Love and Marriage at Harpers, page 26
Then there were all the sweet things: meringues and cream and strawberries and black cherries in kirsch and pineapple slices in sweet liquor, brandy snaps and cakes so light they melted in the mouth. This entire feast was accompanied by champagne or a cool fruit punch for those who did not care for alcohol.
‘What a lovely wedding,’ a woman wearing heavy perfume wafted up to Sally and kissed her cheek towards the end of the reception, when the speeches had ended. ‘How lucky you are to have caught Ben in your net, Sally, and how do you expect us to buy you a gift, Ben darling, when you own a department store?’
‘Half a store, Lady Bridges,’ Ben said with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘Jenni owns the other half – Have you seen her yet? I’m sure she’d love to have a word…’
Sally didn’t even remember the woman’s name, though she recalled Jenni murmuring it in her ear when the woman had first entered on the arm of a rather short man with thinning hair. Now she was staring at Ben and looking slightly annoyed before her husband led her away.
Sally found Jenni at her shoulder again almost instantly. ‘Take no notice of her, love,’ she said. ‘Margery never stood a chance even if she hadn’t been married to poor Rodney. I’ll bet she puts him through hell.’
‘Is she American?’ Sally asked, because she’d thought she caught a faint accent.
‘Yes. She used to work for my uncle in his office – until she met Sir Rodney Bridges. He’s rich and she couldn’t wait to get her claws into him, poor man, but she always had an eye for Ben. She would happily sleep with him if he was interested, which he never has been.’
Sally was conscious of Lady Bridges’ green eyes watching her as she moved between her guests, kissing cheeks and thanking them for gifts and for making her wedding perfect.
Rachel, Maggie and Beth had put together and bought Sally a tiny gold locket on a chain. They knew Ben had most things the couple needed in his apartment and wanted to give Sally a keepsake of the day. She’d cried and kissed them when they’d given her the small box, declaring that she would always treasure their gift and she was wearing it now. Ben had given her a diamond and platinum cocktail watch as his wedding present and Sally was wearing that on her wrist.
‘Shall we go now?’ Ben asked, slipping an arm about her waist. ‘We could stay forever and they’d keep us talking – but we should be on our way.’
Sally looked up at him and smiled. ‘I’ve just said goodbye to the girls,’ she told him. ‘The others don’t matter – most of them I don’t really know.’
‘Nor do I,’ Ben said, his eyes laughing. ‘Jenni said to invite everyone we knew in London to make it special, so I did – but we know who matters.’
Sally met his eyes and inclined her head, a little smile on her lips. She took his hand and they left the reception to the sounds of some cheers from a few male friends he’d invited. Ben lifted his hand in acknowledgement but didn’t pause. They left the huge room that had looked so immaculate and was now strewn with confetti, waste food and abandoned dishes, going quickly to the lift and up to the room Ben had reserved for them to change their clothes.
Sally’s suit, hat, shoes, gloves and bag were on the bed waiting. Ben slipped out of his tailored suit into slacks and a casual jacket while she removed her wedding gown and pulled on the smart suit.
‘You looked so gorgeous in that dress,’ Ben said and kissed her on the lips. ‘You will wear it again just for me one day?’
‘Yes, if you wish,’ Sally said and laughed as she saw the heat in his eyes. She knew what that meant, but if they gave way to the urge to make love they would be here all night. ‘We should go…’
‘Yes, we should…’ His eyes were hot on her and she shivered as he ran his finger down her cheek and her throat, making her sway towards him, ready to abandon all their plans for the touch of his lips on her flesh.
‘Ben…’ she breathed.
‘We’re going, Sally.’ Ben grinned at her. ‘I want to be on our way before six or we’ll never get there.’
He’d arranged a short break for them down at the Sussex coast, near to the town of Hastings-on-Sea, and Sally knew everything would be perfect, just as it had been today for their wedding. She picked up her bag, gloves and her hat. Their suitcases were already in the car that would be waiting for them downstairs. Ben hadn’t wanted to drive himself, so he’d arranged for a hired car to take them and it was a long black vehicle with a high roof that smelled of leather.
Some of their friends had been on the watch for them and rose petals were showered over them as they got into the car and settled on the comfortable padded cushions. Sally turned to wave to the friends who had thrust a lucky horseshoe into her hand at the last minute and then smiled at Ben.
‘We’re married,’ she said and laughed for sheer joy. ‘It took me a while to believe it could really happen, but it has.’
‘Yes, lucky me,’ he said and leaned forwards to kiss her. ‘I love you, Sally Harper, and I feel so blessed to be with you. For a long time I thought my life was over…’
‘No,’ she whispered and her fingers strayed up the back of his neck into his thick hair. ‘For us this is just the beginning, Ben. We’re going to make Harper’s a big success, have lots of children and live happily ever after.’
Ben grinned and pulled her to him. ‘When you say it, Sally, I believe it.’
‘Forget the past and the pain,’ she whispered. ‘From now on, it’s us all the way and it will be good.’ The confidence brimmed out of her and no one could have doubted her belief and sincerity.
‘Didn’t she look lovely?’ Maggie said as she, Beth and Rachel collected their things and left the reception. Mr Stockbridge had arrived in time for the reception; having closed the store early on Ben Harper’s instructions so that his staff could attend the reception if they wanted or simply have a few hours off. He’d taken Becky home with him, even though she would rather have stayed with Maggie.
‘Beautiful,’ Rachel agreed. ‘Happy, too – that is the main thing. I’m so glad Sally has what she wants at last. I think she’d had a lonely life at the orphanage and when she left… until we got together.’
‘Harper’s girls, that’s what she calls us,’ Maggie said and looked at Beth as the cab set off through the busy streets. ‘Did we tell you that Minnie is going to move in with us?’
‘I knew Rachel asked her if she wanted to,’ Beth said. ‘I didn’t know she’d agreed.’
‘Yes, she’s decided to share Rachel’s room and I’m to have yours and Sally’s old room, Beth. We might ask someone else to share in the future, because it makes the rent cheaper, but not just yet. It would have to be the right person.’
‘Minnie has been taken on at Harper’s in the alterations department,’ Rachel said. ‘It is a steady wage for her and she can still do embroidery for her old customers if she wants. I’ve advised her to keep in touch with them for the time being.’
‘So she will be a Harper’s girl, too,’ Beth said. ‘How do you feel about it, Maggie?’
‘Oh, I like her,’ Maggie replied and smiled. ‘Rachel asked me if I was sure I didn’t mind before she offered the share to Minnie. She’s rather sweet really, and determined to do well at her new job.’
‘It will be a whole new life for her.’ Rachel looked at Beth as the cab drew up outside their apartment. ‘Do you want to come in, Beth, or take the cab on?’
‘I think I’ll come in for a while,’ Beth said. ‘Fred would have gone home by now, I’ll take a bus back later.’
The three of them went up to the flat after paying the driver. Beth sensed the changes immediately. Sally’s things had gone and it seemed a bit empty without her and that wasn’t just because of the furniture she’d taken. The others would notice the difference when she wasn’t there – but it might help having Minnie, though she wasn’t Sally Ross.
Rachel made coffee and they talked about the wedding. Beth stayed until she knew the shops would be closing and then left her friends, walking swiftly through streets that still thronged with people. She called in to the grocer’s and bought a bag of sugar, which she’d suddenly remembered they were short of when at the flat. Once or twice she felt she was being followed and glanced uneasily over her shoulder but couldn’t see anything to alarm her. Just as she approached her usual bus stop, she saw one draw away and mumbled a curse beneath her breath.
It was too far to walk home and the heat of the day had gone, leaving a thin wisp of mist in the air that felt as if it might turn to rain. She would either have to wait for the next bus or take a taxi and, as she looked about her, there was no sign of a cab. A shiver went down her spine as once again she felt as if she were being watched and for the first time was nervous. The nearest phone box was halfway down the street and she wasn’t sure she knew the name of the taxi firm. As she stood hesitating, feeling the first drops of rain on her cheek, a small car drew up at the roadside and a man looked at her from the open window.
‘Beth – would you like a lift?’
She looked and saw Mark smiling at her. He’d been angry the last time they’d met, when she was on holiday with Sally, and she hesitated, but the alternative was to wait in the rain for a bus. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a man in the shadows and she was certain he was staring at her. She walked towards the car and Mark got out and opened the door for her.
‘Get in and I’ll drive you home,’ he said. ‘It will save you getting a soaking – and that dress wasn’t meant for standing in a bus queue.’
‘No, I’ve been to a wedding,’ Beth admitted. ‘I stopped to have coffee with friends and I missed my bus. I don’t fancy waiting half an hour for the next.’
‘No need. I’ve got a good idea of where you live – it’s across the river, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. We’re lucky, because we back on to the river with the garden. Fred’s cottage is at the end of a small terrace – St James’ Terrace and we’re number five…’ Having a garden big enough to grow a few vegetables was a luxury in London and it was another reason Beth wasn’t keen to move into a room at Jack’s present hotel, which did not have a garden for the guests.
‘I really just want to say goodbye, because I’m leaving London,’ Mark said, surprising her.
‘Will you go abroad again?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I think I might,’ he replied. ‘I’ve been offered a place at a German hospital. They want me for a three year residency because I have some experience with psychological problems.’
‘Well, good luck, wherever you go.’
‘Thank you, Beth. That means something, coming from you.’
They drove in silence for a while. Mark had crossed the bridge and now turned into a maze of streets, finally pulling to a halt in the little cul-de-sac of terraced houses. The smell of the river was pungent after the heat of the day and the cloud ridden sky seemed to trap it so that it seemed worse than usual.
‘Thank you – I’m grateful,’ Beth said. ‘Take care and have a good life.’
‘You too – I’m glad you’re happy with your husband, Beth. He’s a decent bloke.’
‘Yes, he is, thank you.’
Beth got out, clutching her things, and ran across the road, letting herself into Fred’s kitchen. Her father-in-law was making a pot of tea. He smiled at her and was about to speak when the hall door opened and Jack entered.
‘Where the hell have you been?’ he demanded furiously. ‘We’ve been worried to death…’
‘No, surely not,’ Beth said, taken back by the anger in his voice. ‘After Sally left on her honeymoon, I went back to Rachel’s apartment and then stopped to buy sugar but missed my bus…’
‘So who brought you home?’ Jack asked and she knew he’d seen her get out of Mark’s car.
‘Calm down, Jack,’ his father said. ‘Beth isn’t on trial here.’
‘I want to know who she was with…’ Jack said furiously.
‘That was Mark,’ she said. ‘He pulled up near the bus stop and asked if I wanted a lift. It had just started to rain so I said yes…’
‘You should have come straight here in a cab after the wedding.’ Jack glared at her. ‘Anything might have happened to you and the baby.’
‘I’m sorry. It got late suddenly,’ she offered, knowing it was a lame excuse. ‘Besides, I didn’t expect you to be home yet…’
‘I took time off because I thought we might go somewhere nice – but it’s too late now,’ Jack growled.
‘Why is it too late?’ she asked. ‘It’s not quite seven.’
‘Because I say so,’ Jack muttered. ‘I may as well go back to work.’
‘Don’t be daft, lad…’ Fred said, but Jack threw him a murderous glance, went out and slammed the door after him.
‘Jack…’ Beth started towards the door, but Fred touched her arm.
‘Let him go, lass. He was in a bad mood when I got home. He won’t listen to reason until he’s worked it out of him.’
‘He’s angry because Mark gave me a lift, but I was safe with him,’ Beth said. ‘It wasn’t nice standing there on my own as the light faded because of the storm clouds and I saw someone watching me. I thought it wouldn’t matter if Mark gave me a lift – he knows it is over between us. I chose Jack…’
‘Of course you did, but something is gnawing at him,’ Fred said. ‘I think it must be work, but he wouldn’t tell me.’
‘Yes, perhaps.’ Beth sighed. ‘It was such a lovely wedding. I wish he’d been there.’
‘He should’ve been,’ Fred agreed with her. ‘No job is worth denying yourselves the pleasures of life. I know he wants it to be a success, but he could have had the day off if he’d insisted.’
Beth nodded, but she knew Jack worried about his job. There was a lot of responsibility and the owners expected the hotel to make a substantial profit. If things were not going as they ought, Jack would feel responsible.
Beth was asleep when she heard the noise downstairs. The back of her neck prickled and she reached for Jack, but he wasn’t there. She got out of bed, pulled on her thick robe, slipped her feet into her shoes and then went quietly down the stairs. The noises were louder now. It sounded like someone was banging into things.
When she entered the kitchen, Beth saw Jack was lurching about, obviously drunk and unable to walk straight. He knocked into a chair and swore and then slumped down on the old daybed, his eyes closing.
‘Jack…’ Beth touched his shoulder, but he’d fallen into a deep slumber. She loosened his shoes and eased them off and then covered him with his overcoat that she took from a hook on the back door. There was no possibility of getting him upstairs, so he would just have to sleep it off in the kitchen.
Fred entered as she was about to leave. He frowned as he looked at his son. ‘It’s years since Jack got drunk,’ he said. ‘He’s a fool, Beth. I hope he wasn’t abusive?’
‘No, he just lurched about and then collapsed on the daybed. Do you think he will be all right like that?’
‘Yes, let him sleep it off. He will be sorry in the morning.’
‘I imagine he will have a terrible headache.’ Beth smiled at her father-in-law. ‘I was going back to bed, but I could make a cup of tea if you fancy one?’
‘No, we’ll leave him to sleep,’ Fred said. ‘In the morning he’ll apologise, Beth. This isn’t like Jack – and I don’t think it was all down to you being late back either.’
Beth nodded and went back to her room. It was a while before she settled down, but eventually she slept and was woken in the morning by the curtains being drawn and when she opened her eyes she saw Jack with a tray of tea for her.
He looked awful and any irritation she might have felt over his behaviour vanished. ‘I’m sorry, Beth,’ Jack said. ‘It was stupid of me to be angry last night and getting drunk was a mistake.’
‘Have you taken anything to help?’
‘Dad made me a raw egg in milk with a swig of whisky – it made me sick but I do feel a bit better.’
‘I think it is supposed to line your stomach,’ Beth said. ‘Poor you.’
‘Are you very fed up with me?’ He gave her an apologetic smile.
She smiled and patted the bed. He sat and she poured tea for herself and him. ‘I’m not fed up with you, Jack. I’m sorry if you were worried – and if you thought there was something going on with Mark.’
‘I didn’t and I know you wouldn’t – but I was worried, because of that devil who tried to hurt you before.’
‘One of the reasons I let Mark bring me home was because I thought I might have been watched,’ she admitted. ‘I ought to have come straight home after the wedding, but I should be free to walk where I like.’
‘Yes, you should. Perhaps we should have gone to the police when it happened, Beth.’
‘Would they have believed us?’
‘Probably not.’ He sighed, hesitated, and then shrugged in resignation, ‘It’s no good – I have to tell you. There’s a good chance that I’m going to lose my job…’
‘Why?’ Beth stared at him in dismay. ‘You’ve worked all hours to make that job a success – why would they sack you?’
‘It’s not my fault. The hotel is failing, Beth. It was long before I took the job. Don told me he hoped a new manager would fix it, but the bank has told him he has to repay some of the loan and I don’t think he can.’
‘Oh, Jack, all your hopes will be gone if they close. You’ll have to start looking for jobs again.’
‘There were other jobs I could have taken, but Don offered me a better wage and the freedom to do things as I pleased. I thought I could pick trade up, Beth, and I have – but there is so much wrong with the place. If I had my way I’d install new bathrooms and basins in all the bedrooms and improve the dining area and the reception. I’ve got rid of some of the staff who were dragging their feet, and we were almost full this past week. I believed it was going well – and then yesterday I got a formal letter from Don to say that unless I could double the profits in the next three months the hotel would close.’ He shook his head. ‘It’s impossible, Beth.’
