A Daughter's Choice

by June Francis

  ‘OK, OK! Slow down.’ His eyes were dark and unfathomable as he looked into her face. ‘So you are my daughter?’

  ‘Yes. I wouldn’t blame you, though, if you didn’t believe me.’

  ‘Why did Celia lie?’

  ‘To hurt Ma! To hurt you! I think she went a bit crazy when she discovered you weren’t dead, but she’s OK now. You two should meet, Mick. You really should.’

  His expression was suddenly wary. ‘She’s not in the Arcadia now, is she?’

  ‘No, she has a job …’ Katherine clapped a hand to her cheek. ‘Hell! She has double the work to do now I’ve come here … Damn!’

  ‘What d’you mean?’

  ‘We live over a pet shop. I’ve been working there. She’ll have to do my job now as well as her own. Damn, damn!’ she said through gritted teeth. ‘I’ve made a mess of things again.’

  ‘Stop crucifying yourself.’ He seized her arm and hustled her towards the Arcadia. ‘At least you haven’t wasted any time coming here and it seems you came at the right time. Pity Celia didn’t tell you sooner, though. Ma’s putting the Arcadia up for sale.’

  Katherine felt she had received another smack in the face and could only stare at him.

  ‘Sorry to fling it at you like that.’ He put his arm round her.

  ‘It’s OK.’ Her voice quivered. ‘Why should I expect her still to want me to have it? And yet –’

  They stood at the bottom of the steps. ‘She hasn’t done anything final,’ he said in a low voice. ‘I think she’s been hoping you’d come home. She said she didn’t want you to turn up and find us all gone.’ His hand tightened on her shoulder and he looked worried again. ‘You are sure she’s going to be all right?’

  ‘Jack said so and he should know.’ She blinked back tears. ‘I really have failed Ma. Me taking over the Arcadia was her dream. It’s what she trained me for.’

  Mick sighed and said, ‘I think she started to believe that her dream could be a nightmare for some. I don’t know what you’d have to do to change her mind, kid, but maybe you should be thinking of doing something else with your life.’

  ‘Don’t you care at all about the Arcadia?’ she said fiercely. ‘After all, it was your home. Wouldn’t you like it to stay in the family?’

  ‘It doesn’t bother me. I’ve seen Ma slog her guts out to keep this place going. Why should I want a life like that for you?’

  ‘Things are different now,’ she said, putting a hand on his chest and looking up into his face. ‘There’s hoovers and washing machines, fridges and central heating. This place is all I’ve ever wanted. It won’t be as hard for me.’

  ‘I thought you might come and live with me?’ There was a mixture of exasperation and tenderness in his expression. ‘But if Ma’s going to have to rest, she’ll want you to live with her and Pops. It’s not going to be an easy situation for you to cope with when they come back.’

  ‘I know.’ She thought of Patrick and a tear trickled down her cheek. Life had become extremely complicated. She could not go upsetting Ma now by mentioning she wanted to get engaged to the young man Kitty had taken against.

  Mick hugged her against him and they were silent a moment, each thinking their own thoughts. Then Katherine said abruptly, ‘I’ve become quite fond of Celia. She’s a funny mixture. She can stand up for herself but there’s times when she’s as daft as a brush.’

  ‘But this isn’t just a flying visit, is it?’ he said against her hair. ‘You aren’t going back to live with her?’

  ‘I’ll want to keep in touch.’

  ‘Despite what she did by leaving you when you were a baby?’

  Katherine lifted her head and stared at him. ‘She’s still my mother. It wasn’t easy for her.’

  ‘I wouldn’t argue with that, but still – to leave you?’

  ‘We all make mistakes.’

  He said wryly, ‘There’s more of Ma in you than I realised. That’s what she would say. I’m glad I’ve given her a granddaughter.’

  ‘You and Celia both,’ she said firmly.

  ‘OK! Keep your hair on. Me and her both. But I still think she’s a lot to answer for, and when we meet I’ll tell her so.’

  ‘You do that if you must but now I’m going to have to do some work. You can talk to Jack. He’ll tell you more about Ma than I can. His girlfriend’s expected soon, by the way.’

  ‘She’s OK, is Vicky,’ said Mick conversationally, and lifting Nelson up in his arms, followed her inside.

  It was hours later, after he had spoken to his stepfather on the telephone, been reassured about his mother and departed for his own home, that Katherine had a chance to speak to Vicky about Celia. ‘Jack tells me the man my mother’s seeing has a shop next to your sweet shop?’ she said, passing her a cup of cocoa.

  ‘That’s right! So if you want her off your hands, you could be in luck. She’s there quite a lot.’ Vicky smiled.

  ‘It depends on what he’s like,’ said Katherine thoughtfully. ‘I wouldn’t like to come between them if he’s a nice man, but the fact that she hasn’t mentioned him makes me suspicious.’

  ‘In that case – I think he’s a big blow,’ said Vicky bluntly. ‘Mum says he’s always had a high opinion of himself but now he’s worse. He’s going on about what a marvellous place the shop’s going to be now he’s in charge. I don’t know where he’s getting the money from but he’s planning all kinds of changes and getting the flat done up. I wouldn’t have thought old Ethel would have left that much. She was generous to a fault and often gave to good causes.’ Her eyes twinkled suddenly. ‘Listen, Katie, if you want to have a butcher’s at him, come to tea with Jack on Sunday. My mum’ll be pleased to meet you.’

  ‘Thanks! I’d like that,’ she said eagerly.

  First she had to see Patrick. She only hoped that when he did come to call Eileen would not start any of her old tricks again because she had noticed the girl giving her strange looks a couple of times when she mentioned his name. But before Katie could call on Patrick or take a decko at Celia’s fancy man, something happened to rid her of that worry.

  Eileen’s room was still in darkness when Katherine went to wake the girl the following morning but she could hear her thrashing about. Katherine’s hand froze on the switch but when all went silent she pressed it down and light flooded the room to reveal Eileen lying on the floor.

  Katherine hurried over and knelt beside her with a pounding heart. The Irish girl looked so still that she fumbled for her pulse. A sigh of relief escaped her but the next moment Eileen started to twitch and her eyes flew wide open and her limbs began to flail about again. Katherine fled the room and ran for Jack, who was keeping his eye on the porridge.

  ‘Eileen!’ she gasped, clutching his arm.

  ‘She’s had a fit?’ he said, eyes brightening with a medical man’s interest.

  ‘More than one,’ she whispered. ‘Jack, you’re going to have to go up to her! It really scared me. I thought she was dead for a moment but – but people really can’t die of a fit, can they?’

  ‘Of course they can. Here!’ He flung a wooden spoon at her. ‘I’d better go up.’

  ‘The guests are stirring. Try not to alarm them.’

  ‘I’m not daft,’ he said, and hurried out.

  Katherine got on with the breakfasts but her mind was elsewhere and she splashed her wrist with hot fat, which hurt like hell. She had no time to do anything about it and determined to ignore the pain. Rushed off her feet, due not only to Eileen’s non-appearance but to Brenda the part-timer’s late arrival, an hour passed and still Jack had not come down.

  What was happening? wondered Katherine, fearing the worst. If Eileen was dead, what would she do?

  She was starting to feel quite dreadful, picturing the scene as the girl was carried off. Running through her mind were memories of all the times she had not really got on with the girl or been sympathetic to her. She remembered Eileen saying she wouldn’t be a loss to anyone. Poor, poor Eileen, she though
t. So young, but perhaps it was a blessing … She had even got as far as mentally writing out a notice for a new kitchen-cum-chamber maid when Jack and Eileen entered the kitchen.

  Katherine dropped a plate and stared at them.

  ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost,’ said Eileen.

  ‘You’re OK?’ she demanded.

  ‘Still a bit wonky but Jack’s made me feel a lot better.’ Eileen smiled at him and hugged his arm. ‘He says I’m very brave to cope with all I have to put up with.’

  ‘You are!’ agreed Katherine, going over to the girl and hugging her. ‘I don’t think I’d have your determination to carry on working here.’

  ‘It’s been hard,’ sighed Eileen. ‘And now he tells me Aunt Kitty might sell the place, I’ve made up my mind to go home.’

  ‘To Ireland, you mean?’

  She nodded. ‘I’ll book my ticket later today. Now what d’you want me to do?’

  Katherine told her, feeling a rush of relief mingled with a sudden new liking for the girl. As for Jack, he told her later he had decided to do research into epilepsy and brain disorders.

  It was the following Monday before Katherine had a chance to visit the pet shop but she found only Mrs Evans and Donny there. ‘What are you doing off school?’ she asked, smiling down at him.

  ‘Got a whitlow and can’t write.’ The boy held up a bandaged finger.

  ‘Painful things them,’ said Mrs Evans, casting an eye over Katherine. ‘And when are you going to be back, miss? Or have you left us for good as Celia sez?’

  ‘Has she told you everything then?’

  ‘Aye.’ Mrs Evans pressed her lips tightly together and made a noise in her throat. ‘But I won’t talk about it in front of the boy.’

  Katherine nodded. ‘Where is she?’

  ‘I don’t bloody know!’ said Mrs Evans crossly. ‘She’s always coming and going at the moment.’

  Donny and Katherine gasped. ‘You never swear!’ they chorused.

  ‘I’m upset,’ she muttered. ‘Celia’s supposed to be looking after Donny and the shop! She said she’d be back half an hour ago but she’s still not here. Your mother’s up to something but she’s not saying what. You couldn’t stay till she comes back, could you?’

  Katherine glanced at her watch. ‘I was hoping to go over and see if Patrick’s at the photographers but I’ll give you twenty minutes.’

  ‘Better than nothing, I suppose, your ladyship,’ grumbled the old woman. ‘Running a hotel, indeed! At your age! I’ve never heard the like.’

  ‘I’m only filling in,’ said Katherine, her voice severe. ‘Ma – my grandmother’s had a heart attack so she needs me there. Now would you like a cup of tea?’

  ‘If you’re making one, I won’t say no.’

  Katherine had no sooner put the kettle on than old Mrs Taylor came in carrying an empty cage and with tears running down her cheeks. ‘He’s gone,’ she wailed. ‘My beautiful boy’s gone.’

  ‘Shall we get a fishing net and go looking for him?’ suggested Donny eagerly.

  ‘No, you don’t understand! He’s dead!’ She placed the cage on the counter and the magnolia in her black straw hat dropped as more tears flowed. ‘I came downstairs and there he was with his little legs, all stiff, sticking up in the air!’ She dabbed at her eyes.

  ‘We’ll get you another,’ Katherine said, patting her hand.

  ‘It won’t be the same.’

  ‘Of course it won’t! Your beautiful boy was special because you made him like that. You could do the same to another.’

  Mrs Taylor glanced at her from tear-drenched eyes. ‘He must be a talker,’ she said with a sniff.

  ‘You’ll teach him, just like you did your beautiful boy.’

  ‘We’ve got some young ones coming in next week,’ said Mrs Evans. ‘You come in then and I’ll see to you special.’

  ‘OK!’ The old woman gave a watery smile and, leaving the cage, she went out, dabbing her eyes.

  ‘It’s sad,’ said Donny, nodding solemnly.

  And Katherine had to agree. She felt almost as upset at leaving the pet shop now as when she had waved Eileen off at the Pierhead because most of the customers who had come into the shop she was friendly with. She knew she was going to miss them and the pets almost as much as she would miss seeing Donny, Mrs Evans and her mother every day but she could not see that there was any way she could combine her two lives. One had to go.

  Celia had not returned by the time Katherine left the shop, promising she would see them soon. She was also out of luck when she arrived at the photographer’s, hoping Patrick might be there. ‘He hasn’t been here for the last few days, luv,’ said the assistant. ‘But I’ll tell him you called and want to see him.’

  Katherine went back to the Arcadia feeling slightly down in the dumps to be greeted by the news that there had been a telephone call from Ben and Sarah. ‘Where are they?’ With so much happening she had not thought to ask where they had gone for their honeymoon or where they would be living when they returned to Liverpool.

  ‘They went to Paris for a week and now they’re at the house in Scotland, seeing what needs doing up there. They were pleased to hear you were back but shocked by the news about Ma. They’re going over to Ireland to see her before coming home,’ said Jack, glancing up from the table he was laying with cutlery. ‘You do know, by the way, that Scotland’s where Ma and Pops are planning on retiring to? Her plan was to do bed and breakfast during the season. Whether she’ll do it now or not …’ He shrugged.

  Katherine wondered about that, too, as she made a couple of apple pies. What if Ma expected her to go up to Oban with them? She would be parted from Patrick! She gnawed on her lip. Here was something else she was going to have to face. Unless she could change Ma’s mind about selling the Arcadia? But that was something that would have to wait. In the meantime Vicky had reissued her invitation to tea, and so on Sunday afternoon, after lunch was served and leaving a cold supper, which would be seen to by one of Kitty’s cousins who had volunteered her help any time Katherine needed it, she caught the bus with Jack to Old Swan.

  Dolly welcomed her with an air of excitement. ‘I hope you don’t mind, luv,’ she said, her bright eyes sparkling, ‘but our Vicky’s told me all about your mam and I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears open because there’s been talk that she’s been seen coming out of the priest’s house.’

  ‘The priest?’ Katherine’s mind worked swiftly. ‘And?’ she demanded.

  ‘I went to Mass this morning and there they were! And …’ she paused, and her audience of three gazed at her expectantly ‘… the banns were read, and for the third time of asking, would you believe? And not a word to us about a wedding!’ She shook her head. ‘It must be going to be a real hole-in-the-corner affair, if you ask me!’

  It would be, thought Katherine wrathfully. How dare Celia not tell her about it? What had she got to hide?

  ‘Did you find out when it is to be?’ she asked.

  ‘Wednesday! Half-day closing. I wouldn’t have thought Andy Pritchard would have had so much business sense, but there you are.’ She gazed intently at Katherine. ‘So what are you going to do, luv?’

  She gnawed on her lip again. ‘I’ll have to think. It’s no use me appealing to her to have second thoughts if she’s gone this far.’

  ‘Do you really care that much who she marries?’ asked Jack.

  Katherine almost opened her mouth but realised she could not say before an audience that she had had hopes of her father and mother marrying. So it was Vicky who answered for her. ‘Of course she cares! Why else d’you think she’s here? Anyway he drinks and I saw him giving her a shove the other day. Who knows what he might do to her in private?’

  ‘She wouldn’t be marrying him if he knocked her around,’ said Jack. ‘Anyway it’s a bit late for Katie to do anything.’ He turned to her. ‘You’re just going to have to accept it, kid.’

  Like hell I will, she thought. Although she had not yet set eyes on
Andy Pritchard, she decided her mother was probably besotted with the man. But what had Vicky said the other evening about him? He was making plans and she wondered where the money was coming from … Suddenly Katherine realised where it was coming from. Her gambler mother must have had another win on the Pools. A large one this time and he was marrying her for her money.

  That put the kibosh on the wedding so far as she was concerned. She could not allow her mother to marry a loud-mouthed ex-soldier who drank and might knock her around. She had to think up a plan!

  Katherine was pretty quiet for the next half hour or so but by the time she caught the bus home she had it all worked out. Her idea was pretty drastic and she had certain qualms about it but told herself faint heart never got a girl anywhere and she was doing it for her mother’s good.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Katherine stood in the graveyard of St Oswald’s Church, having concealed herself behind an ancient lichen-encrusted stone cross to watch Celia go inside. She looked rather nice in a peach suit and large-brimmed cream hat, thought Katherine, and gave her a few minutes before creeping in after her. There was only a small congregation up at the far end but even so when she saw them and the ornately robed priest she almost got cold feet. Then she reminded herself what was at stake and tiptoed down the central aisle, slipping into a pew halfway down.

  Scarcely breathing, she listened carefully to the words, some of which were in Latin. She crossed her fingers and prayed that she would not miss them and almost jumped out of her skin when the priest began to intone, ‘“If anyone here knows any just cause or impediment why these persons here should not be joined in holy matrimony then ye are to declare it …”’

  There was a deathly silence and it took Katherine all her courage to speak out. ‘Me! I object!’ Her voice came out as a squeak. Gaining courage, she waved a hand and said much louder, ‘It was me! I object!’