Like Father, Like Son

by Diane Allen

  She liked this time of year, for wherever she looked there was an abundance of free food. Her gaze fell upon some wild mushrooms in a ring, among an especially green tuft of grass. She’d pick them on her way back down and place them in her shawl. They’d be good for supper with a slice of bacon. Ever since she was small she had been taught which toadstools and mushrooms were safe to eat, and to take care not to pick the poisonous ones, so identifying them was no problem.

  The line of hazel trees following the beck soon gave way to the open fell side and Polly strode out over the long moorland reeds and grasses, picking her way through the patches of sphagnum moss that squelched under her feet. The late-summer breeze blew, with a hint of a chill in its breath, making Polly grateful she had her shawl with her. Polly climbed to the very edge of the fell land that belonged to Paradise: to the stony limestone outcrop that ran along the top of the fell ridge. There she sat under the protection of the limestone ridge and breathed in the peaty fell air and basked in the late-summer sun’s rays. A skylark bobbed up and down above her, singing its familiar tune and, far down in the valley, she could hear the church bells calling for everyone to attend the harvest festival and give praise for another year.

  She felt it more appropriate that she shared her thoughts with her God on the fell top, out of sight of some of the hypocrites who went to church. She sighed. What a year! Who could tell what was going to happen in the coming months? Ada’s death had shaken Polly, making her feel less certain about the future. But she knew she was not going to be content with just living from day to day, going through the motions of running a home for her grandfather. That thought made her feel guilty; she was selfish and should be grateful for what she had, but all the same, there must be more to life surely? Tomorrow night she would attend the harvest sale. Everyone in the dale usually attended and it was a good social evening for young and old alike. She’d always gone, since being a toddler on her grandmother’s knee, enjoying a ‘Jacob’s join’ supper and then bidding for the produce up for sale for church funds. It was a night for meeting old friends and making new ones.

  And then there was Maggie’s wedding to look forward to. Tobias would be there and she would be wearing her new dress, and without anyone to tell her how to behave. A smile played on her lips. That would be the day to talk to him again, to remind him that she was free and available, no matter what her brother and grandfather thought.

  Polly placed her bacon-and-egg flan out onto the already-laden long table that held all the neighbours’ offerings for the ‘Jacob’s join’ harvest supper. She then placed down her apple pie and a jug of fresh cream for dessert. The church was full with neighbours and friends, and Edmund and Polly could hardly get a word in edgeways, with people welcoming them and asking how they were keeping.

  ‘By, they’ve got a good turnout, Pol.’ Edmund bit into a cooked sausage and looked around him. ‘Have you seen them dahlias that old Bert has grown – they’ll look grand in a vase up at home. I’ll bid for them when they come up in the auction.’

  ‘They do look lovely. I think we should have a go at growing some next year.’ Polly blushed when Joe Fothergill waved at her as he entered the church and made a beeline to her.

  ‘I think I’d better make myself scarce. I’m not going to cramp a young lad’s style. I’ll be over there with Len, if you want me.’ Edmund sipped his tea and grinned at Polly’s embarrassment. Young Joe must have gone out of his way to be halfway down Garsdale on a Monday evening.

  ‘I was hoping you’d be here, Polly. Matt said you would be, so I thought I’d come down and see you, and grab a bit of free supper and all. It’s a good spread, isn’t it?’ Joe placed a whole delicate brawn sandwich in his mouth, making him unable to answer for a moment, as Polly asked if Matt had come with him.

  ‘Nope, he’s got business with Bill Sunter. God knows what, at this time of night. It isn’t as if it’s his own business, to be working them hours.’

  ‘It’s a wonder he’s not here. He seems always to be swarming around my grandfather nowadays. He hardly ever talks to me.’ Polly watched as Joe made his way down the table, picking out a bit of this and a bit of that, and finally finishing with a dish full of apple pie and cream.

  ‘Well, he’s embarrassed, isn’t he? Fancy falling for your sister!’ slurped Joe between a mouthful of pie.

  ‘Is that it, or is there more to it?’ Polly wanted to see what Joe thought.

  ‘Don’t know what you mean, Polly. Course it’s only that, and that he likes coming to Paradise – he says it’s his new home.’ Joe looked at Polly, who was frowning at his answer. ‘He’s just glad he’s found where he’s come from, that’s all,’ Joe added, sensing that he’d said something wrong.

  ‘If you say so.’ She made little of his answer, as she still doubted her brother.

  ‘Come on, Polly, sit next to me. The auction’s about to start. What do you fancy buying? I’ll treat you.’ Joe tugged on her arm, pulling Polly down next to him in a pew nearly at the front of the church.

  Polly sensed people were watching them and commenting that they made a lovely couple. It was true, they did; but she felt nothing for Joe, even though she knew he was sweet on her. She sat and looked around her as the local auctioneer rose to the lectern to take the forthcoming bids. His assistants were Martha Brunskill and Molly Armitage, who stood on either side of him, smiling proudly at one another, dressed in their Sunday best and holding the first piece of fruit and veg to be auctioned. The room went quiet as the auctioneer lifted his hammer to start the auction, and winked at the local farmers that he knew from his farm auctions.

  ‘Now then, ladies and gents, let’s dig deep in our pockets this evening for funds for this lovely church. God might work in mysterious ways, but I haven’t seen him putting slates on any of his buildings as of yet, and this church needs some reroofing.’ His audience of potential bidders laughed. The portly auctioneer then started. ‘Right, Mrs Armitage, what have we got there then?’

  Molly shouted up to him ‘Onions’ as she lifted up a string of beautifully presented onions for everyone to see.

  ‘Any liver to go with them? There’s nowt better than liver and onions. My old lass makes me it regular. Now how about tuppence for the onions. Tuppence, anybody? Come on, a penny ha’penny then.’

  A shout went out. ‘Aye, here, penny ha’penny.’

  ‘Any more offers?’ The auctioneer knocked the first lot down to the bidder and then proceeded with the next lot, gathering speed as the produce was held up for sale.

  ‘Now then, here’s one for all you courting couples. Kiss-me-cake. My old lass used to make this when we were first wed. How she knew I’d a sweet tooth, I’ll never know.’ He patted his ample stomach and laughed. ‘Mrs Brunskill has just told me she baked it this morning, so it’ll be good.’ Martha Brunskill glowed with pride as she held a plate of the sweet jam slice in the air.

  Joe looked at Polly and then shouted out, ‘A penny’, before flushing bright red at the sound of his own voice and the glance that Polly gave him.

  ‘A penny bid. Any more?’

  ‘Aye, threepence,’ came another voice from the back of the church.

  Joe frowned and shouted out again. ‘Fourpence.’ He was determined to buy it and give it to Polly.

  ‘Sixpence,’ the other bidder shouted.

  The auctioneer stopped and looked at Joe, who was busy trying to see who was outbidding him. ‘Well, is she worth another offer?’

  Joe looked determined and shouted, ‘Sevenpence.’

  ‘And you, Mr Middleton, are you counter-offering, for your fine lady?’ yelled the auctioneer, as heads turned and looked at Tobias Middleton and the beautiful woman on his arm.

  ‘Aye, a florin for the cake.’ Tobias smiled at the auctioneer as the church buzzed with excitement and amazement at a few pieces of kiss-me-cake making such a price.

  The auctioneer looked at Joe, who shook his head, crestfallen that he could not compete at such a price.
/>   ‘Sold to Tobias Middleton and his lovely lady. That buys us at least a few slates. God bless you, sir.’

  ‘Bloody show-off,’ Joe whispered to Polly. ‘I wanted to give that to you.’

  ‘Doesn’t matter, Joe. It was silly money that he paid. Who’s the woman he’s with? I can’t see from here.’ Polly was unconcerned about Joe’s feelings, but she did want to see who was with Tobias. She hadn’t realized that he was there. She peered through the faces behind her, but still couldn’t see Tobias and his mystery woman.

  ‘I don’t know, probably someone who’s after his brass. Why else would she be with him? Let’s face it, he doesn’t have many charms.’ Joe scowled at Polly. He knew that she had feelings for him.

  Polly went quiet. Tobias had a girlfriend, yet she thought he’d had eyes for her. He’d probably bring the woman to Maggie’s wedding, and Polly would be there like a wallflower. How could he do this? Didn’t he know she was his, if he’d only ask?

  ‘Joe, do you want to come with me to Maggie’s wedding? I’m sure she won’t mind if you come with me.’ Polly would show Tobias that she, too, could attract the opposite sex.

  ‘Are you sure? Does this mean we are courting?’ Joe grabbed her hand.

  ‘If you like. Everyone seems to think that we are already anyway.’ Polly looked towards the back of the church again, as Joe beamed with delight.

  ‘I’ll buy you these flowers. You can take them home from me.’ Joe looked excited as the auctioneer started the bidding for the flowers that Edmund had previously admired.

  ‘No, don’t. Listen, my grandfather’s bidding for them – he said he would.’

  ‘Bloody hell, I can’t buy anything for you. The next bunch is mine, no matter what,’ Joe exclaimed.

  Polly lay in her bed. The smell of the russet-coloured chrysanthemums in the vase next to her hung in the air. Joe had bought them and walked her home, with Edmund watching them from the doorway as they said goodnight at the gate. He was a good lad, an honest lad, but Polly knew Joe was not for her. Her grandfather might wish it so, but she still had her eye on someone more intriguing, and her heart had sunk when she’d heard that he had a love of his own. Joe was just a cover-up; she had no intention of falling in love with him. It was out of spite that she’d asked him to the wedding, and well she knew it, though she wasn’t proud of herself for playing with Joe’s feelings.

  She pulled her pillow around her head and replayed the evening’s events in her head. Why had she been fool enough to ask him to Maggie’s wedding? It was out of jealousy at discovering that Tobias would be there with someone else on his arm. She was kidding herself, and she knew it.

  13

  ‘Right, lass, I’ll leave you here. I’ve a bit of business to do in Hawes, while you are enjoying yourself at this wedding. I know Joe’s bringing you home, so the pair of you behave yourselves.’ Edmund pulled on Clover’s reins and watched as Polly climbed down from the trap. ‘Looks like rain, lass, so don’t get that bonny new dress of yours wet. Get yourself up the hill and into the church quickly.’ He looked up to the heavens as a heavy drop of rain fell.

  ‘Oh no, surely it could stop fine for Maggie. I can’t see it being one of the brightest weddings as it is, with her parents not liking Ralph.’ Polly reached for the umbrella she’d brought as a precaution against the inclement September weather, and pulled her best shawl around her shoulders.

  ‘It’ll be all right. They’ll only have eyes for one another, from what I can see, so the weather won’t matter. Get a move-on, lass. I can see Joe waiting in the church doorway.’ Edmund watched as Polly walked through the church gate and up the steep incline to the church. She touched Joe’s arm and smiled at him. They made a handsome couple, and Joe was a good catch. Happen not a farmer, but did that matter, in the new scheme of things. ‘Gee up, Clover. I’ll do my business another day, let’s get home before this weather sets in.’ Edmund placed a blanket around his knees, flicked the reins and started out for home. He was looking forward to an hour or two on his own, perhaps having a snooze in front of the fire and enjoying having his home to himself. The solicitor could wait for another day. Besides, he had no intention of dying just yet, so his will could wait.

  Polly looked at Joe, who looked very smart in his pinstripe suit and brogues.

  ‘You look beautiful, Polly.’ He smiled as they waited in the vestibule of the church.

  ‘You don’t look too bad yourself. You scrub up real well,’ grinned Polly. ‘Do you think we should wait here or go into the church? I really want to see Maggie coming up to the church. It’s a pity she’s not got any bridesmaids. I’d have liked to be one, or at least her maid of honour.’

  ‘I know. I thought she’d have asked you, but I think Bill’s a bit disappointed at her only marrying a lead-miner, and they’ve put the cart before the horse, if you know what I mean. Let’s go and sit down. It may not be a big wedding, but you’ll want to see when he puts the ring on her finger.’ Joe pushed open the vestibule door and led the way into the church. The door creaked as the couple entered the historic Norman-built church with its strong arched pillars, making the congregation turn to see who was entering. The vicar was standing next to the entrance and welcomed them quietly, passing them over to the warden, who discreetly asked them, ‘Bride or groom?’, in order to seat them behind the appropriate family. The organist looked at the young couple, wondering whether to play the wedding march for them, until the vicar made it obvious that they were not the couple everyone was expecting. Joe grinned, finding it funny, while Polly hit him silently on the knee, as she bowed her head in a minute’s reverence.

  ‘Your mate’s on his own,’ Joe whispered as he quickly looked around the church. ‘She soon got rid of him, whoever she was, because he’s sitting by himself over there.’ He held Polly’s hand tight, claiming what he now thought was his.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Polly whispered back.

  ‘Tobias Middleton, he’s come on his own!’ said Joe.

  Polly looked across to Ralph’s family and there, at the back, sat Tobias. She felt herself blush as he smiled at her, with his dark eyes belying his feelings. Polly was thankful when the organist started to pump the organ and play, as Maggie and her father entered the church and walked down the aisle, with the vicar now in place, waiting to greet them. Why had she brought Joe? she thought. Tobias was on his own; she could have been sitting next to him. Polly watched as Maggie floated down the aisle, her arm linked in her father’s and smiling at everyone, as they admired her dress and bouquet. She watched as Maggie passed her flowers to her sobbing mother, and then looked lovingly into Ralph’s eyes as she said her vows. Polly brushed a tear away from her eye. She was happy for Maggie. Whether Maggie would be happy up Swaledale, being a lead-miner’s wife, was another matter. But Polly knew she’d miss her tempestuous best friend; although no more than fifteen miles away, it might as well be in another county, for the road was that bad to travel.

  ‘You all right, Pol?’ Joe squeezed her hand.

  ‘I’m fine, just happy that the baby’s got a father and that they love one another. I’ll miss Maggie when she goes to live in Swaledale.’

  ‘Never mind, Pol, you’ve got me now. You can share all your thoughts with me.’ Joe smiled as she brushed away another tear.

  Polly nodded. What could she say? She didn’t think she’d ever feel comfortable telling Joe her thoughts and, at that moment in time, he’d certainly not want to know what she was thinking.

  He smiled and squeezed her hand tighter as the couple made their way through the wedding vows, while the families of both sides looked on. Ralph’s family was made of tough, no-nonsense, hard-working folk, who partly farmed the wild, rugged landscape of the Dales as well as mining the lead in the fells, while what there was of Maggie’s family were more gentle shop owners and business people. Polly looked around her. It was a funny clash of occupations and personalities, but perhaps the marriage would work, if they all gave their support to one anoth
er. She watched as the couple kissed, once Ralph had put the ring on Maggie’s finger, and a pang of jealousy made her feel uneasy at her own emotions. Maggie had got her man, a house, and a baby on the way, and what had she herself got? Nothing compared to Maggie, and everything seemed to be slipping away, no matter what she did.

  Polly felt disgusted with herself. She had a good life and she should stop thinking that she hadn’t. The trouble was that she always wanted more than she had, and she just couldn’t help it.

  ‘So are you two courting then?’ Bill Sunter didn’t hold back with his questioning as he ate another salmon sandwich and looked at the young couple seated across from him. He’d paid for the wedding breakfast and he was going to have his fill.

  Joe stuttered and blushed. ‘Yes, Mr Sunter, Polly and I are walking out together.’

  ‘Well, bloody well make sure there’s none of that how’s-your-father, else old Edmund will shoot the head off your shoulders.’ Bill leaned back in his chair and grinned as Joe blushed, and Polly looked down at her feet in embarrassment. ‘She’s told you, has she? Our Maggie. I’ve bought them a house in Muker. Couldn’t have them living in the hovel he was going to have them living in; it wasn’t fit for a dog.’ Bill leaned back further in his chair and watched Polly as she nodded her head. ‘Well, I might as well spend some of my brass to set them up proper, because his side haven’t a ha’penny to rub together. Look at them, I don’t think they even have running water in their houses. They all look like they need a bloody bath.’

  Bill nodded his head at Ralph’s family, who were smart and clean enough, in Polly’s eyes, but obviously not so for the outspoken Bill Sunter.

  ‘And that bloody Tobias Middleton, sitting over there on his own, he’ll make money out of anybody’s disadvantages. The place he offered to them to live in needs knocking down. Why that so-called son-in-law thought my lass would live there beats me. Bloody Middleton, he still has the cheek to turn up at our Maggie’s wedding, even though I told him he wasn’t welcome, after cancelling all his farm’s milk supply to me. He’s another stubborn bugger, just like your old fella. Seemingly they can live without my dairy, or so they think. What’s the silly bugger doing with all his milk, or don’t you want to tell me?’ Bill took a long slurp from his glass of beer and summoned the waitress to fill it up again, grabbing her by the waist as she did so, while waiting for Polly to reply.