Emma (30 page)

He looked annoyed, as if he resented my self confidence. I realized he’d expected me to accept his offer at once, to be grateful that he was giving me the chance to be his wife. But my father’s pact with Richard had made me suspicious.

‘Does it have something to do with money?’ I saw a tiny pulse in his throat and knew I had guessed correctly. ‘I know I’m right Paul, so you might as well tell me.’

His eyes flashed with sudden temper as I pushed him too far. ‘I wouldn’t have put it quite so bluntly, Emma. And I do care for you, but my father changed his will just before he died. He left my inheritance in trust. I can’t touch a penny until I marry, and I would rather marry you than anyone else I know.’

Because when he had last seen me I had been an innocent, adoring and biddable girl!

A coldness crept down my spine. Any feeling I might have retained towards him vanished in that moment. I saw him for the selfish man he was and had always been.

‘Jon is worth ten of you,’ I said. ‘You can see James this once if you want to, but that’s it. I don’t ever want to see you again.’

He stared at me in silence for a moment. I had shocked him. He did not know quite how to react or how to treat the new Emma, so he resorted to resentment, putting the blame on me.

‘You’ve changed. You’ve become hard. It isn’t very becoming.’

‘If I have changed, you had a part in it.’

He nodded. ‘I suppose I did,’ he said. ‘In that case, I’m sorry. I preferred you as you were, Emma.’ He turned to leave.

‘Don’t you even want to see James once?’

Paul glanced at me, the expression in his eyes a mixture of regret and annoyance. ‘There doesn’t seem to be much point, does there? Anyway, he probably isn’t mine anyway.’ His parting shot was meant to hurt, because I had wounded his pride.

The old Emma might have wept or screamed at him, but his hurtful remarks meant nothing to me. I smiled serenely as he paused for a moment, unsure, then went out without another word.

Mother came in with the tea. ‘I’m glad you sent him packing, Emma. It’s what he deserved.’

‘Yes, it was,’ I replied. ‘Paul wanted to use me, Mum, and I don’t intend to let anyone do that again.’

‘Not all men are like that,’ she said, frowning. ‘I’ve been hurt too, Emma, but I’ve discovered that it is possible to love again.’

‘I know.’ I smiled and kissed her cheek. ‘Are you telling me I ought to marry Jon?’

‘That’s up to you. He’s a decent man, but do you love him? Enough to marry him?’

‘I’m …’

I was interrupted by the sound of Ben’s voice calling to me from the bottom of the stairs. I went out to the hallway, looking down at him.

‘What is it, Ben?’

‘Emma, there’s some people here to see you and I’ve got customers. Shall I send these gentlemen up?’

‘Who are they?’

‘It’s the police, Inspector Martin and a constable.’

My heart took a flying leap. ‘Yes, of course. Ask them to come up now, Ben.’

I smoothed a wisp of hair behind my ear. I was beginning to tremble and I felt breathless.

A man wearing a dark suit came up the stairs. He was accompanied by a young constable in uniform.

‘Mrs Gillows?’ he asked.

‘Yes.’ I took a deep breath to steady myself. ‘Will you come into the parlour, Inspector?’

‘Are you alone here, madam?’

He had reached the hall. I could see what he had to say was serious.

‘My mother is here. Please come through. We were just going to have a cup of tea.’

He followed me into the parlour. Mother was sitting in her armchair by the fire. She looked at me and I could see she was nervous.

‘Will you join us in a cup of tea?’ I asked.

‘I think you should sit down, Mrs Gillows. I have something to tell you. Something unpleasant, I’m afraid.’

I perched on the edge of the sofa. Inspector Martin stood by the fireplace. I held my breath, waiting for him to go on.

‘This may be a shock for you, madam.’

I expelled my breath on a sigh, sensing what was coming. ‘Is it about Richard? Have you caught him?’

‘Your husband was seen down by the railway this morning.’ He paused and frowned. ‘Apparently some lads spotted him.’

Mother gasped. ‘He’s come back? You were right, Emma. He’s not going to give up that easily.’

‘He won’t be causing you more trouble, Mrs Robinson,’ the young constable said, then went red as Inspector Martin looked at him.

‘Unfortunately, the lads didn’t come to us,’ the Inspector went on. ‘They ran home and told their parents. It seems some of the men got together. There has been bad feeling towards Mr Gillows because of what happened to Mrs Jacobs. Several local men decided to go after him …’

‘Did they find him?’ I asked, a cold shiver trickling down my spine. ‘I was afraid something like this might happen. Gran was well liked. Is Richard hurt? I know some of the men have threatened to teach him a lesson.’

The Inspector cleared his throat. ‘I’m afraid your husband is dead, madam. As you said, Mrs Jacobs was well liked locally. The men went after Mr Gillows. I understand there was a bit of a fight. Mr Gillows managed to break away from them. He ran across the track, in front of a non-stop train. He must have been killed almost instantly.’

Mother’s hand went to her mouth, but she didn’t say anything. She was obviously shocked.

‘Will any of the men involved be arrested?’ I asked, feeling numb. At that moment I neither hated nor pitied Richard. I had no feelings at all. It was as if I was listening to a story about a stranger. ‘I know what they did was wrong, but it was for the right reasons. I know Richard killed Gran. If he had been taken he would surely have been hanged. My husband was a train driver, sir. He knew the times of the trains better than anyone. If he ran across that track …’

‘Are you suggesting that he might have done it deliberately?’

‘Perhaps. I don’t know.’

‘None of us will ever know,’ he agreed. ‘As far as I have been told, none of the men concerned have actually been named.’

I felt relief wash over me. ‘I’m glad. There has been enough grief already, Inspector. It might be better if Richard’s death was the end of the matter.’

He was silent for a moment; then he nodded. ‘I think I agree with you, Mrs Gillows. In the circumstances, this may be easier for you and Mrs Robinson. A trial could only have caused you both further pain, prolonged the gossip and unpleasantness.’

‘Yes.’ I looked at my mother. ‘We want to put all this behind us now, don’t we, Mum?’

She smiled as the tension left her. ‘Yes. I am to be married soon, Inspector Martin. A trial would have been most unpleasant.’

He nodded and expressed his good wishes, then turned to face me. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Gillows,’ He was looking at me with sympathy. ‘I have to ask you if you would mind identifying the body.’

‘I’ll do that,’ Mother said. ‘Emma has been through enough. I’ve known Richard Gillows all my life. Surely my word will be enough?’

‘It’s all right, Mum,’ I said. ‘I can do this. You go down and relieve Ben. He has to go to a dentist this afternoon.’ I looked at the Inspector. ‘Do you want me to come with you now?’

I gave a little cry of admiration as Mother came out of her bedroom that morning. ‘You look lovely, Mum,’ I said. ‘That dress I bought from London suits you, and the hat.’

‘Thank you, Emma. I feel grand. I’ve never had anything as smart as this before.’ She moved towards me and we embraced, laughing but also close to tears. ‘Mr Baker said he would be here at eleven, and the cars are booked for a quarter past.’

‘We’ve been through all this, Mum,’ I said teasing her. ‘Everything is going to be all right. There’s no need to worry.’

She nodded but still looked anxious. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind staying here alone?’

‘I’m not in the least nervous. Besides, it won’t be for long. Ben is leaving next week. Mr Smythe is going to sort everything out for me, and then he’ll let the shop to a tenant, who will buy the stock at valuation. I’m going to give that to you and Bert, Mum. It’s my wedding present to you.’

‘You’ve already given me this dress and …’ She smiled as I shook my head at her. ‘All right, if it’s what you want, love. You’re quite sure about leaving here?’

‘I’m sure.’

She nodded, then looked thoughtful.

‘You did invite Mr Reece to the wedding?’

‘Yes, Mum. I invited Jon.’

‘But you haven’t heard anything?’

‘No. He hasn’t replied to my letter.’

‘That seems a bit odd.’

It was so easy to read her mind. She wanted me to marry Jon, because she thought I would be safe with him.

‘There may be lots of reasons. Jon isn’t like Paul. He’ll be in touch as soon as he can. Stop worrying about me, I’m a big girl now. I can look after myself.’

‘Of course you can.’ She laughed at herself. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s wedding nerves, I expect.’

‘Yes, I expect so.’ We both heard the shop doorbell. ‘I should think that’s Mary and Mr Baker now at the door. I’ll run down and let them in. Sit down and relax, Mum. I promise you, nothing is going to go wrong.’

I was singing to myself as I went downstairs and through the shop. It was closed for the day because Ben was coming to the wedding with his parents. I stared at the silhouette of the man outside the shop window. That wasn’t Mary’s father …

Opening the door, I hesitated as I saw the distinctive uniform of the RAF. Then its wearer turned and I realized it was Jon. My heart took a flying leap as I stared at him in surprise.

‘You’ve been called up!’

‘Actually, I didn’t wait for the summons,’ he said. ‘I volunteered for service as a navigator. I’ve been away for a couple of weeks, Emma, being assessed and going through the medical checks. That’s why I didn’t get your letter until now.’

‘Come in,’ I said, standing back to admit him. ‘I knew there had to be a reason, but I didn’t expect this. You look very splendid, Jon.’ I moved towards him impulsively. ‘I’m proud of you. I think it was a wonderful thing to do.’

‘You look lovely,’ he said, ‘but then, you always do. I’ve missed you, Emma.’

‘I’ve missed you. Very much.’ We moved closer, then Jon bent his head, kissing me very gently on the mouth.

‘I love you.’ His eyes sought mine. ‘Paul came to see you?’

‘Yes. He came, and I sent him away.’

‘When he told me he was going to ask you to marry him, I thought perhaps you might accept?’

‘I could never marry him, Jon. Surely you know that?’

‘He told me you had refused him. Are you sure about that?’

‘Quite sure.’

‘Does that mean …’

We were interrupted by the arrival of Mary, her father and her husband. The frustration in Jon’s eyes made me want to giggle, but I controlled the impulse.

‘If you’d like to go upstairs,’ I invited, ‘Mum is waiting for you.’

I caught Jon’s arm as they went past us, holding him back.

‘We can’t talk properly now,’ I said. ‘Can you come back here this evening, after everyone has gone?’

‘I have two weeks leave before training begins,’ Jon said. ‘I thought we might possibly spend them together?’

‘We’ll talk about it later,’ I promised. ‘Come on, Mum will be wondering where I’ve got to and she’s already in a fret.’

Despite Mother’s fears, the wedding went smoothly. I shed a few tears as she took her vows and I thought about my father and all the wasted years. Then Jon took my hand in his and I smiled up at him as the regrets slipped away. There was no point in looking back. The past was over and done. I was free now, free to choose my own way.

The ceremony was soon over. We followed Mum and her new husband from the church to the sound of pealing bells. People were outside waiting to throw confetti and taking photographs.

Jon took several with his own camera, including some of me holding James, who had slept throughout the service. Everyone was laughing and talking excitedly. It was a happy occasion and I could see the love in my mother’s eyes as she looked at her new husband. I felt so glad that at last she had found something to make her life worthwhile.

The reception was being held at a nearby hotel. Mum and Bert went in a car with flowers and ribbons all over it, but it was a nice day, warm and sunny, so most of the guests walked across the road and round the corner.

‘We’ve only invited a few friends,’ I told Jon. ‘And there isn’t going to be an evening party. Just a sit-down meal for twenty of us.’

‘Which means we’ll be soon be alone.’

The smile he gave me made my heart jerk. Jon was obviously intending to ask me to marry him again and I didn’t know what answer to give him.

I watched as he moved amongst the other guests at the reception, meeting our friends, all of whom were strangers to him. He had an easy, friendly manner. People laughed when he made a joke. It was obvious that he lived in another world from most of them, yet they weren’t uncomfortable with him.

Jon was truly a gentleman, much more so than Paul. He was kind and generous, and I couldn’t imagine him ever raising his hand to anyone in anger, especially a woman. He had an air of authority about him, and I thought he would scarcely need even to raise his voice to make himself heard. He was the kind of man others looked to with respect.

He turned at me as the toasts were drunk, and smiled. ‘To Greta and Bert,’ he whispered. ‘And to us, Emma.’

I nodded and sipped my drink. ‘To happiness,’ I said, ‘for all of us.’

It was past six o’clock when we returned to the shop together. Jon had driven my mother and Bert to the station, then returned to the hotel to fetch me after I’d seen all our guests on their way. Mary had taken James home with her earlier and had promised to give him his bottle.

‘I’ll bring him round later,’ she’d told me. ‘After you and Jon have had a little time together.’ She cuddled James to her, kissing the top of his head. ‘Perhaps I’ll keep him. He’s such a little love, Emma.’

I smiled, thinking that Mary was getting broody. It wouldn’t be long before she wanted a baby of her own.

‘Yes, he is. I’m very lucky.’

It was odd, but after all the pain and grief of the past months I was beginning to feel very different. I loved my son and life seemed sweet, full of promise for the future.