A Change of Fortune (30 page)

Ma nodded, grabbing hold of Jenny with her right hand. The left was lying useless on the blanket. ‘What’s the doc say?’

‘You’ve had a slight stroke, but you’ll be as right as ninepence in a couple of weeks.’

There was a humph of disgust. ‘Bloody liar!’

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jenny schooled her expression carefully. The last thing she was going to do was tell Ma what he’d really said. She didn’t want to admit that Ma was dying, even to herself. Doctors had been wrong before. ‘You’re going to be fine, and I’ll be with you all the time. Now, I’ll just pop downstairs and make our tea. I’ve got a few biscuits left.’

As soon as Ma finished her tea, she fell into a sound sleep. Jenny hauled a more comfortable chair up the stairs, and settled herself beside the bed for a long night’s vigil.

It wasn’t until they’d had dinner and were all settled in the sitting room that Matt told his family about Greaves and the Rolls-Royce.

‘Are you sure he’s in financial difficulty, Matt?’ John asked. ‘I haven’t heard a whisper about that.’

‘The signs were all there – blank spaces on the walls and furniture missing. But when he took Harry’s offer of cash for the car I was certain. He could have got more for the Rolls if he’d held out.’ Matt could practically hear John’s mind working. ‘He’s desperate. I’m sure of it.’

‘If that’s the case, why is he so intent on finding
Jenny?’ Their father was frowning fiercely. ‘He would need to marry for money, surely?’

‘That’s what has been bothering me ever since I saw the house.’ Matt stared at John, who was deep in thought and stirring his coffee aimlessly.

Putting the spoon in the saucer, John looked up. ‘I’d better look into this. If Greaves is in trouble, I should be able to find out.’

Luke took an apple from the fruit bowl and tossed it in the air. ‘The plot thickens,’ he said. ‘I do love a mystery.’

‘It’s all very odd.’ Their mother seemed bewildered. ‘An under housemaid who turns out to have come from a wealthy family – now living in the slums of London. And a man reputed to be extremely wealthy – now short of money.’

Luke chortled. ‘It would make a good pantomime.’

‘Except it isn’t funny, Luke.’ Matt knew his brother just couldn’t help being flippant, and it grated at times, but Luke wasn’t uncaring.

Luke raised his hands in surrender. ‘Sorry, Matt, I don’t mean anything by it. It must be wretched for the poor girl, but you must admit that it has all the ingredients of a good suspense story.’

‘Damned strange business, if you ask me.’ Their father poured himself an after-dinner brandy. ‘See what you can find out, John. He doesn’t bank with us, but it’s best to have the whole picture in case he comes asking for a loan.’

‘Yes. Some who are in difficulties have been going
from bank to bank, trying to raise money. I’ll make a few inquiries tomorrow.’

‘Good.’ Their father nodded in approval. ‘If anyone can find out what the situation is, it’s you, John.’

The Rolls was sold the next morning at a good profit. In fact it was enough to repay Luke almost half the money he had lent Jake to get started, and to buy two more cars to sell. They weren’t quite so fussy now, and if a car needed work, they had the expertise to make it look as good as new. They found that there was more money in doing this than in just buying quality cars, and they made sure they had a good selection at all prices. The petrol pump was still well used. The garage was once again busy and they were all in high spirits. With the economic depression really gripping the country, it was nothing short of a miracle that they were doing so well. Their Mayfair location had a lot to do with their success, though.

In his lunch break, Matt decided to go to see how his mother and her committee were getting on at the hall.

When he arrived, he found his mother in the kitchen, looking rather harassed. ‘Hello, Matt. I’m glad you’ve come. Have you got some spare time?’

‘I can spare an hour. Why?’

‘I wondered if you’d go to see if Jenny needs anything. She hasn’t been able to come today because Mrs Adams has had a stroke.’

‘I’ll go round there straight away.’

It was only a short distance, but he drove to save time. He knocked on the front door, and when there
was no reply he turned the handle and found it unlocked. He walked in. The house seemed uncannily quiet, and he remembered the last time he’d been here and seen Ma Adams sitting in her chair, studying him with shrewd eyes. The room was empty now.

‘Jenny,’ he called softly.

‘Oh, hello.’ She came down the stairs carrying a tray.

He was shocked by her appearance. Her dress was badly creased, her hair untidy, and she looked exhausted, with great dark shadows under her eyes. ‘Mum told me about Ma. Is there anything we can do for you?’

The cups on the tray rattled as her hands shook. He took it from her and placed it on the sideboard. ‘How bad is she?’

‘She’s got worse during the night.’ Her voice wavered and she looked at him with tortured eyes. ‘Ma’s dying … What am I going to do without her?’

Matt stepped forward and gathered Jenny into his arms. He stroked her hair as she laid her head on his shoulder and sobbed. He felt like doing the same. Not for the elderly woman upstairs, whom he’d only met once, but for this lovely girl.

How much more sorrow and hardship must she endure? A father who had killed himself; a mother who didn’t want her; the Stannards who had branded her a thief and turned her out; and her aunt who had tried to marry her off to that obnoxious man Greaves.

At that moment he was so furious at the cards of life this gentle girl had been dealt that he could have killed someone!

25

For the next week Jenny never left Ma’s side. With the help of Glad and occasionally Fred and Stan when Ma needed lifting, she kept Ma clean, fed and as comfortable as possible. But each day the elderly woman deteriorated, until she hardly seemed aware of anything or anyone. In the beginning Jenny had clung to the belief that she would recover, but it was hard to fool herself any longer. Ma was dying. It could only be a matter of days now, Glad had told her gently.

Jenny and Glad had just given Ma a nice wash, and changed her nightdress and sheets. When she was settled back in bed, propped up on the pillows, Jenny kissed her cheek. ‘There, Ma, that’s more comfy, isn’t it?’

In a rare moment of recognition, Ma’s eyes lingered on Jenny, then she sighed and fell asleep.

Glad put her hand on Jenny’s shoulder. ‘You go and get yourself something to eat. You look fair washed out. I’ll stay here for a while.’

With a nod of thanks she wandered downstairs, made herself a cup of tea and gazed at it listlessly, too tired and distressed even to drink it. Ma had become a grandmother and mother to Jenny since she’d been here. They’d laughed, joked, argued and teased each other,
and a deep bond had been formed. To lose her now was going to be so hard, but she was determined to do everything she could to keep her alive, or at least as happy as possible in the circumstances before the end came.

‘Jen.’ Edna appeared in the doorway.

‘Oh, how lovely to see you!’ Jenny got up and threw her arms around her friend. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been able to meet you, but I’ve had so much to do. Can you stay a while? Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘I’ve got half an hour.’ Edna sat down at the kitchen table. ‘Where’s Ma?’

Jenny shook her head, her mouth trembling. ‘She’s had a stroke.’

‘Ah, I’m sorry, Jen.’

‘What are you doing here at eleven in the morning?’ Jenny hastily changed the subject. Her emotions were too raw to talk about Ma’s illness at the moment.

‘I’ve left my job.’ Edna held out her left hand to show off the half-hoop diamond engagement ring. ‘I’m getting married next week to David Hughes. He’s asked me to marry him and I’ve agreed.’

‘That’s wonderful!’ Jenny jumped up and hugged her friend, so excited for her. She knew Edna had had a tough life and deserved some happiness. ‘I’m so pleased for you. Where are you getting married?’

Edna laughed at her friend’s obvious delight and playfully pushed her back in her chair. ‘If you’ll stop hopping about, I’ll tell you. David comes from Wales, so we’re going to be married there in a week’s time.

He’s got a job to go to – something to do with accounts. He’s well educated,’ she said proudly. ‘And his family have found us a house to rent.’

‘Wales?’ Jenny’s pleasure seeped away as she realized what this meant, but she kept smiling somehow. She was going to lose Edna. But she mustn’t be selfish and let her dismay show, because this was absolutely wonderful for her friend. ‘That sounds exciting.’

‘It is, and I’ve had a lovely letter from David’s mother. She sounds ever so kind and very pleased about the wedding.’

With cups of tea and a couple of biscuits in front of them, they settled down. It had been some time since they had been out together, so this was a chance to catch up on all the news.

‘Tell me all about it,’ Jenny urged.

Edna waved her hand, laughing. ‘It’s been a proper whirlwind romance, but he’s so nice and we love each other.’ She became serious. ‘I’ve got a chance of a new life and I’m taking it, though I’d have married him even if he’d been a chimney sweep.’

‘That’s real love, then,’ Jenny teased.

‘We’d like you to come to the wedding. I know it’s a long way, but David’s mum said you could stay with them for a couple of days.’

The disappointment was intense, but not even for such a special occasion would she go away for several days. ‘I can’t leave Ma.’

‘I was afraid you was going to say that, but I do understand. I wanted to bring David round to meet
you, but he’s had to go back to Wales to arrange the wedding and sort out his new job. I’m going on the train tomorrow.’

‘You must write and tell me all about it, and send me a photo if you can.’ Jenny kept her tone cheerful. Edna was happy and she wouldn’t want to dim her joy.

‘I’ll do that.’ Edna stood up to leave. ‘And one day you must come and visit us.’

‘That will be something to look forward to.’ She kissed Edna and waved brightly as her friend walked up the street.

As soon as she was out of sight, Jenny returned to the kitchen, sat down and bowed her head in sorrow. Now she’d lost her friend.

That blasted coin definitely had two tails!

The next morning Jenny was wondering how she could go out for some shopping, with Glad out and Ivy working at the hall. She would never leave the house unless there was someone here with Ma. She emptied the tin they kept their money in, counted it and began making a list. It was essential to decide exactly what she was going to buy. Careful planning was the key to providing a decent meal each day, and Jenny was quite proud of her shopping skills these days. It didn’t matter how tempting something might be: if it wasn’t on her list, she didn’t buy it, unless it was cheaper than the item she had originally planned.

The list when finished was depressingly short, but it was all wholesome food. Apart from a few biscuits that
Ma loved, luxuries were out of the question. Her mouth fairly watered when she remembered the lovely puddings and cakes she’d had in the past, but they weren’t essential. And the day would come when they would be able to buy them again: the depression couldn’t go on for ever. With that positive thought, she placed the coins on top of the list next to her shopping basket. As soon as someone came, she would pop out.

While Ma slept, Jenny could snatch a few quiet moments for herself, and she sat down to think. Edna would be on her way to Wales now, and a new life. It had come as a shock to have her friend move away, but she couldn’t be more pleased for her. Edna deserved this chance of happiness, and it was a ray of hope that lives could change for the better.

A knock on the front door brought her out of her musing. When she opened the door and saw Matthew standing there, she felt a blush creeping up her face. She had cried on his shoulder. What must he think of her?

‘Hello, Jen.’ He studied her face intently. ‘How’s Ma?’

‘Much the same.’ She stepped aside. ‘Would you like to come in?’

‘Thanks.’ He strode straight into the kitchen and, seeing the money and list on the table, said, ‘Are you going shopping?’

‘Yes, as soon as I can find someone to sit with Ma, but everyone’s out at the moment.’

‘I’ve got half an hour to spare. I’ll get this for you.’ He scooped up the list, coins and the basket, then
headed for the door before she had time to object. ‘Do you go to the shops at the top of the road?’

‘Yes, but only buy what is on the list. I’ve put the price beside each item.’

He was already striding towards the shops, and she wasn’t sure he’d heard a word she’d said. Jenny fumed. If he wasted their precious money on unsuitable purchases, she would be very angry. Watching his tall figure disappear with her shopping basket on his arm, she shook her head in disbelief. Who the hell did he think he was, sweeping in here and taking over?

Suddenly she saw the funny side of it and began to giggle. What were the shopkeepers going to think when a strapping young man turned up carrying her shopping basket? Well, it was too late to stop him now. If he wanted to make a fool of himself, that was up to him. He obviously didn’t care what other people thought of him. She could admire him for that attitude.