Tilly's Story

by June Francis

  ‘I wonder what novel she was reading,’ said Robbie.

  Joy and Tilly glanced at each other and raised their eyebrows. ‘It didn’t say,’ murmured Joy.

  ‘Perhaps I should pop down and see Dad,’ said Tilly.

  ‘He’s gone with Eudora,’ said Robbie. ‘I dropped the pair of them off in St Anne’s Street.’ He drained his cup. ‘Shall we go, Tilly? I’ve the use of the car, so it won’t take us long to get there. I’ll introduce you to the woman in charge and then I’ll have to leave. You’ll have to make your own way home.’

  ‘That’s OK,’ said Tilly.

  He glanced at Joy. ‘I was hoping this charity work with the orphans would take Eudora’s mind off the other business, but…’

  ‘I thinking you’re worrying unnecessarily, sir,’ said Joy. ‘I can’t see her taking Mr Moran with her; she would have taken me. Besides, she gave you her promise.’

  ‘You sound very sure, Joy,’ he said.

  ‘That’s because I am. You stop worrying, sir, and go and buy that instrument you want.’

  He drained his cup, got up and patted Joy’s shoulder in passing.

  Neither Tilly nor Robbie spoke until they were halfway along Sheil Road. ‘Are you nervous at the thought of performing in front of an audience in the autumn, Tilly?’ he asked.

  ‘I am a bit. Although I don’t suppose people will notice me as an accompanist. Their eyes will be on the singer.’

  ‘You won’t be performing solely as an accompanist but as a performer,’ he said. ‘You’re a very attractive young woman and will be noticed. It could be the means of your earning some extra money.’

  That thought had not occurred to her and she could not help wondering how she could possibly fit in any extra hours in her day to practise and perform in the evening if she was to support herself and continue with her writing. ‘What about you, Mr Bennett? Will you be performing?’

  ‘I’m not sure yet. I’m not getting any younger, Tilly,’ he said. ‘Indeed, I’m thinking of cutting down my hours at the Palladium. If the management don’t like that idea then I’ll leave. I can’t see orchestras continuing much longer in cinemas now most are showing two films instead of one. It costs more to pay an orchestra and a pianist could do the job much cheaper. I’ve thought of teaching at home,’ he added. ‘You mean giving piano and clarinet lessons?’

  ‘Yes. I’m sure I’d enjoy it. I’ve mentioned it to Eudora and she seems pleased with the idea.’

  Tilly thought it an excellent idea. After that they both fell silent, trying to see into their futures. When they reached Kensington, Robbie parked outside the hall and then led the way inside. He introduced Tilly to the woman in charge and was about to leave when a familiar voice said, ‘Hello, Robbie. I didn’t expect to see you here.’

  Both he and Tilly turned and stared at the woman wearing a pencil slim navy blue calf length skirt and floral blouse with a royal blue cardigan. Her jet black hair was held back with a couple of tortoiseshell combs and an odd expression lurked in the brown eyes that glinted at the pair of them.

  ‘Well, I’m not surprised to see you, Gertie,’ said Robbie. ‘The sergeant gave me the impression you’d sing for the orphans.’

  ‘Gabrielle, if you please, Robbie,’ said Seb’s mother. ‘I’m happy to use my gift to help the poor kiddiewinks and their widowed mothers.’ She placed a hand on her breast. ‘I, too, am a widow and know how it feels to be a woman left without a man.’

  ‘But you’re not poor,’ he said.

  ‘That’s no thanks to you,’ said Gabrielle, ‘but then, if you hadn’t deserted me, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.’

  Robbie stiffened. ‘We’ve been through all this before. I didn’t desert you.’

  Tilly detected tension in the air and decided to cut in. ‘Will I be accompanying you, Mrs Waters?’ she asked.

  Gabrielle glanced at Tilly. ‘I’d like that. I know you’re a talented amateur.’

  Robbie scowled. ‘Tilly’s an excellent pianist. She could turn professional if she put her mind to it.’

  ‘But that’s unlikely, isn’t it? She’s working for your wife and some detective agency, I believe,’ said Gabrielle.

  ‘I suppose your sergeant told you that,’ said Robbie.

  She nodded. ‘Where is Edie, by the way? I thought she would have been here.’

  ‘She calls herself Eudora now, as you well know,’ said Robbie. ‘She has other business in town.’ He glanced at the clock. ‘I’ll have to be going. See you again, Gertie. Sometime.’ He touched Tilly’s shoulder. ‘Don’t let her bully you. See you Monday.’

  Tilly smiled. ‘Yes, Mr Bennett.’

  ‘Good. I hope you enjoy yourself.’ He raised his hat to them both and left.

  Gabrielle gazed after him with a frown on her face before turning to Tilly. ‘I know this concert seems some time off yet but you’ll be surprised at how quickly the time goes. Before you know it, the damn thing is only a fortnight off and we’ll be doing rehearsals with the rest of the performers. Then it’s only a week off and you start panicking. Practise makes perfect, so I’d like us to meet once a fortnight through June and July and then weekly during August. If we can’t practise here, then you can come to my house, Tilly – it’s not that far from here.’ She clapped her hands together. ‘Well, let’s get on with it! There’s another singer here looking for an accompanist but you can play for me first.’

  ‘I’m quite happy to do that,’ said Tilly, glancing up at the piano on the stage. ‘Do you know if it’s been tuned lately and do you have your music with you?’

  ‘I wouldn’t come empty-handed,’ said Gabrielle dryly.

  Tilly flushed. ‘Of course not.’

  As they made their way to the stage, Gabrielle said, ‘I believe it was your father who found the body in the Bennetts’ garden.’

  ‘Sergeant Jones told you,’ said Tilly, glancing at Gabrielle’s hair and wondering if its colour was due to it having been dyed. She was at least the same age as Eudora, yet not a grey hair showed.

  ‘Who else? I believe you saw it. Not a pleasant experience for a girl of your age.’

  ‘Not pleasant for anyone of any age,’ said Tilly, going over to the piano. She lifted the lid and ran her fingers over the keys before sitting down on the piano stool and playing ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’. She stopped abruptly and looked up at Gabrielle. ‘Can you tell me what else Sergeant Jones said about my father? Apparently the police searched his quarters in connection with the burglary at the Bennetts’ house.’

  ‘He doesn’t believe your father is in cahoots with the burglar, if that’s what’s worrying you.’

  Tilly said simply, ‘Thanks. It helps me knowing that. I trust Sergeant Jones.’

  ‘He’s a good, worthy and honest man,’ said Gabrielle, a shadow crossing her face.

  Tilly stared at her, wondering why that thought should bother the older woman. She knew that Gabrielle had once been arrested and that there was a side to her that wasn’t nice. Gabrielle handed Tilly her music and they discussed the songs before having a go at them together. By the end of the session each was feeling quite pleased with the other.

  ‘I never realised what a good voice you had,’ said Tilly. ‘You’re marvellous for your age.’

  ‘There’s no need for you to mention my age,’ said Gabrielle, looking vexed. ‘If you can perform as well as me when you’re as old as me, then you can be proud of yourself. I might add that you’re not half-bad for your age. How old are you now?’

  ‘I’ll be eighteen in July,’ said Tilly, amused.

  Gabrielle sighed. ‘So young. I was on my way to America at that age and madly in love with Robbie.’ She picked up her music. ‘Have you heard anything from my son? How are the children and Alice?’

  ‘I’ll be seeing them next weekend. Alice is making me a dress.’

  ‘For the concert?’

  ‘No. I’ve been invited to a soirée.’

  Gabrielle looked suitably impressed
. ‘By a man or a woman?’

  ‘A man.’

  ‘Well, I hope you make sure he keeps his hands to himself, Tilly,’ she said. ‘You’re a nice-looking young woman and some men will try and take advantage. I presume Seb and Alice know about this man.’

  ‘They don’t know him but they know of him.’

  ‘I’m surprised Alice hasn’t wanted to look him over,’ murmured Gabrielle, pulling on a glove. ‘I’ll see you here in a fortnight, Tilly, if you’ll square that with Edie. Give my love to Seb and my grandchildren.’

  Tilly was about to add, And what about Alice? but Gabrielle was already on her way and a middle-aged man was approaching the stage. He had sandy greying hair, twinkling blue-grey eyes and a self-deprecating manner. He told her that he had played the dame in pantomimes performed by the local amateur dramatics society and always threw in a couple of comedy songs. He proved to have a fair to middling voice and after they had done a run-through of some songs, he was still yet undecided about which to choose. Both were fairly happy with the other’s performance, and they arranged to meet again in a fortnight. After that, he would not be able to come for a month as he was going away.

  Tilly had enjoyed herself and felt even better when she came out of the hall into brilliant sunshine. She wondered if she should return to the Bennetts’ house and see if Eudora had returned home. She could ask her about the Doyles and check that her father really was all right. But when she called at the house there was no one there, so she returned home and wrote some more of her novel.

  It was a slow process because her mind kept wandering, thinking of her father and what Mr Bennett had said about her musical talent, and about Gabrielle and her family in Chester. She thought especially of Alice and the dress for the soirée. Fortunately she had complete faith in her sister and knew she would not let her down. What she might say if she was to hear that the police had searched their father’s premises, Tilly dreaded to think. There was also the matter of Gabrielle and telling Alice that Tilly was going to be her accompanist in a concert for the orphans; also that Gabrielle had sent her love to the family.

  Tilly’s thoughts and feelings were still very mixed when she set out for Chester the following Sunday, after watching the May Day horse parade in Liverpool with Eudora, her father and Joy. She had seen no sign of Leonard, so had no idea if he had received her note or not.

  * * *

  Tilly was greeted with smiles and hugs by her nephews and niece but Alice dragged her away from them, but only after she had promised the older two that she would play a game of croquet with them in the garden and Georgie that she would read him a story.

  Alice took Tilly upstairs to her former bedroom and waved a hand to the gown lying on the bed. ‘You can try it on and see what you think. You’ve lost weight since I last made you anything.’

  ‘That’s because I’m working harder and I was ill,’ murmured Tilly, beginning to undress.

  Alice set on the bed and stared at her. ‘Joy didn’t give us the impression you were that ill.’

  ‘I didn’t want you worrying. I caught a chill but I’m fine now.’ She stood in her underwear and reached for the dress, handling it carefully because it was only tacked together.

  Alice frowned. ‘So who looked after you?’

  ‘Wendy and her mother, and Joy came several times to sit with me.’

  ‘It sounds as if it was serious to me. You shouldn’t have kept it from us, Tilly,’ said Alice. ‘What if you’d died? Did Dad visit you?’

  Tilly did not hesitate. ‘No. He’s as much of a worrier about me as you are.’

  Alice looked relieved. ‘You believe then that I do still care for you?’

  Tilly was astounded by her sister’s comment. ‘Of course! Why did you think I didn’t want you worrying?’ She had now managed to get the gown on and turned to look at herself in the mirror.

  ‘What do you think?’ asked Alice, getting to her feet.

  Tilly gazed at her reflection and slowly smiled. ‘You are clever. I love the way you’ve used bronze satin to make the gown and then made a jacket of beige lace to form the wings.’

  ‘It’s not quite as described in the article you sent me but I think it’s turned out pretty well,’ murmured Alice, ‘if I say so myself.’

  ‘You’re wasted being just a housewife and mother,’ said Tilly, turning to her sister and hugging her.

  Immediately Alice said, ‘Don’t talk like that! Are you happy with the length?’

  Tilly nodded. ‘If it was for anything else I’d want it shorter but this lower-calf-length is perfect for evening wear.’

  ‘Let me help you off with it. I think it needs to be taken in slightly at the waist.’ Alice placed the dress on the bed. ‘So tell me more about this man you’re going to all this trouble for? How old is he? Younger than Don Pierce?’

  Tilly nodded, wishing her sister had not mentioned Don because it made her feel all mixed up. She certainly wished she knew where she stood with him. ‘I think so but not much. He inherited his father’s shipyard business.’

  Alice smiled. ‘He sounds promising and lucky he survived the war. Any injuries?’

  ‘Not that I know of and I don’t know what he did in the war. Probably something to do with shipping.’

  ‘I’d like to get a look at him. You’re not yet eighteen but to get a man like that interested when there’s so many other fish in the sea should tell you, Tilly, something about how attractive you are. Even so, we want you to be sure he’s the right man for you.’

  Tilly groaned as she put on her frock. ‘For goodness’ sake, Alice, it’s the first time he’s invited me out – it’s not as if he asked me to marry him.’

  ‘I know it’s early days,’ said Alice earnestly, ‘but he might ask you in a few months and you’ll have passed your eighteenth birthday by then. Old enough to get engaged and in six months or so you could be married.’

  Tilly puffed out her cheeks and then let out a sigh. ‘I’m not ready for marriage. I’d need at least a year’s engagement or more so I have time to finish my novel.’

  Alice said, ‘You and your novel! That’s just pretend and no one might want to read it. You’re only young. What experience have you had of life to put in a book?’

  Tilly felt like saying Plenty after living in this household for years, and what about Dad finding the body in the garden and my getting to see it. Then I’ve my work with Grant Simpson and the widows and children’s charity and concert in a few months. ‘My life hasn’t exactly been dull,’ she murmured.

  ‘I didn’t say it had but getting a man to marry you is much more important,’ said Alice, turning the dress inside out.

  ‘My writing’s important to me,’ said Tilly. ‘It’s more than just pretend.’

  ‘But this man…’

  Tilly hesitated, wishing Don wouldn’t keep coming into her head. If he had found someone else then she must stop thinking about him – but her sister was waiting for an answer. ‘He could be the one,’ said Tilly cautiously, ‘but I need to get to know him better and that’s why I accepted his invitation.’

  Alice smiled. ‘Now that is sensible but if you continue seeing him, Tilly, you must bring him to meet us.’

  ‘Yes, Alice,’ said Tilly in a long-suffering voice. ‘I’d best tell you now I met Gabrielle the other day. We’re going to perform in a charity concert together.’

  Alice stiffened. ‘That woman! Did she mention Seb? Did she ask about the children?’

  ‘Of course she did.’

  ‘But she made no mention of coming to see us, I bet!’

  ‘No. But she sent her love.’

  ‘Her love?’ Alice made a derogatory sound.

  ‘You could come to the concert and bring the children,’ said Tilly hastily. ‘It’s for a good cause.’

  ‘I’ll think about it,’ said Alice shortly. ‘Will Dad be there?’

  Tilly shrugged. ‘Who’s to say? It depends if he feels he can cope with the crowd.’

&nb
sp; Alice opened her mouth as if to say something sharp about their father but changed her mind. ‘You’d best go and play with the children now. I’ll get on with this on the machine and then you can try it on again and take it home with you. I’ll want to know how the party went afterwards so make sure you come and tell me.’

  ‘Will do,’ promised Tilly. ‘Although it’s not until July.’

  Alice looked surprised. ‘That’s a few weeks away.’

  ‘I know but I wanted to make sure I had a decent dress to wear in time.’ Tilly smiled. ‘Which I’ll have due to my clever big sister.’

  ‘You don’t have to butter me up,’ said Alice, but she was smiling.

  Later, when Tilly was on her way back to Liverpool, it occurred to her that if she didn’t hear from Leonard during the next few weeks she would not know, unless she knocked on his door and asked, whether he had received her letter. Something inside her baulked at chasing him up but if he had read her acceptance, then she needed to know where he would pick her up to take her to this soirée.

  As it was, Tilly was on pins for the next couple of weeks because she neither heard from Leonard nor saw him. Then towards the end of June when she was calling in on Eudora, she saw him coming from the direction of the park with Fang on the lead. The dog barked as soon as he saw her and strained towards her.

  ‘I think I’d better introduce you to him as a friend, Tilly,’ said Leonard, coming up to her. His gaze wandered over her in a lazy perusal.

  She did not really want to be friends with Fang, but supposed Leonard had a point. ‘Will he stop barking at me if he knows I’m a friend?’

  ‘I can’t guarantee that but he shouldn’t bite,’ said Leonard, smiling. ‘He needs to recognise your scent so come closer, Tilly, and let him have a sniff at you.’ She moved closer and Leonard slipped an arm about her waist, causing a delicious thrill to go through her. He introduced her as a friend to Fang. Tilly suffered the dog sniffing her hand and her ankles before Leonard dragged Fang away. ‘All done,’ he said, kissing the side of her face. ‘You were very brave, Tilly, and you’re looking your usual lovely self. I was hoping I would see you. I’m so pleased you’ve accepted my invitation.’