Twisted Strands (45 page)

Andrew shook his head slowly. ‘Oh no, she isn’t. Not now. When we went away, she was, but not any longer.’ There was sadness in his own tone now as if he mourned a personal
loss. ‘While we were away, she grew up.’

‘You want the truth? Well, you can have it. I do love Bridie – very much.’ Now they stared at him and Eveleen gave a little whimper and pressed the back of her hand to her
mouth. ‘But as my
niece
and, latterly, as my nurse. She was the only one who could help me when I came back from the war. She was the only one who took the time to understand . .
.’ His words were a direct, hurtful accusation aimed at Eveleen. ‘She
cared
.’ Now he turned to Andrew and pointed his forefinger at him. ‘And you, Andrew Burns, are
the biggest bloody fool around. That girl has spent her life loving you. Even as a little girl she always said she was going to marry you. And, as far as I know, now she’s a grown woman she
still feels the same. Though God alone knows why. And she is a grown woman, despite her tender years, because what she’s seen and dealt with in the time she’s been nursing is more than
you, Eveleen,’ he swung round once more to include her, ‘have ever experienced in your life and that includes the hard times you had as a girl.’

‘Richard, I’m sorry . . .’ she began, moving towards him, reaching out to him. But he held up his hands, palms outwards, to fend her off.

He turned on his heel and went towards the door, flinging it open. He looked back over his shoulder and addressed his final words to Andrew. ‘I just hope she’s got the sense to find
someone more worthy than you for all that love she’s got in her heart.’

Then he left the room, slamming the door behind him and leaving the two of them staring after him.

‘Oh, Andrew,’ Eveleen whispered, the tears running down her face, ‘what have we done?’

‘I’m sorry, Evie.’ They were sitting on the sofa, Eveleen weeping against Andrew’s shoulder. ‘There I go, crashing in with my big feet and all
I’ve done is cause trouble between you and Richard.’

Eveleen hiccuped miserably. ‘We’d only just got back to something like we used to be. And now . . .’ Her tears flowed afresh.

Andrew hugged her. ‘Me and my big mouth. I’m so sorry. I’ll go and find him. Explain that it was my fault.’

Eveleen shook her head. ‘It won’t do any good. He could see I believed it too. Besides, I heard the front door bang. He’s gone out again. Oh . . .’ she cried. ‘I
think I’m going to be sick.’ She got up and hurried from the room, holding her hand over her mouth. She only just reached the bathroom before she began to retch. When the spasm had
passed she went back downstairs to find Andrew still waiting for her in the morning room.

‘All right?’ he asked, rather unnecessarily, for Eve-leen’s face was deathly white and she was shivering as if with a fever. But she nodded and sat down, gripping her hands
together in her lap.

‘What are you going to tell Bridie?’

He was silent for a moment before he answered. ‘I’m going to ask her to marry me.’ He paused and then muttered, ‘If she’ll still have me after this.’

She looked up, startled. ‘What? But I thought you didn’t think of her in – in that way. I thought you loved her, well, more as if she was your daughter.’

He smiled sheepishly. ‘I did. Or at least I thought I did. But when Jimmy told me about her and Richard, well, I saw red. I was in a blind, jealous rage, Evie. The jealous rage of a man
who’s in love with the woman he was talking about.’

He passed his hand across his forehead, still feeling confused. ‘I didn’t think I could ever stop loving Rebecca. I thought that what I felt for Bridie was because she’s
Rebecca’s daughter. But not now. Not any more. Jimmy’s shown me that, even though I could have killed him for saying what he did. And when I got here this morning I could have killed
Richard.’ He looked Eveleen straight in the face. ‘If he hadn’t been so obviously telling the truth – and yes, I do believe him – I might very well have throttled
him.’ He shook his head as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing himself say. ‘This war’s changed us, Evie. We think nothing now of taking another man’s
life. Isn’t that terrible?’

Staring at him, Eveleen nodded slowly.

Andrew stood up. ‘If you’re sure there’s nothing I can do to put matters right, then I’ll go.’ He looked down at her once more. ‘I’m so sorry,
Evie,’ he said hoarsely.

By dusk Richard had still not returned home and Eveleen lay on her bed, her eyes swollen but now, for the moment at least, she could cry no more. She had eaten nothing since
breakfast and now her stomach rumbled with hunger and yet she still felt sick.

And yet, she began to realize, this queasy feeling had not just occurred today. She had been feeling unwell for several days now, especially first thing in the morning.

She rubbed her stomach, gently over the place where her womb lay. Was it possible? Could she really – after all this time – be with child?

And then, as she realized what terrible damage this day’s events had wrought, the tears came again.

In the moment that should have brought her the greatest happiness of her life, she was plunged into the depths of despair.

‘Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.’

‘Oh, Bridie.’ Andrew held out his arms to her. ‘I’ve done a dreadful thing today.’

After a moment of surprised hesitation, Bridie went to him to be enfolded in his embrace. He hugged her so tightly he almost squeezed the breath from her body. ‘What is it?’ she
whispered. ‘Tell me.’

So, almost as if he were kneeling in the chapel, but instead standing with his face buried against her neck, Andrew made his confession. So, Bridie thought as she listened to him, the quarrel
she had overheard between her father and Andrew had not been about Rebecca as she had supposed. It had been about her. She heard him out until the very end and then, gently, she drew back and put
her fingers beneath his chin to lift his face and to look into his eyes. ‘Why didn’t you ask me?’

He could not meet her gaze. ‘I couldn’t. I was that mad, that – that jealous.’

She shook her head sadly. ‘You didn’t trust me, did you? You really thought it could be true?’

Shamefaced, he nodded. She uttered no word of reproach, but merely took him into her arms now and held him close for a long time. At last she said, ‘Poor Auntie Evie. I must go to
her.’

‘Oh, Bridie, I shouldn’t. I’ve caused enough trouble.’

‘I’m not going to cause any trouble, Andrew. I’m the only one who can sort it all out. I’ll go tomorrow morning. I’ll leave everything ready for the old folks here.
And you,’ she tapped him playfully on the nose, ‘will have to look after them both.’

Andrew looked askance, but – as Bridie knew full well – he was in no position to argue.

When she was shown into the morning room the following morning, Eveleen ran into her arms with a sob. Bridie held her and patted her back comfortingly. ‘It’ll be
all right, Auntie Evie, I promise. It’s not true. Not a word of it. You do know that, don’t you?’

Eveleen nodded and they sat down side by side on the sofa. ‘I do now, but . . .’

‘You mean, you thought for a while that it was?’

‘Oh, Bridie, I’ve been so silly. I don’t know what got into me. But – but you seemed to be able to do so much more for Richard than I could. You and he seemed so –
so close.’

‘I told you,’ Bridie said gently, but very firmly, ‘it was because I’d seen so much of it at the home that I could understand. Besides, although I love Uncle Richard
dearly –
as an uncle
,’ she emphasized with a smile, ‘I was still able to deal with it rationally. To separate myself just a little. It’s very difficult, you know, for
families to help their nearest and dearest.’

‘Is it?’ Eveleen did not sound convinced. ‘I thought it should be me, more than anyone else, who could help him.’

Bridie shook her head. ‘No, it’s not always the case. Believe me.’

‘I do,’ Eveleen said simply and they both knew that she was not merely referring to Bridie’s nursing knowledge.

‘So,’ Bridie asked, ‘where is he?’

‘I don’t know,’ Eveleen said and her voice threatened to rise again into a despairing wail. ‘He didn’t come home last night. I don’t know where he
is.’

‘Didn’t . . .’ Bridie began incredulously, but she could see by her aunt’s face that it was all too true. More practically, she asked, ‘Then where do you think he
might be? At his parents?’

Eveleen shook her head. ‘I’ve already sent word to see. He’s not there. Oh, Bridie . . .’ she clutched at the girl. ‘I’m so afraid he might have – might
have done something awful. He was so angry. So hurt.’

Bridie shook her head. ‘Uncle Richard wouldn’t do that. He’s just taken himself off somewhere to be alone.’ She thought for a moment and then her expression brightened.
‘Has he taken the motor?’

Eveleen nodded.

‘Can you borrow another motor car from somewhere?’

‘I suppose so,’ Eveleen said. ‘I expect his father would lend me his.’

‘Right then. Send Smithers to fetch it and get your coat and hat. We’re taking a trip into the countryside.’

‘Why? Where do you think he’s gone? Flawford?’

Bridie shook her head. ‘No. Fairfield House, of course.’ She knew that there was still a skeleton staff at the home. ‘It’s where he felt safe. Where else would he
go?’

‘He wouldn’t go to Pear Tree Farm, would he? To have it out with Jimmy?’ Eveleen asked as she drove, a little unsteadily, out of the city.

‘I hope not,’ Bridie said grimly. ‘Else there might be fisticuffs again.’ They drove a little further and then Bridie asked suddenly, ‘Does Josh know about any of
this?’ She was aware that Josh was staying with Richard and Eveleen.

‘No. I avoided him this morning.’ Eveleen smiled wryly. ‘One look at me and he’d have known something was wrong. I can’t hide much from Josh.’

‘So, he doesn’t know the trouble my dear father’s been causing?’

‘No. Apart from the fact that he’s been the cause of Josh agreeing to run the factory for us for a while. He’d never have wanted to leave my mother if it hadn’t been for
Jimmy being there. Josh felt pushed out.’

The rest of the journey passed in silence, but as they drove up the driveway of Fairfield House, Bridie said, ‘Now, I need to talk to Uncle Richard alone first. You go down to the beck,
Auntie Evie, and wait there. If – if everything’s all right, I’ll send him to you.’

‘Why do you need to see him alone?’ Was there even yet a faint hint of mistrust in her?

Bridie eyed her, as if guessing. ‘It would be awkward with you there too. You must see that. I need to give him some straight talking. I need to tell him how things have been for you while
he’s been away. Don’t you see? These returning soldiers have no idea what we went through back here. Oh, I’m not suggesting that we’ve experienced anything like
they’ve been through. But it hasn’t been easy, has it, suddenly left alone to cope? Especially for us weak and feeble women.’

Bridie was laughing and even Eveleen had to smile. ‘Once upon a time, I’d have said I was a strong woman,’ she said, ‘but not any more. I’m as weak as a
kitten.’ She turned to face her niece, this young girl of whom she was so proud. If only . . . She pushed the thoughts away. She must begin to trust again and what better moment to start than
right here. Right now.

She nodded and climbed out of the vehicle. ‘I’ll go round the house and through the back yard and down to the beck. But what if he’s not here?’

‘He will be,’ Bridie said confidently. ‘But if not, I’ll come to you.’ She jumped down and set off towards the front steps, whilst Eveleen disappeared round the
side of the house.

‘He’s in the gardens, miss,’ the maid, who answered the door, told her.

‘Thanks, I’ll find him.’

She found Richard sitting on the wooden seat in the rose garden, staring straight ahead at the golden blooms in front of him, yet she knew he was seeing nothing of their beauty.

‘Hello, Uncle Richard,’ she called as she approached and sat down beside him.

He turned his head slowly as if waking from a dream, or rather a nightmare, to look at her. ‘I’m surprised you dare be seen in my company. I’m supposed to have seduced you and
we’re having this passionate affair.’

She grinned at him, but there was no answering smile. ‘Daft, isn’t it?’ she said.

He sighed. ‘From your point of view, yes. But from mine, well . . .’ He lapsed into silence.

‘Why from my point of view?’ she asked.

‘I’m old enough to be your father, for heaven’s sake,’ he said testily.

‘So’s Andrew, but I’m going to marry him.’

‘Are you?’ There was a faint humour in his tone. ‘Does Andrew know?’

Bridie giggled. ‘Oh yes, but so far, he’s refused me.’

They smiled together but then the smile faded from Richard’s face. ‘So what you’re saying is,’ he said slowly, ‘that it’s quite possible for other people to
have thought that I – that we . . .’

She nodded. ‘Of course it is. A lot of older men marry younger women. Now, just you listen to me.’ She tapped him on the arm, demanding his attention. ‘Look at it from Auntie
Evie’s point of view. You rush off to war leaving her to cope with the factory and then, when you come back, you’re like a mardy child because she can’t stay with you every minute
of the day and hold your hand. Besides, she didn’t know how to deal with you. How could she? You came back a different person from the man who went away. And then the only person you want is
me! Just put yourself in her place for a minute. How must she have felt?’

‘She should know I love her. That I’ve never loved anyone but her.’

Bridie leant forward and said gently, ‘I know it’s none of my business, but wasn’t she hurt, years ago, by a young man she thought loved her? Didn’t she trust him and he
let her down?’

Richard nodded. ‘Stephen Dunsmore. He lived here at Fairfield House.’

‘How old was she?’

‘Seventeen, I think.’

‘The same age as I am now,’ she said softly. ‘But, you see, I’m lucky. I’ve never loved anyone – in that way – but Andrew. My only sadness is that he
doesn’t love me in return, but it doesn’t – can’t – stop me loving him. But don’t you think that being let down like that at that age – the first big love
of her life and he callously rejected her – don’t you think it scars a young girl for the rest of her life? Do you think she can trust anyone completely ever again? Even you?’