Towards a Dark Horizon Read online

  He laughed and I was glad to hear it. Then I remembered Granny’s reaction to Lily. ‘It was such a laugh, Danny. Lily was prattling on and on about being a spy and I told Granny about Dad’s story of Mata Hari then, in the next breath, she mentions Rosie.’

  We both laughed at this. Then, like Granny, I had to wipe my eyes. ‘Do you think Rosie looks like this Mata Hari?’

  ‘I doubt it. But, as I don’t know what Mata Hari looked like, maybe Rosie does look like her, this seductive spy.’

  On that cheery note we returned to the house.

  Three weeks later Danny was far from being cheery however. Once again we were on our way to Lochee after Danny got the bad news. Kathleen was getting married after all.

  The house was full of people when we arrived – a contrast to my earlier visit. Apart from Kit, George, Kathleen and Ma, the Malloy family were also in residence. When I say the family, it was Mick and his wife plus the obnoxious one – Sammy. For some reason, the men seemed subdued which surprised me. Then I realised it was because of Mrs Malloy.

  Maggie Malloy was a very tiny woman – four feet eight inches and very thin. Her grey hair was extremely frizzy and it looked as if she had just removed a hundred dinkie curlers. Her sharp-featured face was softened slightly by dark-brown eyes. They looked shrewd.

  Kit and George looked exhausted while Kathleen was as beautiful as ever.

  Her father looked at her and asked, ‘Is this what you really want, Kathleen? This marriage?’

  She looked over at Sammy.

  Her father said, ‘Don’t look at him. I’m asking you, do you want to marry him?’

  She nodded but she didn’t look happy.

  As usual Ma sat in silence and I wished she would speak out. Then I remembered she had forecast this wedding.

  Maggie came over from her chair and stood beside Kit and George. ‘It’s got to be your decision, Kathleen. Your parents and I can’t make up your mind for you.’

  Sammy butted in, ‘Nobody’s asking me if I want to get married. After all, she turned me down when I had it arranged for January and I’m seeing another lass now.’

  Maggie turned on him with venom in her eyes. ‘Shut up, Sammy. In that case, you’re not to see this other girl again – Kathleen is your priority now.’

  He sat back in his chair with a sullen look but he kept quiet. I was at a loss to understand Kathleen’s change of heart. Especially now that Sammy had changed his mind.

  Kathleen said, ‘It was Father James that said I had to be wed.’

  Kit was annoyed. ‘That priest should keep his big nose out of this.’

  Maggie was shocked. ‘But that’s his job, Kit. He is, after all, a man of the chapel.’

  Mick Malloy then butted in, ‘Well, is there to be a wedding or is there not?’ It was obvious that this meeting was taking up some of Mick’s drinking time.

  Sammy sat and glared while Kathleen stared at her hands. Then she looked firmly at him and said, ‘Aye there is.’

  Her parents didn’t look pleased at this statement but they remained silent.

  Meanwhile Maggie started the bandwagon rolling by announcing, ‘Well, you’ll have to get the banns read and that will take three weeks so you’d better get your skates on, Sammy.’

  Sammy muttered something under his breath while his parents put on their coats.

  At the door Maggie turned to Kit. ‘We’ll be in touch about the wedding plans later.’

  After they had gone, Danny asked Kathleen why she had changed her mind.

  ‘I don’t want my bairn being born illegitimate, Danny – without a father.’

  Her Dad exploded, ‘Heavens above, Kathleen! It’s Sammy Malloy we’re talking about here.’

  Ma suddenly spoke up from her corner by the fire. ‘It’s just like I’ve told you, Kit – what’s meant to be will happen.’

  On that cryptic note we stood up to leave. Danny was far from happy about the outcome of the evening but Kathleen had made her decision and she had finally settled for marriage – to give her baby a name.

  ‘Where will she stay when the bairn comes, Danny? Will it be with Sammy’s folk or Kit and George?’

  He shook his head in bewilderment. ‘I’ve no idea and I don’t think Kathleen knows either.’

  I was perplexed but for a different reason. ‘Why do you think she changed her mind when she knows Sammy is no longer interested in her? Do you think that’s the reason?’

  ‘Kathleen is a lovely lassie,’ said Danny, ‘but she’s aye been a bit perverse – even as a bairn. I think, if Sammy had been begging her to marry him, she would have turned him down but, now that he’s no longer interested in her, she suddenly thinks he’s marvellous. Then there’s Father James. She’s aye looked up to him and listened to every word he says.’

  I thought the same thing but I sincerely hoped she wasn’t making one gigantic mistake.

  The wedding took place at the end of February in St Mary’s Roman Catholic chapel in Lochee. It was a terrible day of snow showers and high winds and the weather seemed to imitate the feelings of most of the congregation.

  Kit and Maggie had been busy with the arrangements and a small wedding breakfast was to be held in Kit’s house after the service.

  Dad, Lily and I went with Hattie who to my relief had deliberately dressed down for the occasion. She wore a suit in flecked tweed, a brown hat and plain shoes. The suit had a well-worn look and she resembled a middle-aged matron – so unlike her usual elegant self.

  Danny went with the Ryan families and we all trudged through the snow which was now covering the pavements to congregate in the lovely but cold chapel.

  I saw Ma. She looked like a black Buddha while Kit wore a winter coat in brown and Maggie was decked out in fawn. The majority of guests were dressed in various styles but they all had one thing in common – their outfits showed how hard-up they were but they were determined to look their best for the wedding.

  Then the bride appeared in a simple white wedding dress that had been designed to hide her bump. The material looked cheap and shiny and she had a tiny veil on her lovely red hair. She was one of the loveliest brides I had seen in a very long time. Her bridesmaid was an old school-friend. She was dressed in the same shiny material but in a shade of blue that didn’t do anything for her plain, podgy face.

  One of Sammy’s brothers was the best man and they both wore dark suits. I had to admit that they were both very handsome men and I suppose any young girl’s head would be turned by them.

  Although I wasn’t a religious person, I made a mental prayer that day. Hoping they would be very happy with one another and the coming baby.

  I found the chapel lovely and soothing and the solemnity of the wedding service was another delight. I hadn’t expected to enjoy this part of it but an inner peace flooded over me as the priest’s voice intoned and echoed against the walls. I glanced at Lily and she was taking it all in. It was as if her eyes were photographing the entire scene so she could relive it in her head.

  Later on, we all went back to Kit’s house – apart from Dad and Lily who went back to the Overgate. Just as she had done on previous occasions, Kit had done the best she could. As there wasn’t enough room for all the Malloy children, they were taken to Lizzie’s house and fed there.

  Kit was so glad to see Hattie. She gave her a hug and, if Hattie was surprised, then she didn’t show it. ‘It’s lovely to see you Hattie. Thank for coming and giving us your support.’

  Hattie seemed overcome by this warm statement and she hugged her sister-in-law in return. ‘I hope Kathleen and Sammy are happy for years and years, Kit – just like yourself and George.’

  Kit glanced over at her husband. He was standing with the Malloy family and, although they weren’t all laughing together, at least they weren’t arguing.

  Kathleen came over to Ma’s chair. She had taken her veil off but she still had on her wedding dress. It had been hand sewn but very well done I noticed. Although the material was a thin
shiny satin, the dressmaker had sewn the waistline with shirring elastic and there was a gathered overlay in front, similar to an apron.

  ‘You make a lovely bride, Kathleen,’ I said truthfully.

  She smiled and blushed.

  My heart ached for her. Please let her be happy, I thought.

  Ma had taken off her black coat but her dress was also in black. She looked more suitably dressed for a funeral than a wedding but, as this was her usual mode of dress, no one took any offence.

  Maggie appeared and spoke to Kathleen. ‘Chrissie is wanting to see you, Kathleen.’ She indicated the bridesmaid in the blue frock.

  She gazed fondly after her. ‘Aye, she’s a right bonny bride, Kit.’

  Kit returned her gaze and said, ‘Aye, she is – although she wasn’t so blooming in the early days of her pregnancy because of morning sickness.’

  Maggie made a sympathetic face. ‘Bad was she?’

  Kit nodded. ‘Mind you, I was the same when I was expecting my bairns so she probably takes it after me.’

  ‘I liked her dress, Kit,’ I said, trying to change the subject away from the perils and trials of morning sickness.

  ‘We got it from Maggie,’ said Kit.

  Maggie then launched into the origins of the dress. ‘Aye, old Mrs Morris made it a few years ago for my first laddie’s wife and it’s been used by the other two brides. Now it’s Kathleen’s turn.’

  ‘Well, it’s lovely,’ I replied.

  Maggie laughed. ‘Aye, Mrs Morris had to make it to accommodate my first daughter-in-law’s waistline because she was expecting a bairn as well. Then, lo and behold, did we not find out that the other two brides were in the same condition?’

  Looking at the four Malloy men and their father I could well believe it.

  I noticed the small back bedroom had been turned into a bar. The women had all been offered a small glass of sherry but the men had a crate of beer for themselves. Memories of the night of Dad Ryan’s wake swam into my mind but I pushed them away. This was a celebration and not a death I said to myself.

  The men were getting merry and I saw to my dismay that Sammy was almost legless. He kept coming to the door and shouting over to his new bride. Meanwhile, she ignored him and stood chatting with Chrissie and Danny. Chrissie kept glancing at Danny with large eyes that were the best feature of her plain face. Maybe she was secretly hoping that it would be her turn next.

  ‘Where are they going to stay, Kit?’ No one had mentioned this thorny question that had hung in the air for the last few weeks.

  Still, it seemed as if a solution had been found as Kit explained. ‘Well, for the time being, they are going to stay with Ma because she has the wee spare back room.’

  Maggie butted in, ‘I was just telling Kit that old Mrs Morris is not long for this world. Now I’m really chummy with the rent man and I thought of asking him if Sammy and Kathleen can get her house.’

  What a world, I thought – the old woman wasn’t dead yet but already there were plans being made for her house. Then I realised that, in this world of little money and no prospects of work, you had to stay one step ahead all the time. These people didn’t have the luxury of taking life slowly.

  Maggie was still chattering on. ‘Aye, Mrs Morris is on her last legs, poor soul. Her house is tiny and just the one room but it would do the young couple for the time being. Mrs Morris is the woman who made the wedding frock. She was a great dressmaker in her day and she worked in a big house – a seam-stress to a lady something or other who had this whole army of servants.’

  I glanced at Kit and she looked tired. She had taken off her brown coat and she was wearing a wool frock in a deep shade of green that, in her youth, would have suited her deep auburn hair. Tonight she simply looked pale and slightly faded. Did she have high hopes for Kathleen or did she view it as a wasted life? At not quite seventeen and now married and expecting a baby?

  A roar of laughter exploded from the back room. Hattie said brightly, ‘The wedding breakfast is a huge success, Kit!’

  Kit nodded but I could almost read her mind. ‘It is for some folk.’

  Maggie had now attached herself to Danny and she was telling him some story, her arms moving around as if to emphasise her words.

  Kit smiled. ‘She’s not a bad sort is Maggie and I suppose the men in the family are not all bad either. It’s just when they get a drink inside them then they become demons. If only they would stay sober.’

  Hattie looked at me over the top of Kit’s head. She said nothing but her expression said it all.

  I asked, ‘Has Maggie just got the four laddies, Kit?’ I wasn’t really interested but it was merely to break the spell of Hattie’s look and the ensuing silence.

  Kit nodded. ‘Aye. Although she had twelve bairns, most of them died in infancy. Aye, she’s had a hard life – just like the rest of us.’

  At that point, Kathleen’s three new sisters-in-law crowded around her and I noticed with sadness that they all looked worn out and dowdy. Kathleen’s beauty shone out like a beacon but was it her lot in life to become like them? No doubt these three women had all been lovely on their own wedding days.

  Another roar of laughter came from the back room and Sammy staggered out.

  ‘Where’s my wife?’ He glared at the guests then collapsed on the floor.

  His father came out and lifted him up. He smiled apologetically to Kathleen. ‘He’s not aye like this.’

  Maggie’s voice was shrill. ‘He bloody better not be.’

  I tried not to look at Hattie or Danny. I knew they would be appalled and Danny would be very angry.

  There was something I was dying to ask – something that had been sparked by what George had said on my last visit. I said to Kit, ‘George said that Maggie wasn’t married to Mick. He said she was a common-law wife. What’s that Kit?’

  For the first time that night, Kit laughed. ‘Och, you’re no’ to believe George. He might think it but look at it this way. Do you honestly believe Maggie would still be with Mick Malloy if she wasn’t legally married to him?’ She stopped and looked over at Maggie who was now gesturing some command to her daughters-in-law. ‘Oh, no, she’s married to him. A common-law wife is one that lives with a man but doesn’t get married to him. It’s quite common and, although the union is not legally binding, most of these couples do live together for years.’ She gazed at me intently. ‘You’re not thinking of doing that with that young man of yours, are you, Ann?’

  It was now my turn to be appalled and I turned a bright red. ‘Oh, no, Kit. I was just … curious …’ I stammered.

  ‘Och, I’m just kidding you on, Ann,’ she laughed.

  It was now time to leave. Hattie, Danny and I said our farewells to the assembled company – well, everyone except the groom. He was snoring loudly on the bed in the back room, surrounded by empty beer bottles.

  Kit said, ‘Tell your Dad that we appreciate him coming – and Lily as well.’

  Hattie had considered getting a taxi home but she didn’t like to show this display of money in front of people who had so little so we caught the tramcar back to the Overgate. When we were seated in its dubious warmth, Hattie turned to me. ‘Where is your father, Ann? I thought he would come back for the wedding breakfast but he left as soon as the service was over.’

  ‘He took Lily back to Granny’s because he thought Kit would have enough to feed without them, Hattie.’

  Thankfully, she accepted this explanation but consideration for Kit’s feeding arrangements had nothing to do with it. After depositing Lily with her granny, he was rushing off to Margot.

  The flat was taking shape but he said he had a hundred and one jobs to do for her. It was totally insane this new image and I wished he was back to the old father I knew and loved.

  Hattie turned to Danny who was sitting behind us. ‘What do you make of the groom, Danny?’

  His lips were firm and he didn’t smile. ‘I’ll tell you this – he’d better treat Kathleen right or
else he’ll hear from me.’

  For the remainder of the journey we sat in silence, all of us with our own private thoughts and recollections of the day that was almost over, of Kathleen’s wedding day – a day that saw the radiant bride in a hand-me-down, cheap, shiny dress and a groom who was legless in the back bedroom. Some wedding night!

  9

  It was strange but, for years afterwards, I was able to recall every detail about the thirtieth of April – the day Dad and Margot arrived at the house to inform us of their wedding.

  I was on my knees, washing the kitchen floor, while Lily sat at the fire with her colouring book and crayons – just a normal Saturday afternoon.

  Dad appeared first, looking handsome and slightly flushed. To my surprise, he was dressed in his new suit.

  ‘I’ve got some news for you both,’ he said, stuttering slightly in an effort to impart something important. ‘Margot and I have just got married!’

  He went to the door and his new bride was waiting to come in. She looked stunning in a pale lilac dress with a matching hat, a tiny confection of tulle with a spotted veil.

  I, on the other hand, was conscious of my old skirt and tatty apron plus the fact my hair was held back from my face with two large Kirbygrips.

  She stepped into the room and immediately everything looked shabby and worn. It was as if a diamond had been set in a lump of lead.

  Lily sat in silence and gazed at them with eyes as large as saucers while I stood by the side of my bucket like Cinderella.

  Dad chided us both, ‘Well then, Ann and Lily, are you not going to welcome the new Mrs Neill?’

  How did one welcome a new stepmother? With a kiss or a nod or a cup of tea?

  I stepped forward and shook her gloved hand. Noticing with dismay the wrinkled state of my fingers. They resembled ten prunes.

  Lily ran forward at the same time but she ignored Margot. Instead, she threw her arms around Dad’s legs and uttered something we couldn’t make out.