i 75f9a7096d34cea0 (11 page)

`Well now, I have an hour and fifteen minutes: I propose we eat for fifteen minutes and talk for the rest.`

`Well, I don't mind eating for fifteen minutes, and I am quite willing to listen for an hour ...`

John Watson did take up most of the hour in talking, his topics ranging from prime ministers and their politics to women's rights, and when Pattie said, `Your pudding's getting cold, dear,` he paused for a while before starting again and saying, `Women have been treated abominably over the years, Daniel.

They haven't been able to call their soul their own: even the clothes on their back belonged to the husband. But that's all changed now because the new law means that, in the future, a married woman owns what is hers by right.`

Again Pattie interrupted John's flow. `Would you like tea or coffee, Dan?`

`Coffee, if you don't mind, Pattie.`

`How's the farm going?` John asked, having interpreted the cue from Pattie that he had monopolised the conversation long enough.

`Not as well as farms should go, John.`

Àre you going to stay on there?`

Ì can't see me doing anything else in the near future. Quite candidly, Father's not the only one who's waiting for Moira to come into her money, because I am, too. Then I may be able to make a change and start a life of my own.`

They drank the coffee in the sitting-room, the conversation being general until it was time for John to leave.

He shook Daniel's hand warmly, saying, `You must be in town every now and again, so pop in, and if this door's shut come round to my people's; that one's always open. They take in stray dogs, cats, beggars, so they wouldn't mind a young strapping farmer.`

`Go on with you,` Pattie pushed 135 her husband towards the door, and Daniel noted that they stood for some time in the narrow passage before she returned to the room, saying, `That's John. So you can understand how I'm enjoying my new life.`

`Yes, he's a very interesting man, a highly intelligent one and a modest one into the bargain. Such men are rare.`

`That's the word, Daniel, rare. He doesn't know his own value.`

`Well, he knows your value.`

Ì'm very lucky. I get fearful at nights at how lucky I've been, when I think that I might have been stuck in that house for the rest of my life because I had no assets except my mind.`

Òh, Pattie, don't be silly. You are attractive; always have been.`

She smiled softly at him and as he looked at her he marvelled at the change in her, the all-round change.

After a moment he said, Ì too will have to be going because I have some shopping to do; little bits of things for the children.` Then bowing his head, he said, Ì'm sorry, Pattie, I haven't got a present for you. Quite candidly I haven't any money at all. He never gives me a penny. I've got to rely on Moira slipping me something. Whether he gives money to her with the intention that she should give me some kind of allowance, I don't know. Of course, I'm only doing half time on the farm; the rest is with the children. But still, during those three days I'm working hour for hour with the men.

We'll have to have a showdown soon, or else I'll feel bound to make a move, in spite of Moira's pleadings. I wouldn't be there now if it wasn't for her.`

`You want to face up to him and tell him you're going to walk out unless he gives you a wage of some kind.`

Ìf I face up to him it'll mean another row and we'll likely come to more blows.`

He picked up his overcoat from a chair, and as he did so she opened a drawer and took out a parcel.

Ìt's nothing really,` she said as she gave it to him, ànd you'll find it full of mistakes. Believe it or not, I knitted it. It's what Moira would call a gansey.`

Òh, thank you, my dear. Thank you.Ànd Daniel felt a great tenderness for her when, standing in front of him, she buttoned his 137 overcoat from the neck downwards, then handed him his hat and, standing back from him, said, `Nobody would believe you're just seventeen. You could pass for twenty any day.`

Ì feel twenty; even older at times.Às she led the way to the door she said, Àre you seeing Frances Talbot these days?Ànd after a pause he answered, `Yes. Yes, I see her when I can.`

They were standing in the passage, she with the outer door in her hand, when she looked at him and said, Ìs it serious? I mean--`

Ì know what you mean, Pattie. Yes, with me it is, and I think it is with her, too. Oh, yes, with her, too.`

`You never thought about Janie Farringdon?`

He gave an embarrassed laugh now as he said, `You said that to me once before. No, I've never thought about Janie. She's a nice enough girl, but not for me. I think I've always loved Frances, and I can't imagine myself ever wanting anyone else.`

She leant forward now and kissed him on the cheek; then he went out, saying, `Happy Christmas, Pattie. And to John, too; I forgot to wish him it.`

Ànd the same to you, Daniel. And if I don't see you before the new year, let's hope it's a happy one for you.`

He turned his head away and pursed his lips but didn't confirm her words.

She watched him walk down the street. He was a fine-looking boy who looked like a man, but when he grew to manhood he would be striking. As she closed the door she said to herself, I wish it had been Janie he had fallen for. Frances is too beautiful to be good for him, or anyone else, for that matter; in fact, I think she's a flibbertigibbet.

5

It was 1888 and the second Sunday in June. Frances was walking with Daniel to the turnpike, and as they made their way through the wood, she said, Òh, Ray is funny. You know, when he met us in the town yesterday and took Mother and me into that café for coffee, he did one of his animal imitations. It was of a hen cackling, and although he

did it quietly and had Mother nearly 139 choking, the people at the next table brought the three of us into fits, as the woman looked on the floor expecting, I'm sure, to see a hen. Oh, he is funny.`

Stopping suddenly and pulling her round to face him he did what, for weeks past, he had told himself he would do on the following Sunday; he leant forward and kissed her on the lips.

Standing apart once more she looked first up the road then along the wood path before saying, Òh, Daniel, you ... you really shouldn't. Anyone could ... could have come along.`

`Have we ever before met a soul on this walk? Anyway, you wanted me to kiss you, didn't you? You wanted it as much as I did. That's why you kept on about Ray--`

`No. No, it wasn't.` For a moment she was indignant; then, her head drooping, she said, `Yes, Daniel, yes, I did. I ... I've been longing for you to kiss me.`

Òh, Frances.` He put his arms around her now and, holding her close, he said, Ì don't know why I haven't had the nerve to do it before. I've thought about you every night and what it would be like and ... Oh! Frances.Àgain his mouth was on hers and now she was responding enthusiastically.

When the kiss was finished and their agitated breaths were fanning each other's face, he said firmly, `Will you marry me, Frances?` But when, in response, she went all coy again, saying, Òh, my! my goodness!

We've only ... Well, I mean--` he almost barked at her, `Stop that! One minute you talk sensibly and the next like some silly village girl, with "We've only ... well" and "Well, I mean ..."`

When, with surprising strength, she pushed him violently away, his back came up against a tree, and there he remained staring at her as in a voice as strident as his, she cried, Ì'll thank you not to link me up with silly village girls. One minute you ask me to marry you, and then you tell me what you think of me. Well, as my father says, there's more fish in the sea than has ever been caught. And you're not the only one who has been wanting to kiss me, let me tell you; and his people are loaded with money and not breaking their necks to make ends meet.Ànd on this she bounced her head at him before flouncing away.

He made no move to follow her, 141 nor did he make any call to her to stay, but gazed after her in amazement. She had given him a big taste of her sensible side and he didn't like it. He knew she was referring to Ray, but he felt positive she was jumping to conclusions there, because Ray was jolly with everyone. His aim in life seemed to be to make others laugh; in a way he was akin to Moira and Maggie Ann. Moreover, Ray was his friend, the only real friend he had.

His head drooped, and walking slowly and thoughtfully he made his way towards home. He was already apologising to her in his mind and what was more, next Sunday he would speak to her father and ask him if he was agreeable to his courting her. And if that was made public, well, then they would be engaged ...

then they would get married. When? This he didn't know; he could put no date to it, because he'd have to earn a living now.

His step quickened: he must speak to his father straight out and tell him he'd have to have some kind of a permanent wage, or go into the town and find work. One thing--there would be no need to worry about accommodation: Pattie and John would welcome him.

He had it all cut and dried; it just needed carrying out.

It was the following morning at about nine thirty when Maggie Ann's voice calling stridently, `Daniel!

Daniel!` brought him and the children from the schoolroom on to the landing, and there, looking down on the excited face of Maggie Ann, he asked, `What is it?`

`Come down here a minute. I have news for you ... no, not you lot! Get back into your lessons, every one of you.`

Ì want a wee-wee, Maggie Ann.`

`You're havin' no wee-wee at this minute, Annie. 'Tisn't five minutes ago since you emptied your bladder, so get back with the rest of them there. See to her, Patrick; and you'd better put her on the pot in case she wets the floor.`

By the time Maggie Ann's tirade had ended Daniel had reached the foot of the stairs, and now she drew him by the arm along the short passage and into the corridor. There she stopped and, her hands now clasped between her great breasts, she said, Ìt's come at last: God's taken her. A letter's just arrived. She died on 143 Thursday, and likely they're putting her into the ground at this minute, God rest her soul.` She looked up towards the ceiling. `The letter's from Brian. He says he'll be over, once the will's been read, to see herself. Oh, I can't believe it.` She stretched her arms wide. Àfter all these years of waiting she'll have a bit of money of her own, and a big bit at that, from what I understand. And I've warned her to see that he doesn't get his hands on it, but to put it straight into the English bank. And put your name on it, I said. But she's got it all planned out. We'll go right into the heart of Newcastle and first she'll rig out the bairns and then see to herself, because she's never had a new thing for God knows how long.`

`Does my father know?`

Òh yes, he knows. He's in the study with her now. And you know something? He spoke civil to me. For the first time in his life he's spoken civil to me. You know, Daniel, that man represents all Englishmen, 'cos when he wants anything he'll kiss you on the mouth, an' when he's got it he'll put his toe in your arse. So I've warned her, "Don't listen to his palaver," I said, for it'll be another horse he wants, a hunter.

Oh aye, not a plough horse, an' the carriage mended and his debts paid. Anyway, lad, God send Brian quickly. But while I'm on about what she'll do with the money, one of the first things will be to see to you, lad, and put you on your feet, perhaps send you back to your learnin', if that's what you want.Às she hurried away all smiles, he climbed the attic stairs again, a smile on his face, for the prospects were bright. She would set him up; yes, he was sure of that. Whatever he wanted to do she would set him up. But he would have to go back to school to get to university. Oh no! not that now because, in that case, it would be years before he could think of marrying Frances. No, he would start some business, a shop of some kind. The Meltons started in a small way, so he understood, with a house window shop over the water in Howdon. Well, he could start in a small way too.

As he re-entered the schoolroom Patrick demanded, `What is it, Daniel? What's Maggie Ann so excited about? Is it good news?`

`Yes, it's good news, 145 Patrick.` He patted the boy's dark head, then sat down at the table and, looking from one to the other, he said, `How would you like to go into Newcastle to the shops and have new clothes bought you?`

À real suit, with knickerbockers?`

`Yes, Patrick, a real suit, with knickerbockers.`

Ì want a pretty dress.`

`Well, you'll have a pretty dress, Margaret.` Now Daniel looked at Sean. `What would you like, Sean?`

he asked him.

The boy lowered his head to one side for a moment, then said, Ì'll have a big cap, one that comes over me ears and covers me nose, shuts me mouth up and reaches me toes.Às they all laughed, Daniel put his hand across the table and gently slapped the hand that was holding the slate, and Patrick cried, `He's like Mama, he's got a silly head.`

`Your mother hasn't got a silly head,` Daniel reprimanded the boy now. And Patrick said, Ì didn't mean silly, but always making

up rhymes.`

`Come on, all of you, back to work. We were counting the sheep that were left in the field after the farmer had lost four and bought six.`

Just as Daniel was about to ask, Well, how many are in the field now? seeing that there were twenty-nine in the beginning, Moira's voice was heard calling, `Daniel! Daniel!Ònce again he sprang up, and this time the children came with him and followed him on to the attics landing where, from the foot of the stairs, she cried, `Come down a minute. Yes. Yes, and let them come too. All of you! All of you!`

When once more he was standing in the corridor, with the children bouncing round them, he looked at Moira and said quietly, Ì'm so glad, Moira.`

She now linked her arm in his, and as they walked towards the stairhead she said, Ìf you are glad, boyo, just imagine how I feel at this moment. From a child, I have known that my Auntie Mattie loved me. She hadn't any children of her own and she would have taken me, only my ma wouldn't let me go. But she always said that whatever she had was mine. That was before she married O'Leary, and he was a man of property, and although she was my father's