When Sorry Is Not Enough (16 page)

Drawing lazy circles on the tablecloth with her index finger, Josie confided, ‘I’m a bingo caller … just in the Bowling Club … but they say I’m so good at it I should apply to the Capitol in Manderson Street.’

‘That is just bloody capital,’ shrieked Luke.

‘So what do you want me to do? I have to pay my mortgage. I have to eat.’

‘You do and tomorrow you are going to have a great big feed of …’

He was looking directly at her and she could see he meant business so she mumbled, ‘Humble pie.’

He nodded.

Lois and Bobby were lying comfortably in bed when Lois said, ‘I managed to sort everything out at Smithton.’

‘You did?’ Bobby chuckled. ‘But then I always knew you would.’

Lois was now twittering too. ‘I knew I had the skill but it was keeping your mother out of my hair that I thought would be the problem.’

Bobby was now laughing uncontrollably and through his shrieks he stuttered, ‘Aye, but you didn’t know I had arranged for her to be kept busy down here.’

‘Like how?’

‘Like having Aunt Josie going off on another love affair which left Mum having to run the Four Marys.’

‘Right enough. And with Margo requiring her copulation visit to a Swiss clinic financed she could hardly shut up shop.’

Bobby pretended to become slowly serious and, taking Lois in his arms, he mischievously murmured in her ear, ‘And, my dear, aren’t we lucky that we didn’t need to yodel up a Swiss mountain before you … ?’

Lois was now shaking with laughter as she mumbled in Bobby’s ear, ‘And isn’t it wonderful for us, and us alone, to know what a randy, persistent never-satisfied stud you are?’

‘That reminds me, how about you relieve my stress the way you usually do?’

‘Bobby, I’m an expectant mother now so try and behave,’ Lois replied as she snuggled closer into him.

Saturday morning’s weather was perfect for a funeral. The dark eerie clouds appeared to be so heavy that they merged into the sea. Sally, looking out of the window and across to the shoreline, was in two minds as to whether she would go to Elspeth Stock’s funeral or not.

To be truthful she had never met the woman but she did know about her through her husband, David. It was also true that David and she had an understanding and a good relationship had developed between them. She knew he would be requiring support and she felt, as she was to be the future Mrs Stock, it was her place to be his tower of strength. However, in addition to David’s need there were also his two young adult daughters to be considered. With all this in mind she decided she would go to the funeral but she would be the soul of discretion and stay unobtrusively in the background.

When she arrived by taxi at the Seafield Road entrance to Leith’s crematorium she was so pleased to see Nancy waiting at the gates for her. She sighed before thinking,
It’s true I have done a lot for Nancy but she has always more than paid me back. Who else would have thought that today it would be good for me to have a friend beside me?

Typical of Sally she ushered Nancy into the waiting room. From there they would be able to go unobtrusively into the back of the chapel.

Neither Nancy nor Sally tried to make idle conversation while they awaited the arrival of the hearse and official cars which would be carrying the principal mourners.

The entourage had just come into view when Sally grabbed Nancy’s arm and steered her towards the flight of steps at the back entrance.

As funeral turnouts go Elspeth’s was moderate so there were not many who did not enter through the front door and past the main mourners. By entering from the rear, Sally and Nancy were able to view the mourners as they entered.

Sally’s hand flew to her mouth as she witnessed pale, drawn and emotional David’s entrance into the chapel. She was of a mind to fly down to him and assist him with his grief. Luckily a young woman, whom Sally judged to be one of his daughters, slipped her arm through his and he turned and acknowledged her kindness with a weak smile. The rest of the main party was made up of two weeping young women, who were supporting each other, and some elderly relatives.

The service went well but when David stood back to offer his hand to an elderly couple, the man just looked contemptuously at him. The old man then turned to the lady and he took her arm and tucked it into his. However, before they left the crematorium they spoke to the two weeping young women. All four then looked accusingly at David and all he appeared to be able to do was shrug his shoulders and raise his hands in a sign of hopelessness or was it surrender?

‘What’s all that about?’ Nancy asked Sally.

‘Don’t know and here, look at the other aisle.’ Nancy turned to look where Sally was indicating and was amazed to see Phil Watson and an older man and woman.

She became even more dumbfounded when the trio made their way over to the young woman who had comforted David and they began an earnest conversation with her. ‘Here, Nancy,’ Sally mumbled, ‘is that lassie pregnant?’

‘And how,’ blurted Nancy.

Sally and Nancy stood waiting outside the crematorium to summon a taxi when they were approached by Phil Watson.

Without an introduction he announced, ‘I was invited to the boiled ham tea but och, it’s no my scene.’ Sally and Nancy did not respond so Phil, who obviously wanted to impart something to them, continued. ‘Says a lot for you, Sally. What I mean is, there’s no many that would have pitched up here the day to pay their respects …’

Sally had made up her mind not to rise to his bait but Nancy replied, ‘And why should Sally no turn up here? David and she have been more than pals for years.’

‘Aye,’ scoffed Phil, ‘she got away with that with poor Elspeth but now that sneaky Davie has put our Barbara up the …’

‘Your sister, Barbara,’ Nancy gasped, grabbing hold of Phil’s coat lapels, ‘has been put in the family way by David Stock?’

Phil began to cackle. ‘Oh my gawd, dinnae tell me you didnae ken?’ He now put his arms about Sally who was gaping. ‘Are you saying he never telt you?’

Sally slowly shook her head.

‘But,’ Phil stuttered and blustered, ‘he said he was gonnae put you straight about Barbara when he called in to warn that loose cannon of a brother of yours not to start stirring the shite in that loser Irish’s case.’

Sally had recovered somewhat and she burst out of Phil’s hold to retaliate with, ‘Well not only did he not tell me about his good news …’

‘Which makes you wonder if at his age that somebody didnae have it in for him?’ Nancy quipped and was surprised when she was withered by a glower from Sally.

‘But,’ Sally continued, returning her attention to Phil, ‘he made no impression, and here I emphasise, no impression on my brother either. But then he couldn’t because he’ll never be the upstanding man my brother is. And as to you, sonny boy, I’d watch out because not only does my brother have you in his sights but so also does my son.’ Sally paused to savour the minute before adding, ‘And a formidable team they are so I hope your coat is not hanging on a shoogly nail!’

She said no more and was thankful that Nancy had got the attention of a passing taxi and it had just pulled up to take them on board when Sally jumped in.

‘Where to, ladies?’ the cab driver enquired.

Nancy and Sally answered in unison. Nancy suggested Seaview Terrace and Sally the Royal Stuart in Easter Road.

Rattling his knuckles on the glass divisional panel the driver asked, ‘Will I guess which one or will one of you … ?’

‘The Four Marys on the Shore,’ Sally ordered.

‘Is it a pub crawl or something you’re going on?’ the cabbie asked, scratching his head.

Sally and Nancy both ignored the man. However, Nancy did ask Sally, ‘Are you sure you want to go to work today … after … ?’

‘Look, Nancy,’ Sally faltered, ‘if you think I’m going to run and hide then you don’t know me!’ Nancy leaned back and nodded. ‘Don’t you realise,’ Sally continued in a voice that grew stronger with each utterance, ‘if I learned anything from Harry deserting me it is that you
face
your demons – no way will I hide. This isn’t my embarrassment, it’s David’s.’

‘So?’ the impatient driver demanded.

‘You heard the lady,’ Nancy crooned, ‘she’s not for turning so it’s all speed ahead towards the Four Marys on the Shore.’

The taxi had just departed with Nancy who had instructed the driver to take her to the Royal Stuart on Easter Road when Sally strutted into the Four Marys.

Rita was behind the bar having a verbal argument with a pint of McEwan’s Best and Sally lifted the hatch and took the troublesome drink from her and poured off half of the offending froth.

‘Know something?’

Sally sniggered. Rita always started off a conversation with ‘Know something,’ and Sally’s habitual reply was, ‘Not ’til you tell me, Rita.’ Today was no different and Sally obliged with, ‘Not ’til you tell me, Rita.’ ‘It’s just that I don’t think I’m ever going to get the hang of changing a barrel of beer.’

‘Is this you telling me that I need to slip off my shoes and go down into the cellar and do just that?’

Rita nodded before turning to address the customers, ‘You’re in luck now. Sure, Sally will get down into the bowels of the earth and sort out the beer problem.’

Stepping back and opening up the trapdoor Sally was soon tripping down the wooden stairs into the cellar and, as was the correct safety procedure, Rita banged the cellar door shut again. Deftly, Sally changed the problem barrel for a new one. Having checked all the other barrels and counting the numbers that were still in stock, Sally felt an overwhelming sense of cold gloom engulf her. Sinking against the old, damp, musty stone wall she knew that here in this medieval, ghostly atmosphere, where plague victims had been housed, she would be able to allow herself the luxury of weeping out her disappointment and humiliation. Here she was all alone and only this cellar would be witness to how she really felt about David Stock’s betrayal.

Tears cascading, body quivering, she stayed there until the sharp banging of Rita’s heel on the trapdoor had her sniff, wipe her eyes and call out, ‘Just give me another minute and I’ll come up.’

Emerging from the dungeon, Sally was a bit breathless.

‘Here,’ remarked Rita, ‘did you get a splash back … your mascara’s fled from your eyes down to your cheeks.’

Sally managed a weak smile. ‘No, it’s just so damp down there that I hadn’t realised that when I leant my face against the wall it would get soaked.’

Rita was about to ask why Sally required to rest her face on the wall to change a barrel of beer when she remembered the mess she had got into was all because Sally had arrived late. ‘Here Sally,’ she began, ‘I’m sorry about the shambles but where have you been? You’re an hour late.’

Taking out a handkerchief Sally began to wipe her face. ‘If you must know I went to Elspeth Stock’s funeral.’

‘You what?’ shrieked Rita, finishing with a splutter.

‘I did because I wished to pay my respects. And before you go on I’m pleased I did because there was an old couple there, which I now know were her parents. Oh, Rita, they were gutted.’

‘Well they would be and tell me, was Elspeth’s replacement there?’

‘Yes,’ was Sally’s curt reply before trying to push her brow up into her hairline.

‘Well at least now you’re not kidding on that the lassie and the predicament don’t exist.’

A slow hissing sound escaped from Sally before she quietly said, ‘I really was ignorant of the situation. You see, none of you, my supposed friends, told me.’

‘What?’ exploded Rita, ‘Don’t tell me the cowardly bastard never confessed to you?’

Sally, who was making her way to the ladies to clean herself up, just shook her head.

‘Aw well,’ responded Rita defiantly, ‘I might as well tell you the rest that you seem not to know.’ Sally turned to look directly at Rita who gleefully went on, ‘Everybody’s saying last man frees all.’

Sally full of sarcasm chuckled. ‘Know what, Rita?’

‘No ’til you tell me, Sally.’

‘You and Nancy certainly have some wonderful turns of phrases.’

Before Rita could respond, the front door opened and in walked Luke.

‘Morning, sorry, good afternoon, ladies,’ he trilled.

Rita nodded but Sally disappeared into the toilet.

By the time Sally presented herself in the public bar again Luke had already put in his order for lunch and he was busy reading the morning paper.

‘Slumming today are you?’ Sally joked, pulling the paper away from Luke.

‘Aye, you see I have this wee problem with a sister that I have to get sorted out.’

Guessing wrongly that Luke was going to go on about David Stock, Sally hissed, ‘Okay, so you were right about David Stock. But listen and listen good because I am up to here with it.’ Sally’s hand was now indicating above her head. ‘So why don’t you go and eat where you ate yesterday?’

This outburst wrong-footed Luke. ‘Here, wait a minute, I came in here to speak about our Josie and you go into a tirade about something I know nothing about.’

‘Luke, dinnae tell me,’ Rita huffed, ‘that you’re like Sally and didnae ken ’til now that David Stock has put a lassie younger than his daughters in the family way?’

Obviously not knowing whether he should be looking to Sally or Rita for confirmation, Luke’s head swung from side to side.

‘You’re not alone at being left in the dark, Luke. Didn’t stupid me go to his wife’s funeral to show him support and lo and behold it wasn’t my arm he needed. No, idiot that he is, requires a refresher course on how to change shitty nappies!’

‘Now Sally, be truthful, you know I always,’ Luke began then stopped to give an exaggerated shudder, ‘was wary of him. To me he came over as an unctuous, slimy sneak.’

Sally sighed before rolling her eyes and looking up to the ceiling for assistance.

On the other hand, Rita was relishing the assassination of David’s character and she wanted to be in on it so she added, ‘Snake in the grass is what I judged him to be.’

Before lowering her eyes Sally withered both Luke and Rita with a warning stare. Without saying a word Rita disappeared into the kitchen. Luke, who it would appear, did not know when to come in out of the rain, whispered discreetly to Sally. ‘Now,’ he began, taking a seat at the table in front of him, ‘let’s forget all about that apology of a man you were smitten with. We as a family have other important things to get sorted out. Now, why I called in here today is to …’