Leaving Shades

by Leaving Shades (epub)

  Praed had to be shut up for good.

  ‘Thanks for coming to my rescue, Uncle Ken,’ Beth said, having walked proudly on his arm to The Teashop. ‘Would you like to join us?’

  ‘Not this time, my dear. This is special between you and your sister, but I shall invite both my nieces to share a meal with me soon. You know, I’d like to see your mother some day. She and I never fell out.’

  ‘I’m sure she’d like that. She always speaks well of you.’

  Beth thought she would burst with joy. Everything had worked out better than she’d hoped. From where she stood and waited she could see the Vage front door. Seconds later Evie, in high heels, a pretty hat and cradling a clutch bag, was hurrying along, head up and smiling and waving to her.

  Twenty-Six

  ‘Beth! Kitty’s on the phone for you!’ Joe yelled up the stairs.

  Beth bounded down to the hall and entered a playful tussle with Joe to claim the ivory-coloured handpiece, for he wanted to go on chatting to Kitty. Joe went off with Chaplin, chuckling.

  Beth got comfy on the telephone seat. ‘Hello Kitty, how are you? Tell me all your news. I must burst in first and tell you Evie will soon be arriving here to spend the entire day. Mark’s bringing his little girl this afternoon and we’re going to have a big picnic on the lawn. Mum and Mrs Reseigh are going overboard in the kitchen at the moment, so I’m on bed-making duties. Joe, Richard and Lily are going to provide us with some entertainment. I think Chaplin will be involved too. How’s little Grace? Sorry, I’m babbling on. Over to you.’

  ‘It’s lovely to hear how happy you are. Thank you again for putting Rob Praed in his place. Mind you I bet he couldn’t really give a fig and already has his sights set on someone else. The thing is,’ Kitty sighed deeply down the fine, ‘I’m afraid there’s some bad news from this quarter.’

  ‘Oh Kitty, is it something to do with Grace?’

  ‘No, she’s chipper. It’s poor Stuart,’ and Kitty let out a watery sob. ‘I can’t believe this has happened to him. Not Stuart, he doesn’t deserve it.’

  ‘Tell me what’s happened, Kitty!’ Beth was plunged into turmoil, all the old feelings she’d had for the lover she had adored resurfacing.

  ‘As soon as I got back I realized the second honeymoon had gone terribly wrong. Then Stuart told me things hadn’t been good between him and Connie for a very long time. And last night Connie admitted she’s been having an affair. It started just before she and Stuart went on the trip abroad. She told Stuart she’d been willing to give their marriage a second chance, but it didn’t work out for her and she lied about wanting another baby. She said she’d fallen out of love with him soon after the children were born, and that although she loves the children she found motherhood stultifying and hated not being able to follow her own dreams. Poor Stuart, it seems he had barely got used to that announcement when she told him she was leaving him there and then, and going to join her lover in London. And from there they are going to travel round the world.

  ‘Stuart said he didn’t beg her to stay, he could see her mind was made up. He said he and Connie talked calmly together and then they told the children Mummy was going off on a trip with a friend. It wasn’t unusual for her to do that so the children were quite happy about it. Stuart’s got a full staff so it won’t affect the children until they start to wonder when their mother’s coming back. Connie is insisting she doesn’t want maintenance. Well, she’s always had more money than Stuart. I can’t come to terms with all this, Beth. Poor Stu, he’s so shocked and down.’

  ‘I’m so sorry for you all,’ Beth replied calmly, for she was in control of herself now; her former feelings of loving and longing for Stuart had faded away inside her within seconds. Stuart was in the past and now she had her new life here. ‘All you can do is support Stuart and the children.’

  ‘Beth, Stuart’s asked me to ask you something.’

  Beth closed her eyes and sighed inwardly. She had a good idea what was coming. ‘Yes, Kitty.’

  ‘Well, it’s a lot to ask really, I know, but the autumn college term doesn’t start for Stuart until a couple of weeks yet, and he was wondering if he might come down with the children and stay in a hotel close to you. I’ve told him how peaceful and glorious the cliffs and the sea are there and he thought it might help soothe him and help him accept his marriage is over. I’d come down as well and amuse the children to give him the chance to take some long walks and go out in the boats. Perhaps we could all drop in at Owles House, and the children can run wild with Joe and his little gang. Stuart says he’d really like to see you again and meet Christina. What do you think, Beth? Would it be an imposition?’

  Beth paused out of kindness to Kitty before she gave her answer, but she had it complete and ready. ‘Oh Kitty, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be a good time, even though it would be wonderful to have you here again, and to see Stuart and the children. Things have moved along here, you see. I was about to telephone you, actually, to tell you all about it. I finally had a confrontation with Davey Vage, and after some tricky moments he’s agreed for Evie and me to meet, though we’re taking things slowly to appease him. Evie will be here soon to spend the day, and this afternoon Mark is bringing his little girl for a picnic on the lawn. Mum has offered to do what she can to help the new curate bring the vicarage up to scratch to live in, and she’s drummed up some help from the cove, even from among the non-Anglicans and non-churchgoers. The locals feel it’s important that their parish church and the churchyard where their loved ones are buried are returned to good order. The Oakleys’ things have been removed, but there’s enough junk left for Mark to keep several bonfires going. Mrs Reseigh, Posy Praed and I, and Evie too, are going to give the house a good scrub through. So you can see there just wouldn’t be any time for us to entertain. I do feel bad about it.’

  The only thing Beth felt bad about was putting Kitty off. To Beth, Stuart’s idea appeared to be that he would turn to her on the rebound, but she considered herself too good for that. She wasn’t a woman to be picked up as second best. Besides, her life was here now. Stuart would not want to move here with his family and she certainly was not going to return to Wiltshire.

  ‘There’s no need to feel bad, Beth. I’m glad that you’ve said all you have. I think it’s better for Stuart to face the desertion head on and spend lots of time with Louis and Martha. The children love Grace, by the way, she will be a good distraction for them, and I’m here to see them all through. Well, Beth, I’m so pleased to hear you can see Evie openly now. It sounds like you’ll all have a lot of fun getting that murky old vicarage sorted out. I wish I were there with you really. I’ll pop down to Cornwall in the near future.’

  Dear Kitty, Beth thought as she went outside and walked down the drive to meet Evie at the entrance, you’re not a bit jealous of my new relationship with Evie. You’re a true friend and no one deserves true happiness more than you.

  As for Kitty’s brother, Stuart had to find his own way out of his emotional troubles.

  * * *

  With the fish berth of Morenwyn only half filled with shiny-bodied pilchards it would take only about an hour for the catch to be unloaded at the quayside of Newlyn fish market. Sadly the fleets had not even had a fair week, so the wages would be low. The fishermen thought nothing of it, they were used to it. The sea was their master.

  All week the pilchard numbers had been far from Davey’s priority. He had been biding his time for the opportunity to catch Rob Praed alone. Our Lily was next in line after Morenwyn to come alongside the quayside. From Morenwyn only six maunds – baskets – of pilchards were hoisted up and loaded on to a wagon, to be carted away for salting in the vats. The merchant had to be given back two hundred fish out of every ten thousand, and the night’s work, in which Davey had earned salt-water boils thanks to the muscle-tugging exertion, had earned the crew six pounds, a quarter of what could be earned on a good night.

  Later both luggers berthed across the quayside, Morenwyn the
second and Our Lily the third boat in a row stretching across the harbour. It meant the crews of the outer boats had to cut across their neighbours to alight on the quay. After the night’s hard graft the fishermen went through the rituals of washing down their boats and making any necessary repairs to wood and nets. Davey offered to stay behind today and scrub out the cabin while the others went off to fetch fuel, food and water, and to Davey’s delight he saw that Rob was the last man on Our Lily. Good. Now he could still Praed’s mouth for good.

  Davey gave a prearranged signal to someone fingering on the quayside, someone who was making her presence known – although it wasn’t necessary, she stood out like some garish landmark.

  Davey watched that someone clamber clumsily on to the Pilgrim, the lugger berthed alongside the stone wall, then chivalrously helped that someone on to his boat. ‘Welcome aboard, Miss Hopley. Time couldn’t be better. You met Rob Praed last night in the pub as I’d instructed. Here’s your money. Do a good job on him.’

  ‘Oh, Mr Anonymous,’ the excessively made-up, young-looking bottle blonde simpered, adjusting her net stockings. ‘I’ll give him the time of his life. I can hardly wait. It’ll be a treat to even go near that handsome hunk of manhood.’

  ‘Don’t forget I’m paying you handsomely to tell a white lie and then to keep your mouth shut. Right, I’ll call him out of the cabin for you.’ Hiding a smug sneer, Davey yelled, ‘Rob! Rob Praed! There’s someone here for you.’ As Davey intended, the men in greasy overalls who’d eyed the tart on the quayside were staring his way.

  Rob poked his dark head out of the neighbouring cabin, a cigarette between his lips. Puzzlement was quickly traded in for a saucy smile. ‘Sabrina, isn’t it? What are you doing here?’

  ‘I thought I’d come and see your big boat, Robbie.’ The blonde swivelled her hips and looked sultry in an imitation of Mae West. ‘Aren’t you going to invite me over there?’

  Davey kept behind Sabrina Hopley, looking thoroughly disgusted. He knew that would amuse Rob and he was equally sure the young braggart would invite the tart, in the area just for this job alone, on board Our Lily just to snigger at him. Sure enough Rob beckoned the girl on to his boat. Shortly afterwards Davey truly was disgusted at the noises coming from the next cabin. Davey had told Sabrina to make the proceedings last and she was going at it with gusto, but Davey was horrified at how quickly Rob Praed could bed another woman after losing out on Evie.

  He can smirk for all he’s worth and make all sorts of snipes at me, Davey thought with malicious glee, but I’ll have the last laugh.

  Twenty-five minutes later, Rob was shouting at his companion to ‘Get out of here!’ Sabrina appeared from the cabin and put her hands out for Davey to take her back across Morenwyn. She made a spectacle of straightening her skirt and checking her stocking seams, then she puckered her lips at Davey as if she was saucily mocking an appalled man. Instead she whispered, ‘Mission accomplished, nice meeting you. Call on me anytime.’

  Clambering over to Our Lily, Davey peeped into the cabin. Rob was shoving a mop over the floor with angry force, his expression as dark as night. ‘What do you want?’ he growled.

  ‘She seemed a bit shaken by your shouting, that’s all. Fleece you, did she? You got to watch those tarts,’ Davey chuckled. Of course she had fleeced the unsuspecting fool. Sabrina would have demanded a great deal more than her normal charge from the young stud as payment for keeping silent that he’d just had sex with an under-age girl. Like any tart worth her trade she’d be a convincing liar. Even a rumour of the kind would put Rob in Lofty’s bad books and he might be sacked from the boat. ‘Bit young looking, wasn’t she? Not much experience yet then?’

  ‘It’s none of your business, Vage. Clear off!’

  ‘Fair enough. All I can say is thank God my Evie is safe from you.’

  Davey went back on board Morenwyn and got on with scrubbing it out. In a bit he would make a mug of tea and light his pipe. The rest of the crew would be back soon and they would all get their heads down for a well-deserved nap; Davey would fall asleep knowing that he had tied up Rob Praed’s tongue from causing trouble against him for good, now that Praed too had committed an offence under the law.

  Twenty-Seven

  It’s sad Kitty isn’t here with us all now, Beth thought, as she sat at the picnic table. The weather was still warm enough for such an occasion. Kitty was so much a part of the family at Owles House it would have been lovely to see her, and quirky little Grace trotting on after Chaplin. When the dogs had sat side by side they had looked like a huge rock protecting its little sister rock a little way out from the shore.

  Mark, Joe and Richard had carried out the long table and eight chairs on to the lawn. Beth was sitting between Christina and Evie, with Mrs Reseigh at one end of the table. On the other side were Joe, Lily and Richard, and down at the end was Mark, with Rowella on his lap. The white linen tablecloth was spread with sandwiches, scones, savoury and sweet tartlets, little dishes of jam and strawberries and clotted cream. There were brandy snaps and a magnificent iced sponge cake. Christina poured out tea in good china and Mrs Reseigh poured glasses of cordial for the children.

  Beth was delighted that Evie was relaxed and enjoying the meal, not shy in helping herself to food and politely asking for more. After Kitty’s telephone call, Beth had gone down to the end of the drive to meet Evie. Evie had been striding along in a new pink hat and a new dark pink panelled dress trimmed with piping, and sparkling with a pretty brooch. Her hair was cut a little shorter and nicely waved. She was slim and vibrant and her new confidence showed all her previously hidden beauty. The girls broke into a half run and met with a close hug.

  ‘I can’t believe I’m here,’ Evie laughed a really happy laugh. ‘Are you sure Mrs Vyvyan doesn’t mind me coming to her house?’

  ‘She couldn’t be more delighted.’ Beth put her arm through Evie’s and they strolled along. ‘We’re going to have a wonderful day.’

  Christina had walked on after Beth, using her walking stick more as a precaution than a necessity. ‘It’s good to meet you, Miss Vage. We’ve barely caught a glimpse of each other over the years, since both of us rarely go far. You re very welcome here. I’m so glad that your father has relented and you and Beth can be together whenever you like.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Vyvyan.’ Evie had soon lost her shyness with Christina. ‘Your house is beautiful. I’ve glimpsed it on the bus but I’ve always wanted a closer look.’

  ‘Well, Beth can show you over the house and gardens. The sun is gently bright and the breeze is our friend. We have nothing to do except enjoy ourselves.’

  Beth felt she and Evie were growing closer by the moment as they toured the house. Evie was fascinated with the size of the house and its elegant furnishings and paintings.

  ‘I had a happier childhood than you did, Beth,’ Evie said looking round Beth’s former bedroom. ‘I can sense the sorrow you felt in here. Is Mrs Vyvyan going to keep the room like this?’

  ‘She has talked about putting all the toys in one corner and turning the room into a store for a charity. We’ve been talking about starting something to help neglected children and their families where the parents find it hard to cope. We’ll make and collect things to raise funds. Mum’s thinking of holding a winter bazaar and an annual summer fete here in the grounds. She’s certain she can manage that. I shall be the coordinator. It will be a memorial fund in Francis Vyvyan’s name. He was a very caring man. Did you know him?’

  ‘Not really, but he always acknowledged me kindly, when because of my circumstances many others didn’t. I’d like to be involved in your charity. I could make some soft toys.’

  ‘See,’ Beth had slipped her arm round Evie’s waist and Evie had instantly done the same, ‘we’re all one big gang. Joe is very resourceful. He says he’ll make up some typical games, coconut shies, races, and that sort of thing.’ Beth had become serious. ‘Evie, do you want to talk about our father?’

  ‘Not really,
unless you do. He means nothing to me. I’ve had the joy of a wonderful man bringing me up. He’s my father. I know he’s a little crotchety but hopefully he’ll come round quite soon to the thought of us.’

  ‘I won’t do anything to make Mr Vage resent me. When he’s home we’ll meet away from there. Evie, you know about my twin Philip, and he was your brother too. I want Phil Tresaile left in the past, but now we’ve got plenty of time to talk I’m afraid I’m going to mention another child he fathered. It’s a tragic story.’

  When Beth had recounted the terrible trauma Muriel Oakley had undergone as a result of their father’s abuse, Beth noticed Evie wasn’t greatly surprised. Evie said gravely, ‘That dreadful confession explains a lot. The day I took Miss Oakley home she said he was there in the churchyard tormenting her then he raped her. I thought she was rambling. I could hardly pass it on to you, Beth. Poor Miss Oakley. I hope she’s found peace and comfort in the nursing home. I’d like to visit her.’

  ‘I’m going there to see her next week. We can go together in the motor car. Isn’t it great we can do things together?’

  They had spent a good morning in which Evie had petted the lazy, sociable Charlie, and then shared a ham and salad lunch on the terrace with Joe and Christina. Evie had been a little worried about how Joe would judge her but he took her presence, and the fact of who she was, in his stride. As long as people respected his mother he was happy to accept them.

  Now the larger group were tucking into the delicious picnic. Rowella, her gorgeous dark looks partly concealed by a voluminous sun hat, was the star with her toddler chatter. She nibbled the food Mark chose for her and she pointed and chuckled and made cute faces and drew heaps of gushing praise, and lots of adoring kisses from Mark. Even Richard, the one person expected to be offhand about a little girl, was captivated with her.