Sunshine and Showers

by June Francis

  ‘No. He’ll be working from home.’

  Joy smiled. ‘It’s been a pleasure talking to you, Mr Molyneux.’

  ‘And you, too, Mrs Bennett,’ he said, returning her smile.

  She was halfway down the path when he called out, ‘You didn’t say what you wanted to see David about. Perhaps I can take a message to him?’

  ‘That’s kind of you but I’d rather speak to him face-to-face. It’s business, you see, although, perhaps you can tell him to expect a visit from me. I presume he’ll be staying put for a while?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Joy waved and returned home.

  She told Flora about David Tanner’s accident. The girl was dismayed, wondering how it would affect her position at the office. Donavan was sharing dinner with them and Joy wondered if Grant had kept an eye on him during the last week and whether he would continue to do so. She hoped that her lodger was unaware that he was being followed. She wondered what it was that David knew about him that she didn’t.

  The weather was so bad during the next few days that Joy changed her mind about venturing as far as Seaforth. She had planned to take Robert with her, certain that Patsy would like to see him. But as gales continued to batter the west coast she decided to leave him in Wendy’s safe hands one day and set out for Seaforth.

  * * *

  ‘Do you think Joy Bennett will come today?’ asked David, swinging into the kitchen on crutches.

  ‘Perhaps,’ said Patsy, thinking he had asked that question every day. At least his accident had served one good purpose and that was it had delayed the house being put up for sale.

  At that moment the door knocker sounded. They looked at each other. ‘Will I go or you?’ asked Patsy.

  He swung himself out of the kitchen and headed for the front door. Leaning on his crutches, he opened first the vestibule and then the front door. With a catch of the heart he gazed down at a flushed and wild-haired Joy.

  ‘Hello, Mr Tanner,’ she said, sounding breathless. ‘Can I come in? It’s still blowing a gale out here.’

  ‘Of course,’ he said politely. ‘I’ve been expecting you for days.’

  ‘Sorry. It’s been the weather.’ Her heart sank, thinking that he sounded cross with her.

  ‘Come this way.’

  She followed him into a room where a log fire burnt. ‘Oh, lovely!’ She put down her handbag and pulled off her gloves and held her hands out to the fire. ‘I was blown here once I left the train.’ She forced herself to make light conversation. ‘What would you do with this weather?’

  ‘Move to the Caribbean?’ suggested David.

  His reply surprised her. ‘I presume that’s a reference to your wife’s brother? I’m surprised you can’t do something legal to stop him taking the children’s home from them. Although, it’s not only theirs, is it, but Greg Molyneux’s as well? It seems unfair that Rodney Smith gets it all and they get nothing. Especially when you know that young man stuck it out here with his foster mother, when she was going senile.’

  David frowned. ‘Is that what you came for – to tear a strip off me because you believe I’m doing nothing to help them?’

  Joy was taken aback. ‘Of course not!’ She gazed at him and smiled hesitantly. ‘I came to give you this and ask you to help me get the money.’ She took an envelope from her handbag and held it out to him. ‘I’ve heard nothing from those in charge of the company, so I’ve changed my mind about leaving the money invested in the mine. If you’ll represent me and can get it for me, you can have a tenth of it.’

  David took the envelope from her and waved her to a chair. He eased himself down into the opposite one and set aside his crutches.

  ‘How are you?’ she asked, taking off her damp coat. ‘I’m sorry about your fall.’

  He sighed. ‘Damn fool thing to do. But never mind that. I’m OK. I’m more interested to know what made you change your mind about accepting my help.’

  ‘I was wrong to be prejudiced against you because of Parker.’

  David’s face lit up. ‘Thanks. I appreciate your trust in me.’

  ‘I was thinking that I could also give a tenth of the money to Patsy and Greg for a deposit on this house. Perhaps they could afford to buy it then.’

  ‘You’d do that for two young people who aren’t related to you when you need the money yourself?’ He shook his head as if he could scarcely believe it.

  Joy gave a twisted smile. ‘I knew you’d think I was daft. I had another crazy thought when Greg told me that his father was once in business with Mr Smith. I did wonder if the latter might have diddled Greg out of money that should have come to him. I thought Mr Smith could have felt guilty and that’s why he took Greg into his own home.’

  David said, ‘It is something I’ve considered since looking through some old files in the office but it’s too late now to do anything about it.’

  ‘What a shame!’ She sighed. ‘I thought you might think I’m one of those people who are suspicious of other people’s motives and I confess I am a bit.’

  ‘It pays to not always take things at their face value,’ said David, placing the envelope on the arm of the chair.

  There was a knock on the door. ‘Come in, Patsy,’ he called.

  She entered the room and smiled at Joy. ‘Hello, Mrs Bennett. It’s lovely to see you. Here, give me your coat and hat to put in the kitchen to dry out.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She handed the garments to Patsy. ‘Congratulations, love, on your engagement. He seems a very nice young man. We had an interesting chat.’

  Patsy looked pleased. ‘Greg told me about meeting you. Cup of tea?’

  ‘Not just yet,’ said David.

  ‘Okey-doke!’ She left the room.

  ‘So where were we?’ asked Joy.

  ‘You were talking about ways of giving Patsy, Greg and the children a helping hand,’ said David. ‘I’ll tell you what I’ve done so far.’

  Joy looked at him expectantly. ‘Go on.’

  ‘I’ve written to Rodney and told him just how well Greg and Patsy cared for his mother and that they are planning to get married and are prepared to foster Nelson and Helen. I suggested that he might consider selling the house to Greg at a price below its market value.’

  Joy was pleased. ‘If he agrees, that proves he’s not the selfish person I’ve thought him so far.’

  David frowned. ‘You have to realise, Joy, that Rodney looks upon this money as a real windfall. You never knew his mother but she was not an easy woman to live with and demanded a lot from him. Eventually he decided to stay away for good. Now he has a family and, not only does he want to build a modest house for them, but to do some essential repairs on his boat.’

  ‘I understand what you’re saying but it seems unfair that he’s prepared to take it all and leave the children with nothing.’

  ‘Is that what Greg told you?’ asked David.

  ‘No. I’m just presuming that’s the case.’

  ‘Well, you’re mistaken. The children’s father left them money in a trust fund and Rodney has asked me to dispose of everything in the house, including the contents of his room, as I see fit. I’m to give the proceeds to the children and Greg.’

  ‘Well, that’s a good start but surely you won’t get rid of all the furniture because they’ll need it. And Greg still needs money for a deposit.’

  David smiled. ‘I’m certain we’ll be able to raise a useful sum when we get rid of all Rodney’s paraphernalia. I reckon there’re a few valuable artefacts amongst the collection. I have a client who is an auctioneer. I’m going to bring him in to have a look at the stuff.’ He paused. ‘So you see, however well meaning and generous your offer is, I don’t think it’s necessary. Even so, I’ll still write to the mining company and hopefully they’ll respond favourably. But if you need the money desperately, I’m prepared to buy your shares.’

  Joy was touched by his generosity. ‘I do appreciate your offer but let’s wait and see what they have to say. As for the rest
of what you’ve told me, it looks like Patsy and Greg won’t have to wait long to get married. I do still think that their taking on the children is a lot at their age.’

  ‘I do have a plan that would enable Patsy and Greg to have regular breaks from caring for them,’ said David hesitantly, ‘but for that I need a woman’s help. Yours would be much appreciated – that’s if you felt able to take it on? Of course, I would pay you.’

  Joy felt a real pleasure that he should want to involve her in his life. ‘What do you have in mind?’

  ‘I’ve decided not to rent out the top floor of the house, so the children can come and stay with me on a regular basis. Say every other weekend and sometimes during the school holidays. I’m no cook, so I wondered if you’d take on the job of preparing meals for us. Maybe, during the school holidays the pair of us could take them and Robert out on trips.’

  ‘I think it’s kind of you to have given so much thought to enabling Greg and Patsy to have some time to themselves,’ said Joy. ‘But you’re forgetting Patsy’s twin sisters and Jimmy.’

  David’s expression was comical. ‘I had forgotten about them! Although, surely Jimmy will be working by then?’

  ‘Yes.’ Joy’s eyes danced. ‘You wouldn’t have been so blasé about taking so many children out for the day if you had remembered them. How used to children are you, David?’

  He said ruefully, ‘Not as much as I’d like to be. I enjoy Nelson and Helen’s company. Yet I knew to have them for hours on my own wouldn’t be easy and that’s when I thought of you.’

  Joy felt a sudden rush of love for him. ‘I’d say for a widower to take on just two children on his own is a real challenge. I’d be happy to take on Patsy’s sisters. But I do think you need to speak to Patsy and Greg first.’

  ‘Right! I can see my plan needs more thought,’ he said.

  ‘Of course, for outings it would be easier if we used the motor,’ she said thoughtfully.

  He looked puzzled and then alarmed. ‘What motor?’

  ‘The motor I had forgotten about because it’s in the outhouse at the bottom of the garden,’ said Joy, her eyes alight. ‘It belonged to Robbie.’

  ‘Not keen on vehicles with engines,’ said David, fidgeting with the envelope Joy had given to him.

  Joy recalled what Rose had told her about his wartime injuries and did not push him to explain further. Yet to have the use of the car with so many children would be a godsend. ‘I can drive. I just need a bit of practice and we could take off with the children to Blackpool or Southport. Children love going to fairs and both those places have fairs.’

  ‘Let me think about it,’ said David.

  ‘OK,’ said Joy.

  There was a silence.

  Then she remembered the other reason why she had wanted to see him. ‘There’s something else I want to ask you.’

  ‘You look annoyed. What have I done wrong now?’

  ‘Why have you hired Grant to keep an eye on Mr Donavan?’

  ‘I can’t believe Grant or Wendy told you that,’ he said.

  ‘No. Flora told me.’

  David was exasperated. ‘I made a mistake taking on that young lady. She lacks discretion. What did she tell you?’

  ‘Only that you wanted Grant to watch Donavan. He is my lodger, and if you’re suspicious of him for some reason, then I’d like to know why.’

  He hesitated. ‘I’m just curious about him. I can tell you now that Grant’s report was an eye-opener.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘Donavan had gone back and forth to work without fail and without being seen with any suspicious characters. But there were several things Grant found interesting in his behaviour. He went to a certain street near Scotland Road, stared at a house for a long time and then the following day he went back and knocked on a couple of doors and spoke to a couple of women. Since then he has visited Walton Cemetery and has stood outside the Seamen’s Orphanage just gazing up at it several times.’

  Joy was puzzled. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘No, neither did I, until I recalled my conversation with him when I mentioned Rodney going missing. You know what Donavan said?’

  ‘No, tell me.’

  ‘That he could give me several reasons why a man might disappear and not want to be found.’ David leant back in his chair and stared at Joy.

  ‘You’re saying Mr Donavan is such a man?’

  ‘Yes. He’s a seaman, who’s lost someone, most probably a wife, and it’s possible he believes he has a son or daughter or even several children in the orphanage.’

  ‘So you’re suggesting that he went to the cemetery to visit his wife’s grave after being away for several years?’

  ‘It’s a definite possibility.’

  ‘Was there a headstone?’

  ‘No. But it had a small stone with a number on it, so Grant is busy trying to find out who is buried there,’ said David.

  ‘I presume Donavan hasn’t actually called in at the orphanage,’ said Joy.

  ‘Not as far as we know. In my opinion he’s reliving the past and is undecided about what to do. How do you disappear and then come back without creating more hurt to those to whom you mattered?’

  ‘Do you mean he deliberately turned his back on his family and perhaps arranged his own death?’

  ‘It’s a possibility. Has he ever mentioned children to you?’ asked David.

  Joy thought about that question long and hard. ‘Yes! When Robert was eating a rusk he said something about a little girlie. He got upset and went out. I thought his daughter must have died.’

  ‘What if the daughter hadn’t died and he felt he could not face her? Can you remember anything else that might relate to a wife or child?’

  Joy felt all of a tremble and found herself clasping and unclasping her hands as she tried to recall her conversations with Donavan. Suddenly she remembered one last November. ‘We were talking about the war and I got the impression he’d come home and found his wife…’ She stopped and her jaw dropped.

  ‘Yes, Joy,’ said David, leaning forward and taking both her restless hands in his own and stilling them.

  ‘That she had been carrying on with another man,’ she said in a low voice.

  They stared at each other and David was about to speak when they were disturbed by a rat-tat-tat on the drawing room door. ‘Tea and cake? ’ asked Patsy.

  ‘Damn!’ said David beneath his breath, freeing Joy’s hands.

  All a tremble Joy stood up and went and opened the door. She took the tray and was about to close the door when she remembered her manners.

  ‘Thanks, Patsy. This cake looks lovely.’

  ‘The proof is in the tasting,’ said Patsy, smiling. ‘I thought you’d like chocolate.’

  ‘It was my favourite as a little girl.’

  ‘Lucky you,’ said Patsy with a wry smile. ‘I had to make do with a sugar butty.’

  ‘Now, those I don’t remember. Jam, yes, but not sugar…’ Joy’s voice trailed off.

  There was a silence except for the crackling of a log on the fire.

  ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost,’ said Patsy, peering into her face. ‘I remember the old woman saying she’d seen a ghost here.’

  ‘There’s no ghosts here, Patsy,’ said David. ‘But you do look pale, Joy. Are you all right?’

  Joy forced a smile. ‘Just sick with hunger. I can’t wait to taste this cake.’ She carried the tray over to the occasional table and put it down. ‘I was just thinking, Patsy, that you’ll be eighteen in March. I’d like to throw a birthday party for you at my house. I’m sure Kathy would be able to come and some of the family from Chester. I could fetch the twins and Jimmy from the orphanage and everyone here could be invited. What do you say?’

  A delighted smile broke out over Patsy’s face. ‘What can I say? I’ve never had a party thrown for me in my life! Yes, please.’

  It was not until Patsy had left the room that David turned to Joy. ‘When did you decide th
at you wanted to throw Patsy a birthday party?’ he demanded.

  Joy said, ‘A moment ago.’ She filled her teacup and then looked at David. ‘A thought occurred to me but you might consider it potty.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘That Donavan could be Patsy’s father.’ Joy sounded calm but inside her stomach was churning.

  David was silent for several moments. ‘Will you pour the tea, please?’

  ‘I knew you’d think I was being silly.’

  ‘I don’t think you’re being silly but I think you should have given some more consideration to the idea before deciding to give Patsy a birthday party at your house. I can guess what caused you to make that decision. Bring him face-to-face with Patsy and see what happens.’

  Joy stiffened. ‘Obviously you think it’s a bad idea.’

  ‘If Donavan is Patsy’s father, then he’s taken on a new identity. He obviously doesn’t want to be recognised.’

  ‘Then why return to Liverpool? If he wanted his family to believe he was lost at sea, then he should have remained lost,’ said Joy firmly. ‘Patsy loved her father.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it,’ said David. ‘But having loved him, how is she going to feel knowing that he isn’t dead but turned his back on her and the rest of the family, leaving them to fend for themselves? No, Joy, if Donavan is Doyle, then it’s up to him to decide whether to make himself known to them. He’d be taking a chance on being rejected.’

  ‘If we’re to judge him by his recent behaviour, then he obviously has regrets and would like to see his children. We’ve heard about the kind of woman his wife was and perhaps he just couldn’t cope anymore?’

  David’s face hardened. ‘I don’t find that a good enough excuse for his behaviour. If I had a daughter like Patsy I couldn’t desert her.’

  Joy agreed and added, ‘But Patsy is the forgiving sort. You’re the same. You forgave your wife and took her back.’

  ‘Only for the sake of her unborn child,’ he rasped. ‘I’d stopped loving her a long time ago but I was prepared to father the child and I was upset when he was stillborn.’