Sunshine and Showers

by June Francis

  Donavan opened his mouth as if to say something else but just then Joy called out his name. ‘Mr Donavan! Mr Donavan, where are you? Dinner’s on the table.’

  ‘He’s here, Mrs Bennett,’ shouted David.

  ‘Where’s here?’ asked Joy.

  ‘I think you know. The other side of the fence.’

  ‘So you’re there, Mr Tanner,’ said Joy.

  ‘Yes. I think this is me speaking.’

  ‘Smart Alec,’ he heard her mutter.

  He grinned. ‘I heard that.’

  Donavan smiled and held out a hand. ‘Thanks for the beer and for the wood. I look forward to us being neighbours.’

  David took his hand. ‘Interesting meeting you.’

  * * *

  ‘So, Mr Donavan, what were you doing next door?’ asked Joy, pulling out a chair for him at the table.

  ‘Getting wood,’ he said succinctly.

  ‘You mean for your carving?’

  ‘That’s right. You might have noticed that Mr Tanner had need to cut down a tree. Too close to the house,’ said Donavan, reaching for the tureen of potatoes.

  ‘Did you go inside?’

  ‘No. We sat outside and had a couple of beers.’

  Joy heard a low sound and shot a glance at Flora who was spooning carrots on to her plate. There was a disapproving expression on her face. Joy wondered for how much longer she could put up with the girl. Strange, how she could look so like Tilly at that age but be so different. Both had stunning red-gold hair and lovely features with green eyes and Cupid’s bow mouth. Joy remembered a time when Flora had not always been so discontented and disapproving. Otherwise, she would not have agreed to have her stay whilst Wendy and Grant were away.

  ‘Can I ask what you were talking about if you were there long enough to drink beer with him?’ asked Joy.

  ‘We talked about the war,’ said Donavan. ‘Now, that’s something you two ladies wouldn’t be interested in.’

  ‘I don’t see why not,’ said Flora, taking Joy by surprise. ‘It affected us as much as you, Mr Donavan. My father was horribly disfigured. I’ll never forget the shock it gave me when he returned home. Like most men he chose to hide the truth. If only he’d have been honest it would not have affected us so badly at the time.’

  ‘Ah well, Miss Bennett, women can be just as deceitful towards their menfolk,’ growled Donavan.

  ‘That’s true,’ said Joy, thinking of Rose Tanner.

  ‘It was an unnecessary war,’ said Flora in a tight voice.

  Joy saw Donavan flinch. ‘Enough, Flora!’ Her voice was sharp.

  Flora looked mutinous but she said no more.

  Joy wanted to apologise for the girl’s words but decided to let it go. Although Flora could be sulky and disapproving, she was adept at handling Robert and for that reason alone Joy was prepared to continue to put up with her until Wendy and Grant returned. Joy glanced at her son who was sitting in his feeding chair, eating a Farley’s rusk and dropping bits to Rex who was stretched out at the foot of it.

  ‘Oh, to be like that little fella,’ said Donavan, his eyes following hers. ‘Not a cross word passes his lips and he has a smile for everyone.’ He chucked the baby under his chin. Robert chuckled and hit the man’s arm with the rusk.

  ‘Don’t do that, Robert,’ said Joy, seizing a dishcloth and wiping the smear of food from Donavan’s sleeve.

  ‘It’s nothing to worry about, Mrs Bennett,’ he said. ‘Children will be children. I remember—’ He stopped abruptly and gave his attention once more to his dinner plate.

  ‘What is it you remember?’ asked Joy curiously.

  ‘A girlie enjoying a sugar butty.’ Donavan pushed back his chair and with a muttered ‘Excuse me’ he left the room.

  ‘Now, how’s that for bad manners?’ said Flora. ‘He hasn’t finished his dinner.’

  ‘Shut up, Flora!’ Joy got up from the table and went after him, only to hear the front door slam.

  She returned to the dining room. ‘That man has sadness in his past, Flora. He could have lost his daughter. Maybe an only daughter after his wife died in childbirth,’ she murmured.

  ‘You don’t know that,’ said Flora.

  ‘No, because he’s not a man to talk about himself.’

  ‘He obviously talked to Mr Tanner but then he’s a man.’

  ‘Don’t state the obvious,’ said Joy, going over to the sideboard and pouring herself a glass of sherry.

  ‘Aren’t I getting offered any sherry?’ asked Flora.

  ‘No. You’re under age.’

  ‘I’ve been in a pub and wasn’t thrown out.’

  Joy stared at her hard. ‘That isn’t something to boast about. No doubt that young man you ran off with took you there. Well, be glad that he doesn’t know where you are now. He could have ruined you and you’re still too blind to see it.’

  Flora said passionately, ‘It’s obvious that you have never really been in love!’

  ‘Don’t talk nonsense, Flora!’ Joy sipped her sherry.

  ‘You would say that. You’re as bad as Mummy,’ said Flora, dropping her knife and fork onto her plate with a clatter. ‘I’m going outside. I need some fresh air.’ She opened the french windows and went into the garden.

  Joy wondered whether to just leave her to sulk but decided instead to follow her. She found Flora stood in the middle of the garden, her shoulders heaving. ‘He’s not worth all this heartache, love,’ said Joy.

  ‘I know,’ said Flora in a choking voice.

  ‘You realise that, then, good!’

  ‘I wrote to him and told him where I was staying. I thought he would come and take me away.’ The words were punctuated by sobs. ‘He didn’t even answer my letter. I thought maybe it had gone missing so I wrote him another one but still he didn’t write or come. It’s as if I’ve ceased to exist for him.’

  ‘I don’t remember you posting any letters.’

  ‘I crept out when everyone was in bed. I thought that dog was going to give me away but he just gave a low growl because he doesn’t like me.’

  ‘You haven’t given him a chance to like you. Dogs sense when people don’t like them,’ said Joy.

  ‘You believe that?’ asked Flora, wiping her face with a handkerchief.

  ‘Yes.’ Joy sighed. ‘Do you want to go back home? I suppose if you’ve come to your senses, then there’s little point in you staying here.’

  Flora faced her. ‘I don’t want to go back home. Kathy is the daughter Mummy wants, not me.’

  ‘That’s not true,’ said Joy firmly. ‘But you can’t say that your behaviour has helped the situation. It’s obvious that staying on at school hasn’t been right for you and neither is working in the shop. What is it you want to do?’

  A sigh escaped Flora. ‘I don’t know. I like children.’

  ‘You’d like to have your own babies?’

  ‘Oh, I love babies but one doesn’t have to have them immediately these days. Have you ever read Marie Stopes’ work on women’s rights, married life and family planning, Aunt Joy?’

  ‘No. I take it that you have?’

  Flora said hastily, ‘Of course not, but I have heard a lot about her and she’s out to help women.’

  Joy did not believe her. ‘You’re too young to get married, anyway.’

  ‘I know. But I could try and get a job over here. I promise I’ll behave myself from now on.’

  ‘Really,’ said Joy, smiling. ‘If you do stay, then you’re going to have to be nice to Mr Donavan. He was obviously upset earlier.’

  ‘I know. Do you really think he had a daughter and lost her?’

  ‘It’s possible,’ said Joy.

  ‘And his wife to childbirth? I’m not sure about that, Aunt Joy, because he became angry and said that some women were deceivers.’

  ‘Well, it’s true they are.’

  Flora slipped her hand through Joy’s arm. ‘So can I stay?’

  ‘I suppose so,’ said Joy, ‘if you really mean it a
bout getting a job. A part-time one would do, so that you can still help me with Robert and the housework.’

  They went inside the house.

  Joy was seeing to the dishes when there was a knock at the kitchen door. ‘Mrs Bennett, are you there?’

  ‘Of course I’m here.’ Joy turned from the sink and stared at David as he stood in the doorway.

  ‘I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation earlier with your young relative,’ he said, wiping his boots on the mat. ‘Is she here?’

  ‘You mean Flora?’

  ‘Yes. I’d like to help the girl.’

  Joy gazed into his serious grey eyes. ‘That’s really kind of you but in what way can you help?’

  ‘I can give her a part-time job in my office. She’ll be starting off as little more than a glorified tea girl but she’ll gain experience and earn a little money.’

  ‘Is there no end to your generosity, Mr Tanner?’ Impulsively, Joy reached up and brushed her lips against his cheek. ‘I’ll call her and you can ask her yourself.’ She turned away and left the room.

  She returned with Flora holding Robert by both hands as he toddled before her. ‘Good God! He’s walking,’ said David. ‘How old is he now?’

  ‘Ten months,’ said Joy.

  ‘Incredible how swiftly the time has gone.’ He turned his attention to Flora. ‘Nice to meet you, Flora. I was just wondering if you’d like a job?’

  ‘A job!’ Flora glanced at Joy.

  ‘This is Mr Tanner who’ll be moving in next door,’ she said. ‘He’s suggested that you might like to go and work in his office part-time.’

  ‘I accept,’ said Flora immediately. ‘When do I start? And where will I live when Wendy and Grant come home?’

  David laughed. ‘I’m sure you and Joy will be able to sort that out, young lady, when they do.’

  Joy had a sudden sinking feeling in her stomach as she looked at the two of them. Surely the lovely Flora was not going to bewitch David? She prayed that she was mistaken because she just could not bear it if he made a fool of himself over the girl.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Joy was sitting at the dining room table making paper chains to decorate the house for Christmas when she heard a knocking on the french window. She turned her head and, to her surprise, saw a face pressed against the darkened window. She could scarcely believe her eyes when she recognised Wendy. Joy dropped the paste brush in the jar and rushed to unlock the door.

  ‘About time you came home,’ she cried happily, flinging her arms about her niece. ‘I was starting to believe that you would stay the other side of the Atlantic for ever.’

  A glowing Wendy returned her hug. ‘No, Aunt Joy, I had to come home and besides I would never have stayed away for Christmas. I was beginning to panic but then Grant said Just one last island.’

  Joy brought her inside into the warmth and over to the fire. ‘What do you mean by that? Where’s Grant? Did you find the man?’

  ‘Yes! We followed I don’t know how many leads without success but wherever we went Grant visited the local newspaper office and paid for an article to be enclosed with all the necessary information about the search, hoping that if Rodney Smith did not see it, then someone who’d been in contact with him might, and then get in touch. Grant put a little footnote asking them to telephone or write to the newspaper with information.

  ‘So where was he?’ asked Joy, her eyes wide with interest.

  ‘On a yacht in the West Indies,’ said Wendy.

  ‘No-o!’ breathed Joy.

  ‘It’s true!’ Wendy chuckled. ‘He lived and worked in Florida for a few years, then he bought a yacht and set sail around the islands. Apparently he kept meaning to write home but as time passed and he married a Jamaican woman he just didn’t get round to it.’

  Joy shook her head. ‘He’s really thoughtless, isn’t he? So he’s married a Jamaican woman.’

  ‘Yes. So in a way you can understand his reasoning for staying away. I’d say Tabitha probably has white blood in her somewhere. But from what I’ve heard about his mother, she would never have approved of her. Tabitha’s pretty and wears brightly coloured dresses. As for the children—’

  Joy gasped. ‘How many children does he have?’

  ‘Three. The little girl is so cute with curly hair tied up with bright-yellow ribbons.’ Wendy smiled. ‘Grant and I decided we’d be happy with a girl just as much as a boy.’

  ‘You mean…?’

  ‘Yes!’ Wendy’s eyes shone. ‘Going away did the trick. Grant and I are having a baby.’

  ‘That’s wonderful! Look, why don’t you sit down? You must be exhausted after all this travelling.’ Joy pressed Wendy into a chair.

  ‘No. But the voyage home was a bit of a trial.’

  ‘But you’re OK?’ Joy asked anxiously.

  ‘I’m fine. The baby’s due in summer.’

  Joy smiled. ‘A much better time of year to be getting up in the night.’

  Wendy gave a mock groan.

  ‘This calls for a celebratory drink,’ said Joy.

  She poured out two sherries and gave one to Wendy. ‘So how did you eventually find Rodney Smith?’

  ‘He takes tourists out fishing on his boat and one of them happened to be a native of one of the towns we visited. They’d read the article and remembered his name.’

  ‘So is he coming home?’

  ‘Grant said he mentioned something about the British weather at this time of year.’ Wendy grimaced. ‘You can’t blame the man. He gave Grant a letter to give to David.’

  ‘I wonder what’s in it,’ mused Joy.

  A silence fell.

  Wendy cleared her throat. ‘Aunt Joy, Grant and I have decided we need somewhere a bit bigger. I’m sorry but we’re thinking of moving into one of David’s apartments.’

  Joy said, ‘Is David aware of what you’re planning?’

  ‘He should be by now. Grant went straight to David’s office with it being not far from the Pier Head.’

  ‘Well, I hope all goes well for you both. Congratulations!’ Joy raised her glass. ‘I’m so glad about the baby and relieved that you’re not moving far away.’

  Wendy looked relieved. ‘I’m so happy you feel like that, Aunt Joy. Hopefully we’ll be able to move in right away.’

  ‘That should please Flora,’ said Joy dryly.

  ‘Where is Flora?’ Wendy glanced about her as if expecting the girl to pop out from behind a chair.

  Joy explained about the part-time job. ‘Anyway, it’s wonderful to have you home and in time for Christmas. Not that I’m planning on being here.’

  Wendy’s face fell. ‘But we’ve brought presents and you weren’t to open them until Christmas. I suppose you’re going to Chester?’

  Joy nodded. ‘I did spend last Christmas here with you.’

  They both fell silent, remembering the sadness of that occasion. This Christmas there would be two faces missing. ‘We’ll have to visit the graves,’ said Joy.

  Wendy nodded. Joy guessed that, although there would be sadness at Christmas, it would not dim the glad news that if all went well there would be a baby to spoil next year.

  Wendy wiped her eyes. ‘What about Mr Donavan? Do you know what he’s doing for Christmas?’

  ‘He might be working in the hotel over the festive season,’ said Joy. ‘And Mrs Sanderson and her son will be spending it with family, I should imagine.’

  ‘The same as David Tanner, no doubt,’ said Wendy. ‘It could be the last Christmas the children and Greg Molyneux and Patsy have in the house in Seaforth.’

  ‘It’s sad when it’s been the children’s home all their lives,’ said Joy. ‘I wonder what Patsy and that young man will do? I’ve yet to meet him.’

  Wendy stretched her legs out to the fire. ‘I guess you will sooner or later. He’s bound to visit next door.’

  ‘I’ve only seen David in passing in the last few weeks,’ sighed Joy. ‘Even so I’ve knitted him a pair of warm socks for C
hristmas. I thought I’d ask Flora to pass them on to him with a card.’

  ‘Do you think she enjoys working in his office?’

  Joy shrugged. ‘She hasn’t complained.’

  ‘He’s long-suffering is David Tanner. When you think what he put up with that wife of his. There’s not many like him around, Aunt Joy.’ Wendy gave her a hard stare.

  ‘What’s that look supposed to mean?’ asked Joy, raising her eyebrows. ‘I know David Tanner is a really nice man. What do you want me to do about it?’

  ‘I’m not saying you should do anything,’ said Wendy hastily, getting up. ‘But I was thinking how fortunate I am to be married when I’m living in a country where there’s probably almost twice as many women as there are men.’

  ‘I guess that comment is supposed to make me think,’ said Joy, feeling exasperated with her niece. ‘Well, my thought is that being part of a couple is not always as easy as people imagine it to be.’

  ‘I think most married couples soon become aware of that, Aunt Joy.’ Wendy went over to her and kissed her. ‘Have you the key to our room?’

  Joy went and fetched it. ‘Flora should be home in an hour or so,’ she warned.

  ‘Hopefully I’ll be out of there by then,’ said Wendy. ‘Grant is sorting out our luggage. See you later.’

  * * *

  Flora entered the kitchen where Joy was preparing their evening meal and stopped to draw off her gloves and place them on the table. ‘I’ve news,’ she said.

  ‘If it’s that Wendy and Grant are back, I know,’ said Joy.

  Flora scowled. ‘Damn! I had a feeling you might. I bet you don’t know that they’re moving in to one of the apartments next door?’

  ‘So it’s for definite, is it?’ said Joy.

  Flora took off her coat and flung it on the back of a chair. ‘Well, you don’t know everything, Aunt Joy. I bet Wendy didn’t tell you that Mr Tanner wants Grant Simpson to keep an eye on Mr Donavan. What do you think of that?’