A Nest of Singing Birds

by A Nest of Singing Birds (retail) (epub)

  Anne and Sarah were pleased to see Mabel her own pleasant self again. As the summer approached they spent much of their time cycling but most Sundays went to North Wales on the pillion seats of motorcycles owned by two brothers whom they met at a caelidhe.

  ‘I’m glad to be out of the house,’ Anne confessed to Sarah. ‘My grandma never stops moaning and picking faults. My poor mum can do nothing right for her. I don’t know how she stands it.’

  In spite of these words Anne was unprepared to come home one day and hear that her mother had collapsed. Mrs Bennet the cleaning woman had found her in the back kitchen and had helped her on to the sofa. In spite of Julia’s pleas for her to tell nobody, Mrs Bennet had gone to Carrie’s house and she had dashed up to take over.

  Mrs Bennet had come back in the evening and the family had thanked her profusely. ‘She didn’t want me to say nothing, but she put the heart sideways in me, the colour of her, and the ould one carrying on ringing a bell and calling. I run down for Mrs Anderson and I was afraid to come back for fear of what I’d find,’ Mrs Bennet said.

  ‘Thank God you came in, Mrs Bennet, and got Auntie Carrie. Mum takes notice of her,’ Maureen said.

  ‘She must have been feeling bad and keeping quiet about it,’ Pat said. ‘For fear she’d upset her mother, I suppose.’

  ‘Aye, she was too soft altogether and the old lady played on her,’ Mrs Bennet said. ‘Mrs Anderson had her shifted down there in no time, statues an’all. She’ll know how to handle her.’ She went up to see Julia but she was deeply asleep. A black bottle stood on the floor by the bed and Maureen put it inside a cupboard without comment.

  Julia recovered quickly and three weeks later was downstairs again. ‘I feel ashamed,’ she told Carrie. ‘The years you looked after Ma and I did a thing like that after less than two years.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ Carrie said. ‘You took her when I was sick and I’ve taken her while you’re sick. Ma doesn’t mind. She likes the change.’ She laughed heartily. ‘We’ll just have to be careful not to be sick at the same time.’

  In spite of her many activities Anne always found time to visit the Misses Dolan. They had suddenly become very frail and she was worried about them, but they told her one day that the parish priest had persuaded them to let two rooms to a widow with a small girl.

  ‘He was very persuasive,’ Miss Louisa said. ‘He told us that it would be a Christian act to take in the widow and child, but I suspect he told her that it was her Christian duty to live with two old ladies and look after them.’

  The widow, Margaret, was a plump cheerful girl who seemed to accept her state philosophically. ‘What can’t be cured must be endured,’ she told Anne. ‘Me husband was always away on long voyages from when we was married so I can’t believe he isn’t just at sea.’

  She had not disturbed the Dolans’ parlour which was full of memories of their family but had cleared out two upstairs rooms as a bedroom and living room for herself and her daughter Molly.

  The little girl had just started school, and her mother went cleaning on three mornings a week. Molly soon became a firm favourite with the Misses Dolan and every time Anne saw them she was told of Molly’s quaint sayings and beauty and intelligence.

  Anne was pleased to see the pleasure the child gave to her old friends, and pleased too to see how Margaret watched over them and helped them unobtrusively. A few months after Margaret came, Miss Louisa told Anne that she and her sister had inherited sums of money from two relatives who had died.

  ‘I’m afraid we have now outlived all our family,’ she told Anne with a sad smile. ‘We have discussed it and as we have no one left to inherit from us feel justified in using the money for ourselves.’

  ‘Of course. That’s a good idea.’

  ‘We have to face the fact that we are both becoming a little infirm,’ Miss Louisa said. ‘Margaret helps us but she is out on three mornings a week. This money will enable us to pay her a small sum to compensate for her income from cleaning and she will stay here with us instead.’

  ‘That’s a splendid idea,’ Anne said enthusiastically. ‘I’m sure Margaret will be delighted with that arrangement.’

  ‘I know you offered to help us, Anne,’ Miss Ellen said. ‘Don’t be hurt, dear, because we declined. You are at work and then your dear mother needs help. We have asked Margaret and she has agreed.’

  Later Anne saw Margaret and told her how relieved she was that the sisters would be cared for. ‘They’re so independent even though they’re frail. I don’t know how they’ve managed for so long.’

  ‘I know you and your family have been good to them,’ Margaret said, ‘but they need someone with them all the time, to look after them and cook meals and such. I thought they might object to Molly but she’s quite a favourite with them.’

  ‘She’s brought them a lot of pleasure,’ Anne said.

  Later she told her mother how pleased she was. ‘I’ve been worried about them but I didn’t know what could be done,’ she said. ‘This is perfect.’

  Anne was feeling very happy at events in her family. Her mother seemed so much better and Grandma Houlihan had settled back with the Anderson family. Joe was due to return home in August, and Eileen had found another job, working as a pools clerk.

  Helen Daly and Tony had told the family that they wished to become engaged and everyone was delighted.

  ‘Ah, the darling girl. I couldn’t wish for a nicer wife for you, Tony, or a better daughter-in-law for me,’ Julia said. ‘If all my children do as well I’ll be happy.’

  ‘We’ll have a party,’ Pat exclaimed. ‘I tell you what. How about announcing it when our Joe comes home? Make it a joint celebration.’

  Tony felt Helen’s hand tighten on his and saw the loving glance she gave him, and he was able to say without hesitation, ‘Yes, that’s a great idea, Dad. Isn’t it, Helen?’ The days when he would feel jealous of Joe had gone, never to return.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Anne was excited about Joe’s homecoming but felt that she had to tone down her behaviour in the shop. The Redmonds had not received any more letters from John, but a few days before Joe arrived Sarah came into the shop flushed and breathless with joy.

  ‘We’ve had three letters at once,’ she said. ‘John’s coming home because his foot won’t heal.’

  ‘Oh, dear me,’ Mabel said sympathetically, but Sarah went on, ‘Dad says they haven’t got the medical supplies there. It’ll soon heal when he comes home.’

  Anne felt too excited to speak. Surely now she would meet him again and show him that she was not just his sister’s young friend? I’ll find a way to tell him I’ll be eighteen in January, she vowed, and meanwhile could show her own joy about Joe.

  Preparations were going ahead for his return and Mrs Bennet was as excited as the family. Tony shared a bedroom with Joe and while he was at sea Tony’s belongings had gradually filled the room. Now he declared that he was afraid to step on Joe’s half of the floor.

  ‘I’ve cleared all my stuff out of his chest of drawers and his half of the wardrobe, but that’s not enough for Mrs Bennet. She left me a note saying I’d rumpled the cover on Joe’s bed and made footmarks where she’d polished round it,’ Tony said. ‘I don’t know how I’m supposed to get to the window.’

  ‘Be glad she’s taking such an interest, Tony,’ Maureen said. ‘If she didn’t do it Mum would be scouring and polishing and tiring herself out.’

  ‘I don’t see the need for it at all,’ Pat said. ‘Joe’s not going to notice or care whether the curtains are washed.’ But Julia said firmly, ‘I’d notice, and I’d be uneasy if the house wasn’t spotless to welcome him home.’ Anne was quite happy to forgo the dances and spend the weekend preparing for Joe, especially as she knew the same orgy of cleaning was taking place at Sarah’s home, ready for John’s return.

  Maureen, Eileen and Anne took it in turns to do the weekend baking. They each had a speciality. Maureen made delicious fruit cakes, Eileen had
a light hand with scones, and Anne’s forte was pastry. On the Sunday before Joe’s return it was Eileen’s turn to bake, but it was decided that instead Maureen would make a fruit cake, Anne some apple and some rhubarb pies, and Eileen would make scones on the day of Joe’s return.

  ‘I’m dying to see him again,’ Anne said to Sarah. ‘You must meet him this time, Sarah. You’ll really like him.’

  ‘Who is he like?’ she asked.

  ‘To look at?’ Anne said. ‘Like me, I suppose, or Maureen.’

  ‘Like a flamenco dancer?’ Sarah teased her. Flamenco dancers had been shown in a film in a local cinema and Anne had been teased at the dances and called ‘senorita’. Sarah had said she could fall for the male dancer.

  Anne laughed. ‘Yes, he does look like that, but without the curling lip and the high-heeled shoes!’

  There was a joyful reunion when Joe arrived home. ‘So much has happened since you went away,’ his mother said, and during the following days he met Helen, and Theresa’s husband, and heard of the misfortunes of the Connolly family.

  There was no opportunity for him to meet Sarah but she was invited to the party on Saturday night, and her parents also.

  Joe had met Mrs Bennet and thanked her for the help she gave his mother and for her defence of his share of the bedroom which Tony had told him about. Julia invited Mrs Bennet and her daughter to the party too.

  ‘God bless us, you’ll need elastic walls,’ she said. ‘Are Mrs Anderson and her family coming?’

  ‘Oh, yes, all the Andersons,’ Julia said. ‘My mother won’t be able to come because she’s bedfast at present, but Joe’s been to see her a few times, and he’ll go on Saturday before the party.’

  Tony and Helen had been for the engagement ring, a half hoop of diamonds, but Helen would not wear it until the engagement was announced at the party.

  Maureen had made and iced a cake with the words ‘Best wishes to Helen and Tony on their engagement’ written on it, and had hidden it in a hatbox in her bedroom. She took Joe up to see it, and a little later Anne went to her bedroom for a magazine.

  She went up quickly, as she did everything, and as she bounded up the stairs and rushed past the door of Maureen’s room had a fleeting glimpse of Maureen and Joe sitting on the edge of her bed with Joe’s arms around his sister and her head on his shoulder.

  She clattered about in her bedroom for a few minutes then dashed downstairs again without a glance at Maureen’s room, but she wondered. Was Maureen telling Joe her worries about their mother or was it something else? But in the bustle of preparation for the party she forgot about the incident. Sarah’s parents had been invited in addition to Sarah, and Anne took them to her mother when they arrived. Mrs Redmond was unlike Sarah in appearance, with dark curly hair and brown eyes and dimples in her cheeks when she smiled. Her father looked more like John as Anne remembered him, with a firm handshake and a deep pleasant voice.

  Julia greeted both of them very warmly. ‘I’m delighted to meet you,’ she said. ‘We’re all very fond of Sarah.’

  Later, after they had met Helen and Tony and other members of the family, Julia drew Mrs Redmond to sit beside her on the sofa. ‘I’m so pleased that Anne and Sarah are friends,’ she said. ‘Especially with them together all day.’

  ‘And so am I,’ Mrs Redmond assured her. ‘These adolescent years, a good friend is very important, I think.’

  ‘Indeed and that’s true. While they are neither a child nor a woman they need a good influence. Anne thinks the world of Sarah.’

  ‘And she’s very fond of Anne. We all are. She’s a lovely girl. A real charmer,’ said Mrs Redmond. ‘They enjoy every minute, those two, don’t they?’ Julia agreed and then asked about John and when he was expected home.

  Soon they were both claimed by other guests but Julia told Anne later how much she liked Sarah’s mother. ‘A lovely warmhearted woman,’ she said. ‘I can see why Sarah’s such a nice girl. And her father’s a real gentleman too.’ It was the start of a warm friendship between the two women.

  The party went with a swing, with the older guests gathering in the roomy kitchen and the young people in the parlour. Anne had proudly introduced Joe to Sarah, and Terry had put his arms round both girls. ‘The queens of the caelidhes,’ he told Joe. ‘They’ve been out with half the boys in Liverpool.’ And there was much joking and teasing among the group.

  Maureen joined in, and Anne thought she looked happier than she had seen her for a long time. A little later all the older people began to crowd into the parlour and Eileen and Stephen served everyone with glasses of punch.

  Pat Fitzgerald held up his glass. ‘Welcome, everyone,’ he said. ‘This party is for two reasons. One is to welcome home our son Joe. Step forward, Joe.’ He stepped forward from the crowd, looking embarrassed, and Mrs Bennet shouted: ‘Welcome home.’ Everyone echoed her and drank the toast and Joe stepped back thankfully.

  ‘The other reason,’ Pat said, ‘is to announce the engagement of Helen and Tony and welcome her into our family. Raise your glasses to Helen and Tony.’

  Maureen had slipped away and now she wheeled in a tea trolley with the cake on it. There were cries of admiration and Helen said, ‘Oh, Maureen, it looks too nice to cut.’

  ‘Come on, girl, the sooner it’s cut the sooner it’s eaten,’ Fred Anderson called. He had already joked because Helen was so tiny, she only reached Tony’s shoulder, and Anne had said she would make sure he was out of the country when she was married.

  ‘But he’s very good,’ Maureen said. She turned to Sarah. ‘You know Grandma Houlihan lived with us for two years and was very difficult? She’d lived with Fred and Aunt Carrie for ten years before that, but they willingly took her back when Mum was ill and they’re very kind to her.’

  Joe put his arm round her shoulders and squeezed them. ‘Still seeing the best in everyone, Mo?’ he said fondly.

  * * *

  There were several family gatherings during the next two weeks, sometimes at the Fitzgerald house and sometimes at the Andersons’. Shaun was now a commercial traveller for a firm of wine shippers and often away from home but Joe saw him once and was invited to dinner at Theresa’s new home in West Derby. Eileen was also invited.

  ‘I’m trying myself out on you as a hostess,’ Theresa said. ‘We can only fit four in the dining room so we’ll have to have people in relays.’

  ‘She’s been dying to use all her wedding presents,’ Jim said, smiling at her, and afterwards Joe said to Eileen that he thought it was a truly happy marriage that would last.

  ‘I think so too,’ Eileen said. ‘And I think Tony and Helen will be the same. It’s very chancy, though, isn’t it, Joe? One mistake and you’re stuck for life.’

  ‘Yes, so we’d better be careful, hadn’t we?’ he said, smiling at her.

  The family organised several outings during the following weeks, to the theatre or the cinema and several times to a caelidhe.

  Terry and the Anderson twins had started to attend the caelidhes, although not always the same ones as Anne and Sarah. They had been learning the steps of the dances, and made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in skill.

  Pat and Julia were in the party for the visits to the theatre and the cinema, but otherwise the group was of young people including Sarah and Dom and Desmond.

  Joe had told Anne that he thought Sarah was a very nice girl, but there was little opportunity for him and Sarah to talk to each other even at the caelidhes. As soon as a dance was announced she was claimed by Terry or one of the Andersons, and between dances seemed always to be hedged in by other people.

  When Joe had been home for ten days Sarah came into the shop with the news that her brother was in England and would be arriving at Lime Street Station on the following day.

  ‘Do you think Mrs Dyson would let me have the day off, Mabel?’ she asked. ‘All the rest of the family are going to be there to meet him.’

  ‘I’m sure she will,’ Mabel said, and disappeared into the ba
kehouse to ask.

  She came back to tell Sarah that she could have the day off. ‘You don’t mind, you and Anne?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘Of course not. We’ll manage fine, won’t we, Anne?’ Mabel said. ‘And all the better without that Rosie.’

  Anne was about to say ‘I wish I could come with you’ but thought better of it. The next day she thought often of the Redmond family and wondered whether John had arrived and how he was.

  When Sarah returned to the shop she told them that John had arrived on crutches. ‘There were about eight of them,’ she said. ‘John’s foot was bandaged and the bandages were filthy, but Dad soon dressed it properly.’

  Her father was a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade and Mabel said approvingly, ‘Yes, your dad would know what to do. Between him and your grandma your brother’ll soon be all right.’

  The following evening the girls had arranged to go to the cinema together, and Anne called for Sarah. She came to the door and took Anne through to the kitchen where John was lying on the sofa. He attempted to rise to his feet but Anne said quickly, ‘Don’t get up.’

  ‘You’re honoured, Anne,’ his young brother Mick said with a grin. ‘He’s been lying there like the Sultan of Morocco while everyone else has been in and out.’

  Sarah’s father was at work but her mother greeted Anne warmly. ‘Of course you’ve met John before, haven’t you, love? He’s a lot thinner, isn’t he?’

  Anne smiled and agreed and Mick said mischievously, ‘Don’t tell Anne why, Mum.’

  John coloured. ‘Big mouth,’ he said to Mick, and then to Anne he murmured, ‘I had dysentery.’

  ‘How is your foot?’ she asked, and he said gratefully that it was much better. ‘We just didn’t have the medical supplies in Spain.’