by Rosie Clarke
Her host was a genial man with a habit of speaking very loudly as if he was afraid that people wouldn’t hear him otherwise, but Beth sensed that he was kind and inclined to be friendly. Lady Bryant was a small, thin woman with elegant clothes and immaculate hair. She wasn’t beautiful but she had good bone structure and held herself well. She smiled and greeted Beth warmly, but there was a reserve that the girl sensed immediately.
‘Arnold, my dearest boy,’ Sonia Bryant said as she turned to him, having given Beth the once-over. In Beth’s mind she had been found lacking, though Lady Bryant hadn’t shown it; it was just a gut feeling. ‘It is much too long since we’ve seen you. It was so good of you to bring dear Beth to us for Christmas, but I am going to scold you for keeping her in London all this time. She really should be with us now, preparing for the birth of Drew’s child.’
‘Can’t possibly spare her just yet,’ Arnold replied and looked at Beth. ‘She’s far too valuable an asset, Sonia. Besides, Beth doesn’t want a lot of fuss. She’s as strong as an ox and she’ll do the thing on her own without help from any of us.’
‘Arnold!’ Lady Bryant looked at him in horror. ‘That’s the last thing I expected to hear from you. Beth needs taking care of properly. I want you to help me persuade her to come here to us.’
‘I rather think Beth will make up her own mind.’
‘It’s very kind of you, Sonia,’ Beth said, drawing courage from his staunch support. ‘I shall think about it when the time comes, but Annabel wants me to go and stay with her for a while before the baby is born and when I’m ready to leave London I probably shall.’
‘Well, as long as she takes care of herself,’ Sonia said and looked at Arnold rather than her disappointing daughter-in-law.
Beth could see her answer had displeased Drew’s mother, but she wasn’t going to give in. She was feeling a bit annoyed with Drew for not telling her more about his home and leaving her to visit alone. If it hadn’t been for Arnold she would have felt completely out of her depth.
‘Have you had a card from Drew?’ Sonia was saying. ‘We got one a week ago, but of course it was posted in England. I think he must have done all his cards before he went abroad. I had a birthday card with the same postmark. He left them with friends to post.’
‘Oh, I had one from overseas,’ Beth told her. ‘But there was a present that came from a jeweller. I think he must have asked for that to be sent at Christmas before he left.’
Catching Arnold’s eye at that moment, Beth guessed who had been given the job of sending the cards in Drew’s absence. Had he also arranged for the gift of her pearl earrings? She decided against asking now but would do so when they were alone.
‘Well, come and sit down,’ Drew’s mother was saying. ‘We’ll all have a nice glass of sherry – at least, I’m not sure, do you drink sherry, Beth?’
‘I’ll have a very small glass,’ Beth told her. ‘I like it medium dry please, but not much because of the baby.’
‘Do the little blighter good,’ Ted Bryant replied as he handed her a glass that held far more than she wanted or could possibly drink. ‘Give him a bit of red blood, what?’
‘I’m sure you’re right,’ Arnold said and then gave Beth a rather wicked grin, which made her wonder just what was in his mind. He leaned towards Beth as his host turned away. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll finish it for you. Ted’s sherry is some of the best in the country.’
Beth smiled at him. She was so lucky he’d come with her. Otherwise she would be in way over her head and drowning.
*
Christmas had been every bit the ordeal she’d imagined, Beth thought as she dutifully kissed her mother-in-law on the cheek. Although everyone had been kind and generous, giving her lovely presents to take home, she had felt awkward and out of place. The one bright spot had been when Freddie Montgomery had popped in for drinks before lunch on Boxing Day. He was a perfect poppet and she wasn’t surprised that Arnold cared for him as much as he did.
‘What a lovely young lady you are,’ he said when he kissed her cheek. ‘I wanted to meet the marvel Arnold has been telling me about for months and I’m glad I have. You must get Arnold to bring you to my house for dinner one evening – after the big event if you like. You’ll be feeling more the thing then.’
He had brought Beth a pretty rattle for the baby. It was made of solid silver and she thought Victorian, and she loved it immediately.
‘Saw it at an auction the other day and couldn’t resist it,’ he’d told her. ‘Always buying things I’ve no use for – but then I remembered you and thought it was just the ticket.’
‘It’s beautiful. I shall treasure it.’
Her reply had pleased him. Beth thought that if he had been her father-in-law she wouldn’t have minded staying at his house. However, he was there only for an hour and she felt the contrast even more after he left.
Compared to his warmth, Sonia Bryant was icy, despite her smiles and friendly gestures. Beth knew she didn’t really like her and she made up her mind that she wasn’t going to have the baby in this house.
‘Now, you must promise you will come to us soon,’ Sonia cooed over Beth as she prepared to leave. ‘You will have a lovely room and the use of the nursery. And I know it would please Drew.’
‘I think I should like to be with my mother for the birth,’ Beth said and as soon as she’d said the words she knew it was what she wanted.
‘Can’t blame the girl for that,’ Ted boomed at her. ‘Come to us afterwards. Don’t press her, Sonia, stands to reason a girl would want her mother at a time like that.’
‘But she doesn’t have a mother,’ Sonia said and then looked awkward. ‘I meant…’
‘Annabel is my mother,’ Beth said and the truth of it struck her with force. She had wanted to escape from Annabel’s fussing, but now she realised that Annabel fussed over her because she really cared. ‘She took me on when my mother died and she’s been a wonderful mother to me. I shall go home to her in a few weeks. After the baby is born, I’ll bring her or him on a visit, but my home is with Annabel until Drew comes back.’
Beth felt better now that she had stood up to Sonia and made her position clear. And a part of that feeling better was due to getting her thoughts about Annabel straight in her head. Yes, she had enjoyed her freedom, and she might want it again one day, but for the moment she would welcome some of Annabel’s loving care.
‘Well, you know you are always welcome here.’
Beth smiled but didn’t reply as she went out to the car. Arnold opened the passenger side door for her and helped her in, tending to her as solicitously as if he were her husband instead of her boss. It was almost as if he knew she was feeling a bit fragile and wanted to protect her. She smiled and thanked him, but he merely nodded and went back to shake hands with their hosts.
They drove most of the way back in silence, stopping for a picnic that Sonia had pressed on them. It was beautifully prepared and enjoyable, especially with Arnold sitting beside her. The rain began as they neared London.
‘It’s just as well,’ Arnold told her. ‘The frost will go now and it may feel a bit warmer. Better for our airmen too.’
‘Yes.’ Beth smiled at him gratefully. ‘I want to thank you for everything, Arnold. I shall never be able to repay you for your kindness these past few days.’
‘Stuff and nonsense,’ he said. ‘Wait until I get you back to your desk, young woman. I’ve got three reports in my head that have to be dictated and typed up and I needed them yesterday!’
Back to normal, Beth thought, and realised how good that felt. She would miss working with Arnold when the time came for her to leave. In fact, a little voice in her head told her, she was going to miss him far more than she ought.
*
Georgie let herself in the front door and collected the letters from the table in the hall where Mrs Townsend had left them for her. The house smelled of polish and lavender, and as she went into the front parlour she saw a fire had been lit
earlier. It was beginning to die down now, but a good stir with the poker and a nice dry log would soon have it going again.
She went into the kitchen and put the kettle on. Her wonderful housekeeper had done some baking for her and she picked up a plain bun and took it through to the parlour, munching as she went. It was good to be home again, though she’d enjoyed Christmas with her mother.
Priscilla had cheered her up and her practical manner had helped Georgie to sort things out in her mind. There was no point in wishing for the moon. Nothing could change the fact that she’d spent nine years married to a man she wasn’t in love with or that the man she did love was probably somewhere in France risking his life for the country he loved.
Another thing she was certain of was that she was having Ben’s child. She hadn’t been sure before she left to spend Christmas with her mother, but she was now, because she’d visited a doctor and asked his advice.
That last little holiday with Ben had given her a special present to remember him by, Georgie thought with a wry smile. It didn’t matter whether she was happy or sorry, it was a fact, and like everything else, would have to be faced up to when the time came.
It wouldn’t be easy explaining to Geoffrey. She owed no explanations to anyone else, though she might talk to Annabel about it one day.
Sitting down by the fire, which had sparked into life after some careful ministrations, Georgie saw the official letter in her pile and her heart thumped. She could have done without this to greet her on her return.
The inspection would take place tomorrow! Damn them, Georgie thought. She had almost put off her return for another few days and now she half wished she had – and yet that would merely delay the inevitable. She knew in her heart that her house was going to be just what they were looking for. Arthur had spent a small fortune getting the plumbing up to date only a year or so before he died and it was in good repair. There were enough bedrooms to make it viable as a small convalescent home without being a vast rambling place like Kendlebury.
That meant she was going to have to find somewhere else to live for the rest of the war, and who knew how long that would be? Would she have to store all her things? Most of the furniture was solid, sturdy stuff, made of oak and almost indestructible. She would pack anything she valued, naturally, and the rest could stay if they wanted it.
Both her mother and Jessie had offered her a home if she needed it, and she rather thought she might stay with Jessie. In a way it was a blessing. She’d been lonely before the visit to her mother, and besides, she knew Jessie could do with some help. She was struggling to keep Kendlebury going against all the odds and with Harry unwell…
Yes, that was the sensible way to think, Georgie decided. There was no point in being miserable about something that was out of her hands. She would stay with Jessie and tell everyone about the baby when she had to – but she wouldn’t tell them who the father was, not yet. Not until Ben came home.
He had promised to leave Helen, and perhaps now he would realise there was no reason to wait any longer.
Georgie was smiling as she began to read the rest of her letters.
*
‘I’m sorry, Mrs Bridges. I’m sure it’s not what you want to hear, but I have to tell you that your house is exactly what we are looking for. I shall be recommending that we use it for the purpose you were advised of in my letter,’ Philip Rathmere told her the next morning after a brief tour of the house.
‘I was expecting you to say that.’ Georgie gave him a wry smile. ‘I can’t say I’m surprised. When will you want to take it over?’
‘If my report is accepted – about two months I imagine, but I shall keep you informed. We shan’t just turn up on your doorstep and evict you, I promise.’
Georgie smiled. ‘I never thought you would. What do I do about the furniture? Do you want to move everything?’
‘That’s really up to you,’ Philip Rathmere said. ‘Some people want to take everything with them or store it. If you prefer to leave the heavy stuff, we should compensate you for any damage. You will of course receive compensation for the use of the house.’
‘Yes, your letter was clear,’ Georgie wrinkled her brow. ‘If it’s all right with you, I think I shall store what few valuables we have and take my personal things; the rest is solid and won’t hurt much whatever your men do.’
‘Most of them are too ill to cause much trouble. We really do need quiet, comfortable houses for them to stay in until they can face the world again.’
‘Then they obviously need the house more than I do. I’ll arrange to move as soon as I get your confirmation.’
‘Thank you.’ He looked relieved. ‘You’ve taken it better than most. Some ladies get very upset at the idea of their home being invaded.’
‘What must be,’ Georgie said and shrugged. She supposed he must hear a great deal of complaints in the course of his work, but he wouldn’t from her. ‘Do you do much of this, Mr Rathmere?’
‘I’m in charge of finding and supervising property all over the country for the War Office. We need all kinds of property for all kinds of purposes.’
‘So your job doesn’t finish once you’ve selected a property?’ Georgie was interested. He was a man she felt comfortable with, someone you could talk to and not at all officious as she’d expected before he arrived.
‘Oh no, I shall be keeping an eye on your house – on all of those I’ve taken over.’
‘That must keep you busy?’
‘Yes, but I enjoy property. It was my business before the war – renovating old places and putting them to new use.’
‘That sounds interesting,’ Georgie said. ‘I was just about to put the kettle on – would you like a cup of tea?’
‘That’s very kind. I have a long drive ahead of me when I leave here.’
*
‘So it’s settled then,’ Annabel said when Georgie phoned her later that day to tell her the news. ‘Where will you go – or haven’t you thought it through yet?’
‘Yes, I have thought about it a lot. My mother offered me a home of course, but Jessie told me I could stay with her and I believe that would suit me better. Jessie needs some help at the moment and it will save me fretting if I’m busy. I can store a lot of my things there too, though I’m not taking all that much. I thought I would leave the heavy furniture. If the worst happens and it gets wrecked, I can always buy new. Most of it had been there forever and belonged to Arthur’s grandparents. I never particularly liked it, but it was comfortable and it’s the personal touches that make a house anyway. I think Arthur would have hated the idea of anyone taking it over – but he might have been pleased that it was to be for wounded soldiers, because of his army background.’
‘You’ve taken this well. I’m not sure I could be so sanguine if it was my house they’d taken over.’
‘That’s what my ministry man said. He was rather sweet actually and apologised for wanting the house. But he has his job to do and after all it is in a worthwhile cause.’
‘As long as it hasn’t upset you too much?’
‘Oh no. I’ve got more important things to worry about.’
‘Yes, of course. I’ve had some wonderful news. Beth is coming here soon. She wants to have the baby at home and stay with us until Drew comes back. She sounds better in herself, quite cheerful. I’ve been worrying about her, but Paul said she would make up her own mind and she has.’
‘That’s lovely. I’m so pleased for you.’
‘I’m really excited – and if you’re staying with Jessie it will be marvellous. We shall see you often.’
‘Yes…’ Georgie hesitated. ‘I may have some more news, but I’ll keep that until I see you.’
‘Now you’ve made me curious.’
‘I promise I’ll tell you soon. I have to go, Annabel. I’ve got to fetch someone from the hospital.’
Georgie replaced the receiver, feeling slightly guilty. She would have to tell Annabel about the baby, of course, but she
was hoping Ben would be home before then, because otherwise it might be awkward.
Eight
‘We shall miss you, Mrs Bryant,’ Beth’s landlady said as her husband finished carrying all the various bits and pieces downstairs. ‘You will bring the baby to see me one day?’
‘Yes, of course, Mabel,’ Beth said, and then as the door knocker sounded, ‘That will be Mr Pearson.’ She looked expectantly towards the door as it was opened, but instead of seeing Arnold standing there, she glimpsed a youth in an official uniform. He was delivering a telegram and like most other wives, sisters and mothers she had learned to dread seeing him at her door. ‘No…’
‘Telegram for Mrs Beth Bryant.’
Beth made no move to take it; she couldn’t. Her head was spinning and she felt faint. This couldn’t be happening!
Her landlady accepted the small orange envelope and sent the boy off with a sixpence in his hand. ‘Do you want me to open it for you?’
Beth shook her head. Her throat was too tight to speak. She felt sick and her face was deathly pale. She was still staring at the telegram when the door was opened once more to admit Arnold. It was as if she’d turned to stone and she watched Arnold take the telegram from her landlady’s hand and open it. His eyes flew to Beth.
‘Missing in action,’ he said as he came towards her.
‘Oh, Arnold,’ Beth whispered as his arms went round her, supporting her. She felt as if she might faint as the ground cut away from under her feet. The scream was building inside her head, but somehow it didn’t come out. She wouldn’t let it, was forcing it back, and holding her emotions tamped down.
‘It’s all right, dear Beth,’ he murmured against her ear. ‘Missing means there’s still hope.’
Her eyes sought his in a desperate appeal and he touched her cheek with his fingertips, infinitely gentle, caring.
‘Yes.’ Her eyes were smarting with tears, but she held them back. She had stopped shivering now; the urge to scream was under control. She wasn’t going to make a fuss because there was still hope: Arnold said so and she trusted him. ‘Yes, there’s still hope, isn’t there? He will be all right. I’m sure he will.’
