Secrets and Lies (21 page)

‘She can look after me any time she likes.’

‘Watch your lip, Bluey. That girl behind the bar is a little lady, and she’s not used to dirty talk.’

‘I hear John Teagan will be out of the clink as soon as he gets his parole, and Wally’s been doing the dirty with his sister.’

‘You don’t say . . . and him with that nice little wife of his working up country. He doesn’t know which side his bread is buttered on, doesn’t Wally. He deserves a good thumping.’

‘He’ll probably get one when Teagan catches up with him.’

Esmé enjoyed her time behind the bar. It was a far cry from England, where she’d spent a sheltered country life after she’d left the orphanage. Livia would be horrified if she knew what her present occupation was. Although she and Livia were alike, Esmé knew she had the edge when it came to toughness. She’d acquired it over several years of surviving in a children’s home.

Besides being able to tell a schooner from a pony by the end of the evening, Esmé had also gathered up some interesting snippets of gossip. Walter, it seemed, was not very well liked. She couldn’t imagine what Minnie had seen in him in the first place.

She washed the glasses and bar, and tipped the stools upside down on the tables. She wasn’t about to wash the floor. Wally could do that in the morning. He hadn’t pulled his weight. In fact, he’d been noticeable by his absence, and she intended to have words with him.

Counting the money, she placed it into a bag and, not knowing what else to do with it, decided to take it up to bed with her, along with a bottle of ginger beer. Switching off the one light she went up, looking in on Ma on the way past. The woman was asleep, but restless, and her breathing was noisy.

Her own room smelled of dust and trapped heat. The sheets were folded up on the bed, and although clean, they had the smell of long residence in the linen cupboard. Opening the window she breathed deeply to get some air into her lungs. It was wonderful after the stale, smoky atmosphere of the bar.

Wally hadn’t come back with the Aspro, and she remembered she had some in her handbag.

Her bag was on the chair. Inside, her purse gaped open. She silently cursed when she checked the contents and found two pounds missing. She should have remembered not to let Wally near her bag, she thought, and angrily snatched up the pill bottle. No wonder he’d made himself scarce.

Ma began to cough. Pouring some ginger beer into the glass she took two of the pills through to her. ‘Here, take these. And you can have another dose of the cough syrup to see you through the night.’

‘It makes me cough.’

‘It’s supposed to. It helps to loosen the muck from your chest.’

‘Better out than in, aye love.’ Ma swallowed everything down with a bit of a shudder, then asked, ‘Did you find everything?’

‘Yes . . . I managed. I’ve got the takings in my bedroom.’ She told Ma the amount.

‘That’s not bad . . . it’s nearly double what we’ve been taking recently. Word must’ve got round that there was a new barmaid and they came to size you up.’

Or Wally’s hand had been in the till, Esmé thought uncharitably.

‘Wally helped you out, I suppose?’

‘No . . . but Reg did. Wally went out somewhere.’

‘I expect there’s a game on the go. Let’s hope he’s lucky. He’ll pay you that money back then. He’s not a bad lad, just weak. He can’t help himself when there’s a game going. He means well.’

Wally was an expert at helping himself in her book, but she kept her mouth shut. She didn’t want to distress the woman by saying her purse had been raided. ‘Let’s hope you’re right. Is there anything you need before I go to bed.’

A work-worn hand clutched at her sleeve and tears gathered in her eyes. ‘You won’t go off and leave me like this, will you. I feel so fatigued, what with my man dying suddenly like that, and now this on top of it. Wally’s not much good. I’d thought he’d settled on a career on the ships, but back he comes with young Minnie in tow, and her with a ring on her finger, and a bun in the oven, as well, though the poor little tyke wasn’t meant to be. Harry and me thought she’d be the making of him, but I reckon she’s thrown him out, and I reckon he deserves it.’

Esmé murmured something non-committal.

‘He said he loves Minnie . . . and the other woman was nothing.’

‘Hush now, Ma.’ The last thing Esmé wanted to hear was the excuses and confessions Wally had made to his mother. The man was a liar, a confidence trickster and a thief, and she could find half a dozen more labels to stick on him if need be. If he loved Minnie he’d be with her now, working to provide a future for them together, not skulking about down here with another woman. ‘Don’t upset yourself . . . what’s done is done and you can’t change it.’

‘You’re right, lass. Wally might not be back for a while, and I was worried you might go off with that doctor chap of yours. Now there’s a catch. He’s got a nice backside on him.’

Esmé giggled. ‘I haven’t had time to inspect Leo’s finer points, but I’ll make it my business to the next time I see him.’

‘You do that.’ Ma heaved a sigh. ‘I wish I had a bit more energy. If I can’t keep the bar open my livelihood has gone, then what will happen to me? I can’t afford to hire anyone and they don’t give women a helping hand here.’

‘Don’t worry, Ma. I’ll do my best to help while I can . . . but if you don’t allow me to go to bed I’ll be too worn out to do anything tomorrow.’

Reg dropped in next morning. He made sure the floor was kept clean, and polished the wooden bar. A toffee-coloured surface emerged from under the stains and Reg ran his hand over it. ‘A nice piece of oak, is that, it must have come from the old country.’ He served the customers and chased off the beggar boys looking for a handout.

Several women came looking for work. Esmé voiced what was obvious. ‘These men don’t work during the day, so where do they get money to drink with? Women are looking for work, and there are hungry kids begging on the streets?’

Reg shrugged. ‘That’s the way it is. The men get the money, but fair goes . . . I dare say they hand most of it over to their wives, since the man is the breadwinner. You don’t begrudge a man a drink, do you?’

‘Of course not. What if it’s a single woman? What do they get in the way of relief?’

He shrugged again. ‘Don’t ask me, love. Women tend to help each other out and there’s schemes going. But anyway, employers won’t give a women work if it’s a job a man can fill, and neither will the unions. That’s the way it should be.’

Esmé was appalled that they’d spend their dole money on beer. ‘That’s unfair. Isn’t relief money meant to help feed their families?’

‘Be that as it may, it ain’t none of my business how a man spends his cash.’ He sighed, and said, ‘Leave the bar area to me, Miss. I’ll hold the fort till Ma’s well. Best not to meddle in men’s business, less they take it personally and go elsewhere. Where would Ma be then? You should just go about doing what you’re trained to do. Nursing isn’t it?’

Uncertain whether it was a reprimand or not, but knowing emotional blackmail when she heard it, Esmé bit down on a reply. ‘That’s kind of you to help out, Reg.’

‘I’m doing it for Ma. She’s had a bad time of it lately. I reckon she needs a hand, and it keeps me busy.’

‘As you keep reminding me. You don’t work yourself, then?’

‘I’m a carpenter. Nobody is building houses these days, but if you hear of a job going I’m cheap. And if you want time off, let me know.’

She raised an eyebrow and grinned. ‘Funny, but I could have sworn that Ma placed me in charge of her business. Until she says otherwise, I’m the foreman here, not you. On that basis, if you want to help out, fine. If you don’t want to help out, that’s fine too.’

He laughed. ‘You certainly know when to apply the stick. All right. You win. You know what I meant, though. I’m willing to keep my eye on the place if you want to go off somewhere and I can keep Ma company at the same time. She likes being in the thick of things and having a good old natter.’

Ma also seemed to enjoy the company of Reg, though Esmé had the feeling he was keeping Ma informed on everything she did.

Leo turned up the day after he said he would. He pushed his way through the smoky atmosphere, his smile a mile wide. ‘Sorry I’m a day late; I had to go up country.’

‘I was raised by, and worked with doctors. They rarely run on time . . . it’s the nature of the job. Come on in, Leo.’ She raised the flap, allowing him access behind the bar.

A cheer went up when he gave her a smacking kiss.

‘Can I have one?’ someone called out.

‘Find your own girl,’ Leo told him.

‘Will you stop calling me your girl, please. I’m no such thing.’

‘I’m warning off potential husbands.’

She giggled, then gazed around the bar and whispered, ‘Really . . . which one of them do you consider to be of husband potential?’

His dark lashes feathered the intense blue of his eyes as he said gently, ‘How are you coping, sweetheart?’

‘I can’t say I’m cut out to be a barmaid. I’m managing, with Reg’s help, though.’

Leaving Reg in charge she followed Leo up the narrow staircase, taking care to inspect the taut rear moving under the grey, pinstriped trousers. Ma was right . . . he had a nice backside – and her observation had nothing to do with the anatomical, but the perfection of the physical form. She gave a little growl, which was quickly changed into a cough when he turned to gaze suspiciously at her. All the same, she grinned at him.

He returned the grin, murmuring. ‘I fancy you like crazy, Es, my darling. It’s only a matter of time, but why wait? Marry me.’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because we haven’t known each other long enough.’ She hadn’t known Liam very long either . . . she’d just let herself be carried along. It would have been the biggest mistake she’d ever made if she’d married Liam. She wasn’t going to allow that to happen a second time.

His head slanted to one side and he offered her a winsome smile that was beguiling. ‘Tell me when we’ve known each other long enough and I’ll ask you again. In the meantime I’ll give you a few flying lessons, which will give me an excuse to keep seeing you.’

‘You really don’t need an excuse, I like seeing you.’ Laughter bubbled up in her. She felt happy when she was with Leo. ‘I’ll give you top marks for persistence. Now, go up and see Ma.’

Ma’s condition had improved a little.

‘Temperature is down so you can go off the Aspro,’ Leo grunted, and applied his stethoscope to her chest. ‘You’re rattling like a tram with a wheel missing.’ His eyes engaged hers. ‘I don’t suppose it’s any good telling you that the smoky atmosphere downstairs is doing you more harm than good.’

‘I’ve got to earn a living, and I don’t know how to do anything else.’

‘Yes . . . I suppose you must. How old are you fifty . . . fifty-five?

Ma snorted. ‘I’m forty-nine.’

‘Do you get any tightness in your chest.’

‘Sometimes, but it soon goes. When can I get up and go about my business?’

‘When I say you can. If you intend to waste my time by not listening to, or not taking my advice, say so now. I have more deserving cases to deal with.’

Ma opened her mouth, and then closed it again.

‘Now . . . I’ll prescribe you some pills. Keep them on you, and place one under your tongue if you have chest pain. Be careful with them, and use strictly as advised. See your own doctor when you run out.’

His firmness surprised Esmé and she gazed at him through new eyes. Despite his easy-going nature, Leo Thornton was no fool. Ma wouldn’t spend money on a doctor when she didn’t have to, and he knew it.

‘How bad is her heart?’ she asked him when they went downstairs.

‘A bit erratic, but she’s been under a lot of stress. Get me the name of her doctor if you would, and I’ll write him a letter.’

‘I’ve let Minnie know you’ve arrived and where you are,’ Leo told her, straightening up. ‘I’ll call in to check on Ma in about a week, and a few days after that I’ll be flying you out to Pepperpot Creek. I’ll give you a flying lesson on the way, if you like.’

The thought robbed her of breath. ‘I don’t know about that, Leo.’

‘It won’t be much of one, so don’t panic. I’ll remove the rudder pedals in case you forget what your feet are doing.’

The time moved swiftly, and soon Ma was up and about. March came in a little cooler, especially at night. It was difficult to get used to the swift change of seasons.

It seemed to Esmé that she’d worked her fingers to the bone at the hotel, and she felt sorry for Ma having to do everything by herself. But she was glad to be moving on, she was looking forward to seeing Minnie.

‘Come any time,’ Ma said, giving her a hug. ‘I’ve got those guest rooms going begging.’

Soon they were at the airfield, which was little more than a paddock with a windsock. A large hanger sheltered several small aircraft.

Leo spoke briefly to a man in an office. ‘We’ll be following the road out to Pepperpot.’

‘She’s all fuelled up, and a message has come through for you.’ A piece of paper was handed over to him. After perusing the contents Leo slid it into his pocket. ‘Radio them back. Tell them I’ll be two hours at the most.’

Leo’s mouth grazed gently across hers as he strapped her into the harness. ‘When we get upstairs if you keep your hands lightly on the controls you’ll soon get the feel of her.’ Reaching under the instrument coaming he brought out a rubber tube with a cone on the end. ‘If you need to talk to me, use this. I can talk to you via that tube attached to your helmet. All right?’

I love you, she thought, and smiled with the pleasure of being with him.

‘Good,’ he said, as though he’d read her thoughts.

They were soon in the air and following the road beneath them. The air was fresh, the day bright. The control stick hardly moved against her palm as Leo kept the plane in trim, and she was acutely aware of the connection between herself and him, via the control stick.

She felt for the cone and brought it to her mouth. ‘Leo, what are those dials with numbers on the control panel?’

‘Altimeter tachometer speedometer . . . to name a few. Don’t worry about those today. Can you bring the nose up a little?’