‘Nearly there,’ Ellen said. ‘Aren’t telephones wonderful? I rang Gertie from the hotel to tell her what time we’d be arriving and she said she’d be waiting for us at the station.’
‘Perhaps one day everyone will have telephones.’
‘I doubt that. Only businesses and rich people can afford them.’
‘I can’t wait to start work on Monday.’
‘No wonder Gertie was so keen to take you on.’
‘It was good of her to pay for our week in Brighton.’
‘Yes, but the weather was rotten.’
‘It wasn’t that bad for the end of March, and the hotel was nice.’
Ellen nodded her agreement, her thoughts drifting as she watched the passing scenery. They’d asked for single beds and got them, but it felt strange in the hotel room and she’d been nervous at first. She needn’t have worried. Percy had kept
to his agreement of a platonic marriage until after the baby was born, but Ellen wondered if she would ever be able to lie in his arms, to have him touching her, doing
that
to her. Oh, she liked Percy – how could anyone fail to like Percy – but she didn’t love him and doubted she ever would.
‘Come on, we’re here,’ he said as the train drew into the station, standing up to grab their cases from the rack overhead.
There was a cloud of steam from the engine as they climbed from the carriage, but as soon as it cleared Ellen saw Gertie and Maureen at the end of the platform, both their faces lighting up in a smile. Ellen hurried towards them, wrapping them both in a hug.
‘Thanks for meeting us.’
‘It’s lovely to see you,’ Gertie said. ‘Your parents have arrived and when I left them they were waiting for the furniture van to show up.’
‘Did you enjoy yourself in Brighton?’ Maureen asked.
‘Yes, it was lovely.’
‘Percy, do get a move on,’ Gertie called brusquely.
Ellen hid a smile as he joined them and they all then walked to the car. Gertie sounded bossy as usual, but she didn’t mind. Once he started work in the plant nursery, Percy would have to
get used to it too, but she doubted he’d complain. He’d be doing something he loved, and that had been a large factor in her decision to marry him. A love of plants, of growing things, was something they had in common and it had weighed heavily that because of her he would lose his chance to work at the nursery.
‘I sure your mother will be glad to see you. She’s certainly going to need a hand with all the unpacking,’ Maureen said.
‘Do you know, I was only thinking on the way back that it’s the first time I’ve been anywhere without her.’
‘I know you’re very young, but you’re a married woman now,’ Gertie chuckled, ‘and she could hardly join you on your honeymoon.’
Ellen hadn’t wanted to be a burden to her parents, or to force them to live a lie, and that too had gone a long way in her decision; but when they’d told Percy’s parents they were getting married, she hadn’t been prepared for the awful rows that had followed. However, as Percy put their luggage in the boot and they climbed into the car, Ellen’s thoughts were snapped back to the present when Gertie spoke.
‘I’m glad you liked Brighton, but what about the hotel? Was it all right?’
‘It was lovely and I can’t thank you enough.’
‘Yeah, me too, Gertie,’ Percy agreed.
Ellen gazed out of the window with interest. Guildford was a town she looked forward to exploring, but soon they were on the outskirts, driving up a steep hill and onto the Hogs Back. The scenery was breathtaking and just a short way along Gertie turned off to drive down a small country lane, Lavender Cottage soon coming into view.
Smoke was spiralling from the chimney as though signalling a welcome and, moments later, as if they’d been looking out for the car, Ellen’s parents appeared on the doorstep. With her father’s arm around her mother’s shoulder, somehow it all looked just right, and when both their hands lifted to wave, Ellen was the first out of the car.
‘Hello, you got here then?’ her mother said.
‘Well, Mum, we aren’t an optical illusion.’
‘Very funny. Now did you have a nice time?’
‘Yes, lovely, thanks.’
‘Well, come on then, all of you. Let’s get inside out of the cold.’
‘Sorry, Hilda, we can’t stop,’ Gertie called as she opened the boot for Percy to take out the cases. ‘We’ve got a lot to do, but if it’s all right, we’ll pop back this evening.’
‘That’s fine, and thanks for picking these two up from the station.’
‘It was no trouble,’ Gertie called, and moments later the car drove off again, Maureen waving at them from the passenger window.
‘This is nice,’ Percy said as they walked inside.
‘It’ll be a darn sight better when we get these boxes cleared. Oh, and Percy, I saw your mum before we left. She said they’d pop down next weekend to see us.’
Percy’s lips thinned. ‘She said that, did she? I’m still not sure that I want to see them.’
‘Now, Percy, I know they were against this marriage, but they’re still your parents. We’ve buried the hatchet and you should too.’
‘I can’t forget how much persuasion it took for you to convince them to come to the registry office.’
Ellen touched his arm. ‘Percy, I told you that your mum gave me a big hug after the service, your dad too, but by then you had walked off with the hump.’
Percy’s eyelids were hooded, an expression Ellen had come to recognise when he was thinking about something. She could understand why Mabel and Jack hadn’t wanted Percy to marry her, and the rows had been dreadful. She hadn’t wanted to come between Percy and his parents, had almost changed her mind, but he’d been adamant, telling them that if they didn’t agree, they’d never see him again.
‘Percy, give them a chance,’ Hilda urged. ‘They came round eventually and your mum isn’t only my friend, she’s family now. It wouldn’t be right to keep them away.’
‘Yeah, yeah, all right.’
‘Good, I’m glad that’s settled,’ Doug said. ‘Now I expect these two want a cup of tea before we tackle any more boxes.’
‘Yes, and I’d better take that tray back to Val.’
‘Who’s Val?’ Ellen asked.
‘A nice young woman who lives in the next cottage, at least I think she’s nice. There was something a bit odd about her.’
‘Take no notice of your mother. Val was just a thoughtful neighbour who kindly brought us tea and biscuits when we first arrived.’
‘I’d like to meet her. Leave the tray for now, Mum. It’ll give me an excuse to pop along there later.’
‘Fine, and, Percy, there’s enough clutter in here so take those suitcases up to your room.’
As he went upstairs, Ellen followed him, saying, ‘I might as well unpack them, Mum. It’s mostly dirty washing anyway so there won’t be much to hang up.’
‘When you come back down the tea should be ready.’
Ellen was pleased to see two single beds when she walked into the room. With money tight it had been the perfect excuse not to buy a double and
Percy’s mum had agreed that he could bring his own bed. There wasn’t much of a gap between them, but at least they’d still be sleeping separately.
‘It’s a smashing view,’ Percy said, looking out of the tiny window.
‘Percy, come on, unpack your case.’
‘Yes, madam,’ he said with a small bow.
Ellen’s heart jumped. For a brief moment, his action had reminded her of Billy, and, as though in agreement, for the first time she felt a tiny flutter in her tummy.
‘What is it? What’s the matter?’
‘Oh…oh…the baby moved.’
‘Blimey, you’ve gone all pale. Here, sit down,’ he said, hastily moving a suitcase on the bed to one side.
‘There’s no need. I’m fine. Oh, Percy, it moved, my baby moved.’
‘Our baby, Ellen.’
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ she agreed, yet deep down Ellen wondered if she would ever be able to think of the baby as Percy’s. Billy might never know the truth, but she did, yet for her baby’s sake it had to be a secret that would never be revealed.
‘Let’s leave the rest until tomorrow,’ Hilda said as she sank, exhausted, onto a chair. They’d had a scratch dinner and it was now after eight in the evening. With four of them in the room, she had
to admit it seemed a little cramped, but with both Ellen and Percy earning soon, eventually they’d want a place of their own. Of course it wouldn’t be easy, and they’d have furniture to buy, as well as all the paraphernalia needed for the baby. Hilda smiled softly, sure it would be some time before they could afford it, and happy with that. Now that the shock of her daughter’s pregnancy had diminished – now that she was married to Percy and their respectability was intact – she found herself looking forward to having her first grandchild.
‘You look knackered,’ Doug said as he held out a weak cup of tea – at least the fourth pot he’d made since they’d arrived.
Hilda knew she’d have to keep an eye on their ration or there’d be none left. Still, at least it made Doug feel useful and, once Percy had put boxes on the table so that Doug didn’t have to bend down, he’d even managed to unpack a few. Since Gertie’s offer of a job and accommodation to go with it, Doug seemed to have taken on a new lease of life. His back was still bad, and she knew it always would be, but he seemed to stand straighter somehow, as though the thought of being a wage earner had made him feel like a man again.
‘It’s only us,’ Gertie called as she poked her head inside the door.
‘Come on in,’ Hilda said, her welcome warm.
‘It looks so cosy in here,’ Maureen said.
‘Here, sit by the fire. There’s room for three on the sofa,’ Percy urged, moving to perch on the arm beside Ellen. ‘I can’t wait to start work on Monday; in fact, if I’m not needed for any more unpacking here, I wouldn’t mind starting tomorrow.’
‘Goodness, you’re keen,’ Gertie said.
‘I’ve been reading up, Ellen has too, and we know loads about soil improvement, along with propagating and grafting, among other things.’
‘Do you now? Well, that’s good, but before we even think about stock we need to get the ground ready and a greenhouse set up. I’ve got a rotavator and I’ll show you how to use it, Percy; and yes, you can start tomorrow if you like.’
‘Great,’ he said.
They chatted for a while, Gertie going over their plans for the nursery again and of course the shop.
‘We’re going to be busy with the grounds so, if you don’t mind, Hilda, we’ll leave setting up to you and Doug. We’ve had the outbuilding cleared, but you’ll need to sort out the fittings. After that you’ll need to buy in gardening equipment and anything else you think might sell.’
‘Buying isn’t something I’ve tackled before and with the shortages I’m not sure what I’ll find. I’ll
try some wholesalers and maybe local craftsmen who can give us a good price.’
‘I knew I could rely on you.’
‘There isn’t much I can do yet,’ Doug said worriedly.
‘Yes, there is,’ Hilda insisted. ‘For a start you can plan the layout of the shop, the shelving we’ll need, and that’s something I wouldn’t be able to get my head around.’
Ellen was obviously unable to stifle a yawn and said apologetically, ‘Sorry, but I’m bushed.’
‘Yes, of course you are,’ Gertie said. ‘After such a long day, you all must be so we’ll go now. Percy, we’ll see you in the morning.’
‘I’ll be there bright and early.’
They all said their goodbyes, and it was only then that Hilda thought about Val’s tray and tea things again. It was too late to take them back now, she decided, so it would have to wait until the morning.
Ellen yawned again and Hilda looked worriedly at her daughter. Yes, she did look tired, and suddenly, Hilda felt a flutter of fear. She had felt worn out and tired when she’d miscarried, but surely Ellen would be fine? She was over four months gone now, past the dangerous stage and the baby was due in August. Still, to be on the safe side she’d insist that her daughter rested tomorrow.
Stop worrying, Hilda chided herself. They were out of London now, and nothing would go wrong. Ellen would be fine, they’d all be fine and, comforted by that thought she said, ‘I don’t know about the rest of you, but I wouldn’t mind an early night.’
‘That’s fine with me,’ Doug agreed.
‘Yes, us too,’ Ellen said, she and Percy saying goodnight and going upstairs.
Hilda looked blearily at Doug. ‘Go on up, love. I’ll just bank down the fire and then I’ll join you.’
He nodded, a pained expression on his face as he stood up, and Hilda saw that his back was bent as he went upstairs. Of course, with the unpacking he’d insisted on doing, Hilda wasn’t surprised, but it didn’t bode well for working in the shop. She’d just have to keep an eye on him, insist that when he was in too much pain he took the day off.
Alone now, Hilda banked down the fire, pausing before going upstairs as the calm atmosphere of the cottage seemed to wrap itself around her. She looked at the angel, smiling as she whispered, ‘Goodnight. Keep watching over us.’
Hilda then chuckled. Hark at her, talking to a statue. If Doug heard her he’d say she was losing her mind. It was this place, this cottage. From the moment they had stepped over the threshold it had seemed to welcome them, and she felt a wave of contentment. They were going to be happy here, all of them, their future at last looking bright.
Ellen didn’t know what the time was when she awoke the next morning, but turned over to see that Percy was already up and getting dressed. In the dim light his back was towards her, but she could see the outline of his broad, bare shoulders. Embarrassed, she looked away, asking, ‘What time is it?’
‘I dunno, but from the racket the birds are making it must be past dawn. We could do with a clock in here, but they’re as good as an alarm. There I was thinking it’d be peaceful in the country, but they make more noise than London traffic.’
‘It was the same in Somerset, and Hampshire. Still, at least I can’t hear a cockerel, so that’s something.’
‘You needn’t get up. Stay there and I’ll fetch you a cup of tea before I go to work.’
‘No, it’s all right. Anyway, you’ll need breakfast before you leave.’
Percy was dressed now and they heard a noise downstairs. ‘It sounds like someone is already up.’
‘It’s probably my mum.’
Percy fished for his shoes and put them on. He bent to tie the laces, then said, ‘You looked worn out when we came to bed so if you’d rather lie in for a while, I’m sure she’ll sort me out something to eat.’
‘Stop worrying, I’m fine now,’ Ellen told him, unable to help thinking how nice it was that Percy was always so attentive and concerned about her. It wasn’t any wonder that Janet liked him and Ellen still felt guilty that she’d been the one to marry him.
‘Percy, it was bad enough telling Janet that you weren’t interested in her, but then later I had to tell her that we were getting married. She really did like you.’
‘Yeah, so you said, but at least she didn’t twig that you’re pregnant.’
‘I’m not so sure. She went on and on about us being too young for marriage, and as she knew about Billy, I think she was suspicious.’
‘There’s no point in worrying about it. We’ve left London now and I doubt you’ll see her again.’
‘But I’d like to. Surely we’ll go back now and then to see your parents?’
‘I dunno…maybe. Now are you sure you don’t want me to fetch you a cup of tea?’
‘I’m sure.’
‘Right, see you downstairs then.’
For a few minutes Ellen remained snuggled under
the blankets, her thoughts drifting. When the awful truth dawned that she was pregnant, she’d hardly seen Janet. Instead, with the perfect excuse of the coal shortage, she had hidden away in her room nearly every evening and in desperation had turned to God again, praying for help. There had been no answer, yet if a heavenly Father existed, she’d turned away from him and perhaps that was why her prayers had remained unanswered. Yet had they? Percy had come to the rescue, married her, and though it wasn’t really a true marriage, perhaps one day it could be. Maybe she would grow to love him, and, at this thought, Ellen threw back the blankets. She couldn’t leave everything to her mother. Percy was her husband and it was time to cook his breakfast.
It was gone ten o’clock before the last of the unpacking was done and the cupboards sorted.
‘Right, Ellen, if you’re not going to do it, I’m taking that tray back to Valerie,’ said Hilda.
‘No, I’ll go,’ Ellen insisted, finding that she was looking forward to meeting their new neighbour.
As Ellen carried the tray along the small garden path, she saw that the small, wooden gate ahead had blown open, the catch loose. It would be something for Percy to fix later and she wondered how he was getting on at the nursery. It was still cold, but there were signs of spring in the front garden, shoots emerging on some of the small shrubs. A few early
daffodils were in bloom, and other bulbs were poking their head out of the soil. She saw weeds, lots of weeds, and itched to pull them out, but first of all she had to take this tray along to Valerie.
It was only a little way along the lane to Mayflower Cottage and Ellen floundered, wondering how she was going to knock on the door with the tray in her hands. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than the door was flung open.
‘Hello, and thanks for bringing that back, though I’m not sure who you are.’
‘You met my mum and dad. I’m Ellen, their daughter,’ she said, gazing with amazement at Val’s wonderful, golden hair. How did she manage to make those waves, or were they natural, she wondered, wishing she too had hair like that.
‘Will you be living in Lavender Cottage too?’
‘Yes…and my husband.’
‘Well, I never. It’ll be lovely to have someone of around my own age close by. If you can spare the time, come on in.’
‘Thanks,’ Ellen said, thinking that Val looked a lot older than her, probably in her mid-twenties.
‘Take your coat off and sit down,’ Val urged, taking the tray. ‘It’ll be nice to have a chat.’
Ellen did just that, but as she held her coat over her arm now, Val spoke again.
‘Like me, you’re pregnant. It’s nice we’ve got something in common.’
Ellen looked down with a start, sure that though she was now four months pregnant, her baggy jumper hid her tummy.
‘How do you know I’m pregnant? Did my mother tell you?’
‘No, she didn’t mention it, but I can always tell. It’s something in the face that gives it away.’
Ellen sat on the chintz-covered sofa and, as a wayward spring poked her, she shifted sideways. Val sat opposite, close to the range, then said, ‘I used the last of my tea earlier this morning, but I’ve got some homemade apple juice. Would you like some?’
‘No, I’m fine, thanks.’
‘Is your husband going to be working around here?’
‘Percy, yes, he’s working at a nearby plant nursery. A friend of the family is starting it up, but it’ll be a while yet before it opens.’
‘That’ll be Grange House and grounds. I saw it had been sold.’
There was a pause in the conversation so, filling the gap, Ellen asked, ‘What does your husband do?’
‘My Bob works on Elmwood Farm. He was off out early this morning to do the milking, but as it’s Sunday he’ll be home by twelve.’
‘Will this be your first child?’
‘Yes, and I’m not sure if I want a boy or a girl. What about you?’
‘I don’t really mind,’ Ellen said. ‘Mine’s due in August. What about yours?’
‘Maybe late August or early September, but lovely that we’ll both be having them around the same time. I tell you what. My old mum showed me a way of finding out what sex the baby will be. Do you want to give it a go?’
‘Er…I’m not sure. What would you have to do?’
Val lifted a wooden box from the mantelpiece and, sitting down again, she rummaged inside, pulling out a length of ribbon with a long, wooden pendulum on the end.
‘All I have to do is to hold this over your tummy. I’ll ask if your baby is a girl, and if it rotates in a circle from left to right, the answer is yes.’
‘What if it’s a boy?’
‘Silly, if it’s a boy the answer is no and it won’t move.’
‘Surely that can’t work?’ Ellen said doubtfully. ‘We won’t know unless we give it a try. Go on, lie down.’
Despite herself, Ellen found that she was intrigued and lay on the sofa, her head propped up on a cushion.
‘This seems silly,’ she said, giggling.
‘It won’t work if you don’t take it seriously,’ Val warned as she wrapped the ends of the ribbon around her forefinger. She then dangled the
pendulum over Ellen’s stomach. ‘We just need to wait until it’s still and settled before I ask the question.’
Ellen had composed herself now and waited until at last, satisfied, Val asked, ‘Is this baby a girl?’
At first there was no movement, but then slowly but surely the pendulum began to circle from left to right, gaining momentum, going faster and faster.
‘My, that was strong,’ Val said. ‘You’re definitely having a girl.’
‘It was you, it had to be. You made the pendulum move.’
‘Now why would I do that? If you had a boy I’d look proper silly.’
‘Well, yes, there is that.’
‘Swap places and try it on me.’
Ellen took the pendulum, but felt silly as she mimicked Val’s actions. She found it difficult to keep the pendulum still, sure then that Val had somehow held it in a way to make it circle, but nevertheless she asked, ‘Is this baby a girl?’
Nothing changed, no definite circle, and, grinning, Val said, ‘I reckon I must be having a boy.’
Sceptically, Ellen said, ‘I wouldn’t bank on it.’
‘We’ll just have to wait and see,’ Val said as she sat up again, patting the seat beside her, ‘but I’m looking forward to saying “I told you so”.’
‘You said your mother showed you how to do it,’ Ellen said as she returned the pendulum. ‘Does she live around here?’
‘No, bless her, she died four years ago. This was her cottage, and, as my dad passed on when I was a baby, it came to me.’ Val paused, her eyes saddening. ‘My mum was a wonderful woman and she taught me a lot. She could even do healing.’
‘Healing? What do you mean? Was she a nurse or something?’
Val chuckled. ‘No, nothing like that. Mum was a spiritual healer and could sense things with her hands. People used to come from Guildford Town, Christmas Pie, and they all said they could feel the heat radiating from her palms. She managed to help so many of them, but of course there were those that she couldn’t and it always saddened her.’
‘Can you do this healing?’
‘No, I haven’t inherited my mother’s gifts. I can sometimes sense pain, but that’s all and occasionally I get feelings about things.’
‘What do you mean by gifts?’
‘I don’t think I should tell you. You already think I’m daft.’
‘No, no, of course I don’t,’ Ellen protested. ‘Some of the things you’ve said sound a bit strange to me, but that doesn’t make you daft. A woman once
told my mum about a vision she’d had, and I went to see an old lady who used rune stones. Is that what you mean by gifts?’
‘Could be, there are all sorts. We’ve all got them, but most people spend their lives ignoring them.’
‘When the old lady cast the stones she told me I’d see a sign that would bring me peace. Do you know what she meant?’
‘Goodness me, I’ve no idea. I’ve never even seen rune stones,’ Val said as she rose to her feet.
Ellen felt it was a signal for her to leave, and not wanting to outstay her welcome she stood up too.
‘I’d best get back. We’ve finished the unpacking, but there’s a stack of washing waiting to go in soak.’
‘If you get the chance, pop along to see me tomorrow,’ Val suggested.
‘Thanks, I’ll do that.’
‘That’s good because I have a feeling you and I are going to become good friends. Well, bye for now.’
Ellen walked the short distance back to Lavender Cottage, intrigued by Val. She had talked about spiritual healing, gifts, and that thing with the pendulum was odd too. It had to be a game and surely it couldn’t work? Yet even as this thought crossed her mind, Ellen wondered if she really was going to have a baby girl.