A Mother's Duty (28 page)

‘I don’t know what to say,’ said Celia, shifting her gaze from Kitty’s face to polish the doctor’s brass plate with more than her customary vigour.

‘Do you want a day to think about it?’

‘Perhaps that would be best.’ She rubbed her cheek absently on her outstretched arm. ‘What does—? Have you—? Would I live in for the two weeks?’ she asked with a rush.

‘There’s a small guest room you can have. We’re never full at this time of year. When is Dr Galloway leaving for Scotland?’

‘The day after tomorrow. He’s going by the night express. He’s going to see his brother.’

‘Let me know by tomorrow then whether you’d like to come.’

‘Rightio. And thanks Mrs Ry – Mrs McLeod for thinking about me,’ said the girl, squeezing the duster between her hands and smiling. ‘I’ll think about it.’

Kitty said, ‘I’m sure we can make you feel at home – and you can have Christmas Day off to go and see your mother.’

‘Thanks.’

Kitty turned for home but she had not got far when Celia came dashing after her. ‘I’ve thought. I’ll come,’ said the girl.

‘Fine,’ said Kitty. ‘See you Saturday then.’

Celia nodded, thanked her again and ran back up the street.

That girl smiles with her whole heart
, thought Kitty, and decided that perhaps she had better mention what she had done to Mick. She got her opportunity later when they were alone in the Smoking Room.

‘It looks lovely, doesn’t it?’ said Mick as he gazed at the candlelit and tinsel-bedecked tree.

‘Lovely,’ echoed Kitty, glancing at it before breaking a large lump of coal with the poker. She watched tiny jets of flame set alight the gas that hissed from fissures and thought with half her mind what a gift from God fire was. ‘By the way, son, I’ve asked Celia if she would like to come and work for us for a couple of weeks. Dr Galloway’s going to be away and I could do with some extra help. I’ve been feeling tired lately.’

Mick said casually, ‘If you want her to come let her come. It doesn’t make any difference to me.’

Oh, doesn’t it!
she thought, not deceived. ‘That’s OK then.’ She smiled. ‘The poor girl’s upset. We’ll have to do our best to cheer her up.’

Mick nodded and went out of the room whistling.

Celia arrived the day before Christmas Eve. ‘Last shopping day before Christmas,’ said Kitty to those gathered in the kitchen. ‘We can flop after today. Make Sunday a real day of rest, but now there’s still work to do. Celia, would you empty the ashtrays in the Smoking Room and give the place a thorough going over. Then go on to the dining room. Hannah’s started on the bedrooms. You can help her upstairs after you’ve finished downstairs.’

‘Can I put a note on the Smoking Room chimney ledge, Ma?’ asked Ben.

‘Why?’ asked Mick, slipping Nelson a bit of sausage and not looking in Celia’s direction. ‘You’ve already put one up the chimney in the front basement.’

‘I’m worried in case it got burnt up,’ said Ben anxiously. ‘You know that chimney’s funny.’

‘I’m sure Father Christmas read it first,’ said Kitty soothingly, getting her shopping baskets. She glanced at John. ‘Are you coming? It’ll be the last time for three days and I need your strong right arm.’

He looked up from the letter he had received that morning and said starkly, ‘My brother’s dead! Died a few months ago. Now apparently his daughter’s coming to England and wants to meet me.’

She put her hand on his shoulder. ‘Do I offer you my condolences? You didn’t really know him, did you?’

He shook his head. ‘The letter was sent to my sister. She sent it to Uncle Donald and the solicitor’s sent it on. You’ll remember I wrote to him about us getting married.’

‘She didn’t know your uncle was dead?’

‘Apparently not, although we did inform her. She’s enclosed a covering letter to him but there’s no address on it. It seems she’s moved.’ He turned the letter over and shrugged.

‘She doesn’t want you to get in touch,’ said Kitty positively.

‘Seems like it.’ He rustled the letter between his fingers and his expression was rueful. ‘There’s something really strange here, Kit. How is this for timing? My brother’s daughter’s ship—’

‘You mean your niece,’ she said helpfully.

‘My niece,’ he said obediently. ‘Her ship’s due to dock in Liverpool today.’

‘I don’t believe it!’

He raised three fingers. ‘Scouts’ honour!’

She groaned. ‘What d’you want to do?’

‘I suppose I should find out what time it’s due in. It’s not often a distant member of my family turns up out of the blue.’

‘We’ll have to put her up,’ she said starkly.

He nodded. ‘You were going to have a rest.’

‘I don’t think we’ve got much of a choice. We have to offer. She’s family.’ Suddenly it all seemed too much and she sank onto a chair, still clutching the shopping baskets. ‘Gosh, I wish Annie was here.’

John took the baskets from her. ‘You
are
tired if you feel like that. Perhaps I shouldn’t ask Nancy to stay.’

‘Don’t be daft!’ Kitty forced a smile. ‘It’s only one person. Hannah won’t be going anywhere for Christmas and Celia will be around on Boxing Day. But do I put off the O’Neills? And what about presents? Do we buy her a present?’

‘I’ll see to that.’ He helped her to her feet. ‘If I had my way I’d leave you here but you know what you want to buy. Let’s get it done. I can telephone Canadian Pacific from the Post Office and find out from them when the ship’s in.’

He glanced at his stepson. ‘Mick, I’ve made up the bills for those two sisters and that husband and wife. See you hand them over and get their money. No going out until it’s done, d’you hear?’

‘I hear,’ said Mick with a sigh. ‘But it’s all right for this evening, isn’t it?’

‘What’s this evening?’

‘We were all going to see
King of the Jungle
with Buster Crabbe, as well as Laurel and Hardy. You said it was your treat.’

‘Did I?’

Ben looked at John anxiously. ‘Yes, you did!’

‘I’d forgotten. We’ll have to see, laddie.’ He smiled and hustled Kitty out of the kitchen.

Mick and Ben exchanged glances. ‘We’ll have to see, laddie!’ Mick mimicked John’s voice and scowled. ‘Which probably means no now he’s got this woman arriving.’

Ben slipped a hand into his brother’s. ‘We could still go. You can take us.’

‘He was treating us and I’ve spent all my money with it being Christmas. I wish I hadn’t bought him those Marcella Whiffs now,’ said Mick moodily. John smoked only occasionally but when he did it was cigars or cheroots.

‘Perhaps Teddy’ll have some money,’ said Ben.

‘And perhaps he won’t.’

‘So what do we do?’ insisted Ben. ‘I want to see those films. I’ve heard they’re real good.’

‘I’ll have to think,’ said Mick, wishing Teddy hadn’t gone off to the yard but his brother had finished with school now and desperately wanted Laystall’s to take him on without his mother knowing.

The bell in reception sounded and Mick went out. It was the married couple. He put on a smile and handed them their bill. He took their money and helped them outside with their suitcase and parcels before wishing them a pleasant and safe journey home. Then he placed the money in his mother’s cash box and put that in the cupboard of the chiffonier and locked it. He slipped the key in his trouser pocket. When the two sisters arrived downstairs he helped carry their luggage to the station and received a tip.

As he re-entered the Arcadia he considered that if it hadn’t been for the big fella’s relative arriving they would have almost had the place to themselves. He thought of Celia for a moment and experienced a familiar ache, which had eased during the time he had avoided her, but which was now making itself felt once more. He decided he would carry on avoiding her whatever his mother and stepfather might think.

They reappeared an hour later but John only lingered to dump the shopping in the kitchen before going out again. ‘Make us a cup of tea, love,’ said Kitty.

Mick put on the kettle. ‘What’s happening, Ma? Is his niece coming to stay?’

‘Probably.’ She yawned. ‘We’ll eat in the dining room. Put a couple of tables together. I was going to do shepherd’s pie but it’ll have to be something a bit more fancy now.’

‘Your shepherd’s pie’s nice,’ said Ben, leaning against her knee. ‘Ma, what about the pictures? Will we be able to go?’

She put an arm around him and rested her cheek against his hair. ‘I don’t think so. Not if we’ve got a visitor.’

‘She might like to come.’

Kitty smiled. ‘To see
King of the Jungle
? I doubt it, son.’ She got to her feet and began to unpack the shopping.

John arrived back a few hours later in a taxi with a woman whose black coat was made less severe by the addition of a red hat, gloves and scarf. She had a round smiling face and her hair was brown with a few silver strands. ‘Kit, this is my niece Nancy Higson,’ said John, smiling.

‘Hello, Kitty!’ Nancy held out a hand. ‘It seems ridiculous that I’m his niece, doesn’t it? It’s good to meet you and real nice of you to offer to put me up. As I’ve got nobody left now Pop’s gone I thought I’d make the trip.’

Kitty returned Nancy’s infectious smile. ‘You’re welcome. Is your husband—?’

‘Dead. Damn war.’ She smiled at the boys. ‘These yours? I never had any kids myself. It was a real grief to me but there it is.’

Kitty introduced Mick and Ben who shook hands politely. She told Mick to ask Celia to make tea and bring in the sandwiches and cakes and to tell her that when she had finished could she ask Hannah to make up another bed. Reluctantly Mick went to do as he was told.

He found Celia in the bedroom vacated by the sisters from Todmorton. ‘Ma wants you to make tea for four and bring in some cakes.’

‘OK.’ Celia did not look up but carried on polishing the tallboy.

‘Now,’ said Mick loudly.

She dropped the duster on the floor and brushed past him with her nose in the air.

Mick felt a little better. He had not forgotten what she had said about his getting away with things because his mother was the boss.

When he arrived downstairs Ben was hanging around in the hall with Teddy, who had a smear of oil across his chin. Ben pounced on Mick. ‘What are we going to do about the pictures?’

‘I don’t see how there’s anything we can do. Unless—’ He glanced at Teddy. ‘How much have you got?’

‘Sixpence. I’ve spent up … bought Ma some chocs in a rather nice box.’

‘That’s it then.’ Mick sighed as he emptied his pockets and gazed at his threppence tip and the key on the palm of his hand. ‘We haven’t got enough.’

‘Perhaps Ma would give us the extra?’ said Ben, scuffing his feet against the bottom of the chiffonier.

Mick shook his head. ‘She’s too busy with the visitor to be bothered about us going the pictures.’

‘So that means we don’t go and all because of his blinking relatives,’ muttered Teddy, looking fed up.

‘One relative,’ said Mick, fingering the key now back in his pocket. ‘There’s money in the cash box.’

His brothers stared at him. ‘We could borrow five shillings,’ said Teddy. ‘If we go now we’ll make first house and we won’t really be missed ’cos we’ll be back for dinner.’

Mick hesitated. ‘I didn’t mean—’

‘Then why say it?’ demanded Teddy. ‘We can pay it back can’t we?’

‘Yep, but – I’m not so sure if we should take money without asking.’

‘You want to see the film, don’t you?’ hissed Teddy. ‘And they’re taking no notice of us.’

‘Of course!’ Before he could change his mind Mick went over to the chiffonier.

He was just putting the box back when Celia came out of the Smoking Room. They started at each other and he felt himself flushing. He shut and locked the cupboard door swiftly and, without looking at her again, joined his brothers and left the hotel.

The boys enjoyed the films but they had no sooner come through the front door than John came out of the dining room and confronted them. ‘Have you three been to the pictures?’

‘Yes! Is there anything wrong with that?’ said Mick. ‘We’re not late for dinner.’

‘No, you’re not late for dinner but we couldn’t find the key to the cash box and we wanted to get some drink but had no money because we had spent up.’

Mick reddened and took the key from his pocket. ‘Sorry. I didn’t think.’

John smiled. ‘That’s OK. You’d all best get changed.’

The brothers were halfway upstairs when Mick remembered about the money he had taken and wished it was his mother who had asked for the key. He hurried downstairs to find John counting the money. His stepfather did not look up as Mick placed a hand on the edge of the chiffonier, feeling dreadfully nervous. Celia came along the passageway, carrying a laden tray. Mick cleared his throat. ‘I borrowed five shillings,’ he said huskily.

John looked up. ‘Borrowed?’

‘Yes! Borrowed!’ Mick was aware that Celia had paused in front of the dining-room door. ‘Ben really wanted to see that film and we didn’t have enough money.’

‘You should have asked.’

Mick’s face went red. ‘I know! But you were busy and so was Ma. It was difficult.’

‘I’m sure it was.’

‘It was!’ Mick’s voice had risen. He was convinced his stepfather was being sarcastic at his expense. ‘It’s not as if I was stealing! I mean I wouldn’t have done it if you’d still been taking us to the flicks.’

‘You’ve no cause to blame me,’ said John mildly. ‘What was I supposed to do, Mick, dump my niece to please you?’

‘No! But – hell! You could have thought of giving us the money. It’s not often you give us anything.’

‘It isn’t is it? Do you believe I should?’

‘No, well! I don’t know if you’ve got any of that money left that your uncle left you. You could be hard up again for all I know.’

John looked amused. ‘Forget it, Mick. And forget the five shillings.’

‘No! I’ll pay it back. It’s Ma’s money after all. This is her hotel,’ said Mick crossly, and turning away he ran upstairs.

As he changed he wondered at his temerity in saying what he had. Would there be repercussions?

Mick avoided looking John’s way as he entered the dining room but was conscious of him nevertheless. Somehow this evening his stepfather’s presence seemed to fill the room as he amused his niece and wife with tales of his travels. Mick wondered at him and felt a reluctant admiration, considering how he would have been ashamed to have admitted to tramping the length of Britain and busking in its streets, but the women hung on John’s every word.