Sunlight on the Mersey (28 page)

Iris and Florence washed the cups and then Iris tried to lighten the mood by telling her friend all about Kate’s letter.

‘You know I’d quite forgotten about my wedding with all the upset,’ Florence said. ‘I hope Dad is going to be fit and well by then . . .’ she added anxiously.

‘Of course he will be but, Florence, I wouldn’t even mention anything about it for quite a while yet. The last thing he needs is to be reminded of all the . . . arrangements,’ she urged. She had been going to say ‘fuss and expense’ but had changed her mind; Florence really was genuinely upset.

When Ethel returned to the hospital that evening she was very relieved to see her husband sitting up and looking more like his old self.

‘You look much better, Edward dear,’ she greeted him, kissing him on the cheek.

‘I feel it, my dear. I seriously had my doubts last night that I would pull through, I’ve never experienced pain like it.’ Edward still felt ill and the attack had given him a nasty shock.

‘They’ve been marvellous here, Edward. Now, perhaps you’ll do as you’re told. You are to have complete rest and are not to get anxious or upset about anything. Young Iris called this afternoon and between them she and Charlie have everything in hand. Charlie is going to take over for you and Iris’s young man, Tom . . . something or other . . . is going to run the pawnbroker’s. Charlie apparently thinks he’s capable of doing so. They will both start first thing tomorrow.’

Edward nodded thankfully. He’d been trying not to think about what would happen but he was very, very relieved to hear this. Charlie too was very ‘capable’, in his opinion. ‘That really is a weight off my mind, Ethel. And it’s very considerate of them both to help us out. Iris is a very good friend to Florence and Charlie . . . well, he has a good head on his shoulders and he’ll make a fine husband.’

Ethel nodded in agreement. ‘And when you are back on your feet, Edward, we’ll talk about the future. I think you should seriously consider retiring. We can’t risk this happening again and we neither of us are getting any younger,’ she finished firmly.

Edward closed his eyes. ‘We’ll talk about it when I come home, Ethel,’ he promised.

He was exhausted by even this brief visit.

K
ATE HAD ARRIVED HOME
looking and feeling rested, and was horrified to hear of Edward Taylor’s illness. But she’d been pleased to learn that in the emergency Charlie, Iris and Tom had worked together to help the Taylors out. Mr Taylor had recovered slowly and was now back at work although he had taken on extra help, at Ethel’s insistence. That meant that Charlie didn’t need to spend his spare time at Cedar Grove doing the paperwork and was also now back in the pawnbroker’s shop. Tom Morrissey had told her that he’d enjoyed standing in for Charlie; it had been an interesting and eye-opening experience and a sobering one too. He’d come to realise that he was fortune to have a reasonably steady job and the prospect of a stable and happy future with Iris, when they had a bit more money put by.

As the days grew shorter with the approach of autumn Kate had a letter from Rose informing her that Miss Elinore was to marry Ernest Williams just after Christmas in a quiet ceremony to which just family were to be invited. It had surprised almost everyone that there wasn’t to be a grand Society wedding but apparently it was what the couple wanted.

Iris relayed this news to Florence when the two girls met up in Lyons Tea Rooms one Wednesday lunchtime in early October. It was a beautiful autumn day now, Iris had thought as she’d alighted from the tram. It had been misty that morning but the sun had soon dispersed the mist and the leaves on the trees in the parks were a riot of oranges, reds and golds. It was quite a while since she’d indulged in the little luxury of having lunch with her friend, Iris thought happily as she walked up Lord Street.

Florence was already waiting and had ordered a pot of tea for two. ‘I didn’t order anything else, I wasn’t sure what you’d like,’ she greeted her friend.

‘How about toasted teacakes?’ Iris suggested as the waitress appeared. ‘Rose has written with news of Elinore Rhys-Pritchard’s wedding. It’s to be a very quiet affair apparently, after Christmas.’

Florence looked disgruntled. ‘You’d think with all their money they’d have splashed out, she being the first to get married.’

Iris shrugged. ‘It’s what Elinore wants. How are things going with your arrangements?’

Florence frowned. ‘I sometimes wonder if we’ll get to the church at all.’

‘What’s our Charlie been saying to upset you now?’ Iris demanded.

‘It’s not Charlie, it’s my mother! I’ve not to mention the wedding at all to Dad—’

‘She’s only thinking of his health and there’s plenty of time yet,’ Iris interrupted.

‘I know that but recently she’s started going on about wanting him to sell the business and retire to the country or the seaside and take up golf.’

Iris looked very interested. ‘Is that so?’ Well, that certainly wouldn’t please Charlie, she thought. That would really scupper his plans for getting his hands on Edward Taylor’s business. ‘Does our Charlie know about this?’

Florence nodded. ‘He doesn’t seem very pleased either. I mean, honestly, Iris, why does she want to sell up and move away, especially with the wedding planned for next April. Can you imagine the complete chaos it will cause? And
that
certainly won’t benefit Dad’s health.’

The teacakes arrived.

‘What does your dad have to say about it?’ Iris asked when the waitress had moved away. Florence was cutting her teacake delicately.

‘I don’t think he’s in favour of it much either although he hasn’t said so. I just think if they have to sell up and move they should at least wait until after I’m married and settled in a home of my own,’ Florence stated pettishly.

Iris nodded slowly; that seemed the logical thing to do. ‘Won’t it be very hard for him selling a business that’s been in the family for years and that he’s worked so hard to build up, to say nothing of going to look for a new house?’

‘Of course it will; that’s my point exactly. I just don’t know what Mother is thinking of even though she is insisting it’s for his benefit. He should take the time now to relax and enjoy what he’s worked so hard for, she says.’

‘Where exactly is she thinking of moving to? Somewhere like Tregarron?’ Iris enquired, wiping a bit of melted butter from her mouth with the serviette.

Florence frowned. ‘I think she’s more inclined towards the coast.’

‘Well, what about Southport? That’s beside the sea and it’s not that far away, Florence. You can get there by train in about three-quarters of an hour,’ Iris suggested, thinking that as well as not being too far it was quite posh enough to suit Ethel Taylor.

Florence stirred her tea. ‘Oh, I don’t know, Iris. I just wish she’d stop going on about it. It’s all quite depressing, shall we change the subject? Have you and Tom started to make any plans yet?’

Iris smiled wryly. ‘Every time I mention it Tom says to wait until we’ve got a bit more money saved. On his wages we won’t be able to afford a place of our own, we’ll live with Mam, but it is convenient for me to go on living over the shop and I can make sure that Mam is all right too, so I’m not sure why he’s being so cautious.’

‘Have you asked him?’ Florence probed. If they were moving in with Mrs Mundy then she couldn’t see a reason for delay.

Iris nodded seriously. ‘It’s because he was out of work for so long when he came back after the war and still doesn’t earn much, it’s made him wary. I think he feels that if he loses this job and can’t get another then he’d rather have a few pounds saved to tide him over. I can understand that.’

‘But you’ll still have the shop,’ Florence remarked.

‘And we’d have to live on the takings – Mam included. Tom’s got his pride. If – God forbid – he was out of work he doesn’t want to be seen to be living off his wife and mother-in-law.’

Florence raised her eyebrows. ‘Is that what people would really think?’

‘They would around our neighbourhood and they’d say so as well. No, I’m not rushing him, Florence. I don’t want him to feel . . . humiliated in any way.’

Florence could see her point. She sighed. ‘Nothing seems straightforward at the moment, does it?’

Iris smiled. ‘I suppose that’s just life, Florence, and we have to make the best of it. Cheer up; perhaps your mam will see the sense in not moving until after your wedding.’

Florence managed a smile. ‘I hope so.’ Reluctantly she reached for her bag. ‘I’d better be getting back to work now. You know what they’re like if you’re a few minutes late. You never hear the end of it.’

Iris grinned. ‘I knew there were some advantages being
your own boss. I’ll see you later in the week, Florence,’ she promised, pouring herself another cup of tea.

Iris spent an hour window shopping and then she made her way home, nodding to the women who were taking advantage of the fine weather standing gossiping – as usual – on their doorsteps.

‘I’m back, Mam!’ she called as she came through the shop, thinking how it looked bright and clean and tidy. She tried hard to keep it that way despite the surrounding neighbourhood becoming increasingly run down. When she entered the kitchen there was no sign of Kate and she frowned, wondering where she was. She called up the stairs and upon getting no reply she went into the scullery. The back door stood wide open. ‘Mam!’ she called. Then she caught sight of her mother sitting on the step, hunched over and clutching her right arm. The basket containing the wet washing and pegs lay on its side, the contents strewn on the flags of the yard.

‘Oh, my God! Mam! What happened? What have you done?’ she cried, kneeling down beside Kate, whose face was white and screwed up in agony.

‘My arm . . . and my shoulder. I . . . I tripped . . . Oh, Iris, the pain!’ Kate gasped.

‘Don’t move; I’m going for our Charlie! Just hang on, I won’t be long,’ Iris urged.

As she ran through the kitchen and the shop and then headlong down the street she blamed herself for going window shopping. She should have come straight home. But she’d
told her mam to leave that bit of washing; that she’d put it out when she got back from town. Now the Lord alone knew what her mother had broken.

Charlie immediately closed the shop and ran up to the main road to find a taxi while she ran back home.

Kate was still sitting on the step but tears of pain were now sliding down her cheeks and she was shaking.

‘Charlie’s gone to get a taxi, we’ll take you to hospital. Can you stand if I help you, Mam?’

Slowly and carefully she helped her mother to her feet and guided her inside. She eased her down on to a chair in the kitchen before running through into the shop to look for her brother. Thankfully as she opened the door a cab drew up and Charlie got out.

‘I’ll go and get her a jacket or cardigan to put round her shoulders. You help her into the cab,’ Iris instructed.

There wasn’t time to dwell on the fact that the last time they’d all been in this hospital had been the day Bill Mundy had died. Kate was in too much pain and Iris was too worried about her. Charlie, after paying the driver and following them in did recall it but his mother was his main concern.

Kate was dealt with quickly, efficiently and with great consideration. Kate had broken her arm in two places and the doctor decided that because of her condition, after they had set it and encased it in plaster of Paris, they would keep her in overnight. She wasn’t very happy about it but Iris urged her not to make a fuss.

‘It’s for the best. You’ve had a shock, you’re in a lot of pain
and they’ll look after you. I’ll go home and get you a few things and bring them back. Oh, Mam, I’m so, so sorry for not coming straight home.’

Kate tried to smile but it resembled more of a grimace. ‘Don’t go blaming yourself, luv. I should have been more careful.’

‘You should have had a bit more patience, Mam. She would have put the damned washing out when she got back,’ Charlie added grimly.

Iris took back a clean nightdress and toiletries and made sure that her mother was settled and more comfortable. Then she returned home and, after gathering up the damp clothes and pegs from the yard, dumped the washing basket in the scullery and made herself a cup of tea. She felt weary and decidedly guilty. It was very clear now that Kate could do herself serious damage when she tripped or fell; her condition was obviously deteriorating and she would certainly need to be more closely watched. It was very worrying, she thought dejectedly.

She discussed it with both her brother and Tom when he arrived later that evening. ‘She’s clearly getting worse; it’s just a single, shallow step that she’s gone up and down a million times before. What if she falls down the stairs? Dear God, it doesn’t bear thinking about! She could break every bone in her body!’

‘That’s a bit extreme, Iris. I don’t think she’s as bad as that . . . yet,’ Charlie said gravely. ‘But we’re going to have to watch her more carefully in future.’

‘I can’t be with her every minute of the day,’ Iris reminded him, biting her lip, ‘but I’ll look in on her far more often in future. She’s not going to be able to do much at all when she gets home.’