Memories Are Made of This (37 page)

‘Wasn't it just,' he said, reaching out and taking her hand. ‘Although I prefer to think it was meant to happen. You will go out with me again?'

‘Yes!' She gripped his hand tightly. ‘Perhaps we can go and see that film we talked about not so long ago? Our Jeanette said it's fun.'

‘That settles it,' said Ally, ‘and now there's only one more thing I have to say.'

‘Is it about what I said about having a hellish time recently?' asked Hester, a tremor in her voice.

‘No. I care about that, of course, but I just wanted to say that I wouldn't bring pressure to bear on you to emigrate. I reckon I can be happy living anywhere with you.'

She blushed. ‘I really appreciate you saying that. As for the bad time I've been having, I'll tell you about that another day. Suffice to say that now you're here, I think this is going to be my best Christmas ever.'

He drew her into his arms and she lifted her face to his, and for a while the only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire.

It was the first Sunday of 1955 and Jeanette and George were on the ferry crossing the Mersey. He had said he was more in the mood to go by boat than train and she could understand his feelings. If it had been stormy she would have felt differently, but it was a bright, cold day with only the lightest of breezes, enough to clear the head as they strolled around the deck. Neither of them spoke; she had said all that she wanted to say about her mother, and she sensed her father was naturally feeling a little nervous about the forthcoming reunion with Grace.

Ethel had wanted to accompany them when she learnt that they were going to visit George's wife. Especially when told she had been right in her assumption that Grace was Lavinia's daughter. She had crowed over them and said, ‘I told you so.'

George had told her not to push her luck. He had not forgotten she had almost sent Jeanette tumbling down the stairs, and said he had visited the local old people's home so she had better watch her step. The last thing he wanted was Aunt Ethel sticking her oar in when he met Grace.

His aunt had gone pale, especially as Jeanette and Hester had been present at the time. Thinking of Hester, Jeanette smiled. She had liked Ally on sight and was convinced there would be wedding bells for them in the not too distant future. Ally had accompanied Hester to the party at Betty's flat and the pair of them seemed to have plenty to say to Emma and Jared Gregory. Today they had gone to Whalley to visit Myra Jones, and Hester had told Jeanette that Ally had volunteered to help Jared with the renovation of the cottage in his spare time with a view to renting it.

Jeanette had enjoyed the party, despite David being unable to attend as he was working. Peggy had appeared to enjoy it too, and Pete had been true to his word and danced a waltz with her. She had told Jeanette when she had seen her in work the next day that she was not going to think too far ahead where their relationship was concerned.

Jeanette had also liked the flat, despite it being on the top floor, because it had a fantastic view of the Anglican cathedral and the Mersey. As for Betty, she had shown Jeanette some of her paintings and they had talked of visiting the Walker Art Gallery some time before she went to Italy, so they could view her father's painting together. Maggie had told her that she would be leaving the flat once Betty left for Italy to live with her sister. The information had given Jeanette an idea, and once the reunion between her mother and father was over, she was determined to speak to him about leaving home.

‘We're nearly there,' said George, rousing Jeanette from her reverie.

They made their way to the side of the ship as it approached Birkenhead and waited with the other passengers. Jeanette noticed that it was Jimmy tying up the boat and wondered how he felt about Betty going to Italy.

‘Come on, Jeannie,' said George, ‘let's get ashore.'

She linked her arm through her father's and exchanged greetings with Jimmy, wishing him a Happy New Year. Then she and George hurried from the ferry. Soon they were on the bus taking them to their destination.

‘You OK, Dad?' she asked as they neared Little Storeton.

‘I didn't think I'd be feeling like a lad going on a first date,' he murmured as they stood up.

‘Everything will be fine,' she said, despite her own reservations. Her mother seemed to be so settled on the Wirral. Would she want to live with George again? Would she be content leaving her home here and moving back to Liverpool? And what about Ethel?

Before long they arrived at the house where Grace lived with the O'Neills. George's knock was answered almost immediately by Beryl, who smiled when she saw them. ‘Do come in. She's been on pins all morning waiting for you to arrive.'

George wiped his feet on the mat that said WELCOME in the small hall, removed his trilby and followed Beryl inside. Jeanette hurried after him, wanting to be there to see how her parents would react when they saw each other. At least her father knew to expect to see his wife in a wheelchair. Even so, after almost fourteen years they had both changed and would need to adapt to those changes if they were to see more of each other.

Grace was sitting over by the window with the light falling on her. The crochet she had been working on slipped from her fingers as they entered the sitting room. The fine lines about her green eyes and mouth creased into a smile. ‘How well you look, George! Your hair, so distinguished.'

He cleared his throat noisily and ran his hand over his thick silvering hair. ‘I'm getting old, lass. It was dark brown when I last saw you.'

‘Being in your fifties isn't old,' she chided. ‘You're still a fine figure of a man.'

‘And you're just as pretty as the first day I saw you.' He walked across to her.

‘I looked a mess that evening you found me.' She reached up a hand to him and he took it, grasping it firmly.

‘It seems a long time ago now.'

‘Yes. Do sit down, George.' She indicated the chair close by. ‘We've a lot of catching up to do.'

‘Shall we leave them alone?' said Beryl in a low voice.

Jeanette nodded. She had a strong feeling that today was a new beginning for all of them.