The Women of Mulberry Lane, page 21
‘Nellie will for certain, Anne and Rose too,’ Peggy agreed and the shadows left her face. ‘Yes, that is a good idea, Able. I’m not sure I can face it alone, but with you…’ She smiled at him. ‘We’ve been meaning to have another look round down there.’
‘Go down on Sunday and come back when you’re ready…’ Pip suggested.
‘We’ll be back sometime on Tuesday afternoon,’ Able agreed. ‘It isn’t the weather for long walks in the countryside, but it will make a nice trip for us.’ He looked a bit awkward. ‘Sorry, hon. I wasn’t thinking. I know you’re upset.’
‘I was shocked, because we were married for a long time,’ Peggy said, ‘but there’s nothing left between us. Laurie caused the breach and although he came home eventually there was never any real chance of us being together again. However, he was my husband, and Pip and Jan’s father – and so I’ll go to the funeral out of respect.’
Pip nodded, but he didn’t change his mind.
Peggy telephoned Jan and told her the news and Jan said she would be there.
‘I was about to ring you, Mum. Maggie asked when she was going to see you – and I think you could take the chance to come back to my home and have something to eat with us after.’
‘Yes, we will,’ Peggy said. ‘Do you think we should take flowers?’
‘No, I shan’t,’ Jan said decisively. ‘I don’t see the point. Dad never liked them and he didn’t want tears – but I will be there for you.’
‘Able is driving us down. I’m bringing the twins and we shall stay at the cottage Sunday and Monday night and drive back on Tuesday…’ Peggy sighed. ‘It sounds awful, but I’m looking forward to that – and seeing you and Maggie will be an added bonus.’
‘Life doesn’t stop because Dad died, Mum.’ Janet sounded almost cold and Peggy frowned.
‘He never stopped loving you, Jan.’
‘In his way,’ Janet amended. ‘I know that – but he was selfish, Mum. Don’t let this make you feel guilty. You and Able are good together, but I know you – you’ll feel as if you’ve done something wrong, because you’re happy.’
‘No, I shan’t,’ Peggy claimed as she rang off, but Jan knew her too well. She did feel guilty because life was good for her now and she was alive. Yet it wasn’t her fault that Laurie had succumbed to his illness. She supposed it was just the way things happened.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said to no one in particular, because there was nothing she could do to change things, and to be honest she didn’t want to. Laurie had done exactly what he wanted. He hadn’t deserved to die like that, but it wasn’t her fault.
*
Peggy, Able and Jan met up just before the church service. Ryan had come with Jan and he was looking after the children. He’d taken them all off to an ice cream parlour, even though a March wind was blowing in off the North Sea. Jan was wearing a smart grey suit with a black hat. Peggy was wearing a dark green coat over her dress and a black felt hat she’d borrowed from Anne.
They kissed and hugged and went into church together, Able walking just behind as they took their places at the front of the church. In the rows behind there were a couple of nurses and an old man and woman, who looked as if they’d come in out of the cold.
Peggy thought how different it would have been had she arranged the funeral. The whole of the lane would have turned out, as well as others who knew the popular publican. Apparently, Laurie hadn’t wanted that; he’d asked to be interred near the hospital and she felt sad that he was being buried without his friends and customers to say goodbye.
The ceremony was painfully brief. No one had known Laurie Ashley and there was no eulogy, just prayers and the committal service. Peggy followed the bearers outside to the grave and threw a handful of earth into the open grave. As she was turning to leave, a nurse stepped forward, kissed a red rose and threw it into the yawning grave.
Peggy looked at her. She had black hair severely drawn back under her cap but was attractive. Her blue eyes were cold as she looked at Peggy. Ignoring the look, Peggy walked away. Reaching the church gate, she felt someone grab her arm and roughly pull her back.
‘He thought you wouldn’t come, you bitch,’ she said. ‘He didn’t want you here – or your fancy man…’
Peggy stared at her, shocked by the bitterness in her voice. ‘And who are you? I don’t think I know you?’
‘Laura Jones…’ the nurse said, a look of hatred in her eyes. ‘He begged you for his freedom and the money you owed him – but you wanted it all for yourself. Bitch! I hope you rot in hell.’
Able took a step forward as if to defend Peggy, but before he could speak, Janet pushed in front of Peggy, her face white with anger.
‘Don’t you dare speak to my mother like that!’ Before Peggy could stop her, she slapped the nurse across the face. ‘You’re the money-grubbing bitch that tried to do my mother out of what was rightfully hers. She worked hard all her life and he treated her like a bit of rubbish. You weren’t the only one he hopped into bed with and it doesn’t entitle you to what little he left.’
‘I didn’t…’ The nurse was shocked by Janet’s venom. ‘He was ill – I just tried to get what was his for him.’
‘For yourself I imagine…’ Janet’s voice was like a whiplash. ‘You knew him a few months, Mum was his wife for more than twenty years and she earned every penny she has…’
‘Come away, Jan, it isn’t worth it,’ Peggy said mildly and took her arm.
‘You’d better come, Jan.’ Able moved to her side.
Jan looked at his face, protesting but acquiescing, because she could see he was determined.
Peggy had her tightly by one arm and Able took her other arm, and together they led her away. Janet was fuming and didn’t calm down until they were in Able’s car.
‘That wasn’t like you, Jan?’ Peggy looked at her.
‘She did what I’d have liked to do,’ Able assured them and Peggy saw he too was angry. ‘It wasn’t my right – but you sure socked it to her, Jan. I thank you with all my heart… Otherwise, I might have knocked her down.’
‘Socked it to her?’ Jan looked at him and then started laughing. ‘I did, didn’t I? I’d just had enough of Mum being treated as if she didn’t matter. She should have insisted the funeral was in London – instead of being told the arrangements had been made.’
Peggy shook her head, a faint smile on her mouth. ‘I didn’t mind – and it’s over now, Jan – and, do you know, her little tirade has made me feel better. I know that if Laurie had lived to leave the hospital to be with her, they would have tried to take all they could from us. I can’t find it in my heart to feel sorry for her at all.’
‘Sorry for her?’ Jan looked incredulous. ‘She’s entitled to nothing and if she tries it on… I’d better shut up – or I’ll explode.’
‘Shall we go and meet Ryan at the hotel?’ Able asked, but he was grinning.
‘I think we should…’ Peggy gave a rueful smile. ‘I think that little episode cleared the air. Now, I’m looking forward to seeing your beautiful house, Jan…’
*
It was after they’d eaten, when the men were doing the washing up in the kitchen and Peggy and Jan were in the sitting room looking out at the garden that she turned to her daughter.
‘So is it all right then, love? You’re happy that you did the right thing?’
‘It’s more than all right,’ Jan said and she was glowing. ‘I’ve never been happier, Mum. I didn’t think I could feel like this again – but Ryan is a wonderful husband and father. Maggie adores him and I feel so lucky.’
‘We both are,’ Peggy said and gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘I don’t want you to be bitter over your father, Jan. Pip wouldn’t come down for the funeral and I’m afraid he may regret it one day. That nurse doesn’t matter, or the spiteful things she said and wrote. Even if Laurie made a will and left her his money, it still doesn’t affect us. You’re all right and Pip will be when he takes over the pub – and Able and I don’t want Laurie’s money. If it hadn’t been that nurse, it would’ve been someone else. I think for years things were all right between us but then something happened. Your father just got bored with me – and then I found Able and real love. I could never have taken Laurie back… I would have been glad to see him happy with someone else.’
‘I know – but I wasn’t going to let her abuse you like that,’ Jan said and gave her a rueful smile. ‘I suppose I did blow my top, but she deserved it after the way you’ve been hurt. I’ve known black despair, Mum – but she went too far. Even if she loved him she didn’t have the right to attack you like that…’
‘No, she didn’t,’ Peggy agreed. ‘I think that letter from your father demanding my money came from her. I don’t believe Laurie would have done that left to himself.’
‘Maybe he was thinking of her,’ Jan said and looked a bit ashamed. ‘I suppose I shouldn’t have hit her…’
‘No, you shouldn’t – but she did ask for it,’ Peggy said and smiled. ‘I felt rather shocked, even vulnerable for a moment, and it was nice to have my daughter stick up for me.’
‘I just lost my temper,’ Jan said. ‘I suppose I’m a bit like Dad in that – you never lose yours…’
‘Oh, I’ve been known to have a few sharp words,’ Peggy laughed. ‘I was feeling guilty over your father, but that nurse changed my mind. He was never going to alter, Jan. I’m sorry he had such a miserable end, but it wasn’t my fault.’
‘No, it wasn’t,’ Jan said. They heard the sound of laughter from the kitchen. ‘Those two are getting on well…’ She hesitated, then, ‘Will you marry him, Mum?’
‘If he asks, yes, I shall – after a suitable time.’
‘Good. I want you to be happy.’
‘I am happy now…’ Peggy hesitated. ‘If we bought a restaurant down here – what would you think?’
‘Great, I can come for a free meal,’ Jan said promptly, then, seriously: ‘Of course it would be lovely – but where?’
‘Near the cottage,’ Peggy said. ‘We saw a for-sale notice in the window of what looks like a small hotel. I would only be an hour or so away…’
‘Just right for all of us – but what about Pip?’
‘I think he and Sheila will settle at the pub, at least for a while,’ Peggy said thoughtfully. ‘His real work might be down this way too – at one of the aircraft companies, but that will take some years to get into…’
‘Are you sure you’ll be happy leaving London?’ Jan looked serious. ‘You’ve been the landlady of the Pig & Whistle for so many years – and you have a lot of friends in the East End.’
‘Yes, and it would be a wrench to leave them,’ Peggy admitted. ‘But I think a change would be a good thing – somewhere in a small town or near the sea. I’ll still be cooking, and if there’s a bar, I’ll soon get to know my customers.’
‘You don’t think you could just retire and let Able find an easy job in the country?’
‘I’m not ready to retire and we couldn’t afford to do that – no, we’ll both work; either in London or near the cottage. We’re still thinking about it. Able is happy to do whatever I want, Jan. I want to do what is right for everyone.’
‘And is Pip really settling in at the pub? I never saw him wanting to do that, Mum.’ She looked concerned for her brother.
‘He wants to fly, but he knows that even if his sight returns it won’t be good enough – but he may find a job in the industry. He has always built models and drawn planes and I’ve seen some detailed plans for a new design – but I can’t tell you if he stands a chance, because I don’t know. The pub would be their bread and butter – and, if he’s lucky, he’ll get into what he wants at the bottom and work his way up.’
‘Ryan can help if Pip will let him… He knows so many people, Mum.’
‘Yes, I think your husband runs deeper than we ever knew, Jan.’
‘He has never told me what he actually does.’ Jan looked thoughtful. ‘He lets people believe that he’s an inspector for the food ministry, but I think that is just a blind and what he actually does is more important. I think it’s secret, Mum. We don’t talk about it. All I really know is that he has to travel a lot…’
‘Has he said what he’ll do after the war?’
‘No…’ Jan looked thoughtful. ‘We’ve been talking about after the war for so long. I can hardly believe that it’s nearly over, but Ryan says it is – he thinks the Germans will go on resisting until the last, but the Allies will be in Berlin soon and even Hitler will have to accept it is over then.’
‘And why are you two looking so serious?’ Ryan asked as the men returned, followed by Maggie and the twins. Maggie was clutching a doll, which Fay snatched at, but she was having none of it. Peggy swooped on Fay and picked her up before a fight could ensue between the two.
‘We were saying it hardly seems possible that the war is almost over at last…’
‘As far as Germany is concerned,’ Ryan agreed. ‘Hitler can’t hold out much longer – but the war in the Pacific may last for a while yet.’
‘I’ll be glad when they tell us we can switch the lights on again and not worry about the blackout,’ Jan said as she went to draw the heavy velvet curtains.
‘Yes, it’s getting late,’ Peggy said and looked at Able. ‘I think we had better be on our way…’
‘Sure thing, hon,’ Able said and picked up his son, hoisting him on his shoulder. Freddie laughed and patted his father’s head, enjoying his ride. ‘It was great visiting with you, Jan – and nice to talk, Ryan. We’ll meet up again sometime – perhaps you can come to the cottage when we get down for a few days.’
‘I should like that,’ Janet said and went to kiss his cheek. ‘Look after Mum, Able.’
‘I shall,’ Able looked at Peggy lovingly. ‘Fay, stop struggling and be good for your mama. We’re taking you home now, baby.’
Fay subsided and started kneading her mother’s neck with her fingers. Peggy caught her hands and kissed them and she laughed.
‘It has been a long day for them,’ Peggy said, excusing Fay’s behaviour. ‘You have a lovely home – Jan, Ryan – I’ve enjoyed this visit despite everything.’
‘Tell Pip I may have some news soon,’ Ryan said. ‘I’m coming to London next week, so I’ll pop in and see him…’
They went out to the car. Peggy had wondered how Able could drive with one arm, but it was an automatic, an American Cadillac, and one of the first of its kind in the country. Able was confident at the wheel and in perfect control.
‘If I could drive, I could help,’ she said after they’d settled the twins in the back. She slid into the passenger seat, enjoying the smell of the leather upholstery and sumptuous feel of the expensive car.
‘You should learn,’ Able said, smiling at her. ‘If we live in the country you may need to drive yourself at times.’
‘Jan has started to learn,’ Peggy said, looking thoughtful. ‘We never thought about things like that before the war – but you take it for granted, don’t you?’
‘I drove a truck by the time I was eleven on my pa’s land and usually one-handed,’ Able said with a confident smile. ‘I never had an expensive car like this back home, but I like it and I can manage it even without the new arm – when I get that it will be easier.’
The American army had made arrangements to fix him up with a prosthesis, which would help him to manage some of the tasks that were difficult at the moment. Peggy wasn’t sure how efficient it would be as most men she’d met had rejected their false limbs as awkward and uncomfortable, but Able seemed confident that his would be an asset and she could only hope he was right, for his sake.
It always amazed her how Able took his loss in his stride. He didn’t allow it to stop him doing whatever he wanted and the drive down here had been without incident. Whether or not English law would allow him to own and drive a car with his disablement, she didn’t know, but he’d just got on with it and no one had questioned them. She might find it better if she learned to drive sooner rather than later…
‘Do you think you’ll get an English driving licence?’ she asked.
‘You mean because of the arm?’ Peggy nodded. ‘Ryan said it is perfectly legal, providing I drive an automatic – but I have to send my licence in and have it updated. I may have to take a test to qualify for driving over here – and he thinks I could have some specialised changes made to the car to make it even easier for me to drive…’
‘Ryan told you all that?’ Peggy was surprised and yet she wasn’t; it was the kind of thing her daughter’s husband would know.
‘Yes. He said that technically I shouldn’t drive without changing the licence, but that he didn’t think anyone would bother as long as I was safe on the road. They’re making a few allowances for us war heroes at the moment, though it will have to be done in time…’ Able smiled. ‘He’s a great guy, hon. Janet looks really happy.’
‘Yes, she is – and so am I.’
Able glanced at her, a question in his eyes. ‘I haven’t mentioned it – but I was thinking we should get married?’
‘Yes please…’ Peggy looked at him, but his eyes were back on the road. ‘In the summer – in the meantime, we might have a look at that hotel…’
‘Great. We’ll take a look round before we leave tomorrow.’
*
The hotel had once been a beautiful old house with several bedrooms and one of the reception rooms had been turned into a bar. It had a large, very old-fashioned kitchen and there was quite a bit they would need to do to it before it would be fit for purpose.
‘Thanks for the tour,’ Able told the agent when they were leaving. ‘It’s a possibility, but we should need to have a lot done – and you said the price was five thousand?’
‘Yes, that’s to allow for all the repairs. The owner was killed at the start of the war and his wife doesn’t feel like keeping it going – but it has only been closed two years. I think much of it is cosmetic. The building is sound, but of course the decor is old and the kitchen is pretty bad. I think it had been losing money for a while…’
