A Sister's Shame (34 page)

Bing’s parents were seated on the other side. Ivy was dressed all in cream and brown with a feather in her hat. Johnny looked tall and smart in a suit, his hair standing on end, just like
Bing’s. Marie smiled at them. There were faces she didn’t recognize, but all were smiling as Hector stood aside to allow Bing to take his place.

She looked up at the man who would soon be her husband. She loved him so much. The Reverend David Hughes, the clergyman who was to marry them, had a kind, smiling face. The organ finished
playing and for a moment the church was very still. Marie thought the thud of her heart was so loud, everyone could hear it.

‘Dearly beloved,’ said Mr Hughes, his voice echoing clearly, ‘we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man
and this woman in Holy Matrimony.’

As he spoke Marie looked at Bing. Love spilled from his eyes. She wanted to be with him for the rest of her life.

Her voice felt very small when she made her vows. Bing’s was strong and solid. Mr Hughes led them: ‘. . . to have and to hold . . . from this day forward, for better, for worse, for
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part . . .’

They were beautiful words. Marie knew she would honour them always, and though there may be ups and downs in their marriage, she knew they would be happy. Fleetingly she thought of Vesta. Her
twin was not here to see her married. Marie looked into Bing’s eyes again. Love filled the empty space that Vesta had left.

Charlie handed over the ring. Bing took Marie’s hand. ‘. . . With my body I thee honour you; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.’ He slid on her ring. The golden band gleamed on her finger.

‘I pronounce that they be man and wife together,’ said Mr Hughes when the blessings spoken. ‘Robert, you may kiss the bride.’

Marie knew that, as Bing placed his lips on hers and told her he would always love her, this was the happiest day of her life. She had dreamed of another life once; but that dream could not
compare to the way she felt today.

The organ boomed out again and Bing led her to the vestry to sign the register. She was now Mrs Bobby Brown and her husband was beside her and had promised he always would be. It was a promise
that she knew Bing would keep.

Marie and Bing stood outside on the church steps. The sun shone down on them and people cheered. The photographer adjusted the camera on the tripod, and friends and family
crowded round. A slight breeze lifted Marie’s veil. Everywhere smelled fresh and new. All through the service, there had been a breathless hush, but now everyone was talking and laughing.
Bing squeezed her arm as she leaned against his tall, strong frame. She was now Mrs Brown and wanted to shout it to the world. As they went to Bing’s car, where Charlie was in the driving
seat, confetti showered over them. First Ada and Elsie, and then Bing’s parents hugged Marie. She knew she would remember this day all her life: the smells, sights and sounds of the East End
on her wedding day – hoots from the river traffic, the sirens and the cries of the gulls – the silence as Bing slipped on her ring; the Vicar’s clear voice and the organ’s
beautiful music.

Everyone waved as Marie and Bing sat in the back of the car. Marie couldn’t stop smiling. She was sitting beside her new husband and was the happiest girl in the world.

Bing took her in his arms and kissed her. He whispered, ‘I love you, Mrs Brown.’

‘And I love you too.’

‘No canoodling in the back seat!’ shouted Charlie, giving a toot on the horn. It was only a short distance to Sphinx Street, but everyone stopped to look at the red car with white
ribbons tied to the bonnet.

It was only when Marie glanced down at the lilies in her lap that she was reminded of that one special person missing, and for a short while her thoughts went to Vesta, who would have looked
beautiful in the blue bridesmaid’s dress.

‘I can’t believe I’m married,’ Marie sighed much later that day, as Bing carried her up to the newly painted black door in Manchester Road. ‘And
this is our new home.’

‘I’ll prove it.’ He set her down and unlocked the door. He pressed the key into her hand. ‘It’s all yours.’ She went to step in, holding her wedding dress up
from the floor, but Bing grabbed her and swung her into his arms. ‘Hold on a minute. I’ve got to carry you over the doorstep.’

She giggled as she held tightly to his broad shoulders. All afternoon she had longed to do this, to be alone with him. The reception had been wonderful, with plenty of eating and drinking,
whilst Bing played requests on Elsie’s piano. The music, dancing and singing had kept everyone entertained until finally darkness had fallen.

‘I’m only ten minutes’ walk away,’ Marie had reminded Ada as they left. But all the same, Ada’s tears had fallen. It wasn’t until now, with her arms around
Bing’s neck, that she could truly take in all that had happened.

Bing set her slowly down. He pressed his hands down over the sleeves of her dress. ‘I don’t know how I kept me hands off you today.’

Then he kissed her long and hard as they stood in their new home. ‘I’ll build a fire,’ he told her, kissing her again.

‘No, don’t do that.’

‘Don’t want my wife to get cold.’

‘We won’t if we’re in bed.’

Bing gave a lusty growl. ‘Do you mean that?’

‘We’ve only got the weekend together.’

‘We’ve got all our lives. But I like your idea. Thought that you’d want to do something else first, though. Like unpack your suitcase or have something to eat.’

‘Most of my clothes are here. There’s only a couple of things I had to bring with me. The suitcase isn’t going to hurt in the car for one night. As for eating, yes, I’m
hungry. But not for what we’ve got in the larder.’

He took her in his arms again. ‘Mrs Brown, you know how to drive a man crazy.’

She grinned. ‘I’m learning.’

Bing was kissing her and whispering as he took her to the bedroom and they fell on the bed. ‘September ain’t that far off for our honeymoon.’

‘I’m counting the days.’

He tipped up her chin. ‘Did you miss your sister?’

‘Yes, but I have you.’ She didn’t want to be unhappy. And she knew if she thought about Vesta, she would be. This was her wedding night; she wanted to lose herself in the
happiness she had found with Bing.

He kissed her long and passionately. In the darkness, he began to undress her. As he touched and caressed her, she gave herself up to the lovemaking of the husband who would now be her partner
for life.

Marie opened her eyes to the unfamiliar sight of the open sash window with its flowered drapes and gleaming white lace. A shaft of late April sunshine flowed over the maple
chest of drawers beneath, identical in rich texture to the wardrobe beside it. The gentle breeze drifted in the river air and she smiled. From the scullery she could hear her husband singing,
clattering around and making tea.

Sitting up in bed, she folded her hands over the beautiful damson counterpane that Ada and Hector had given them as their wedding present. Marie still couldn’t believe she was now married
and kept repeating her married name over and over, revelling in the warm, wonderful feeling of joy and happiness. Bing had made a passionate and thoughtful lover. She blushed at the thought of
their first night together. If she had had any worries before, Bing had soon dispelled them.

How many times had he whispered he loved her? That she was beautiful and the woman of his dreams? Just trickling his fingers over her bare skin had made her want him. She hated the thought of
Monday when they would part, he to the docks and she to the factory. She wouldn’t be able to wait to get home from work to see him.

Now, as she listened to Bing humming softly, she smiled. So much had happened since they’d made their wedding vows. Images came to her mind of Ada and Hector dancing together. Elsie had
got a little tipsy and flirted with one of Bing’s friends. The big, burly docker had insisted on lifting her up and whirling her round the floor. The girls from work had given her a card from
Mr Morton, wishing her every happiness. Wippet had persuaded Kaiser to light a cigarette and even Nina had joined in with the singing.

Marie watched the dust motes, bright in the sunlight, flow down to the foot of the bed. Soon Bing would carry in their tea and lie beside her again. She trembled at the thought of his strong,
lean body, muscular in all the right places, firm and yet yielding under her touch.

Marie reached out for her mirror on the bedside table. In the oval glass, she saw a different Marie to the girl who had walked down the aisle. Now a woman gazed back, happy and fulfilled. Under
her blonde hair, her blue eyes were serene. Even her freckled nose seemed to shine healthily.

‘How’s my girl this morning?’ Bing strolled in, placing a cup and saucer beside her. He sat on the edge of the bed. She still couldn’t believe that she was married to
this man. He wore only his white pants, his toned chest and muscular arms evidence of the hard work he did in the docks. His arms were sprinkled with fine light hairs, which caught the rays of the
sunshine. There wasn’t an inch of spare flesh on his body; she had run her fingers over it a thousand times last night, unable to believe this man was all hers.

Her heart raced as he leaned forward and kissed her. His lips were tender, inquisitive and exploring. After their night of passion they now shared a lingering, confident delight. Marie was
amazed at each little revelation, each discovery they made between them.

‘What were you singing?’ she asked as she sank her head back on the pillow.

His eyes were filled with a teasing sparkle. ‘I was tuning up. Did you recognize it?’

‘No, but I can guess.’

‘Come here then, snuggle against me and I’ll sing it to you.’

Eagerly Marie wrapped herself around him, resting her head on his chest. She tried not to giggle as he coughed softly and cleared his throat. But her smile soon faded as he began to sing
‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart’. Not only was he note-perfect, but his soft, husky voice was so beautiful that it brought tears of love and joy to her eyes. His fingers stroked her bare
arm as he sang, entwining in her hair and running down the curve of her neck to the sensitive knuckle of bone on her shoulder. Each word, she knew, was meant for her. It was their song: a song of
hope and endearment that seemed perfectly right for lovers.

When he had finished, she lifted her head from his chest and put her mouth close to his. Her lips were wet with tears and he drew away the moisture with his finger, tracing their full curve. No
words could be found between them. The song would always remind them of this moment, the first day of their life together and, they hoped, many more to come.

It was hours later when they woke. Bing’s arm was thrown across her and, as he opened his eyes, he smiled, his hand sliding down to pull her against him.

‘Who is this beautiful woman in my bed?’ he teased, sliding the strap of her slip over her arm and kissing her shoulder.

‘You’d better stop that, or we’ll be here all day.’

He gazed at her with a deep longing. ‘Another good idea, Mrs Brown.’

‘I’m full of those, you wait and see.’

‘I’m no fool, marrying a genius.’

She took hold of his ear and tweaked it. ‘That’s for being cheeky.’

‘Can you do it again, please?’

She laughed and he reached out again and lifted the strands of her hair, trickling them through his fingers. Then sliding his thumb slowly over her chin and down to her neck, he pressed his lips
on the soft skin of her breast.

She shivered in anticipation. ‘You’d better not do that again.’

‘I can’t believe you’re my wife.’

‘Even Mr Morton forgot to call me Mrs Brown and wrote “Marie Haskins”.’

‘Damn sauce! I’ll have words with him about that.’

Marie laughed. ‘That’s one person I don’t want you to upset.’

‘Do you really want to work at the factory? My wage is enough for us to live on.’

She smiled. ‘I’ll give up my job when something happens.’

A tremble seemed to go through him as he drew her very close. ‘I hope that something will be soon.’

‘It’s only been one night! And, well . . . today.’ She stopped, her face crimson.

‘Yes, and there’s twins in the family, don’t forget.’

Marie nodded sadly. She hadn’t forgotten.

‘Oh, me and my big mouth,’ Bing muttered, banging the heel of his hand again his head. ‘I didn’t mean to remind you of—’ He paused before he blurted
Vesta’s name. ‘I was just thinking of babies.’

‘Doesn’t matter.’ She kissed his cheek softly. ‘Mum always said she thought there was a chance that one of us girls might have twins.’

‘Are you happy, sweetheart?’ Bing asked, bringing her out of her troubled thoughts.

‘Course I am.’

‘It won’t be long before you see Vesta again.’

Marie tipped up his chin and frowned. ‘What makes you say that?’

‘She’ll turn up if she’s missing you like you’re missing her.’

‘Yes, but is she?’

In answer, his hands drew her to him, and she found release from her doubts as he caressed and kissed her. Marie knew she would forget any sadness in their love-making and, for a time, her world
would be perfect.

The smell of baking came from the kitchen, where Ada was working, as Marie walked into the house in Sphinx Street. The aroma of mixed spices reminded her of the hot cross buns
Ada baked every Easter, though if her family had been given a choice, it was Ada’s apple pie they preferred, with its rich golden pastry and thick custard. Although Ada worked, she had always
found time to cook.

All the memories from childhood tumbled back as Marie heard the clatter of baking. Today the radio was turned up and the news was all about the next day, Monday, 6 May: King George V’s
Silver Jubilee. The King and Queen Mary would be riding in a carriage to St Paul’s Cathedral for the Thanksgiving Service. Many people had been given the day off work. Already the nation was
preparing, and Marie and Bing were looking forward to joining the party at Sphinx Street.