Sunlight on the Mersey (27 page)

Kate hesitated. ‘Oh, do you really think I should? I mean I’m not . . . a tenant and I don’t live in the village. I don’t even know them and I’m not sure what to say.’

‘Everyone was allowed to bring a guest and you’re mine. Just wish them well,’ Gwen stated firmly, urging her friend forward.

‘They won’t bite, Mam. They’re really very nice,’ Rose whispered for Kate was looking very ill at ease.

Gwen introduced her to Elinore and Ernest and Kate wished them every happiness and was thankfully turning away when Rose caught her arm.

‘Mam, I’d like you to meet Mr David Rhys-Pritchard. Sir, this is my mother, Mrs Katherine Mundy.’

David looked up at the thin woman in the blue and white flowered cotton dress and smiled as he extended his hand. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Mrs Mundy. Rose told me you were
visiting Miss Roberts. I hope you are having a pleasant evening?’

‘Oh, yes, indeed! It’s all quite . . . splendid . . . sir,’ Kate replied, overcome with embarrassment.

He smiled at Rose. ‘Rose is very kind, she gives up quite a lot of her free time to read to me and we often have quite animated discussions, don’t we, Rose?’

‘We do, sir,’ Rose replied.

David looked at Kate thoughtfully. ‘Would it be impertinent of me to ask does Rose take after her father?’

Kate relaxed a little; he was a pleasant young man and it wasn’t
that
hard to talk to him. ‘She gets her dark hair and eyes from Bill, my late husband, but she takes after me in her . . . build.’ She smiled at Rose. ‘But she has her father’s nature. He was a kind, generous, hard-working and good-tempered man.’

‘Then she definitely has inherited those traits. How are you feeling, Mrs Mundy? I hear you haven’t been well,’ he enquired politely.

‘Oh, it’s nothing too serious. I’m just getting older. A few weeks here in the country will perk me up no end,’ Kate replied, thinking that considering what this poor young man had suffered and would continue to suffer for the rest of his life, she wasn’t badly off at all.

He nodded. ‘I’m sure you will benefit from it. Now, if you will excuse me, I must thank the Reverend Williams for his short speech. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mrs Mundy. I’ll see you tomorrow, Rose.’

Rose took her mother’s arm as they turned away and followed Gwen towards the long tables where the buffet was starting to be served. ‘You see, Mam, he’s really very nice.’

Kate nodded. She was glad the interview was over but she hadn’t failed to notice the expression in David Rhys-Pritchard’s eyes when he’d looked at Rose. ‘He is, luv, but don’t forget
who
he is or that you are a paid servant in his house,’ she said quietly.

I
RIS WAS TIRED BUT
she wondered if she should wait up for Charlie who had gone to Florence’s house after supper. When he was out she found it very strange being in on her own, it was very quiet even though she had the wireless set. Kate had been away for over a week now, and she missed her. She was used to seeing her mother in the kitchen when she came through from the shop and of chatting to her of the day’s events. She’d had a long letter this morning which she decided to read again while she waited for her brother to return as she’d really only scanned through it, mainly to reassure herself that Kate was well.

She settled herself in an armchair and reread the letter, smiling to herself. Mam really seemed to be enjoying herself; she’d been tired after the journey but she’d soon recovered
and both Gwen and Rose were in good form. Iris felt very relieved that her mother was well and that her sister was happy. Kate was full of both the flower show and the engagement party, which, judging from her mam’s highly detailed and enthusiastic report, sounded like a cross between a rather posh street party and a very elegant Society event. They certainly had a lavish lifestyle up at Plas Idris, quite unlike her own, she mused, although she wouldn’t have wanted to swap. Kate had loved seeing all the beautiful flowers and the marvellous fruit and vegetable exhibits at the show, particularly the spectacular floral arrangements created by someone called Mrs Llewellyn-Jones, who apparently got first prize every year but who was something of a fusspot, according to Gwen.

Mam had met the entire Rhys-Pritchard family, including the new fiancé and the servants, or so it seemed, and Iris wished she could have seen for herself the style of the gorgeous evening dresses and expensive jewellery and the engagement ring, which according to Kate made Florence’s ring look insignificant. The food and drink that had been laid on sounded mouth-watering and very lavish.

She was reading the final paragraph, which contained the details of a picnic that Gwen had planned, when she heard Charlie coming in the back way.

‘I was rereading Mam’s letter. She sounds as if she’s having a great time. What’s the matter?’ she finished, realising from his expression that something was wrong.

‘It’s Florence’s dad, he’s been taken into Walton Hospital, that’s why I’m home later than usual.’

Iris was instantly concerned. ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he going to be all right? Is Florence all right?’

Charlie took off his jacket, sat down opposite her and ran his hands through his hair. It had been a very worrying evening. ‘When I arrived there was utter panic. He’d collapsed, Florence was in tears and her mam was half out of her mind with worry, but she’d telephoned for the doctor and when he arrived he sent for an ambulance straight away.’

Iris’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, my God! What’s wrong with him?’

‘He’d complained of not feeling well, he had pains in his chest, then he collapsed. The doctor at the hospital said he’s had a heart attack but that he was now “stable” – whatever that means – but they’re keeping him in, so by the time I got Mrs Taylor and Florence home and calmed them down a bit . . .’ He stood up, crossed to the dresser and took out the half-bottle of brandy Kate kept there for emergencies. He poured a small amount into a glass.

‘But he
is
going to get better?’ Iris was forcefully reminded of the terrible foreboding she had experienced that awful day when her da had been taken to hospital. No wonder Florence had been in tears; it must have been an ordeal for her friend.

Charlie nodded as he took a swig of the brandy. ‘They’re going to keep a close eye on him but they think he’ll be all right as long as he has complete rest and takes the tablets they’re giving him. He’s not going to be able to do anything, and I mean
anything,
for quite a while and he’s not to be worried or get upset over anything either.’

‘But they will let him go home soon?’

Charlie nodded. ‘When they feel he is well enough.’

Iris bit her lip. ‘Do you think we should let Mam know?’ she asked.

‘No. There’s nothing she can do, is there? And she’ll only start to worry about Florence. But now that both Florence and her mother have calmed down they’ll be fine. No, leave Mam to enjoy herself.’

‘It’s half-day closing tomorrow, I’ll go and see Florence,’ Iris offered, getting up to put the kettle on.

‘She’ll appreciate that; she’s not going into work tomorrow. She’ll telephone them in the morning.’ Charlie paused. He was feeling calmer himself now but Edward Taylor’s predicament had presented him with some problems. ‘There is something I have to discuss with you, Iris, before you go to see Florence.’

She frowned. ‘What?’

‘Mr Taylor’s business – it’s not going to run itself.’

Iris was outraged. ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Charlie! Don’t you ever think of anything other than business? The poor man is lying ill in hospital!’

‘And if I know him he’ll be worrying about his business and that’s not going to help him get better, is it?’ Charlie retorted.

Iris had to agree with this and she nodded slowly.

‘So, what I’m going to suggest to Mrs Taylor is that I take over the business until he’s back on his feet again. I know enough about it now to keep things ticking over nicely.’ Charlie had thought all this through on the way home on the tram.

‘You’ll have to close up the shop, I can’t manage both businesses.’

Charlie hesitated, wondering how she would take his next suggestion. ‘I know you can’t, Iris, but I was wondering if Tom Morrissey would stand in for me for a few weeks?’

‘Tom? But he already has a job,’ Iris protested.

‘He starts very early and finishes early, Iris. He needn’t open up until mid-morning,’ Charlie reminded her.

‘But he knows nothing about pawnbroking.’

‘And you knew nothing about greengrocery but you soon learned. I’ll go over everything with him and he’s no fool.’

Iris was considering this. ‘We can’t ask him to do it for nothing, Charlie.’

‘I don’t intend to but I can only afford to pay him the rate he gets now.’

That wasn’t very much, Iris thought, but she was thinking of Florence’s father’s health and her friend’s peace of mind. ‘I’ll ask him in the morning.’

‘You will impress upon him how important it is for Florence’s father and that it will only be a temporary arrangement? He’ll be getting paid and doing us all a great favour at the same time,’ Charlie urged.

But mainly you, Iris thought. Her brother had obviously worked all this out. He wasn’t prepared to close his shop and lose business but he also intended to make sure that Edward Taylor’s business didn’t suffer either and she was certain that
both Mrs Taylor and Florence would be greatly impressed by this show of consideration on Charlie’s part. Still, for Florence’s sake she’d ask Tom.

She asked him next morning and was surprised and somewhat relieved when he agreed, saying it would be an interesting experience and the extra cash would come in very handy.

‘It’s not going to be a fortune, Tom, in fact it’s just buttons,’ she reminded him as he went through to the kitchen to see her brother.

When she arrived at Cedar Grove after lunch that afternoon she found Florence pale and still a little tearful.

‘Oh, Iris, I still can’t take it in. Mother is at the hospital now but he’s only allowed one visitor and only for half an hour; they’re very strict. He has to have complete rest,’ she said as she ushered Iris into the morning room.

‘He’s in good hands, Florence, so try not to worry too much. But I know it must have been a terrible shock for you.’ She could fully understand her friend’s emotions, remembering how she had felt when she’d learned of her da’s accident. It wasn’t quite the same – Edward Taylor hadn’t died – but it was only natural that Florence was upset.

Florence nodded and dabbed at her eyes. ‘It was. He’s not usually ill. He . . . he’s always been . . . here. I got very upset this morning when I realised he wasn’t.’

Iris nodded sadly, thinking of her da. ‘I know. You never think anything . . . awful is going to happen to them. But look on the bright side, Florence, he is going to get better and
come home again and Charlie told me to tell you not to worry, he’s got everything in hand.’

‘Oh, Iris, he’s so good. I just don’t know what we would have done last night without him. Mother and I were in such a state but he took charge completely.’

‘I’ll put the kettle on. We’ll have a cup of tea and I’ll tell you what Charlie’s organised.’

They had tea and Iris told her friend of the plans her brother had made. By the time Ethel Taylor arrived home Florence was feeling much better.

‘How is he now?’ Florence asked as Ethel took off her hat and Iris made a fresh pot of tea. Florence’s mother looked pale, anxious and exhausted, she thought.

‘He’s had a comfortable night, the doctor said, and he does look a bit . . . brighter, thank God. I’ve hardly slept a wink worrying about him.’

‘Sit down and have this tea, you look as though you need it, Mrs Taylor.’ Iris handed her the cup.

Ethel nodded. ‘Thank you, Iris. It’s very kind of you to come and I have to say Charlie has been very good, but Edward is his own worst enemy. He still works far too hard despite being warned to take things easier. Well, from now on things will have to change. We can’t risk this happening again.’

‘Iris has just been telling me that Charlie has organised everything so we’re not to worry,’ Florence explained.

Ethel looked questioningly at Iris.

‘Charlie is going to take over the business until Mr Taylor
is back on his feet again; he’s familiar with everything having helped him out lately. And Tom Morrissey, my young man, is going to run Charlie’s business. He’s starting tomorrow. Charlie will be here this evening to see how Mr Taylor is progressing and he’ll start first thing tomorrow. So, you see there is nothing for Mr Taylor to worry about – except getting better.’

Ethel nodded slowly. It seemed as if she had misjudged Charlie; he had ensured that Edward would have no cause to worry but she had plans for when her husband was well again. She was going to insist that he sell the business and retire. They would buy a nice bungalow either in the country or by the sea somewhere so he could relax more, maybe even take up golf. ‘I’m very grateful for all this help, Iris, I really am, and I’ll tell Edward when I visit him this evening. I’m sure it will put his mind at rest. Now, if you’ll excuse me I think I’ll go and have a nap, I’m exhausted.’