It Had To Be You

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It Had To Be You Page 14

by June Francis


  Betty sat there, listening, wishing she could get as excited as Lila over what was really just an ordinary skirt and jumper. Her mind drifted and she thought about what Emma had said about taking her to the pantomime. Like Dorothy, Betty enjoyed a good panto and it would be special because she’d be going with Emma. It was something to look forward to after Christmas was over.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  ‘You’re lucky Christmas is coming, lass, I’ll give you five pound for it,’ said the man on the market stall in Clitheroe.

  Emma was not prepared to haggle. She needed the money more than she needed her grandmother’s silver candelabra and saw little point in pawning it when she could not see herself having the means to redeem it.

  ‘I’ll take it,’ she said.

  She would be seeing Betty, as well as Dorothy, in Liverpool on New Year’s Eve. It had come as a surprise to receive a letter from her sister’s cousin but she had welcomed the friendly gesture. They had exchanged letters several times since that first one. It was Dorothy who had written to say that she would purchase the tickets for the pantomime to save Emma the worry of perhaps arriving in Liverpool and having to queue up, only to discover the seats were sold out. She would like to go, too, and bring Maggie, as well. Emma was pleased with the notion and indeed was beginning to feel almost part of the family.

  She had enclosed a birthday card with a postal order in a letter to Betty for her birthday in November. She had also knitted a hat, scarf and gloves as well as several dolls that she had stuffed with cotton wool and then kitted out as witches, even providing them with twiggy broomsticks. She had got the idea from having seen some witch-like figures in a Clitheroe fancy gift shop during the summer. After Easter, she planned to sell her own version of the Pendle witches in her tea room. Hopefully the day trippers would like them and they would go like the proverbial hot cakes.

  Like so many people in the area, she considered the Pendle witches to have been simply wise women, who had a knowledge of herbs and a gift for healing, although there had been those found guilty of extortion by threatening to put a spell on people and using so-called black magic. The trials had taken place seventy years or more after Henry the Eighth’s dissolution of the monasteries. The loss of the local abbot had created a moral vacuum and the area had become a wild place once more. Ten of the so-called witches had included two men, and they had been hanged.

  Emma felt a shiver go through her at the thought of meeting death in such a way. She placed the money from the sale of the candelabra in the pouch, attached to the cord around her neck, and buttoned up her coat. She was glad that those days were in the distant past. Yet even here, in this country market town of Clitheroe, there were bound to be thieves about. The other day she had read about a boy who’d dressed up as a girl and broken into a house. The owners had left the burglar alone in a locked room and he’d jumped out of the window. Some boys had given chase and discovered the ruse. She could not imagine that happening in her own village, but even so, one had to be careful. There were still people about who were cruel and dishonest.

  Emma caught the bus to her village and hurried home through a drizzle. When she arrived at the cottage she put her shopping away, placed a log on the fire and switched on the wireless. It was Wilfred Pickles and she relaxed as she made herself a cup of a tea and a bite to eat. She really enjoyed the programme Have a Go which involved ordinary people talking about their lives and answering questions for prizes. One of his catchphrases was ‘What’s on the table, Mabel?’ She was his wife. Another was ‘Give her the money, Barney.’

  She wondered if her sister listened to the programme. At least she would soon be seeing her, as well as having a few days away from the cottage. Dot had suggested booking Emma into a bed & breakfast in Liverpool for New Year’s Eve, so she wouldn’t have to worry about getting the train back home late at night. Emma had agreed and was glad she had got a reasonable price for the silver candelabra. At least she had someone who cared about her, even if it wasn’t Dougie, whom she had still not heard from despite the letter she had sent him after her last trip to Liverpool.

  ‘Are you two ready?’ asked Dorothy impatiently, tapping her foot on the hall lino.

  ‘We’re coming now,’ said Betty. ‘Maggie couldn’t find her left shoe.’

  ‘What’s the rush?’ Elsie came out of the kitchen, nursing a cup of tea. ‘Where are the three of you going?’

  Betty froze and then glanced at Maggie. It had been Dorothy who had told her sister about Betty’s half-sister and that it was something she had to keep quiet about if she wanted to go to the pantomime with them.

  ‘If I’ve told you once, Mum, I’ve told you ten times,’ said Dorothy, looking her mother squarely in the eyes and smoothing a glove. ‘I’m taking the girls to the pantomime as a treat.’

  Elsie frowned. ‘I don’t remember you mentioning it.’

  ‘That’s because you never listen to me.’

  ‘That’s a lie! Anyway, why don’t I get treated?’

  ‘This is part of their Christmas present from me,’ said Dorothy, opening the front door. ‘Besides, you’ve always said that you hate the pantomime, think it’s stupid.’

  ‘Well, it is,’ said Elsie, resting her hip against the door jamb. ‘Men dressing up as women and women as men.’

  ‘Mum, I’m not going to argue with you now. We’ve got to go. I’ve seats booked. Come on, girls!’ ordered Dorothy, holding the door ajar.

  ‘But you’re leaving me in all on my own on New Year’s Eve,’ complained Elsie.

  ‘That’s not our fault. You should have insisted on going to the pub with Uncle Teddy, instead of letting him go off on his own,’ said Dorothy. ‘I saw you giving him money.’

  ‘It’s none of your business,’ snapped her mother. ‘Now, get out!’

  ‘I’m going. I just wish you’d never married him. He’s done us no good. He wheedled his way in here, making you feel sorry for him and—’

  ‘That’s enough!’ said Elsie harshly. ‘You don’t know what it’s like to have been married to a man and then left bereft.’

  ‘He’s not a patch on Dad,’ said Dorothy.

  ‘Shut up, right now! I don’t want to be reminded of your dad and his sufferings.’ Her tone brooked no argument.

  Dorothy hesitated. ‘We all miss him, Mum. I just wish—’

  ‘I know what you wish. Now go!’ ordered Elsie.

  Maggie went over to her mother and hugged her about the waist. ‘I wish you were coming, Mum. See you later.’

  Elsie stroked her hair with an unsteady hand and then pushed her away. ‘Go and enjoy yourself.’

  ‘I will,’ said Maggie. ‘But why don’t you go out and enjoy yourself?’

  ‘I might,’ said Elsie.

  ‘What’s going on here?’

  Dorothy stared at her uncle and thought he looked two sheets to the wind already. ‘Here he is, Mum, back already,’ she said. ‘Your little hero. A lot of good he’ll be as company this evening. He’ll snore the hours away till midnight.’

  Teddy glared at Dorothy and attempted to block her way. She forced her way past him, dragging the girls with her. It was a relief to be outside in the cold evening air.

  ‘I thought we weren’t going to get out then,’ said Maggie, looking worried. ‘D’you think we did right leaving Mum with him?’

  ‘Don’t you be worrying,’ said Dorothy soothingly. ‘Mum can look after herself. Now, let’s run. We don’t want to be late.’

  ‘Let’s hope Emma makes it,’ said Betty. ‘What is it we’re seeing? I’ve forgotten.’

  ‘Jack and the Beanstalk and I’m sure it’ll be a laugh,’ said Dorothy, concerned about her mother, despite the reassurances she had given to her sister.

  Emma was already at the meeting place and looking anxiously about her. It was the first time she had been in the city after dark. She was trembling with nervous excitement, clutching the bag containing the presents she had brought for her sister. She had a pres
ent for Dorothy, as well, for her going to all the trouble of booking the seats and the bed & breakfast place for her.

  The neon lights advertising Guinness drew her fascinated eye as she waited outside Lime Street station. She thought how coincidental it would be if Dougie suddenly hovered into view. Then she spotted Betty, Dorothy and Maggie.

  ‘Emma, you made it!’ cried Betty, flinging her arms around her.

  Emma hugged her half-sister, delighted by her welcome. ‘Did you have a good Christmas?’

  ‘It was OK. What about you? Were you on your own? Were you lonely?’

  Emma was touched by her concern. ‘I missed Granddad, of course, but I did spend part of Christmas Day with my friend, Lila, and her parents.’

  ‘Emma, I think you’ve met Maggie,’ interrupted Dorothy.

  Emma nodded in the youngest girl’s direction. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hello,’ replied Maggie.

  ‘Now, come on, all of you,’ said Dorothy. ‘You can chat on the way. We want to be in on our seats in plenty of time.’

  ‘I owe you some money,’ said Emma, as they began walking along Lime Street and past the Empire Theatre.

  ‘It can wait,’ said Dorothy. ‘This-a-way.’

  They crossed London Road and hurried into Fraser Street where the Shakespeare theatre was situated. People were already entering the building and the four girls wasted no time going inside. They found their seats and settled down. Dorothy had brought a bag of sweets and passed it along. Emma decided to leave the present-giving until later.

  ‘I hope you can sing, Emma,’ said Dorothy, ‘because there’s bound to be a singalong and they like you to try and lift the roof off.’

  ‘Of course I can sing,’ replied Emma, crunching a pear drop. ‘I presume you three can sing if you’ve been going along to the musical evenings at the Gianellis’.’

  ‘I have been known to belt out a tune when asked to give a turn,’ said Dorothy, her green-blue eyes dancing. ‘It’s a pity that home entertainment will soon be on its way out.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ asked Emma.

  ‘Have you got a telly, Emma?’ asked Maggie, who was straining to hear what the elder two were saying.

  ‘No,’ said Emma, flashing her a smile. ‘I’ve never even seen a telly.’

  ‘Never?’ chorused Maggie and Betty, looking shocked.

  ‘Never,’ affirmed Emma, her eyes amused by their reaction. ‘I listen to the wireless a lot.’

  ‘We’ve seen telly at a friend’s house and several others have said their parents are determined to buy one in time for the queen’s coronation,’ said Maggie. ‘I’m going to get to work on Mum for us to get one. You should get one too, Emma.’

  Emma could not see herself being able to afford a television in the foreseeable future, so changed the subject. ‘Any news of your brother, Dorothy?’ she asked.

  ‘Not recently. But I’m praying that no news is good news.’ A shadow crossed Dorothy’s face. ‘There was a battle just before Christmas that the Lord Mayor of Liverpool called Operation Scouse. The King’s Regiment was in the forefront of the fighting to rescue prisoners from the Commies.’

  ‘That must have been worrying for you,’ said Emma, remembering her first sight of Jared Gregory and that Betty had promised to show her a photograph of him.

  ‘It was,’ said Dorothy. ‘It’s blinking awful, but I suppose it’ll all come to an end one day.’ She sat up straight in her seat. ‘Let’s not get ourselves miserable but look forward to the pantomime.’

  No sooner had she finished speaking than the fire curtain rose and the lights dimmed. Conversation ceased as the curtains opened to reveal a scene that looked as if it had come out of a picture book.

  For several hours they all enjoyed the colour, the costumes, the jokes, the singing and the dancing, and were completely taken out of themselves. As they left the theatre all agreed that it had been magic.

  ‘I wouldn’t mind a goose that laid golden eggs. I don’t suppose you have one in your village, Emma?’ teased Dorothy.

  ‘If only,’ she said, her eyes sparkling. ‘What I have got is a few little Christmas presents.’

  ‘What are they?’ asked Betty, looking pleased.

  ‘Nothing wildly exciting. Open them when you get home.’

  With a flourish Betty produced from her bag an envelope. ‘And you’re not to look at what’s inside this until you’re alone.’

  Emma thanked her and pocketed the envelope before turning to Dorothy. ‘Now, I owe you money for the pantomime ticket.’

  ‘No, you don’t,’ said Dorothy. ‘It’s my present to you.’

  Emma frowned. ‘I can’t accept that.’

  ‘Yes, you can,’ said Dorothy firmly. ‘You’ve had enough expense getting here and you wouldn’t have had to stay overnight if I’d been able to get tickets for a matinee. Unfortunately I couldn’t.’

  Emma decided to accept the gift with good grace. ‘Thanks, that’s very kind.’

  There was a silence.

  Then Betty asked, ‘When will I see you again?’

  ‘I wish I could say tomorrow, but I have to go back early as I’ve urgent bookkeeping work I must catch up on,’ said Emma. ‘I’ll write and arrange to meet up with you as soon as I can.’

  ‘OK,’ said Betty, kissing Emma’s cheek. ‘See you when I see you.’

  Dorothy smiled at Emma. ‘I’ve enjoyed our outing.’

  ‘Me, too. Thanks again and happy New Year,’ said Emma, blinking back unexpected tears before hurrying away.

  Dorothy was tempted to go after her and ask if she’d like to walk around the town and see it coming even more alive as midnight approached. Yet she knew that she had to get the younger girls home. ‘So-oo, I wonder when we will next see Emma,’ she murmured.

  ‘I bet it’ll be months,’ sighed Betty.

  It was not until they were on the bus that the cousins decided to open their presents. Betty tore off the wrapping to expose a long, colourful, knitted scarf, hat and gloves.

  ‘Sensible,’ said Dorothy.

  ‘They’ll be lovely and warm,’ said Betty, draping the scarf around her neck. ‘But there’s something else in here.’ She drew out a knitted doll.

  ‘What’s it supposed to be?’ asked Maggie, reaching for it.

  Betty held the doll out of her reach. ‘It’s obvious that it’s a Pendle witch. I remember Emma telling me about them. Look she’s got gozzy eyes. I wonder if Emma did that deliberately to make me smile. Imagine this witch trying to cast a spell if she can’t see straight. I’m going to call her Winnie.’

  ‘How original,’ said Maggie sarcastically.

  ‘You must admit it’s not your usual kind of present,’ said Dorothy, chuckling. ‘What else is in there?’

  Betty handed over two small bags tied up with tape. Dorothy sniffed. ‘I can smell cinnamon.’

  They ate the biscuits on the walk from the bus to their house. Betty remembered to put the ends of her scarf beneath her coat, not wanting her aunt to notice it and ask questions. Winnie the Witch she stuffed into her bag. When they arrived home it was to find just one light on in the hall.

  ‘Mum and Uncle Teddy must have gone to bed,’ said Dorothy, surprised.

  ‘Who’s going to first-foot?’ asked Betty.

  ‘I remember when our Jared used to do it,’ said Maggie.

  Dorothy said in a fierce voice, ‘Shut up!’

  Betty sighed. ‘It seems a bit tame going to bed on New Year’s Eve this early. Can we be sure they’ve both gone to bed?’

  ‘If he’s in bed, he’ll be snoring,’ said Maggie. ‘If he’s not, then he’s gone out again.’

  ‘You two go up and listen, while I put the kettle on,’ said Dorothy.

  Betty and Maggie crept upstairs and stood on the landing, listening. They could hear Teddy snoring and went back downstairs. ‘He’s up there, all right,’ said Betty. ‘Presumably Aunt Elsie’s tucked up with him.’

  ‘She might have gone out,’ said
Maggie.

  ‘Maybe. Even so, it seems I might have to let the new year in,’ said Dorothy.

  ‘OK! But you don’t have to go yet,’ said Betty. ‘Leave it until just before midnight in case Aunt Elsie wakes up and comes down.’

  So it was agreed. They talked about the pantomime with the wireless on so they wouldn’t forget the time. As it drew closer to midnight Dorothy made her preparations. She placed a small lump of coal, a slice of bread, salt in a twist of paper and a couple of pennies into her coat pocket.

  ‘I’m coming with you,’ said Maggie, with an air of excitement. ‘You can’t go on your own. You don’t know who you might bump into.’

  ‘OK,’ said Dorothy, smiling down at her younger sister, ‘but make sure you’re wrapped up.’ She glanced at Betty. ‘You’d better be listening out to let us in. We don’t want to have to knock loud and wake him up.’

  Betty nodded, not wanting to rouse Teddy either.

  She saw the sisters out at ten to twelve and then went and curled up on the sofa, listening to the wireless and waiting for Big Ben to strike the midnight hour. She did not have long to wait, and the strokes had scarcely finished when she heard the ships’ sirens on the Mersey sounding and church bells ringing. The next moment came the noise of heavy footfalls overhead. Damn! The noise must have woken him up. Maybe it would wake her aunt up, too?

  She made a dash for the front door, hoping the other two would be waiting there, only to slip on the carpet runner in the lobby. Her feet went from under her and she landed flat on her back.

  ‘Is that you, Elsie?’

  Betty recognised Teddy’s voice and hastily rolled over and pushed herself up onto her hands and knees. ‘No, it’s me, Betty.’

  ‘Where’s your bloody aunt?’ he demanded, hovering into view on the stairs.

 

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