by June Francis
‘Oh, Mother!’ sighed Dorothy. ‘She’s not a child. Anyway, has there been any sign of Uncle Teddy?’
‘No.’ Elsie frowned, and lowering her voice, asked, ‘Did Betty say anything about you-know-what?’
Dorothy whispered, ‘I mentioned it to her when we were on our own. She said that if I had half a brain I’d know who it was and she was thinking of knitting a little doll of Uncle Teddy and sticking pins in it.’
‘What!’ exclaimed Elsie. ‘That’s voodoo, isn’t it?’
Dorothy arched her eyebrows. ‘Never mind that! She’s as good as admitted he was responsible.’
‘But that’s witch country up there, and you don’t mean to tell me that it doesn’t brush off on people,’ said her mother.
‘Don’t be daft, Mum,’ said Dorothy, exasperated. ‘You should meet Emma and you’d realise what a nice person she is.’
‘I’ve written to her. Let that be enough,’ said Elsie, flicking ash into the fire. ‘I’d feel embarrassed meeting her after keeping quiet about her all these years and ignoring her letters.’
‘But you wrote to her during the summer,’ put in Maggie, who had been listening. ‘It would be a really nice gesture if you invited her to stay at Christmas.’
‘Christmas!’ exclaimed Elsie, aghast. ‘You must be joking.’
‘What’s wrong with Christmas?’ asked Dorothy, kicking off her shoes. ‘If Uncle Teddy continues to stay away, we could have a really good time. See what our Jared has to say when he comes home. I’m sure he’ll be in favour of it.’
‘She still mightn’t want to come,’ muttered her mother.
‘I’m certain Emma has a forgiving nature.’
‘Then she must take after her father,’ said Elsie. ‘I’ll tell you what. I’ll think about it.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Emma stood, holding the ladder, gazing up at Jared as he descended. Her expression relaxed and she moved aside as he reached the bottom.
‘Well?’ she asked.
He dusted his hands on the back of his trousers and nodded slowly. ‘I should be able to manage it.’
‘That’s a relief. Do you have any idea of how much the materials will cost, so I can give you the money before you leave today?’
‘I’m not short,’ he said, lifting the ladder and balancing it on his shoulder. ‘You can pay me when the job’s done.’
‘Are you sure?’ Emma hurried round to the other end of the ladder and got a hold on it. ‘How are you going to get the materials here? Will you be coming on the train with them? I suppose we could have ordered them locally,’ she said, trying to keep up with him as he made for the shed.
‘You’d pay more. My boss will give me a discount and he’ll probably lend me one of the work vans,’ said Jared.
‘You can drive?’
‘Yep. I learnt when I was eighteen so I could ferry material from the yard to different sites. I’m thinking of buying my own car soon.’
Betty, who had been feeding the hens, chimed in, ‘That would be useful. Don’t you find it peaceful here, Jared? And it’s lovely in summer.’
Jared put down the end of his ladder and eased the rest of it over his shoulder, dragging it rung by rung as Emma released her hold on the other end. ‘Do you walk the fells, Emma?’ he asked.
She eased her back and met his gaze. ‘I used to when Granddad was alive, but I haven’t done so since he died. My weekends have been taken up trying to get the tea room off the ground during the best of the weather.’
‘But at this time of year, surely you’ll have the time?’ he asked, holding her gaze.
‘If the weather is fine, but it can get pretty nasty during the winter up on Pendle,’ she said, wanting to be honest with him. This, despite thinking it would be great to have him visiting her and going for walks together. She imagined them coming back from a day out in the fresh air on a crisp, cold, sunny winter’s day and having a hot meal together in front of the fire.
Betty interrupted, ‘But you don’t have to go to Pendle for a bit of peace and quiet, you can get that here. It’s just what us townies need every now and again.’
Jared agreed. It really was peaceful at the moment, despite the hens squabbling over the last of the chicken feed. There was the distant sound of the River Calder running over the rocks, and sheep bleating, the smell of woodsmoke and damp vegetation. He found it difficult to imagine Emma in a different setting. He had only known her for twenty-four hours and yet he wanted to marry her, but that would mean taking her away from here to the city, where his work was.
Emma sighed and then said abruptly, ‘How about us going for a walk before you two have to catch the train?’
Betty glanced up at the sky. ‘It looks like it might rain.’
‘A bit of rain won’t harm us,’ said Emma.
‘I’m game,’ said Jared, smiling down at her.
They headed towards the house and Emma put on an old waterproof of her grandmother’s and tied a scarf around her head.
Jared grinned at her. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve a waterproof that would fit me?’
Emma’s heart lifted at the sight of that smile of his; she must look a sight, dressed as she was. Oh, she really did like him! ‘You can borrow Granddad’s. I never did get round to getting rid of it when I sold the rest of his clothing.’
He reached for the waterproof and put it on and found it too short in the arms. ‘I bet I look like a scarecrow,’ he said with a wry smile. ‘All I need is a battered hat and some straw sticking out of my neck and sleeves.’
Emma giggled. ‘We’ll find a field to put you in and see if you frighten the birds.’
‘Stop messing about, you two,’ said Betty with mock severity, ‘and let’s be on our way. I want to be back in Liverpool before dark.’
Emma had a sudden idea as they set off along the road. ‘Let’s go and see Mr Ashcroft, Jared. You said that you wanted to meet him.’
‘That’s fine with me,’ said Betty. ‘I like Mr Ashcroft.’
As they left the village behind she showed Jared where she went blackberrying in the autumn. ‘I must give you a pot of jam to take home for your mother,’ she said. ‘Food for free, that’s what my grandmother used to say every time we went blackberrying,’ she added, filled with a sense of well-being as she strode along beside Jared. ‘Granddad used to say it wasn’t true. We put time and effort into picking the blackberries and we ended up with purple-stained fingers and tiny, irritating prickles in our skin.’
‘I’ve been blackberrying in my time. Ma insisted on us all going after Dad died. We went along the canal, loads of berries there.’
She looked at him and caught an expression in his eyes that caused her heartbeat to quicken. ‘I’ll have to enlist your help next year when it’s jam-making time,’ she said boldly.
‘I’ll be glad to be of service,’ he said, with the slightest of bows.
‘Will you two stop talking and do more walking or we’ll never get there,’ said Betty over her shoulder. ‘I reckon it could rain any minute now.’
She was right.
The heavens opened and the rain sheeted down. ‘We’d better make a run for it,’ cried Emma, putting on a spurt.
It did not take them long to reach the Ashcrofts’ house. Emma spotted Jack’s face at the window and he signalled that they went round the back. The three of them hurried round the side of the house and in through the kitchen door and hung their waterproofs on the hooks there.
‘Are you all right?’ called Mr Ashcroft.
‘Aye, we’re coming through,’ said Emma.
She led the way and was glad to see that there was a fire burning in the grate. She thought Lila’s father looked worried. ‘Are you OK, Mr Ashcroft?’ she asked with concern. ‘Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?’
‘Aye, thanks, lass. I’m just a bit worried about our Lila and Dougie.’
‘Dougie Marshall’s up here?’ she asked, remembering what Dorothy had said yesterday about h
is having visited and not mentioned it.
‘Aye. He’d arranged to come last time he was here and so our Lila took the day off. He’s bought a blinking motorbike and has taken her over to Pendle. In this weather the mist could come down and the pair of them could get lost.’
‘How long ago is it since they left the house?’ asked Jared.
‘Several hours,’ replied Jack. ‘You must be Dorothy’s brother.’
Jared said that he had that pleasure and Emma vanished into the kitchen to make tea. She wondered what Dougie was playing at, supposedly going dancing with Dorothy and letting her down and then coming up here and taking Lila out on a motorbike up to Pendle. Of course, as far as she knew, he’d made no promises to either one. It was a good job that she, herself, had got over the crush she’d had on him.
Betty suddenly appeared at Emma’s elbow. ‘Mr Ashcroft asked could you make him a sandwich. He also offered us something to eat, as well. What do you think? We don’t want to eat him out of house and home because he’s not well off, is he?’
‘No, luv, he isn’t. The trouble is that he might feel insulted if we refuse his offer,’ said Emma. ‘We don’t have to eat much.’
They made some sandwiches and took them in. Jared was frowning as he listened to Jack Ashcroft. Shortly after, Jared drew Emma aside. ‘It seems to me as if your friend, Dougie, is two-timing my sister. I’ll have something to say when I see him.’
Emma said, ‘I know how you feel but don’t create a scene, Jared! It’s obvious both have something that he likes and he can’t make up his mind between them.’
Jared glowered. ‘Maybe not, but I wouldn’t behave the way he does towards you and I only met you yesterday. I can tell you now, Emma, I feel like I’ve known you for ages.’
She felt a warm glow inside. ‘I feel the same,’ she said, touching his hand. ‘But be that as it may, people are different, Jared. Because of his mother and brothers, Dougie might be in no rush to make up his mind when it comes to choosing the girl he’d like to spend the rest of his life with.’
She had no sooner finished speaking than there came the roar of an engine outside, growing ever closer. The next moment Jared had left her and was out of the house. ‘No, wait,’ she called, and followed after him.
She heard the engine cut out and then a skidding sound and a crash. She ran and came out onto the road to find Jared flat on his back and Dougie a couple of feet away, gazing down at the motorbike on the ground, its wheels still spinning. She wondered where Lila was and then saw her picking herself up off the road. She seemed OK, so Emma gave all her attention to Jared.
She knelt on the ground, ‘Are you all right?’ she asked anxiously, kneeling on the damp ground beside him. He opened his eyes and winced. ‘Thank God, you’re not dead,’ she said.
He reached up and brought her head down and kissed her. ‘What was that for?’ she asked, lifting her head.
‘It seemed the right thing to do to reassure you that I was very much alive,’ he said, smiling.
‘Dafty,’ she said, returning his smile. ‘Can you get up?’
‘Of course I can, but no thanks to him,’ said Jared, scowling in Dougie’s direction. Jared got to his feet and said, ‘You’re a bloody fool!’
‘Sorry. I didn’t see you there,’ said Dougie, having removed his goggles.
‘Have you forgotten about me?’ asked Lila, coming up behind him.
Dougie turned and smiled at her. ‘You’re a game girl. You’ve enjoyed today, haven’t you?’
‘Aye, but I’m not sure about the motorbike. It’s a dangerous contraption and you should get rid of it,’ she said, a tremor in her voice.
‘But, Lila! I bought it so I could come and see you more often,’ he said, looking dismayed.
‘That’s very flattering,’ she said, rubbing her bottom. ‘But you were plain daft coming down the hill at that speed with the road wet. We could have both been killed.’
‘But we weren’t,’ said Dougie unnecessarily.
‘No, but we could have been, and who would have looked after me dad then?’ said Lila, who was looking a mess. Her clothes and boots were sodden and there was a smear of mud across her pretty face.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Dougie.
‘So you should be,’ she retorted. ‘I’m going in and you can go home.’
‘Go home!’ exclaimed Dougie. ‘You’re not serious?’
‘Of course I’m serious,’ said Lila, shivering. ‘See you another time, maybe.’ She limped past him and paused in front of Emma and Jared. ‘I suppose you’re Jared,’ she said.
‘That’s right.’ His tone was brusque.
Lila said, ‘I’m sorry you were knocked down. Dorothy told me you were here. Have you been inside?’ She jerked her head in the direction of the house.
‘Your dad was a bit worried about you, Lila,’ said Emma. ‘We’ll be leaving now you’re here.’
Lila sighed. ‘He would, wouldn’t he? I don’t know what I’m going to do about him and Dougie.’
‘We’ll leave you to it,’ said Emma hastily. ‘We’ll just get our waterproofs and be on our way. Jared and Betty have to go back to Liverpool today.’
Lila nodded and limped up the path.
‘Lila, wait!’ shouted Dougie, going after her. ‘I’ll get rid of the motorbike. I’ll do anything to please you. I love you. I want to marry you.’
Lila stopped, turned round and stared at him from wide eyes. ‘Y-you want to marry me?’ she stammered.
‘Yes!’
‘B-but what about my dad?’
‘I’ll marry him, too,’ said Dougie, running his hand across his face. ‘I mean he can come, too.’
‘Y-you mean to Liverpool?’ asked Lila in disbelief.
‘There’ll be more life for him there.’
‘B-but where would we live? Isn’t it hellish difficult to get a house in Liverpool?’
‘If I get married, I can probably get a police house. Don’t have to live right in the centre of the city. There are newer housing estates a bit further out,’ said Dougie.
Lila’s face lit up. ‘I think you really mean it. OK, then … I mean, yes! You’d better come and talk to me dad about it.’ She linked her arm through Dougie’s and glanced over her shoulder at Emma and winked. ‘You will be my bridesmaid, won’t you?’
Emma nodded, completely flabbergasted.
Betty suddenly appeared with their waterproofs. She said something to Lila, who nodded, and then the younger girl came towards Jared and Emma. ‘You coming?’ she asked them.
Jared blinked and shook his head as he stared after Lila and Dougie. ‘I feel like giving him a punch,’ he said, ‘but I suppose that’s hardly civilised.’
‘No,’ said Emma, smiling. ‘I know it’s tough luck on Dorothy, but I am glad for Lila. I’m sure your Dorothy will have no trouble finding someone else.’
Jared said, ‘I’m glad you don’t still fancy him.’
‘How can you even think that, after …?’ She blushed.
Jared reached for her hand. ‘It really is lovely countryside around here. I can’t imagine you ever wanting to leave it.’
‘I’d have to have a very good reason for doing so,’ said Emma, gazing up at him, knowing that it was unlikely that he’d leave Liverpool to come and live up here. He needed to be where his work was, and what would she do about her cottage? But she was thinking too far ahead to a future with a man she had only met yesterday. The way the pair of them felt about each other could just be a passing phase.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Elsie placed a bowl of scouse on the table in front of her son and then sat down opposite him. ‘I thought you’d have been home earlier,’ she said.
‘I saw Betty back to her bedsit and then went to the yard and spoke to the boss. I needed a favour from him,’ said Jared, letting out a yawn. ‘I’ll be going back to Emma’s tomorrow. Her roof’s leaking and I promised I’d fix it for her.’ He reached for the bottle of HP sauce and unscrewed th
e top.
‘That’s generous of you,’ said Elsie, reaching for a cigarette. ‘But don’t forget you’ve got a family here who needs you.’
He frowned. ‘I haven’t forgotten, Ma. Has there been any sign of Teddy?’
‘No, but even so, who’s to say that he mightn’t suddenly turn up?’ said Elsie, lighting up. ‘I’d prefer it if you were here when he does.’
‘So would I,’ said Jared, his eyes darkening.
‘I don’t think he’s going to come back,’ said Maggie.
‘Wishful thinking,’ said her mother, without looking at her. ‘So, who does Emma look like?’
‘I’d say Uncle William,’ said Jared, ‘but then I never met her mother. Emma has his colour hair and his eyes.’
‘William had lovely brown eyes,’ murmured Elsie. ‘I remember he was good with you. It would have been nice for him to have had a son. His first wife was in digs with a neighbour of ours in Liverpool, you know, so we knew his first wife, Mary, before he did. Our Lizzie used to lodge with us and she and Mary got quite friendly, with our Lizzie loving the theatre and doing a bit of singing herself. Mary invited us along to the Royal Hippodrome on West Derby Road when it was still a theatre. She had a lovely singing voice and did a bit of dancing and acting, as well. We were invited backstage and that was when we met William for the first time.’ She paused to have a quick puff on her cigarette before continuing. ‘Our Lizzie got friendly with a member of the cast, but he was only there off and on. Like a lot of actors and actresses, he was often on tour or out of work. It could be months before she saw him again. This went on for ages, and then one year he didn’t come back.’ She fell silent.
‘Carry on, Mum,’ said Dorothy, glancing up from filing her fingernails. ‘This is really interesting. Why didn’t you tell us about it before.’
Elsie’s eyes narrowed and she waved the cigarette smoke away. ‘Because it was the past and didn’t involve you. Where was I?’
‘Aunt Lizzie’s bloke didn’t come back,’ said Maggie.
