Across the Mersey - Annie Groves [42]
‘Such a shame you have to go when we haven’t finished discussing all the arrangements yet. I’m taking Bella to choose a wedding gown next week, and then there’s the bridesmaids’ frocks. I’ve telephoned Trixie’s mother to tell her that Bella wants Trixie to be her bridesmaid. It’s a pity she’s such a plain girl. Not a patch on Bella, of course.’
‘Mr Parker and I are very fond of Trixie.’
‘Well, yes, I’m sure you must be, but of course you’ll love Bella – everyone does. She’s going to make such a wonderful mother.’ Vi sighed sentimentally, but her eyes were cold as she watched the anger burn in Alan’s mother’s eyes.
She had known the minute they had driven round there on Saturday night that Mrs Parker was one of those mothers who thought their sons could do no wrong and who was prepared to defend and protect him no matter what. Well, she had soon made sure that Edwin let them know exactly what Alan had been up to with their Bella and how distraught she was. Far too distraught to come into the house. She had told Mrs Parker very bluntly that had her Charlie behaved like Alan then she would have insisted he do the right thing by the poor girl involved – not that Charlie would ever behave so badly.
Even then, knowing the whole situation, Vi suspected that the Parkers would have wriggled out of admitting that Alan had no option other than to marry Bella, if it hadn’t been for the fact that their engagement had already been announced in front of the President of the Tennis Club.
Vi couldn’t believe that Mrs Parker actually thought that that Trixie, with her horsy face and moony expression, would be a better wife for her son than her own Bella. Stupid woman. And mean too, suggesting that Bella move in with them.
The sight of Sam beaming from ear to ear when he came in from work was enough to make Jean feel less guilty about not telling him what had happened. He had such a lot on his mind at the moment that it wouldn’t be fair to add another burden to the ones he was already carrying.
‘You look pleased with yourself,’ she told him. ‘You’re a bit later than I was expecting, though. The others have already had theirs, and I’ve got to go out to my WVS meeting tonight, so you’d better get washed up and sat down at the table.’
‘Sorry, love,’ Sam apologised, rolling up his shirtsleeves over the sink and turning on the tap. ‘Fred Wilson collared me when I was on me way home, He’s our Group Warden.’
Jean nodded as she removed the cottage pie she’d plated up earlier for him from the oven. By the time Sam had washed his hands and was sitting down, Jean had put his dinner in front of him and had the kettle on.
‘Aye, Fred had a bit of good news he wanted to tell me,’ Sam continued. ‘Seems that the Government has decided that it’s going to pay us a bit of summat for being in the ARP, even though it’s only part time. It’s not much, mind,’ he warned, but Jean could see how pleased he was. Luke will be getting it as well, and I reckon it won’t do any harm to carry on as we have been doing and put it to one side for the future. Where are the kids?’
‘Luke’s out at band practice,’ said Jean. ‘Grace has gone to find out what she needs to do to get started with her nursing training, and the twins have gone off to the park with that friend of theirs. They’ll be back at school next week so they might as well enjoy what’s left of their holidays. I had a message earlier saying that they wanted volunteers down at the school to help get the kiddies evacuated, so I’ve said I’ll go and give a hand. Poor little mites, and their mothers as well.’
‘It’s for their own good, Jean. If it does come to war then the Government wants them to be safe.’ He put down his knife and fork and looked at her. ‘I’ve bin thinking meself, about the twins and you.’
‘You’re not the only one. I’ve bin thinking about it too, but, like I’ve already said, Sam, I’m staying put and so are the twins. I’d never have a minute’s peace, worrying about you, if I didn’t, and I’d never have any peace if the twins weren’t here with us.’
‘Well, I can’t say that I wouldn’t