a war on. I didn’t know about the baby being mine and Celia left her with my mother who brought her up as her own. I haven’t seen Celia since the day we –’ He stopped.
A wave of colour flooded Rita’s cheeks. ‘Damn!’ she said. ‘Me and my big mouth!’
‘That’s women for you. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions without having all the facts,’ said Mick, smiling. ‘But I’ll forgive you.’
‘I don’t need your forgiveness,’ she muttered. ‘But perhaps your brother should have told me the truth instead of working on my sympathies, telling me you’d lost your wits when your ship blew up. He’s made me feel a proper fool.’
‘I said nothing about his ship blowing up,’ said Ben, struggling not to laugh. ‘Perhaps I should have! And maybe had him floating with only a lifejacket in the sea!’
Rita gasped again. ‘You’ve no shame, either of you! Anyway, I’ve said enough. I’m going home.’ She turned away.
‘Hang on!’ said Mick, seizing her arm. ‘We still need your help. You’re Celia’s friend and she might get in touch with you.’
Rita frowned at him. ‘Why should she? She didn’t trust me with the truth.’
‘Aren’t there things in your life you’ve never told anybody? Anyway, she probably knows you know now. She’s bound to realise we’ll come looking for her.’
‘In that case,’ interpolated Ben, glancing at his watch, ‘it’s unlikely she will get in touch. She might think Rita will tell us where she is.’
‘And she mightn’t!’ said Mick emphatically. ‘It depends how much she needs a friend.’
Rita felt a moment’s bewilderment. ‘I can’t understand why she’s gone off like this. I mean, if it’s like you say, why run?’
‘You’re talking about someone who’s got a sick mind,’ Ben reminded her. ‘Celia sent Ma a letter saying she’d stolen her baby and that she was coming to get it back.’
‘She did that?’ Rita could scarcely believe it. ‘I know it upset her when I told her I’d seen your mother, but …’
There was silence for a moment and Ben glanced at the darkening sky and then at his watch again. ‘It’s not your fault. Anyway, we’d better be getting back to break the bad news to Ma. Thanks for trying to help us, Rita.’
‘But I haven’t really,’ she said, suddenly aware that Mick was still holding her arm. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘No idea at the moment,’ he said, grimacing. ‘She might just get back to you.’
‘We’ll keep in touch,’ said Ben.
Rita nodded. ‘At least you know where to find me.’
‘It would probably help if we gave you our phone number,’ said Mick, freeing her arm and unclipping a fountain pen from his breast pocket. He wrote on a page of a small notebook and gave it to her. ‘Thanks. You’re a real mate.’
‘Glad to help. ’Bye.’ She pocketed the paper and walked away, thinking that was probably the last she would see of him.
When the two brothers arrived back at the Arcadia they found Kitty sitting in front of the fire in the basement. She gripped the arms of the rocking chair and her face registered disappointment. ‘You didn’t find her?’
‘Sorry, Ma. Celia’d upped and left,’ said Mick. ‘She must have realised we wouldn’t let Katie go that easy.’ He sank down into a chair and rubbed his face with his hands. ‘I feel whacked.’
‘It’s the shock. Sarah’s upstairs, by the way.’
‘I noticed her car but I’m in no mood to speak to her at the moment.’
‘I think you should. Eileen’s told her about Celia and Katie. She’s in the bar with Pops.’
‘Bloody hell!’ he groaned. ‘The whole road’ll know soon. Even so, there’s nothing I want to say to Sarah at the moment.’ He glanced at his brother. ‘You go up and see her. Here’s your chance to make up to her.’
Ben did not move and Mick said irritably, ‘Well, what is it? Changed your mind about wanting Sarah and fancy Rita now instead?’
‘I’m not going just because you’ve told me to,’ growled Ben, toying with his cigarette lighter.
‘What is this?’ said Kitty, getting to her feet in one weary movement. ‘Hasn’t there been enough upset today without you two arguing? It isn’t the last we’ve seen of Katie. She did say she’d get in touch.’
‘You didn’t say that to us before,’ chorused her sons, and resting their heads on the back of their chairs, stretched their feet towards the fire and closed their eyes.
Kitty poked them both with her foot. ‘Wake up! That’s because I’d rather you’d found her and persuaded her to come home now. I’d still rather. Otherwise she might think we don’t want her.’
‘She can’t believe that,’ said Ben, opening one eye.
‘We don’t know what’s going on in her head. She believes she isn’t one of us any more.’
‘Poor kid,’ said Mick, not moving an eyelid. ‘But there’s nothing we can do right now, Ma.’
‘No, but what about Sarah? One of you should speak to her.’
‘OK!’ said Ben, accepting that his brother had had a worse shock than he had.
He got up and left the basement, thinking he was really in no mood to talk sensibly to Sarah. But then, having a sensible conversation with her wasn’t the norm lately. He might as well get what he had to say over with.
Yet as soon as he entered the bar lounge and saw her leaning against the bar talking to John, the breath caught in his throat. She was looking as vibrant as ever in a pillar-box red skirt and a white blouse patterned with huge poppies.
She noticed him straightaway. ‘So the wanderers have returned,’ she said, fingers wrapped round a glass. ‘Did you find them?’
‘If I had, Pops would be the first to know.’ He rested an elbow on the counter and said to John, ‘Celia’s scarpered.’
‘Your mother?’ he asked anxiously.
‘Seems to be bearing up. Mick’s with her.’
His stepfather looked relieved but even so said, ‘Perhaps you can take over here and I’ll go and talk to her? We have to decide what to tell Jack.’
‘Give us five minutes. I want a word with Sarah first.’
‘Don’t mind me,’ she said with an artificially bright smile. ‘I’ll just go home. It’s obvious you all want to have a family powwow.’
‘Fine!’ said Ben, not daring to meet her eyes in case his resolve weakened. ‘You’re showing real consideration. I’ll see you to your car. Are you ready?’
‘Let me finish my drink! And why don’t you have one yourself? A pint – or maybe an Irish whiskey would be better? It’d do you a world of good.’
‘I’ve had a pint,’ he said, jingling the change in his pocket. ‘Hurry up, Sarah. I haven’t got all night and I’ve been working all day.’
‘OK! Keep your hair on!’ She drained the glass, and lifting her jacket from the back of a chair, click-clacked out of the room ahead of him.
‘So Katie’s gone?’ she declared when they stood outside on the pavement.
‘Why say it when you know it?’ he said, glancing away from her and across the road.
‘I was just – I wan
ted – I know you’re fond of her,’ said Sarah lamely. ‘But I find the whole thing about her being Celia’s daughter incredible. I think Aunt Kitty’s a hero bringing up someone else’s child.’
‘Ma loves Katie! Loved her from the moment she was born. It’s corny but true that she brought sunshine into our lives, and me and our Mick are both determined to get her back.’
‘I think that’s really noble of you both,’ said Sarah, toying with her car keys.
‘Noble?’
‘I mean, you could both so easily not want her around – all the fuss Aunt Kitty made of her, and with her planning on handing the Arcadia over to her. After all, she’s not really one of you, is she?’
Ben felt real disappointment in Sarah but her words had made him realise something. ‘Of course she’s one of us! Ma brought her up. She belongs here. Anyway, haven’t you even thought how she landed up living with us? Haven’t you thought about Mick and Celia being sweethearts? They saw each other during the war. They made love. Use your brains. Why d’you think Celia left her with us?’
Sarah stared at him and he had a mental image of the cogs slowly turning in her brain. Her eyes widened. ‘She’s Mick’s daughter?’
‘Got it in one! Fancy her as a stepdaughter, do you? You hate each other, I believe.’ He turned and took the front steps in a stride.
‘Ben!’ Sarah hurried after him. ‘You can’t just leave it like that! What’s going to happen? What’s Mick going to do?’
‘He’s going to try and find them, of course.’
‘And then what’s he going to do?’ She stared up at him. They were standing very close on the top step.
‘Hadn’t you better ask him? You’ve spent enough time in his company lately.’ He fixed his eyes on a spot two inches above her head and tried not to breathe in the familiar fragrance of her favourite perfume, Coty’s L’Aimant. ‘I’ve other things on my mind.’
‘Such as?’ she demanded.
He said the first thing that came into his head. ‘There’s Rita.’ His gaze dropped and their eyes met as he forced himself to continue: ‘She’s the receptionist at the hotel in Southport where Celia was working. She likes me just the way I am, which is good for both of us because I’ve no intention of changing – for her, for you, for anybody!’ He turned and went inside.
