Sunlight on the Mersey (38 page)

Iris digested all this in silence, gazing out of the window at the fields beyond the garden. ‘Wait until I tell our Charlie that you have a chauffeur now, he’ll be green with envy!’ she said, grinning impishly. ‘Well, this is certainly all very different to Liverpool but I probably won’t be able to sleep – it’s so
quiet
!’

‘You’d get used to it, Iris, if you were staying longer,’ Rose said a little wistfully.

‘You know I’d stay longer if I could, Rose. Besides, you don’t want to spend the first few weeks of married life with your sister trailing along as well. Now, let me get my coat and dress on a hanger or they will be creased to death. I could murder a cup of tea and you can tell me all the arrangements for tomorrow.’

Rose sat on the bed and watched Iris hang up her outfit. Tomorrow would be the happiest day of her life and she was so glad that Iris would share it with her, but she wished she could have had the rest of her family around her too.

When young Aleric arrived, attired in a dark suit, white shirt, new tie and with a cap, both girls were ready and he helped them with Rose’s luggage. As they drove slowly to Plas Idris Rose happily pointed out the village landmarks, including the little chapel where she was to be married next morning.

‘You mean all this land belongs to him?’ Iris whispered,
glancing from side to side as they drove up the long curving drive. She’d only ever seen this much open space in the parks in Liverpool and of course the fields on the journey to Denbigh.

Rose nodded. ‘And most of the surrounding farms too.’

Iris’s eyes widened as she caught her first glimpse of the house and she completely forgot the presence of Gwen’s nephew in the driving seat. ‘Rose, it’s the size of St George’s Hall!’ she gasped, thinking of the enormous, graceful, Grecian-style building in Lime Street.

‘That’s exaggerating a bit, Iris. It’s not quite
that
big.’

‘It’s just as grand though. How do you find your way around?’

‘I suppose I’ve become used to it now. I did think it was very large indeed when I first came here. David and I will use just a few rooms on the ground floor though, he can’t manage stairs. They’re lovely; the drawing room opens out on to the terrace,’ Rose informed her as the car came to a halt.

‘That paved bit with the big stone vases?’ Iris asked but there was no time for further conversation as Lewis appeared followed by Henry, who helped Aleric with Rose’s belongings while Lewis ushered them inside.

Iris was quite overawed by both the house and the fact that her sister now appeared not to have to lift a finger; there was someone on hand to do everything.

She liked David Rhys-Pritchard instantly and it was obvious from the way he looked at Rose that he adored her. She sipped her tea, very mindful of the opulent furniture,
fabrics and ornaments, the delicate china and silver teapot, while Rose and her future brother-in-law discussed the final arrangements for tomorrow. Thankfully his sister hadn’t put in an appearance, Iris thought when it was time to leave.

‘Thank you so much for making the journey, Iris, we both do appreciate it, especially as circumstances are difficult. It’s been a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again in the morning,’ David said, shaking her hand and smiling up at her.

He was very pleasant, she thought, and polite, but she still didn’t envy Rose. She hadn’t felt at all comfortable although she knew he had tried to put her at her ease. She’d felt more at home in Gwen’s little cottage.

They both dressed with care the following morning and as Iris placed the pale blue hat over her sister’s dark, shiny hair she gave her a kiss on the cheek.

‘You look gorgeous, Rose. Every inch a lady and he’ll be delighted with you. Mam would be so proud!’

‘Oh, Iris, how I wish she could have been here.’

‘I know, but it wasn’t to be. She’ll be thinking of you, you know that. Now, have I got this hat on at the right angle?’

Rose adjusted the brim slightly. ‘I didn’t think I’d be nervous, but I am.’

Iris smiled. ‘I was nervous too when I got married, I suppose it’s only natural, but you’ll forget once you get to the church. Now, we’d better go down, collect our flowers and wait for Aleric,’ she urged, glancing at the little clock on the bedside table.

Gwen was ready and peering intently out of the window for her nephew’s arrival. She looked very smart, Iris thought, in her best navy costume with a pale pink blouse and a navy and pink hat.

‘Oh, don’t you look a picture,
cariad
! Like a fashion model in a magazine, you do!’ Gwen enthused upon seeing Rose. ‘See, I’m getting all emotional already,’ she added, dabbing at her eyes and wishing that Kate could have been here to see her daughter. She was certain that neither Miss Olivia Rhys-Pritchard nor Mrs Ernest Williams would look as beautiful or elegant. ‘Now, I’ll fetch the flowers. Aleric will be here any minute now – he was picking Bob up first.’

It was a very short journey to the little chapel so it had been agreed that Rose’s small party would travel together. The few people they passed waved. David was waiting with Ernest at his side; his two sisters were standing in the pew behind as was Bethan Williams. When Rose saw David all her nervousness vanished. She walked the few steps towards him on Bob’s arm feeling happier than she’d ever done before and was surprised and touched when Elinore smiled pleasantly at her.

Rose made her vows in a quiet, steady voice but when the Reverend Williams pronounced them man and wife her eyes filled with tears of joy as she bent and kissed David on the cheek. Nothing mattered now, not even Olivia’s barely concealed disapproval. She loved David and she loved Plas Idris and the years ahead stretched ahead like a beautiful dream come true.

Gwen had caught Iris’s hand and squeezed it as Rose and David made their vows.

‘Make sure you tell your mam every single detail,’ she whispered, wiping away a tear.

With the brief ceremony over, the happy couple were congratulated by everyone, although Olivia’s tone was rather clipped, Iris noted, and the wedding party were driven back to Plas Idris by Ernest Williams and Aleric in the respective cars. Iris was astonished to see the entire staff assembled in front of the house, waiting to greet and congratulate their master and new mistress but she didn’t comment, feeling a little sad. It was a very real reminder that Rose had now taken her first steps along a very different path to the one she would travel.

The buffet had been laid out in the dining room and Iris thought everything looked delicious and very elaborate. Lewis filled everyone’s glass with champagne while Henry, assisted by a very subdued Nancy and Nora, were on hand to serve the food. The slightly tense atmosphere was dispelled by Ernest, who cleared his throat and proposed a toast to the bride and groom. After that, Elinore took her sister’s arm and edged her towards the fireplace and engaged her in conversation to try to dispel some of Olivia’s tenseness. Ernest, David, Bob and Owen began to discuss the merits of tractors over horsepower and Gwen and Bethan wondered if they could possibly prise the recipe for the cold game pie from Cook, via Mona Mathews of course.

Iris guided Rose towards the long sash windows as they sipped their champagne. ‘I have to say I’ve never tasted wine
like this, Rose, and things are going very well. Even Olivia is looking less frosty-faced than she was in the church.’

‘I’m very grateful to both Ernest and Elinore, at least they are trying to put everyone at ease,’ Rose confided.

Iris nodded. ‘Well, the men are all getting on well but I suppose they have known each other for years even if they don’t meet socially very often.’

‘They’ve got farming in common,’ Rose said, catching a glance from her new husband and smiling.

Iris lowered her voice. ‘Will you be able to manage . . . later? I mean . . . at bedtime?’

Rose blushed but nodded. ‘It’s not as if David is paralysed. Either Lewis or Henry usually help him with his clothes but I’m his wife now . . .’ Rose was feeling a little embarrassed but was determined not to show it. ‘We’ll be . . . fine,’ she added firmly as Lewis refilled their glasses.

When the guests had departed later that afternoon, Olivia informed them that Elinore and Ernest had invited her to spend a few days with them and that she would drive over when she had packed a small case. She had left instructions with Mrs Mathews, who was perfectly capable of seeing that things ran like clockwork during her brief absence.

Rose was very relieved to realise that she and David would have a couple of days alone, apart from the staff, of course, but their presence was something she was going to have to get used to.

They had a light supper after which they retired to the drawing room that overlooked the terrace and as daylight
faded Rose sat on the floor, her head resting in David’s lap.

‘Happy?’ he asked, gently stroking her hair.

‘Happier than I’ve ever been in my life, David.’

‘I thought everything went very well and at least Olivia was civil to everyone.’

‘Elinore was very good, David, she helped to smooth things and it was a lovely day. Even if things had been different, I wouldn’t have wanted a big fuss or crowds of people. The chapel was just perfect, it felt so calm and peaceful, my nerves just vanished. When we got back I suddenly found I was very hungry. I’d hardly eaten any breakfast, and the food was delicious.’

‘I think the champagne helped to keep everyone amiable. It’s been a long day, Rose, shall we retire early?’

Rose got to her feet, holding his hand. ‘There’s no need to ask for Lewis or Henry tonight, David, I’ll help you.’

‘Oh, Rose, I wish—’

She placed a finger on his lips. ‘Hush. I love you. It . . . Everything will be wonderful.’

David felt embarrassed and also resentful. ‘It . . . it might take time.’

‘We have plenty of that, David. We have the rest of our lives.’

Her words dispelled his tension. She was right. ‘I never thought I’d be happy again, Rose. You’re my miracle and I love you.’

K
ATE FOLDED ROSE’S LETTER
and smiled. No longer were her daughter’s letters written on cheap paper, she thought as she gently ran a finger over the thick cream vellum. Rose was happy and seemed to be settling into her new life well, although she wrote that Olivia was still very cool towards her whenever they met, occasions Rose tried her best to keep to the bare minimum. Kate frowned; she fervently hoped that in time Olivia’s attitude towards her daughter would change. The maids Nora and Nancy seemed not to have entirely come to terms with the situation yet either. But there was good news too: David had suggested that Rose visit her at least once a month, driven by Aleric, and that Gwen should accompany her – if she wished to, of course. So, Rose was coming over on Sunday – in two days’ time – with Gwen. She would be
delighted to see them both, she thought. It was very thoughtful of him to have suggested it; it was a considerable distance.

When Iris arrived home from shopping Kate informed her of her sister’s forthcoming visit.

‘That’s great news, Mam. We can hear all Rose’s gossip and I do like Gwen. Perhaps Florence could come for an hour or so too. She hasn’t seen Rose since she got married and it might cheer her up a bit.’ She glanced at the formal photograph of Rose and David that had pride of place on the dresser.

Kate sighed. Florence had taken her father’s death hard. It had changed her, but for the better, or so she thought. Florence was now more serious and considerate, and far less frivolous. ‘I’ll tell Charlie to ask her would she like to come and I want to talk to both you and Tom and our Charlie after supper tonight.’

Iris nodded; she had a good idea what this was about. Charlie had been running Taylor’s Coal Merchants for over a month now and somehow, between them and with the occasional help of Ada Marshall and Maggie Connolly, she and Tom had managed to run the two other shops. She felt proud of what she and Tom had achieved but it couldn’t go on. She felt she was neglecting her mother’s wellbeing and she had another reason she wanted the situation discussed and hopefully resolved. ‘I’ll put these groceries away and then I’ll go and relieve Ada – she’s her own chores to do at home. I know she likes the few hours in the shop as it’s a welcome change to the daily drudgery but it’s not fair to trade on her good nature.’

‘Go on then, I’ll be fine. I can peel the potatoes while I’m sitting here and then I’ll do some baking. That shouldn’t tax me too much and I’ll need something to give Rose and Gwen,’ Kate replied.

Before departing for home Ada popped into the kitchen to see Kate. ‘I’m off now, luv. The kids will be ’ome soon an’ iffen I don’t watch them they’ll ’ave the place destroyed, traipsing their mates in an’ out an’ all the dirt and muck of the street with them.’

‘Thanks for all your help, Ada. You’ve always been a good friend and neighbour and I know our Iris is very grateful too, but I’m going to have to sort the whole situation out. We can’t go on like this. I’m going to do it tonight,’ Kate said determinedly.

‘Well, luv, let me know ’ow it all goes. I’ll see yer termorrer,’ Ada said cheerfully as she went out the back way.