The Beekeeper's War, page 28
‘Maybe.’
Pru watched Jack leave the room and noticed for the first time that he had a slight limp. It occurred to her that apart from the obvious damage to his face she had no idea what other permanent damage his injuries had left him with.
‘Pru,’ Jean said quietly, drawing Pru’s attention back from the living room door. ‘I know it seems to you that we’ve been disloyal.’
‘A little,’ Pru admitted.
‘I promise you that was never our intention. Whether rightly or wrongly, our only hope was to save you from further pain. We were both shocked when Jack returned. Weren’t we, Monty?’
‘Jean’s right. I don’t think anything has shocked me as much as seeing him walking through the front door.’ He looked down as if reliving the memory. ‘We love you, Pru. What else would you realistically have had us do?’
Jean fiddled with the cuff of her cardigan sleeve before looking at Pru again. ‘You were so fragile when you left the manor to marry Peter,’ she said. ‘I worried that if you discovered that Jack had returned only a month after Emma’s birth, it might be too much for you to bear. Was I wrong?’
Pru gave her question serious thought. Emma’s birth had been a difficult one. She had been in labour for three days and it had taken her months to recover. ‘I want to argue with you,’ she said, ‘but I can understand why you made that decision. And maybe in time, when I feel less emotional about seeing Jack again and what’s happened, I might even agree with you. But it’s still too raw right now for me to think dispassionately about it just yet.’
Monty cleared his throat. ‘Jack really did want to come and fight for you, Pru,’ he assured her. ‘Did he tell you that he went to Jersey and saw you and Peter with Emma?’
She nodded. ‘He did.’
‘I was terrified at the time that you might see him and be caught between the two men in your life.’ He sat back in his chair and groaned.
‘Are you quite well, dear?’ Jean asked, leaning forward and reaching out to rest her hand on his arm.
He smiled. ‘Just a bit achy, nothing too bad.’
Pru watched, wondering if all this confrontation might be a bit too much for him. She could see clearly that he wasn’t as well as he had been the last time she saw him, when he visited Jersey two years previously. ‘Maybe I should go up to my room and freshen up,’ she suggested.
‘Please wait,’ Monty said. ‘While Jack isn’t here, I’d like to explain a little more about how it was for him.’
Pru decided to have the good grace to listen to what Monty had to tell her. She was staying in his house, after all, and maybe she did need to hear Jack’s point of view. She hoped it would help her understand why he had never contacted her, or even tried to after that one secret visit. ‘Go on.’
‘Thank you.’ He accidentally knocked his walking stick from where it was leaning against the arm of his chair and motioned for Jean to leave it when she went to retrieve it for him. ‘You should know that when Jack returned to the manor he had assumed he would be reunited with you. To say he was devastated to learn you were gone would be an understatement. He barely spoke to anyone and then when he heard that his brother had died, followed shortly thereafter by his mother, he left for New York as soon as he was able to travel and we thought we might never see him again.’
‘But he came back,’ Pru said. ‘Jack told me he’s been living in the folly all these years.’
‘That’s right,’ Monty said. ‘I wrote to him in New York, Pru. I know him better than I knew my own two brothers and I was frightened that he might do something reckless. I begged him to come back to Ashbury and stay with us, to give himself time to think and heal.’ His voice quavered and Pru saw how difficult it was for such a private, contained man to share this with her.
‘Please, go on,’ she said, needing to hear everything.
‘He did eventually return to us but found it too difficult being here so persuaded me to let him move to the folly.’ Monty shook his head. ‘He needed solitude more than anything. So I let him make changes to the folly – adding a kitchen and a bathroom, that sort of thing – and then I suggested he take over the care of the walled garden and the bees so that he would have some purpose again.’
Jean sat forward in her chair. ‘It was those bees and the creation of the jars of honey I brought with me each time I visited that kept him going for those first few years, Pru. I’m certain of it.’ She gave Pru a pleading look and Pru didn’t think she could take much more. ‘We’ve all made choices that might not be right,’ she said quietly, ‘but ultimately none of us would ever choose to hurt the other on purpose. Don’t you agree?’
Pru barely knew what to think anymore. ‘I suppose so.’ She stood. ‘If you wouldn’t mind, I think I need a little time alone to gather myself before Emma’s arrival. I don’t think I can take too much more emotion today.’
Jean went to stand. ‘Of course, Pru. You do what you feel is right.’
Like you did, Pru thought. ‘Thank you. I’ll come down when I hear the car bringing Emma.’
She felt like her head had been put in a vice and squeezed for hours. Leaving the room in a daze, she went upstairs and washed her face with cold water before lying on her bed and bursting into tears.
Jean had said that this had been Emma’s room until yesterday. It had been a shock to discover that Emma was staying at a house in the village and already had a job in Southampton. Pru smiled. How typical of her daughter not to take it easy but to be so organised. She was grateful to Monty for sending his driver to collect her and bring her to the manor. She pictured Emma’s face when she discovered her there.
Pru closed her eyes. She still couldn’t believe Jack was alive.
Thirty-Seven
Pru
June 1940
Pru went down to join Jean and Monty a little later. She felt a bit calmer now she’d had time to rest and think through what they and Jack had said. She was glad when Jean simply asked her if she would like a sherry while they waited for Emma to arrive.
‘How did you find your room?’ Jean asked. ‘A little different to sharing the attic room?’
Pru took a sip of her sherry, enjoying the sweet taste. ‘Very. It’s a beautiful bedroom, so bright and sunny.’ She heard tyres crunching on grave and stood. ‘Emma’s here.’
Within seconds, Emma’s voice could be heard as she hurried into the living room. ‘I really must ask that Stephens—’ Her voice caught in her throat when she saw Pru.
‘Hello, darling,’ Pru said, walking over to her statue-still daughter, whose mouth was open in shock.
‘Mum?’ Emma murmured, staring at her. ‘How?’
Pru couldn’t wait a moment longer to hug her child and opened her arms for Emma to step into them. They held each other tightly and Pru breathed in the faint smell of oil and something else that she thought might be metal. ‘It’s good to see you again, sweetheart.’ She heard Emma breathe in deeply and knew she was taking in Pru’s scent: Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue.
‘I can’t believe you’re here.’ Emma leaned back and stared at her. ‘You look a bit tired but well. I’m so relieved.’
‘Shall we sit down?’ Pru asked, taking Emma’s hand in hers and leading her to the sofa. ‘I’m fine. A little stunned to be here after all these years. I only arrived a couple of hours ago.’
‘You’re here for good?’ Emma asked.
‘I am, darling. Your aunt and uncle have very kindly invited me to stay at the manor.’ She looked around the room. ‘I have to say it’s surreal being here again for the first time in over twenty years.’
Emma frowned. ‘Did Aunty Jean and Uncle Monty tell you I’m no longer staying here?’
‘They did.’ She could tell Emma was upset not to be here with her but didn’t want her to feel badly on her account. ‘I’m impressed you’ve found a room and already have a job. Well done, darling. You must be happy to be working.’
‘I am.’ She seemed unsure.
As if Jean had picked up on Emma’s thoughts, she said, ‘You’re welcome back here anytime though, Emma, I hope you know that.’
Emma gave her a grateful smile. ‘I do. Thank you. I wish I was still staying here though so I could spend time with Mum now she’s here.’ She scowled. ‘But I’ve got to go to work tomorrow and can’t take time off so soon after starting.’
‘I think your mother needs time to settle in and recharge her batteries anyway,’ Jean suggested. ‘Now she’s here you’ll both have plenty of time to catch up. You can see her whenever you’re not working and then maybe come to stay at the weekend?’
‘I like that idea,’ Emma said.
Pru gave Jean a grateful smile. ‘So do I.’
The drawing room door opened again and in walked Sam. ‘I see you’ve found each other then.’ He walked over to where Emma and Pru were seated.
‘When did you arrive?’ Monty asked. ‘We didn’t hear your motor.’
‘Just after Emma.’ He gave Emma a kiss on her cheek. ‘It’s good to see you again, little cousin.’
Pru studied the handsome young man and was surprised at how comfortable Emma seemed to be with him.
‘Hello, Aunty Pru,’ Sam said, stepping forward and giving Pru a hug.
‘I would say you’ve grown since I last saw you, Sam,’ Pru said, trying to keep the atmosphere light for Emma’s sake, ‘but seeing as the last time I saw you was when you were ten that’s not really surprising.’
Sam laughed. It was a jolly, deep laugh and Pru instantly liked the man her nephew had become. ‘I’m glad you approve.’ He cocked his head in Emma’s direction. ‘I’m not so sure your daughter would agree.’
‘Stop teasing Emma,’ Jean said, giving him an adoring look. ‘Leave Emma to talk with her mother.’
Pru realised her daughter was contemplating something by the thoughtful look on her face. ‘What is it?’
‘What happened to change your mind about leaving Jersey? Nothing’s happened, has it?’
So much had happened, Pru mused. Too much to share with Emma straightaway, though she knew she had to start to let her daughter in on more of her life. ‘Jack came to get me.’
She watched as Emma processed her words. ‘Jack?’
Pru supposed Emma didn’t know him well. ‘The beekeeper.’
Emma didn’t speak but kept staring at her mother as if she had said something incomprehensible. ‘Pardon? Why would he go all the way to Jersey? For you?’ Her eyes narrowed and Pru left Emma to work through what had happened. ‘How did he persuade you when I couldn’t?’ Emma gasped. ‘Is Jack…?’ Pru felt like a fist was clutching her heart as Emma gave first her and then Jean and Monty a questioning look. She locked eyes with Pru once more. ‘Is Jack my father?’
‘What?’ Sam gazed at Pru, shock and confusion on his face.
Pru couldn’t speak for a few seconds. ‘Yes, darling. He is.’ She was relieved that Emma didn’t withdraw her hand but kept holding hers. ‘Do you mind?’
Emma shrugged. ‘How can I mind? He persuaded you to come here, which is all that I’ve been hoping and praying would happen since I left Jersey.’ She puffed out her cheeks. ‘I can’t quite believe that I know who my real father is now.’
It occurred to Pru that Emma probably hadn’t had much contact with Jack, especially if he spent most of his time away from the house, down in the walled garden. ‘I’ll introduce you both properly when we’ve all had time to gather ourselves.’
‘I’d like that.’ Emma lifted Pru’s hand to her lips and kissed it. ‘Maybe when I come to stay here at the weekend.’
‘You don’t mind waiting?’ Pru asked
Emma shook her head. ‘No. I’m a little nervous to meet him and I think I need a couple of days to prepare myself. Maybe you might need some time to speak to him before then too.’ She gave Pru’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘I’m happy to know who he is though,’ she said. ‘Please don’t think that I’m not.’
Pru marvelled at her daughter’s perception.
‘Does he know who I am yet?’
Pru smiled. ‘He told me that as soon as you smiled at him in the walled garden that day and he saw your dimple you reminded him so much of me despite your fair hair that he knew instantly who you were.’
Emma seemed happy to hear it. ‘Good. At least he won’t be shocked to meet me properly for the first time this weekend.’
‘I’m sure he can’t wait.’ Pru didn’t think she could ever be happier. She was back with her daughter, who, it seemed, didn’t mind learning that Jack was her father. It was all she needed to know right now. She blinked away tears to be able to see her clearly.
‘I can’t quite believe you’re here,’ Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper. ‘I don’t think I have the words to tell you how much this means to me.’
‘I was thinking the same thing,’ Pru admitted, pulling Emma into a hug and holding her tightly.
Thirty-Eight
Pru
June 1940
Pru had spent the morning quietly walking around the nearby gardens, aware that through a wood and across a wildflower meadow Jack was getting on with his life and probably wondering what she might do next. She wanted to see him but wasn’t quite ready yet. She might understand much better why her friends and Jack had made the choices that had altered her and Jack’s lives but it still took a little getting used to, so she was glad that Jack had been thoughtful enough to give her the space to come to terms with everything. Or at least attempt to do so.
She was looking forward to seeing Emma again and couldn’t wait for Sam to collect her from the cottage and bring her to Ashbury for the weekend. She was anxious about introducing Emma and Jack properly and wanted them to like each other and not just for her sake. They all had a lot to get used to in their lives, she mused, bending to sniff one of Jean’s pretty yellow roses.
It was lunchtime and as she had agreed to spend it with Monty and Jean, she realised she had better hurry if she wasn’t going to keep them waiting.
Pru lowered her spoon onto the plate under the empty soup bowl. ‘It was incredibly sad watching islanders queuing up for the boats,’ she said when Jean asked her what it had been like to leave the island. ‘It wasn’t so hard for me because now that Maman is no longer with us and Emma was here I didn’t have the same dreadful fear of having to leave loved ones behind.’
‘What about the guesthouse?’ Monty asked. ‘Do you have someone looking after it?’
Pru shrugged. ‘Of sorts. My closest neighbour promised to keep an eye on the place, but as we have no idea what the Germans intend doing with the vacant properties, or how long they will end up being on the island, I have to trust that it will still be there when I return and all the things I couldn’t bring in my single suitcase are still intact. I doubt it somehow, but it’s the choice I made and I know I’d rather be where I am right now.’
‘Things can be replaced though, can’t they?’ Monty said thoughtfully.
Pru agreed, mostly. Unfortunately, it was the sentimental items from her parents, such as their letters, photographs and so many memories caught up in little gifts they had given her over the years, that she wouldn’t be able to replace if the house was looted. She had managed to bring a few baby photos of Emma, her favourite photos of herself and Peter and some of her parents and brother, but not very much at all in the one case she had been allowed to travel with, since she needed to be practical and bring clothes and her most important personal papers. She closed her eyes to block out the thought.
‘It must have been devastating for people to leave loved ones,’ Sam said.
Pru sighed heavily. ‘Quite a few of the men, especially farmers, were unable to leave and had to be parted from their wives and children, although I think the most frightened must be mothers having to leave elderly parents so they could be evacuated with their children. And then there were those with pets. So many were taking them to be euthanised before leaving.’ She covered her eyes momentarily. ‘I was one of the luckier ones, not having to make difficult choices.’
‘You’ve had such a dreadful few days,’ Jean said quietly. ‘And after everything we did to you … I’m not quite sure how you’re holding up right now.’
‘It has knocked me a bit,’ Pru admitted. ‘But I am with Emma here and we’re both safe and that’s all that matters.’ She saw the strain on Jean’s face and realised that as much as she had been furious with her friend, Jean had done what she thought best – just as Pru had when she decided to marry Peter and unintentionally broke Jack’s heart. ‘You did what you thought was right, Jean. I can’t hold that against you; I realise that now.’
Jean gave a sob and lifted up her napkin to dab at her eyes. ‘I’m sorry.’ She gulped. ‘I’m not the one who has suffered. I have no right to cry like this.’
Pru shook her head. ‘Please don’t, Jean. I will be fine and we’ll all find our way through this strange situation. There is too much horror going on in Europe at the moment and we need to be kind to each other, nothing else.’
‘Thank you,’ Jean said with a sniff. ‘You’re very generous to say that.’
There was a brief silence and everyone focused on the food in front of them.
‘I suppose you’ve found the manor rather different,’ Sam said.
Pru was grateful to him for changing the subject to a less emotional topic. ‘It’s comforting to see the west wing returned to its former glory,’ she said, thinking back to the terrible fire. ‘I’m looking forward to taking a few walks and familiarising myself with the place again.’ She noticed Jean looking concerned. ‘Everything is so much prettier now that the rooms are back to being used for their original purpose.’
