The Watercress Girls (7 page)

Sophia and William were determined to keep the exact details of Ena’s demise from their younger daughter. They said only that they must all make sure that Robbie was well-loved and cared for, as ‘Ena would have wished, if she had not been ill.’

Mattie’s visit was postponed for a fortnight after the original date, when they were rallying round. It helped that the lodgers must be catered for, regular meals served.

The family decided it was just as well Mattie was coming with Griff, for it would not be right to discuss the recent tragedy in his presence.

M
attie wore a light-weight wool frock in raspberry red, a gift from Sybil. Mindful of the autumnal nip in the air, she’d added a white angora jacket and slouch beret. She said to herself, I want the family to see how stylish I am nowadays! No more dowdy clothes and hats, or thick tan stockings, but the pleasing crackle of silk as I smooth them carefully over my legs, and ensure the seams are straight….

She resisted tapping her feet, in court shoes with the fashionable
T-bar
, to the rhythm of the train wheels; squeezing Griff’s hand instead, as they sped through familiar countryside on the last lap home. He lightly touched her inexpensive engagement ring, a twinkling star of tiny diamonds. Griff had spent his savings on it. Mattie had insisted he leave his legacy intact, not say anything at present. He’d slipped the ring on her finger in the train this morning. Mattie wanted her parents to be first to know of their betrothal; until now the ring had been kept in its box.

Anyway, the Fulliloves were preoccupied with problems. Receivers had been called in at the emporium. There had been out-of-season sales in most departments; no new goods were imported. Some staff had left voluntarily, some hung on, hoping they would be employed until the end. Sybil replaced Cissie Coe in Miss Teazel’s office. ‘I’m good at figure work and you don’t have to pay
me
,’ she said. The smart delivery van had been sold; Griff now drove the four of them to work in a smaller vehicle.

There had been a muted celebration of Griff’s recent coming of age. A cheque for
£
800 had arrived from a solicitor, in settlement of his inheritance. Rufus shook Griff’s hand and congratulated him. He commented: ‘At least
you
will have a secure future.’

‘If I thought it would help, I’d willingly lend some of it to you,’ Griff replied.

‘I’m afraid it would be swallowed up, wasted, so we must decline,’ Rufus said heavily. ‘But we appreciate the offer, eh Sybil?’

She nodded. It still surprised her to hear her husband refer to ‘we’ rather than ‘I’. Their growing closeness, she thought, would sustain them through their troubles.

Mattie was prepared to see her mother struggling to cope after recent events, as she had when her elder son was killed during the war. However, Sophia was determinedly cheerful, as busy as she’d been when the Plough was a thriving concern. Will played his part in caring for their lodgers, who had private means and thus were able to pay well for good service. Both sides desired a long-term arrangement: Will pushed the older lady about in her wheelchair and stoked the fire in the bedroom. Mother and daughter were accommodated in the two front rooms off the hall, which had been empty since the brewery removed the bar furnishings which belonged to them.

‘Dad painted the rooms,’ Sophia said proudly.

Evie gave Mattie lots of hugs, expressing her approval of Griff while she helped her sister unpack in their old bedroom. ‘Oh, he’s so nice, Mattie! I do like him.’

Fanny, the nursemaid, brought little Robbie to his aunt for
inspection
. Mattie held the baby in her arms, blushing when Griff winked at her. ‘I’m glad they chose
you
,’ Mattie told Fanny, who was a real country girl with apple-red cheeks and thick hair braided round her head. Her rounded figure was concealed by a white apron with a pair of spare napkin pins fastened to the bodice. She was very competent, having helped bring up her five younger siblings.

‘He’s a joy to look after, our baby,’ Fanny said proudly. ‘I love working here.’

Griff was next door to the girls. That night, when Mattie and Evie were in bed, if not yet asleep, he beat a brief tattoo on the dividing wall, as he’d promised Mattie he would.

Evie giggled. ‘I bet you won’t divulge what that means, Mattie.’

‘You’re too young to know,’ Mattie said primly, then she burst out laughing. ‘He’s just saying goodnight, silly!’

‘When are we going to learn your secret?’ Evie asked.

‘When the moment seems right,’ Mattie yawned. ‘Now, can I get my beauty sleep? It was a long day on the train, you know!’

‘You’re already beautiful,’ Evie said stoutly.

‘You, too, dearie! Thanks to all that watercress we picked and ate, eh?’

‘D’you
have
to go back to Plymouth, Mattie? Can’t you stay here?’

‘Oh Evie – as I said, you’ll hear our plans for the future, tomorrow.’

‘You said “our” so I know that means you
and
Griff!’

It was quite like the old days, Mattie thought, when, joined by the lodgers, they sat round the extended table and ate from plates piled
high with succulent roast beef, individual batter puddings, roast and plain potatoes, parsnips, cabbage and diced carrots. There was freshly made horseradish sauce and thick brown gravy. They needed what Sophia called an ‘aristocratic pause’, before she brought in a large apple pie, a jug of yellow custard and a smaller jug of fresh cream from the local farm. The water carafe was refilled several times. Sophia
disapproved
of alcohol with meals, despite having been a pub landlady for many years.

‘Mother will need a snooze after all that splendid food,’ Miss Jackson said.

Will helped Mrs Jackson into her chair. The old lady’s head was already nodding. The curtains would be drawn in the bedroom she shared with her daughter. Miss Jackson would retire to the sitting-room opposite. She had school books to mark.

Mattie and Evie collected the plates, and went cheerfully to tackle the washing-up. Ronnie, back from working the morning shift, sat silently at the kitchen table, eating a belated lunch; the baby was asleep in his pram in the corner. Fanny had given him his bottle before going home to join her own family for the rest of the day. Sophia was entertaining Griff in the back parlour. Will joined them there.

They seized the opportunity for a little gentle probing.

‘We understand from Sybil that her husband’s business is failing,’ Sophia began.

‘I’m afraid so,’ Griff said honestly.

‘Does that mean Mattie will shortly be out of a job?’ Will asked.

‘I imagine we both will.’

‘Have you any idea what will happen then?’

‘Well,’ Griff began, when to his relief, Mattie and Evie joined them. Ronnie remained in the kitchen with the baby. He obviously did not feel up to talking today.

‘Tea,’ Mattie said, setting down the tray on a small table.

‘Sugared and stirred.’ Evie grinned, passing the cups.

Mattie waited until they were all seated, sipping the hot liquid.

‘Griff has something to ask you, Mother, Dad….’

‘Mattie and I would like your permission to marry,’ Griff said in a rush.

‘To get engaged first,’ Mattie reminded him. ‘We hope to wed next spring.’

Will glanced at Sophia. She smiled and nodded her head.

‘I presume you are about to produce a ring?’ Will asked. ‘Well, go on, you can wear it openly now, Mattie! The answer is “yes”. However, in view of the situation in Plymouth, there’s not much chance of you saving towards a wedding, eh?’

‘As things are with the business, no. But I came into a tidy sum on my twenty-first.’

‘Enough to set you up?’

‘Yes,’ Griff assured her parents. He continued: ‘I hope this won’t come as a shock, but after we’re married, we intend to emigrate to Canada. My father’s sister and her husband farm on the prairie, where the nearest town is called Moose Jaw. She’s always kept in touch. She says the Canadian government is encouraging immigration and are insisting Cunard keep fares low. We think this is our best chance; life is very hard over here now.’

It was obvious from their expressions that Sophia and Will
were
shocked.

Mattie broke the prolonged silence. ‘Aunt Anna’s and Uncle Charlie’s eldest son and his family moved over the border to a farm in North Dakota in 1915. They built a sod house! We did like the sound of
that
, but.…’ She nudged Griff.

‘Immigration is now strictly restricted to the States. I don’t think we would stand a chance. Maybe, later, eh? Another cousin is with the North Pacific Railway. He lives in Bismark, at the junction with the Missouri river. You’ve heard of the Missouri?’

Still no response from Sophia and Will, but Evie said loudly in her excitement, ‘I have! Shall I fetch my world map book?’

‘Good idea,’ Mattie approved.

‘
Sod
house – is that what it sounds like?’ Sophia murmured.

‘In the middle of nowhere, I suppose?’ Will guessed.

‘Five miles from the nearest town, I believe,’ Griff said.

Sophia, overcome, was wiping her eyes. Mattie went to her mother, knelt beside her chair, pressing her face against Sophia’s shoulder. Her voice was muffled. ‘Oh, don’t cry – we’re not thinking of going to
Australia
, you know! Canada’s not so far away.’

‘Even Plymouth is a foreign place to me!’ Sophia said woefully.

‘We need to have your blessing to go – that’s important to us,’ Mattie pleaded.

Griff cleared his throat. ‘I promise we’ll put aside the wherewithal to come home if things don’t work out.’

‘You’ll have to find employment,’ Will reminded him.

‘I intend to.’

‘What are you trained for?’

‘There are big stores over there, too, you know! Thanks to Rufus, I had a good education; I might work in a bank or an office. I’m sure Aunt Anna would let us stay with her, to start with. But I’d really like to buy land, get my hands dirty for a change.’

‘And you, Mattie?’ Sophia asked.

‘I’m looking forward to working alongside Griff, Mother!’

Sophia stroked Mattie’s long hair absently, retied the ribbon which kept it back from her face, as she had done so often when her daughter was still a little girl. ‘Are you sure you’re cut out for that?’

‘I’m stronger than you think!’

‘Strong-willed is how I’d put it. You’ve never had to pick up potatoes, feed livestock or milk a cow, like some round here, from an early age. Like Fanny, for instance.’

‘I can learn; we both can!’ Mattie asserted.

‘Do look!’ Evie cried, waving the atlas to attract their attention. ‘Canada – it’ll be very cold there, I reckon!’

‘Oh my dears!’ Sophia was wiping her eyes again, but she managed a tremulous smile. ‘You’ll need to wrap up warm in winter – even more than you do here.’

‘We will!’ Mattie got to her feet. ‘We mustn’t leave Ronnie out of all this; you look at the map with Evie and Griff, while I go and break the news to him.’

Ronnie had finished his meal, rinsed his plate, and moved to the old couch where he relaxed with his baby son, now wide awake, on his lap. He looked up at Mattie. ‘Well, what d’you think of my boy, Mattie?’

‘He looks like one of us!’ Mattie said proudly, sitting down beside them. Then she realized what she’d said. ‘Sorry, Ronnie, I didn’t mean—’

‘I’m sure you didn’t. But he’s got a look of poor Ena, too.’

‘I didn’t like to mention your loss, but I do feel for you.’

‘When I came home from the war without Robbie, I thought it was up to me to carry on the family name. Ena and I, well, I jumped the gun, I couldn’t wait. We married in haste, because of the baby. I tried to be a good husband. The rest you know.’

‘Neither of you was happy, I was aware of that.’

‘You and your young man – don’t be put off by my experience, will you?’

‘You’ve guessed, then?’

‘I have, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.’

Mattie kissed his cheek, then the baby’s head. ‘Thank you. Griff and I need your approval too! After we’re wed, we hope to emigrate to Canada.’

‘I thought of doing that, you know – a new country, a new life,’ he said slowly.

‘Why don’t you come with us?’

‘How could I manage, with a motherless child to care for?’

‘We could help,’ Mattie said impulsively.

‘No, Mattie. It wouldn’t be fair. Maybe, later on, if the opportunity arises, eh?’

‘Come and join us in the other room, Ronnie. Don’t shut yourself away.’ She held out her arms to the baby. ‘I intend to spoil
you
this weekend, you know!’

All too soon it was time for Mattie and Griff to return to Plymouth. Mattie had a present to give to her parents: the charcoal sketch of herself that Griff had done the first time they visited Plymouth Hoe. Griff had signed and framed it at Mattie’s request.

‘It’s lovely – but please don’t say it’s to remember you by!’ Sophia said.

‘Of course not! Now, please leave all the arrangements for the wedding to us – we’d like it to be in Plymouth, so it’ll be a holiday for you, Dad and Evie, who’ll be my maid of honour, eh?’

‘What about the baby – and the Jacksons?’

‘Oh, Mother! Fanny can stay here while you’re away, so you needn’t worry about little Robbie – she’s a good cook too, so she could see to the meals. It shouldn’t be a problem for Miss Jackson, either, being the Easter break from school.’

Sophia hugged her tightly. ‘I’ll treasure your picture, Mattie. I just recalled the portrait Mr B painted of you before the war – I wonder what happened to that?’

‘Perhaps we’ll find out, one of these days….’

S
ybil tiptoed across the bedroom to the window. She didn’t pull the curtains but parted them slightly so that she could glimpse the
early-morning
scene. The street was deserted, blinds still drawn in the houses opposite. It was Saturday, not long after dawn. On Easter Monday Mattie and Griff were to be married. Mattie’s family had arrived on Thursday, and would return home next Tuesday. The packing-up here could then begin in earnest. Some of the furniture was included in the sale of the house; the remainder would be put in store while they decided what to do. Just over a week from now, they would say goodbye and good luck to the young couple who were sailing from Southampton on 22 April.

She sighed as she allowed the curtains to fall back into place. She’d believed that Rufus was asleep, but he said: ‘It’s too early to get up. Come back to bed.’ It was unfortunate that he added, ‘Anyone would think
you
were the mother of the bride.’

‘I’m only ten years older than Mattie!’ she said fiercely.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean— You’ll get cold without your wrap.’

Sybil slipped under the covers, but turned her back on him.

Rufus reached out and drew her close. ‘You’re crying. What’s wrong?’

‘I’m feeling sorry for myself!’ She endeavoured to suppress a sob.

He tentatively caressed her silk-clad shoulders, then, as he felt her slowly relax, he kissed the nape of her neck. ‘You’ve been so good about leaving here, I couldn’t have coped without your support, Sybil. I’m so grateful—’

‘I don’t want you to be grateful – I just need you to love me!’

‘I do. It’s still difficult for me you know – to express my feelings,’ he admitted.

She turned to him. ‘You’re getting better,’ she said softly, through her tears.

Hilda was busy setting out the early-morning tea things on the trays. She muttered aloud: ‘One, Miss Sybil and
him
– if he ain’t already in the bathroom; two, Master Griff; three, Mr and Mrs Rowley; four, the blushin’ bride and her sister—’

‘Can I help? I could carry our tray upstairs.’ Sybil’s voice made Hilda start.

‘What are you doing up this early?’ she demanded.

‘I … we couldn’t sleep. Too much to think about,’ Sybil said. ‘This has to be a modest wedding, and fortunately that’s what Mattie and Griff prefer, but I want everything to be perfect. It’s not fair to expect you to take on all the extra work, so Mattie’s mother and I will help wherever we can. Mind you, I’m aware that Mrs Rowley is more capable than me. That wonderful wedding cake she produced from her hat box.…’

‘I don’t suppose she’ll swan about like you in her night attire! Well, food’s one thing we don’t have to worry about – all the leavings from the poor old emporium food hall, eh? That pongy cheddar’ll be served up as macaroni cheese for lunch today!’

‘Scrambled eggs for breakfast?’

‘I’ll see to those if you like.’ Griff now joined them. He picked up one of the trays. ‘I’ll deliver this to Mattie and Evie.’

Hilda said primly, ‘I’m not sure that’s proper, Master Griff.’

Griff winked. ‘Sybil doesn’t disapprove.’

‘Take your cup too,’ was all Sybil said.

Evie gave a little shriek and disappeared under the bedclothes when Griff poked his head round the door. Mattie, however, was already sitting on the side of the bed.

‘I was just thinking about going downstairs to help Hilda. You beat me to it!’

Evie came up for air. ‘You startled me!’ she said defensively.

‘Weren’t you thinking of joining Mother and Dad for morning tea?’ Mattie had a glint in her eye. ‘It’s our chance to talk in private,’ she added quickly.

‘I’ll pour your tea out,’ Griff offered, grinning.

‘I know when I’m not wanted,’ was Evie’s parting shot.

‘Shall I bolt the door?’ Griff suggested.

‘Certainly not! I don’t know what you’re thinking of, Griffith Parry, but—’

‘A chaste kiss – or two.…’ he said.

‘What’s this?’ Rufus was amused to see Sybil with a pinafore over her négligé.

‘I’m helping Hilda with the chores!’

‘You ought to get dressed first, I think.’

‘I’m waiting for my turn in the bathroom.’

‘Griff was in there earlier. He had the audacity to tell me Mattie was next in line. You might just as well drink your tea in bed like me….’

‘I wonder where we’ll be sleeping a couple of weeks from now?’

He made a face, placed his cup and saucer on the bedside table. ‘I forgot to use the strainer: got a mouthful of tea leaves. Sybil, isn’t it time you visited your parents?’

‘A reconciliation, you mean? I suspect Sophia gives them news of me. When I left home without their approval my dad said “You’ll be back, eating humble pie, before long.” My mother said nothing, just turned away. That made me determined that I would do no such thing. It’s fifteen years since I saw them.’

‘False pride,’ Rufus said slowly, ‘is something we have in common.’

‘The last time I wrote home was when we married. We had a card wishing us well, remember? If I make contact now, they might think I want something from them….’

‘You do. Not money, we must make that clear, because we won’t be exactly penniless, but aren’t family the ones you turn to, in times of trouble?’

‘
You
had to make your own way in life. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was.’

‘Think about it. Life’s too short for family feuds. Look at all the time
we
wasted.’

‘We’re making up for that now, aren’t we? And despite losing all you worked so hard for, we can build a new life, I know it,’ Sybil said. She looked at her watch. ‘Not even six o’clock yet!’

Back at the Plough Ronnie was still in bed, as he had the day off from work. No need to rise and shine yet, he thought, the Jacksons having requested breakfast at 8.30. He became aware of movement inside the cot, which he had moved into a corner of his room while his parents were away, followed by a hungry yell. Robbie pulled himself up and rattled the top bar of the cot. He was obviously intent on letting his father know it was time for his early morning sustenance.

Ronnie yawned. ‘Be with you in a few minutes. I’m enjoying a lie-in.’

A tap on the door. The handle turned, and in crept Fanny, wearing Mattie’s old dressing-gown over her petticoat. She didn’t possess a
nightdress
. She glanced over at the bed, illuminated by the night light. Ronnie appeared to be asleep.

Fanny went over to the cot, lifted the little boy out and sat down on the low nursing-chair. She loosened the dressing-gown cord so that the baby could snuggle against the warm softness of her breasts. She was
following the advice of her wise mother. ‘He may have lost his mummy, but you can give him that comfort.’

She murmured, ‘Ready for your bottle, young man? I’ll change you after, and then you must have another nap, your daddy deserves his rest after working hard all week.’

The baby was expert in emptying the bottle in a few minutes
nowadays
.

‘What about you, Fanny?’ Ronnie’s loud whisper startled her. ‘You’ve been working hard all week too, and now through the weekend, too. Shall I brew the tea?’

‘That’s all right, I’ll do it. Just let me see to this nappy. There … he’s nodding off already,’ she said with satisfaction.

‘You’ll make a lovely mother when you have a baby of your own.’

‘I think of Robbie like that. I know it will be hard for me to let him go when you decide to marry again and he has a new mother,’ Fanny said in a rush.

‘Is that what you think I should do?’

‘When you find the right young lady.’

‘Fanny, what about you?’ There, he’d said what he’d been thinking for months.

‘Me?’ Fanny was glad he couldn’t see her blushes in the half-light.

‘Yes. We get on well together, don’t we?’

‘That’s not enough for me,’ she said, moving to leave the room.

He was out of bed in an instant, catching her round the waist before she reached the door. ‘Will you marry me, Fanny?’

‘D’you mean that?’

‘I mean it. I know I’m not exactly a catch, but, like Robbie, I need a good woman to take me on. You’re so kind and thoughtful – I believe love would follow.’

‘I fell for you when you came home from the war, but Ena was the one you saw first. I would never have told you.…’

‘I’m glad you have,’ he said simply.

Fanny was facing him now. ‘Do you want to kiss me?’

He caught his breath. ‘Oh, I do!’ With his hands he tentatively brushed back her hair, crimped from the tight daily plaiting, from her flushed face. He kissed her parted mouth then, unable to resist, pressed his lips to her pulsing throat, revealed by the skimpy petticoat.

‘Well?’ she whispered, hugging him. She thought, he needs this, like the baby.

‘I think you’re a
wonderful
girl! I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.’

She said reluctantly, ‘I must go. We mustn’t get carried away. Your parents trust me, you see.’

‘Let’s get wed just as soon as we can. I know they’ll approve! I should say, we’ll have to continue living here for a while.…’

‘I shan’t mind that!’ she said softly. ‘I’m a family person, after all.’

Mattie, Griff and Evie were on the Hoe. They’d arranged to meet Christabel, who was to be a bridesmaid with Evie. Dolly had made their matching frocks.

Evie found the sea breezes exhilarating. She felt like turning a
cartwheel
, but managed to restrain the impulse, reminding herself that now she was fourteen she must be more ladylike. She was due to leave school this summer, but she hoped her parents would eventually agree to Miss Jackson’s suggestion that she might, if she passed the test, be allowed to continue her studies at the grammar school. As Walter commented, in his most recent letter, ‘You must seize this opportunity! Now I am working and earning a salary at long last, I know all that studying was the key to success. Mother is happy to see me in a white collar and suit!’ Evie was unaware that in fact Walter had taken the only job on offer, as a door-to-door insurance salesman.

Mattie and Griff strolled along, with his arm round her waist,
oblivious
, it seemed, to the brief shower of light rain or to the sights on the Hoe. Christabel steered Evie to a seat. ‘You can see a long way from here! No Armada today though.’

‘They’ll wonder where we are!’

‘Nonsense. They’ve only got eyes for each other,’ Christabel said. She giggled: ‘Why am I always the bridesmaid, never the blushing bride?’ she sang.

‘Well, I’m blushing now, because people are looking at us!’ Evie
hesitated
, then: ‘I’m surprised
you
haven’t got a young man, Christabel.’

‘What about you?’ Christabel countered, jokingly.

‘Me? I’m a schoolgirl!’

‘And I’m already on the shelf, eh?’

‘I didn’t mean—’

‘I have been in love, you know, though it wasn’t returned.’

‘Unrequited, isn’t that the expression?’ Evie asked.

‘Yes, and don’t you dare ask who the young man was!’

Evie gave her new friend’s hand a squeeze. ‘I think I can guess….’

‘You’ll keep in touch with me I hope, because those two dear people have a busy time ahead – but they’ll have to write home, eh? You can pass on the news!’ She added: ‘I start my new job on Tuesday. I’m not exactly looking forward to it.’

‘What is it?’

‘Working in a factory canteen – peeling endless buckets of spuds, I reckon, and endless dirty dishes to wash up. My mum is relieved I won’t
be stuck at a machine all day doing a repetitive task, and the hours are quite good, if the pay is poor.’

‘Oh, Christabel, you deserve better than that!’

‘Jobs are like gold dust nowadays. I get a free meal which will help our budget.’ She looked at Evie. ‘You and me, we’ve a lot in common, I think. Both ambitious, but both aware of our responsibilities at home. I don’t imagine I’ll marry. My mum is the most important person in my life.’

‘Is she able to come to the church on Monday? I’d like to meet her and to thank her for making my frock. It’s quite
à la mode
! My mother makes most of my clothes, but she imagines I still like puff sleeves and sashes!’

‘I chose the pattern so I’m glad you think we did well! I’m afraid Mum won’t be able to attend the wedding, but we can pose for the photographer. I’m sure you and I will end up in a frame on the
mantelpiece
! Come on, now we’ll catch up with the love birds.’

Mattie almost waltzed down the aisle on her father’s arm on Easter Monday morning. She wore a costume in pale-pink linen with a circlet of silk rosebuds on her hair, coiffured by Hilda. She carried a posy of
expensive
hot-house roses and fern. The bridesmaids, in cream-silk frocks with layered skirts walked demurely behind, swaying to the music.

Their footsteps echoed as they passed the empty polished pews in the lofty city church. Brass plaques on the whitewashed walls glinted in shafts of sunlight beaming through stained-glass windows. The bridal decorations were confined to the two front pews on either side of the aisle; white ribbons were tied to the lamp standards and there were more of the pink roses in the altar vases. There was no organ music today, but a familiar figure sat at the piano near the lectern. Miss Teazel had offered her services for the special occasion. She had chosen the music.
The Blue Danube
was her favourite.

Rufus, having volunteered to be best man, stood beside his stepson. They both wore smart grey suits with plum-coloured waistcoats. They turned to see Mattie’s smiling face as she arrived at the altar steps, while Will and the bridesmaids joined Sophia in the front pew. Sybil sat
opposite
, with Hilda. It was indeed a modest wedding.

They were unaware of the presence of a little church mouse in the choir stalls, who was concealed in a nest fashioned from shredded hymn sheets. This was just as well, as far as Evie was concerned. She would certainly have reacted to any sighting.