by June Francis
‘Tell me what?’ she asked.
He pulled over and stopped the car. ‘Can you cope with another shock?’ He hesitated. ‘Your dad’s dead.’
He heard the intake of her breath and then she was silent for so long that he reached out and shook her shoulder. ‘I shouldn’t have told you like that! Are you all right?’
‘How did he die?’ she asked in a small voice.
‘He was drunk and fell in the canal near Stanley Dock.’
‘You mean the one near the tobacco warehouse?’
‘That’s the one.’ He covered her hand with his. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’
Her fingers curled about his. ‘D’you know how Mam took it?’
‘You’re best asking your Marty,’ said Pete. ‘I do know she went on holiday with a friend at Whit.’
‘And Lil?’
‘I heard she was getting married in September and they’ll be living with your mother.’
Peggy’s eyes glistened in the light from a street lamp. ‘I’m glad. I-I suppose Dad being … being dead is the reason why our Tommy’s still around.’
‘Seems likely, although I don’t know much about it.’
‘So where’s he living? He’s hardly spoken since the accident, so I’ve no idea how he came to be on a motorbike with Bernie.’
‘According to Bernie’s cousin, Tommy stole it,’ said Pete.
‘Oh, my goodness! I gave the policeman his real name.’ Peggy giggled and then pressed her hand to her mouth. ‘I don’t know why I’m finding this funny,’ she said in a muffled voice. ‘It’s been one shock after another today.’
‘That’s why,’ said Pete, smiling. ‘If you didn’t laugh you’d cry.’
Peggy managed to pull herself together. ‘I’d best be going,’ she said, opening the door. ‘I promised Mrs Henderson I’d be back as soon as I could.’ There came the sound of waves hushing on the shore.
‘Is she your boss?’ he asked.
‘Yes, I’m her general dogsbody.’ She got out of the car.
‘Why don’t you give up the job?’ said Pete, speaking rapidly. ‘Come back to Liverpool!’
Peggy hesitated. ‘Give me a little bit of time. I need to get my head around everything. Besides, I would have to serve my notice and anyway, Mrs Henderson needs time to find someone to replace me - what with it being high season. See you soon.’
‘I hope so,’ he said.
They continued to stare at each other for what felt like an age and then she closed the car door and walked away.
Twenty-Three
Marty gazed down at Bernie lying flat on her back. She had regained consciousness again a short while after he arrived but had not seemed to recognize him. A doctor had told him that she had a concussion and a spinal injury. When Marty had asked bluntly if she would survive, he had been told the prognosis for head injuries were not always easy to forecast but the fact that she had regained consciousness a couple of times already was a good sign. As for the spinal injury, it should knit with bed rest. Marty asked if a priest could be brought to his wife and, after having a word with him, Marty had slipped out of the room to tell Dougal what he had been told about Bernie’s condition.
Marty found it hard to believe that this was happening. During the time since he had first been told about the accident, life had taken on a sense of unreality. He felt depressed, guilty and angry, not only with his brother and Bernie but also himself. But from the moment Irene’s postcard had arrived from America, with its mention of the charming Harry driving her and Bobby all the way to San Jose, Marty had felt not only like smashing something, he had wished Bernie out of his life for good.
Perhaps Bernie had sensed his mood because she had started asking about Irene. She told him that one of the neighbours had harked back to the day Marty had arrived in his van with Irene on Whit Saturday. Apparently it had been the day of her mother’s wedding and Irene had been dressed up to the nines and looked lovely. For some reason Bernie seemed to have expected him to have told her about Irene being all dollied up as she put it and had wanted to know exactly what they had done whilst in the house alone.
He had not answered her which had infuriated her. Then she had brought up the subject of the children’s books that had belonged to Irene, saying they were rubbish and she was going to put them in the bin. Josie had been listening and shrieked that they were hers and they were not to be put in the bin. She had bitten Bernie’s leg and then run out of the room.
Bernie would have gone after her and smacked her if Tommy had not arrived. Marty had no idea that he was expected but Bernie had wasted no time getting ready and whizzed out of the house, a headscarf trailing from a hand, saying that she was going into town and wouldn’t be back until that evening. Marty had suggested that Tommy help him with the decorating but his brother said that he had a job to go to and had just dropped by to see how the family were getting on.
That was the moment when Marty should have smelled a rat but he had not even bothered seeing his brother to the door. Instead he had gone to see what the kids were up to and strip wallpaper from the last of the walls that needed decorating. Then Mrs Gianelli had called and, when she had seen what he was doing, offered to take the children from under his feet for the rest of the day. He had given his brother and wife little thought until Monica and a furious Dougal had turned up.
A nurse came into the room now to check his wife’s blood pressure, take her temperature, lift her eyelids and flash a torch into her eyes. Then she left the room again. She was to continue to repeat these actions throughout the night until Sunday morning dawned. During that time Bernie stirred once or twice and opened her eyes and stared at Marty.
‘Where’s my husband?’ she murmured.
‘I’m here,’ he answered.
‘No!’ She shook her head and winced. ‘Tommy! Where’s Tommy? He’s not really dead, is he?’
‘No, he’s only broken his arm. Never mind Tommy. Rest now.’
She closed her eyes and drifted off again.
Marty sat back in the chair by the bed, thinking and wishing he was back home with the kids. Shortly after that, a different nurse came into the room and bid Marty a good morning.
‘I believe you’ve been here all night, Mr McGrath. Why don’t you take a break and stretch your legs. You could even have a breath of fresh air. I’ll stay with her,’ she said, smiling at him.
It was a relief to leave the room. Whichever way things went for Bernie, life was going to be difficult. He decided not to think any further ahead than one day at a time.
Pete was sitting on a bench in the reception area of the hospital but there was no sign of Tommy or Dougal. Pete struggled to his feet and Marty wondered if he looked as weary and drawn as Pete did.
‘How is she?’ asked Pete.
Marty told him. ‘She seemed muddled.’
‘At least she’s come round,’ said Pete. ‘That’s a good sign.’
‘So they keep telling me.’ Marty changed the subject. ‘Where are Tommy and Dougal?’
‘Dougal left shortly after you told us what the doctor had said.’ Pete rested a hand on the back of a bench. ‘He said something about going to the police station. Your brother went off shortly after saying he was going to the toilet but he hasn’t come back.’
‘Thank God for that,’ said Marty. ‘He’ll have it fixed in his head that Dougal’s going to bring charges against him for taking his motorbike without permission and all the stuff from years ago will come to light and he could end up in prison. It wouldn’t surprise me if our Tommy disappears for good this time.’
‘He told Dougal the bike was scarcely damaged,’ said Pete.
‘Then maybe Dougal’s hoping he can recover it from the police station and ride it back to Liverpool,’ said Marty, thrusting his hands in his pockets. ‘I’d better get back. You go home, Pete. I’ll make my own way.’
Pete gave a tight little smile. ‘I’ll stick around for a while. My leg’s a bit dicky and I d
on’t feel up to driving yet. I must give Mam another ring and let her know I might be some time.’
‘OK, if you prefer to do that, it’s fine with me,’ said Marty.
When he returned to Bernie’s bedside, the nurse told him that his wife had spoken and asked where her husband was before going to sleep.
‘You don’t surprise me,’ said Marty with a grimace. ‘She looked at me earlier as if she didn’t know who I was and told me I wasn’t her husband.’
‘I wouldn’t worry about that. The memory can behave very oddly.’ She told Marty that she would have a cup of tea brought to him. He asked if his friend waiting in reception could be given one as well. She nodded and left.
Being Sunday it was to be several hours before Marty saw a doctor again. By then Bernie was looking about her and had attempted to sit up but the nurse told her she had to lie flat. Several times Bernie’s glance fell on Marty, but still there was no sign of recognition in her eyes and they did not linger on him. When he spoke to her, she did not answer.
During the two hours that passed before a neurologist arrived, Bernie attempted to sit up again but, knowing she had to lie flat, Marty prevented her from moving. She obviously did not like him doing so, if the expression in her eyes was anything to go by, but she made no further attempt and instead closed her eyes as if, suddenly, all the strength had gone out of her.
He was dismissed from the room on the arrival of the neurologist. Afterwards when Marty asked to speak to him, it was obvious the man was in a hurry. ‘You’re a Scouser, aren’t you?’ he said.
‘What’s that to do with anything?’ asked Marty.
The neurologist smiled. ‘I did some of my medical training in Liverpool. I suggest, Mr McGrath, that you go home and rest. I believe you’ve young children. There isn’t anything you can do here and I’m sure they need you.’
‘Yes, and I would like to get home to them but what about my wife?’
Without hesitation, the neurologist said briskly, ‘Try not to worry about her. She’s lucky to be alive considering she was not wearing a crash helmet. We’ll have her transferred to Liverpool Royal Infirmary and you should be able to visit her there tomorrow evening.’
‘She seems to be suffering from partial memory loss and doesn’t believe I’m her husband.’
‘Head injuries are tricky but hopefully all will be well. She is going to have to remain in hospital, flat on her back for several weeks to allow the spinal injury to heal. Good day, Mr McGrath.’
Marty watched the neurologist stride off down the corridor. Then he went back inside the side room to see Bernie before he left. Her eyes were open and she was staring into space.
‘I’m going, Bernie. I’ll see you tomorrow.’ He hesitated before kissing her cheek. There was no response, except when he stepped back, she rubbed the spot where his lips had been as if to wipe away his touch. For a moment her gaze flicked over his face and then it moved away again.
He felt almost light-hearted when he left the room and hurried to where he had left Pete waiting. Would he still be there?
He was! Marty’s relief intensified. ‘Thanks, Pete.’ He laid a hand on the other man’s shoulder. ‘I’ve been told to go home.’
‘How is she?’ asked Pete.
‘Lucky to be alive. They’re going to transfer her to the Royal in Liverpool. Her spinal injury means she’ll have to stay there for several weeks.’
‘Poor Bernie! I know what a long stay in a hospital bed is like. Still, it sounds promising that they consider her well enough to be moved to Liverpool,’ said Pete.
‘She still doesn’t seem to recognize me but she mentioned Tommy. Anyway, there’s nothing more I can do here and I need to get back to the kids. I’m going to have to get in touch with Bernie’s mother. She’ll want to know all the ins and outs and I don’t want to tell her over the phone.’ He began to walk towards the entrance.
‘What about Peggy?’ asked Pete, limping after him. ‘Shouldn’t you let her know how matters lie before we leave Blackpool?’
Marty had not forgotten about his sister. ‘Do you remember where this hotel is?’
Pete nodded. ‘She told me that she wouldn’t be coming back to Liverpool with us.’
Marty was taken aback. ‘Why not? You did tell her that Dad was dead? I just didn’t think about it last night.’
‘Of course I did!’ Pete gritted his teeth as he followed Marty into the sunshine and leaned against a wall. ‘She said that she would have to serve her notice and, as it was high season,’ he gasped, ‘she felt she would have to stay until her boss found someone to take her place.’
Marty frowned. ‘Did she ask about Mam?’
‘Yes. I told her that she’d had a holiday with a friend in Whit week; also that Lil was getting married in September and she and her husband would be living with your mother.’
‘Did you tell her that I’d moved into Irene’s old house because her mother had remarried?’
Pete shook his head. ‘I thought she’d had enough news to contend with. Look, I’m in a great deal of pain, so can we get to the bloody car now and will you please drive?’
Marty cursed himself for his thoughtlessness after Pete had been of such help to him. He slipped an arm about the other man’s waist. ‘Lean on me and I’ll get you there.’
They managed to reach the car without any mishaps. Marty suggested that Pete might be better in the back, sitting up with his legs stretched out. ‘You’ll be able to rest better.’ Pete agreed.
As it was they did not have to seek out the hotel because just as they were about to leave the hospital grounds, Pete spotted Peggy crossing the road. ‘Pull up just round the corner!’ he cried. ‘Here she is!’
Marty parked and Pete wound down the window and shouted to Peggy. She hurried over to them. ‘How is Bernie? How’s our Tommy?’
‘Get in!’ Marty ordered. ‘I’m in the way here.’
She put a hand to her breast and gasped. ‘Bernie’s dead, isn’t she? Oh hell!’
‘Will you get in!’ Marty ordered.
Peggy opened the front passenger door and climbed in. ‘Did she have a priest?’
Marty nodded. ‘He read the last rites, just in case, but she’s not dead.’
‘You mean she’s still alive?’
‘That’s what not dead means,’ said Marty, and drove off.
‘There’s no need to be sarcastic,’ said Peggy. ‘Anyway, where are we going?’
‘Liverpool!’
‘But … but I can’t go without letting Mrs Henderson know!’ she cried. ‘It’s high season!’
‘I need your help, Peg,’ said Marty, glancing at her. ‘I’ve got two kids who are going to need looking after and you owe us for going missing and worrying us sick.’ A muscle twitched in his throat.
Tears welled in her eyes. ‘I told Mam not to worry! I’m not such a child that I can’t look after myself.’ She fumbled for a handkerchief in her jacket pocket. ‘So what is going to happen to Bernie?’
‘I don’t know how the concussion and loss of memory is going to affect her in the long run,’ he said. ‘What I do know is that she’s going to be in Liverpool’s Royal Infirmary for weeks because of her spinal injury. She has to lie flat to give it a chance to heal.’
‘But surely Bernie’s mother and sister will be around to take care of the kids?’ said Peggy.
‘You’ve forgotten that we’re not living with her mother any more,’ said Marty. ‘And besides, they’re my responsibility! I’m not having Bernie’s family taking them over.’
‘OK, keep your hair on! Where are you living?’ asked Peggy.
‘We moved into Irene’s mother’s old house after she remarried.’
Peggy gasped. ‘I had no idea.’
‘You would if you’d bothered to write,’ said Marty.
‘I kept meaning to but never got round to it. I’m sorry! But I just didn’t want anyone telling me what to do any more!’ Peggy wiped away a tear. ‘What happened to Jimmy
and Irene?’
Pete spoke up from the back seat. ‘Jimmy’s gone back to sea and Irene’s in America. The children’s home closed down and she’s gone to stay with Betty who’s having a baby.’
‘I suppose her doing that is no big surprise. Especially if she’s out of a job.’ She twisted in her seat and gazed down at Pete and asked in a trembling voice, ‘Are you all right?’
‘I’ve been better, thanks,’ he said, tight-lipped.
‘I’m sorry. This is all my fault.’ She reached down a hand to him.
He clasped it. ‘I’m not blaming you. I’m just glad you’re safe.’
Peggy swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I don’t know what your mother must have thought of me.’
‘Never mind that now, Peg,’ Marty said. ‘Turn round and sit in your seat properly. I don’t want any more accidents.’
Pete and Peggy unclasped hands. She straightened up and stared ahead. ‘So who’s looking after the kids at the moment?’ she asked.
‘Monica, but she won’t be able to carry on looking after them,’ said Marty. ‘Her mam would never allow her to stay the night alone with me and the kids. You’ll have to come and live with me, Peg, until I get things sorted out.’
Peggy was taken aback. Of course she was fond of her niece and nephew but she knew almost nothing about taking care of children. ‘Won’t Mam have something to say about that?’ she asked. ‘I mean, surely she’ll expect you to ask her?’
‘I’ve been going over and over in my head, trying to decide what’s best to do. She’ll never cope with them day in, day out. Bernie was forever complaining they were a handful and she’s a lot younger than Mam.’
Peggy’s mind was in a whirl. ‘Irene would have been the perfect person to look after them,’ she said abruptly. ‘She wouldn’t have had to stay the night because you’d be there for them.’
‘But Irene’s not here,’ Marty muttered. ‘I have to rely on you being there for me and the children. After all the worry you’ve caused it’s the least you can do!’
‘All right,’ said Peggy, wondering what Pete was making of this conversation. Obviously her brother had not given any consideration to the possibility that she and Pete might want to get together again. Suddenly she realized that she had forgotten completely about her other brother. ‘Where’s Tommy?’
