Sunlight on the Mersey (21 page)

‘I’m going to write to Mam first then if you don’t mind, I want to finish my book,’ Rose said, pushing the kettle on to the hob and taking the teapot down from the shelf.

‘Good of them, it is, to let you borrow books. Never heard of them doing it before,’ Gwen commented as she critically inspected the horse brasses she had just finished.

‘I don’t suppose anyone was very interested in reading before. Nancy and Nora aren’t and I don’t know if Beryl
can
read. She said she wasn’t all that keen on going to school and her mam really didn’t bother as long as she helped her out at home.’

Gwen tutted and shook her head. ‘Shocking, that is, not giving the child a chance in life. Now, I’ll clear this lot away and you can write to your mam and I’ll put a note in too. I don’t write as often as I should.’

Rose smiled at her as she got out the cups. ‘And neither does Mam but you’re both so busy.’

Gwen sighed and shook her head. ‘But I don’t have the excuse of having a family to look after.’

Rose put her arms around her and hugged her. ‘Yes you do. You look after me and I couldn’t be happier.’

It had been a long, cold and tiring day, Kate thought as she closed up the shop and drew her coat more tightly to her. What bit of cheerfulness there had been around at Christmas had long since evaporated with the onset of the bitter February weather. Many of her neighbours lacked the money to buy either food or fuel with which to heat their homes adequately and had resorted to burning the skirting boards, banister rails and even floorboards. Water froze in the pipes and without hot food and warm clothing people were suffering badly, especially the very young and the old. Her shop and the loft above were packed to capacity and she prayed that when the days got longer and warmer things would improve for everyone.

Iris was already in the kitchen and had a good fire burning in the range. ‘Mam, you look frozen stiff. Sit down here while I get you a cup of tea. How’s business been today? I can’t say I’ve been rushed off my feet.’ She herself was only just beginning to feel warm: standing behind that counter in the cold shop all day had turned her feet to two blocks of ice.

‘Slow, luv. Very slow, there just isn’t the money to redeem things,’ Kate replied, easing herself down in the armchair for her back was aching badly. She seemed to be in constant pain these days but she put it down to the cold. ‘Is Florence coming tonight?’ she asked tiredly. The last thing she needed was a visit from her future daughter-in-law, who was always full of enthusiastic hopes and plans for her wedding – whenever that might be.

Iris nodded as she handed her mother a mug of hot tea. ‘And there’s a letter from our Rose.’

Kate sipped her tea gratefully as she took the envelope Iris handed her.

‘I wonder if they’ve had any more snow?’ Iris mused.

‘I should think our Rose has had enough snow to last her a lifetime, it wasn’t quite so “lovely” or “picturesque” when she couldn’t get back to Gwen’s,’ Kate commented as she scanned the lines.

‘That was only one night, Mam,’ Iris reminded her. ‘What’s she got to say?’

‘She’s still enjoying being there, says Gwen has enclosed a note – I really
must
write to her – and is looking forward to spring.’

‘Aren’t we all?’ Iris put in tersely.

‘Asks about you and Tom and our Charlie and Florence,’ Kate continued.

‘As she always does,’ Iris again interrupted.

‘And is hoping to finish
Wuthering Heights
and intends to start on Jane Austen’s books next,’ Kate read.

‘Well, I have to say her choice of reading matter has improved since they started to let her borrow their books.’

Kate looked thoughtful. ‘I wonder if it is in the hope of “improving” her?’

Iris laughed as she began to set the table. ‘Mam, anything would be an improvement on the stuff she used to read.’

When Charlie arrived home and Iris had served the meal Kate decided it was time she brought up the subject of his wedding although she wasn’t much looking forward to all the fuss that it would engender, especially on Ethel Taylor’s part.
If that woman had her way this wedding would be a very grand affair indeed. However, Kate was more than aware that Florence was becoming increasingly impatient to set a date.

‘Charlie, I know I’ve asked this before but have you any idea in mind about a date for the wedding? It won’t exactly be cheap buying outfits and wedding gifts and I’d like to have some idea so I can budget accordingly,’ she asked.

Charlie nodded slowly; he’d known this conversation was in the offing. ‘I think that by next February I’ll have enough saved,’ he replied, ever cautious.

‘Next
February!’ Iris exclaimed. ‘It’s not exactly the best time of the year to get married. It’s always freezing and there could be a foot of snow and then our Rose might not be able to get back home. Why not make it next spring or even this autumn?’ she asked, thinking that if he insisted on February she would have to buy not only a dress and accessories but a good winter coat as well, unless of course Florence asked her to be bridesmaid. And if she did in mid-winter she’d probably catch her death of cold in a dress of some unsuitable material.

‘Iris’s right, Charlie. Why not leave it until the spring? I’m certain Florence would be happier to have it then rather than in the depths of winter, to say nothing of her mother. Have you mentioned a date to Florence at all?’ Kate asked.

Charlie could see the sense in their arguments. Delaying would mean he had more money in the bank for he intended to find a place in a decent neighbourhood for them to live and that wasn’t going to be easy. ‘She keeps hinting but I’ve said nothing definite. Maybe you’re right about spring.’

‘Well, for heaven’s sake put the girl out of her misery and suggest it,’ Kate urged. ‘Tell her when she comes tonight and then she and her mam can start making definite plans. I know it’s a good while off yet but these things take—’ Kate suddenly groaned.

‘Mam, is your back playing up?’ Iris asked, concerned.

‘It’s just the weather, luv. I’ll take a hot-water bottle up to bed with me,’ Kate replied grimly.

‘Florence’s Dad hasn’t been feeling too well lately either,’ Charlie informed them.

‘What’s up with him?’ Iris asked distractedly. She was still concerned about her mother. If Mam’s back didn’t improve soon she intended to insist she go and see Dr Mackenzie.

‘Just working too hard, so Florence said. He’s been told to take things easier but he says how can he? This is one of the busiest times of the year for him,’ Charlie replied. He could see the man’s point of view; a business was a business and wouldn’t run itself. He’d been mulling over in his mind the possibility of suggesting that he give Edward Taylor a hand with the paperwork at weekends. It would be a chance to get to know the ropes, he’d thought.

Kate nodded. ‘None of us are getting any younger and when you work for yourself you can’t afford to be ill,’ she said, thinking that now both she and Edward Taylor had the additional worry and expense of a wedding in a little over a year’s time. But she was glad Charlie wasn’t sticking out for a winter wedding.

F
LORENCE WASN’T EXACTLY DELIGHTED
when Charlie informed her later that evening that he felt they should set a date in April the following year for their wedding.

‘I had been hoping that, well, maybe it would be sooner, Charlie. October is lovely. All the leaves on the trees turning to gold and red and russet. I could take that as a sort of theme, have the flowers and bridesmaids’ dresses in autumnal colours and St Mary’s-on-the-Hill has lovely grounds with lots of trees that would look great in photographs.’ Florence had been looking forward to her wedding so much she really didn’t want to wait so long.

‘I’d originally thought about next February but Mam and Iris seemed to think—’

‘Oh, not a winter wedding, Charlie! The weather could be
awful. I mean if we lived in a pretty village in the countryside and there was snow or ice it could be quite picturesque but in a city . . .’

Charlie nodded, ignoring her hints about October. He wasn’t going to be rushed and he wanted some money behind him. ‘Mam said it would be too cold so we’ll set a date in April. That will give everyone plenty of time to get organised and for us to find a nice house in a good area.’

Reluctantly Florence agreed. ‘There will be a lot to do,’ she mused and then brightened. A spring wedding would be just as pretty with the new leaves and blossom on the trees and all the flowers emerging. ‘We’ll have to go and see the vicar first of course and see what he has in his diary and then we’ll need to decide where we are going to have the reception. Goodness, there are so many things to think about but I’m so happy we’ve finally decided on a date, Charlie!’

Charlie nodded. There was a lot to organise and that would keep her happy and occupied. ‘We’ll go and see the vicar soon, Florence,’ he promised although he couldn’t see that there was any great rush, he doubted the vicar’s dairy would be that full so far in advance.

‘And I’ll start to make a guest list with my mother and see where she thinks would be suitable for the reception,’ Florence added. ‘Of course I’ll have Iris and Rose as my bridesmaids,’ she continued.

‘I don’t know how that will work, Florence, with our Rose living so far away,’ Charlie reminded her.

Florence frowned, seeing the first obstacle to her plans.
Rose wouldn’t be available for choosing colours and materials, or for dress fittings. ‘I’ll ask Iris what she thinks. I don’t want Rose to feel left out but it could be a problem. Maybe if she were to give the people she works for some sort of advance notice that she will need time off to come to Liverpool . . .’

‘Florence, luv, you can’t expect the likes of them to be giving our Rose days off by the minutes. She’s a servant and lucky to have the job; she’s at their beck and call, not the other way around,’ Charlie reminded her.

Florence bit her lip and nodded.

‘And, Florence, don’t go bothering your dad too much with wedding plans just yet. He’s got enough on his plate. How is he feeling?’

Florence looked anxious. ‘Mother is trying to make him rest more but it’s not easy. The doctor is thinking about prescribing some tablets. It’s his heart, he thinks, and too much stress and work.’

Charlie nodded sympathetically. ‘When I see him next, Florence, I’m going to offer to help with the paperwork at weekends. He’s running quite a big business you know and it can be very taxing.’ If his future father-in-law’s health continued to deteriorate then Ethel just might succeed in persuading him to retire and he wanted to be ready to step in and take up the reins. The best way to gain the necessary experience and Edward Taylor’s trust was to have familiarised himself thoroughly with the business.

She nodded. ‘That’s good of you, Charlie, I’m sure he will appreciate the offer,’ she replied but already her thoughts
were returning to the arrangements for her wedding.

His opportunity came the following Friday evening when he arrived at the house in Cedar Grove to find Florence closeted with her mother in the dining room and her father about to go into his study. He had to admit that the man looked tired and rather drawn.

‘Ethel has instructed that I sit in the living room and read the paper but I’ve a few things to attend to that won’t wait. They’re both engrossed in all the lists they’re making and Ethel has been talking about the Imperial and the Adelphi Hotels as possibilities for a reception. I shudder to even think what those places charge for a bottle of wine let alone a meal; between them I think they intend to bankrupt me. If you can’t face all that palaver, Charlie, go and sit in the living room. I’ll join you when I’ve finished.’

‘If you don’t mind I’d like to join you in the study, I’ve a proposition to put to you,’ Charlie said.

‘If it’s anything that will help to curb the excesses Ethel has in mind, you’re welcome, lad.’

Charlie looked quickly around the small room he’d only been in once before and noted that it was far more untidy than it had been on that occasion.

‘Things are in a bit of a mess,’ Edward explained, sitting down and running his hands through his thinning hair.

‘That’s only to be expected,’ Charlie replied, thinking this was just the opening he needed. ‘I know you’ve been told to take things more gently and I also know that that’s easier said than done in business, so I hope you won’t take offence but I’d
be more than willing to help you out with the paperwork at weekends. It can’t be all that different to the stuff I deal with at work.’

Edward looked up. ‘You’d be willing to give up your free time at weekends to help sort this out?’ He indicated the piles of invoices and bills scattered on the desk and the half-open ledgers.

‘I would, if it meant you wouldn’t have as much to do and could take a bit of time off. I’ve also told Florence not to be mithering you with all these plans for the wedding. I’m sure she and Mrs Taylor are more than capable of organising everything,’ Charlie said firmly.

Edward nodded slowly; it would certainly be a help. He indicated that Charlie sit down. ‘I’d be glad of some help, lad. There’s quite a bit to do though.’