by June Francis
Dear Emma,
You are long overdue a letter from me but this will only be a short one. Hopefully you will have had a letter from Betty’s headmistress concerning her GCE exams and I am enclosing a postal order, the sum of which should be enough for her to stay in Waterloo while she sits her exams. The headmistress has suggested a sensible widow woman who is prepared to have my niece stay with her. Tell Betty I wish her luck and hope to see her when she feels ready to come home again.
Yours sincerely,
Elsie Gregory
Emma could only wonder what had happened in the Gregory household for Betty’s aunt to send such a letter. She wasted no time going into the kitchen where Betty was at the kitchen sink, washing strawberries.
‘I’ve two letters here that you must read,’ said Emma, her eyes alight. ‘One’s from your headmistress and the other from your aunt.’
‘What!’ Betty’s face was a picture of amazement.
Swiftly, she dried her hands and took the letters from Emma. Sitting down at the table, Betty began to read. When she had finished she looked up at her half-sister. ‘What’s been going on at home, I wonder?’
‘I’m sure we’ll find out sooner or later. It wouldn’t surprise me if Dorothy writes and lets us know. In the meantime, you’re going to have to decide what to pack to take with you to Waterloo,’ said Emma.
‘Will you come with me?’ asked Betty, her voice quivering.
Before Emma could answer, the door knocker banged vigorously. She hurried to answer it and pulled open the door to find Lila on the step. Her face was drawn and there were signs of tears on her cheeks.
‘What’s happened?’ asked Emma, reaching out and bringing her into the house. She made her sit down in the front room. ‘You look dreadful.’
‘Mam’s terribly ill,’ cried Lila, twisting a crumpled handkerchief between her fingers.
Emma’s eyes widened. ‘What’s wrong with her?’
Lila raised her hand in a helpless gesture and then let it drop. ‘The doctor said it’s food poisoning. Several people have already died up at the hospital. They’re blaming the meat pies they had for the party on Coronation Day. It’s touch and go.’
Emma was stunned and for a moment could not think what to say, and then she put her arm around her friend. ‘Your mother’s strong. She’ll get over it.’
Lila shook her head. ‘I’ve never seen her laid low like this and neither has Dad. We don’t know what to do, but one thing is for sure, I’m not going into work. I’m only here now because I had to do some shopping. I can’t linger.’
‘Do you want me to come back with you?’ asked Emma.
‘No. It’s OK. I just wanted to let you know.’ She brushed a tear away.
‘Can’t you even have a cup of tea?’
Lila hesitated. ‘OK. A quick one and then I’ll have to go.’
Emma called to Betty to put the kettle on.
Lila glanced at the table. ‘I thought you might be working on a client’s accounts today.’
‘I’ll do that this evening. I’m making strawberry jam this morning. Something interesting happened today. I received two letters. One from Betty’s headmistress and one from her aunt. She’s sent money, so Betty can stay near to her school and do her exams.’
‘Gosh, that is good news! Will you be going with her?’
Emma knew that if Lila needed her, then she must be there for her. ‘I’ll go with her, but not stay.’
Lila nodded. ‘Look, forget the cup of tea. You and Betty have enough on your hands. I’ll let you know how things go.’ She stood up and hurried out of the cottage before Emma could stop her.
Emma returned to the kitchen, but there was no need for her to tell Betty what had happened because she had overheard the conversation.
‘Gosh, Mrs Ashcroft’s got food poisoning and might die!’ exclaimed Betty. ‘When Aunt Elsie put it about that I had it, I never realised it was so serious.’
‘I know.’ Emma hesitated. ‘You don’t mind if I can’t stay with you in Waterloo?’
‘Of course not, I’d like your company but I understand that Lila and Mr Ashcroft might need you.’
‘Of course, I’ll come with you as far as Liverpool.’
Betty shook her head and tilted her chin. ‘No, it’ll cost money. It’s unlikely that I’ll bump into Uncle Teddy if I keep away from Litherland. Somehow, I doubt Aunt Elsie will have told him that I’ll be doing my exams.’
Emma gazed at her half-sister with a smile and thought, You’ve grown up a bit more since you’ve been here. You seem to be recovering your confidence. ‘OK, luv, if you’re all right with that, then we’d best carry on with the strawberries or they’ll spoil. I must get the jam done today as tomorrow is going to be another busy day. You’d best write a letter to the widow woman and let her know that you’ll be there on Saturday afternoon.’
The news came via the postman that Mrs Ashcroft had died. Betty told Emma not to worry about her, but to see what she could do to help her friend. Emma thought that was good of her, considering her half-sister must be apprehensive about the journey to Waterloo and her swiftly approaching exams.
There followed a difficult time for Emma, and it was with almost a sense of relief that she accompanied Betty to the station and saw her into a carriage. At the last minute, she handed her a parcel. ‘A little gift for your landlady and I hope all goes well with your exams. I’ll be praying for you. See you soon.’
Betty put her arms around Emma’s neck and hugged her. ‘Thanks for everything. I’ll be back.’
Emma kissed her cheek and then stepped away from the train. She waved until it was out of sight, then she returned to her cottage. She had agreed to do a buffet for the funeral guests, so there was plenty to occupy her, but she knew that she was going to miss Betty’s presence in the house.
Emma glanced surreptitiously at her friend’s pale face as they knelt side by side in the pew, and asked herself again how Lila and her father were going to cope without Mrs Ashcroft. He had a war pension and there were Lila’s wages going into the house, but life was going to be more difficult for them.
The prayers came to an end and the vicar announced the final hymn. As the organist played the first chords of ‘Abide with Me’ the congregation rose. Even Jack Ashcroft managed to struggle to his feet, despite his obviously being in pain. When the time came to follow the coffin down the aisle, Lila had the task of pushing him in the wheelchair while Emma slipped out by a side door. Jack had wanted to go straight home and dispense with the niceties. For once his daughter had argued with him, saying that it wouldn’t be right. Her mother had been a respected nursing sister at the hospital and a member of the WI.
As Emma’s cottage came into sight, she was surprised to see three figures standing outside her door. As she drew closer, they materialised into the recognisable persons of Dougie, Dorothy and Maggie. Dorothy was wearing a red swagger coat over a red pleated skirt and yellow blouse, and on her blonde hair was perched a pillbox-shaped hat made of red feathers. Emma felt quite envious and wished she could look so smart.
At any other time she would have welcomed them with open arms, but right now they presented her with a problem. She wondered if they knew that Betty was in Waterloo, or had Mrs Gregory decided to keep that a secret? Still, it looked like she might discover soon what had happened to cause Betty’s aunt to behave the way she did.
‘Hello, you three,’ called Emma. ‘It’s lovely to see you, but your being here isn’t very convenient.’
Dorothy looked at her with concern. ‘What’s up? You look tired.’
Emma shrugged. ‘I’m OK. But Lila’s mother died and I’m providing tea for the mourners and Betty has gone off to Waterloo to do her exams.’
Dorothy blinked. ‘What! How come?’
‘You must be wishing us anywhere else but here,’ said Dougie, frowning.
‘We could give you a helping hand,’ offered Dorothy.
Emma smiled. ‘Thanks, but it�
�s OK. The food’s all prepared and a couple of women from the village are coming to help out.’
‘So it’s best if we’re out of the way,’ said Dorothy. ‘But, before we toddle off for a walk, tell us how it came about that Betty is in Waterloo?’
Emma hesitated. ‘I’ll give you the bare bones of it. I wrote to the headmistress of Betty’s school and she must have got in touch with your mother. She’s sent a postal order for Betty’s board and lodgings while she does her exams. We did wonder why your mother should suddenly get in touch and be so helpful.’
Dorothy smiled and glanced at the other two. ‘We have an answer but we’ll explain later because you’re busy right now. We’ll come back in an hour or two.’
‘That’s fine,’ said Emma.
She was about to turn away, when Dougie said, ‘If you don’t mind, girls, I’d like to pay my respects to Mr Ashcroft and Lila.’
Dorothy could scarcely conceal her disappointment. ‘Of course, you’ve met them.’ She gave a wry smile. ‘I confess I’d rather you showed us the village and the ruins but we’ll have to manage without you.’
Dougie looked relieved. ‘Thanks for understanding. You shouldn’t have any difficulty finding your way around.’
Emma agreed, although she would have preferred not to have Dougie under her feet while she was getting things ready. ‘See you later,’ she said to the sisters.
They nodded and walked away.
Emma went inside the cottage, followed by Dougie. She removed her jacket, and after washing her hands, put the kettle on before taking milk from the larder.
‘Is there anything I can do?’ he asked.
She glanced up at him. ‘You can pour milk into cups but don’t be too heavy-handed with it.’
He was just about to do so, when there came a knock on the back door. It opened to reveal Emma’s two helpers. ‘Coo-ee! Can we come in?’
‘Of course you can come in,’ called Emma, smiling.
She introduced Dougie, knowing full well that they already had a fair idea who he was and were glad to have a closer look at him. She had little opportunity to see the effect he had on other people as they entered the house, but she did notice Lila’s expression as soon as she caught sight of him. He wasted no time going over to her and Mr Ashcroft and stayed talking to them for quite a while.
Most people had departed by the time Dorothy and Maggie returned from their walk. Hearing their voices, Emma glanced out of the window and saw them looking at the hens. She opened the door and called to them.
A few moments later, Dorothy limped into the kitchen. ‘Is it OK for me to take off my shoes, Emma?’ she asked. ‘I’ve gone and got a blister. You wouldn’t have a plaster, would you?’
‘I’m bound to have one somewhere,’ said Emma, pulling out a chair. ‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable.’
Dorothy sat in a chair and eased off her court shoes. ‘These really aren’t suitable for walking. Next time I come I’ll be prepared and maybe Dougie will take me hill walking.’
‘Fell walking, Dorothy, and you’ll need a proper pair of boots,’ he said, smiling at her.
‘I know,’ she said ruefully. ‘Perhaps you can advise me on the kind I should buy.’ She dimpled up at him.
‘I’d be happy to,’ said Dougie.
Lila glanced at him and then looked away.
‘Cup of tea, Dorothy, Maggie?’ asked Emma, after taking a tin of plasters out of a drawer and placing the tin on the table by Dorothy’s elbow.
‘Just what I need. You’re an angel,’ said Dorothy.
She glanced at Mr Ashcroft. ‘I’m sorry about your wife. I know what it feels like to lose someone you love,’ she said sincerely. ‘I lost my father not long after the war.’
‘Thank you,’ said Jack Ashcroft gruffly. ‘You’ll be Betty’s cousin. You don’t look like her.’
‘No, but my sister here does,’ said Dorothy, smiling. ‘Dougie was telling me that you make models out of matchsticks.’
‘Aye, I do,’ he said, glancing at Dougie. ‘I hope he didn’t build me up to be a marvel at the job.’
‘Actually,’ said Dorothy, leaning towards Jack, ‘he did. And I’ve been wondering if you’d make one for my brother.’
‘Your brother!’
‘Yes,’ said Dorothy, waggling her foot. ‘It’s his birthday in autumn and hopefully he’ll be home from Korea by then. He’s been doing his national service. Dougie told me that you were making a ship for him. I wondered if you could make a sailing ship for Jared. He used to enjoy reading the Hornblower books.’
Jack looked uncertain. ‘I have done a sailing ship in the past but it mightn’t be good enough for a birthday present.’
‘Couldn’t you try?’ asked Dorothy in a persuasive voice. ‘I’d really appreciate it. It would be something different.’
Jack hesitated. ‘I’ll see what I can do once I’ve got over this lot.’ He switched his gaze to Dougie. ‘You’ll be wanting your model. You can come with us and fetch it if you like. I’ll be glad to have it off my hands.’
‘Fine,’ said Dougie. ‘I’ll see you later, girls.’
Emma went with them to the front door and told Jack that she was still willing to have some of his models on display, if he was in favour of the idea. He agreed gruffly and she watched as Dougie helped Lila ease her father’s wheelchair down onto the pavement. She waved to them as they headed off along the road before returning to the kitchen.
‘Well!’ she exclaimed, smiling at Dorothy and Maggie who were sitting on the sofa together. Dorothy had eased off her stocking and was gazing at her bloodied heel.
‘Well what?’ asked Dorothy. ‘You’re wondering how we come to be here with Dougie. That’s easily answered.’ And she told Emma about the events that had taken place during the evening of Coronation Day.
When she had finished, interrupted several times by Maggie, Emma was frowning. ‘That probably explains why your mother wrote to me. But isn’t it possible your uncle might become even nastier now he’s been made a fool of?’
Dorothy pursed her lips and nodded. ‘It could be the reason why she didn’t tell us about Betty staying in Waterloo. Mum’s not daft and she could be worrying about Uncle Teddy getting into the habit of following one of us when we go out. You can bet he’ll be wanting to get back at Maggie for his ending up in a cell at the police station.’
Emma agreed. ‘You’re going to have to be on your guard.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Maggie in a sombre voice. ‘I keep looking over my shoulder. If only we could get rid of him.’
‘It’s not going to be easy,’ said Dorothy. ‘All my hopes are pinned on our Jared coming home.’ She glanced up at Emma and changed the subject. ‘Could you let me have a little bowl of water and a cloth, so I can wash the blood away?’
Emma nodded, and while Dorothy dealt with her blister, she fetched some food from the larder and placed it on the table. Maggie had picked up a book about the Pendle witches and she told Emma that she had found Betty’s doll but she had forgotten to bring it with her.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ said Emma. ‘She has a new one. There’s some displayed in the front room, now: I call them “wise women”.’
‘You know what would sell,’ suggested Maggie, turning over the pages. ‘A book of spells and recipes. I bet they’d sell like hot cakes.’
Dorothy nodded in agreement, ‘What about writing little individual recipes and placing them in their tiny hands and you could also do little herbal cures, as well.’
Emma nodded. ‘You mean like use feverfew for headaches?’
‘Do you have some in your garden?’
‘Aye, and I suppose I could cut the odd herb fresh and place a sprig in the doll’s other hand. It would be something different from those I’ve seen around Pendle and Clitheroe.’
The girls fell silent and got on with eating and drinking.
Emma offered more tea but they shook their heads. ‘We’ll have to be going soon,’ said
Dorothy. ‘When do you think Dougie will be back? Is the Ashcrofts’ house far?’
‘Outside the village, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d be much longer, knowing you’ve a train to catch and need to change a couple of times,’ said Emma.
She was right. Dougie arrived shortly after with a cardboard box. ‘So you’ve your model, then,’ said Emma.
He nodded. ‘Sorry if I seem to have been a long time. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you, Emma.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said lightly. ‘Dorothy’s brought me up to date with what’s been going on.’
‘I thought she might. Lila was telling me you still haven’t visited the registry office in Liverpool.’
‘That’s right,’ said Emma. ‘But I can’t see me making it into Liverpool for a while. Now that summer’s come, I’m going to be busy.’
‘I could visit the registry office for you,’ offered Dorothy. ‘Just remind me about what you’re looking for.’
‘That’s good of you,’ said Emma warmly. ‘But don’t you worry about it. I’ll get round to it one day.’
There was a silence.
‘Are we going, then?’ asked Dougie.
Dorothy nodded. ‘Better had. Don’t want to be too late, or when we speak to Mum, Big Ears might be there listening and we don’t want him knowing what’s going on.’
‘You know you’re welcome to come and visit, anytime,’ said Emma.
Dougie said, ‘Mam’s been nagging me to get some decorating done and it’s best done in the summer because paint dries quicker then.’ He looked at Emma. ‘I was thinking it would do Mr Ashcroft good to get out of the house. I even thought he could work here on his models when you’re open for business?’
Emma agreed that there was something in what Dougie said. ‘I’ll speak to Lila and see what she thinks.’
