A Family Christmas Read online

  ‘What’s up?’ Lewis was by Lucy’s side.

  ‘Our Bernard’s disappeared.’ Lucy was trembling as she went to search the midden and the passage to the lavatories. Her heart almost stopped when she found the tricycle abandoned on its side in the passage. Something abnormal must have happened for him to leave his precious toy behind.

  ‘I’ll go up the allotments.’ Lewis set off at a run. His father went hurrying down to Next Row.

  ‘I’ll go down Side Row.’ Mrs Slater’s mind was working overtime. What if Bernard’s father had got him? As far as anyone knew he hadn’t yet been arrested. Her heart seemed to be thumping in her ears; she was getting too old for scares like this. She called out to everyone she saw, ‘Have yer seen little Bernard? You ’aven’t seen any strange men down ’ere, ’ave yer?’ Nobody had. One woman said she had seen a strange woman who she thought was a gypsy but she had hurried inside, knowing what some of them gypsies were like; if yer didn’t buy any pegs off ’em they were likely to put a curse on yer.

  Lucy went back into the house and upstairs, then back down again and called down the cellar; of course he wouldn’t have gone down there in the dark. Oh God, where was he? She thought she was going to faint and sat down to prevent herself from falling. Mrs Cadman ran in, her chest heaving and tears streaming down her face. ‘Oh, Lucy, I swear I only took my eyes off him for a minute to knock back my dough and put it to rise again.’ She noticed the pallor of Lucy’s face. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Yes, I just felt faint but I’m all right now, if you can just pass me a drink of water.’

  Mrs Cadman did so. ‘Oh, where can he be? I’m going down to the clock; he might have gone in the gardens.’

  ‘I don’t think so. He’s never been down there before.’

  ‘Well I’ll look anyway and then I’ll go down on the main road.’ She was off before Lucy could answer. Lucy tried to stay calm – she had her baby to consider, and who was looking after Rosie? The little girl was perfectly safe, having been dumped on Mrs Murphy’s knee. The woman was jigging her up and down to Rosie’s delight and singing ‘Soldiers go gallop, gallop, gallop’.

  ‘Shall I take her now?’ Lucy enquired.

  ‘Nay lass, leave her be, yer’ve enough on yer plate at moment.’

  Lucy didn’t know where to look next. She saw Lewis slithering down the bank side. Bernard wasn’t with him. Lucy felt as though the blood was rushing to her head and then the ground was coming up to meet her. After that she knew nothing until she came round on the sofa, with Lewis, pale and concerned, keeping watch over the girl he would worship till his dying day. ‘Lucy? Oh love, are yer feeling better?’

  ‘A bit.’ Then she remembered. ‘Have you found him?’

  Lewis shook his head. ‘No but we will, don’t fret.’ Lucy attempted to stand but the room began to swim again. ‘Stay where you are. Me dad’s gone for’t doctor.’

  ‘But I have to go and look for him.’

  ‘They’ll find him. There’s everybody and their grandmothers out searching; he can’t be far away.’

  ‘Has anyone gone to our Mary’s?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Oh, Lewis, if she’s taken him I’ll kill her.’

  ‘Nay, love, she wouldn’t do that. I mean, what could she gain by it? She knows you’d fetch ’im back.’

  ‘Will you go and see? Please, Lewis.’ He would have preferred to stay by Lucy’s side until John came home from morning shift, but he knew she wouldn’t rest if he didn’t do as she asked. As soon as his mother came back he hurried off down the hill, not thinking for a moment that Mary would have taken Bernard and wondering how best to broach the subject. Mary was emptying the dirty water from the tub and brushing it into the flags with the yard brush.

  ‘Lewis, what brings you here? It’s not our Lucy, is it?’

  ‘Well, aye, it is in a way. Bernard’s gone missing and she’s taking it badly. Me dad’s gone for the doctor and we’ve searched everywhere. I thought I’d better let yer know.’

  Mary had already taken her apron off and removed the daft-looking mobcap from her head. She disappeared into the house and scribbled a note for Jacob, to come back seconds later in her coat with the fur collar and black felt hat. Lewis wondered at the change in Mary. At one time all the young lads had fancied her as well as Nellie, but now she had let herself go and resembled an old granny. However, she was striding out and even he had all on to match her steps. ‘How long’s he been gone?’ she wanted to know, and ‘Have yer looked up the allotments?’

  ‘We’ve looked everywhere but there’s no sign of ’im.’

  ‘Has anyone fetched the constable?’

  ‘I don’t know. They might have by now.’

  ‘If they haven’t you can go for him.’

  Lewis had always thought Mary was rather bossy; it probably stemmed from her being the eldest. Perhaps it was what Lucy needed at a time like this: somebody to take charge. He prayed as they hurried up past the clock that Bernard was back home safe and well, but on this occasion God didn’t seem to be listening and the little boy was still nowhere to be found.

  Dr Sellars insisted Lucy take to her bed. Lucy protested, ‘I can’t; I have to find Bernard.’

  ‘We’ll find him, but come on, do as the doctor tells you. You’re going up to bed if I have carry you up there myself.’ Mary had taken charge on entering the house. To her, Lucy was once more the little girl who could be bossed about, and Mary was the best one to do it. Her sister needed her and as long as she did Mary would be there for her. She was sorry for the upset she had caused everybody, and realised now that this was where Bernard belonged. She had been wicked to try and break up the family; she had acted beyond all reason. Indeed she wondered if she had lost her mind for a time. Well, this was her chance to make amends and when Bernard was safely back she would be happy for them. Oh God, what if he didn’t come back? She tucked Lucy up with some hot sweet tea and fetched Rosie from Mrs Murphy’s.

  ‘I’ll call again tomorrow.’ Dr Sellars was worried about Lucy. ‘The shock can’t be good for her at this stage and the swelling of her ankles isn’t normal. You must insist she stays in bed both for her and her baby’s sake.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I will, even if I’ve to chain her to the bed posts.’

  ‘Good.’ Dr Sellars frowned as she descended the stairs. What a terrible thing to happen, a child missing. Still, she was glad the sister was here; by the look of her she would lay down the law and keep Lucy off her feet.

  By the time John returned from the morning shift Bernard was still missing and a search party had been organised. John, still in his pit clothes, went straight out to join the men in the search for his son. When he’d got back, eager to comfort Lucy, Constable Jones was waiting to question him. ‘Now then Mr Grey, is there anything you can tell us what might throw some light on where the little boy might be? For instance, is there anybody you can think on who might ’ave taken ’im?’

  John’s stomach seemed to turn over as he thought of the child’s father out there somewhere. Had he found out about his son’s existence? Had he decided to risk his freedom in order to gain possession of his son? If the police couldn’t find a murderer what chance had they of finding a child-snatcher? John decided to withhold the fact that Bernard was the son of the murdered woman, for the time being. It would be disastrous for the story to reach the newspapers. Of course, if he didn’t turn up soon they would need the publicity, but for today at least he would wait and see. He left the constable to get on with his job and set off along the row.

  In another hour it would be dark. Surely Bernard couldn’t have walked far, but there was no knowing which direction he would have taken. He set off up the hill towards Greenwood’s. Robbie had taken him up there sometimes; maybe he had just taken it into his head to go by himself.

  Lucy was distraught. ‘Oh Mary, it’s all my fault. If I’d let you have him he’d be safe now. You were right, I couldn’t give him as much attention
as you could have done.’

  ‘Now, Lucy, that’s not true; I was wrong to say that. Nobody could love the child more than you and John, neither could they have been better parents. There isn’t a happier little boy on God’s earth, so just you stop saying silly things. I’m sorry for acting the way I did. I hope you’ll forgive me and let’s be back to normal. I don’t think I have been normal for a time, but I realise now how fortunate I am to have Jacob and a loving family. If I can’t have children then so be it, and I’ve still got a nephew and niece and another on the way.’

  ‘But what if we don’t get him back, Mary?’

  ‘We shall. Now try and sleep a bit, or at least close your eyes and rest. I’m going to feed Primrose and cook something for John. The lad’s done a shift down’t pit and he’ll be needing some nourishment; so will Bernard when he comes home.’ Mary knew her sister wouldn’t sleep, neither would John eat until her nephew was back safe and sound, but she had to pretend things would soon be back to normal. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about.

  ‘Our Will brought some mussels from the market. They’re steeping in a bucket of oatmeal water on the cellar steps; they’ll only need rinsing and standing on the fire.’

  ‘I know what to do with a few mussels, Lucy.’ Mary went downstairs and cut a pile of bread, holding the loaf against her breast the way her mother used to do. She was rinsing the mussels in the enamel washing-up bowl, making such a clatter that she never heard the door open.

  She spun round when she heard a little voice say, ‘Look what I’ve got, Auntie Mary.’

  There was Bernard, high on the shoulders of a grinning Dan the birdman. Dan lowered the red-cheeked little boy to the ground. In his other arm was a piece of old sacking wrapped around a black and white puppy dog, not much bigger than Dan’s hand.

  Mary grabbed Bernard and hugged him close. ‘Where on earth have you been?’

  ‘To fetch my baby dog.’

  ‘Did you take him, Dan Higgins?’ Mary almost spat the words at the gentle giant, who stood looking too large for the small kitchen.

  Dan’s lip quivered and his eyes filled with tears in the manner of a small boy. ‘Will said.’

  ‘Will? What did Will say?’

  Bernard didn’t like the sound of Auntie Mary when she was angry. ‘He said I could have a baby dog when it came out of Queenie’s tummy.’ Bernard looked as if he was about to cry too. Mary cuddled him closer. ‘Dan took me to choose one.’ The words came out muffled in sobs.

  ‘It’s all right, Bernard.’ Mary turned her attention to Dan. ‘You should never have taken him, Daniel; it was a bad thing to do.’

  Daniel had been so excited to be taking Bernard to choose one of the pups it hadn’t occurred to him to ask permission, nor had he considered the trouble it might cause when Bernard was missing. Now it was all spoiled and Mary was shouting at him. Dan slumped towards the door, sobbing like a two-year-old instead of a grown man.

  ‘Oh, come back and sit yerself down, Daniel. I’ll make us some tea. I don’t suppose you realised what you were doing. Besides, he doesn’t look as if he’s come to any harm. Bernard, go and show your mam your new pet.’

  Bernard’s face cleared and he made to lift the pup up in his arms. Dan knelt on the floor and gently showed him how to do so without hurting it. Mary waited until she heard Lucy’s whoop of joy, then she hurried outside and shouted, ‘It’s all right. Bernard’s back.’

  Everybody not out searching ran into the street and cries of ‘Is he all reight? Wheer’s ee been?’ and ‘Thank the Lord for that,’ could be heard all along the row. Somebody hurried away to call off the search and Dan settled down to enjoy his hot sweet tea. Mary noticed his red chilblained hands and resolved to knit him a pair of warm gloves. Then Dan noticed the pictures on the wishing mirror and jumped up to point out one of the birds hovering in the garden scene.

  ‘A swallow,’ he told Mary excitedly.

  ‘Is it really?’ Mary didn’t know a swallow from a barn owl. She offered Dan a biscuit, which he shoved in his mouth all in one go. Still, there was obviously more to the lad than anyone thought. She hoped John wouldn’t be too harsh on him. Perhaps she should send him home before the searchers returned. ‘Go on then Daniel; get off home before it gets any darker. And never, ever take any children away again without asking their mam first.’

  Daniel shook his head vigorously and set off for home. Halfway down Side Row he met a relieved John, who had just been given the news of Bernard’s safe return. Daniel, pleased to see Lucy’s husband, gave him a broad grin and John cringed at the usual lewd gesture which Dan greeted him with, but for once it didn’t bother John. So long as his son was safe John couldn’t care less about anything else. His main worry now was Lucy.

  It wasn’t until later that he heard about the part Dan the birdman had played in his son’s disappearance, but everyone was so relieved to have Bernard back – and Bernard was so pleased with the funny-looking little mongrel dog – that nothing more was said about Daniel. Besides, John couldn’t face being humiliated again in front of everybody. The damned lad must have a memory like an elephant to remember the incident up in Sheepdip Wood. He smiled as he thought what a lovely memory it had turned out to be, and like Dan, John would remember that day for the rest of his life.

  His thoughts returned to Bernard; it was time to arrange the adoption. He would look into it as soon as possible. He couldn’t risk losing the boy again – the shock had been almost too much for Lucy. She was so relieved at seeing Bernard that she had attempted to come downstairs, but Mary was having none of it.

  ‘She’s been ordered to stay in bed,’ she told John. ‘And stay in bed she shall, at least until Dr Sellars has seen her again.’

  It was one in the morning when the pains began. Mary had returned home to her husband hours ago and John had been relieved to be rid of his sister-in-law after such a harrowing day, but now he wished she was here to comfort and reassure Lucy. One good thing that had resulted from today was that the sisters were reunited again. Now, however, he went to fetch Mrs Slater, instinctively knowing that she would be the one Lucy wanted at a time like this. When the woman had finally dressed herself, inserted her false teeth and removed the metal curlers from her hair – which all seemed to take for ever – and taken her place at Lucy’s bedside, John hurried for the doctor. He knew the baby wasn’t due for another two months, but the pains were coming at regular intervals, which Lucy said meant the birth was imminent.

  Having missed out at the birth of Rosie, John had no idea what to expect and was shocked at the sight of Lucy writhing in agony and slick with sweat when he returned with Dr Sellars, whose confident manner reassured him slightly that this was all perfectly normal. Mrs Slater ordered him to go make up the fire for some hot water, and despite having to leave Lucy he went without much persuasion, sure that the women would be better off with him out of the way. John paced the kitchen, unable to sit still whilst Lucy was in such pain. A couple of times he went upstairs to check on the children, who were sleeping soundly. It was five o’clock when he heard the sound of a new baby’s cry and rushed upstairs to Lucy’s side.

  ‘You’ve got a son, Mr Grey.’

  ‘Is he all right?’ John was shocked to see that Lucy still seemed to be in pain; surely that wasn’t normal. ‘How’s Lucy?’

  ‘She’ll be fine.’ Dr Sellars didn’t sound very convincing and Lucy looked anything but fine.

  ‘Go mek a pot of tea, lad.’ Mrs Slater almost pushed him out onto the landing. John didn’t like the look of things, but did as he was told and made some tea. He didn’t know if Lucy would want any, but he made her one anyway and carried the tray with trembling hands up the stairs. Just as he handed over the tea the room was plunged into darkness as the gas went out. John found a couple of pennies in his pocket, felt his way downstairs and then to the cellar. He then hurried to find the matches and relight the gas in the bedroom.

  It was then that Lucy cried out and Dr Sellars
let out a moderate swearword that surprised them all. ‘I can’t bloody believe it,’ she said in her normal posh way of speaking. ‘There’s another baby on the way.’

  John thought he might faint and Mrs Slater shifted Lucy’s clothes off a chair and plonked him down on it. ‘Eeh, John, lad, yer don’t do things by halves in this house do yer? Yer’ve gone and caught two birds with one shot; now not many men can brag about that, can they?’

  ‘Come along Lucy, one more push, that’s the way. Here it is, a baby girl. Oh Lucy, I’ve just delivered my first set of twins. Now can we celebrate with that cup of tea, Mr Grey?’

  ‘Aye John, go and mek some fresh, will yer? That lot’ll be cold I expect.’ Mrs Slater didn’t want him passing out when the afterbirth came away. The poor lad was already suffering from shock.

  ‘Are you all right, Lucy?’ John came towards the bed. ‘We’ve got twins, love.’ He sounded as though it was all his doing.

  ‘Yes, John. I have noticed.’ Lucy smiled and took his hand in hers. ‘Let me see them.’ Mrs Slater brought the girl and Dr Sellars the boy and handed them into Lucy and John’s care.

  ‘Will they be all right? Being early I mean.’ John searched the small faces worriedly.

  ‘They’ll be fine,’ Dr Sellars smiled. ‘Twins often arrive early but they always catch up. Now I’d love that cup of tea.’

  John hurried out of the room, leaving the women to finish the job they’d started, Mrs Slater to the babies and the doctor to the mother, and all Lucy could think about was what their Mary would feel like when her sister could produce two babies and she was deprived of one.

  ‘I’d best get ready for work,’ John said when he delivered the tea.