The Women of Mulberry Lane, page 22
‘Thank you – we’ll be in touch when we’ve thought about it,’ Able said and they shook hands.
Later, in the car, when the twins had finally settled and were sleeping in the back, he turned to Peggy and arched his brows. ‘What did you think, hon?’
‘It is a beautiful place to live – you can actually see the sea,’ she said, ‘but I don’t think we can afford to do all the repairs, especially as it seems the former owners couldn’t make a living from it.’
‘I doubt they cooked the way you do, hon…’ Able said. ‘But it would take every dollar I have and that would leave us short if things didn’t go well…’ He hesitated, then, ‘I could sell the cottage?’
‘Oh no!’ Peggy said and then looked at him uncertainly. ‘Unless you want to?’
‘I think I’d like to hang on to that for a while. We might find a decent restaurant or café to rent rather than buy…’
‘We should be able to do that if we stay in London…’
‘I thought you liked the idea of living nearer to Jan?’
Peggy touched his shoulder. ‘I love my daughter, but I don’t have to live in her pocket. If I have you, I’m happy – but tell me what you’d like to do. It shouldn’t be just to please me, Able.’
‘All I need is you – but I’ve seen a couple of places for rent in London,’ he said. ‘I think it might suit us to rent – and then when we escape to the cottage it will seem even more of a change.’
Peggy nodded. She wasn’t sure whether he’d suggested it to please her, but it did. Coming away for a few days was a treat, but she was a Londoner and it suited her. Bantering with her customers was a way of life – and there would be time enough for a country retreat when they retired.
‘We could look round a few places,’ she said. ‘We can’t leave until Sheila is over the baby – but after that, I think they will manage…’
16
World events had moved rapidly throughout the month of April 1945. The Allies had moved inexorably across the Rhine despite all the booby traps and the German’s efforts to halt them. In Italy, Mussolini and his henchmen had been killed and strung up by their ankles by partisans, and in Berlin, Hitler ranted that he was the innocent party, forced to war by the British and their Allies, before taking his own life and that of his mistress, who he was rumoured to have married deep in his bunker in Berlin.
Peggy sat reading the headlines on the first day of May. Pip came into the kitchen as she put the newspaper to one side and began preparing breakfast.
‘Looks like it’s all over bar the shouting,’ he said, snatching up the paper to read through the headlines. ‘Hitler was defiant to the end… I hope he’s burning in hell right now.’
‘He deserves to be,’ Peggy said. ‘I’m making some—’ She got no further as the phone rang and Pip went to answer. Peggy started to make the batter for pancakes and was whipping the mixture, made with fresh eggs for a change, when he came back, looking pale and shaken. ‘What’s wrong, love?’
‘It’s Sheila,’ he said. ‘They’ve decided to bring the birth forward a couple of weeks, because she wasn’t so well – so they’re going to do a caesarean.’
‘Oh Pip…’ Peggy looked at him anxiously. ‘Do you want to get to the hospital? Able will take you if you like?’
‘They’ve told me to go in in about two hours – the nurse said I’ll only be in the way if I go sooner. It should be over by then…’
‘They are probably already working on her.’ Peggy touched his hand in sympathy. ‘Perhaps it is for the best, love. Sheila isn’t strong at the moment and giving birth the natural way might be too much of a strain for her.’
‘Yes, that’s what the doctor thought and why they decided on the operation…’ Pip caught back a sob. ‘She’ll be desperate if she loses the baby, because I don’t think she can have another.’
‘Oh, darling, I’m so sorry,’ Peggy said. She could imagine how hard that must have been for them both. Sheila had wanted several children and she would be upset if she could only have the one, especially if she lost it now. ‘But I’m sure the doctors know what they are doing. She is in the best place and I have faith that she will come through this – Sheila and the baby.’
Pip nodded, but looked miserable. ‘It’s my fault for pushing so much on her – looking after me made her ill.’
‘I’m sure it didn’t,’ Peggy said, though it was true the worry might have contributed. ‘Some women have a harder time than others. Lots of people only have one child, Pip. Besides, one doctor’s opinion isn’t the end of it. When Sheila is strong again it may be that she can try again… but no one said she was going to lose this baby.’
‘I know…’ He brushed a hand over his eyes. ‘I just feel bad about it, Mum. I haven’t been easy to be with since the accident.’
‘Well, you had enough to upset you, love,’ Peggy said. ‘Don’t blame yourself too much. It’s this bloody war…’
‘Yeah, I know,’ he replied. ‘But if we hadn’t had to fight it, I might never have met her.’
‘Fate works in mysterious ways,’ Peggy said. ‘Sheila had to face losing you every time you went up in a plane – she didn’t give up and neither should you. Your Sheila is a fighter and I’d lay my money on her coming through this – and the baby.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ Pip said and managed a smile. ‘You’re a brick. Sheila said we should come here and she was right. I’m glad she’s in the London – they’ve only got a small hospital where she lived.’
‘Can I tempt you to some breakfast?’
‘No, thanks,’ Pip said. ‘I think I’ll go up and get ready. I want to be at the hospital when she comes round…’
‘Would you like me to come with you?’
‘No thanks. I can manage on my own – it was just the first shock…’
‘Like I said, it may be for the best.’
Pip nodded and went out.
Peggy made some pancakes, which she sprinkled lightly with sugar and lemon. Able entered the kitchen as she was about to call him.
‘They smell good – English pancakes…’ he said. ‘I caught Pip on the way upstairs, hon. If you need to go with him to the hospital, I can manage here.’
‘It’s all right,’ Peggy said. ‘He wants to go alone. I know he’s faced death many times in the air, but losing someone you love is more terrifying for a young man.’
‘He’s your son, Peggy. He’ll be fine.’
She nodded, because she knew he was right, but she would be praying hard that Pip didn’t have to face that sort of grief so soon in life.
*
Maureen rang the wholesalers and asked them to deliver what the shop needed. These days she normally fetched whatever they were short of in the van, but Gran was unwell. She’d looked pale when she came in for breakfast first thing and she didn’t eat any food, just drank her tea very slowly.
‘I think I shall go back to bed, love,’ she told Maureen. ‘I’m not feeling too good this morning…’
‘You pop back to bed,’ Maureen said. ‘Shall I ask the doctor to call?’
‘He’s got more to do than run after an old fool like me,’ Gran said with a flash of spirit. ‘No, I’m just tired. I’ll have a bit of a rest today. Don’t fuss, girl, I’ll be fine.’
‘Of course you are.’ Maureen kissed her soft cheek. ‘I’ll bring you a cup of tea in later…’
Gran nodded and walked slowly back to her room.
Maureen hesitated, wondering whether to ring for the doctor or not. Gran didn’t want him, but it was sometimes wise to ignore her protests and have the doctor anyway. She decided she would wait for an hour or two and see if Gran was feeling any better then.
Gordy was calling out for attention. Maureen went to attend to him and discovered his nappy was filled. She changed him, cleansed his bottom and nursed him until he settled and fell asleep. She had several nappies to wash and put them to soak while she swept the kitchen and then went upstairs to polish the bedrooms and tidy up. When she came back down, she put the kettle on and made the tea. She poured a cup for Gran and one for herself and took them on a small tray into the sitting room, where Gran now had her bed.
‘Gran…’ she whispered softly as she set the tray down. ‘Are you awake?’
Turning to look at her grandmother, she saw at once that she was lying at an odd angle with her head to one side, her mouth and eyes were open and her face shockingly white. Maureen had seen patients who died in their beds several times and she knew before she even touched Gran that she’d gone… slipped away silently without a sound or any trouble to anyone.
‘Oh, Gran…’ Maureen whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks. ‘I should’ve been with you… I’m so sorry…’
It seemed to her then that she heard her grandmother’s voice in her head: What are you sorry for your daft girl? It was my time, that’s all…
Maureen bent to kiss her forehead. She’d known in her heart that this was coming, but she’d hoped for a bit longer. Why hadn’t Gran lived to see the end of the war? Folk said it was over now the Allies were in Berlin, but it wasn’t yet officially the end. When Mr Churchill came on the radio and told them it was over, it would be over.
Sitting on the edge of Gran’s bed, Maureen held her hand, silent tears on her cheeks. She was going to miss the old lady so very much. She knew she owed her grandmother a huge debt of gratitude for all she’d done. Without Gran, her life would have been so much harder. She’d always been there, comforting, calm and loving, helping as much as she could.
‘I never thanked you enough… never told you how much you mean to me,’ she whispered shakily. ‘Oh Gran, I do love you so…’
Gordy had woken and was calling out again. Maureen went to him. She picked him up, but he wasn’t wet, just wanting a cuddle. Holding him to her shoulder, she telephoned the doctor’s surgery and then Gordon.
‘I’m so sorry, love,’ he said. ‘I’ll leave Rose in charge and be home straight away.’
Maureen didn’t tell him not to bother, because she needed his arms about her, giving her strength. She knew Gran was old and unwell; they had expected this to happen sooner rather than later, but that didn’t help ease the pain or the shock. Gran had been there for her all her life. She’d stood by Maureen when she was a child, cheering her up when she was forced to work for her father for next to nothing and when Rory let her down. She’d even come to her rescue with the poker when Rory had accused her of letting Robin die… and now she’d gone. Maureen would never see her again. It was breaking Maureen’s heart and she knew she was going to miss her so very much.
*
Peggy answered the phone. Pip had rung from the hospital to let her know the latest news.
‘Sheila is back on the ward, Mum, but she hasn’t come round yet. We have a son – and he’s beautiful. They let me look at him in his cot. He’s fine – nothing the matter with him at all…’
‘Thank goodness,’ Peggy said and tears sprang to her eyes. ‘That’s wonderful news, Pip. I’m so pleased.’
‘The doctor told me they thought Sheila might suffer too much through a natural birth so they decided that he was ready to come – and she’s going to be all right…’ Peggy could hear the tears in his voice and knew that he was overcome with emotion.
‘I’m so happy for you all, darling. I hoped it would all go well – and it has, so now you can look forward to the future.’
‘I’ll make a good future for them both,’ Pip vowed. ‘I’ve stopped sulking because I can’t fly, Mum. I’m lucky to be alive – and to have my wife and child. I’ll do whatever I have to for them, to make a good life for us all.’
‘Yes, Pip, I know you will. Give Sheila my love when you speak to her and tell her I shall be in to visit her and my grandson tomorrow when she’s feeling better…’
After Pip rang off, Peggy put the receiver back and was on her way back to the kitchen when it rang again. She answered and discovered it was Gordon.
‘Hello, nice to hear from you – is Maureen all right?’
‘Ah, yes, well, a bit upset at the moment. I just wanted to let you know – Hilda died this morning, quietly in bed. We had the doctor, but he said it was expected, which we knew, but Maureen’s grieving of course. I wondered if you could pop round to see her sometime.’
‘Yes, I’ve just finished cooking,’ Peggy said. ‘Of course I’ll come. I’ll let Able know – and I’ll be there in a few minutes.’
*
Peggy got back just as Able had closed the bar for the afternoon. He looked at her as she entered the kitchen and indicated a pot of coffee on the hob.
‘I made that a little earlier, love. I think it’s still hot – and Anne was just in. She wondered if you’d heard about Hilda… seemed quite upset herself.’
‘We were all fond of Hilda in our different ways and she was a bit of a character. News gets around so fast in the lanes and I’m sure a lot of people will be upset over this,’ Peggy said. ‘I’m sorry I left you in the lurch this morning. Maureen was crying – but she’s all right now. After she’d had her cry, I told her about Sheila’s little boy and she cheered up.’
‘Pip’s news was a relief,’ Able said. ‘When he told me about the op this morning, I feared the worst, but we’ve had the best outcome there.’ He hesitated, then, ‘Mrs Jackson was a grand old lady, but she’d had a good life – it’s the young ones we have to think about, Peggy. Pip, Sheila, their baby, also Janet, Maggie and our twins, of course – they’re the future…’
‘Yes, I know.’ Peggy went to put her arms around him. ‘Maureen knows it too. She loves Gordon and the children, but Gran was special to her – so she’s bound to be upset…’
‘She’ll be fine in a while, hon. She’s strong and brave – just like you.’
17
Sheila was sitting up in bed when Peggy visited her the next day. She had the baby’s cot beside her and her face glowed with pride and pleasure as she told Peggy that she was feeling well.
‘I wondered if I’d be able to feed him myself,’ she said, ‘but I can – and it’s wonderful, Peggy. I feel so lucky…’
‘So do we now you and the baby are all right,’ Peggy said and gave her the bunch of lovely hothouse roses Able had had delivered to the pub for her to bring and some clothes for her son. ‘We’re all so pleased – and Pip looks as if he’s found the world.’
‘Yes, I know,’ she said shyly. ‘I’d begun to think he no longer loved me before I had to come in – but now he’s told me so many times.’
‘You are both very fortunate to have each other,’ Peggy said and kissed her cheek. ‘Have they told you when you can come home?’
‘Yes – at the end of the week if I’m still progressing as I am now. I can’t wait to get out of here…’
‘I’m not surprised,’ Peggy said. ‘Pip will fetch you when they say you can come home. We have a funeral on Monday for Hilda Jackson, Maureen’s gran, but if he needs to close the pub to fetch you, he will.’
‘Oh, I am sorry. I liked Gran. She told me to call her that the first time I met her…’ Sheila looked sad for a moment, but Peggy was bending over the cot looking at her grandson. ‘Isn’t he beautiful?’
‘Yes, he is – a bit like Pip, but I think he has your eyes, Sheila.’
‘They are more grey than blue,’ Sheila smiled. ‘I’m just so glad I’ve got him…’
Peggy wondered if Sheila knew that she was unlikely to have another child, but she didn’t mention it. If it were the case, she would need to get used to the idea, and the doctors probably hadn’t told her yet. ‘Have you telephoned your mother?’
‘Pip did that, but I haven’t been able to yet. She wanted to come up to visit straight away – but Pip told her that we would go down and stay for a few days as soon as I was well. She doesn’t like hotels much and it’s a long way for her to come on her own. Dad has to mind the pub…’
‘Your mother could stay with us,’ Peggy offered. ‘She could have Janet’s old room – if she wants to come?’
‘Well, I’ll tell her when I get the chance,’ Janet said. ‘She did send a card – and Dad wrote and told me how pleased he is…’
Peggy smiled and talked. Sheila was as good as a daughter to her now – in fact, she was closer to her than she had been to Jan when Maggie was born. The rift with Janet’s father had spoiled that time for both of them, but at least they were getting on better now and had a good relationship; Peggy would never forget the way Janet had stood up for her when that nurse tried to tell her she was a selfish bitch. Janet had surprised her then, but it had left Peggy with a warm glow, because there had been times when Janet seemed to have shut off from her.
Peggy kissed Sheila goodbye at the end of visiting time, telling her that Pip would be in later and went out to catch the bus. She was a grandmother twice over now and yet she felt young, as if she too was on the verge of an adventure – because Able had fixed up for them to visit two premises that might do for Peggy’s café… and the future looked promising.
*
The first café looked dirty and was situated in a dingy backstreet, where rubbish littered the gutters and the lingering smell of drains was unpleasant. The second property was bigger and had been run as a cake shop with a room at the back where tea and cakes were served, but only held three tables.
‘This could be nice if it was made brighter and opened right out,’ Able suggested. ‘It depends whether you want to make just cakes or run it as a small restaurant…’
‘Yes, I was thinking more of a café serving light meals all day rather than just a teashop,’ Peggy said and frowned. ‘I’m not sure, Able. This is a better area… but I keep thinking about that small hotel we saw…’ The more she saw of these scruffy premises, the more the country hotel appealed. She’d thought it would suit her better to stay in London, but now she was wavering, wondering if it might be better to make a complete break.
‘Yeah, me too,’ he agreed. ‘It’s a pity it needs so much work…’
