A Moment to Remember (12 page)

Betty laughed. This young girl deserved all the happiness she could get, and if anybody ever found out where Auntie Doris was, Betty knew she would keep that information to herself.

Milly and Betty had to sit down when they were given their presents from Mrs Green. Betty was given a scarf the same beige colour as her gloves and Milly’s present was another book. This one was a history book.

‘Thank you,’ said Milly, who was close to tears she was so happy.

‘We all know how you love to read,’ said Richard.

‘Yes, I do.’ Milly was waiting for him to give her a present but he didn’t. Was he angry with her for not letting him into her room last night?

Jane sat with her scarf round her neck. She was fingering the fringe. ‘I love this. Thank you, Milly.’

‘I thought you might.’

‘Now let’s have tea,’ said Mr Green. ‘Do you know, that’s what I miss the most when I’m away, a lovely cup of tea. Cheers.’ He raised his cup and laughed.

Milly was pleased to see that everything was now back to normal.

Betty laughed. ‘Begging your pardon, but this always seems wrong, you waiting on us.’

‘I only do it once a year,’ said Mrs Green.

Richard handed Milly one of the bone-china plates, and as he did so he looked into her eyes and his hand touched hers. She felt a thrill run up her arm. Whatever was going through his mind last night, she could never be angry with him.

 

On Christmas evening Betty and Milly were in with the family, enjoying playing games. Milly could feel Richard’s eyes on her every time she moved.

‘Didn’t you get Milly a present?’ Jane asked him.

Milly blushed.

‘I thought you liked her.’

Milly wanted Jane to stop.

‘Sorry, Milly. Never had time.’

‘That’s all right. I don’t expect one.’

‘I’ll get you something for Easter when I’m home again.’

‘You don’t have to get me presents.’

Everybody’s eyes were on her; she was so embarrassed she wanted to run away. ‘I’ll just take these plates to the kitchen,’ she said.

‘No, leave ’em,’ said Betty. ‘I’ll do it.’

Milly looked pleadingly at Betty.

‘I’ll help you,’ said Richard.

Milly wanted the ground to open up. Why was he doing this to her?

Once they were in the kitchen she turned on him. ‘What’s wrong with you? Why are you behaving like this?’

‘I’m sorry about last night. I drank too much and I wanted to give you your Christmas present.’

‘But you said—’

‘I know what I said. I didn’t want the family to see what I’ve bought you.’ He put his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Milly stared at it. ‘I can’t accept this.’

‘You don’t know what it is.’

‘I can see that it’s very expensive.’

‘Quickly, put it in your pocket. I can hear Jane coming.’

Jane pushed open the kitchen door. ‘Now what are you two up to?’

‘Nothing,’ said Richard. ‘I was just helping Milly.’

‘Why? You’ve never helped anyone before.’

‘I wanted her to hurry up so we can play cards.’

Milly said nothing. Did Jane suspect?

‘Betty said to leave the washing-up. It can be done in the morning. Now come on, both of you. Let’s get back to the family.’ Jane turned her chair round and they followed her.

Milly fingered the case nestling in the pocket of her pinny. What was it? She would have loved to open it there and then, but she knew it must be something very special for Richard to give it to her when they were alone.

At last it was time for everyone to go to bed. Milly kissed Jane and said good night to the family.

I
T WASN’T TILL SHE was safely in her bedroom that Milly could bring herself to open the present Richard had given her. She sat on the bed and carefully undid the clasp on the velvet box, then quickly put her hand to her mouth. The box was lined with red silk, and in its folds was a beautiful gold bracelet. She sat looking at it. It was the most wonderful thing she had ever seen. What must it have cost? She couldn’t bring herself to take it out of the box. It had to go back. What had he been thinking of? She was nothing more than somebody who worked in his parents’ house and was a friend of his sister. She couldn’t accept such a beautiful gift.

That night as she lay in bed, her thoughts were full of the bracelet and Richard. What on earth had made him buy her such an expensive gift? Was it really this that had made him come to her room last night? Had he wanted to give it to her when they were alone? Had she been too harsh? But what would Jane and his parents say if they saw it? If she kept it, when would she be able to wear it? All these thoughts were going round and round in her mind. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

She was woken by Elsie shaking her.

‘Don’t know what’s the matter with you these last couple o’ mornings. Normally you’re up and dressed ’fore I gets all the way up here.’

Milly quickly glanced around the room. She was pleased that she’d put the box under her pillow.

‘Must have been all the excitement of yesterday.’

Quickly dressing herself, she caught up with Elsie on the stairs. ‘Did you have a nice Christmas, Elsie?’ she asked to ease the situation.

‘Yes thanks. Could have done with staying at home this morning, though. Me husband don’t look too good.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that. Look, I’ll have a word with Betty and ask her if you can go home. I can see to the grates and coal. No one will be up for a while yet.’

‘I can’t let you do that.’

‘Come on. Let’s talk to Betty.’

Betty said she didn’t mind just as long as Milly was happy about it. With that, Elsie left.

Milly was on her hands and knees in front of the fireplace when she heard the drawing-room door click shut. She turned and was surprised to see Richard standing there.

‘You’re up early,’ she said, as lightly as she could.

‘I had to see you on your own.’

Milly stood up and ran her hands down the front of her apron. ‘And I want to see you.’

A smile lit up his face and he went to step forward, but Milly backed away and put up her hand. ‘Why did you give me such an expensive present?’

‘Don’t you like it. I can change it if—’

‘It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.’

‘I think so as well.’

‘But why did you give it to me?’

‘I am very, very fond of you. And I want it to be a keep-sake. It will be our secret, and who knows, in years to come you can wear it with pride when we walk out together.’

For a moment Milly was speechless, but she quickly recovered. ‘I think your parents would have something to say about us walking out together. I expect they have someone already planned for you. Richard, I am very flattered and I do like you.’

‘I’ve never met anyone like you. Remember, I am off to the military school soon, so please keep the bracelet. Don’t tell Jane, and who knows, perhaps one day . . . ’

He left Milly standing bewildered in front of the fireplace. What should she do? She was thrilled that Richard liked her and was talking about their future together, but fond of him as she was, she knew it could never be. They came from different worlds.

‘You look bothered. Anything wrong? Is it too much doing the grates and that on your own?’ asked Betty when Milly came into the kitchen for her breakfast.

She gave Betty a smile. ‘No, I’ve managed. Just as long as Elsie doesn’t think I’m pinching her job.’

‘She won’t think that. She’s got a lot on her plate, has that one. So what is it, then?’

‘I’m just concerned about these exams Miss Dance is going to set for me.’

‘According to her, you should sail through them.’

‘I hope so,’ Milly said, buttering her toast. ‘I do want to get a certificate. Never had anything like that before.’

‘Nor me,’ said Betty.

In January things settled down. Mr Green went back to Germany and Richard went to the army school. Mrs Green had told them that her husband was worried about the situation in Germany, and that was why he was so down. It seemed he had been to many meetings and some had gone on all through the night.

‘Just as long as the Kaiser doesn’t start something,’ said Mrs Green.

Neither Milly nor Betty understood what she meant, and they quickly dismissed it.

After all, what went on in Germany was nothing to do with them.

 

This year Jane’s birthday was another very low-key affair. She said she didn’t want a lot of silly girls and their mothers here.

‘But think of all the presents you’ll miss,’ said Milly when Jane told her.

‘I don’t care, you’re my best present, and they think I shouldn’t invite you when they’re here.’

Milly went and hugged her. ‘Thank you. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.’

Milly settled down to her everyday chores, and the day came for her to sit her exams. Miss Dance said they were the same as some of the schools set their pupils. Milly was very nervous, and when she finished she said that she hoped she had given the correct answers.

‘Don’t worry about it,’ said Jane as they were sitting having tea. ‘You’ve probably sailed through them.’

‘I hope so. I don’t want to let you or Miss Dance down.’

‘You’ll never do that.’

One afternoon after it had been snowing, Jane, who had been looking out of the window, said she wanted Milly to take her into the garden. Walton forbade it, saying it was too dangerous for a wheelchair.

‘What if you were tipped out? The chair is very heavy and Milly couldn’t manage to put it upright again.’

The sun was shining and it did look very beautiful.

‘It looks just like a picture postcard,’ said Milly.

‘Do you know, I’ve never touched snow,’ said Jane.

Milly went and spoke to Mrs Green, then ran to the kitchen. ‘Betty, can I have a bowl?’

‘Now what do you want a bowl for?’

‘Some snow.’

‘What?’

‘Jane’s never touched snow, and I thought I’d bring some in for her. Mrs Green said it would be all right.’

Betty laughed. ‘You certainly come up with some funny ideas.’

A few minutes later, Milly was outside, scooping up snow. She made a snowball and threw it down the garden.

Jane was watching from the window, and clapped her hands with delight. ‘What’s she doing, Mama?’

‘Wait and see.’

Milly came into the room with the bowl, and after making sure that Jane’s knees were well covered with a towel, she placed it on her lap. ‘It’s very cold. Put you hand in and feel.’

Jane did as she was told. ‘It’s all lovely and soft. And look, it soon melts.’ Laughing, she held up her wet hands.

Milly looked at Mrs Green. ‘I’ll get another towel.’

Mrs Green could only nod. She had never seen her daughter look so happy. This girl was certainly a ray of sunshine in Jane’s life. Who would have thought a simple thing like this could bring so much joy? But what if Milly’s family ever came looking for her? She knew very little about this girl or where she came from; Jane must know something, as the two girls were very close, but she hadn’t told her. She watched Milly laughing and drying Jane’s hands. She always seemed to be happy and smiling, but what if one day she left them and went back home? That would break her daughter’s heart.

 

Winter gave way to spring, and Betty and Milly were very worried about Elsie. Her husband’s health had got worse, so she was working less and less.

‘She’s such a poor little thing,’ said Betty. ‘I’ve asked Mrs Green if you can take some bits round to her.’

‘Of course. I’ll ask Mrs Green if I can take Jane with me. She’ll like an outing, just as long as Walton don’t mind.’

‘That’s a good idea.’