Above the Harvest Moon

by Rita Bradshaw

  Knowing what she knew, Hannah could think of nothing to say.

  ‘I couldn’t believe it at first. Well, you wouldn’t, would you? I’ve worked my fingers to the bone for the pair of them and that was all the thanks I got for sixteen-odd years of servitude. I . . .’ Miriam swallowed deeply. ‘I told her I wasn’t having it, that she couldn’t do that to me and then . . . then she accused me of all sorts of things.’ Her face was burning, the colour suffusing it was almost scarlet. ‘And still your uncle said nothing. He just stood there like a great lump of lard—’ She broke off, visibly fighting for control before she continued, ‘To be treated like this by kith and kin. Your father would be turning in his grave if he knew how his brother and wife had behaved.’

  The hypocrisy was too much. Hannah stood up. She tried to speak gently because however much her mother deserved this present state of affairs, she was in a terrible state. ‘I know, about you and Uncle Edward.’

  Miriam’s head snapped up. ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘I saw you, that New Year’s Eve I went to Naomi’s. I came back and you didn’t know I’d come in. I heard . . . well, enough.’

  Miriam opened and shut her mouth several times like a stranded fish before she said, ‘It-it wasn’t what you think. I mean . . .’

  Ignoring this, Hannah said again, ‘I know, Mam.’

  Miriam’s gaze was now riveted on her daughter. ‘Did you tell her? Aggie? Was it you?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  ‘I don’t believe you.’

  ‘Whether you believe me or not, I did not tell her. I wouldn’t do that to Aunt Aggie.’

  Something in Hannah’s voice must have convinced Miriam because she dropped her head, her hands working more urgently in her lap as she muttered,‘Then how did she know? She was all right before she went to the hospital and then to come back like that. She was like a different woman and I don’t mean because of the operation. She stood over me while I collected my things, watching me to see what I took. It . . . it was so humiliating.’

  But not as humiliating as what her aunt had endured all these years if she had known about the affair. Could she have done? And kept silent? It was the only answer.

  ‘And Edward,’ her mother continued. ‘He was cruel, cruel. When . . . when I knew Aggie was determined to get rid of me, I admitted everything. I didn’t see why he shouldn’t be shown up for what he was, and he told me to get out. In front of her. He said I’d forced myself on him when he was at a low point and then blackmailed him into continuing the affair by threatening to tell Aggie everything. It wasn’t like that.’

  Hannah stared at her mother for a long moment. ‘You knew he was lying that night he said he didn’t try to rape me.Why should you be surprised at anything he says or does?’

  ‘No, no I didn’t.’ Her mother shook her head. ‘I had no idea, I swear it. Of course I believe you now, I know what sort of man he is now, but then . . .’

  ‘Even supposing you didn’t know what Uncle Edward was like, which I find impossible to believe, you knew what I was like.You knew I wouldn’t make something like that up, why would I? And with Uncle Edward. It was . . . disgusting.You knew and you chose to protect him. I . . . I can never forgive you for that. If it hadn’t been for Jake I don’t know what I would have done or where I’d have gone.’

  Miriam’s face took on a blank look. Glancing away, she said, ‘Are you saying you want me to leave this minute?’

  ‘No, that’s not what I’m saying. You’re welcome to stay the night, I know Jake wouldn’t expect you to leave in this weather but I don’t think he will want you to stay any longer than that.’

  Miriam inclined her head. ‘Very well.’

  She was no different. Hannah stared at her mother. There was no shred of remorse in her, not for what she had done to Aunt Aggie or her, her own daughter. Her only living flesh and blood. All her mother was concerned about was herself. Her selfishness was amazing. But she knew what her mother was like, she had known for some long time now, so why did it hurt so much? Stupid, but when she had seen her standing on the doorstep her heart had leapt. She had thought, she had hoped . . . Softly now, her voice scarcely above a whisper, she said, ‘I have to go and see to the dinner. Sit by the fire and get warm and drink your tea.’

  ‘You are joking.’ Jake stared at her in jaw-dropping astonishment.

  ‘I wish I were,’ Hannah said ruefully.

  ‘And she’s up there now?’

  ‘Yes, I told you, in the sitting room. It appears my aunt ordered her out of the house. My mother and uncle have been carrying on for years and she must have known. This operation seems to have turned her around and got her back on her feet, and she decided enough was enough, I suppose.’

  ‘I’m sorry. It must have come as a shock to you to find out about your mother and uncle.’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I knew already. I overheard them talking one night.’ Then, as something in his voice alerted her, she said, ‘You don’t seem very surprised.’

  ‘I got their measure the night I punched your uncle. It was obvious what was going on.’

  ‘But you never said.’

  He smiled. ‘Neither did you.’

  Hannah smiled back weakly. ‘It’s not something you want to broadcast, is it? Not your own mother. But . . .’ She bit her lip. ‘She is my mother, Jake, and I told her she could stay overnight. Is that all right?’

  He looked at her for a moment before replying, ‘If you can show the milk of human kindness, I can.You’re a nice lass, Hannah Casey.’

  ‘So it is all right? You don’t mind?’

  ‘I’d like to kick her backside from here to Newcastle if we’re speaking frankly and she sure as blighty doesn’t deserve a daughter like you. I suppose it’s too much to expect that she went down on bended knee and begged forgiveness for how she treated you?’

  Her silence was answer enough.

  He sighed. ‘I’ll go and have a word with her. Is she after money as well?’

  ‘She didn’t say that.’

  Perhaps not, but that woman had more front than anyone he’d met. The way she had stared him out that night when the uncle had attacked Hannah was proof of that. Keeping his thoughts to himself, Jake said, ‘Does she know about Seamus and how things stand here?’

  ‘I don’t know, I think she must do. I suppose it’s common knowledge in the street.’

  Aye,Adam would have seen to that. He had no doubt his dear half-brother had been busy spreading the worst interpretation of him inheriting the farm. He hadn’t seen Adam or Wilbur the last few times he had visited his mother but he had noticed a distinct coolness in the attitude of the neighbours when he had called at the house in Wayman Street. Whereas normally they would have called out his name or asked him how things were going at the farm, folk had quickly disappeared off their doorsteps when he had arrived, or looked the other way. And he knew why. He had been branded an upstart, a money-grabber, and worse. And pack mentality demanded a closing of ranks against the one who had dared to rise above his station. Adam would be able to do no wrong and he no right. Oh aye, he knew how their minds worked all right.

  His face and voice betrayed nothing as he said again, ‘I’ll go and have a word with her.’ Then, dark amusement in his tone, he added, ‘I take it we’ll be eating in the dining room tonight?’

  Hannah glanced at him. How did he know she had been planning to set out the dining-room table with the best of the linen and cutlery rather than them eating at the kitchen table as they’d done for the last few months? His gaze met hers and it was warm with a laughter that was not directed at her but with her. She drew her lips inward to stop herself from laughing, bowing her head slightly before tilting it to one side as if considering. ‘That might be nice as we have a guest. Yes,’ she nodded, ‘I might do that if you think it appropriate?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  All trace of amusement had left Jake’s face by the time he reached the sitting room. Whe
n he opened the door, Miriam was sitting in an armchair close to the fire but she stood up immediately. ‘Good evening, Mrs Casey,’ he said quietly, shutting the door behind him and advancing into the room before he added, ‘I hear you’re in a spot of trouble.’

  Flushing, she said, ‘Through no fault of my own.’

  He didn’t take his eyes from hers. ‘That is a matter of opinion.’

  ‘I see.’ Lifting her head, Miriam said, ‘She’s told you.’

  ‘We both know she didn’t need to. I think I made myself clear the last time we met. Now, as to the moral standpoint,’ he raised a hand to stop her when she went to speak, ‘I think the old adage of we reap what we sow might be applicable. But let us put your treatment of Hannah to one side for a moment. I believe in plain speaking, Mrs Casey. No soft soap. I don’t like you and you don’t like me but I am happy to offer you the hospitality of my house because you are Hannah’s mother. For the same reason I am prepared to assist you with a one-off payment which would enable you to live comfortably while you seek employment elsewhere. Preferably down south. Do I make myself clear?’

  There was silence. Then Miriam said, ‘Why would you do that?’

  Jake waved a hand at the chair she had vacated and as Miriam sat down, he seated himself some distance away. ‘Like I said, you are Hannah’s mother and - although goodness knows why - I know she would not like the thought of you struggling. On the other hand, I’m not prepared to tolerate another visit from you.’

  Miriam stiffened, her thin mouth pulling tight.

  ‘In view of your sister-in-law’s action I would imagine tongues will wag. It doesn’t take much to set them going, as I’m sure you’re aware. Very often the gossip round the doors is without foundation of course, but in this case . . .’ He let the pause lie on the air before he continued, ‘So it would be in your interest to put as much distance between yourself and Sunderland as possible, added to which, housekeeping positions are more numerous down south. Do you agree, Mrs Casey?’

  Miriam inclined her head. Her eyes were glowing with frustrated fury. Jake knew Hannah’s mother would like nothing more than to fling his offer with its conditions back in his face but she was too shrewd for that. He didn’t bother to hide his contempt when he said, ‘I will settle fifteen pounds on you. That will be ample for your train fare and board and lodging while you look for a post.You may stay here overnight but I will take you to the train station myself in the morning. While you are under my roof, you will be civil and cooperative and you will do and say nothing to upset your daughter.’

  ‘I wouldn’t. I didn’t intend—’

  Jake cut her short again by raising his hand. He saw her bite hard on her lip and her eyes glowed with her hatred of him but she was helpless and they both knew it. ‘You stood by and allowed Hannah’s good name to be smeared by a man who isn’t worthy to lick her boots. Not only that, but because of your brother-in-law’s attempted rape you knew she could not return home. You didn’t lift a finger to help your daughter, Mrs Casey. Dinner will be ready in an hour and until then I suggest you use the time to reflect how fortunate you are that Hannah does not resemble her mother in any way, shape or form.’

  He could feel her eyes like knives in his back as he left the sitting room. After closing the door, he stood leaning against it for a moment or two and he was smiling. For right or wrong he didn’t think anything had given him such satisfaction for a long time.

  Chapter 19

  It was three days later and the weather had changed from sleet showers and intermittent icy rain to a freezing cold with frosty nights and mornings. At long last the ground was hard and Hannah no longer had to wade through what felt like acres of mud to get to the farmhouse after she’d visited the hen crees. She had just cleared away the breakfast things and was standing gazing out of the kitchen window at the high silver-blue sky when it came to her she couldn’t put off visiting her aunt one more day. Since the morning her mother had left Sunderland, she’d been trying to persuade herself nothing had changed, but it had. Irrevocably.

  She had to see her Aunt Aggie.What that visit would entail she wasn’t sure, she only knew she had to see her aunt and let her know she loved her and understood what she had done concerning her mother. The other thing that had stopped her from going before this day, the thing that had driven her from the house where she had been brought up, she’d say nothing about. Her aunt had had enough to cope with. She would keep to the story of a momentous row with her mother. She could even say she had found out about her mother carrying on with Uncle Edward; that would be more acceptable than the truth now that her aunt knew all about the affair anyway.

  Jake was sorting paperwork in his study and when she took him his mid-morning cup of coffee and piece of cake, she said, ‘I’d like to go into town this afternoon. Can I have the horse and trap?’

  He stared at her.This was the first time she had made such a request in all the time she had been at the farm.

  ‘I want to call on my aunt.’ She didn’t wait for him to ask why she was making the journey into town. ‘With all that’s happened in the last days I feel it’s time.’

  He settled back in the big leather chair. ‘What about your uncle?’

  ‘I can handle seeing him now. It’s different without my mother being there and with my aunt knowing about them.’

  ‘She doesn’t know about what he tried to do to you.’

  Flushing, she said, ‘I shan’t mention that. She thinks I left because of a row with Mam and that’s good enough.’

  Jake shook his head in a show of irritation at her naivety. ‘You don’t think it will all come out if you see her face to face? She’s already proved she’s far from being a fool. You were very close to her, by your own account. She must be wondering what it would have taken to drive you away and keep you away.’

  ‘I want to see her.’

  ‘And I’m not saying you shouldn’t, just that you must prepare yourself for what might occur.’ He studied her face for a moment. ‘I’ll take you this afternoon. All right?’

  ‘You needn’t come.’

  ‘If you think I’m going to let you come within a mile of that man without protection, you’re wrong,’ he said shortly, sitting straighter and turning his gaze to the papers in front of him. When after a moment or two she didn’t move, he glanced up.

  Her gaze was waiting for him. ‘Thank you,’ she said softly.

  Warning himself to betray nothing, he smiled. ‘What else are big brothers for? We’ll go straight after lunch, how’s that?’

  She nodded. ‘It’s hodge podge with stottie cake.’

  ‘My favourite.’

  When Hannah had left the room, Jake remained quite still for a time, then he glanced towards the crackling fire. There was a good chance he’d go stark staring barmy before she was settled with Daniel or some other lad who caught her fancy. Dear gussy, how had it all come about? How was he in this position? Living in the same house, eating together, spending the evenings side by side in front of the fire in the sitting room.

  Raking his hair back from his forehead he stood up and paced the floor for some minutes before flinging himself back down in the chair. He had to check these accounts. He had to concentrate. One hour, one day at a time and he’d get through. He had no other choice.

  Hannah’s heart was in her mouth as she and Jake entered the shop at two o’clock that afternoon, but it was Bart Crawford, and not her uncle, who was standing behind the counter slicing ham for Mrs Fraser.

  ‘Ee, hello, lass.’ Mrs Fraser’s bright sharp gaze went from Hannah to Jake and then back again. ‘We haven’t seen you in these parts since young Joe’s passing.’

  ‘Hello, Mrs Fraser.’ Hannah smiled but it was with some effort. She liked Mrs Fraser, she liked all their neighbours but she knew they would all be aware of her mother leaving the house and would be putting their own reasons to it. What they didn’t know, they made up. That was the way of it round the streets. Before the woman could s
ay anything more, she turned to Bart. ‘Is my aunt in?’

  He shook his head. ‘Mr and Mrs Casey have been out since before twelve.’

  ‘When are you expecting them back?’

  The young lad shrugged. ‘Any time.’

  She couldn’t wait, not with Mrs Fraser eager to whittle something, anything out of her about the goings-on.

  As though in confirmation of her thoughts, Mrs Fraser bent closer to her, her voice conspiratorial as she said, ‘Your mam not with you then, hinny? We wondered if she’d moved in with you?’