The Women of Mulberry Lane, page 12
‘You may well ask – but I know where it came from.’ Peggy frowned. ‘It was a necklace Maggie had and I remember they fought over it. Fay had hold of it and wouldn’t let go and the string broke, spilling the beads all over the floor. We never did find them all…’ She smiled wryly.
‘But who put it in Fay’s ear?’
‘I think she probably did it herself – to hide it from Maggie. Maggie loved that necklace, but we only found enough beads to make her a bracelet, and I saw a few in Fay’s toy box once. She must have been determined that Maggie wouldn’t have the necklace again.’
‘Children!’ Maureen said and laughed. ‘No wonder she couldn’t hear if she had a bead blocking her ear. She must have had earache?’
‘The doctors said it would have hurt for a while and then the wax cushioned it and she got used to not hearing well – and then the effects of the illness made her almost completely deaf.’
‘And now the doctor has removed the obstruction and she’s better.’
‘Yes, though she still doesn’t hear as well as we do…’ Peggy frowned. ‘She hasn’t forgiven me for leaving her there in the hospital, I’m afraid. She has hit me several times and called me bad Mummy.’
‘Oh dear,’ Maureen looked concerned. ‘Robin used to do that when I was cross with him…’ Her voice caught and for a moment the pain was so bad that she hardly knew how to breathe, but then it passed.
‘Yes, I know,’ Peggy said, her eyes filled with sympathetic tears. ‘Fay will get over it – but it hasn’t helped her jealousy of Maggie and Freddie. I think she believed I’d abandoned her for them.’
‘She’ll forgive you, Peggy. It may be better when Maggie isn’t here.’
‘Yes, I think it will. Freddie likes Maggie and they play together and Fay is jealous. She will have more of her twin’s attention when Jan marries and moves to the country.’
‘When is the wedding?’
‘Early February,’ Peggy said. ‘They’ve got two dates, but I think the seventeenth is the more likely one. Ryan has to arrange for his phones to be put on and set up his office – in the attics apparently. They’re going to have a couple of weeks in Scotland before they go down.’ She shook her head. ‘It will be bitterly cold up there, I imagine, but they hope to do some skiing, stay at a special lodge and go deer stalking and salmon fishing in the loch if the weather permits.’
‘My goodness, how posh,’ Maureen laughed. ‘What about Maggie?’
‘She is going with them. Ryan says the lodge where they will be staying has a housekeeper and staff so they can get some time to themselves, but he enjoys havin’ Maggie with him…’
‘Yes, I’ve seen him makin’ a fuss of her,’ Maureen said. ‘Things have worked out better than you hoped for her, Peggy.’
‘I knew Ryan would give Janet a good life – she’ll have money and nice things, but that doesn’t make for true happiness. I just hope she is really over Mike…’
‘She seemed happy to me when she came round to ask if I knew of anyone who wanted some of the things she isn’t taking with her. She doesn’t want to sell them, just give them away. I told her to put them in the church jumble sale…’
‘Yes, yes, she does seem happy,’ Peggy said and looked relieved. ‘I worry too much – and I’ve got Sheila and Pip arriving tomorrow. I’m putting them into the last of the guest rooms. Pip’s old room isn’t big enough for the two of them – but it will be just right as their nursery. I’ve put my old cot in there. Freddie and Fay have their own little beds now.’
‘You always have a houseful,’ Maureen said thoughtfully. ‘Have you had any response to your advert for a barman yet?’
‘No,’ Peggy sounded rueful. ‘Perhaps I should’ve known better. There are plenty of jobs going for skilled men, because most of them were called up at the start of the war.’
Maureen nodded. ‘I suppose a woman would do just as well?’
‘It’s just the heavy barrels,’ Peggy sighed. ‘Tom used to help me with those. He came at night or early in the morning. I miss him a lot. He did all my odd jobs and I could always rely on him.’
‘I know. I think a lot of people miss Tom.’ Maureen hesitated, then, ‘Gordon would help if he could, Peggy – but he can’t manage heavy barrels yet.’
‘I wouldn’t expect it of him. I’m amazed at how well he is managing, Maureen. When he first came home he could hardly move on those crutches, and then he got to only needing one and now he just uses a stick – and I think he hates that…’
‘Yes, he does.’ Maureen nodded. ‘He’ll manage without it as soon as he can, but it has cost him to do what he has, Peggy. The hours of pain he went through exercising his leg to make it obey him. I sometimes had to walk out of the room for fear I should cry.’
‘That would be the worst thing you could do.’ Peggy played with the crumbs of cake on her plate. ‘Sheila sounds very matter-of-fact when she talks about Pip’s injuries. I know he’s goin’ to be upset if his sight is compromised, but she seems determined to get on with their lives, to make the best of what they have.’
‘What else can she do?’
‘I don’t know.’ A sigh revealed the extent of Peggy’s worry. ‘Children – when they grow up and leave school you think they will be independent, but it never stops, Maureen. I feel as anxious about Pip as I did when he set off for school on a bike that was too big for him but he insisted on riding.’
‘He’s still your son,’ Maureen said, looking at her with affection. ‘I suppose he will always be a child to you – though he is a brave young man, Peggy. After what he’s done – it’s men like Pip who have saved us from invasion. We all thought the Germans would invade us long before this, but thanks to our fly boys he decided against it.’
‘The paper says there have been less V2 attacks recently,’ Peggy said. ‘Do you think our bombers succeeded in taking the factories out? The newspapers are a bit cagey about things like that… secret information, I suppose.’
‘Perhaps. Oh, Peggy, I’m sick of the war…’
‘Me too…’ Peggy sighed. ‘Sometimes I just long for some good news.’
‘Me too but we just have to get on with it.’ Maureen picked up Gordy’s carrycot. ‘I’m goin’ to the wholesaler this mornin’ – Gordon thought it would be good for me and he can’t drive the van yet… but he will soon and then I’ll be redundant.’
‘I wish I could drive,’ Peggy said enviously. ‘I’d like to take the twins to various places and we have to manage on the bus. I admire you for learning to drive, Maureen.’
‘It was because of Tom really. He wanted to learn, so I decided I would too – and I’m glad I did.’
‘You’ve shown me the way. I think I’ll have a go… might come in handy one day.’
Maureen gave her a brief hug, took Gordy out to the van and settled him securely in the back. He gurgled and laughed, awake but not distressed by his new surroundings; perhaps because he was used to it.
Maureen drove off with a glance in her rear mirror. She caught sight of someone entering the pub yard and did a double take. Surely that couldn’t be who she’d thought it was? For a moment her heart raced and her eyes felt moist as she realised she was probably right. A little smile touched her lips. If it was who she suspected, Peggy was in for a huge surprise… Just what her friend needed!
*
Peggy got up to clear the table and wash the dishes. She’d done her cooking earlier and Anne was in the bar. They weren’t very busy and there was no need for her to rush in to help. Nellie was upstairs finishing the bedrooms, getting rooms ready for Sheila and Pip. She’d decided they should have two – in case Pip needed a bed on his own still…
‘Peggy… Your friend told me to come through...?’
Peggy’s heart stood still. She’d heard that voice a thousand times in her dreams, longing for him to walk in – but it couldn’t be Able. He sounded so uncertain. Turning, Peggy saw him standing there, looking at her, his uniform just as smart as always, but there was a half-empty sleeve where his left arm had been and she saw the faint burn mark on his left cheek.
‘Able, darling…’ Peggy dropped the cup into the soapy water and rushed to him, throwing her arms about his slim waist. He seemed thinner than she remembered, older and a little drawn, but his smile was the same, as was the look of love in his eyes. ‘You’re here! You’re alive. Oh thank God…’ Tears trickled down her face as she stared, almost in disbelief. ‘You got my letter?’
‘I got all of them eventually,’ Able said and grinned in his old way. She saw the uncertainty leaving his eyes. ‘I wanted to come before, hon, but I couldn’t get permission. I’ve been attached to my General’s office and although he was due to fly over I had to pull a lot of strings to come with him…’
‘It doesn’t matter – as long as you’re here.’ Peggy’s cheeks were wet now as she looked up at him. She reached up to touch his beloved face, her fingers caressing the burn that covered almost the whole of his left cheek. ‘I love you so much, so very much…’
‘I love you, hon – but I wasn’t sure…’ He looked into her eyes. ‘I tried to see you a few months back, but a girl told me you had twins and your husband was home. I thought…’
‘You thought they might be his?’ Peggy smiled at him. ‘No, they’re yours, Able – and there isn’t the shadow of a doubt. Laurie and I didn’t live as man and wife after I fell in love with you. He came back for a while – but he’s ill, in an isolation hospital. He has what you would probably call TB…’
Able nodded and bent his head to kiss her softly on the mouth. ‘I requested my lawyers to ask a few questions, Peggy. I heard what Mr Ashley did when that mad guy tried to kill your friend and I was told he was ill. I wanted to come right away – but it took me a while to get here.’
‘You didn’t write?’ She looked at him questioningly.
‘I hoped to get here before a letter – and I wanted you to see…’ A flicker of doubt touched his face. ‘Last summer when I came over, I was still a whole man, a few scars, but nothing much on the outside. After that, I was in the push to take the beaches of France and I got caught in the crossfire… I was in a military hospital back home, recovering, when I got your letters. They helped me through the pain and my General insisted I was still on his staff – so he swung it for me to get here, though I’m due for an honourable discharge when they get round to it. I wanted that to happen over here – and my General pulled every goddamned string going…’
‘Then I’m very grateful to him,’ Peggy said and took his right hand; she was laughing and crying at the same time, her heart brimming with love and thankfulness that he’d escaped death for a second time. ‘Can I get you something – a drink or tea?’
‘I’ll have to bring you some decent coffee,’ Able said and arched an eyebrow. ‘That’s if you’re going to let me stay?’
‘Stay here?’ Peggy looked at him joyfully. ‘Yes, if you want – if you can?’
‘I want to and my General doesn’t need me for much,’ Able said. ‘I think I can just about manage to open a barrel of beer and I can certainly pour drinks.’ He grinned at her in the easy way Peggy had loved from the start. ‘I saw your card in the window. You won’t need a barman now, hon…’ He handed it to her with a look that spoke volumes. ‘I’m here to stay – if you want me, my love?’
‘Of course I want you… I need you, love you.’ Peggy felt the tears spring to her eyes once more as her throat closed with emotion. How much she’d longed to hear him call her that and how good it sounded. ‘We can manage the barrels together,’ she said. ‘I’ve got Janet and her daughter staying here – and my son and his wife arrive tomorrow, but I’ll find somewhere for you to stay…’
‘You have a double bed in your room?’ His eyes teased her.
‘Able…’ Peggy nodded breathlessly and then smiled as she saw the warmth in his eyes. ‘Yes, we can share my bed…’
‘Good, because I’ve been thinking of nothing else for years – unless I’m going too fast for you?’ Faint doubts were in his eyes again. ‘I know I’m not the same, Peggy…’
‘Nor am I – I’m older and I’ve had the twins.’
‘You’re still as beautiful to me.’ Able looked at her and it was just as it was when he’d first told her he loved her. She felt so happy she was almost faint with it. ‘But if you need time…’
‘I don’t,’ she said firmly. ‘This is what I want – to be with you. We have a lot of things to discuss Able, but first I think you should meet your twins.’
‘Where are they?’ he asked, looking round.
‘Janet took them out earlier, but I heard her go upstairs just now.’ Peggy reached up and kissed him. ‘Make yourself at home, Able. I’m going to tell Janet – and bring the twins down to meet their daddy…’
*
Peggy kept looking at Able as he greeted the twins easily. He had little bars of American chocolate in his pockets and he gave them one each. Fay took the wrapping from hers and bit half of it in one go, her eyes lighting with surprise and pleasure as she crammed it greedily into her mouth and chewed.
Freddie looked at the man he did not know but his inner self recognised. He took the chocolate and thanked him, but leaned against his knee, staring up at him in fascination. After a moment, he scrambled on to Able’s knee, reached up and patted the brownish-red patch on his face.
‘Hurt?’ he asked and looked sad.
‘Not now, son,’ Able said and kissed the top of his head. He put his good arm securely round Freddie’s back, preventing him from slipping as Freddie continued to look at him. ‘You’re a bright little fella, aren’t you?’
‘Freddie likes you…’ his son announced solemnly and then slid down from his knee to run to his mother. He pulled at her skirt and pointed at Able. ‘Freddie likes man…’
‘Yes, darling, and he loves you and Fay,’ Peggy said, bending to whisper in his ear. ‘Able is your daddy. He’s been fighting the nasty Germans, but now he’s home.’
Freddie turned to stare at Able again. His solemn little face creased in a frown and then he started to smile. ‘Daddy… mine…’ he said and sat down on the floor, carefully unwrapping his chocolate. He broke off one piece and put it into his mouth, savouring the taste. His pleasure was as great as Fay’s but short-lived, because his twin had finished hers and she suddenly pounced and snatched the bar from his hand. Most of it was in her mouth before Freddie could fight back.
‘Oh Fay,’ Peggy said. ‘That’s not very nice, is it? You’ve had yours – let Freddie enjoy his please.’
‘No big worry,’ Able said and took another Hershey bar from his pocket. He handed it to Freddie and then held out his hand to Fay. ‘Come here, Fay.’ She went to him uncertainly, as if expecting sharp words or a slap. Able stroked her hair. ‘No need to be jealous of Freddie, my precious. Your mummy and I love you both. We’re just happy your ear is better…’
Fay touched her ear, but she pressed close to his knee, looking up at him now, clearly enjoying his attention. He smiled and helped her onto his knee and she gazed at him curiously.
‘Are you daddy’s special girl?’ he asked and Fay giggled, clearly won over by the sound of his voice and the way he looked at her.
Peggy let her breath go suddenly. She didn’t realise she’d been holding it until then, but she’d been uncertain about how the twins would react. Laurie had claimed to be their father when he went to them in the night, while he’d stayed at the pub for a few months, but Freddie had never taken to him: Fay had. She craved attention wherever it came from.
Janet entered the kitchen. She’d given them a few minutes alone, but now she walked towards Able and offered her hand.
‘Welcome home, Able. I cannot tell you how delighted I am to see you here.’
‘It’s great to be here – and thanks for the welcome.’ Able looked at her gravely. ‘I’ve been told some of your history – and I’m glad things have worked out OK for you in the end, Janet.’
‘Please, call me Jan.’ She smiled. ‘I loved Mike and I’ll never forget him – but life moves on. I’m glad you survived for your own sake, Able – but even more for Mum’s. She deserves some happiness. My father has been pretty rotten to her one way and another. He even tried to take the money you gave her – please don’t let her be hurt any more.’
A shadow passed over Able’s face. ‘I don’t intend to go anywhere without Peggy from now on. I’m not sure what plans she has for the future, but whatever we do we shall be together…’
‘I’m so glad.’ Janet reached up and kissed his cheek, her lips gentle on the brown patch. ‘I wish you all the happiness in the world, both of you.’
Peggy nodded and smiled. She was too filled with emotion to say much. Freddie had eaten about half his chocolate bar. He brought the other to her and gave it to her.
‘Nice – Mummy eat…’ he said and went off to play with his bricks. Peggy tried a piece and smiled.
‘We haven’t had chocolate for a while,’ she said and offered the last piece to Janet. She took it but didn’t eat it.
‘I’ll give it to Maggie.’
‘I’ll bring some more chocolate and candies for the little ones,’ Able said. He kissed Fay, set her down and stood up. ‘I’m going to fetch my things, Peggy. I’ll be back later this afternoon…’
Peggy moved towards him. She wanted to put her arms around him and hold him here with her, because it was so wonderful to have him this close, but she knew Able would be back as soon as he could. Reaching up, she kissed him on the lips.
‘As soon as you like,’ she murmured. ‘I’m so happy, Able…’
‘Me too, hon,’ he said and touched the back of her neck. ‘I’ve got a couple of things to do and then I’ll be here for good – or until we decide where we want to live…’
Peggy gave him a last soft kiss and watched as he left the kitchen. Her cheeks were damp with tears, but she brushed them away impatiently. She didn’t need tears now!
‘Oh, Mum,’ Janet said and hugged her in excitement. ‘He’s lovely – really nice – and I’m so happy for you. I know you’ll be all right with Able whatever happens here.’
