The Women of Mulberry Lane, page 17
‘That is exquisite.’ Peggy admired the brooch when she saw Janet dressed in her wedding finery. ‘And so are you, my darling.’
‘I’ve been thoroughly spoiled,’ Janet said and hugged her. ‘Thank you for everything, Mum.’
Peggy had cooked for her daughter’s wedding, closing the pub for the day. Ryan had managed to get her some extra bits and pieces, including a fresh salmon, and proper cream to fill the big sponge that served as their wedding cake, because it was still almost impossible to buy dried fruit and even Able hadn’t managed to scrounge that elusive item, though he’d brought home some tinned peaches and a couple of bottles of bourbon.
Peggy had worn a new green dress and jacket and Able told her she looked beautiful. He’d worn a smart suit himself and she’d felt proud to walk into the registry office with him.
‘One day this will be us, hon,’ he’d whispered in her ear and she’d felt a thrill of pleasure, because every day Able showed her that he loved her and wanted her as much as he had when they first became lovers.
‘I hope so…’ she whispered back, but refused to let thoughts of Laurie overshadow her day.
Janet had written to her father, telling him of her marriage and ignoring the advice not to send letters that the patients would not be allowed to handle.
‘One of the nurses can read it to him,’ she’d said, but there had been no response from Laurie or his nurses, which had annoyed his daughter.
Peggy hadn’t written to him yet. It was in her mind to tell Laurie that she would be leaving him and wanted a divorce once Pip and Sheila had taken over the pub, but that wasn’t settled yet and so for the moment she was carrying on as usual.
After Janet and Ryan had left on their honeymoon trip, taking Maggie with them, Peggy changed into something more comfortable and prepared for the party that evening. She’d invited all their friends and several customers to come for a drink and snacks. Several plates of savouries and pastries were set out, together with some coconut tarts and a big treacle tart, as well as an apple pie. All the favourites in the bar, but that night they were free.
‘It’s a good spread, Peggy,’ Alice told her as she munched a slice of home-made pork pie. ‘This is delicious. No one cooks like you do, love.’
‘Thank you,’ Peggy said and sensed Able at her shoulder.
‘She’s going to have the chance to show you all one day,’ he said and smiled at her lovingly. ‘When we can get the supplies, we’ll have a nice restaurant or a hotel – and you can come and stay for a few days, Alice. We shan’t charge you a penny.’
‘There he goes, giving my profits away,’ Peggy said and laughed as Able bent his head and kissed her on the mouth. There was a little cheer from her friends and then Alice started to sing.
‘For she’s a jolly good fellow and so say all of us…’ She lifted her glass of milk stout. ‘Here’s to Able and Peggy… may they live happy ever after…’ she sipped her drink. ‘Oh, and Janet and Ryan – the bride and groom. I was forgettin’ them there…’ She grinned and winked at the company. No one had forgotten the bride and groom, but Peggy was a part of the lanes, always there with a smile, a kind word or a free drink when someone was down.
Peggy smiled at her friends and neighbours. None of them condemned her for seeking her happiness, though some felt a sneaking sympathy for Laurie. He’d been popular once, and brave when he’d saved Maureen’s life – but Peggy had shared the horrors of war with them, helping where she could, giving what she had, while no one knew where Laurie had spent the past few years. Sometimes folk fell out of love and maybe that’s what had happened between them, and because Peggy had earned respect and affection, most had taken her side. She was their Peggy, their landlady, their friend. They knew she’d had enough troubles and the general feeling was that Peggy deserved a bit of luck. It was taken for granted that one day she and Able would marry – and the general feeling was that he wasn’t bad for a Yank.
Sheila lifted her glass to her and so did Pip. Peggy had been surprised at how easily her son had accepted that Able was living with her and sleeping in her room. Sheila had told her it was because the American had been injured and lost a limb.
‘He respects him, Mum,’ Sheila told her. ‘Pip knows what they all go through and he says if it’s what you want it’s OK with him…’ After all, Laurie had been the first to have an affair; he’d broken the bond between them and hurt her.
Peggy nodded. Pip had fallen out with his father because Laurie didn’t think Sheila was the right wife for him. In the end they’d made it up, but Pip understood better now the reasons why his parents had split up.
‘You’re all daft,’ Peggy said now and smiled at her customers, but she felt happy, because they all cared for her.
Janet was moving down to the country and Peggy knew she wouldn’t see her so often in future, but she had Sheila and Pip, and there was a new baby to look forward to. Her twins were growing and Fay seemed much less inclined to cause trouble now that her hearing was better. She would still hit her twin if she got the chance, but Able had seen her do it and given her a sharp tap on her leg. Her large eyes had filled with reproachful tears, because she’d only had sweets and smiles from him before.
‘Daddy hit me…’ she’d accused, getting ready for a tantrum.
‘Because you hurt Freddie,’ Able had told her. ‘Mummy has told you not to do that, Fay. Freddie is your twin and you should love each other – he should be special to you. Twins are special, remember that…’
She’d stared at him resentfully, but a little later she’d climbed on his knee and told him she was sorry. Able had given her a chocolate bar and she was immediately all smiles. Since then, she hadn’t hit her brother when either of her parents was around. Peggy wasn’t sure that she’d stopped altogether, but she did seem more peaceful and more inclined to smile than she had been.
Able had made so much difference to her life – to all their lives. Peggy never stopped thanking God for bringing him back to her. It looked as if their lives could only get better from now on…
*
Sheila looked deathly white when she came downstairs some days later. Peggy went to her at once, sensing that she was in trouble.
‘What’s wrong, love?’
‘I’m bleeding down there…’ Sheila looked at her in desperation. ‘Do you think I’m losing the baby?’
‘No, of course not,’ Peggy said firmly, but her pulses raced. It was Sheila’s first child and she’d had a lot of worry. ‘Go and sit by the fire and don’t move,’ she told her. ‘I’m going to telephone the doctor now…’
She helped her daughter-in-law to a comfortable chair and then went into the hall to telephone, closing the door behind her. The doctor’s wife told her he was out and she wasn’t sure when he would be back.
‘My daughter-in-law is pregnant and bleeding – in her sixth month,’ Peggy said. ‘What should I do?’
‘I’ll ask an ambulance to come out,’ the doctor’s wife promised. ‘Try not to worry. It doesn’t always mean a miscarriage.’
Peggy went back to the kitchen and told Sheila that an ambulance was coming. She looked tearful and frightened, taking Peggy’s hand and clutching it.
‘Will you come with me, Mum?’
‘Yes, of course I will,’ Peggy said and squeezed her hand gently. ‘It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are losing the baby, love. Perhaps the doctors can do something to stabilise you.’
Able came through to the kitchen to collect some of the food Peggy had cooked earlier and she explained that she would be going to the hospital with Sheila.
‘Don’t worry about the bar,’ Able said. ‘Rose is there now and she said she’s got the morning off from her job at the factory. She says they are slowing down production, setting people off and she’s the next in line. She offered to help out and I said I was sure you would be glad of some help.’ He looked across at Sheila. ‘You’ll be all right, Sheila. The doctors will soon sort you out…’
Sheila gave him a weak smile, but she was too upset to take in what he was saying. Able nodded to Peggy and picked up the food, returning to the bar.
Peggy made Sheila a cup of tea, but she couldn’t drink it. She sat twisting her hanky in her fingers, tears on the ends of her lashes. Nothing Peggy could say would comfort her, because she was convinced she was losing her baby.
Thankfully, the ambulance was no more than fifteen minutes and it was not long before they were on their way. The men who carried Sheila out on a stretcher were kind and reassuring, but her pale face looked strained during the whole of the journey. She was taken to the London, which wasn’t too far away and rushed into their emergency department. Nurses came and went, leaving Peggy standing by the bed Sheila had been transferred to, feeling helpless.
After nearly half an hour a doctor in a white coat arrived and Peggy left while he examined Sheila. When he exited the curtained area, he came to her at once.
‘I’m pleased you were quick-thinking and brought Mrs Ashley here immediately,’ he said. ‘She needs complete bed rest if we are to save the child…’
‘Can you save it?’ Peggy asked and he looked grave.
‘It will be touch-and-go,’ he said, ‘but I believe that with the correct treatment and bed rest – which is ninety per cent of it – she should hold on to her child. In my opinion, she has dangerously high blood pressure and has neglected herself.’
Peggy explained about Pip being injured and he nodded. ‘That is a terrible thing, Mrs Ashley, but if she loses the child she will only make things worse for herself and her husband. He will probably blame himself.’
‘Yes, I don’t think I could bear that,’ Peggy said. ‘We are all looking forward to the birth of a new baby.’
‘Well, now that she is under my care, there is no reason why you shouldn’t – but she will remain in the hospital until the birth…’
‘That is months away…’ Peggy gasped, because she hadn’t expected it.
‘Yes, but it is the only way in my opinion. Your daughter-in-law may not accept it, but I hope you will persuade her that unless she follows my advice not only could she lose the baby, she could also lose her life.’
Peggy gasped in shock. ‘Sorry, I hadn’t realised how bad things were.’
‘I know it is a shock and I am sorry, but I believe in plain speaking. I must tell you that had you not brought her straight here it might well have been too late. We can get her blood pressure down and complete rest will take care of the threat to the child.’
Peggy thanked him. She went back to Sheila and told her of the doctor’s decision. Her daughter-in-law was tearful but accepting.
‘What did I do wrong, Mum?’ she asked. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt my baby…’
‘Of course you didn’t,’ Peggy told her. ‘Some women have trouble throughout their pregnancy. I was lucky but I’ve heard of others who are ill or who suffer a miscarriage. The doctor is sure you will carry a healthy child – but only if you stay here until the birth.’
‘That’s more than two months…’ Sheila groaned. ‘What will Pip say? I’m not sure he can manage without my help.’
‘He will manage or ask for my help,’ Peggy said firmly. ‘I know you want your baby, so stop worrying and let the doctors do what they think right.’
Sheila nodded and smiled sadly. ‘I never thought I would be such an idiot as to make myself ill…’
‘It isn’t your fault,’ Peggy said and bent to kiss her cheek. ‘No one blames you – and they won’t, but you have to be patient.’
‘Yes, I know.’ Sheila grabbed her hand again. ‘I’m glad you came with me, Mum.’
Peggy reassured her that it was no trouble. She sat with Sheila until they settled her in a quiet ward with other expectant mothers and then she promised to return that evening with some of her things. For the moment Sheila had a hospital nightgown and looked miserable as Peggy was asked to leave by the Sister in charge.
‘Visiting is seven until eight in the evening,’ she said crisply. ‘No visitors on this ward in-between please.’
‘Well, that’s told me,’ Peggy said and laughed as she kissed Sheila goodbye.
Outside, it was cold and spitting with rain. Peggy had her purse in her pocket and decided to hail a passing taxi. She didn’t want to walk and might have to wait a while for a bus. By taking the taxi she was home in no time and paid the driver with a sigh of relief.
‘Don’t worry, ducks,’ the cheerful cabbie said. ‘The bleeding Germans have had their chips. It’s all over bar the shoutin’…’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Peggy said and gave him a sixpence tip.
She hurried under the arch through to the pub yard and walked into the kitchen, glad of the warmth after the chill outside. Pip was sitting there alone and he hauled himself to his feet as she entered.
‘Able said Sheila had to go to hospital?’
‘Yes, it was an emergency. The doctor said she was on the verge of a miscarriage, but they’ve given her something to calm her and she’s goin’ to stay there until the birth.’
‘All that time?’ Pip was stunned. ‘Is she all right with that? Why didn’t you tell me before you went?’
‘Sheila didn’t want to worry you. She thought you’d had enough of hospitals and it was all a bit of a rush. I’m sorry, Pip – but I thought with your leg still difficult it would be better to go with her and tell you the result when I got home.’
‘What did they say?’
‘She has high blood pressure and needs complete rest, but the doctor says she will have a healthy child if she does what they tell her…’
‘Thank God!’ Pip sat down hard; his face ashen. ‘It’s all my fault. She’s been worrying about me, helping me to dress and fetching stuff for me – and I’ve been a pig to her. If anything happens to her, Mum, I’ll never forgive myself.’
‘Don’t blame yourself, love,’ Peggy said. ‘You’ve been through hell and it’s no wonder you’re down. I’m here and I can help if there’s anything you can’t manage – but please don’t sulk and blame yourself or me. I didn’t tell you, because I thought it might waste time that could save Sheila’s life and the doctor said I was right. But I’ve promised to take her some things this evening and you can come with me – or go alone if you can manage it?’
Pip looked a bit shamefaced. ‘I know I’ve been behaving badly, but I love her, Mum. I don’t want to lose her or the baby.’
‘Then go to the hospital this evening and tell her, make sure she understands how much you care,’ Peggy smiled. ‘She thinks the world of you, Pip – we all love you. We know it’s hard for you, love, but you’re lucky to be alive.’
‘I know…’ he admitted and sighed. ‘I wanted to go on flying – but that doesn’t have to be the end of my life. I can still draw, even with one eye, and I think I can do it, Mum. I’ve done some sketches and I’ve made a model – and I think it is the forerunner of the planes we’ll use in the future…’ He smiled at her oddly. ‘Ryan told me he knows some people who are looking to build revolutionary new aeroplanes and he thinks he could get me in – just at the bottom for a start, but that’s all I need.’
‘Then you should let him know you’re interested. Do you know his office number?’
‘Yes, he gave it to me before he and Jan left – told me Sheila and I would always be welcome to stay at their home and he would be pleased to help me.’
‘Ryan is a decent man. I think your sister is lucky to have found him.’
‘She deserves some luck after what happened with Mike.’
‘Yes,’ Peggy agreed soberly. ‘But so do you and Sheila – and I want you to let me help you, just until you can work full-time. I’ll keep this place running for you, but if you don’t want it I can move out and find a place to set up my own business…’
‘I think it would be a start for us,’ Pip said. ‘Sheila is keen and once she’s well she will enjoy serving in the bar – and I’ll do my share. Ryan thought I could probably go in part-time at the aircraft works and do my own stuff at home, and I’ll be here in the evenings.’
‘That sounds ideal,’ Peggy said. ‘I have approached the brewery on your behalf and I shall look after things until you’re both well. Able and I have talked about it and we shall probably look for a place near our country cottage – a restaurant or small hotel we could run together.’
Pip nodded and looked thoughtful. ‘He’s right for you, isn’t he?’
‘Yes. I love him and he loves me. Your father cared for me when we first married, but I don’t think he ever saw me as Able does. I feel special every time he looks at me, Pip.’
‘I’m glad for you, Mum.’ He smothered a sob. ‘I just hope I get a chance to show Sheila how much I love her…’
‘You will,’ Peggy said. ‘Have faith, Pip – and take your wife a little present. Maureen has some nice fruit sweets in at the moment and Sheila likes those. I’m going to pop to the market and buy some grapes. You can take those as well…’
‘Thanks,’ Pip grinned at her and in that moment he looked like the young boy she’d always loved. ‘You’re great, Mum…’
‘Thank you kindly, sir.’
Peggy left him and went through to the bar. Able had just called closing time and Rose was putting the tea towels over the pumps.
‘Thank you for standing in today,’ Peggy said. ‘We’d love to have you work for us again if it suits you.’
‘You know it does,’ Rose said, ‘but there’s something I should tell you first…’ She gave Peggy a shy smile. ‘I’m having Jimmy’s baby…’
‘Oh Rose, I think that is wonderful,’ Peggy said and went to embrace her. ‘You are pleased, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, very pleased,’ Rose said and hugged her back. ‘I felt as if I had nothing, Peggy – but now I have his child and that means I’ll always have a part of him, doesn’t it?’
