Towards a Dark Horizon Page 8

  For a moment, I almost turned and walked out but panic took over. ‘I’m looking for a family that lives in this street. I don’t know their surname but they have a wee lassie called Janie and two sets of twins. Do you know them?’

  The man smiled. ‘I’m sure the entire world knows them, lass – especially with all those bairns which I’m sure is some kind of record in the bairns’ stakes.’

  I didn’t have time to chat so I was a bit abrupt. ‘Can you tell me where they stay, please?’

  If he had noticed my sharpness, he made no mention. He said, ‘It’s right at the bottom of the street – the very last close.’

  I thanked him and ran off down the steep slope. Then I remembered how stupid I had been. I still didn’t know their surname and judging by the number of doors on each landing, quite a few families lived in this close. I knocked at the first door.

  An old woman peered out, suspicion written all over her face. ‘Aye, what do you want?’

  I explained my mission and she pointed up the stairs. ‘It’s the Baxter family you want.’ She then shut the door quickly in my face. I felt like a cat burglar who hadn’t been successful.

  I ran up the stair and knocked on another door. There was no name-plate but I could hear children squabbling. Mrs Baxter came to the door. I hadn’t seen her at the school gate for some time and the reason soon became clear. She was enormous, her thin smock barely covering her swollen belly. She didn’t recognise me at first until I explained who I was.

  ‘Did Lily come home with Janie, Mrs Baxter?’

  She looked puzzled. ‘No, she didn’t. My man picked Janie up but he didn’t mention your wee lassie.’

  She still thought I was Lily’s mother but I didn’t have time to explain. ‘It’s just that I was late and, when I got to the gate, Lily was gone.’ I was almost in tears.

  ‘Och, you poor lassie,’ she said. ‘Come away inside and we’ll ask Janie if she saw her.’

  The room was tiny and it was clear there wasn’t enough room for all its occupants but everything was clean and reasonably tidy. I could see through an open door to the back room and it seemed to consist of beds and cots.

  Janie was reading a comic by the side of the fire.

  ‘This is Lily’s mother and she can’t find her. Did you see where she went after the school, Janie?’

  Janie shook her head. ‘No, Mum.’

  My heart sank. ‘Where could she be?’

  Then Janie said, ‘I heard her say she was going to her Granny’s house because she couldn’t see her sister at the gate.’

  Mrs Baxter was puzzled again. ‘Her sister?’

  ‘Aye, I’m not her mother, Mrs Baxter – I’m her sister.’

  I was filled with dread. Surely Lily didn’t go all the way to the Overgate on her own? She would have to cross the busy Victoria Road plus the other crossings at the foot of the Wellgate and Reform Street.

  I thanked them and ran out. I knew Lily could manage to find her way to the Overgate because we walked there every day but I was afraid because she was on her own for the first time in her life. What had made her do a stupid thing like that?

  There was a short cut I often used in the early days and I set off down Irvine Place and out into Ward Road then skirted around the High School before darting down a narrow lane that led on to the Overgate. By the time I reached the house my heart was pounding and I was sweating. I rushed in, fully expecting to see Lily with Granny. I was disappointed and I almost cried when I saw Bella sitting with a cup of tea in her hand.

  Before I could speak, she snapped, ‘About time you showed up. Having your auld granny trailing up the road with that sister of yours.’ She was obviously annoyed at having her tea interrupted.

  ‘So Granny has gone to the Hilltown with Lily?’

  Bella grunted with annoyance. ‘I’ve just told you that. Your granny wasn’t expecting her to burst in like that, crying and wailing. In my opinion it’s a skelp on the erse that bairn needs and not all this attention lavished on her. I mean, here I am, an auld woman and does anybody bother about me? No they don’t.’

  I was so angry but I didn’t have time to argue with her. ‘If Granny comes back then tell her I was here and I’m on my way back home.’

  I ran all the way home, not taking any short cuts this time. If they were headed this way, then I would meet them. But, to my relief, they weren’t on the street and I found them both in the house. Lily sat at the table, her face puffy and streaked with tears. She was eating her tea and Granny was putting the fire on. I realised it had gone out because, in my haste, I had forgotten to bank it up with coal.

  Lily didn’t look at me when I walked over. ‘Where did you go? Did you go straight to the Overgate, Lily?’ Worry made my words come out harshly and she burst into another flood of tears and large wet teardrops were falling into her plate of sausages.

  Granny and I both gave her a hug. I said, ‘I’m not getting on to you, Lily, but I was worried about you. What made you run off to the Overgate?’

  ‘You didn’t come for me and I was left on my own,’ she sobbed. ‘So I just went to see my granny.’

  I wiped her face. ‘Now listen, Lily, I was just a wee bit late but you’re not to run off like this ever again. Is that clear?’

  She nodded, her face a picture of despair.

  ‘Well, then, eat up your tea and we’ll both go back with Granny.’

  I went over to the fire which was now blazing merrily. Granny handed me a cup of tea but gave me a warning look that said, ‘Not now.’ I sat down gratefully on the fireside chair.

  As usual, Granny was a tower of strength. She put Dad’s dinner on the stove, wrote him a brief note to say we were all at her house and then we departed for the Overgate once again.

  ‘You can have your tea with Grandad and me, Ann.’

  I was exhausted and I realised I hadn’t eaten since my sandwich at dinnertime. When we arrived back at the house I was glad to see that Bella had departed.

  ‘Away you go upstairs and play with your pal – she’s expecting you,’ Granny said to Lily.

  After she left the room, I turned to her. ‘There’s something far wrong with Lily. She never used to be so clingy as this, Granny.’

  She agreed. ‘I think she’s had a fright of some kind. Leave it with me, Ann, and I’ll try and sort it out.’

  Granny, Grandad and I sat down to our meal. I was starving and tired and, to my dismay, I noticed the rain battering against the window. I would get another soaking on my way home.

  Granny wanted me to stay. ‘You can make up the ‘shaky doon’ on the floor, Ann. It’s not that comfy but it’ll do for one night.’

  Much as I hated the thought of going out in the cold rain, I declined the invitation. As I headed homewards, I made a mental promise never to be late at the school gate again. Whatever was bothering Lily seemed to hinge on her security but I couldn’t think what had brought about this deep worry of being abandoned. Dad wasn’t at home when I arrived so I finished off my chores and went straight to bed.

  The next morning Connie was agog at the abdication speech. ‘Did you listen to it, Ann?’

  I felt stricken. What with all the trouble with Lily, it had gone clean out of my mind. ‘No, Connie, I forgot about it.’

  She looked at me as if I had taken leave of my senses. ‘Forgot about it? How could you forget about it?’

  ‘It’s a long story, Connie, and I don’t have time to tell you about it but tell me what he said.’

  Connie looked dewy-eyed. ‘Och, Ann, he told the world that he couldn’t be king without the support of the woman he loves. It was so romantic that I was nearly in tears.’

  ‘It must have made Wallis Simpson feel loved and wanted to hear a man tell millions of folk that he’s given up a kingdom and an empire for love,’ I said.

  Then the three girls from Hillside mills arrived. Sylvia was also dewy-eyed. ‘Did you hear the King last night, Ann?’

  Before I could answer, Conni
e butted in. ‘No, she didn’t. She was busy.’

  Edith was astonished. ‘Busy? You mean too busy to listen to the speech?’

  I was getting a bit fed up by this now but I was also angry with myself for missing it. I had followed the story so avidly when it had finally burst on to the newspapers’ front pages.

  Amy said, ‘Just give us our usual, Ann.’ She turned to her companions. ‘Well, that lets us off the hook. He’ll not need a wife now that he’s in love with Wallis Simpson. Just imagine – this will be her third marriage. Some women have all the luck!’

  Connie said cheerfully, ‘That’s what I said to Ann.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Sylvia, ‘here’s us lot – five women and not a bloke between us.’

  They all laughed as Connie shouted after them, ‘How do you know that I’ve not got a bloke tucked away someplace? I’ve had my moments I can tell you young things.’

  ‘Was that at the beginning of the century, Connie?’ said a voice floating in through the open door.

  The entire morning was filled with gossip about the King’s speech. Everyone who came into the shop had heard it and it appeared that I was the only person in the country to have missed it.

  During a rare quiet moment that morning, I thought what a strange year it had been. It began with one king’s death and ended with another king’s abdication. And the year wasn’t quite over yet. I wondered what other dramas might lie in store.

  Imagine a king giving up his throne, his country and his empire for the sake of the woman he loved. Who, without her support, couldn’t carry on with the heavy responsibility of duty. Would Greg give up his job in Glasgow for me? And another thought; would Dad give up everything for a woman he loved?

  Then I realised I was too tired to care.

  4

  It was eight o’clock on Hogmanay and Dad was out. After finishing his tea, he got himself togged up for the night’s festivities and had disappeared with Joe and a few other cronies.

  Lily and I were in the throes of the New Year clean. This was a ritual that Granny and my late mum always tackled before the midnight chimes – the thorough cleaning of the house. Lily had the polish and duster while I was on my knees scrubbing the kitchen linoleum. Lily seemed quite happy but she was still clingy and we hadn’t been able to get to the bottom of it although Granny had tried hard enough.

  I had just risen to my feet when someone knocked on the door. Lily rushed to open it and I almost collapsed in astonishment when I saw Maddie on the doorstep.

  I ran forward. ‘Och, Maddie, it’s great to see you …’ I stopped.

  She wasn’t alone. I saw a tall young man at her back. The light from the stair lamp was dim but I knew it wasn’t Danny. Then I noticed they were both dressed to the nines while I resembled Cinderella. Not quite sackcloth and ashes but not far from it.

  ‘Come in, Maddie. How are you?’

  They both stepped into the kitchen which, thankfully, was clean and smelling fresh. The light in the kitchen was also better and I saw the extent of their finery. Maddie was dressed in a lovely blue satin evening gown which hugged her slim figure. She was as lovely as ever and once more I mentally scolded Danny for letting her go. The young man looked ill at ease in his dark suit and highly polished shoes while I was conscious of my old frock and dingy-looking apron. And I knew my hands were perfumed with carbolic soap. Still, I could hardly vanish into the bedroom and get changed.

  Maddie and her companion sat down and she introduced him. ‘Ann, this is Colin Matthews. He’s come to work in Dad’s office and he’s taking me to the New Year Ball in the Queen’s Hotel.’

  I smiled at him and he shyly smiled back. I liked him but the question was, did Maddie also like him? Well, I thought, it’s Danny’s own fault.

  I jumped up. ‘Would you both like some tea or a wee sherry?’ I had bought a bottle of sherry and one of whisky in case any of the neighbours came first-footing. But that wouldn’t be tonight because Lily and I were planning on bringing the New Year in with our grandparents.

  Colin didn’t say anything but Maddie said no. They had only a few minutes to spare before setting off for the hotel.

  ‘I just wanted to see you both again as it’s been such a long time since we’ve spoken.’

  I was almost crying but had to hold back the tears. ‘Och, Maddie, it’s great to see you again because I’ve missed you.’

  She nodded and I saw that she was almost in tears herself. ‘Ann, I have a whole Saturday off at the end of January. I’ll come here and we’ll take Lily to our teashop in town and we’ll have a good old blether as well. What do you say?’

  ‘That would be great, Maddie, and I look forward to it.’

  Meanwhile, Lily was sitting there, her eyes like saucers with excitement. She couldn’t take her eyes away from Maddie’s frock.

  ‘I love your frock, Maddie. Has Joy got one like it?’

  Maddie smiled. ‘Well, Lily, not quite the same but she has one the same colour.’

  Lily looked wistful and I knew she was dying to touch the shiny fabric because she was sitting on her hands, which was a sure sign she wanted to feel something. This was a habit I had taught her when she was young. ‘You can’t touch everything you see so, if you’re tempted, then just sit on your hands.’

  Maddie stood up. ‘We’d better get going, Ann and Lily. Have a lovely New Year and I’ll see you on the last Saturday of January.’

  Colin also stood up and I had a sudden thought. ‘How did you get here, Maddie? Surely you didn’t come along the wet streets in that bonny frock?’

  She laughed and I was suddenly reminded of our very first meeting in 1931. That had also been on Hogmanay.

  ‘No. Colin is driving Dad’s car. We’ve left it outside.’

  ‘What? At the bottom of the close?’

  She nodded. Lily was through the door in a flash and by the time we emerged she was standing on the wet pavement. The car, an Austin, was parked on the steep slope under a gas lamp. People passing by were turning to stare at it. Curiosity was stamped over their faces and their eyes almost popped when the couple emerged in their grand clothes. I don’t think the Hilltown had ever seen anyone so grand looking.

  ‘The neighbours will be thinking you’re royalty, Maddie. They’ll be saying, “Was that Wallis Simpson and the King in your house last night?”’

  She roared with laughter. ‘Surely not.’

  ‘No I’m just joking – you’re far better looking than Wallis,’ I said truthfully.

  ‘Wasn’t it a lovely romantic story, Ann?’ she said, looking wistful.

  ‘Aye, it was and I was just thinking how great it would be if we could have got together to discuss it, Maddie.’

  Her smile disappeared and she took my hand. ‘I know. Now you will meet me at the end of the month?’

  ‘Of course I will. Now away you both go and enjoy yourselves at the dance.’

  I watched as they both got into the car and with a quick wave they were gone. Meanwhile Lily was still jumping up and down with excitement.

  ‘Can I have a braw frock like that when I grow up, Ann?’

  I smiled at her childish delight. ‘Of course you can but let’s get out of this awful wet night.’

  For some reason I didn’t immediately follow her up the stairs but remained standing on the pavement, watching the rear lights of the car as it disappeared down the hill. I glanced across the road and got another surprise. Standing in the darkness across from me was Danny. Although his face was in the shadows I noticed his bright red hair. I called to him but he didn’t come over. I called again, ‘Danny, is that you?’

  There was no reply. Right, I thought, I’m going over and I’m going to pull him out of his hiding place. As I set off across the street, a crowd of men emerged from the pub opposite. They were either full of beer or high spirits or maybe both because they strung out in a long snake-like line, singing and dancing. I stood back to let them pass and, by the time I reached the other side, there was no si
gn of Danny.

  I was angry and frustrated with him. Then a thought struck me. Had he seen Maddie with another man? It all depended on how long he had been in those shadows. Damn, damn, damn him, I thought. Then I realised I was standing in the wet drizzle with no coat on and my dress was soaked. I ran back towards the house. Lily was putting her polish and duster away and I was aware of a fainter, more expensive perfume – obviously Maddie’s.

  Lily didn’t mention Danny so, thankfully, she hadn’t seen him. In fact, if I hadn’t lingered to see the car go away, then I wouldn’t have seen him either. Had he been on his way to see us or merely passing? Was he on his way to see another girl and that was the reason he had ignored my call? I was getting in a tizzy over this and I still had the wet frock clinging to my body.

  ‘Let’s get ready to go to the Overgate, Lily,’ I said, pulling the wet garment over my head.

  I had bought Lily a lovely woollen dress to wear for tonight but it wasn’t in the same class as Maddie’s blue satin one. As she put it on, she sighed. ‘I really like this frock, Ann, but it’s no’ like yon bonny blue frock that Maddie was wearing.’

  ‘I know, Lily, but a blue satin frock wouldn’t keep you warm, would it? I mean it’s fine for a dance but you couldn’t wear it to the school.’

  ‘No I suppose not.’

  Although I had my nest egg, I was wary about using money from it too often. Lily had a good many years ahead of her and I would need every penny of it to keep her clothed and shod. My dress was quite old but it was still in good condition. It was a deep chocolate-brown colour and very plain. I looked like Cinderella compared to Maddie in her beautiful creation but it was good to see her again. Did her young companion think we were uncouth people? Then I remembered his shy smile and I thought not.

  I couldn’t get Danny out of my mind. What was he doing skulking across the road and then fleeing like some dispossessed refugee when approached? I also hoped Dad wouldn’t drink too much tonight. He had certainly started early enough but I also hoped he would be with Rosie.