Sunshine and Showers

by June Francis

  Patsy was aware of a rush of excitement as she helped Helen into the sidecar. She strapped on the leather helmet Greg had handed her before accepting his assistance to climb onto the pillion seat.

  ‘You’re going to have to cling on to me,’ he ordered. ‘Don’t want you sliding off backwards as we start off.’

  ‘Yes, sir! I hope we get there in time,’ said Patsy.

  ‘The roads are bound to be busy,’ warned Greg. He was about to draw down his goggles but paused to look up at the early summer sky. For days there had been discussions about whether they’d get a clear view or whether cloud would obscure the eclipse. But even if that happened, it was still going to be really eerie because it was expected that day would be turned into night for a few short seconds as the moon’s shadow obliterated the sun. He was glad to be sharing it with Patsy and would have preferred it if they could have had this time alone. But he had to consider the kids and, besides, how often did an eclipse come along?

  The engine roared into life, shattering the peace of the garden. With a whirr of wings several pigeons flew into the air.

  Patsy clasped her hands firmly together against Greg’s chest as he guided the vehicle out into the road. She was filled with happiness. They made their way to Little Crosby, a village of sandstone cottages with pretty gardens, and then went along country lanes until eventually they came out further along the Liverpool-Southport Road. It was really thrilling, roaring along the road with the hedgerows flying by so early that June morning. Patsy was aware that this was one of those moments in life which she would always associate with having an excellent excuse to snuggle up close to Greg. She was determined to enjoy herself. It was just a pity it was a weekday because otherwise they could have spent the rest of the day in Southport.

  There were already crowds of people and motors parked near the sand dunes and on the beach when they arrived at their destination. Without too much difficulty Greg managed to find a place to park his vehicle that would give them an unobstructed view of the shortly expected eclipse.

  Helen was shivering, but whether that was excitement or due to the chill of early morning, Patsy was unsure. Unfortunately there was a fair amount of cloud about but as she hugged the girl close, watching the sky and half listening to Greg talking to Nelson about what was about to happen, she thought how patient he was with the children. He understood about a child’s need for trust and to feel secure. Their need, in particular, for a father figure. She considered the difficulties so many widows would have bringing up their children single-handed. She thought of her own tragic mother and father, only to be interrupted by a cry of, ‘Here it comes!’

  Greg reached out and gripped Patsy’s free hand and she moved a fraction closer to him as the sky began to darken. It was really eerie as shadows began to cross the landscape and then darkness fell and there was a hush. She held her breath as she thrilled to feel the clasp of his fingers around hers at the sight of this natural phenomenon. But it did not last very long. It grew light and Nelson and Helen let out a cheer.

  Greg and Patsy laughed. ‘Quite a way to come for such a brief experience but worth it,’ she said.

  ‘In olden days they would have said it forewarned the people that the end of the world was nigh,’ said Greg in a hollow voice.

  ‘It makes you wonder who you’d like to spend those last minutes with if it was the end of the world,’ mused Patsy.

  ‘And doing just what?’ asked Greg, gazing into her eyes.

  Then he pressed his lips against hers just for a brief moment. Yet it was long enough to leave her lips tingling and to send a thrill through her. She did not know how to react and he must have realised that because he squeezed her hand and then released it. ‘Come on, we’re going to have to make a move if we don’t want the old woman waking up before we get back.’

  She agreed.

  On the return journey Patsy clung to him on the back of the motorbike, not for the first time wondering what to make of his actions. Could she read anything of his intentions into that short kiss? Was there a future for them together? Despite his saying that first day last November that he did not pay her wages, she still felt at times that he was her boss and superior to her. How could there possibly be marriage in his mind? What would happen when the old woman died? She no longer talked as much as she used to do and was becoming incontinent which was a real bind. Rodney figured less and less in what she did have to say. It was as if she was forgetting more and more all that she had known. Patsy knew that the time was coming when a decision was going to have to be made concerning Violet Smith.

  That decision was to be made sooner than Patsy had thought. They arrived back at the house to discover that the old woman was not in her bed. They searched the house from top to bottom and the outhouses, too, without any success. It was a harassed-looking Greg who made the decision for them to split up and comb the nearby streets, even going as far as the army barracks. This needed to be done before the roads became really busy with people going to work.

  They had no success.

  Helen suggested to Patsy that they try the beach.

  ‘But she never went on the sands,’ said Patsy.

  ‘She used to go sometimes before you came,’ said Nelson. ‘She was looking for Rodney’s ship.’

  Patsy and Greg exchanged looks. ‘But she scarcely mentions Rodney these days,’ said Patsy. ‘I reckon she could have gone to the shops for toffees. Perhaps I should go and look for her while you go to work, Greg.’

  Greg shook his head. ‘I’m not going anywhere until we find her. But the kids can get ready and go to school.’

  ‘No,’ cried Helen, tugging on his arm. ‘I want to help find her.’

  ‘OK! We all carry on looking for her. I suppose the more pairs of eyes we have the better,’ he said.

  ‘We should enlist the neighbours,’ said Patsy.

  ‘I didn’t consider them,’ said Greg, his eyes lightening.

  ‘And what about the police?’ asked Nelson. ‘They find missing persons.’

  It was decided that Patsy would alert the neighbours and Greg go to the police station.

  ‘Me and Helen will go to the beach,’ said Nelson.

  ‘No,’ said Greg, frowning. ‘I’m not certain if the tide is coming in or going out and I’d rather not risk you getting trapped on a sandbank or in one of the gullies. I’d feel happier if you were in school.’

  Nelson groaned. ‘But we’ll miss all the excitement.’

  Greg gave him an exasperated look. ‘Just do as you’re told and take Helen with you.’

  Nelson succumbed but he was obviously not happy about it.

  With the children on their way to school and the neighbours alerted and the police informed, Greg and Patsy set out for the beach, looking in certain shops on the way.

  Greg and Patsy walked in a parallel line several yards from each other, looking this way and that as their eyes scanned the expanse of beach. The tide was going out and there were pools of water in the ridged sand. Greg had chosen to walk nearest to the sea and it was he who spotted the old woman first. He shouted to Patsy and began to run. She followed him and, as she drew closer, realised that Violet was in real difficulties. She was up to her thighs in soft, wet sand. Even as Patsy watched, she saw her topple over onto her face. The girl let out a cry but by then Greg had almost reached the old woman.

  He plunged in to the sand up to his ankles and then his knees and halfway up to his thighs before he managed to grab hold of the old woman’s shoulder and heave her upright. She flayed her arms about and then fell against him. For a moment Patsy was convinced that he was in danger of falling backwards himself with her on top of him. But with an enormous amount of effort he managed to keep his balance. Then Patsy reached the edge of what she saw was blackened oozing mud and sand.

  ‘Don’t come any closer!’ warned Greg. ‘Just see if you can reach out and grab hold of her arm if I push her towards you.’

  Patsy’s heart was pounding as she
attempted to do what he asked. Stretching out as far as she was able, she managed to seize hold of Violet’s wrist. She pulled with all her might and the old woman screamed but Patsy did not let go. With Greg pushing and Patsy pulling, they managed to get her onto firmer ground. Once there, she lay muttering and moaning on the sand.

  Patsy turned to Greg and held out her hand but he could not reach it unless he stretched himself out on the surface of the treacherous patch. If he did that she feared he might sink into it. ‘Wait, wait,’ she cried, removing the belt from her frock.

  She flung an end towards him. He seized hold of it and, with Patsy heaving on one end, managed to drag himself out. Panting, he knelt with his hands on his knees gazing at her. ‘Thanks,’ he managed to say at last.

  ‘Are you OK?’ she asked anxiously.

  ‘I’ve felt better.’ He gave her a lopsided grin. ‘We make a good team.’

  She gave a relieved smile. ‘Do you want to rest or shall we start making tracks right away? You’ll need a bath and a change and so will she.’

  They both looked down at Violet and between them they lifted her to her feet. She was smeared in mud and sand and smelt terribly.

  ‘Let’s get her home,’ said Greg with a sigh.

  They wasted no time in doing so, and by the time they reached the house, Patsy was almost as filthy as the other two. They went in the back way. ‘I’ll fill the boiler in the wash house,’ said Patsy, ‘and once the water is hot enough I’ll take down the bath from the wall and fill it.’

  ‘You’ll do nothing of the sort,’ said Greg, staying her hand. ‘I’m going to have to strip off in the wash house. If you’ll fetch my other set of working clothes and place them outside the door that’ll be a help. I’ll sluice myself down in the sink in there and then I’ll lift down the bath before going to work. Hopefully, the boss will accept my excuse for being late or I’ll lose a day’s pay.’

  Patsy hurried to do what he asked, thinking she would have been happier if he’d been able to stay off work but she understood that he could not afford to do so. She seated the old woman down on a bench in the garden and told her to stay put. Then Patsy removed her sandy shoes, washed her hands in the kitchen sink and went upstairs to fetch Greg’s clothing. She shuddered when she thought about the danger he had put himself in by rescuing the old woman and realised just how much he meant to her.

  She dumped his clothes outside the washroom door and told him that they were there before turning towards Violet. She had curled herself up on the bench and her eyes were closed but she was moaning softly. Patsy fetched a cushion and, placing a cloth over it, slid it gently beneath her cheek. Then she went and informed her next-door neighbour that they had found the old woman. Then she went back through the house into the garden.

  A few moments later Greg emerged from the wash house. He was buttoning a sleeve. ‘Will you be all right with her?’ he asked.

  Patsy nodded. ‘Once I’ve given her a bath, she’ll probably sleep the rest of the morning and perhaps even into the afternoon.’

  ‘Well, don’t you overdo it,’ he warned. ‘Don’t be worrying about the housework. You have a rest. I’ll slip into the police station on the way to work and tell them we’ve found her.’

  ‘OK,’ said Patsy.

  Greg squeezed her shoulder. ‘You’re the best. See you later.’

  ‘Sure. You don’t go working too hard either.’

  They smiled at each other and she stood watching him wheel out his motorbike. Once she heard the engine start she went into the wash house and set about filling the boiler. By the time she had bathed Violet and got her into clean clothes and rubbed her scanty grey hair dry, they were both ready for a rest. Patsy made tea and settled the old woman in a chair in the front room and, collecting a book from the bookcase, she settled herself where she could keep an eye on her charge, only to find the words on the page running together after a short while, and gradually she drifted off.

  The noise of breaking crockery roused her and she forced open her eyes to see Violet on the floor. Patsy tried to rouse her but although she was still breathing she did not stir. For a moment Patsy could not decide what to do but eventually she left her and hurried to the corner shop. She explained what had happened and asked if she could use their telephone to call the doctor.

  By the time the doctor arrived Violet had passed away. Patsy could only clench her fists and pray that this would be the last time for a long, long time that she would witness the end of someone’s life.

  Greg did not seem surprised when Patsy told him that the old woman was dead. As for the children, they accepted it without fuss. They just wanted to know whether their grandma would go to Heaven. Greg made arrangements the following morning to see the undertaker and vicar and arrange the funeral. Then he got in touch with David at his office and told him what had happened. He told Greg that he would call round that evening.

  * * *

  The children were playing out in the street when David arrived. Neither Greg nor Patsy saw any reason for keeping them in after they had been at school all day. Helen was whipping a top along the pavement while Nelson was playing rounders with some lads and lasses of his own age. Greg was tinkering with his motorbike and Patsy was making supper. Suddenly she heard voices in the lobby and recognised Greg’s and David Tanner’s.

  ‘It’s time you were rid of that contraption,’ said David. ‘They’re bloody dangerous. You don’t want to be the next one to go.’

  ‘You’re right,’ said Greg, surprising Patsy. ‘I’m going to sell it, and when I’ve saved up a bit more money and I’m out of my time and on journeyman’s wages, I’m going to buy a little motor. It’s bloody miserable in winter when you’re out in the elements.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear you’re coming to your senses at last,’ said David. ‘So when’s the funeral to be?’

  Greg told him and asked would he be able to attend.

  ‘Of course. But before then there are matters you need to be aware of before you start making any plans. By the way, how’s Patsy?’

  ‘She’s a treasure. She’s bearing up well considering she was there when my foster mother collapsed.’

  Foster mother! Patsy wondered if she had misheard what he said but even so she felt herself glowing at Greg’s compliment.

  ‘I know Patsy’s worth,’ said David. ‘But she is only seventeen and she can’t stay here with just you and the kids in the circumstances.’

  ‘I know what you’re going to say but I don’t want her to leave and neither do the kids,’ said Greg.

  ‘I understand that and that’s why I’m going to suggest that I come and live here for a while,’ said David.

  ‘You mean you’d act as a chaperone,’ drawled Greg.

  ‘If that’s how you like to put it. I just thought it would make life easier for all of us. I’m in the process of buying the house next door to Patsy’s friend, Mrs Bennett, as an investment.’

  ‘I see. When do you expect to move in?’

  ‘Not for months. There’s a lot of alterations I want doing to turn the place into three apartments,’ he replied. ‘One for myself and the other two for rental. I intend carrying out some of the work myself.’

  ‘Well, you’re welcome to stay here,’ said Greg. ‘What about the house? I presume it’ll come to the kids.’

  ‘Wrong,’ said David. ‘I tried to persuade your foster mother to alter her will in their favour about two years ago but she refused and left everything to Rodney and made him their guardian.’

  Greg swore. ‘But surely he must be dead, not to have been in touch?’

  ‘Not all men who go missing want to be found,’ said David. ‘But for the children’s sake we need to sort this out. Anyway, I’ve thought of hiring a private detective to try and find him. I can’t do it myself, although I did have a try.’

  ‘Have you anyone in mind?’ asked Greg.

  ‘As it happens I do,’ said David, a smile in his voice.

  Patsy wondered i
f he could possibly be talking about Grant Simpson. But David was talking again.

  ‘In the meantime, Greg, you’ll carry on as you’ve been doing. I plan to contribute to the housekeeping kitty and I’ll pay Patsy an extra five shillings a week.’

  ‘I’ll speak to Patsy and ask her to prepare the bedroom for you.’

  Patsy prepared to act as if she did not know anything about what had just been said, but despite the trauma of the last couple of days, her heart was singing.

  * * *

  It was not until a fortnight after the funeral that Greg said to Patsy, ‘How d’you fancy going to the Regent tomorrow night?’

  There was an expression in his eyes that gave her a lovely feeling. ‘Do you mean take the children?’ she asked with an air of innocence.

  He took her hand and drew her towards him. ‘You know I don’t. I was thinking just you and me.’

  ‘I’d like that,’ said Patsy with a faint smile. She felt on a different footing with him since she had discovered he was not related to Violet Smith but was her foster son. ‘D’you think Mr Tanner will be prepared to look after the children?’

  ‘I’m sure he will.’

  ‘In that case I accept,’ said Patsy.

  Almost immediately she began to wonder what to wear. It was a shame she had not had time to visit Chester and see her sister. She could have asked her to make her a couple of summer dresses. Maybe when the school holidays broke up she would take Jimmy and the twins, as well as Nelson and Helen, over there.

  Later she checked that week’s Crosby Herald to see what film was showing at the Regent. From the write-up in the newspaper Ella Cinders sounded a bit of all right. Much to her satisfaction Greg arranged with David to keep an eye on Nelson and Helen which proved to her more than anything that her former employer was in favour of Greg and herself having fun together.