A Moment to Remember (14 page)

Mrs Green wandered back into the drawing room. Walton was sitting at the writing desk. ‘Are you happy, Walton?’ she asked.

‘Begging your pardon, Mrs Green, but I am worried about my position here.’

‘Why?’

‘Well, Milly seems to be taking over Miss Jane more and more.’

‘I don’t think you have any worries about that. Milly can’t do the things you do for my daughter. Besides, who knows, one of these days she might decide to leave us, then where would we be?’

‘Nothing was ever found out about her aunt, then?’

‘No, and I know that Betty has tried. But please don’t worry. All the time my daughter needs helps, you have a position here.’

‘Thank you.’ Walton let a smile lift her tired face. ‘That makes me feel a lot better.’ She hadn’t told anyone that she too had been trying to find this elusive aunt. Did she really exist?

Walton settled down to her tapestry and Mrs Green picked up her book, but the older woman was also beginning to worry about the effect Milly was having on her family. She was a wonderful companion to Jane, there was no doubt about that; it was Richard who worried her lately. Over the years she had seen the way he looked at Milly. He always seemed to be near her and touching her hand whenever he thought no one was looking. She knew that he sent her letters, as Jane had told her when she’d seen her passing one to Milly, but what were they about? Were they sealed? She knew Jane would be very cross if she asked her. It was a good thing Richard was away at school, but what about when he was in the army? He would be a man then and could do just as he pleased. Could Milly become an officer’s wife? She shuddered at the thought. Although she liked the girl, the thought of her being part of the family filled her with horror. She had never bothered her husband with her fears. He had enough problems on his plate and would dismiss them as simply her imagination. The whole world seemed to be in turmoil, everyone wanting something that belonged to someone else. She went back to her book and tried to concentrate on what she was reading, but her thoughts were still on Milly.

 

Milly was pushing Jane along the pavement and they were singing together. Jane began laughing. ‘What say we go to the park one afternoon?’

‘You know I’m not allowed to take you that far.’

‘I know. But who would tell?’

‘No one, I suppose.’

‘Well then. We’ll go next week.’

Milly was worried. She didn’t want to get into trouble. What if Mrs Green found out? Could she lose her job?

‘Don’t look so worried,’ Jane said, smiling. ‘If Mama said anything, then I would say it was my fault, I made you.’

‘Yes, but I’m the one pushing you.’

‘Don’t be such a spoilsport.’

‘Oh, all right then.’

Jane laughed. ‘See. I always get my own way.’

‘Yes, you do. Now come on, let’s get back. Miss Robbins and her mother will have arrived by now and will be wanting their tea.’

‘Let them wait.’

 

When they arrived back home, the visitors were already in the drawing room.

‘Milly, you are very late and we are waiting to start tea,’ said Mrs Green. She looked a little cross.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘That is my fault, Mama. It is such a lovely day that we took our time and I was admiring some of the gardens round here. The flowers are so lovely.’

Mrs Green pushed her daughter into the drawing room.

‘Jane, darling, how well you look,’ said Mrs Robbins in a loud, strident voice.

‘I’ll see to the tea,’ said Milly quickly.

‘Where you been?’ asked Betty as Milly made her way into the kitchen.

She quickly took off her coat and hat and donned her apron.

‘The missus was getting in a bit of a state. You should have been back before this.’

‘I know. But you know Jane, she didn’t want to hurry back.’

‘If you’re gonna take her out more often, you’ll have to be in charge and not let her have things all her own way.’

‘I know,’ mumbled Milly. ‘Shall I push the trolley in?’

‘Yes, go on with you.’ As Milly left the kitchen, Betty was worried. Jane was able to twist Milly round her little finger. She had done a lot for Milly and the girl would always be grateful, but she had to be careful. They were both growing up and one of these days Milly might want to leave, and what would Jane do about that?

The kitchen door opened and Milly came back in. ‘That Mrs Robbins looked down her nose when I walked in, and as I left I heard her say to Mrs Green, “Well, I certainly wouldn’t let a servant of mine do what she likes.” Bloody cheek. I ain’t no servant of hers.’

‘Milly!’

‘Sorry, Betty. But that sort make me angry. Just because they have money, they think they can do and say what they like.’

‘And that’s when you go back to your old way of speaking.’

‘Yes, I know. I’ll have to be more careful when I get cross.’

‘Yes, you will. Now, those potatoes want peeling.’

Milly sat at the table and picked up the knife. Perhaps she was beginning to take things for granted; after all, she was still just a servant, a common girl picked up from off the streets. She would have to be more careful in future and not get so cocky; after all, all this could disappear overnight.

When the bell rang, she went into the drawing room.

‘Milly, could you bring Mrs Robbins’ wrap.’

As Milly collected the wrap from the hall, the thought that went through her mind was: I’d like to wrap this round her neck, but she smiled sweetly and handed it to the woman.

There was no thank you.

She opened the front door and mother and daughter left.

As soon as the door was shut, Jane turned on her mother. ‘I do wish you wouldn’t let that woman talk about Milly like that. She’s not a servant, she’s a friend.’

‘Yes, I know, dear. But I didn’t want to say too much, because as you know, I’m hoping that Catherine will become a very good friend of Richard’s.’ Mrs Green turned and looked deliberately at Milly as she said that.

Milly felt uncomfortable. Did Mrs Green know how Richard felt about her? Had anything been said?

‘I think Richard would have something to say about that,’ said Jane.

‘Maybe. But when he’s in the army and requires a suitable partner to take to dinners and balls, it will have to be someone who is of the same standing as himself.’

Jane looked at Milly. ‘I think Richard will make up his own mind.’

‘I just want to be sure.’ Mrs Green smiled.

When Milly left the room, she felt uneasy. Had she outstayed her welcome here? Would Mrs Green like to see her go? What would Jane say about it if she were to leave? Milly felt very unhappy that night, and for a long while she sat looking at her bracelet. What would Richard say if she went away? Should she tell him her true feelings?

T
HE FOLLOWING DAY they were outside when Jane said, ‘Let’s go to the park.’

‘Do you want me to get the sack?’

‘You can’t get the sack. I won’t let anybody send you away.’

Milly smiled at the back of Jane’s head.

‘So it’s the park, or else I’ll tell my mother that you hit me and tipped me out of my chair.’

‘What? Jane, how could you?’

‘Well I have to get my own way somehow.’

‘You, Miss Jane, are very naughty.’

‘I know.’ She laughed. ‘Don’t be angry. After all, it’s the only pleasure I get. Come on, let’s go.’

Reluctantly Milly did as Jane asked. As they wandered round, Milly was aware of the time, but as they passed the paddling pool, Jane said, ‘I want to paddle.’

‘What? Why are you behaving like this?’

Jane looked up at Milly, her big blue-grey eyes shining with mischief. She batted her eyelids. ‘All I said was I would like to have a paddle like I did when Richard was here.’

‘And look at all the fuss it created when your mother found out.’

‘Yes, well that was Richard’s fault, he shouldn’t have said anything. Come on. Please.’

‘How do you think I’m going to be able to lift you out and hold you?’

‘You can. After all, you’re a strong girl.’

‘And you’re a big lump.’

‘I’m not that big.’

‘I know.’

‘Well then?’

‘No, I can’t. What if I dropped you?’

‘That would be very funny.’

Milly was getting angry. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘You could push my chair to the edge of the water and let me dangle my feet.’

‘I can do no such thing.’

‘Yes you can.’

‘We are going back.’

Jane began laughing. ‘You look so funny when you’re angry. You should wear a bow, then it would wobble like mine.’

‘Don’t be silly.’

‘Oh Milly, don’t get upset. I only want to do what other people do.’

‘I know that and I’m very sorry. But I do have to look after you.’

Everywhere women were sitting on benches fanning themselves. Jane settled back in her chair and Milly arranged her parasol to keep the sun off her head and the thin cover over her knees. Then she turned the wheelchair round and they made their way home.

They were both very quiet, lost in their own thoughts. Milly was thinking that perhaps she could bring a towel with them next time, and push Jane’s wheelchair to the edge. After all, it was only a gentle slope down to the water.

Jane was thinking how she would love to be like other people. Perhaps she could get Walton to help her try to walk, now she was stronger. She smiled to herself. She knew that if she kept on to Milly, she would let her paddle. Next time she would bring a towel, as she dared not go home with wet feet.

 

A week later, Milly was able to take Jane to the park again.

Although it was a warm afternoon, there weren’t many people around. Milly sat on a bench and watched the sunlight sparkle on the pond.

‘Please, Milly, let me dangle my feet in the lovely cool water,’ pleaded Jane.

‘No.’

‘I’ve brought a towel with me. Look.’ She produced it from under her cover.

‘I can’t. I’m worried that something terrible might happen.’

‘What could possibly happen?’

Milly was trying desperately to find an excuse. ‘Somebody might see you and tell your mother.’

‘Who knows my mother round here?’

‘You never know.’

‘Please, let me, nobody will know. Besides, it isn’t that deep. You see children running in and out all the time.

Milly looked around. ‘It’s not very ladylike to take your stockings off in public.’

Jane laughed. ‘I’m no lady, and anyway, you did it very discreetly when Richard was here.’

‘I know. And you will have to wait till Richard comes home next week.’

‘It might rain then. Besides, I can do all sorts under my blanket. Come on, it won’t hurt. Please.’

Milly looked at her friend. She would do anything to make Jane happy, and it did look very inviting. ‘Oh all right then.’ She took off Jane’s shoes and stockings and gently pushed her to the edge. The water lapped gently over the wheels, and Jane could feel it round her feet.

‘This is lovely.’ She was smiling.

‘Right. That’s enough.’ Milly pulled the wheelchair back and proceeded to dry Jane’s feet and put her shoes and stockings back on.

‘Thank you. That was wonderful.’

‘I was a bundle of nerves in case someone saw us.’

‘But they didn’t. Thank you, Milly. You are a true friend.’

Although Milly was happy to see Jane so contented, she was still very anxious.

‘Don’t worry, this will be our little secret.’

‘But I
am
worried. I would hate to be sent away from you.’

Jane put out her hand. ‘You need never worry about that. Nobody will send you away, not while I’m around.’

 

‘You all right?’ asked Betty when Milly came in from having tea with Walton, Mrs Green and Jane.

‘Yes, I’m fine,’ she said, putting the dishes in the sink.

‘You don’t look it. Did something happen while you was out?’

‘No,’ said Milly sharply.

‘That answer tells me that something did. Mind you, Jane seemed in a good mood when you got home.’

Milly continued washing the dishes.

‘Did you see someone you know? Was it one of your family?’

Milly looked up. ‘No.’ She had eventually told Betty where she came from and why she didn’t want to find Auntie Doris.

Betty was busy stirring some flour into a mixing bowl. ‘Well it must have been something.’

‘Betty . . . ’ Milly began wiping her hands.

‘Come on, tell me. What is it?’

Milly told her about letting Jane dangle her feet.

‘What!’

‘I know it was wrong, but what could I do? She looked so happy when she had her feet in the water.’

‘You should have turned the chair round and come straight back home. What was you doing in the park anyway?’

Milly looked very guilty. ‘Please don’t tell Mrs Green, but we’ve been there before.’

‘What!’ Betty said again. ‘You are supposed to be in charge.’

‘I know, but you should have seen her face. She said she wanted to be like other people. Besides, it’s so hot.’

‘I know that, don’t I? This kitchen’s like an oven. Everybody’s talking about this heatwave.’ Betty mopped her brow with the bottom of her apron.

‘I know I shouldn’t, but I feel so sorry for her.’

‘I can see you had a problem. Poor girl, it is a shame. But you know the Missus, she worships that girl, and if anything happened to her, well, I dread to think of the consequences.’

‘Don’t say things like that. I wish Richard was here, then it would be out of my hands.’

Betty was thinking that if Richard was here, Milly could have another problem.