A Family Christmas Read online

  She leaned on the railings and looked out to sea. She clutched her hat as the wind threatened to tear it away from her, then she called out across the sand, ‘Thank you, Joe, for the love and the memories.’ Then she turned and looked up at the great tower, memories flooding through her. They had stood way up there as they tried to locate the street and the little boarding house where they had stayed with Joe’s sister as a chaperon. Joe had pointed out the Isle of Man and North Wales. Then he had taken her in his arms, kissed her and asked her to marry him. ‘We shall come back here on our honeymoon,’ he had promised. They had danced in the ballroom and he had told her she looked like a queen in her maroon fine wool dress and shoes to match. Then they had returned to Cragstone and heartbreak. Until now, she had never returned to the resort, afraid of the memories, but she would come again, if God chose to preserve her long enough, and next time she would go to the ballroom and relive those wonderful days, in memory of Joe. She sighed and set off back. Nellie would need her help with a house full of hungry guests. Then she smiled to herself; Nellie Johnson wouldn’t need an old woman’s help. She was young and could cope well enough on her own. She stood waiting for a tramcar to pass and suddenly her hat went flying like a kite along the promenade.

  A young couple ran, trying to catch it, but all in vain. ‘Eh, love, don’t bother. It’ll be almost at Squires Gate by now,’ Mrs Cooper laughed and they laughed with her. They reminded her of her and Joe all those years ago. She hoped they would have more years together than they had had. It had been so short, but oh so sweet. She wondered where her hat would end up.

  She called after the couple, who were walking away, ‘I looked daft in that hat anyway.’

  Lucy and John had spent an enjoyable hour building sandcastles on the beach for Bernard and Rosie, and burying Bernard up to the waist in sand. Then they had fed the seagulls with bread brought from the breakfast table. Bernard shrieked and waved his arms excitedly at the squawking birds.

  ‘I suppose we’d better go back. Our Nellie said dinner would be ready at one. She should have let us all help.’

  John laughed. ‘Your Nellie’s quite capable of catering for a house full.’

  ‘Oh, John. Have you ever seen a house like it? Tom must be really wealthy to afford a place like that.’

  ‘Well, it’s good to see one of the family doing well for herself. He’ll make your Nellie a good husband, and a generous one.’

  ‘Yes, it was a lovely wedding and it was good of them to open their home to all us lot.’

  ‘Aye, it was a grand wedding.’ John caught Lucy’s eye. ‘But do you know what?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I enjoyed ours much more.’

  Lucy took his hand. ‘So did I, and I wouldn’t swap you and our two for anything, not even our Nellie’s house, or Tom’s car, not even the chance to live here at the seaside.’

  ‘Me neither.’ John rose to his feet and lifted Rosie from Lucy’s arms so she could put on her shoes. ‘But I must admit I’m looking forward to one of your Nellie’s dinners. I’m starving.’

  ‘So am I. According to Mrs Cooper it’s the Blackpool air.’

  John breathed in, filling his lungs with the salt air. ‘I think she’s right.’ He handed Rosie back to her mother and stood Bernard on the wooden steps to shift the sand from his feet. He took off the little boy’s clothes and shook them clean, then when they were ready they left the beach behind and climbed the steps.

  ‘Bye bye, birds.’ Bernard waved to the gulls. ‘Can we come again?’ He looked questioningly at John.

  ‘Yes, son, we’ll come again. I don’t know when, but I promise we’ll come again.’ Bernard skipped happily by John’s side. ‘And Rosie, and Mam?’ Lucy glanced sharply at John. She thought Bernard had got over Evelyn by now, but he obviously hadn’t. Then the little boy looked up at John and said, ‘And dad?’

  There were tears in the eyes of Lucy and John, but they were tears of joy now they had been accepted by Bernard as his parents. A family at last – albeit not a legal one, but a family all the same.

  At four o’clock the chara left Blackpool, with the teenagers high-spirited and richer from the friendships they had made over the past two days, two tired children destined to sleep for most of the journey, and Mrs Cooper reliving the past, uncertain of the future and minus a hat. The rest of them were relaxed and feeling better for the change, but knew they would be back to the grindstone tomorrow, with the benefits of the weekend wiped away by the day-to-day routine.

  Lucy lay back and closed her eyes, considering how the Gabbitas family had almost gone. Only Ben and Will now to carry on the family name. God willing, Will would eventually find a loving partner like the rest of them.

  ‘Well, that seemed to go very well.’ Tom sank down into the leather armchair and Nellie came and perched on the arm. ‘But it’s good to have you all to myself again.’

  ‘Thanks, Tom.’

  ‘Thanks? What for?’

  ‘For sharing our honeymoon with my family and friends. Not many husbands would have done that.’

  ‘Nellie, my love, whatever makes you happy makes me happy too. Besides, they’re my family too now. It’s great to have brothers and sisters at last, even if they are only in-laws.’ Tom drew her down onto his knee and ran his fingers up her silk stockings. ‘But now, this is where the fun starts.’ Nellie kissed him, a deep, lingering kiss, then drew away.

  ‘Oh, Tom, I coped, I really did. I cooked for a full house and it all went well. Do you really think I could manage to take in boarders?’

  ‘Course you could, I never doubted it. Only …’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Not for another month at least. That’s how long our honeymoon’s going to last. Starting from now.’ Tom undid one of Nellie’s suspenders, then another and slowly rolled down her stocking. Then the other one. He was just in the process of slipping down her satin French knickers when the doorbell rang. ‘Bloody hell. Let them go away. They’ll think we’re out,’ Tom said, pulling Nellie back towards him as she fumbled for her stockings.

  ‘Tom, we can’t. Besides, we’ve a month in which to enjoy ourselves, or so you just promised me.’

  ‘OK, but whoever it is don’t make them welcome.’

  ‘We weren’t disturbing anything, were we?’ Margaret bustled in.

  ‘Not at all.’ Nellie ushered her in-laws through to the lounge, hoping her husband had managed to control his painful erection, and that their visitors weren’t intending to stay for very long.

  Chapter Sixteen

  MR GRUNDY WONDERED what was the matter with Robbie. The lad hadn’t been himself for a while, but he didn’t like to pry. There was no change in his work – in fact he was working harder and longer than ever. As Mr Grundy said to his wife, ‘It’s blooming unnatural, a lad of his age spending all those hours working. It’s as though ee doesn’t want to go ’ome.’

  ‘Perhaps ee feels lost now both ’is brothers ’ave married and moved out. I mean, it isn’t as though the vicar’s ’is kith and kin, is it?’

  ‘No. There is that. But I think the lad’s miserable and I might ’ave a word with ’is brother.’

  ‘He might not thank yer for interfering. It might just be that the lad’s in love. I know ee spends ’is days off with the Greenwood girl.’

  ‘Aye, maybe you’re right, lass. Yer usually are. But I’ll keep an eye on ’im all’t same.’ Mr Grundy filled his pipe. ‘Yer see, lass, I think a lot of that lad. I expect ee’s become like a son to me.’

  ‘I know. The son we never ’ad. I’m sorry for that.’

  ‘Nay, lass, it were better we didn’t ’ave any, what with there being a chance of it not being right. It were my side to blame, not yours.’

  ‘It were nobody to blame. We were just being sensible, that’s all.’

  ‘Any road up.’ Mr Grundy changed the subject. ‘I think a lot of that lad and if I can ’elp ’im I shall. So we’ll keep an eye on ’im, shall we?’

  �
�Aye, we’ll do that. As it ’appens I’ve taken to ’im meself. Maybe we should offer ’im a home wi’ us.’

  ‘You’re a good woman, but like yer said, we’ll ’ang on a bit and see.’

  Robbie was unhappy. Getting away from the vicarage for the weekend had made him even more unsettled. He wanted to be with Dot all the time, but he’d have been content to wait had it not been for Prudence. Robbie realised the girl was obsessed with him, flaunting herself at every opportunity, yet devious enough to show indifference, even contempt towards him whilst in the company of her parents. The Monday after the wedding he paid a visit to John and Lucy.

  ‘Robert! Come in.’ Lucy lifted the kettle off the fire and mashed a pot of tea.

  ‘Is our John at home?’

  ‘Yes, he’s just taken Bernard a walk up the allotments. He’s after getting one for himself in order to keep some chickens. Sit down. He’ll be back in a minute.’ Lucy thought her brother-in-law looked a bit miserable. ‘Is something the matter, Robert?’

  ‘It’s Prudence Goodman. She’s trying to cause trouble between me and Dot. I can’t stand it for much longer.’

  Lucy poured two cups of tea. ‘What kind of trouble?’

  ‘Luring me into her room. Undoing her blouse. Oh I know it doesn’t sound much, but she’s weird.’

  Lucy had always thought the vicar’s daughter weird. ‘Oh, I thought she’d become a bit more normal now she’s started helping in the library.’

  Just then John returned with Bernard perched up on his shoulders. The child whooped with delight as he lowered him to the ground. ‘Hiya, Robbie, you OK?’

  ‘No, he isn’t. He’s unhappy because of Prudence Goodman. I think he should move out.’

  ‘Yes, but where to?’ Robbie looked close to tears.

  ‘Hey, we can’t have that girl making you miserable.’

  ‘No, you’re right, John. It seems to me she’s trying to split up Robbie and Dot’s relationship. So are we going to let her succeed?’

  ‘I asked Jane if I could stay with them for a bit, but she says it isn’t possible because of it being church property.’

  ‘Well perhaps it could be awkward. No, you must move in with us.’

  Robbie beamed. ‘Really? Can I, John?’

  ‘Well I suppose so, for a while, if Lucy doesn’t mind.’

  ‘I won’t be any bother, Lucy. I shan’t need any dinners cooking or owt. I have them at work during the week and at Dot’s on Sundays.’

  ‘All right. That’s settled then. Go get your things. You’ll have to share with our Will though, up in the attic.’

  ‘Will he mind?’

  ‘Will he heck. He’ll enjoy the company.’

  ‘Oh Lucy, it’ll be great.’

  ‘Well, go on then.’

  ‘What, now?’

  ‘There’s no time like the present.’

  ‘Crikey. Thanks.’ Robbie was out of the door like a flash of lightning.

  ‘Oh, Lucy. You’re still a young lass and you’ve already a family of four to see to. It doesn’t seem right somehow.’

  Lucy smiled. ‘The more the merrier, John. I think I was put on this earth to look after people. I wouldn’t be happy without a full house.’

  ‘Well we shall certainly have one at this rate.’

  ‘I told you we should be careful with the wishing mirror.’ Lucy walked to the fireplace and gazed into the looking glass. ‘I wished for a family of my own and that’s what I got, and so long as everyone is healthy and happy that’s all that matters to me.’

  ‘And if you’re content with your lot, Lucy, then so am I.’ Bernard held up his arms. ‘Let Bernard see.’ Lucy lifted him up to look in the mirror.

  ‘There’s Bernard.’ He pointed to Lucy’s reflection. ‘And there’s Mam.’ Lucy hugged him close. ‘Let Rosie see.’

  ‘Rosie’s sleeping. When she wakes she can look in the mirror.’

  ‘But Rosie can’t wish; she’s too little.’

  ‘Well, you make a wish for her,’ Lucy told the four-year-old. Bernard always wanted to share everything with Rosie.

  ‘I wish Rosie could live in a sandcastle,’ he began to giggle, ‘and get sand in her toes.’ Lucy tickled him and he laughed louder, with Lucy and John joining their little boy in his merriment.

  Robbie slowed down as he reached the bottom of the hill, rehearsing what he would say to Louisa and Herbert. He mustn’t let them see how miserable he had become. They had been so good to him and his brothers. He would have been happy to stay there for ever had it not been for their daughter, but he couldn’t tell them that. He opened the gate and walked up the path, forgetting everything he had been about to say. ‘Robert, would you like some tea?’ Louisa called as he entered the kitchen.

  ‘Yes please. I’ve got something to tell you, Louisa.’ Robbie was relieved to see Prudence was nowhere to be seen. Then he remembered it was her evening on library duty.

  ‘Nothing bad, I hope.’ Louisa sat at the table and poured out the tea.

  ‘No, just that I’m moving out. I think I’ve taken advantage of your good nature for long enough.’

  ‘Moving out? But why?’

  ‘Oh, it was different when my brothers were here too, but now there’s only me I feel as though I’m intruding. I think it’s time you had your home to yourselves again.’

  ‘Robert, you must never think you’re intruding. We love having you here. Where would you go?’

  ‘To our John’s. To tell you the truth I’m missing my brothers.’

  ‘Well, I suppose that’s only natural. But won’t it be a bit cramped in John’s house?’

  ‘Oh no, I shall be up in the attic with Will.’ Robbie suddenly thought of another excuse. ‘It’s just that I thought it might help them financially if I paid my board. I mean, they’ve been good enough to take on little Bernard and he’ll need clothing and feeding.’

  ‘Well, yes, I suppose he will.’ Louisa would miss the weekly contribution Robert made, especially as the only meals he ever expected were his breakfasts.

  ‘I shall pay you my board for another week,’ Robert told her.

  ‘Oh, I wouldn’t expect that, but you’re surely not moving out today, are you?’

  ‘Well, yes. That’s if you don’t mind.’

  ‘No, no, of course not, but we shall miss you, especially Herbert.’

  ‘And I shall miss him, and you. You’ve been really good to me and I shall never forget the way you opened your home to us.’ He smiled. ‘But I expect you’ll be glad to have it to yourselves again.’

  ‘No, we won’t, but I expect you’ll call in and see us frequently.’

  ‘Oh aye, and I shall see you on Sundays anyway at church.’ He finished his tea. ‘Well, I’ll go get my things.’ He took some money from his pocket. ‘Will that be all right?’

  ‘Oh, Robert, I don’t want that.’

  ‘Please, I’d like you to have it. I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Now if you don’t mind I’ll get my things before I get all upset. I’m not very good at partings.’

  ‘No, neither am I,’ Louisa sighed. ‘Do you need any help?’

  ‘No, no thanks.’ Robert hurried out into the hall. He really was sorry to be leaving, but relieved to be rid of Prudence once and for all.

  Louisa wasn’t fooled by the excuses Robbie had made. She had an idea it was her daughter who was at the root of Robert’s eagerness to escape. She had noticed Prudence’s covetous glances in Robert’s direction and her obvious hatred of Dot Greenwood. Herbert would never believe any of it – in his eyes Prudence could do no wrong – but Louisa wasn’t fooled at all and knew exactly why Robert was going.

  Prudence was seething when she found out. She had hoped to tempt Robbie away from Dot Greenwood. It would have been better all round. Now she would have to fall back on her plan, the plan she had set in action a few months ago. At least Robbie hadn’t gone to live at the farm; that had been her worst fear.

  She smuggled the book
to her room. Working at the library had its advantages, even if it was only the books at her disposal. She just hoped the librarian hadn’t noticed her slipping it into her bag; it would never do for the vicar’s daughter to be caught stealing. She bade her parents goodnight, saying she was feeling tired and would have an early night. Her plan would be set in motion immediately.

  Will was delighted to have a room mate, especially one whom he could talk to about things that had been bothering him. Robbie’s chat with James had never materialised. Will had long since realised that Jane was quick to make promises but rarely followed them up. Not that she wasn’t trustworthy, just a scatterbrain who thought about herself before anyone else, unlike Lucy. Will thought Jane had been selfish not to offer Robbie a home when they had so much more room at their house. ‘I’ll bet she never even asked your James if you could stay,’ he said to Robbie. ‘He wouldn’t ’ave turned you away.’

  Robbie agreed, but would never criticise Jane to her brother. ‘Oh, well it could have been awkward like she said.’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, I like it better here. This is the happiest house I know.’

  ‘Aye, yer right there. It wasn’t like this when me mother was alive though. A bloody owd slave driver, that’s what she were.’ Then Will felt guilty. ‘She was all right though, I suppose.’

  Robbie considered what Will had said. ‘It’s funny us both becoming orphans at about the same time. Not funny to laugh about – I mean strange.’

  ‘Aye, thank God for our Lucy and your John. Where would we be without ’em?’

  ‘Well, you’d be OK; you’ve got Ben and Mary and Nellie. Hey! Yer might have ended up living in Blackpool.’

  ‘No, I like it ’ere. Besides, our Mary’s a bit sanctimonious sometimes, and our Ben’s no room, what with Mrs Scott living there and only one spare room for when they ’ave a family. No, I like it ’ere with our Lucy. I ’ope you do an’ all.’