Flowers on the Mersey (17 page)

Rebekah knew from Brigid about the women of the streets and did not know whether to be shocked because he had mentioned them. ‘Should you be talking to me like this?’

‘Why not?’ He took her hand. ‘Yer a woman of sense. I’ve heard yer talking. You’ve got a head on yer shoulders.’

‘Is that supposed to be a compliment?’ She was amused.

‘You got it first time.’ He squeezed her fingers. ‘We could have a good time when I dock.’

‘I’m not so sure,’ she said, considering it might be worth experimenting to see if she could feel anything for another man. ‘Besides, what about Brigid? I go out with her.’

‘I’ve friends,’ he said softly. ‘Yer both need cheering up. Laugh all your troubles away, that’s what I say.’

‘Smile, though your heart is aching?’

‘That’s the ticket.’ He pulled her hand through his crooked arm and she did not desist. They went on their way, with Pat insisting on arranging to meet when next he docked.

Although Brigid was dubious at first about the whole idea of going out with a shipmate of her brother’s, her own philosophy was similar to his: Pack up your troubles and smile.

Rebekah’s life took on a different colour. She was often out and her aunt moaned that she never saw her – said that she was becoming flighty. Joshua called, but Rebekah was not there to see him. Her aunt complained on his behalf even though she was still annoyed that he was Rebekah’s guardian. She shrugged the complaints aside because, like keeping Pat at arm’s length, it was good practice at hardening her heart against other people – that way you didn’t get hurt so easily.

If sometimes she wanted to cry when waiting for Pat’s ship, because this would have been the kind of life she would have had to get used to with Daniel, she never spoke of it to anyone. She was too busy pretending that she was coping with life.

‘So I’ve caught you in at last,’ said Joshua, one foot jamming the door open. ‘About time too! It’s been months!’

‘Time does fly,’ murmured Rebekah, opening the door wider. ‘You never did take me out for my birthday.’

‘No,’ he said shortly. ‘Your aunt was saying you’ve been burning the candle at both ends.’

‘Aunt Esther would.’ She deliberately put an amused note in her voice. ‘Did you want me for anything in particular or just to tell me off?’

‘Something in particular!’ The lines about his mouth and nose deepened. ‘Can I come in or are you going to keep me standing on the doorstep?’

‘Come in by all means.’ She led the way into the sitting room. ‘Aunt Esther’s at one of her meetings and Hannah’s out, so you’ll be able to scold me in 
peace.’ She plumped up a cushion and removed the tin of Mansion polish and a duster from the arm of a chair, putting them on a shelf.

He took off his trilby. ‘You’re expecting me to scold you?’

‘I knew you’d catch up with me sooner or later,’ She waved him to a chair but remained standing herself. ‘I suppose it’s about money?’

Joshua’s eyes narrowed. ‘There’s something different about you. You’ve changed.’

She shrugged peach cotton-clad shoulders. ‘I’ve had to grow up quickly over the last few months. Come to terms with life.’

He nodded. ‘That’s a pretty frock you’re wearing.’

Rebekah raised finely drawn eyebrows. ‘It’s going to be the soft soap first, is it? Thank you, kind sir.’

He smiled. ‘You are pretty and I don’t begrudge you buying new clothes. But little as I like to say this, Rebekah, you can’t carry on the way you have been. The letter you sent me two days ago requesting an advance on your allowance I can’t let you have it. What are you doing with your money?’

‘I gave some away.’

‘What?’

The corners of her mouth lifted. ‘Don’t look so shocked, Mr Green. I can give my own money away, can’t I?’

He had been in the act of sitting down but straightened up again. ‘No, you can’t! I do have
a say in the matter. Who did you give it to?’

She hesitated. ‘A good cause.’

He stared at her and Moggy, brushing past the fire irons, made their clatter sound loud in the silence. ‘What good cause?’

Rebekah sighed. ‘Brigid’s mother took ill unexpectedly and had to have an operation. If Brigid had had the compensation money, it would have paid for it. I thought it only fair that—’

He made an exasperated sound. ‘She talked you into it, I suppose? Made you feel guilty!’

Rebekah fired up. ‘No, she didn’t! If she’d known it was my money she wouldn’t have taken it. I told her that it was the compensation. The operation was serious and it’s still dicey whether her mother will pull through.’

‘Even so—’

‘Even so nothing!’ She slammed her hand down on the mantelshelf, her expression mutinous. ‘What’s the use of having money if you can’t help your friends?’

‘You won’t have any money to help yourself if you don’t stop spending it,’ he said stiffly. ‘It doesn’t grow on trees, you know.’

She brushed his words aside. ‘You care about those orphans of yours, don’t you? Surely you understand—’

‘Yes, yes,’ he said impatiently, looking down at the carpet. His head lifted. ‘But you’re too
soft-hearted
, my dear. That’s why your father made me
your guardian. I’m going to have to be firm for your own sake. If you want any money you’ll have to apply to me in person – no letters – and I’ll want to know exactly what you’re spending it on.’

‘What?’ She was filled with dismay. ‘I’m not a child!’

‘Don’t I know it.’ His glance flicked over her body.

She had seen that look often in Pat’s eyes but so far had managed to keep him under control, his kisses doing little for her. ‘Well then?’ she murmured. ‘Can’t you trust me to act like an adult?’

‘I’d like to,’ he said softly. ‘But you are still a comparative stranger to Liverpool, and if your aunt can’t keep a proper watch on you, then I’ll have to do so.’

‘I’ve already decided that I’ll spend less,’ she insisted. ‘I’m really quite sensible. You shouldn’t take any notice of what Aunt Esther tells you.’

‘I’d expect her to see things differently so I don’t take everything she says to heart.’ He took a cheroot case from his pocket. ‘I presume that you haven’t found a job yet?’

‘No.’ Rebekah was not going to admit that she had not bothered looking for a few weeks. Instead she had been spending a fair amount of time at Brigid’s, looking after the children while their mother was at work.

‘Perhaps I can help you with a job.’ Joshua lit up. ‘Sit down, Rebekah, and let’s talk.’

She shook her head. ‘I’m in need of a drink. Would you like one?’

‘Thank you.’

Rebekah made a pot of tea and placed on a plate some jam tarts that she had baked. After she had poured the tea, she murmured, ‘Now tell me about this job.’

He patted the arm of his chair. ‘Come and sit here.’

‘I’m quite comfortable here, thank you,’ she said.

Joshua shrugged. ‘It’s a very worthwhile job but there’s not much money in it.’

‘Aunt Esther hardly takes a penny from me so the money isn’t my main concern. Although—’

‘If your aunt is supporting you, that’s good.’ He looked pleased.

Rebekah grimaced. ‘Let me finish. She has threatened several times that if I don’t pull my socks up—’

‘I can’t see her being other than pleased with you if you take on this job. It’s to do with the Seamen’s Orphanage.’

‘That’s in Orphan Drive on the other side of the park.’ She leant forward eagerly. ‘Not too far. Good.’

He held up a hand. ‘Wait until I’ve finished. You wouldn’t be working at the Orphanage. The job I’m talking about involves visiting the widows and children of men who lost their lives at sea. You can find out what financial help is needed so the children can remain at home.’

She nodded her head slowly. ‘I’d like to help. As long as they don’t look upon me as a snooper.’

‘You’re too young and pretty for anyone to see you in such a light.’

Rebekah avoided looking at him. It seemed Brigid, and her father, had been right and his lordship did fancy her, but she would not let that influence her decision. ‘When do I start?’

‘I’ll have to find out.’ He sipped his tea. ‘Remember I was going to take you to see
The Gondoliers
at Crane Hall? Well, it’s being performed once again. We could have supper afterwards if you’d like to come? I could let you know then.’

‘All right.’ She tried to sound enthusiastic. ‘That would be lovely.’

Joshua arranged a time and soon afterwards left, saying he did not want to have to listen to a sermon from her aunt again on the folly of her father leaving a young girl in the charge of a bachelor.

After he had gone Rebekah stood with Moggy clutched tightly in her arms, staring into the fire, thinking about Daniel, Pat and Joshua, and how she would not mention the job to her aunt yet. Then resumed her polishing.

‘I don’t know why yer have to go out with his lordship,’ said Brigid, frowning, as she and Rebekah left the Royal Infirmary in Pembroke Place.

‘Money and a job.’ Rebekah smiled. ‘Honestly, Brigid, I’d sooner go out with the Emperor of
China! But Joshua holds the purse strings.’

‘He’s after yer. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.’

‘I hadn’t seen him for months,’ said Rebekah impatiently. ‘Talk sense.’

‘But that’s not his fault.’ Brigid tucked her hand in Rebekah’s arm as they crossed the road. ‘You’ve been gallivanting with our Pat. Does his lordship know about that?’

‘Why should I tell him? Your Pat’s intentions are perfectly dishonourable, as your Mam was relieved to hear tonight.’

Brigid grinned. ‘If you’d said it like that she would have worried.’

‘I guessed she was going spare every time Pat came home and we went out.’

‘Well, she’s not going to be worrying now,’ said Brigid positively. ‘I told her that there was no need … that you’re still carrying a torch for Daniel.’

Rebekah sighed. ‘If you know that, I don’t see how you can go on about his lordship, although I think my father had him in mind for me to marry. I feel bad about my father now. I wish we hadn’t been out of friends when he died.’

Brigid squeezed her arm and her voice was brisk when she spoke. ‘There’s nothing you can do about that now. So let’s go for a walk in the park before it gets dark and forget our problems.’ Rebekah agreed and they went on their way.

Despite what Rebekah had said to Brigid about the outing with Joshua, she began to look forward to it. She had never seen a Gilbert and Sullivan performance. Her aunt, though, was not pleased about her going.

‘I don’t know why thou hast to go out with the man.’ Esther agitatedly plied her needle through the hem of a plain brown skirt.

‘It’s having her hair cut – it’s given her brain fever,’ interpolated Hannah. Rebekah and her aunt stared at her. ‘Tis true,’ added the maid, a gleam in her eye. ‘Head feels cold, blood rushes to it to warm it.’

‘That would mean a good half of the women in the British Isles have brain fever then,’ said Rebekah, a smile in her voice.

Her aunt sighed. ‘Let’s not get silly, Becky dear. Do consider. Thou’d be more inclined to stick to the straight and narrow if thou came to the meeting house instead of just enjoying thyself gallivanting here and there.’

‘I’ll go tomorrow,’ murmured Rebekah in an attempt to placate her, and swallowing her annoyance. First Brigid and now her aunt! Why couldn’t people just let her make her own decisions?

Her aunt looked at her. ‘Thou means it?’

She nodded. ‘Cross my heart.’

Esther smiled but Hannah, who was clearing the table, grunted, ‘I’ll believe it when I sees it. All this dollying thyself up for a man. Thee’ll cum to a bad end.’

‘Didn’t you ever dolly yourself up, Hannah?’
enquired Rebekah, experiencing another flash of annoyance. She was not dollying herself up for a man but for herself. She smoothed the boat-shaped neck of the mauve georgette dress, and glanced at Hannah who had not replied. ‘Well? Didn’t you ever walk out with a young man in your day?’

‘I could have,’ said Hannah gruffly, staring down at the white starched tablecloth and brushing crumbs off it on to a plate. She flung them on the fire, then looked at Rebekah, a hard glint in her eyes. ‘But we’s had no muny and I had thems that relied on me. Thou knows nuthing about such things, Miss Fancy Pants. Going here, going there. Thee thinks thee has suffered. Thee knows nuthing about real suffering and what it is to do without!’

‘Hannah!’ Esther’s voice was sharp. ‘That’s enough! Miss Rebekah isn’t to blame for thy misfortunes.’

‘Aunt! It’s all right!’ Rebekah shrugged herself into her coat. ‘I’m sorry, Hannah, I shouldn’t have said what I did.’

‘No, thee shouldn’t.’ Hannah glared at her and went out of the room as the knocker sounded.

‘I really should get rid of her,’ said Esther, shaking her head and wincing as she got up. She rubbed a knee.

‘Don’t do it because of me,’ responded Rebekah swiftly, picking up her handbag and wondering where Hannah could go. ‘Better for us to suffer her than to inflict her on someone else.’ She kissed her
aunt’s cheek, who followed her slowly up the lobby, gave a barely civil greeting to Joshua, and stood watching her get into the car before she turned and went back into the house.

‘Poor Aunt Esther,’ murmured Rebekah as they drove off.

‘Why do you call her poor?’ asked Joshua sharply. ‘She looked blue murder at me. I wonder if she realises I could take you away from her.’

Startled, Rebekah looked at his nice-looking, clean shaven profile. He was wearing a navy lounge suit and oozed masculine power, ‘I don’t think the thought’s occurred to her.’ She paused, wondering why he had said what he did, and added in light tones, ‘When it does, she might just beg you to take me away. I’m not the easiest person to live with. At the moment she considers it her duty to care for me because I’m her only sister’s daughter.’

‘You want to keep reminding her of that,’ said Joshua in a pleasant voice. ‘She must have some money tucked away from when your grandfather died. You don’t want that prune-faced maid getting it all.’

Rebekah’s hands tightened on her handbag. ‘Money’s useful but it’s not everything,’ she murmured.

He glanced at her. ‘That’s a nice sentiment but it’s not true. If you hadn’t a penny you’d realise that there’s nothing lovely about being broke. Be nice to your aunt.’

She looked out of the window, so that he would
not see her expression. ‘I’m as nice as I can be. If I was any nicer she’d smell a rat.’

‘Not her. She’d believe her influence was having a good effect on you.’

‘You’re probably right.’ Her voice was
non-committal
and she changed the subject, asking where was Crane Hall.

‘Near the Bold Street end of Church Street. If you know the Lyceum Newsroom, it’s not far from there.’ He added good-humouredly: ‘I keep forgetting that you’re a foreigner. Your accent’s so faint.’

‘I’ve been mistaken for English in Dublin.’

He flashed her a look. ‘Do you miss Ireland?’

‘Sometimes.’

‘I have a place there.’

Rebekah swallowed an unexpected lump in her throat. ‘Your father bought Grandmama’s farm.’

‘You know about that?’ He sounded surprised.

She wondered why he should be and how he would respond if she told him about her conversation with Daniel concerning him, but thought it wiser to say, ‘My father told me. I remember Grandmama always trying to build me up on buttermilk and porridge.’

He frowned. ‘She was a fearsome woman. She made up for what your uncle lacked, so my brother said.’

‘I was fond of her.’

‘Why shouldn’t you be? Family.’

She hesitated before saying, ‘You must miss your family. Your sister, your brother—’

‘Of course,’ he said in a voice that did not encourage further questions.

They fell silent and did not speak again until they came to Crane Hall where Joshua tried to explain the plot of
T
he Gondoliers
as she attempted to read the programme. She was glad when the music began and she could give all her attention to the entanglements of the various lovers.