A Sister's Sorrow

by Kitty Neale

  With Tommy back at school after the school summer holidays, Lena had offered to pick him up every day. It saved Sarah having to pay anyone to look after him, or having to be beholden to the woman who lived above her. Anyway, Lena enjoyed having the lad. These last few days, Tommy’s cough had been bad again, so she’d hoped an afternoon spent baking cakes and making pies with him would be a good distraction. Now, the boy and the kitchen were covered in flour. It had been good fun though, and she knew Albert would appreciate her efforts. He’d taken her to dinner on four occasions now, and her cake-making was a small gesture in return to say thank you.

  ‘Can I lick the bowl, please, Lena?’ Tommy asked.

  ‘Yes, as the chief cook you’ve earned that privilege,’ Lena answered. She envied her friends who had grandchildren, and would have loved some of her own, but with George still hankering after Sarah, she doubted it would be any time soon.

  As Tommy ate the uncooked cake mixture, Lena began clearing away. She missed George being young, and though the shop had been good for her, she much preferred to stay at home and look after Tommy. It was nice to feel needed again, and she lavished affection on him, which was reciprocated.

  Once Tommy finished with the bowl, she lifted him to the kitchen sink. ‘Wash your hands, there’s a good boy.’

  Tommy giggled as water splashed his face. She adored hearing him laugh, and gave him a gentle squeeze, but then, to her surprise, she heard the front door slam. It must be George, but what was he doing home so early? She placed Tommy down and gave him a small towel to dry himself as her son came into the kitchen. His face looked ashen, and she could see there was something wrong.

  ‘I need a word, Mum,’ he said, and stalked through to the front room.

  Lena quickly removed her apron and gave Tommy a small lump of left-over pastry. ‘Here you go, make some animal shapes,’ she said, then joined her son.

  ‘It’s about Sarah,’ George said with a stern face as he paced the floor.

  ‘I thought it probably would be,’ Lena answered. He hadn’t been the same since the girl had started seeing Roger, and though she wished he’d buck up, her heart went out to him.

  ‘I know for a fact that Roger is doing the dirty on her.’

  ‘Well, that doesn’t surprise me. I told you that man was trouble, just like his father. Do you know, his dad tried it on with me once? I slapped his face and he never spoke to me after that, but he’d have got a lot worse if I’d told your dad.’

  ‘Well, the apple ain’t fallen far from the tree, but you’re missing my point, Mum,’ George said, and sat on the armchair. ‘Sarah needs to know what he’s up to before she gets in any deeper with him, but it’s no good coming from me.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Roger will deny it. He’ll probably say I’m jealous and trying to cause trouble between them. She’d believe you though, Mum.’

  ‘What, you want me to tell her?’

  ‘Yes, she’ll listen to you, you know she will.’

  ‘I don’t know, George. I don’t think it’s a good idea to get mixed up in other people’s relationships. I’ve dropped subtle hints about him, but she’s never taken any notice. She’s blindly in love with him, and she won’t thank either of us for interfering.’

  George leaned forward and said earnestly, ‘So you think it’s best to just let her get on with it, even though I know she’s heading for heartbreak?’

  ‘Yes, I do, love. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to get involved. Hopefully, one day soon she’ll see Roger for what he is, but until then, stay out of it.’

  George leaned back in the chair, ‘Mum, you’re nearly always right about things, but I don’t think you are this time. If you’re not prepared to tell her, then I will.’

  Lena could see the frustration in his face. His jaw looked tight and his eyes were narrowed. Although her son’s face was heavily scarred, she could read him like a book. If he’d had eyebrows, they’d have been knotted in a deep frown. ‘Well, I’ve said my piece. Just make sure you’re telling Sarah for the right reasons,’ Lena said, worried that her son’s good intentions would be misconstrued.

  ‘What do you mean by that? She’s my friend and I’m looking out for her. She deserves to know the truth.’

  ‘I hope for your sake she sees it that way,’ Lena said, then went back through to the kitchen to check on Tommy, all the while knowing that trouble was brewing.

  Lena looked down at the boy’s efforts and smiled warmly. He’d made several little shapes, though she couldn’t tell what they were. ‘Do you want to come to Joan’s with me?’ she asked, thinking Sarah would be finishing work soon and it would be best to have Tommy out of the way. George seemed set on telling her the truth about Roger, and she feared all hell was about to break loose.

  Sarah was surprised when Roger came into the shop late that afternoon, and listened, shocked, to what he had to say. She now locked up and headed for Lena’s to collect Tommy. It was always such a mad dash to get there before George would arrive home, and so far she’d managed to avoid him. This couldn’t go on, though, and despite what Roger had told her she still wanted to talk to George about the reward money.

  She turned the corner on to Lena’s street and immediately noticed George’s red van. He was home. Part of her was dreading seeing him, but the other part had missed his friendship. Now, at the prospect of facing him, she couldn’t help feeling a little apprehensive. She drew in a deep breath and braced herself, but before she had a chance to knock on the door, George opened it.

  ‘Hello, stranger,’ he said, and pulled the door open wider.

  ‘Hi, George. It’s nice to see you,’ Sarah said as she stepped inside, ‘but I didn’t expect you to be home yet.’

  ‘It was quiet on the market so I packed up early. Mum’s popped over to Joan’s with Tommy. She said if you don’t want to wait for them, he can stop here the night and I’ll run him over to you first thing in the morning if you like?’

  Sarah stood in the hallway and hid a smile. It was perfect. It would allow her to have some time alone with Roger. He’d been coming to see her tonight, but lately he’d been showing up later and later, sometimes not showing up at all. He always gave her a good reason, but she was beginning to worry that he was seeing someone else behind her back. Her suspicions had first been aroused when she’d found a long blonde hair on the shoulder of his shirt, but he’d said it must be one of his aunt’s. On another occasion, she was sure he smelled of perfume, but she hadn’t questioned him as she didn’t want to sound paranoid and insecure. Not only that, he’d seemed a bit distant lately, but as she hadn’t found anywhere suitable to move yet, maybe it was just because he was fed up with her doorstep. Well, for once they would have her room to themselves and that was sure to make him happy. ‘As long as you don’t mind, that’s great. Thanks, George,’ she said, and turned to leave.

  ‘You may as well have a cuppa now you’re here,’ George said, and closed the front door.

  Despite what Roger had said, George seemed fine to her, and anyway, she couldn’t really say no, even though she was keen to get home to make things nice for Roger’s visit. However, she hadn’t seen George in ages and this might be her chance to rekindle their friendship, as well as talk to him about her plans for the reward money. As they walked into the kitchen, Sarah could smell a delicious aroma, and spotted some fresh cakes and pies on a wire rack. ‘I can see your mum’s been busy cooking with Tommy again. He loves being here with her, she’s so good with him.’

  ‘Mum enjoys having him. I reckon she thinks she’s his nan. She always wanted a big family with loads of kids, but it never happened for her. When I was younger, she used to babysit all the children on the street. The house was always full and that’s how she liked it.’

  George poured her a cup of tea from a large brown pot and Sarah sat at the kitchen table. He pulled out a chair opposite her and she was relieved to find that it wasn’t as awkwar
d with him as she’d expected. She did notice they both steered away from any mention of Roger. She soon found herself laughing at George’s silly jokes, and realised just how much she’d missed his company. ‘I’m really glad I’ve seen you, George, ’cos there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about for a long time now.’

  ‘Funnily enough, there’s something I want to talk to you about too,’ he answered. ‘It’s about Roger.’

  Sarah braced herself. She didn’t want to believe what Roger had told her, thinking that George was better than that, but now feared the worse and hoped to divert him as she said, ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when I began dating Roger. I was worried it would ruin our friendship.’

  ‘I’ll always be your friend, Sarah,’ George said softly, ‘and it’s because we’re friends that I have to tell you something. I’m afraid you ain’t gonna like it.’

  When Roger had come into the shop earlier, he’d said he was worried about George’s state of mind. Apparently, George had been spouting off for weeks, saying he would find a way to break up their relationship, and it was getting worse.

  ‘Tell me and we’ll see.’

  George bit his lower lip for a moment, but then blurted out, ‘I’m afraid Roger is doing the dirty on you. He’s seeing someone else.’

  ‘I know that isn’t true. Roger warned me that you were going to try to break us up, but I didn’t want to believe him. To be honest, I expected better from you.’

  George reached across the table and grasped her hands, saying earnestly, ‘I’m not lying, Sarah, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. He was chatting up a woman today and they’ve arranged to see each other later. It ain’t the first time either, and it won’t be the last.’

  George sounded so sincere that Sarah found herself suspicious of Roger again. He’d said he loved her, had talked of marriage, so surely this couldn’t be true. They hadn’t yet made love, but had come very close to it, and she’d been prepared to give herself to him tonight.

  ‘I’m telling you the truth, Sarah,’ George said, unclasping her hands and leaning back in his chair.

  She was sure George meant well, in his own way, but even though she had her doubts, he must have got it wrong. ‘You must be mistaken, George, ’cos Roger is coming to see me later. He can’t be seeing other women.’

  ‘I doubt he’ll show up. He’s always the same when it comes to women. He’s all over his latest conquest for a while, but then his eyes start to stray. I don’t want to see him make a mug out of you.’

  Sarah didn’t want to believe George, but something niggled her, and she got the impression that he was telling the truth. If Roger didn’t turn up tonight, there’d be no denying it, and her heart was already beginning to ache.

  Mo had been waiting for ages for Sarah to arrive home, and wondered what was keeping her. At last, as she looked out of her window, she saw her friend walking along the street, and noticed Tommy wasn’t with her. She ran down the stairs as Sarah was coming through the front door, and said eagerly, ‘I’m so glad you’re home … I’ve been dying to tell you something.’

  Sarah appeared glum, but asked, ‘What’s up?’

  Mo followed Sarah into her room and watched in silence as Sarah kicked off her shoes. There was obviously something bothering her and, as Tommy wasn’t with her, Mo asked, ‘Is Tommy OK?’

  ‘Yes, he’s staying over with Lena tonight. What did you want to tell me?’

  ‘I’ve got a new job. I’m so happy about it, but I haven’t told Samuel yet. I’m not too sure how he’ll react.’

  ‘Why, what’s the job?’

  ‘I’m going to be a model!’ Mo replied, and struck a pose, one hand on her hip and the other held up gracefully.

  ‘That’s nice,’ Sarah said, ‘but why are you worried about telling Sam?’

  ‘He can be a bit funny about that sort of thing. I don’t think he likes other men looking at me. I couldn’t turn it down, though, it’s too good an opportunity to miss. It all came about last night. I was at work, and when the film had finished, this chap approached me and gave me his card. He said I was just what he’d been looking for and to get in touch. So I did and went to see him today at his studio. He took some headshots and said he’d get me in all the top magazines. I’ve got to go back to see him tomorrow. Isn’t it brilliant?’

  Sarah nodded, but looked distracted as she said, ‘I’m really pleased for you.’

  ‘Come on, out with it,’ Mo demanded. ‘You’re not yourself, so what’s wrong?’

  ‘I’m worried about Roger.’

  ‘Why, has something happened to him?’

  ‘No, he’s fine, but I think he may be seeing someone else.’

  ‘What makes you think that? He’s here most nights, ain’t he?’

  ‘Yes, sort of. He pops over four or five nights a week, but he’s started getting here later and later, and sometimes not at all. At first I thought it was because of us sitting outside on the doorstep, but George said something today and now I’m not so sure.’

  ‘You’ve seen George at last? What did he say?’

  ‘He was at home when I went to collect Tommy. It was funny really, we had a right laugh, until he dropped the bombshell. He told me he’d seen Roger chatting someone up and that they’d arranged to meet tonight. Roger warned me that George would come out with stuff like this to break us up. What do you think, Mo?’

  Mo didn’t believe for one minute that Roger was the faithful type. He’d proved that by the way he’d flirted with her, but she didn’t want to reveal that to Sarah. ‘Maybe George is a bit jealous, or maybe he just got the wrong end of the stick. Is Roger supposed to be coming round tonight?’

  ‘Yes,’ Sarah answered.

  ‘Wait and see what happens. If he doesn’t show his face, then it could mean George is telling the truth.’

  ‘I’m not so sure, Mo. It can’t be much fun for him being stuck on my doorstep. Not long ago he asked me to move in with him.’

  ‘Well then, he’d hardly do that if he’s seeing someone else. Are you going to?’

  ‘No, Mo. I just didn’t think it was right for me and Tommy. I told him I’d find a new place soon, with a separate bedroom for Tommy, but most that I’ve seen are riddled with damp. I’ll keep looking though, but I don’t have much time, not with all the hours I’ve been doing at work.’

  She’d kept that quiet, thought Mo. ‘I didn’t know you was looking to move out.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, but I really like living here with you and Sam. When all that bother was going on with your family, I did look at a couple of places, but the ones I could afford were diabolical. Now I’m earning a few bob more I was hoping to find somewhere half decent.’

  ‘If you ask me, it doesn’t sound like you really want to move, so are you doing it for you or for Roger?’

  ‘It’s for Tommy too. He really should have his own room,’ Sarah protested. ‘This place is damp and come the winter it’ll probably affect his chest again.’

  ‘If you say so, but Tommy seems happy enough here. Just don’t let Roger push you into anything you ain’t ready for. It’s obvious why he wanted you to move in with him, or to get Tommy in a separate bedroom, but take my advice and make sure to get a ring on that finger first.’

  Sarah lowered her head, hiding her face. ‘We … we haven’t done … done it yet.’

  Mo had guessed that Sarah hadn’t gone all the way with Roger, and suspected he wasn’t going to wait for much longer. She’d met fellas like him before, and regretted giving in to them, only to be left high and dry. It had been different with Samuel. He hadn’t tried to persuade her into bed. If anything, she’d seduced him.

  There was a sudden loud hammering on the front door that made both women jump. Mo ran to the window first. ‘It’s George,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, no, he can’t be here when Roger turns up.’

  ‘Don’t worry. You lie low and I’ll get rid of him.’

  Georg
e hammered the door again and Mo hurried to answer it. ‘What’s going on?’ she said. ‘Where’s the fire?’

  ‘Where’s Sarah? I have to speak to Sarah,’ George said and pushed past her. He looked frantic and she wondered what was wrong.

  ‘Wait, George,’ she called, but he was already running into Sarah’s room.

  ‘Sarah, you have to come with me. It’s Tommy! Mum’s taken him to the hospital. Come on, I’ll drive you there.’

  ‘Why? What’s wrong with him?’ Sarah asked as the colour drained from her face.

  ‘I’m not sure. He’s been coughing a lot and Mum said he was burning up. He then seemed to have some sort of fit, so we called for an ambulance.’

  ‘No, oh, no,’ Sarah gasped as she frantically pulled on her shoes.

  ‘I’m sure he’ll be all right,’ said George, ‘but get a move on, love.’

  Sarah grabbed her keys and hot on the heels of George she dashed out, calling, ‘Mo, when Roger turns up, will you tell him what’s happened?’

  ‘Yeah, of course,’ she called back. What seemed like only moments later, Mo heard the van drive off. She hoped Tommy was going to be all right. She’d seen someone have a fit before and they had bitten off the end of their tongue. Poor Tommy, she thought, hoping that he hadn’t done the same thing, and poor Sarah.

  Then straight away Mo’s selfish side kicked in. She’d been so happy, over the moon at getting a modelling job, but if Tommy didn’t make it she’d be expected to be a comfort to Sarah. Instead of celebrating and having a good time, she might well have to attend a bloody funeral.

  Chapter 37

  On the journey to the hospital, Sarah kept questioning George about Tommy’s fit, but as he didn’t have any answers she became more and more frantic. They didn’t seem to be driving fast enough, and as she tapped her finger and thumb together, she hissed, ‘Come on … come on … get a move on.’