Sunshine and Showers

by June Francis

  ‘Not to see his private detective, then,’ she said vehemently, placing her handbag on the table and sitting down. Then she frowned. ‘Why Seaforth? I hope to God he’s not gone to tell my mother what’s going on. But perhaps he’ll tell Greg.’ Rose drummed her fingers on the table.

  Patsy did not speak but carried on polishing the silver candelabra as if her life depended on it. She wondered if Greg was another of her brothers. Rose surprised Patsy by going over to the larder and peering inside. ‘Did the butcher boy deliver the weekend order?’

  ‘Yes, madam. I put the meat in the safe.’

  ‘And we’ve vegetables?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good. Perhaps I should cook dinner. You know what they say – the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I’ll go upstairs now and have a lie down.’ Rose picked up her handbag and walked out of the kitchen.

  Patsy was longing to know whether she had visited Mr O’Hara and if she now knew he was getting a divorce. It didn’t appear likely that she was about to walk out on her husband when she was talking about cooking his dinner. She was obviously going to try and get round him. Patsy wondered when Mr Tanner would arrive back and visualised how he might react to being summoned to his wife’s bedroom.

  Six o’clock and still David Tanner had not returned. Rose was sitting on the drawing-room floor listening to music. It seemed to have slipped her mind that she was supposed to be cooking the dinner. It was over an hour and a half later when David finally entered the house. Immediately he asked for the music to go off and dinner to be served.

  ‘I’ll be with you shortly, Rose,’ he said, not giving her a chance to speak. ‘I need a quick wash and to change.’

  ‘Why did you go to Seaforth?’ demanded Rose. ‘I hope you haven’t told Mother and Greg about this business.’

  ‘Why should that worry you? You don’t seem to care that half the neighbourhood knows you were brought home by another man, believing I was still away.’ He left the room.

  When he returned Rose pounced on him. ‘Well?’ she cried. ‘Weren’t you worried about me leaving the house the way I did?’

  ‘You’re here, aren’t you?’ David went over to the cabinet and poured himself a whisky. ‘Do you want a drink?’ he asked.

  Rose shook her head. ‘I just want you to tell me what your business was in Seaforth.’

  ‘I went to see how your mother is coping with the children. Greg is worried about them. They’re a bit wild but that’s not surprising given the circumstances. Your mother is starting to go senile and it won’t be long before she can’t manage them at all.’ He sat down and sipped his whisky.

  ‘What do you expect me to do? I’m not taking on Grenville’s children.’ She squeezed her hands tightly together. ‘So you didn’t mention to Mother the difficulties we are having with our marriage?’

  ‘I discussed your mother and the children with Greg. He does his best but he has to go out to work. I reckon that the time is coming when we are going to have to accept responsibility for your mother and the children.’

  Rose’s face set stubbornly. ‘The boys were always her favourites. She’ll only complain about me whatever I do. There is no way I’ll help her and those brats.’

  David stared at her in disbelief. ‘I can’t understand how it is you don’t want to help the children. They’re your own flesh and blood.’

  ‘I have explained. I’ll go and see Mother when it’s needful but I’ll not have her or the children living under our roof.’

  ‘That wasn’t my plan,’ said David. ‘I put it to her and Greg that we could go and live there.’ He removed the lid of a tureen and helped himself to a couple of mutton chops.

  Rose clenched her fists. ‘I know what your game is. You think that once you get me there, you’ll have Mother to keep her eye on me.’

  David shook his head. ‘Didn’t you hear a word I said? Your mother is going senile. She needs an eye keeping on her.’

  ‘I don’t want to discuss this anymore. I think I will have a drink,’ said Rose, hurrying over to the cocktail cabinet and taking out a bottle.

  Suddenly David seemed to realise that Patsy had brought in the vegetables. ‘Put them down, Patsy, and go.’

  ‘Yes, Mr Tanner.’

  ‘And close the door properly,’ ordered Rose.

  ‘Of course, madam.’

  Patsy left the room and made a great show of carefully closing the door. Even so she was still able to catch part of their conversation before she moved away.

  ‘You didn’t tell me that Brendan was in the process of divorcing his wife,’ said Rose. ‘You know what that means, don’t you?’

  ‘That you want a divorce, too?’

  ‘I’m considering it,’ she replied.

  Patsy’s heart sank. So they were going to break up. She wished that she was a fly on the wall so she could hear what David Tanner said next. Perhaps he would refuse to give his wife a divorce. What would Rose do then?

  * * *

  Maundy Thursday: Patsy was summoned by Rose to fetch her a cup of tea and a couple of arrowroot biscuits. She wasted no time in doing so. ‘Is there anything else I can do for you, madam?’ she asked.

  ‘You can tell me what kind of mood my husband is in. Is he agitated?’

  ‘He’s reading the morning paper and eating his breakfast.’

  ‘Well, that sounds civilised.’ Rose smiled. ‘You can get out my green and cream linen suit, the eau-de-Nil blouse and cream shoes. It’s possible that my husband will want you to take some of his clothes to the cleaners. Do ask him.’

  ‘Yes, madam.’

  Patsy did as Rose ordered and then went downstairs. She repeated his wife’s words about the cleaners to Mr Tanner.

  He nodded. ‘I’ll leave the clothes outside my bedroom door. While you’re out, Patsy, you can go to the post office and get me a dozen postage stamps if you would.’ He reached into a pocket and produced a ten-shilling note and handed it to her. ‘I’m going to the office. I’ll see you this evening.’ He got up and left the house.

  She collected his cleaning and hurried out. When she arrived back it was to find Mrs Tanner dressed and putting on her gloves.

  ‘Patsy, I’m going away for the weekend. You’ll be able to manage what needs to be done without my being here, won’t you?’

  ‘Yes, madam. May I ask where you’re going?’

  ‘Blackpool. I’m going to see a friend who is appearing onstage there.’

  Patsy thought this an unlikely story but wisely kept quiet. ‘I hope you have a nice time,’ she said coolly.

  ‘Thank you, Patsy. I hope all goes well with Mr Bennett’s wedding. Now open the door for me.’

  Patsy watched her go down the path with her suitcase to the car waiting at the kerb. She closed the door and listened to the silence for a moment and then she wasted no time in dialling the orphanage number, hoping she would find her sister still there. Kathleen had not responded to her note and she was worried about her. To her dismay she was informed that they had no idea of Kathleen’s whereabouts. Apparently she had not turned up at the house where she was supposed to be starting work. Remembering what her sister had said when last she had seen her, Patsy was worried. Where could Kathleen be?

  Chapter Ten

  ‘You’ll have to go back, Kathy,’ said Joy. ‘I’ve explained to you what this show of blood means, although I can’t believe that Patsy hasn’t done so already. If she didn’t, surely Matron—’

  ‘If Patsy did, then I wasn’t listening,’ interrupted Kathleen, twirling her feet and admiring her slim ankles. ‘As for Matron, I bet she thinks we’re better off not knowing about such things. D’yer think I’ve pretty ankles?’

  ‘Yes, but show a little modesty. I’ll bring this matter up with Matron when I return with you to the orphanage.’

  ‘I’ve left there now, Miss Kirk. They’ve chucked me out into the big, wide world. I was thinking that perhaps Mr Bennett could speak up for me at the Palladium? I kno
w he once played in the orchestra there and I wouldn’t mind being an usherette.’

  ‘You’re too young to be an usherette, and besides, he left the cinema years ago. You’d be better off going into service, the same as Patsy. At least you’ll have a roof over your head.’

  ‘I don’t want to go into service,’ said Kathleen with a shrug, ‘but if I have to, then perhaps you can take me on? Surely when you marry Mr Bennett on Monday, he’s not going to expect you to do all what you do now?’

  Joy knew Robbie expected exactly that from her. He’d been quite frank about it, saying he would save himself some money not having to pay her wages. Perhaps she should suggest that he sell the automobile because he did not use it as often as he used to do and, although he had given her a few driving lessons in the past, he did not really like her going out in it alone. But she was not going to say any of this to Kathleen. She had to confess the girl was irritating her, but as Joy did not want her to be a burden on Patsy, she decided to try and help Kathleen in another way.

  ‘I’ll tell you what, Kathy, you can stay in the outhouse until after the wedding. Then I can ask around to see if anyone local needs a maid. Your only other option is to sign on at the Servants’ Employment Bureau.’

  Kathleen was not keen at all to sign on but knew she had best act as if she was willing to work. ‘That’s really kind of you, Miss Kirk. I know in the past Mr Bennett wasn’t keen on having us Doyles here but I’m older now and I’m sure, once he knows me better, he could get to like me.’

  Alarm bells rang in Joy’s head and it struck her that, just like Patsy, Kathleen was probably in need of a father figure or, in Robbie’s case, a grandfather figure. Well, Joy was certainly not going to encourage her in that notion. It was true that she was no longer a child and older men could sometimes act very foolishly where adolescent girls were concerned.

  ‘I think we had better let Patsy know where you are,’ said Joy abruptly. ‘I’ll put through a call to the Tanners’ house and hopefully they won’t mind passing a message on to your sister.’

  ‘There’s no need for you to do that,’ said Kathleen hastily. ‘Patsy sent me a letter saying I was to meet her here the morning of the wedding. I can tell her everything on Monday.’

  ‘Did you reply to her letter?’

  ‘No, but she’ll know I’ve got it.’

  ‘How?’

  Kathleen did not have an answer to that and Joy was just about to telephone when the instrument rang. She hurried to answer it and had to wait a few moments before a familiar voice asked, ‘Miss Kirk, is that you?’

  Joy felt a rush of relief. ‘Patsy, I was just thinking of you.’

  ‘How strange. Is it because you know something about Mr O’Hara? Has he gone to Blackpool for the weekend?’

  ‘I wouldn’t have thought so because he’s been invited to the wedding.’

  ‘Oh, in that case he can’t be with Mrs Tanner. So why were you thinking of me?’

  ‘Wait, hold on! What’s this about Mrs Tanner going to Blackpool?’

  ‘She said she was going to see a friend who’s appearing on the stage. I didn’t believe her. I thought she was going away with him.’

  ‘How does Mr Tanner feel about that?’

  ‘I don’t think he knows. He’s gone into the office. Anyway, I was telephoning you about our Kath. She’s gone missing.’

  ‘She’s here,’ Joy explained.

  ‘Oh, that is a weight off my mind,’ said Patsy. ‘She’ll get a flea in her ear from me when I see her. I’d best ring off now because Mr Tanner doesn’t know I’m using his telephone.’

  ‘Wait!’ cried Joy. ‘So you are going to be alone in the house with Mr Tanner?’

  ‘I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Probably! But perhaps it’s best if you leave a note telling Mr Tanner there’s been a bit of trouble with your sister and that you’ll be back in the morning.’

  ‘If you feel I must, then I’ll do it,’ said Patsy. ‘But what is Mr Bennett going to say?’

  ‘You and Kathy can sleep in the outhouse so you won’t be a bother to him. Have you enough money for your fare?’

  ‘I’ll walk.’ There was a click as Patsy rang off.

  Joy decided to telephone the orphanage to let them know Kathleen was with her and that she would take responsibility for the girl. They thanked her and sounded relieved to have her off their hands.

  Joy managed to resist scolding Kathleen as she told her about Patsy’s telephone call but her voice was chilly. She ordered her up to the attic. Kathleen appeared subdued as Joy rooted out a couple of the spare mattresses that had been stored there from the time the children had stayed at the house. But at least she showed willing to help her carry them downstairs.

  There was enough space on the floor of the outhouse to unfold the mattresses. Then they returned to the house for bedding. It was only when they were making up the beds that Kathleen said, ‘I really do appreciate you helping me like this, Miss Kirk. I know you came from a good home with decent parents who looked after you. I also accept that you are aware of the kind of place where I was brought up and how different it must have been from your upbringing. You might think I should be really grateful for my life at the orphanage because of the dump I came from. Life was really bleak then. Worse for me than our Patsy. At least she’d spent time with Dad and knew that he loved her. I had none of that except from me uncle. But it’s no use me talking about him to you because you only saw the worst of him.’

  ‘Your uncle was a brutal man. He murdered your mother, he killed Mr Bennett’s dog and he broke into this house,’ said Joy, her eyes sparkling. ‘If you think I’m going to be touched by this sob story of yours, then you’re mistaken.’

  Kathleen said meekly, ‘I’m sorry about the dog but you should feel sorry for me. I had a drunken mam who went with men and there were times when I could have starved to death.’

  Joy took a deep breath. ‘When I was just a little bit younger than you, my girl, my mother fell down a flight of stairs. She was never the same again. She lay in bed and didn’t speak for months. My sister, Hanny, took over the running of the house and my younger sister and I did our best to help her. Eventually Mother was able to speak and walk again but when my younger sister drowned in the canal, Mother never recovered from the shock of it. We all have our problems, Kathy. We have to work to overcome them. You and I are the same in one way. We’re lucky to have an older sister who cares about us.’ Joy’s voice softened. ‘My sister, Hanny, has always been a good friend to me. Stop complaining and don’t take Patsy for granted.’ Joy made for the door.

  Kathleen was stunned by Joy’s tirade. ‘Perhaps yer’d like me to leave?’ she said in a shaky voice.

  Joy said sharply, ‘Did I say that?’

  ‘No, but—’

  ‘Come on, then!’ Joy led the way out. ‘Patsy will be here soon.’

  They hurried up the garden together, only to pause when a tremulous voice from the direction of the fence asked, ‘What’s going on?’

  Joy and Kathleen looked in the direction of the old woman. ‘This is a friend who is coming to stay because I’m getting married soon,’ said Joy.

  ‘That’s nice. Hope you’ll be happy,’ said Miss Parker and disappeared.

  They carried on up to the house and half an hour later there came a knock at the door. ‘It’s Patsy here. Can I come in?’

  ‘Of course you can, love,’ shouted Joy. ‘Kathy, open the door for your sister.’

  Kathleen hastened to do so and almost fell over herself to apologise. ‘I’m really sorry to have caused yer worry, Patsy, but I just couldn’t handle going to that house.’

  ‘OK! You’ve said your piece but you’re still going to have to get a job. Now can I get in?’

  ‘Of course.’ Kathleen stepped aside.

  Patsy wiped her feet on the mat and flashed Joy a serious little smile. ‘Thanks for taking her in. I really appreciate it.’

  ‘You sit down and relax,’ said Joy, s
miling. ‘Mr Bennett’s gone out.’

  Patsy placed her coat over the back of the rocking chair and sat down. ‘I left Mr Tanner a note and I hope you don’t mind but I wrote your address and telephone number on it in case he needs to get in touch with me this evening.’

  ‘OK.’ Joy sat opposite her. ‘I’ve been thinking that perhaps you and Kathy could stay at the outhouse until after the wedding. It would be more convenient for the pair of you.’

  ‘It might be but…’ Patsy frowned and absently twisted a lock of her hair around a finger. ‘Mr Tanner might need me and I don’t want to get the sack from my job, and the second thing is that I haven’t brought my dress with me.’

  ‘I don’t have a dress that properly fits me,’ interrupted Kathleen, ‘because I’ve developed.’

  ‘Is that a hint that you need a new frock?’ asked Joy.

  ‘She can’t have a new frock,’ said Patsy firmly. ‘But I’ll tell you what, Kath, maybe we could go to Paddy’s Market on Saturday if Mr Tanner will let me have the time off. We’ll go to the second-hand stall where Mam used to take us and I’ll buy you a frock for your birthday.’

  Kathleen wrinkled her nose. ‘Second-hand?’

  ‘There’s no need to look like that,’ protested Patsy. ‘You’d think you’d never worn hand-me-downs in your life. Take it or leave it. If you don’t want it, I’ll keep me money.’

  ‘I’ll take it,’ said Kathleen hastily.

  Joy made an impatient noise in her throat which drew the sisters’ attention to her. Immediately Kathleen said, ‘Thanks, Patsy. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.’

  Patsy shook her head at her. ‘I know you don’t but that’s how you sound. We’d both like new frocks but I need to have some rainy-day money so I’m not spending for the sake of it.’

  ‘Now that’s out of the way,’ said Joy, ‘I was thinking that with tomorrow being Good Friday you can both—’ She was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone and hurried out of the kitchen.