Dreams Can Come True (19 page)

Maggie sank down onto the bed in despair. It seemed like history repeating itself. She hadn’t wanted to marry Jack, but circumstances had forced her into it. Now here was Hannah feeling forced into marrying Eddie, because she had let him couple with her.

“You don’t have to marry him, Hannah. You can take the carriage and drive down to Malpas. Sarah, your old nursemaid, would take you in until we can think of something. Here, I’ll go and get her address. Take Lincoln or Jefferson, you could be there by nightfall and I’ll square it with your father after yer gone.”

“Mother,” Hannah patted Maggie’s shoulder gently, her voice all wobbly as she tried to stem her tears. “I can’t do that to Eddie. It would break his heart. He has loved me since we were tiny tots and though I don’t return his love, I am fond of him. I’ll go ahead and marry him and who knows, it could be the making of me. It’s not as if I’ll be living in a hovel; your workmen have made a wonderful job of the cottage and Eddie will have regular wages with all the building that’s going on. You don’t know how grateful I am to you, Mother. You could have left me with Grandmama all those years ago and I’m sure she would have made my life a misery, but you have always been kind and I’ve wanted for nothing.”

Hannah put her arms around Maggie’s neck and hugged her fiercely.

“Well, if that’s yer decision, come downstairs and we’ll have a nice cup of something. At least yer father said he’d walk yer to church, so now he can see what an elegant bride you will be.”

Meantime, Eddie was getting ready in the living room of his parents’ four-roomed accommodation above the tavern. He adjusted his silver-coloured cravat in the flyblown mirror above the mantelpiece. He smirked with satisfaction, then turned to his mother who was watching him.

“What do yer think, will I do yer proud when I take me bride up the aisle?”

Madeline sniffed and smoothed down the dark blue skirt of her best outfit.

“I’ve told you before, nothing good will come of this marriage. Chalk and cheese the pair of you. Why Miss Goody Two Shoes Haines had condescended to wed you is beyond me. It’s not as if she’s expecting and her father’s after yer with a shotgun. Though maybe the pair of you have been up to no good, seeing he’s being mean with the wedding breakfast.”

“Oh, Old Sour Puss will soon come round, Mother. Once he sees me and Hannah are happy and there’s a baby on the way to make him a granddad, he’ll get over his jealousy. That’s all it is, jealousy, because I’m taking his little princess away. That’s what Hannah has told me anyway. I didn’t dare go near him or Selwyn Lodge once he knew we were getting married, though her mother Maggie has been a star. Look how she’s let us have the cottage, had it done up fer us and given us fifty pound to spend as a wedding present. That’s where me suit came from by the way. Hannah took me to Browns in Chester. I felt a real toff with all the other gents.”

“Ah, a kept man already is it?” came a voice from the stairs.

It was Uncle Johnny, who had travelled over from Ireland to be with the family on his nephew’s wedding day.

“Not so long now before yer a married man, young shaver. I was wondering if yer were going to ask for the borrow of me suit again.”

“No, according to Eddie, he’ll be getting a wardrobe full,” Madeline broke in. “Thinks he’ll be landed once her dad gets used to them being wed, but I know that family. Especially that Maggie. She’ll be ever so pleasant, Eddie, then you put one foot out of line and then you’ve had it. I’d go carefully and not get any big ideas, ‘cos whatever she does, she’ll do it for Hannah, not you.”

“Yes, I can second that, Eddie. Years ago I thought I was in with a chance with Maggie. I took her out, did a spot of courting with her, was prepared to give up the sea ‘cos I thought I’d be moving into that great big house and be taking over her affairs. Then before yer know it, her husband appeared. Out of the blue, just like that.”

“And we all thought she was a widow, didn’t we, Johnny?” said Madeline jeeringly. “We felt sorry for her, me and her were the best of friends, but all the time she was double dealing us. So be careful ‘cos you never know where you are with her.”

“Well, I’m marrying Hannah, not her mother,” laughed Eddie good-humouredly. “Now do yer think yer could round up all the kids? I don’t want the Dockerty’s to turn up late.”

At least one side of the church was full, thought Hannah, as she walked slowly down to the altar with her father. She saw the grinning faces of Eddie’s brothers and sisters, the disapproving face of his mother, Ted, Eddie’s father, who winked at her and gave her an encouraging smile. A whole host of villagers (‘come to gawp’ as her mother would have put it) and at least ten young men from the building site. On the bride’s side were Maggie, Grandmama and her new husband, Mr. Arlington, Sean, Jack’s brother with his wife, Matilda, and Fergal whose wife would join them later on. There was no sign of Cecelia and Florence, who hadn’t even replied to Hannah’s invitation; she had fallen back on an old school friend to be her attendant. Emily Watts, by return of post, had said she would be delighted to come. Of course Mikey was away in India, though Hannah knew he wouldn’t have approved of her marriage to Eddie, if he had been here. Well, never mind; it was the people who were here that mattered and Hannah smiled gently at Eddie as he turned to look her way.

“So we meet again, Maggie,” said Johnny, as he saw his chance to get her on his own after the wedding, as the other invited guests made a beeline for the church hall.

“I see you’ve gone to inordinate expense on behalf of the young couple. I thought the do after would be at least at the Grosvenor Hotel.”

“Get lost, Johnny,” muttered Maggie, stung by his criticism. “It’s not as if it’s the wedding of the year, it’s your nephew Hannah’s marrying after all.”

“What do yer mean by that?” he asked her, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. “Eddie’s good enough for any girl, especially one who has a dubious background like hers.”

“Do you not think we should join the others?” Maggie smiled at him sweetly and began to walk away. No doubt Johnny had been listening to Madeline’s gossip and Maggie was determined not to take him on. This day was Hannah and Eddie’s, and no one was going to spoil it. She nodded at the priest who hovered by the church hall door and asked him if he would care to join them.

“I don’t think much effort has gone in to this,” Madeline remarked to her husband, as they waited for the bride and groom to arrive. “Two tables of food to cater for our lot, I could have done better if we had done it all at the pub’!”

“Well, yer should of volunteered then, shouldn’t yer, but all you’ve done is bitch and snipe. You and Maggie could have got together, but it looks as if all the hard work has fallen on them over there.”

Ted pointed over to Olive and Joan, who both looked tired and harassed. They were filling sherry glasses as fast as they could, while Olive’s younger sister, Polly, was still buttering slices of bread.

“At least someone’s bothered to make a wedding cake, probably shop bought from the bakery though. I can’t see Maggie putting a pinny on, can you?”

“Give it a rest will yer, Maddy and get our Jimmy out from under that table. If he pulls on that tablecloth any more, he’ll have the cake on top of him. Ah, here they are. Our Eddie and the beautiful Hannah. Ladies and Gentlemen, make way for the bride and groom!”

“Who does he think he is?” commented Alice to her husband, Mr. Arlington. “At our wedding we had a proper Master of Ceremonies, not any old person who just shouts that the couple has come.”

“Well, we had a more refined wedding, my dear Mrs. Arlington. None could better our special day at the Victoria Hotel. And if I do say it myself, we didn’t stint on our guests as your son appears to have done. I mean ours was a sit down do, not a help yourself to a buffet, with a choice of meats and a bowl full each of trifle. I’m surprised with all the wealth that the Haineses have that their guests should be treated in this way.”

“Ah,” replied Alice knowingly. “This is because of who Hannah is marrying. Jack was very upset when she told him of her choice. He had got his heart set on her marrying Jeremy Adshead of Causey Hall. I notice none of their family are present either; just that common lot from the village. He runs that vulgar tavern by the fountain, yer know.”

“Hannah, my dear, you are looking just splendid. Congratulations, Eddie, on your choice of such a beautiful bride.”

“This is my Uncle Johnny, Hannah. You’ve not met him yet. Thank you for coming, Uncle Johnny. You’ll be staying on at me parents, will yer, for the next few days?”

“Certainly will, Eddie. Now, I’ll leave you two to mingle, mustn’t hog yer to meself.”

Johnny walked away, intending to help himself to some refreshment, but was waylaid by Jack who had been standing nearby talking to the priest.

“So, you’re the famous Johnny Dockerty. You won’t remember me from Killala, but I lived in a cottage near to Maggie. I heard you’d made a play for her while I was away.”

“Get right to the point, why don’t yer? No introducing yerself formally as any gentleman would do.”

“You might have heard I’m no gentleman. By me face you’ll see I was a fighting man. And I’d like to warn yer, don’t start sniffing round her again. Me fighting days may be over, but I can take someone like you on any day.”

“By the smell on yer breath I’d say you’ve been drinking, Sir, and I suggest you moderate it from now on. But why you think I’d be interested in a married woman, I couldn’t say. I was under the misapprehension that your lady wife was a widow until you made your timely appearance. Now, do me a favour and leave me to sample the delicious-looking spread that your servants have put on for us. I am sure that Maggie would welcome your support on your daughter’s happy day.”

Jack looked as if he was going to say more to Johnny, but just then Ted announced that the newly-married couple were going to cut the wedding cake and everyone should charge their glasses to toast the bride and groom. There was a great confusion of noise as everyone hurried to fill or refill their glasses, even the children ran to help themselves to some delicious looking lemonade.

Outside, Jack looked up into the gloomy clouds that were threatening to discharge their load in the next few minutes. He’d been mad to even consider attending his daughter’s wedding. He’d lain in the guest room tossing and turning all night again, because Maggie had decided to put him out. She had wanted to look her best for the wedding and didn’t want him keeping her awake.

Yes, he had been drinking, the swine had been right, but he had needed some fortification to walk his daughter down the aisle. He walked slowly down the path and onto Burton Road. They could all get on with it without him. He was going to go back home.

“Have yer seen me husband, Father O’ Brien?” asked Maggie, when she noticed later that Jack had disappeared.

“I was talking earlier to him, Maggie, but I haven’t seen him lately. I have to confess I was quite surprised to smell alcohol on his breath.”

“Oh, he was extremely nervous about walking Hannah down the aisle, Father. He probably had a nip of Cook’s kitchen brandy before he came out. He’s not a drinking man as yer know, especially since he was ill in Ireland. I told yer about it a few weeks ago.”

“Ah yes, may the good Lord watch over him. Tell me Maggie, are the married couple having a few days away?”

“No, they’ll be taking up residence in their new cottage as soon as the guests start leaving. I’m sure you’ve heard I’ve had Lilac Cottage done up for them? You know, on what used to be on Farmer Briggs’ land?”

“Yes, I heard that you had bought up most of his farmland and will soon be having new houses built upon it. I must say we are very fortunate in having you as one of our benefactors.”

“Thank you, Father, I’m very pleased that I am.”

“Hannah, Eddie, I have a little surprise for you,” Maggie said, as the couple began to open their presents, displayed on a table just inside the church hall door. They had just unwrapped a canteen of silver cutlery and to Hannah’s surprise the card said it was from Grandmama and Mr. Arlington. She was amazed to receive such a handsome gift and she smiled over delightedly to where the older couple stood.

“I’ve made an appointment at that Photographic studio in Eastgate Row, you know, just a few yards up from Becketts. You can get all dressed up again in your finery on Monday and I’ll lend yer the carriage and Fergal. You can park outside the door, have your photographs done and then come back to Neston again.”

“Quite the Lady Bountiful aren’t you?” sneered Madeline, who had already been watching the bridal pair opening their wedding gifts, so she could see what they had got and who had given them.

“Oh, hello, Madeline. I was going to come over and have a few words. Perhaps we can renew our friendship now we are related by marriage. Perhaps you could come up to Selwyn Lodge one day fer afternoon tea?”

“I don’t think so, Maggie. You seem to have forgotten what happened all those years ago when your dear Miss Rosemary give me the push. Ruined my plans, if you remember. I was going to be the best there was in the fashion design business. I could have gone to London perhaps one day.”

Maggie ignored the woman’s slighting words and plunged on, trying to brush off Madeline as she did so.

“Well, if yer outfit is anything to go by you haven’t lost your touch. Anyway, let Hannah and Eddie carry on unwrapping their presents. They seem to be doing very well. Oh, what delightful salt and pepper pots.”

But Madeline had put away too many glasses of sherry and she wasn’t about to let Maggie off lightly. She grabbed hold of Maggie’s arm to steady herself, then glared menacingly at her.

“Don’t talk down to me, you uppity bitch. I have to make my own clothes, not like you. Got an account at Browns, no doubt. You may be rolling in it, but look at the pitiful spread you’ve put on for our Eddie. Aye, if she had been marrying anyone else, the do would be at the Grosvenor Hotel.”

“Now then, Maddie,” said Ted when a hush descended on the room, as people stopped talking to listen to her words.