Battles Lost and Won (24 page)

Alf immediately grabbed an end of the bulky mattress. ‘Here, let me help you.’

‘Thanks, Dad.’

Ruth appeared and stepped quickly out of the way as they manoeuvred their way towards the stairs. ‘What on earth is that for?’

Bob lowered his end and looked at her over the top. ‘I’m going to sleep in your dad’s room so you and Daisy can get some proper rest. You both look exhausted.’ She spluttered a protest that he ignored. ‘All right, Dad, up we go.’

Steve was awake when they carried the mattress into his room. ‘I’m going to make up a bed on the floor,’ Bob explained. ‘I’m a light sleeper so if you want me during the night you just call. Your wife and daughter can have a good night’s rest now.’

‘Oh, that’s a relief. I’ve been so worried about them.’

‘You can stop fretting now,’ Alf told him with a touch of pride in his voice. ‘Everything’s going to be all right now my son’s here.’

‘We’ve still got a lengthy fight on our hands,’ Bob warned, not wanting them to get too confident.

‘Ah, we know that, son, but it’s good to have you back, isn’t it, Steve?’

‘It certainly is. My back feels easier since you massaged it, Bob.’

‘Good, I’ll do that twice a day at first, and then we’ll see how it goes.’ He laid the mattress in the only spot large enough, against the wall near the door.

Daisy appeared holding sheets and pillows. ‘You’ll need these.’

‘Oh, thanks.’ Bob jumped up and took them from her, then made up his bed.

‘Supper’s about ready. We’ve got your favourite sausages, darling,’ she told her husband. ‘Ruth brought them home with her.’

‘Lovely, I’m looking forward to those. I’m starving.’

When she left, Bob said to Steve, ‘Would you like to get out of those pyjamas and wear trousers and a shirt for a change?’

‘Please, if you can manage it? My underclothes and shirts are in the chest of drawers, and trousers in the wardrobe.’

‘Give us a hand, Dad.’ It didn’t take long for the two big men to dress Steve, and they were all smiling with pleasure when it was done.

‘Right, how are we going to do this?’ Alf asked when his son lifted Steve off the bed.

‘You walk backwards in front of us. The stairs are so narrow I’ll have to go down sideways.’

It was tricky, but Bob was determined that Steve should eat with his family. He knew how important it was for him to feel a part of ordinary life again. With Alf walking backwards with arms outstretched to support Bob, they made it down successfully.

Steve breathed a sigh of relief when he was safely in the chair. ‘Blimey, I don’t know how you did that, Bob. You must have muscles of steel now.’

‘He has grown taller and filled out a bit.’ Alf was smiling happily at everyone in the scullery. ‘How tall are you now, son?’

‘About six feet six, I think.’

‘Sit down everybody,’ Daisy ordered. ‘Ruth, help me dish up.’

It was a lively meal with the kids chattering away, obviously happy to have their dad with them again. Steve asked Ruth how the market was doing, and she told him every detail, but never once did she speak to Bob.

He watched her as she laughed and was struck by how pretty she had become. She was clearly angry with him, and he wasn’t surprised. He would have to make his peace with her when he had time, but for the moment, Steve must come first.

They were all still too busy talking to Steve to ask Bob any questions, and that suited him just fine. He said very little, intent on watching the man at the table, and he recognized the moment when it was becoming too much for him.

Pushing back his chair, he nodded slightly to Alf who instantly stood up as well. ‘Steve will have his tea upstairs, Daisy,’ he told her cheerfully, bending to lift Steve out of the chair.

Going up was easier than coming down and they soon had Steve settled back in bed. ‘Oh hell, I’m tired, but that was good. Thank you both.’

Father and son stood side by side, both tall strong men. ‘No thanks are needed, mate.’ Alf slapped his son on the back. ‘Let’s go and get our tea.’

‘Is he all right?’ Daisy asked anxiously when they came down.

‘He’s tired, but fine.’ Bob sat at the table. ‘Why don’t you take him up a nice hot cup of tea?’

Ruth had disappeared, but all the other kids were there, eager to talk to Bob.

‘I’ve still got my dictionary.’ John pulled it out of his pocket. It was falling apart now and he’d put a piece of string around it.

‘Looks as if I’ll have to get you a new one.’

John shook his head. ‘I like this one, and I think all the pages are still there. Will you read to me again, like you used to, please? I’ve got lots of new books. Ruthie gets them for me from the market.’

‘I’d love to, John, but you must give me a few days to see to your dad.’

He nodded solemnly. ‘Is he going to be all right?’

‘I can’t say for certain, but I hope he will.’

‘The doctor told Mum he couldn’t do any more for him,’ Sally told them. ‘I heard him say he needed another kind of doctor, but it would cost a lot of money.’

‘I didn’t know that,’ Alf exclaimed. ‘Daisy should have told me. I’d have raised the money somehow, even if it meant selling my house.’

‘Mum said we weren’t to tell you because you’d already used all the money you’d saved for another house.’ Eddie sat next to Alf and rested his arms on the table. ‘None of us have got any money left, and that’s why I’ve left school early.’

‘I know.’ Alf’s expression was grim. ‘But Daisy should have told me. Have you got enough for the rent this week, Eddie?’

He nodded. ‘Ruth pawned the brooch the captain’s mum left her, so we’re all right for the moment, but that money won’t last long.’

‘Hold on a minute.’ Bob was mystified. ‘The captain told me about the brooch, but what’s all this about buying houses, Dad?’

‘It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you when we have time,’ Alf told him, dismissing the subject firmly.

Daisy came downstairs again. ‘He’s asleep and too tired to even finish his tea.’

‘That’s only natural.’ Bob took the tray from her and placed it by the sink. ‘We’ll have to take it steady at first, but I want to get him out of that bed as much as possible. What we need is a wheelchair, so I’ll see if I can get hold of one, and then I’ll be able to take him outside if it’s a nice day.’

‘They cost a lot of money, don’t they?’ Daisy frowned. ‘We’re only just managing on what we’ve got coming in.’

‘Don’t worry. I’ll get one somehow.’

‘Oh.’ Daisy looked relieved to leave it to Bob. ‘It would be good for Steve. Thank you very much.’

‘You don’t have to keep thanking me, Daisy. Now, you kids nip upstairs and say goodnight to your dad, but only stay for five minutes.’

The three of them rushed out and Bob glanced at the clock so he could make sure they didn’t overtire Steve. He was already worn out.

‘Do I have your permission to go up as well?’

‘There’s no need to be sarcastic, Ruth.’ She was standing in the doorway when he turned to face her. ‘You’ve made it very plain that you don’t want me here, and if I can get Steve on his feet again, I won’t bother you any more. Of course you can go up.’

‘Ruth!’ Daisy was livid. ‘What’s the matter with you?’

‘Well, who does he think he is, coming in our house and giving orders?’

‘Dear Lord, you have changed. I’ve never known you to be spiteful before. Haven’t you seen the difference in your dad already? He’s laughed for the first time since the accident. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? How can you be so ungrateful?’ Tears were streaming down Daisy’s face. ‘Get out of my sight!’

Bob stepped forward to comfort the distraught woman. ‘Please don’t upset yourself. I don’t care what your daughter thinks of me. I didn’t expect everyone to be pleased to see me after the way I left.’

‘But you still came.’ She wiped her eyes and glared at Ruth, who hadn’t moved. ‘You wanted to see your dad, so why are you still here?’

Ruth fled.

‘Since that business with the brooch she’s become bitter. And I think in some silly way she blames you. In her mind it wouldn’t have happened if you had been there to stand up for her.’

‘I understand, but you mustn’t let it upset you,’ he said gently. ‘The kids have had their five minutes, so you go and chase them out, and then sit with Steve for a little while. Then I want you to go to bed and rest because I’ll be with him all night.’

‘I’ll do that.’

Bob went through to the front room. Ruth was sitting on the floor surrounded by pieces of material, but she was just staring at them, making no attempt to do anything.

He sat beside her. ‘We’ve got to declare a truce. You can hate me all you want, but don’t let it show. Your mother is at the end of her strength, so watch your tongue. I have been working with injured men ever since I left the captain’s estate, and have received good training. Steve needs the kind of skills I now have. That’s why I came. I’m sorry if you believe I’ve let you down, but we used to be friends, Ruth, and I hope we can be again. If you love your family then you’ll keep your nasty remarks to yourself.’

Uncurling himself he stood up, looking down at the forlorn figure. It hurt him to be unkind to her, but it had to be done. If he had read the signs right then Daisy was about to break. When she said nothing he turned and walked out of the room, out of the house, and jumped over the fence. His dad was clearly pleased to see him, and they had worked well together, but he still owed him an apology.

‘How did it go?’ Alf asked his son as he walked in.

‘I told Ruth to keep her hostility out of the way when she’s with her family because her mum can’t take much more. I think she’ll be careful now. Being accused of stealing has really disturbed her, hasn’t it?’

‘I’m afraid so, but she’s a good girl and will come to her senses eventually.’

‘I hope so.’ Bob sighed. ‘We have been friends for a long time, and it’s hard to know she dislikes me now. If I could change some of the things I’ve done in the past I would.’

Alf nodded. ‘We haven’t had a chance to talk, Bob, but thanks for coming. When I asked the captain to find you I never thought he would. He said you had made a good life for yourself and you left it all to come and help Steve.’

‘I’ve also come back to say how sorry I am for leaving you. I didn’t understand, but I shouldn’t have walked out.’

‘Yes, you should.’ Alf smiled at his son, so grown-up now. ‘The shock of losing you made me fight to pull my life together, and if you hadn’t ended up in Surrey, you wouldn’t have the experience to help Steve. No apologies are needed. What you did has been for the good of us all.’

Bob was stunned by such a gracious reception after what he had done. ‘It’s good of you to say that, and I can tell you that it’s a great relief to know you feel like that. I didn’t like being so hard on Ruth, but if Steve is going to make any progress, he mustn’t worry about anything.’

‘That’s a tall order. Steve’s used to providing for his family, and he can’t do that now.’

‘I know, and that’s why we have to put a cheerful face on things. Now, what’s all this talk about houses?’

Alf told him about the Imperial War Museum, avoiding all mention of the book, and saying only that he had been able to help them and they’d paid him some money.

They talked for nearly an hour, and then Bob stood up. ‘It’s good to see you, Dad, and I’d like to talk again soon, but I must get back to Steve now.’

‘Of course. Goodnight, son.’

It was getting late and Ruth was still in the front room, her emotions in turmoil. This man who had walked in and taken charge was a stranger to her. He wasn’t the boy she had grown up with, and he had changed almost beyond recognition. Not his physical appearance, although he was slightly taller, but there was something very different about the way he acted. There was an air of confidence about him, a quiet self-assurance that frankly frightened her. She had lashed out at him, not understanding why.

The scullery door opened and she listened to the stairs creaking as Bob made his way up to her dad’s room. Mum had gone to bed some time ago, exhausted, and still upset. She swiped away tears of remorse and shame for the way she had acted. Bob was right; she should have been more careful. They had enough to cope with without her acting like a stupid child.

Scrambling to her feet she straightened up, and then crept up the stairs to the room she now shared with Sally and her mother. ‘Are you awake, Mum?’ she whispered.

The woman in the bed moved her head.

‘I’m so sorry I upset you. I didn’t mean to. I don’t know what came over me.’

‘You had no right to be rude, Ruthie. Bob didn’t have to come, but by God we need him. I couldn’t have carried on like this for much longer, and neither could you. Have you apologized to him?’

She shook her head.

‘Then you make sure you do. Now get some sleep.’

Sleep was illusive as Alf gazed up at the ceiling with eyes wide open. He was so happy to see and talk to his son. He didn’t know why he hadn’t said anything about the book, but somehow it hadn’t seemed to be the right time. Steve was all that mattered at the moment.

He turned over and closed his eyes, bringing his thoughts back to their situation. While Steve healed they had to survive. There were a lot of people to feed and the two youngest kids must not go without. All the money he had saved towards buying another house had gone on doctors and medicines, and he didn’t begrudge a penny of it. He still had the one house, of course, but if he sold that then he would have to turn the Selbys out, and that wouldn’t be right. They were so happy and grateful to be there. He couldn’t do that, and he was absolutely certain that Daisy wouldn’t want him to either, no matter how desperate the need. There had to be another way . . .

He finally drifted off to sleep, the problem still unresolved.

The next evening, when Daisy was upstairs with Steve, Alf gathered Ruth and Eddie around the scullery table and tried to work out how they were going to get through the next couple of weeks.

‘The traders at the market are giving me some vegetables and a little fruit at the end of the day, and Mrs Law gave me the sausages we had last night. I don’t like taking from them, but they understand the difficulty we are in and want to help. Everyone is being so kind.’