A Family's Heartbreak

by Kitty Neale

  ‘Stop, you’re under arrest,’ Peter shouted, trying to make his voice sound very deep.

  Timmy giggled, and dashed to hide behind the curtains.

  ‘We’re playing cops and robbers,’ Peter announced, smiling at Jenny with a big toothless grin.

  ‘Yes, I can see that,’ she said, stifling a chortle. Timmy’s face looked funny with a stocking over it, his nose flattened, and Peter looked more like something from outer space than a policeman. But they were enjoying themselves, and as far as Jenny was concerned, that was all that mattered. The boys didn’t seem to mind the cramped living conditions, she mused. In fact, they were thriving. Timmy’s nightmares had stopped, and Peter no longer cried for their mum. Even Pamela hadn’t had one of her nightly accidents for two weeks and was beginning to come out of her shell. Everyone was happy … except Gloria.

  ‘Listen up, boys. Pam is downstairs cooking dinner with your gran. You’ll be eating down there today, but I want you to promise me you’ll be very good. Your gran has a sore knee, so no getting her running around after you, OK?’

  ‘OK,’ Peter agreed.

  ‘Is you and Craig eating downstairs too?’ Timmy asked.

  ‘Are you and Craig,’ Jenny corrected him. ‘No, love, we’ve got some things to do today. We’ll be back before your bedtime and Craig will finish that story he’s been reading to you.’

  Jenny daren’t mention that she was going on a mission in search of their mother. And even if she found her, she’d already decided not to divulge where they were living. Pamela and the boys were settled, and she didn’t want them to be upset by their mother’s inconsistency and empty promises.

  ‘Craig, can I come to work with you soon?’ Timmy asked.

  ‘Yes, mate. When you break up from school for the summer holidays, you can both come to my workshop.’

  ‘What do you do again?’ Peter asked.

  ‘I make furniture, then sell it to a posh shop in Chelsea.’

  ‘What, like this cupboard?’ Timmy questioned, pointing to an elaborately carved oak sideboard.

  ‘Yep, exactly like that. Actually, I made that one several years ago.’

  ‘Cor, that’s amazing,’ Peter said, ‘I never knew that! Can we make furniture when we come to work with you?’

  ‘Absolutely. It’s about time you two earned your keep,’ Craig said, tongue in cheek.

  Jenny noticed it was nearly midday. On Sundays the pubs only opened for a couple of hours, which didn’t give them much time. ‘Craig, we should go, and you boys can carry on your game downstairs.’

  Craig stood up and grabbed the flat keys from the sideboard. ‘Right, come on then.’

  As the boys raced on ahead Jenny said, ‘Honestly, I don’t know where they get their energy from. They do everything at double speed.’

  ‘They’re just kids, Jen. I bet you were the same at their age,’ Craig said as Pamela opened the door and the boys ran into their gran’s flat.

  Jenny waved at her, called out that they’d be back as soon as they could, and as the door closed again she said to Craig, ‘I don’t remember being so boisterous, and neither was Pamela. Gloria was a little character though. We used to call her a wild cat, but she never used to charge around like those two. I suppose it must be a boy thing. Were you like them?’

  ‘Not that I recall, but I didn’t have much opportunity to run around. My parents were very protective of me. I think they mistakenly thought that being deaf made me fragile.’

  ‘They were probably like that because they loved you.’

  ‘Yes, I know. I was lucky to have such wonderful parents. It could have been worse …’

  ‘Like my mum and dad,’ Jenny said as they walked along the road. ‘Talking of which, fingers crossed that my mother’s out for a drink this afternoon, or, if she isn’t, that we can find someone who knows her and where she is.’

  ‘No, Dwight, I don’t want to go to the Bedford. Henry will probably be in there with all his rotten dustcart mates. How about the Duke of Devonshire?’ Lizzie suggested.

  ‘Sure, honey, I don’t mind where we go, just as long as I’ve got my gal on my arm to show off.’

  Lizzie retouched her lipstick and added a pair of ruby and diamond earrings. ‘I love these, Dwight,’ she said, and lifted her hair to show the earrings to their best effect.

  ‘They look mighty pretty on you. And you never know, you might be getting a matching necklace soon. When I saw them in the shop, I thought to myself, them rubies need to be worn with my lady’s luscious red lips. Now how about that, you look perfect.’

  Lizzie had grown fond of Dwight’s Southern drawl, but she liked it even better that he had money and wanted to spend it on her. He worked a few evenings a week playing with the band at the ABC dancehall and did two afternoons teaching music to a small group. She knew he wouldn’t earn much from that, but he’d told her he received annual payouts from a legacy left him by his grandfather. Apparently, the man had discovered oil on his ranch and the whole family had benefited from the new-found wealth it generated. She’d questioned why he lived in a housing association flat, and he’d said it suited his needs. Why buy a house when he’d rather lavish his money on her? he’d drawled. That suited Lizzie, and she intended to ensure she got as much out of him as she could. One thing Lizzie had learned was that nothing lasts forever. If Dwight dumped her, at least she’d have his expensive gifts to sell or pawn.

  The pub was quite a walk up the High Road, and by the time they arrived Lizzie was beginning to perspire. She was looking forward to a long, iced gin and tonic. Dwight held the door open for her, but as she was about to enter, to her dismay she heard her daughter Jenny’s voice calling. She clenched her jaw and spun around. The girl always seemed to show up lately at the most inopportune times.

  ‘Mum, thank goodness I’ve found you.’

  ‘Why? What do you want?’ Lizzie asked, not attempting to conceal her irritation.

  ‘I need to speak to you about Gloria.’

  Dwight stepped towards Lizzie and placed his arm around her waist. ‘Are you going to introduce us?’ he asked.

  ‘If I must. Dwight, this is Jenny, my eldest daughter.’

  ‘Jenny, such a pretty name. My second cousin is called Jenny and she’s got beautiful red hair, just like yours.’

  ‘Thanks, and this is Craig, my boyfriend.’

  ‘Pleasure to make your acquaintance, young man,’ Dwight said, and held out his hand to Craig.

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t catch what you said. Could you repeat it please?’ Craig asked as he shook Dwight’s hand.

  Jenny quickly stepped in and explained, ‘Craig’s deaf. He lip-reads, but he struggles with accents.’

  Dwight raised his voice so that he was almost shouting, and very slowly repeated what he’d said. ‘I – am – pleased – to – make – your – acquaintance.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter how loud you yell, he still won’t hear you,’ Jenny snapped.

  ‘I’ll thank you not to take that tone with Dwight.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mum, it’s just that I’m worried sick about Gloria.’

  ‘Why? Don’t tell me she’s got herself up the duff?’

  ‘No – but she’s moved in with her boyfriend, so it could happen. I’ve asked her to come home, but she won’t listen to me. I thought you could have a word with her, see if you can change her mind.’

  ‘What’s it got to do with you, or me, who she chooses to live with? It’s up to her and if she’s happy, leave her be.’

  ‘But, Mum, it isn’t right, she’s only sixteen.’

  Lizzie took a cigarette from her small clutch bag. Dwight was quick to pull a lighter from his trouser pocket and light it for her. She dragged deeply on it in an effort to calm her annoyance, then spoke. ‘I don’t need you to tell me how old my daughter is and at sixteen she’s of an age to make up her own mind. Christ, I was barely a year older than her when I met your father.’

  ‘So that’s it? You’re washing you
r hands of any responsibility?’

  ‘What responsibility? She doesn’t live with me, so your dad should sort her out.’

  ‘Well, thanks, Mum, thanks a lot! She’s ruining her reputation, but you don’t give a damn,’ Jenny said, then turned to Craig. ‘Come on, I should have known this would be a waste of time.’

  As Jenny marched off, Dwight said, ‘Wow, Lizzie, you’re nothing like my momma. She would have banged on that man’s door and given my little sister a slap across her face before pinching her ear and pulling her all the way home.’

  ‘You make your sister sound like a child, but surely Gloria is old enough to make her own decisions?’

  ‘It’s not for me to say.’

  ‘But you think I should make her go home?’

  Dwight sighed, sounding impatient as he said, ‘It’s your decision. Now come on, forget it for now and let’s have that drink.’

  ‘I should have known better so I don’t know why I’m disappointed at my mother’s reaction,’ Jenny moaned as she stomped along the High Road.

  ‘At least you tried. You’ve done your best, Jenny, don’t give yourself such a hard time. Your family are lucky to have you looking out for them,’ Craig replied.

  ‘I suppose, but maybe my best isn’t good enough.’

  ‘Gloria’s young, yes, but she’s old enough to make her own choices in life. You’ve tried to show her right from wrong but it’s down to her now. There’s nothing more you can do, so let’s make the most of having a few hours alone.’

  Jenny felt her mood lift and finally smiled. It was rare for her and Craig to have time without her brothers around, and yes, she wasn’t going to allow Gloria or her mother to spoil it. ‘What have you got in mind?’ she asked.

  ‘Fancy a stroll on Wandsworth Common?’

  ‘Yes, the sun is out, that would be nice,’ Jenny answered and felt Craig’s hand slip into hers.

  They were soon on the edge of the common, but rather than take the well-trodden path, Craig pulled her towards a large oak tree that stood all alone.

  ‘I’ve always loved this tree,’ he said as they stood underneath its gnarled branches. ‘When my parents died, I often used to come and sit here. I know it sounds silly, but this big old oak used to comfort me.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound silly, but how does a tree comfort you?’

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe because it’s been here for hundreds of years. It’s strong and wise. I always felt safe sitting with it. Look …’

  Craig pointed down to about a foot from the base of the tree. Jenny leaned closer and saw the bark had markings.

  ‘That’s your name,’ Jenny said, ‘and the date … is that 1954?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And here, it says 1955 … and 1956 … 1957 …’

  ‘Yep, I leave an engraving every year. Come, look,’ Craig said and led Jenny around to the other side of the tree. ‘Here.’

  Directly in front of Jenny, at eye height, she saw a large love heart etched into the wood. Craig’s initials were on one side of the heart and hers on the other. In the middle, Craig had carved the names of Peter, Timmy, Pamela and Gloria.

  ‘Oh, my goodness, Craig, that’s … beautiful,’ Jenny whispered, almost at a loss for words.

  Craig came to stand closely behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Then she felt his warm breath on her neck and he husked into her ear, ‘We’ll always be together, Jenny, forever etched into this tree.’

  She felt a tear escape her eye. It was so romantic and he understood how much her family meant to her. She turned around so he could see her lips and said simply, ‘Thank you.’

  At that moment, as a warm, gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the old oak, Jenny knew she loved Craig and just like their names in the wood, she knew she’d love him forever.

  Chapter 11

  It had been nearly a week since Dwight had met Lizzie’s eldest daughter. He’d asked about her other children, and the offhand way she spoke about them shocked him. He thought Lizzie had many good qualities, but she certainly wasn’t maternal. Still, he didn’t want to have babies with her, so it didn’t bother him. The woman was insatiable in bed and that’s why he liked her.

  It was now Saturday morning and as he walked along the street Dwight felt on top of the world. The morning had started off well. He’d had a long soak in the bath and Lizzie had come into the bathroom to pleasure him with her mouth. She’d then brought him coffee and washed his back. What more could a man want? Lizzie could be the sweetest angel and she looked as pretty as one too.

  They’d run out of cigarettes, so he’d left her eating ice-cream whilst he popped out to buy some, and wow, she even managed to make that look sexy. The first shop he went to didn’t have his preferred brand, so as it was such a glorious morning, he decided to take a stroll to find another tobacconist.

  It was some time later when Dwight came across Queenie’s. He walked into the shop, brow lifting when he saw the young woman behind the counter. She was a stunner and he thought he recognised her from somewhere.

  ‘Good morning, what can I get you?’ she asked.

  ‘I’d like a packet of Players, please. I say, Miss, I don’t mean to sound fresh, but you look mighty familiar. Have we met?

  ‘No, I don’t think so. I’d remember that American accent.’

  ‘Maybe I’ve seen you at the ABC dancehall? I’m in the band.’

  ‘I’ve never been in there.’

  ‘If you’d like to, I can get you free tickets.’

  ‘No, thanks. My boyfriend wouldn’t like it,’ she said, placing the pack of cigarettes on the counter.

  ‘You’ve got a boyfriend? Well, of course you have, a pretty young thing like you. I hope he treats you right?’ Dwight said as he paid for the Players before pocketing them.

  ‘Yes, he does, though he’d be right moody if he heard you flirting with me.’

  ‘I apologise, I wasn’t trying to flirt. This is just my ridiculous attempt at getting better acquainted with you. I love talking to beautiful ladies. I can’t help myself, it’s an illness,’ he said, grinning.

  ‘Illness,’ Gloria mused, but with a smile. ‘I somehow doubt that.’

  ‘Let me be correct and introduce myself. My name’s Dwight. Can I ask what yours is?’

  ‘Gloria … Gloria Lombard. I really like how you talk, it’s so different.’

  So that’s it, Dwight thought. The girl looked familiar because she was Lizzie’s daughter, the one who’d left home. He should have known. She had the same light blonde hair, and a naughty twinkle in her blue eyes. ‘Why, thank you, Gloria. I’m from Alabama and we all talk like this in the South.’

  Gloria leaned forward and rested her elbows on the counter. Dwight’s eyes were drawn to her firm breasts, and he noticed that she didn’t seem to mind him ogling them. It appeared she was very much like her mother, only younger and prettier. At that moment a thought occurred to him.

  ‘Well, Miss Gloria, it’s been delightful meeting you, and I hope to see you again sometime. If you change your mind about those free tickets, you call in any Saturday night and ask for me.’

  ‘Yeah, sure, thanks,’ Gloria answered.

  Dwight turned to leave with a wicked smile on his face. A plan was beginning to form in his head, and he turned it over in his mind as he walked home. By the time he arrived, Dwight had worked out how to bring his plan to fruition. Lizzie was partial to a gin or two, so he’d ply her with a few drinks, turn on the charm, and his powers of persuasion should work on her.

  As he stepped into his flat, Dwight was happily anticipating the future. He’d convince Lizzie that Gloria would be better off living with them, sure that he’d soon have the daughter in his bed – and then he’d get rid of the mother.

  Jenny snuggled up to Craig on the sofa, then looked up at him to say, ‘It’s so peaceful and quiet.’

  ‘I hoped it would be.’

  ‘Ah, so that’s why you gave Pamela the money to take the boys t
o Saturday morning pictures!’

  ‘Yep, I wanted to spend some time alone with you,’ Craig said, and pulled Jenny closer.

  ‘Is having us here getting on your nerves?’

  ‘No, not at all. I’ve got used to sleeping on that lumpy sofa, and the place wouldn’t be the same without tripping over wooden cars and stepping on Meccano. The bathroom would have something missing if there weren’t nylons hanging up, and the kitchen looks great with sticky fingermarks over the doors.’

  Jenny could see Craig was joking but pulled away from him and pretended to look hurt.

  ‘Come here, you silly sausage,’ Craig said, pulling her into his arms again. ‘I love having you all here and I love you.’

  With a sharp intake of breath, Jenny looked into Craig’s face. He’d said the three words she’d been longing to hear.

  ‘I said it, didn’t I? I told you that I love you …’

  Jenny was so overwhelmed that she was unable to speak and just nodded her head.

  ‘Oh dear, is it too soon? I shouldn’t have told you yet. I should have waited.’

  She looked up into his brown eyes and found her voice. ‘No. I feel the same. I love you too, Craig.’

  ‘Thank goodness,’ he said, hugging her. ‘I thought I’d blown it.’

  The precious moment was sealed with a long and passionate kiss. Jenny could feel sensations stirring in her body that she always experienced when Craig held her. He gently eased her backwards on the sofa, still exploring her mouth with his tongue, then she felt the weight of his body on hers. Everything was tingling, and she didn’t want it to stop, but she forced herself not to open her legs. She clasped his face in her hands and whispered, ‘Craig, no … not yet.’

  He immediately lifted himself off her and said, ‘I’m sorry, Jen, I was getting a bit carried away.’

  ‘I know, me too, but I can’t, not until, well, not until—’

  ‘We’re married,’ Craig interrupted, finishing her sentence. ‘Fair enough, but once we are I’m going to ravish that sexy body of yours. I’m really looking forward to our wedding night,’ he said, then gently kissed her cheek and playfully pinched her nose.