Fighting with Shadows

by Beryl Matthews

  That had also been a cause of friction between her and Alan. He’d made it clear that having the boy around all the time was not to his liking. Still, she thought, shrugging away her unease, he’d come around to it in time. Danny was such a lovely boy; everyone loved him.

  Sensing her confusion, Mr Simpson leant forward. ‘I would recommend that you rent out the house, and use the income so that you can stay at home with Danny. These coming months are going to be very hard for him.’

  Angie frowned. ‘Jane said the money must be put aside for her son.’

  ‘Only if you sold the house. She said nothing about renting. I see no reason why you can’t use the rental to bring up Miss Harris’s son.’

  It felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. ‘I’ll do that until I’ve sorted myself out. As soon as Danny goes to school I’ll be able to work, and then I’ll save the money for him.’

  ‘Very sensible, Miss Westwood.’ Mr Simpson nodded and smiled. ‘I’ll have all the necessary papers drawn up. Would you like me to deal with the renting as well?’

  ‘Would you?’

  ‘Of course. There are a few papers to sign now, and if you could come back in two days I’ll have everything else ready for you.’

  Danny ran his fingers over the truck and waved his legs about. This was taking a long time and he wanted a wee. He looked anxiously at his auntie. Mummy had always said he mustn’t butt in when grown-ups were talking. He had his long trousers on and he wasn’t going to make them wet. His mouth set in a determined line.

  ‘Would you like some more milk?’

  The nice lady who’d smiled at him was back in the room and bending down in front of him. He seized the chance and whispered in her ear, ‘I need the bathroom.’

  She held her hand out and he took hold, slipping off the chair. He was really bursting! His auntie was busy writing, so he walked as quietly as he could out of the room.

  ‘Do you need help?’ the lady asked when they reached the small room.

  ‘No, thank you,’ he said politely. As a measure of his trust in her he gave her the truck to hold, then pushed the door to.

  When he finished, he collected the toy just as his auntie and the man came out of the other room. Much more comfy now he’d had a wee, Danny took his auntie’s hand and they went down the stairs.

  Later that evening, when Danny was in bed, Alan arrived. Angie kissed him and was pleased to see he looked in a better mood than the last time she’d seen him. He hadn’t come to Jane’s funeral, because he’d said he couldn’t take the time off work. It had upset her, as she could have done with his support at this distressing time.

  ‘What did the solicitor say?’ he asked as soon as he was in. ‘Jane must have left everything to you.’

  That, and the gleam in his eyes, jolted Angie. She hadn’t told him what was in her cousin’s will, wanting to get it all sorted out before she said anything. For the first time since she had met him she wanted to know what was behind that polite smile. It suddenly looked rather false.

  ‘No, she’s left everything to Danny.’

  ‘But he’s only a kid!’ A scowl appeared and disappeared almost at once. ‘But of course you’ll have control of the house.’

  Angie narrowed her eyes at his enthusiasm. ‘We’re going to rent it out.’

  ‘Ah, that will bring in a nice income.’ He kissed her playfully on the nose. ‘We could get married soon. I’ve done my National Service, so that’s out of the way, and it’s not as if we’ve got to find somewhere to live; you’ve got this house and will soon have money from the rent of your cousin’s.’

  It was as if she were seeing him properly for the first time. How had she ever believed she loved him? The greed was obvious. She felt all her illusions about him melt away. He was quite good-looking, with his dark hair and blue eyes, his manner relaxed and affable. She had enjoyed going out with him and hadn’t looked closer than that. Now she saw clearly that he had only latched on to her because she owned a house. What a blasted idiot you are, Angie Westwood, she silently berated herself.

  ‘What a charming proposal!’ Her laugh was scathing. ‘The money will be put aside for Danny.’

  Irritation flashed through his eyes. ‘I’m not getting down on my knees, if that’s what you’re hoping! I thought we had an understanding.’

  ‘Really?’ Angie raised her eyebrows. ‘I wonder where you got that idea from?’

  ‘Stop messing about. You know I want to marry you.’

  ‘Marry me – or the house?’

  ‘Oh, come on, darling.’ Alan draped his arms around her shoulders. ‘What are you going to do with the kid? Put him in an orphanage?’

  ‘I’m going to adopt him.’ She shook off his arm.

  ‘The solicitor is arranging that for me.’ She was thoroughly disgusted with him now and wanted him out of her house.

  Alan surged to his feet. ‘Don’t be daft! I’m not going to take on someone else’s bastard.’

  ‘I’m not asking you to, because I’m not going to marry you.’ She spoke calmly but felt like hitting the selfish man. She rose slowly to her feet and faced him.

  ‘Don’t you dare call him names. Jane loved Danny’s father, and she had a good – unselfish – reason for not marrying him.’

  The easy smile was back. ‘Don’t get so het up. Let’s talk about it.’

  He reached out and she slapped his hands away. ‘There’s nothing to talk about. Get out, and don’t come back!’

  He shrugged and sauntered past her. ‘You’re an idiot, Angie. You’ll be sorry. No man will take you on with that burden.’

  ‘If the rest are anything like you, then they can keep out of my way.’ She was shaking with rage when she slammed the door behind him. That was the end of that!

  ‘Auntie.’

  The cry had her tearing upstairs. ‘I’m here, darling.’

  ‘I heard a big bang.’ Danny wiped a hand over his eyes, heavy with sleep.

  ‘One of the doors slammed, that’s all.’

  ‘Oh.’ His eyes were already closing again.

  Angie stayed until she was sure he was fast asleep, and then bent over to kiss his cheek, her heart full of love. Nothing in this world would make her give him into the hands of strangers.

  3

  It was the end of July and the weather was glorious, so they had come to Green Park for the day. Angie was feeling buoyant. The last two months had been difficult. They had filled in lots of forms, been visited by the adoption people and had their lives thoroughly scrutinized, but it looked as if everything was going to be all right. And Danny had told them quite firmly that he was with his Auntie Angel because she was his second mummy and she loved him. All they were waiting for now was the hearing at the Magistrates Court. The solicitor had been wonderful, supporting and guiding her each step of the way. He was certain the adoption would go through without any problems.

  Angie laughed as she watched Danny tearing along, trying to get his kite in the air. They had spent all yesterday afternoon gluing it together and she was pleased to see it was holding up to the rough treatment. He still had times when he cried for his mother, and that was only to be expected, but things were improving. Their lives were settling down to a happy routine, and that was what Danny needed. To feel secure and loved was the way to adjust to life without his mother.

  The house had been let almost immediately, and that had meant Angie had had to tackle the painful job of clearing out Jane’s things. She was glad that was over. A middle-aged couple, bombed out during the war, had taken the house, and the adoption process was under way.

  She grinned when Danny squealed in delight as he tore along and made the kite rise about six feet off the ground.

  He rushed back, a broad smile on his face, the kite fluttering behind him. ‘Look, Auntie, you have a go.’

  Taking the string from him, she kicked off her shoes and started to run. A gust of wind lifted the kite high in the air and she felt light with hope for t
he future. She tipped her head back as she ran, her long wavy hair streaming behind her as she watched the kite dance and cavort. Such a liberating sight!

  She turned and ran back to Danny, who was hopping about in glee.

  ‘It’s gone a mile high,’ he yelled.

  And that was how high her spirits were, she realized. On this beautiful summer day, the problems of the past and concern for the future seemed as nothing. The money from the rent was enough for them to live on, if they were careful, so there was no need to go out to work at the moment; she could stay and make a proper home for Danny. There hadn’t been a sign of Alan since their row, and that was a relief. She’d had a lucky escape there.

  Out of breath now, she skidded to a halt in front of Danny and collapsed on the grass, the kite fluttering down gracefully beside her. Danny jumped on her and they rolled around, laughing.

  ‘Wish I could fly that high.’ Danny scrambled to his feet and began to gather up the kite. The dimpled smile flashed at her. ‘This is a smashing day. What are we having for tea?’

  ‘Hungry?’ Angie grinned as she thought of the jelly in the larder. It had been made last night after Danny had gone to bed and was nicely set by morning.

  ‘Starving!’ He began to roll up the string on the kite and picked it up very carefully. He didn’t want to break it.

  ‘Come on, then.’ Angie stood up and took the kite from him. They headed for the bus stop, with Danny chatting away, still excited about making the kite fly.

  They got off the bus at the top of their road, and, as they walked towards the house, Angie frowned. A man and woman were waiting on her doorstep. Or at least the woman was waiting; the man was pacing up and down the path. She could feel his irritation from where she was.

  When she was close enough to see them clearly, she felt a jolt of recognition. The man resembled Jane’s father. She stopped suddenly as realization dawned. Jane’s father and Angie’s mother had been brother and sister, so this must be their brother. The family resemblance was unmistakable. She could remember her parents talking and saying that he was a bad lot and they wouldn’t have anything to do with him.

  Danny tugged at her hand. ‘Why have you stopped?’

  ‘It looks as if we’ve got visitors.’ She carried on walking again, holding firmly to Danny’s hand. Worry gnawed at her insides. What on earth were they doing here?

  ‘Are you Angelina?’ the man demanded as soon as she opened the gate.

  ‘I’m Angie, yes. And who are you?’

  ‘I’m your Uncle Malcolm. We’ve only just heard that my brother’s daughter is dead. If we hadn’t met someone from round here who knew us, we would never have known.’ He glowered at Danny. ‘And that’s her kid, I suppose.’

  She felt Danny press close to her legs. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she held him. He was easily upset at the moment and they’d had such a lovely day. Now this disagreeable man had turned up, raising his voice. She could see why the rest of the family had cut him out of their lives.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ She spoke sharply but kept her voice down.

  ‘I’ve come to sort out my brother’s affairs,’ he snapped.

  Angie couldn’t believe she was hearing this. ‘Your brother and sister died nine years ago. Why didn’t you come then?’

  ‘We weren’t coming to London with bombs dropping.’ He looked at her as if she were an imbecile to think such a thing.

  ‘Aren’t you going to let us in?’ The woman spoke for the first time. ‘It was a bleedin’ long journey from Cornwall.’

  So that’s where they lived. Angie studied her carefully. Brassy blonde hair, obviously dyed and in need of touching up; too much make-up; very high heels and nylon stockings. Wonder where she got those, Angie thought waspishly, taking an instant dislike to the woman. ‘And who are you?’

  ‘I’m Malcolm’s wife, of course.’

  ‘Really?’ If her uncle had married her, he was a bigger fool than their parents had said. She looked more like a woman of the night – one past her prime.

  ‘Let us in, Angelina,’ her uncle snarled. ‘We can’t discuss business on the doorstep.’

  ‘Business?’ Angie glared at him. ‘There isn’t anything to discuss. Our family hasn’t seen you for over twenty years.’

  ‘I’m a blood relation.’ He smirked now. ‘If you won’t let us in, then give us the keys to my brother’s house.’

  Angie was furious. So that was what this was all about. Well, they’d had a wasted journey. It amazed her what crawled out of the shadows when greed took over. He had completely ignored them for years, but, as soon as he thought there might be something in it for him, he’d come running. She silently thanked Jane for tying up everything legally. It was going to give her great satisfaction to put him right.

  ‘Jane left everything she owned to her son, and that includes the house.’ She glanced down at Danny and smiled reassuringly. He was looking worried by these people he didn’t know.

  Her uncle swore.

  ‘Watch your language!’

  He ignored her reprimand and turned to his wife.

  ‘We’ll have to take over the kid, then.’

  ‘You can forget that idea!’ His wife looked at the child with open disgust on her face. ‘I’m not tying myself down with someone else’s brat!’

  Angie’s heart was hammering in her chest, and, although the final papers had not yet been signed, she lied. ‘You can’t anyway. He’s my son. I’ve adopted him.’

  Danny whimpered now, alarmed by the raised voices. Angie dropped the kite and swept him up in her arms. ‘How dare you turn up here and try to take what you have no right to? Jane left a will. It’s all legal. Danny is mine and everything she owned is his. Now leave. There’s nothing here for you, and you’re not wanted.’

  ‘I don’t believe you. She used a solicitor, I take it, so what’s his name? I’ll go and see for myself.’

  Angie knew she wasn’t going to get rid of him unless he was able to check the facts. She told him where the solicitor was and watched him storm up the road. His wife, tottering along on her heels, complained all the way.

  ‘I don’t like them,’ Danny muttered.

  ‘Neither do I, darling, but they won’t be back.’ That statement was made with a fervent prayer that that was the last she saw of her uncle. She put Danny down, her arms numb from carrying him; he was getting heavy. She had lost weight since Jane had died, and with her slight build that was something she couldn’t afford to do. As she watched him pick up the kite, determination surged through her. No one was going to take him away from her. No one!

  ‘Oh, it’s broken.’ Danny held up the kite for her to see. One of the struts had come unglued.

  ‘We’ll soon mend it again.’ She took her key out of her bag and opened the front door, feeling sick with worry. Please, Mr Simpson, don’t tell my uncle that the adoption papers aren’t signed yet.

  They reached the kitchen and she put on the kettle at once, needing a cup of tea to calm her nerves. Just when things seemed to be improving, and she and Danny were beginning to laugh again, this came along. First thing tomorrow she would go to the solicitor and ask if the adoption process could be speeded up. She wasn’t going to be able to relax until Danny was legally hers.

  Danny put the kite carefully on a chair. It wasn’t broken much. Auntie would soon fix it. She was smart like that.

  ‘Go and wash your hands, darling, while I get the tea.’ She grinned at him. ‘I’ve got something special for you.’

  He ran up the stairs as fast as he could. He liked special things, and wondered what it was. It was good those nasty people had gone. Auntie Angel hadn’t liked them, but she’d held him tight, so he hadn’t been too frightened.

  After having a wee and washing his hands, he returned to the kitchen. What fun they’d had today. The kite had gone right up in the air. His mummy would have laughed and clapped her hands if she’d seen it. He wished she had been there.

  He swall
owed hard to stop from crying. It hurt to think of her, but Auntie said to remember the good things. So he would try.

  Clambering on to his chair, he saw what was on the table. Bread, jam, a cake and … ‘Jelly! We’ve got red jelly.’

  His sadness was banished at the sight of the wobbling castle in the middle of the table, his smile brilliant.

  ‘You must eat some bread first,’ his auntie said.

  With a nod he obediently tucked into a slice, never taking his eyes off the treat.

  All through tea, Angie was expecting her uncle to return and hammer on the door. If he did, she wouldn’t open it. She could hardly control the sick feeling in her stomach, but thank goodness his wife had declared that she wouldn’t look after Danny. Not even for a house. It had been a small comfort, though, because her uncle had seemed determined to get what he wanted, no matter what he had to do.

  She gave Danny another spoonful of jelly. He was enjoying it and, thankfully, didn’t appear to be too troubled about the row. He didn’t understand what it had been about, of course, but he was a sensitive boy and would have picked up on the charged atmosphere. He was such a brave little soul, trying so hard to come to terms with the loss of his mother. She didn’t want him upset any more.

  Once tea was over and the dishes washed, they sat at the kitchen table and mended the kite. By the time Danny was tucked up in bed and asleep, there was still no sign of her uncle returning. She knew she would have a sleepless night, wondering what had happened at the solicitor’s.

  By nine thirty the next morning Angie was climbing the stairs to the solicitor’s office, anxious to find out if her uncle had come here yesterday, or given up and returned home.