Towards a Dark Horizon (18 page)

‘Aye you look life a real toff, Dad,’ I said truthfully.

He smiled and I realised he was still a very handsome man. Did Margot think the same?

He began to speak rapidly. ‘I know you don’t like getting things on tick, Ann, but I’ll pay the two bob every week and I’ll cut down on my cigarettes.’

I felt rotten about not offering him money from my legacy but I was trying to leave it untouched except in the direst emergency. Lily still had a lot of growing up to do and that was money for her.

I smiled at him. ‘Och, don’t worry about it, Dad. I’ll manage another couple of bob a week without you cutting back on your fags.’

The funeral was held the following week and Mr Pringle closed the warehouse for the morning to allow all the staff to pay their respects to the late lamented Harry.

Dad arrived back that evening. He looked worn out and his eyes were glassy with unshed tears. ‘It was a big funeral, Ann. Harry was well thought of at work and I really liked him a lot.’

‘How were Mrs Connors and her sister-in-law?’

‘Margot was fine but Harry’s sister was just the same as she was when the body was found. Her man tried to keep her quiet afterwards but she started to throw loads of accusations at Margot.’ He sounded weary.

‘What did she say? Was it the same as last time?’

His face took on an expression of distaste. ‘Aye – that and other things. She told Mr Pringle that Margot was aye spending Harry’s money and she even hinted that it wasn’t an accident.’

I was shocked. ‘If it wasn’t an accident, then what was it?’

‘Well, her man shut her up at that point and took her home. Thank the Lord that the other men didn’t hear her. I was with Mr Pringle in Margot’s house and that’s where the accusations took place. Poor Mr Pringle – he didn’t know what to think or say but I said it was just warring women and he agreed with me.’

‘Anyway,’ I said, ‘the fatal accident inquiry into his death will make it clear surely.’

He nodded. ‘I hope so.’

I was making the tea when he said, ‘Oh, by the way, Margot has asked me to bring my family to see her on Sunday afternoon.’

I stopped peeling the potatoes and turned to stare at him in amazement. ‘You mean she wants Lily and me to visit her?’

He nodded. ‘And your granny, plus Hattie and Danny if they want to come. I didn’t mention your grandad because you know he never goes anywhere where he can’t smoke his pipe.’

I was perplexed. ‘Why does she want to see us?’

He looked smug. ‘She just wants to say a big thank you for all the help I’ve given her during this terrible time.’

Well that was nice of her, I thought. ‘So you’ll be asking everybody tonight then Dad because it’ll not be long till Sunday?’

He nodded. ‘I thought I would come with you to the Overgate when you take Lily there later and I could go over to the Westport and see Hattie and Danny.’

Well that was the plan but, like all well-laid plans, it didn’t go quite as smoothly as he thought. First of all, Bella was firmly seated in the best chair when we reached the Overgate. As he said later, with hindsight, he should have waited with the invitation instead of wading straight in with the proposal. Granny was pleased but Bella was over the moon. Dad tried to backtrack but Bella wouldn’t listen.

‘Och, that’s real decent of the woman to invite your family to her house. Is she putting on a meal?’

Dad looked panic-stricken and gave Granny a wordless, appealing look.

Granny turned to Bella. ‘I think it’s just the immediate family, Bella – Lily and Ann.’

The penny dropped. ‘Well, does that mean you’re not going, Nan?’

‘That’s right, Bella. I’ve not been asked.’

Dad threw her a grateful look. ‘It’s just Ann, Lily, Hattie and Danny.’

I could almost hear Granny groan inwardly.

Bella was outraged. ‘She’s asked your sister and her laddie but not your own mother. Well, I think it’s a damn disgrace. Och, aye, ask the toffs in the family and not the rest.’

Dad escaped through the door but we had to listen to Bella’s moans for ages. Then Rosie appeared and that added fuel to Bella’s fire.

Rosie said, ‘Did I hear Johnny’s voice on the stair?’

Before we could answer, Bella butted in, ‘Aye, you did but I expect you’ll not be getting asked to the soirée.’

Rosie was puzzled but Bella explained. Rosie looked at me. I shrugged my shoulders and wished that the whole thing had never been mentioned.

I said, ‘As far as I know, Rosie, it’s just the immediate family that’s been invited. It’s just a wee thank you for all his help in her time of trouble.’

Then Dad reappeared from the Westport and stopped dead when he saw Rosie.

Bella started her tirade again, ‘You’ve a hard neck, Johnny Neill, for not asking Rosie to go with you – and her aye helping you out.’

It was Rosie’s turn to look embarrassed but, as usual, Bella wouldn’t give up. So, as a result of this stramash, the company on Sunday now comprised of Hattie, Danny, Lily, Rosie, Dad and me – and Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Before the big occasion Rosie asked me to her house for some advice. She was excited but nervous. ‘What will I wear on Sunday, Ann?’

She opened her wardrobe and I was dismayed. It held quite a few dingy-looking clothes in shades of brown, sludgy beige and one particularly old-fashioned-looking frock in a horrible muddy green. It was a wardrobe more suited to her mother. She held up one disaster of a frock after another. Her hair hung heavy on her shoulders and she smelled of carbolic soap.

I decided to take the bull by the horns. ‘Rosie, as it’s a special thank you to Dad, why not treat yourself to a new frock in a bonny colour and in a modern design?’

She gave me a look as if I was mad. ‘But I’ve got loads of frocks here. I don’t want to squander money on another one, Ann.’

‘But for this special occasion, Rosie – please?’

She gave me another queer look and shook her head. I knew I was beaten.

On the Sunday, we made our way to Margot’s house in two groups. Dad had said he didn’t want us all descending on her like Attila and his horde of Huns so Rosie went with Lily and Dad while I went with Hattie and Danny. It was so good to see Danny again. I had missed his company so much but I also wanted his advice on Margot.

It was a lovely warm autumn day and the house had a tranquil air as we approached it through a garden full of colourful autumn tints.

Hattie was almost beside herself with pleasure. ‘This is the kind of house I would love to live in.’

Danny gave me a sidelong look and his eyes were filled with laughter. We were all so used to Hattie and her ideas of grandeur.

Margot opened the door in her usual elegant manner. Her dress was a beautiful, bias-cut model in a rich shade of russet red. She had a lovely string of pearls around her throat and a matching pair of earrings. A slim gold watch encircled her narrow wrist and the effect was stunning. Even Hattie was dumbstruck.

The interior was as I remembered it except that the large bowls of roses were now filled with autumn arrangements – a riot of multicoloured leaves and berries.

A few minutes after our arrival, Dad appeared with Rosie and Lily. Poor Rosie had decided to wear the horrible green frock and she had chosen her most comfortable pair of shoes. She looked like a frumpy old woman next to the delicately beautiful Margot. Margot however was charming to us all and we sat in her elegant lounge with glasses of sherry while the two men had beer.

I found it amusing that we were all sitting around her. Like she was the queen and we were mere peasants at her court. She provided a lovely afternoon tea but I managed to catch her on an unguarded moment when everyone was either eating or talking. She was summing us up. I suppose she had already dismissed Lily and me but I didn’t like the amused gleam in her eyes when Rosie kept mentioning Dad’s name. No, I didn’t like it one bit.

I could see that she was unsure of Hattie and with good reason. For a start, Hattie, in her fashionable royal-blue suit with matching shoes, was better dressed than she was and Hattie was also better spoken than the rest of us. As for Danny … well, she could barely keep her eyes away from him and I was thankful he was far too young for her. But was Dad?

After tea she made a little speech about the sad death of her husband. She ended by saying, ‘I would never have managed if it hadn’t been for Johnny. He’s been a tower of strength to me and I won’t forget it.’ She threw her arms around him and gave him a kiss.

I glanced over at Rosie and she was white faced. Her lips clamped together in a thin annoyed-looking line which, for some reason, only emphasised her untidy hair.

Later, after we’d said our goodbyes to Margot, I walked back with Danny. The day was truly beautiful and all the gardens and trees were a mass of colour.

‘What did you think of her, Danny?’

He didn’t speak for a moment or two. Then he turned to look at me. ‘What do you want me to say, Ann? That she’s got your Dad truly hooked or is she mourning the death of her man? Well I think the answer is that your father’s well and truly smitten and she’s the coolest widow woman I’ve seen in a long time.’

He had only confirmed my own impressions.

The following week, Rosie came to visit me when Dad was away at Margot’s. She said, ‘I just want to thank you, Ann, for trying to help me with my clothes. I know now why you wanted me to buy something more fashionable and I just wish I had listened to you. But your dad told me Mrs Connors was an old woman.’ She shook her head and I saw tears in her eyes. ‘And he was lying to me.’

One morning in late December, Danny suddenly appeared in the shop. The weather had turned much colder and the lovely golden autumn was now a fond memory. He was well wrapped up against the bitter east wind which blew coldly into the shop every time someone came through the door. Although the bell above the door was meant to ring when a customer entered, on this particular morning, the wind added strength to it and it jangled noisily.

Connie was getting a bit tired of this noise and she had threatened more than once to bend the coiled spring which supported it. ‘I’m going to sort out that ruddy bell once and for all,’ she said as it clanged noisily once more. She scowled at the door and Danny hesitated.

Then she smiled. ‘I’m not scowling at you, Danny – just that damned bell.’

He glanced upwards then said, ‘I’d like a quick word with Ann. Do you mind, Connie?’

‘No – go ahead.’ She picked up a pile of papers and began to scribble names on the top with a stub of a pencil.

He hesitated again. ‘Can Ann come outside for a minute?’

By now I was totally mystified and Connie was totally agog.

‘I mean if that’s all right? I don’t want to keep her away from her work.’

Connie nodded and I went outside and stood on the freezing cold pavement.

‘What on earth’s the matter, Danny? What’s so secret that you can’t speak in front of Connie?’ I had a sudden dreadful thought. ‘It’s not your transfer is it?’

‘No. It’s just that I wondered if you would come to Lochee with me tonight?’

I was as mystified as ever. ‘Lochee? Why do you want me to go there?’

‘I can’t tell you here because I have to get to work but will you come with me after you leave Lily with Granny?’

His face was white above his woollen scarf and he looked worried.

By this time so was I. ‘Has something happened, Danny? Is it Ma?’

He shook his head. ‘It’s a long story but I can’t say much at the moment but will you come?’

‘Of course I’ll come, Danny. I’ll see you later.’

He gave me a thankful look and hurried away down the Hill.

When I got back into the shop I was grateful for the warmth. The heat was provided by an ancient paraffin heater which was smelly and you had to be careful not to knock it over during what we laughingly called our rush hours. Still, I didn’t bother about its smell this time because I was grateful for its heat. It had been freezing standing on that pavement.

Connie gazed at me when I entered but she didn’t ask any questions. That’s what I liked about her. She didn’t pry and, apart from the trivial chitchat of the street, she didn’t really gossip. If she got a confidence from someone, then it was sacrosanct. In spite of that, she was a woman who knew almost everything about the people who inhabited her own little world but, as I didn’t know why Danny wanted me to visit Lochee with him, I couldn’t mention anything.

Instead I said, ‘Danny was just reminding me that I promised to go to Lochee with him tonight.’ It was a little white lie but, if she guessed it, she said nothing.

She smiled at me. ‘I like that laddie Danny – something couthy about him.’

Young Davie the paper delivery boy arrived and, to my dismay, I saw he was still in his short trousers. His legs were red with the freezing cold and he had large holes in the heels of his woollen socks. I was wild at myself for forgetting to ask Hattie about some of Danny’s cast-off clothes that would fit Davie perfectly. I made a mental note to ask her for them the next time I saw her.

As Davie filled the well-worn canvas bag with his newspapers, Joe appeared. He was rubbing his hands briskly. ‘Heavens, it’s cold enough to freeze a brass monkey,’ he said. He took a couple of pennies from his pocket. ‘I’ll have a single fag, Ann, and a paper.’

I got one cigarette from the box under the counter and handed it to him. He opened his tin and placed it beside the many stubs which littered its base.

Connie saw this and laughed. ‘Still saving up your nippers, Joe, I see.’

He smiled back. Showing a row of yellow teeth. ‘Aye, in these hard times, I can aye make another fag out of my stubs. It saves a wee bit money and fag papers are cheap.’

‘I don’t think it’s really good to do that, Joe. You’re just smoking pure nicotine when you put the stubs together.’ Although she sold tobacco and cigarettes, Connie was a non-smoker.

Joe made a sound between a laugh and a cough. ‘Och, Connie, I’ve got to die of something. It might be with old age or maybe with nicotine poisoning but when you’re dead what does it matter what caused it?’