Sunshine and Showers

by June Francis

  ‘What’s she like?’

  Patsy pursed her lips and looked pensive. ‘Wait a mo’. I’ll go and get a photograph of her. He keeps one in his bedroom on the side table.’

  ‘They have separate rooms?’ asked Joy, making out that she had never heard that before.

  ‘Yes. Odd, isn’t it? I thought all married couples shared a bedroom.’

  ‘Depends on their age.’

  ‘I reckon they’re nudging thirty,’ said Patsy. ‘I’ll just go and get that picture.’

  As soon as Patsy had gone, Joy rose to her feet and warmed the teapot. By the time the girl returned, the tea was made.

  Patsy handed a framed photograph to Joy. ‘Sorry I took so long but it wasn’t where I last saw it. For some reason he’d put it in a drawer.’

  Joy stared at the image of a laughing woman. She was wearing a gown that reminded her of the one worn by the Duchess of York for her wedding three years ago. No doubt it was a copy. Round her neck Mrs Tanner was wearing several long strings of beads and the camera had caught her in the act of swinging them round and into the air.

  ‘What do you think of her?’ asked Patsy. ‘Nice-looking, isn’t she?’

  ‘Yes. But there’s something about her smile…’

  ‘She likes herself and having her own way,’ said Patsy, reaching for the photograph. ‘Yet I feel sorry for both of them at times. I’d best return that to where it came from before she gets back. She’s gone to the hairdresser’s.’

  Joy said, ‘Why do you feel sorry for them?’

  ‘They’re not happy. Anyway, I’d best put this back. I know he’s not here but he doesn’t like me going into his bedroom.’

  ‘Surely you must go in there to clean the place and make his bed?’

  Patsy shook her head. ‘No. And she doesn’t do it.’

  Joy was puzzled. ‘I bet his room’s a mess.’

  ‘No. Dead tidy.’

  ‘What’s he look like? Does she have a photograph of him in her bedroom?’

  ‘No. But there’s one in the sitting room of the pair of them on their wedding day. I forgot about it because it’s in the book cabinet.’

  Patsy hurried out of the kitchen, thinking how good it was to have someone she could talk to face-to-face about her employers. Having replaced the photograph, she paused a moment before opening a wardrobe door. Some of David Tanner’s clothes were still hanging there, so he must plan on coming back. Why should she think he wouldn’t when it was the missus who had mentioned leaving? Wasting no more time, Patsy went downstairs to the drawing room. She removed the wedding photograph from its place and carried it to the kitchen.

  ‘There he is. What d’you think?’ Patsy placed the photograph on the table.

  Joy looked at the couple and had the oddest feeling when she gazed at the groom. ‘He doesn’t exactly look over the moon to be getting married, does he? In fact, he looks terrified.’

  ‘Terrified?’ Patsy peered at the picture. ‘I’ve never really looked at it this close before. You’re right, he doesn’t look too happy, does he? Nerves probably. She looks OK, though.’

  ‘The blushing bride,’ murmured Joy, thinking of her own forthcoming nuptials. She spared Mr Tanner a second look. ‘He has good bones, and I suppose if he was smiling, then he would be good-looking. How long have they been married?’

  ‘Seven years. They had their anniversary just before he went away. Not that they were celebrating. She said she’d had seven years of pretending to be a normal married couple.’

  Joy put down the photograph. ‘I have something to tell you. I’m getting married.’

  ‘Congratulations! Who’s the lucky man?’

  ‘Mr Bennett.’

  ‘Oh!’ Patsy’s face fell.

  Joy gave a twisted smile. ‘I’m sure Tilly told you that my mother died, and as I like where I’m living and I’m fond of Mr Bennett, I accepted his offer of marriage. I’m sure you can understand my reasoning.’

  Patsy understood perfectly. ‘Too right, I do. And I’m sure he’s fond of you with you being such a good cook. I reckon he’s getting the best of the bargain. When are you getting married?’

  ‘Easter Monday. At St Margaret’s church.’

  ‘I’ll come and watch you get wed if I can get the afternoon off.’

  Joy smiled. ‘Never you mind you just coming and watching, you can come to the wedding itself.’

  Patsy beamed at her. ‘Thanks! It’ll be a nice change to go to a wedding.’

  ‘I’ve brought a proper invitation for you to show to your employers,’ said Joy, taking a card out of her handbag. ‘You can bring Kathleen too if you like,’ she added.

  Patsy was almost lost for words and clasped her hands together. ‘Are you sure you want two of us? What about Mr Bennett? Won’t two Doyles be too much for him?’

  Joy laughed. ‘Of course not. But you’ll have to speak to your sister about it. I won’t be sending her a separate invitation.’

  Patsy nodded. ‘We won’t let you down.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I believed you would. I’m sure you’ll do me proud.’

  Patsy felt tears prick the back of her eyes and hastily helped herself to a slice of cake. When she had recovered her equilibrium she told Joy about the day she had baked the cherry scones. ‘Although I told Mr Tanner that they weren’t to your recipe, he called you a paragon because I’d told him how it came about that you gave me cookery lessons.’

  Joy was flattered. ‘You must have boosted me up more than I deserved.’

  ‘No. I only told the truth,’ said Patsy sincerely. ‘His wife never bakes and he likes his stomach, not that you’d know it to look at him. He’s as slim as he was in that wedding photograph. She’s always out when he comes home in the evening. She loves tea dances and I think he can’t get it out of his mind that she might be meeting another man.’

  ‘But he hasn’t done anything about finding out if that’s true?’

  Patsy’s brow creased in thought. ‘I’ve no idea. If he did discover she was carrying on perhaps he’d explode and we’d both have to take cover.’ She gave a delicate shudder. ‘Mrs Tanner actually said to him that their first honeymoon was a shambles.’

  Joy was reminded of Robbie’s desire for a honeymoon. ‘Oh, dear!’ she murmured.

  Patsy flushed. ‘I suppose you’re thinking I shouldn’t be listening to their conversations but they speak so loudly. Anyway, I’ve seen and heard worse when Mam was alive. I’m not going to be shocked by anything they say,’ she added stoutly.

  Joy remembered what she and Hanny had discussed and decided to take the bull by the horns. ‘So Mr Tanner hasn’t made any advances towards you?’ she asked.

  ‘If you mean has he put his hand up my skirt or tried anything else on, then the answer is no. I don’t think he’s that kind of man. He’s told me off a couple of times for being careless but she’s done the same. In fact, it was she who hurt my finger. She’s got a worse temper than he has.’

  ‘Well, that’s a relief,’ said Joy, thinking this news would be a load off Tilly and Hanny’s minds. ‘It’s not unknown, you know, for employers to take advantage of servant girls.’

  Patsy smiled grimly. ‘I’ve no illusions about the extent some men will go to satisfy their lusts, whether it’s for sex, money or power. One of Mam’s blokes tried it on with me. I was terrified and kicked up a din. She came running and laid into me!’ Her voice cracked. ‘I got really angry and ran out of the house. When I went back she made out that she was all sorry. She told me then what blokes could do to a girl and how it could get them into trouble. It knocked me sideways.’

  Joy had known something of Patsy’s past but never heard this story before. She was shocked and patted the girl’s hand. ‘Is there anything else you’d like to talk about or any question you’d like to ask me?’

  Patsy put all thoughts of the past aside. ‘Who are you having for bridesmaids?’ she asked eagerly. ‘I bet Wendy Wright will be one of them.�
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  ‘Of course she will. She’s Mr Bennett’s niece.’

  ‘Will the famous detective be there, too?’ asked Patsy eagerly.

  Joy smiled, thinking that the famous detective was how Wendy’s mother had cynically referred to Grant Simpson.

  ‘Of course. They’re engaged to be married.’

  ‘Wendy will be pleased that you’re going to be her aunt but I bet her mother isn’t.’

  ‘You’re right. She doesn’t approve of me at all,’ said Joy, considering Patsy perceptive for a girl of her age. ‘But let’s forget Mrs Wright. I suggest you and your sister come to the house beforehand. My sister will be there with her husband and their twins. They’ll be glad of your help with the children. Hanny is to be my matron of honour.’

  ‘I’ll be happy to keep an eye on them for her. I know what trouble twins can be.’

  Joy smiled. ‘I’m glad we can be of help to each other.’

  Patsy could not agree more. She believed in favours being returned and Joy Kirk had been generous with her time and again in the past.

  Soon after Joy took her leave.

  Patsy knew that there were several things she was going to have to do before saying for certain that she and her sister would be able to attend the wedding. Uppermost in her mind was getting permission from Mrs Tanner to have the Easter Monday bank holiday off.

  * * *

  ‘A wedding. You’ve been invited to a wedding?’ said Rose, sounding incredulous. ‘I didn’t know you had any friends or relatives of marriageable age, Patsy.’

  ‘It’s Miss Kirk. The one who helped look after us after my mother was killed. She’s really kind.’

  ‘Who is she marrying?’

  ‘Look, here’s the invitation,’ said Patsy, handing her the printed card.

  Rose read it. ‘My goodness, she’s marrying Mr Bennett!’

  ‘That’s right. The one you know who’s a musician and has white bushy hair. Remember, I told you that she was his housekeeper?’

  ‘Yes. I believe his second wife was a wealthy widow with property she inherited from her first husband,’ said Rose. ‘Well, it certainly looks like Mr Bennett knows how to choose his wives and he definitely knows his stuff when it comes to playing the latest dance music from America. Although, that is probably down to an old friend of his, Brendan O’Hara. He’s come over from the States and he’s a marvellous dancer and has been teaching me – us, I mean, the Charleston. I do so love to dance the latest craze but David won’t even try. As you probably have guessed, Patsy, Mr Tanner is an old fuddy-duddy despite being the same age as me.’ Rose stopped and looked moody and worried all of a sudden. ‘Don’t you go telling him what I’ve just told you,’ she added sharply.

  ‘He’s not here for me to tell him anything,’ reminded Patsy.

  ‘No, of course not.’ Rose’s smile was back in place once more. ‘I will not feel guilty about refusing to go to America with him in search of my selfish, arrogant brother. Although, perhaps I will go there one day if things go my way. You’ll keep my secret, won’t you, Patsy?’

  ‘What secret is that, Mrs Tanner?’

  The woman laughed. ‘That’s a sensible girl. Now this wedding – it’s short notice but you can have your day off because I just might have plans for that weekend myself.’

  Patsy thanked her.

  ‘Now I’m going to go into town and buy myself a new dance frock. The competition is this Saturday and there are to be several prizes. I’ve my eye on winning at least one of them.’

  ‘Good luck to you, Mrs Tanner,’ said Patsy, relieved that she had agreed to her having the day off. ‘Will you get a big silver cup?’

  ‘Goodness me, I hope not! Where would I put it? A weekend for two in Blackpool, now that would be more welcome,’ she said, her eyes gleaming.

  Patsy wondered if she would be dancing the prize-winning event with Miss Swift or be partnered by Mr O’Hara. If it was the latter, was he tall, dark and handsome? Mr Bennett would know. She decided to put all that Mrs Tanner had told her out of her mind for now. She had a letter to write to her sister and there was no time to waste.

  Chapter Six

  ‘Why did you ask the eldest Doyle girl to the wedding?’ demanded Robbie on entering the drawing room a few days later.

  A startled Joy glanced up from the list of food she was compiling for the wedding buffet. ‘How do you know that when I haven’t mentioned it to you?’

  He placed his clarinet case on the sofa and sat down. ‘Because I know her employer and she told me about it.’

  ‘You’re telling me that you know the Tanners?’

  ‘I know Rose Tanner.’ He took out a packet of cigarettes and lit up. ‘You can stop looking worried. I’m not going to complain that you kept the invitation quiet from me. But you haven’t any more secrets up your sleeve, have you?’

  ‘No. But I’m interested in Mrs Tanner. Who does she dance with at the tea dances?’

  ‘I don’t know if I should tell you if you’ve been speaking to that girl.’

  ‘I see. You mean it’s a man.’

  A laugh rumbled inside Robbie’s chest. ‘Rosie isn’t the kind of lady who enjoys dancing with women.’

  ‘What’s his name?’

  ‘Why d’you want to know? You’re not going to carry tales back to the Doyle girl, are you?’

  Joy was affronted. ‘What a thing to say! I’m just curious, that’s all.’

  ‘Well, if you must know it’s Brendan O’Hara. You’ll gather he has Irish blood in him. I know him from way back when he boarded the ship at Cobh the time I set out all those years ago to make my fortune in America. I never did make my fortune but he has his finger in several pies. He’s over here for the Grand National amongst other things. He and Rosie make a good couple on the dance floor. Their steps match perfectly.’

  ‘Is he married?’

  ‘He’s in the process of getting divorced.’

  ‘Divorced!’

  Robbie frowned. ‘I know. Shocking, isn’t it? But I’m only telling you what he told me. Anyway, what’s going on between the pair of them has nothing to do with us or the Doyle girl, so keep quiet about it,’ he warned.

  ‘I have no intention of telling her anything,’ said Joy, irritated by his warning. ‘As you say, it’s none of my business.’

  ‘So why did you ask the Doyle girl to the wedding? It’s not as if she’s family.’

  ‘I felt sorry for her. I’ve asked her sister to come as well,’ said Joy, trying to keep calm. ‘They don’t get to go anywhere. They’re not fortunate enough to have relatives to take them out or buy them presents.’

  His bushy white eyebrows shot up. ‘I hope you’re not hinting that we should take on the roles of aunt and uncle to them? We already have nieces and nephews and we don’t need any more to buy presents for. As for taking them out—’

  ‘I didn’t mean for us to spend money on them,’ said Joy stiffly. ‘I just thought that occasionally it would be kind to give them a treat by inviting them to tea.’

  ‘Have you mentioned this to her?’

  ‘Without asking you? Of course not.’

  ‘Then don’t,’ he growled. ‘If I want children hanging around the house, then I’d consider having my own. Now I’d like a coffee if you don’t mind getting up and making me one?’

  ‘I don’t mind at all,’ said Joy. ‘Isn’t that what I’m here for? I’ll not invite the girls here once the wedding is over. Although, they’re hardly children. Patsy is sixteen.’

  He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. ‘You’re here for more than waiting on me, hand and foot. I count myself a lucky man that I’m marrying an attractive younger woman who is an excellent housekeeper and cook and will bring me comfort in my old age.’

  She knew what he expected her to say. ‘You’re not old. You’re still an attractive man with your own hair and your own teeth.’

  He beamed at her. ‘You certainly know how to flatter a man. Now give us a kiss.’ He drew he
r towards him.

  Joy resisted only for a second but then allowed herself to be pulled onto his knee. She did not want to antagonise him at this stage. He planted a spanking kiss on her lips and she did not find it too distasteful. As long as the comfort he sought did not go further than a few kisses and cuddles she thought she could cope. But it did worry her that he might read into these little signs of affection an invitation to more intimate behaviour. It could be the thin end of the wedge but she could not see what she could do about it at the moment.

  ‘We’ll have some champagne when I get back later,’ he said, releasing her.

  ‘What for?’ she asked, startled. ‘What are you celebrating?’

  ‘Do I need to be celebrating anything special? I like champagne. As it is, you’re right in thinking I have something to celebrate. I’ve been asked to be the accompanist for one of the turns in a variety show at the Hippodrome next week. Their usual man has been taken into hospital with appendicitis. I’m due for a rehearsal this evening. I’ll bring the champagne home with me,’ he wheezed against her ear.

  Joy would much rather forgo the champagne. A couple of glasses and she became really woozy and it wasn’t as if she liked the taste. Goodness knows where it might lead if she were to have one glass too many. She decided not to wait up for him. Her mind drifted to what he had told her about Rosie Tanner and Brendan O’Hara. Of course, it could be that the relationship between the two dancers was kept strictly to the dance floor. Or were they having an affair? If so, what would Mr Tanner do if he were to find out?

  * * *

  Patsy entered the drawing room to find that yet again the carpet was rolled up and the furniture shoved against the wall. Rose Tanner was dancing alone to the strains of a tune Patsy recognised as being popular a couple of years ago. ‘California, Here I Come’ had been whistled by every delivery boy who had called at her previous employer’s house. She stood, clutching the telegram and tapping her foot to the music. Her mistress was oblivious to her presence, so Patsy allowed herself a few moments to think about the letter she had received from the guardians about Kathleen.