Jane Forxworthy

by Paul Kelly

  Wills snapped shut his briefcase.

  “If she were my daughter, I’d give her a good dressing down. I think it’s disgusting for a girl of that age . . How old did you say she was?”

  “Sixteen,”

  “Well it’s disgusting that a young girl of that age should be allowed to do exactly as she pleases. She’ll get herself into trouble if she’s not careful. Hasn’t she got a father?”

  Evie looked to the ceiling and grinned.

  “Oh! Wills, you are so old-fashioned. Can’t you remember when you were sixteen? Didn’t you ever kick over the traces at that age?”

  “Well, it’s different for a boy, isn’t it. I mean . . we can’t get pregnant for a start now, can we?”

  Evie threw her hands in the air and stared at her husband.

  “Nobody’s talking about Cynthia getting pregnant. You are going to extremes, Wills. If I had a daughter, I’d . . I’d . . well, I’d just love her to death, that’s what I would do.”

  “That may be so, but where is her father, I ask you? That’s the big question. He should know about this. Is he alive?”

  Evie played with her wedding ring, twisting it around her slender finger as she studied her nails.

  “Nobody knows who the father is, Darling . . I don’t think even Cynthia knows.”

  “But the Foxworthy creature . . She should know . . Surely?”

  Evie shook her head slowly and her thoughts went to Danny.

  “There appears to be some deep and strange mystery there, Sweetheart. Maybe we’ll find out what it is someday.”

  Wills pulled out his handkerchief from his trouser pocket and blew his nose noisily.

  “You’ll blow your brains out one of these days, Willson Slade . . You know that don’t you?” she said, but he replied with a smile.

  “I thought you would have unravelled all the mysteries of Glenfarach by now, Darling . .” he said, “You’re slipping up, you know . .” he sniggered and then blew his nose again, but less noisily this time. “I must be off now Sweetheart. I’m meeting Mark at 11.30 and we’ll have a working lunch. I think old Deacon wants him to take over as General Manager when I leave . . or rather when we leave for dear old Richmond . .”

  “That will be nice for him. How does he feel about that?” Evie asked as she dusted Wills’ collar and handed him his umbrella.

  “Now you don’t mean to tell me that you haven’t sorted out Mark’s problems, Darling . .I don’t think he will stay long with D.&H. . .His wife . . You know?”

  Evie looked sad.

  “Dear, dear me . .” she sighed, “There seems to be nothing but problems in this neck of the woods, it appears. Do you realize how quiet and sane life was when we were in the busy, noisy Metropolis. . . . and people say London is a den of iniquity . .well, I ask you? I say that sleepy old Glenfarach is a veritable den of Kakos.”

  “Never mind. Mark is coming for dinner on Sunday, so I’m sure you’ll learn more about his plans then . . and knowing you, my fair and bonny lass, you’ll prise the information out of him, whether he wants to tell you or not . . but do be careful and tread lightly. I think there’s another female in the wings as far as he’s concerned.”

  Evie threw herself forward and wrestled playfully with Wills as she made her protest.

  “If it wasn’t for my efforts, Willson Slade . . We’d never get to know anything about anyone . . . .or any place, for that matter, Sir. . . Who is this new woman in Mark’s life? Do I know her.”

  He pulled her closer and kissed her neck before he gazed into her eyes.

  “Shouldn’t think so . . You said you only knew two woman here in Glenfarach and it’s neither Jane Foxworthy or that girl that used to work in the sweetie shop. She’s rather attractive actually . .” he teased. “Oh don’t leave me in suspense Darling, please . .” “If I didn’t love you the way I do, I’d call you a vixen . . now I must go or I’ll be late and look . . it’s beginning to snow. Tell the Sweetie wife that you’ll have to hand in your notice. We should be away from here by the end of the month.

  “But Mark’s new lady . . . ?” she called out after Wills but he ignored her plea as he jumped into his car.

  ***

  Evie ran to the telephone as soon as Wills had left the house. She wanted to talk to Danny.

  “Hello . . Hello?”

  A young female voice came to her as she listened and her face paled. She touched her hair, tucking it behind her left ear as her eyes widened with surprise and she gazed steadily at the wall.

  Slowly she returned the receiver and stared at the still and silent telephone. She was sure she had dialled the correct number . . .but that couldn’t have been Danny. Danny just did not speak . . . . Did Angus McPherson have a visitor? And did she once work in a Sweetie shop? ?

  She was anxious to go and see Danny, to spend some time with her and to ensure that she was alright. She had so much to say to the little girl . . so many questions that needed answers . . but Wills had taken the car. She glanced hastily at her wrist watch. It was nearly one thirty. Could she walk to old McPherson’s place . . she thought, talk to Danny and get back to ‘Brigadoon’ in time for her other half ‘s return about 6.30. She hesitated before reaching for her coat from the coat-stand in the hall and wrapped a woollen scarf loosely around her head, feeling in the coat pockets for her gloves. . . and then she remembered they weren’t there. It was beginning to look dark outside. The clouds were thick and gray but there was no sign of rain as yet. She opened the door and stepped outside to be greeted by a blast of sharp, cold wind and as she closed the cottage door behind her, her scarf was ripped savagely from her head. She caught it swiftly and pulled it down over her ears, tucking the ends into the collar of her coat before she shoved her into her pockets and shuddered.

  ***

  “ I thought it was you coming up the lane. I could see you from my bedroom window,” Danny exclaimed with her deft fingers, moving her lips in an attempt to produce some sort of a noise, but without success.

  “Danny . . You shouldn’t have left the cottage. You’ll catch your death of cold. Why, you aren’t even wearing a coat . .”

  Danny stood apart from the bush from which she had appeared and it snapped back from her body, spraying fine snow dust to the ground.

  “I didn’t have time,” she said, but there was a hesitancy in her voice that made Evie wonder if she had such a thing as a winter coat. “I slipped out to warn you, “ she added breathlessly, “He won’t be pleased to see you. Please go back.”

  Evie bit her lip and her mouth tightened as she studied Danny’s look of concern.

  “It was you I came to see,” she said, “Not him. Are you alright?”

  “Yes, yes, I am find, but you shouldn’t go up to the house. . . Come again, another time.. . I would love to see you, but not this afternoon . .”

  Evie was determined in her quest to know what was going on at the old man’s cottage, but she was more afraid for Danny.

  “Danny . . I have to ask you a question and I want you to answer me truthfully. It is important. Do you understand?”

  The little girl lowered her eyes and a look of guilt crossed her face as her cheeks went pink. She already knew the question that was to come and the thought of her answer caused her much concern. Could the truth ever be answered in silence, she reflected as she raised her head to look into Evie’s eyes.

  “You know Cynthia . . don’t you? Miss Foxworthy’s niece. The girl who helps her in the sweet shop?” Evie asked but Danny hesitated for some time before she nodded. “Is she up at the house?”

  Danny closed her eyes in a second and swallowed hard before she opened them again to look at Evie.

  “How did you know?” she asked.

  “Never mind that now. She is, isn’t she?” Evie persisted.

 
; Danny began to cry and Evie pulled her cold little face to her own. She kissed her ear and held her young head in the palms of her hands.

  “Is she?” Evie asked again, scanning Danny’s eyes for her answer and Danny nodded.

  “Is she . . with your grandfather?”

  The child nodded a second time and a tear fell from her eye. “She has been here for the past five or six days, I think,” she added and Evie gasped.

  “Do you mean she is living here, Darling?”

  Again the girl nodded.

  “I think so Evie, but grandfather doesn’t talk to me about that. I have to be in bed by nine o’clock in the evening, so I don’t know if she stays.”

  Evie caught her breath as a gust of wind stabbed her eyes.

  “But you think she does, don’t you, Danny?”

  Danny winced.

  “Please don’t make any trouble for grandfather. No-one need know . . Do they?”

  Evie rubbed her eye. The wind . . . and her thoughts had made her cry and her heart was heavy.

  “Darling . . Cynthia is only sixteen. Do you know that?” she asked as she stroked Danny’s hair.

  “Yes. It is very strange. I was looking at her one afternoon when she was standing in front of the mirror. She was doing something to her face and she told me it was her birthday, but I was confused. You see it was my birthday that day and I thought she was older than sixteen. That’s how old I am Evie. My mummy used to give me a little present every year on that day, I remember, but since I’ve come to live with grandfather . . we don’t bother about birthdays now.”

  “How long have you been living with your grandfather, Danny.?”

  Danny looked down and bit her lip.

  “Since Mummy died . .when I was thirteen.”

  Evie reached into the deep pocket of her coat and produced a chocolate bar.

  “Happy birthday, my Love,” she whispered and wiped the tear from her eye with the back of her hand. Danny stared at the chocolate and gasped.

  “You seem to know so much Evie. . You really do.”

  Evie tried to smile, but her heart ached.

  “If I promise not to go up to the house, will you come home with me now . . this very minute?” Her eyes lit up as she made her suggestion but Danny was obviously afraid as she stood back and a glimpse of fear gripped her face as her lips quivered.

  “No . . I can’t . . I can’t. What would grandfather say? What would he do if he knew I had left the house without asking his permission?” Danny asked her questions, but in reality they were statements. She knew the answers to her own questions, only too well.

  “I will telephone him and explain. I’ll tell him I found you in the woods and that you didn’t have a coat . . That it was nearer ‘Brigadoon’ and that you were cold and I suggested you come home with me, only for a little while to get warm again . . I could tell him. . . .”

  Danny threw herself into Evie’s arms and began to cry as strange sounds came from her mouth and the vibrations tickled Evie’s ear.

  “Come on . . The quicker we go, the sooner we’ll get back.”

  Evie’s logic was peppered with disbelief. She didn’t ever want Danny to go back to old McPherson’s place ever again . . . .

  When they arrived at ‘Brigadoon’, Evie rushed into the kitchen and plugged the kettle in, before she did anything else.

  “Come now. Sit down here and get warm. We’ll have a cup of tea in a jiffy and then you can have dinner with us. Wills will be back early this evening . . .”

  Danny sat down in the chintz covered armchair, but it was only a few seconds before she jumped up again.

  “What’s wrong Darling?” Evie asked with concern, but Danny’s only reply was to blush and keep her head down. Evie walked slowly towards her and took her hand. It was cold.

  “Whatever is the matter? Would you prefer to sit on the settee. I’ll be with you in a few moments and we can sit together if you like,” she said, but the little girl shook her head slowly and looked down at her dungarees.

  “I am so dirty and your furniture is so clean,” her fingers said as she blushed even more.

  “Nonsense, . . . that’s what chairs are for . . sitting in, so please . . make me happy and sit down.”

  Danny obeyed, but Evie could see that she wasn’t comfortable.

  “I know . . Come with me upstairs.”

  Danny followed Evie and they stopped at the bathroom door.

  “I’m going to run a nice hot bath . . and you’re gonna get in and have a lovely soak. I have a few dresses that are too short for me and I’m sure they’d be just fine on you. Come on.”

  Evie ran the bath against Danny’s protests, but when the little girl saw the dress that Evie had suggested she could wear, she slowly unbuckled the dungarees and Evie left her to undress whilst she went into the bedroom to sort out some other clothes that she thought might fit her.

  ***

  “There now . . . You look a picture, and dinner is nearly ready.”

  Evie studied Danny as she came down the stairs in a Danube blue dress with a white Peter Pan collar. It clung to her neat little figure more graciously than ever Evie could have imagined and she stared at this new ‘dreamchild’ . . the little one who had suddenly grown up and looked quite radiant as she stood demurely before her. The boyish features were still there but gave her more of an elfin appearance with her short dark hair and her fresh clear complexion. Evie stared at her in open admiration as she gasped.

  “Danny . . .You are beautiful . .That dress never looked so nice on me. You must have it.” Evie renewed her compliment on her fingers and Danny blushed again, but there was fear in her eyes.

  “I cannot . . No, Grandfather would be very annoyed if I wore a dress. He says . . He says, I should have been a boy. I suppose he thinks that because I don’t really look like a girl, do I?” Danny drew attention to her breasts as she spoke and her Danube blue dress only hinted some suggestion that the breasts were there.

  “He wouldn’t think that if he saw you now, Darling,” Evie replied, “No come and have a nice cup of tea. I have some apple pie in the ‘fridge or cream biscuits, if you prefer.”

  Danny stroked her thighs with pleasure.

  “I haven’t worn a dress since Mummy died and I have never ever worn one as pretty as this. Trousers last longer, Grandfather says and so do boy’s boots.”

  Evie and the little girl laughed together as she raised her foot.

  “Don’t go very well with the dress, do they . . and I don’t think my shoes would fit you Love, but we’ll have a look after we’ve had dinner. Now come on, drink your tea. You must be starving and I’ve been talking so much. I’m sorry Darling but Wills should be home any time now. Men’s shoes indeed,” she went on and giggled, “Cynthia never had to . . . .”

  Evie cut short her sentence and her face showed alarm, but Danny smiled affectionately.

  “But Cynthia never had a Mummy. I did and I shall always be grateful for that.” she said and Evie looked away whilst Danny glanced towards the window. “I can’t imagine what he’ll do when he finds out I’ve been here,” she said and her fingers told Evie of the fear she had in her heart.

  “He’ll love you my Darling. He won’t recognise you at first . . You’re so lovely. Come, put these slippers on. I think they might fit you, but you know Danny . . I would never have believed that you and Cynthia are the same age. I would have said you were about thirteen or fourteen maybe.”

  Danny touched her breasts innocently.

  “I am now turned sixteen,” she said and glanced at herself in the mirror in the lounge, “I have never seen myself like this before. It’s like another person and not me. I must change before I go back to grandfather. He really wouldn’t like to see me like this Evie.” she said, but Evie ignored her
protests.

  “Do you like it here, Danny?” she asked and the little girl smiled as she nodded her head.

  “If you could . . .would you like to stay longer . . perhaps for a few days?”

  Danny pirouetted in front of the mirror and her dress spun around her trim hips. She closed her eyes and raised her hands, giving Evie her answer.

  “It’s like a dream being here. I could stay for ever and ever. I’m so happy when I’m with you Evie . . . but Wills might think . . .”

  Her fingers lost their energy as her sentence trailed off.

  “Wills will just love you. I’ve told you that before and you’re not leaving here until I’ve spoken to your grandfather,” said Evie but Danny grabbed her by the shoulders, compelling her to look deeply into her eyes, as she suddenly became so very serious. Her lips moved excitedly without sound and she screwed up her face in annoyance as she reverted to her fingers.

  “No Evie. Please don’t do that. He’ll get angry . . He’s not himself when he’s angry.”

  Evie reflected silently as she took Danny’s tiny hand in her own and pressed it lovingly.

  “He’s gonna be a damn sight more angry than you’d ever imagine, my Dear,” she thought . . .

  ***

  Wills whistled in admiration of the vision before him as he came through the door and Evie stood proudly beside her young prodigy

  “And what do you think of this beautiful young lady then?” she asked and Wills stood back and affected a faint as he stroked his brow with the back of his hand.

  “Wherever has she come from? She’s not from this world, is she?” he mused and Danny blushed a bright hue of scarlet.

  “She’s having dinner with us Darling and I have suggested she might stay with us for a little while. I told her you’d feel the same.”

  Wills kissed Evie and reached out to touch Danny’s hand.

  “You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like Princess,” he said and his eyes twinkled as they always did when he was happy. Danny clung to his hand as she studied his lips.