Lily of Love Lane (32 page)

‘But I am worried as your dad spends a long time in bed.’

‘That’s nature taking its course.’

‘I hope so.’

Lily crossed the road to the James’ house where Hattie opened the door immediately. ‘It’s cloudy. Do you think it will rain?’

‘It might. Why?’

‘Because I want to show off me new present.’

Lily was not surprised to discover this was an umbrella.

‘Reube bought it on Brighton sea front,’ said Hattie as she put it up on the way to the foot tunnel, despite it still being dry. A label hung from the spine saying one and six.
‘The dark blue pattern is supposed to be the sea,’ Hattie explained, ‘but Reube said it would remind me all winter of the honeymoon, ’cos it rains nearly every bloody day in
England.’

‘What else did he give you?’

‘A pair of French knickers.’

‘What! He bought them himself?’

‘No, you daft thing. He gave me the money to buy them. Reube wouldn’t be seen dead near a woman’s shop.’ Hattie giggled. ‘But I let him have a good feel
afterwards.’

As Hattie continued to describe the boarding house, the old dragon who watched their every movement as if they were illicit lovers and some of the more intimate moments of the honeymoon, Lily
listened with rapt attention. Hattie left her in no doubt at all that the romantic side had surpassed all expectations.

‘Where else did you visit?’ Lily asked, smiling, ‘that is, when you weren’t canoodling?’

‘Oh, just the Pavilion and the gardens and along to the shops. We didn’t go out much, it was too nice in bed,’ she laughed, returning to her favourite subject. ‘It was a
lovely big double, something we’d always wanted as pushing two singles together ain’t very comfortable.’

‘I wouldn’t know about that,’ Lily giggled.

‘No, but I do.’ Hattie nudged Lily. ‘We’ve done it a couple of times as you know.’

Lily blushed. ‘Well, you seem to have enjoyed yourselves.’

‘Yes, and it was nice being waited on at breakfast.’

‘So you got up for that, then?’

‘Only because Reube don’t start breathing till his stomach is filled. If it was me I’d have messed around all day under the sheets.’

Lily gasped. ‘Hattie!’

‘Well, a bloke’s dick is already up when he wakes. It’s very tempting. Just waiting there for you to get hold of.’

They exploded into laughter once more, until wiping the tears from her eyes, Hattie continued. ‘I’ll give the old dragon her due. The bacon was crispy and there was bags of toast.
But the wooden chairs in the dining room were a bit hard.’

‘What about your evening meal?’

‘There was this little eating house by the Pavilion. It was only small, but it had dim lights and was ever so romantic. Then we’d stroll home by the sea, look at the moonlight on the
water. You know, Lil, I’d like to live on the coast. The air there is different to the river.’

‘Would you live there then if you had the chance?’ said Lily in surprise.

Hattie shrugged. ‘It’s only a dream.’

‘You and Reube could open a boarding house.’

‘Too much like hard work for me. I don’t want to turn into an old dragon.’

Laughing again they entered the park and went to the café. Lily got out her purse. ‘It’s my treat today, Hat.’

‘You can’t afford this.’

‘Yes, I can.’

‘What do you mean?’ Hattie stared at her. ‘You’re not at work.’

‘Wait till we sit down.’

‘I’m all ears.’

After the tea and scones arrived, Lily began her story. Hattie’s jaw dropped as she listened to what had happened to the Bright family after the young newlyweds had gone on honeymoon.

Hattie for once, was speechless.

‘I can’t believe all that happened in a week. How is your dad now?’

‘Not as bad as he was.’

‘Has he still got the cough?’

Lily nodded. ‘Yes, but it was the laudanum that changed him. The reason why he’d never go out or see people.’

‘Did he smoke from one of them pipes when he was down that place?’

‘I don’t know. Ben didn’t say.’

‘Didn’t you ask him?’

‘I didn’t want to know. And anyway, it wouldn’t make any difference. Doctor Tapper said he will improve if he can get over the next few weeks.’

Hattie gave a deep sigh. ‘I know what it’s like when Sylvester ain’t well. Mum and Dad are always worried he’s going to fit. I don’t suppose he’ll ever leave
home. A wife wouldn’t put up with it.’

‘Me mum’s put up with a lot.’

‘It must have been a great worry for her.’

‘I wish she’d told me.’

‘I can see why she didn’t, so as to keep the peace.’

Lily nodded. ‘She was afraid if there was an upset, the word would get out. She blames Uncle Noah for getting him started on it in the first place. But he only tried to help me
dad.’

Hattie screwed up her eyes. ‘You just don’t think things like this happen to your neighbour or your friend.’

Lily thought of her father and the deep, dark pit he must have been in in his mind. He’d lost his ability to make a living, to provide for his family. As the days went by, the hopelessness
got worse instead of better. She didn’t blame him for trying to find some relief. But now, that part of his life was all over. Who would have thought that it was through Charles the answer to
their problems had come?

As if Hattie had caught her train of thought, she said, ‘Now tell me all about Charles again.’

Lily proceeded to repeat all she had said. By the time they had finished their scones, she came breathlessly to the end.

Hattie was silent, her big brown eyes thoughtful. ‘Lil, I’m going to miss you something awful if you go away.’

‘I’ll be home at weekends.’

‘I hope so.’

‘Anyway, you have a husband to look after now. And Mrs James. That is, until you move.’

Hattie nodded. ‘I want a place of our own.’

‘Do you know when Mrs James and Pedro are tying the knot?’

‘Nothing’s been said. I think Mrs James is waiting to see if her daughter-in-law will be a better investment than a husband.’

Both girls looked at one another.

Hattie sighed. ‘Our lives are changing, ain’t they?’

Lily smiled. ‘Yes, but it’s nice we’ve got each other to confide in.’

Hattie grinned mischievously. ‘Do you realize you’ll be rich on six guineas a week.’

‘Not rich, but I can pay our debts and the rent each week. I’ll try to put a bit by for a rainy day.’

‘You’ve had a lot of rainy days already. I reckon the sun has to shine on you now.’

Lily smiled at her friend. ‘Hattie, all I’ve told you is in confidence.’

‘Course it is. But I’ll clip me old man’s ear for not telling me as Ben must have told him.’

Lily smiled. ‘They’re thick as thieves those two.’

‘When are you thinking of letting your mum and dad know about your new job?’

‘As soon as Dad is better.’

‘He don’t try to escape any more, then?’

‘No, but I want to make sure he don’t get tempted again.’

Hattie sighed heavily. ‘There is someone else who’s going to miss you, you know.’

Lily looked into her friend’s gaze. ‘You mean Ben.’

‘Yes. After all you two have been through. It’s not every girl who has a bloke go into an opium den on her behalf, and save her father.’

‘I know.’ Lily’s heart felt heavy. ‘The first thing I’ll do when I get me full wage is return him the five pounds he gave me.’

‘He won’t want it back.’

‘I’ll make him take it.’

‘Don’t you have any feeling for him at all?’ Hattie leaned forward, a puzzled expression on her brow. ‘He’s good looking and kind and always got a joke. He was a
flirt but he ain’t any more.’

Lily smiled wistfully. ‘Hattie, something happened to me the day I met Charles. It was like having a blindfold taken off. I saw everything so vivid; all the colours of life became
brighter. I felt everything keener; I heard things with different ears, as if I was a kid and everything was new. That’s what Charles did to me. And even though a long time has gone by
without him, those sights and sounds remained in me heart, as alive as ever. Just sleeping. When I saw him again at the church, they sprang into life, just like before. So when you ask me about my
feelings for Ben, I can only repeat that he means a great deal to me as a friend.’

Hattie took her hand across the table. ‘I wish you every good thing in your new life with Charles, Lil, as much as you wish for me and Reube.’

‘Thanks, Hat. That means the world to me.’ The two girls looked at each other with tears in their eyes. Then Lily looked down at the white china plate, where a fragment of scone
remained. ‘We ain’t gonna waste that, are we?’

Hattie laughed. ‘Bags the bit with the currant in.’ Lily felt happy as they laughed again. But she couldn’t ignore the feeling inside that it would be a while before they sat
here again.

Noah Kelly was taking the Talking Machine downstairs from it’s spot in his bedroom. He was puffing and panting with the exertion. The box was heavier than he thought, the
large horn being cumbersome more than weighty.

He was also trying to do it very quietly, as he didn’t want the balloon to go up. His sister would create blue murder when she knew the RO was coming round. He’d been up to the
offices this week and had a long grilling under the powers that be. Most of the questions they’d asked him had been aimed at finding out if they had any money hidden away. They hadn’t
actually accused him of lying, but they had shot questions at him from every angle. He’d been ready for them though. And he’d told them if they wanted to tear up the planks from the
floor they were welcome, just so long as they nailed them back.

The RO was coming round next week. It would be a lengthy appointment they’d warned him. All the family had to be present. The rent book and list of debts must be produced. That would be
the tricky one. Somehow he’d have to persuade Josie to admit to what was on the slate. How much they’d pawned and what was owing to the landlord. She’d sat tight on that
information, like a constipated hen for the last four years. Noah suspected his sister had been borrowing from Peter, Paul and the rest of the disciples as well.

Just as he was creeping into the parlour with the box in his hands, Josie appeared from the kitchen.

He stood still, looking around the glistening horn.

‘Where are you going with that?’

‘Into the parlour.’

‘Why? We ain’t having a knees-up.’

‘We could do with one.’

‘Be serious, Noah.’

‘I thought I’d give it a clean up.’

Josie came forward, running her fingers over the shining metal. ‘I can see me face in it.’

Noah tried to push past but she stayed him. ‘Noah, what’s going on?’

‘Nothing. Let me pass or I’ll drop the lot.’ He didn’t want to tell her till nearer the time. She would make a great fuss about it and he couldn’t stand more drama
after the last few weeks.

Charlie Brent and his lad was calling round with the cart tonight. As a favour, he was taking the piano and the box and all the records down his yard. There he would store them until such time
as it was safe to bring them out again. Whenever that would be, Noah wasn’t sure as the RO and his spies would be dropping in without notice whilst they were in receipt of the pittance they
deigned to give them.

‘What are you up to, Noah?’

‘I told you, woman. Nothing.’

‘I know you of old, brother. There’s nothing that passes me by.’

‘And a bloody shame it is too, Josie. You was always worried about others poking their noses in your business, but that didn’t stop you from doing it first.’

Her mouth began to tremble. Noah at once felt bad. Why had he gone and said that? He was nervous, and felt guilty, but he was only trying to get the family out of a jam.

Josie clutched the edge of her apron as though expecting tears. ‘There’s no need to speak to me like that.’

‘I’m sorry.’ He sank into the chair, exhausted by his efforts.

Josie sat too. ‘Are you going to tell me what you are doing?’

He nodded. ‘Yes, but you won’t like it.’

‘Then you better get it over with.’ She sat stiffly, her eyes pinned on him.

‘I’m putting the box, all me records and the piano with Charlie Brent. He’s gonna keep them for us.’

‘Why should he do that?’ His sister looked indignant. ‘I don’t want me piano to go. It’s the one good bit our mother left us.’

‘Precisely.’

‘Noah, what have you done?’

‘I’ve been up to see the RO.’

Josie gasped, her hand going to her neck as though she felt strangled. Her face went as red as the cushion behind her. ‘The Receiving Office!’ she shrieked, jumping up. ‘No,
you can’t! You can’t!’

‘Calm down, Josie.’

‘How can you say that? The RO coming! Oh God!’

‘It ain’t the end of the world.’

‘It might as well be.’

‘Look, it won’t be for long. Just till Bob’s well again, then Lil can find another job.’

‘But I’d rather die than have me house invaded!’

‘You might not have a house to invade, if you can’t pay the landlord.’

‘And what would people think if they saw the RO coming round?’

‘Josie, sit down, you’re going red.’ He tried to calm her but she was out of control. The tears and the screams all poured out as if he’d taken the top off a lemonade
bottle. He took hold of her hands but she pushed him back, her cries of distress going right to his heart.

‘For the love of God, Josie . . .’ He stopped as she stood still, gasping and choking and her eyes suddenly turned up to their whites. Then with a little sigh, she sank down in a
heap on the carpet.

Lily said goodbye to Hattie, breathing in the last of the summer’s evening as she did so. It was far too good to be indoors. Perhaps she could put chairs in the yard and
they could sit for a while before dark.

She slipped her key in the lock, entered the house and as she locked the door once again she heard voices coming from the parlour. They were muffled but when she opened the parlour door, she
drew in a sharp breath.

‘Thank Gawd you’re home, Lil,’ spluttered her uncle as he knelt beside the prone figure of her mother on the floor.