Gasping for breath, she banged the door in his face; then stood holding onto it as if to get her wind after a long run. Even after she’d heard the back gate bang it was still a full minute before she could move to the table and onto a chair.
That was how Bill found her when he entered the kitchen, saying, ‘Have you gone to Brazil for that coffee?…What’s up? You’ve got a pain? What’s up?’ He had his arms about her. ‘You look as white as a sheet. What’s happened? Tell me. Tell me.’
Twice she made an effort to speak before she could bring out, ‘He…he came, Mr Paget. He…he threatened.’
‘What d’you mean, threatened? What did he say?’
She stared into Bill’s face but couldn’t say, ‘He threatened to do you in and burn us out,’ because Bill would have gone round there and God only knew what would happen. So what she said was, ‘Oh, he was on about Nell and that she had to go back and…and that one of your low-type workmen had got her. And so on, and so on.’
‘Come on.’ Bill pulled her to her feet. ‘Look, come on, pull yourself together. And we mustn’t tell her that he’s been for she’ll not close her eyes tonight. And I won’t sleep very heavily either, I can tell you. By the sound of it that old fella’s gone off his rocker and should see a doctor, a special one at that. Here, look; before you go in there, take a gulp at that coffee and let’s get some colour in your cheeks.’ He patted each side of her face. ‘Then we’re all for bed. Now, as arranged, Nell will sleep with you, and I’ll sleep down on the sofa.’
‘It isn’t long enough.’
‘You leave that to me. My God!’—he picked up the tray now—‘Talk about situation. Who would believe that old fella could turn out like that?’ He paused as he was going towards the door and, looking at Fiona, he said, ‘If he can change as much as he has done in the past few weeks I don’t think it’s something new. I’d like to get to the bottom of it.’
They got to the bottom of it at eleven that same night. After Bert returned they had sat talking in the sitting room until nearly eleven o’clock, when both Fiona and Bill left the room to let the couple say goodnight and to part for the last time before their marriage.
As they went into the kitchen Bill said, ‘Now I won’t be ten minutes running him home, and you don’t open the door to anyone, not even God himself. D’you hear?’
‘Don’t worry. Don’t worry about that.’
‘But while I’m away, if you’re frightened or he comes back to that door, dial 999. This, I think, has become a police matter.’
A few minutes later, after Fiona had locked the front door after the two men, she went upstairs with Nell. In the bedroom she said, ‘Now get yourself to bed and go to sleep; I’ll be up as soon as Bill comes back. That brandy should do the trick.’
‘Yes; I think it’s starting already.’ Nell gave a weak smile. ‘It was more than a drop; he said it was.’
Of a sudden Nell put her arms around Fiona, saying brokenly, ‘What would I have done without you? I’ll never know.’
‘Well, you’re not going to do without me. Things will go on just the same, at least for half days only. It’s all arranged, now isn’t it? So there’s nothing more to worry about. And no more talk; get into that bed and go to sleep,’ and saying this, she went to push Nell towards the bed, but Nell, her old manner returning for a moment, pushed back at her, saying, ‘Well, let’s get me clothes off first,’ which caused them both to laugh and left Fiona feeling easier in her mind when she went from the room to do her nightly round of looking in on her children before going downstairs again.
But she had no sooner entered the kitchen and reached the stove and was about to put the kettle on when she heard a tap on the kitchen door.
She swung round and stared towards it; then slowly, as if sliding past someone, she was making for the hall again when a small voice said, ‘Fiona, it’s me, Mrs Paget.’
Fiona put her hand to her neck as if to assist herself to breathe. Then she hurried to the back door and was about to unlock it when she stopped at the thought that he might be behind her. And so she called, ‘Are you alone, Mrs Paget?’
‘Yes, yes, I’m alone.’
When she’d opened the door, Mrs Paget, a coat pulled over her dressing gown, stumbled into the kitchen, and Fiona locked the door again before saying to the elderly woman, ‘Sit down. Sit down.’
‘Oh, Fiona, what can I say? What can I say? Where’s Nell?’
‘She’s in bed, Mrs Paget.’
‘I would like to have seen her, but…but perhaps it’s better not. Will…will you give her this?’ She brought from her dressing-gown pocket a narrow black case, saying, ‘I…I couldn’t get out; he…he wouldn’t take me out to buy her anything, a wedding present. Tell her that it was my mother’s. It’s the thing I value most and I want her to have it because I value her too.’
‘Why has your husband turned so much against her, Mrs Paget? He never was like that.’
‘Oh, my dear—’ The pale pink face seemed to crumple and the older woman had to fight for control before she said, ‘He’s been like that many times, my dear, but he’s never had such a long spell since Nell came to live with us. He seemed to change altogether after Nell came, and it’s been like a small miracle, no, a large miracle. He…he’s a good man really, the other side of him. If he hadn’t been I would have left him years ago. When he comes to himself he’s like a child, so sorry. But I’ve never seen him as bad as this before.’
‘Have you told the doctor?’
‘Oh, the doctor knows about his spells; but he’s threatened what he would do if I ever call the doctor in. I need the doctor for myself as I haven’t been well. I’m never well when he’s like this. It’s nerves you know; nothing physical, just nerves.’
‘Oh, my dear.’ Fiona took a seat by the side of the troubled woman and she asked, ‘Nell mustn’t have known anything about this?’
‘No, no, she didn’t.’
‘Didn’t her husband tell her? He must have known.’
‘Oh, he wouldn’t have. Harry wouldn’t have told Nell; he was ashamed of his father having these turns.’
Remembering the threat the man had levelled at her a short while ago, Fiona put the question tentatively now as she said, ‘Has he ever become…well, dangerous in his manner?’
Mrs Paget sighed before she answered, ‘Yes, twice, and…and he was in the hospital for almost a year after that.’
‘How long do these turns last?’
‘It’s strange, but I’ve known them go as quickly as they come. Other times he’s got to have medication for a lengthy period. Once he…he went for a man, quite a big man, and the man felled him with one blow. And when he came round he had his senses back too. The doctors found this very interesting.’
The thought went through Fiona’s mind that it might perhaps have been a good job if she had let Bill go round there, for his medicine might have brought the man to his senses again. But then it would take a lot for Bill to hit an old man.
‘You must get the doctor to him as soon as possible,’ she said.
‘I will tomorrow, no matter what happens. But he watches me, my every movement, and whenever I go near the phone it seems to agitate him. When he’s like this he does not realise he’s ill. Yet he does realise he can be put away; and oh dear, that’s pitiful.’
‘I’m so sorry, Mrs Paget. I never guessed that you were in this trouble; you were always so bright, seemingly happy.’
‘Yes, I was because…well, Nell was there. To him she was like a cure. But please, oh please, don’t think I don’t want her to be married, and he’s a good man. Will you tell her I wish her all the best in the world? I love that girl. I must go now, but…but I wanted you to understand.’
After unlocking the back door, Fiona turned before opening it and said to Mrs Paget, ‘If your husband has to go into hospital and you’re on your own, well, remember you won’t be on your own: Nell will be coming here half days and we will all be at hand to help you i
n any way we can.’
‘Thank you, my dear. That is something to know anyway. You will give my love to Nell? And will you tell her what I’ve told you?’
‘Yes, right away. She’ll understand then. Goodnight, Mrs Paget.’
‘Goodnight, my dear.’
The older woman now touched Fiona’s hand, saying, ‘You’ve got a good man. Take care of him.’ When the door was closed once more Fiona stood with her back to it. You have a good man. Take care of him. It was Bill who took care of her and of all of them. But yes, she would take care of him.
Chapter Seven
It was done. Nell was now Mrs Ormesby. They came out of the town hall, Bert and Nell, Bill and Fiona, Mark, Katie, Willie, and Mamie, dressed in their best. And that wasn’t all. Barney McGuire had taken the morning off, so had Harry Newton and Jos Wright. Amid laughter and chaffing they piled into their respective cars, Bill and Fiona taking the bride and groom, the children divided between Harry Newton and Barney McGuire.
It was only a short run to the hotel where the wedding breakfast was awaiting them, but before Bill drew up in the forecourt he said over his shoulder, ‘The first thing you’ll get, Bert, is a car.’
‘I can’t drive a car, boss; you know that.’
‘No, but your wife can.’
‘Can you drive a car?’ Bert looked at Nell.
Their faces were shining and Nell laughed as she said, ‘Of course I can drive a car.’
‘You never told me.’
Bill was quick out of the car, and first went round and opened the door for Fiona; then addressing Bert again, he said, ‘Lad, you’re in for some surprises. You never told me, you said. You’ll be kept awake at nights with the things she’ll tell you and that you didn’t know. I never got any sleep for the first month.’
‘Oh Bill, shut up!’
So laughing, they entered the hotel.
They laughed a lot during the breakfast and when, an hour and a half later, they all stood on the station platform saying goodbye to the happy couple, there was still much laughter.
Nell, hugging Fiona, now said, ‘Tell Mam I’ll be seeing her soon…Give her my love. Tell her I’m happy. And things will work out all right now that I know about Dad. Oh, you don’t know what that’s done for me, to know I haven’t been the cause of his illness.’
The train was moving off as Bill yelled to Bert, ‘Make it a week. I’ve told you.’
‘Not on your life, boss. Be back on Friday.’
‘Come back on Sunday night.’
Nell’s head was thrust out of the window and she yelled at the top of her voice, ‘You mind your own business, Bill Bailey.’
This caused more laughter and comments from the men, Barney saying, ‘Well, now you know, boss; somebody’s tellin’ you straight.’
‘Don’t they always!’
And so, amid chaffing, the wedding party divided, Bill addressing his men, saying, ‘I’ll be changed and back on the site within an hour. If any of you are a minute late it’s the sack. So you know. So long.’
‘The same to you, boss, the same to you. But I thought you had the big meeting this afternoon, boss. Have you forgotten?’
‘Don’t be such a…don’t be such a fool, Harry. As if anybody could forget that.’
‘Then you won’t be changin’ your clothes, will you?’
‘You’re too clever by half. Anyway, get back on that job. I’ll be looking in afore I go on to Newcastle.’
‘We’ll see about it,’ said Jos Wright. ‘Might stop and have a pint or two, then on top of that champagne, you never know the effect it’ll have on us. Do you, lads?’
In the car again, Willie said, ‘They’re funny men, aren’t they, Dad?’
‘You said it, Willie, they’re funny men. And I don’t know whether it’s funny ha-ha or funny peculiar.’
‘Have we got to change our clothes, Mam?’ said Katie.
‘Of course you’ve got to change your clothes. You’re not going to lounge around in that dress for the rest of the day.’
‘Why not? She’ll shortly be able to have a new one for every day of the week.’
‘Will I, Dad?’
‘No, you won’t, miss,’ Fiona answered for Bill quickly and definitely; ‘so sit back there and behave yourself. And take Mamie onto your knee because Mark’s leg’s in the cramp. It is, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, Mam.’ Mark was pushing his foot against the back of the seat.
‘I don’t want to go on Katie’s knee; I’ll sit on Willie’s knee.’
‘You’ll do no such thing. I don’t want you on my knee. If you don’t sit on Katie’s you can sit on the stool.’
‘I’m too big to sit on the stool, and I’ll stop loving you shortly, Willie Bailey, ’cos you’re always at me.’
There was a quick glance between Fiona and Bill. That was the first time since that little girl had come under their care that she had spoken out against Willie and his manner towards her.
‘Well, well. Good for you, Mamie. It’s about time you told him where he stood.’ Mark was patting Mamie on the head now and she smiled up at him from the cracket where she was crushed between their feet, and she said, ‘You’re nicer than Willie.’
‘What’s the matter with you? Gone daft?’ Willie was definitely perturbed: his sole female admirer preferring his elder brother and telling him off in front of the family.
‘Revelation.’
‘What do you say, Mam?’ Willie was bending forward.
‘Nothing.’
‘Well, I’m going to say something, Mam. I’m going to wait for Sammy coming out of school, then I’m going to his house.’
‘You’re doing nothing of the kind; you’re staying at home. If you don’t want to play in the garden or in the playroom then you can sulk in your bedroom.’
‘Dad, can I go and see…?’
‘No, you can’t!’ Bill bawled at him. ‘Don’t you dare start that prank, Willie Bailey. If your mother says you can’t do a thing, you can’t do it. You could talk to her and try to make her see it your way, but don’t you come to me expecting me to countermand her orders. Never do that. Do you hear? And that goes for all of you.’
It was some moments later when a lone voice said, ‘Happy wedding.’ But no-one laughed or made any comment on Mark’s statement.
At half-past one Bill left the house. He had arranged to give himself time to visit the site and be in Newcastle well before three. In the privacy of the bedroom he had held Fiona in his arms and said, ‘Lass, I’m shaking like a leaf inside. Facing and talking to Sir Charles is one kettle of fish, this board will be another.’
‘But you’ve got it; he said you’ve got it.’
‘Yes; but I’ve still got to put myself over to the board, to gain their confidence in me, because there’s only two from the old board on this one and by the sound of it there’s a dozen or more altogether.’
‘You’ll win them over, all of them. You know your job and you won’t lie or prevaricate.’
‘What’s that? Prevaricate? Oh, I must add that to the list, prevaricate.’
They had kissed and clung together, then she had set him to the gate and watched him drive away in the car.
It was half-past five when he phoned her from Newcastle, saying, ‘How does it feel, Mrs B, to be the wife of a building tycoon?’
‘Just the same feeling as it was when I was the landlady to the fellow who had risen from a brickie; it hasn’t altered. I don’t think it will. I’m not the impressionable kind…Oh, Bill! Everything went well?’
‘Yes, yes. A bit tricky here and there. Questions flung at me that made me want to, well you know me, spit back. But I kept me cool an’ convinced them that I was the man for the job. Sir Charles was delighted. He shook my hand after. But what was more impressive than words, he didn’t speak at all, he just kept shaking my hand. And now, Mrs Bailey, I have been asked to join five of the men at dinner in their hotel, so don’t expect me home yet awhile. If you go to the paper
shop and ask Mrs Green for a late edition of the evening rag you’ll likely find a report of the outcome of the meeting because there were a number of newspaper men around. And I saw a TV crew, too, so it might be on Look North with Mike Neville. Look love, I don’t know what time I’ll be home, but I’ll get away as soon as possible.’
‘Don’t hurry, dear. Don’t hurry. Enjoy your meal. Enjoy your success.’
‘I never enjoy anything without you. Now if you were here we’d make a night of it.’
‘Will Sir Charles be there?’
‘No, no. He went off early. He’s still pretty groggy, I think, but his secretary will be standing in for him, so he said. I think the secretary is a relation. He lives in the house. I never knew he had a secretary. But, of course, with all his business he’s bound to have. He’s a nice fellow, not unlike Sir Charles when he was young I would think. Oh, Fiona, I don’t know whether I’m on my head or my heels. But one thing I do know, there’s a lot of hard work before me, and worry. Oh, aye, and worry. But if I can get a crew together even half as good as my lot, then we’ll manage. You know, I’m that excited I want to do a handstand, or jump up and click me heels, do something daft like that; and I will do once I get home. You wait and see: I’ll get all the kids up and I’ll slide down the banister.’
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