A Broken Family (31 page)

Jeremy felt a surge of annoyance and frustration. All right, he’d carry on doing things his mother’s way; but there’d come a time when he’d get his hands on Amy and there was no way she’d be able to resist him.

For Amy, the first part of the New Year had been painful. She had gone to Frank Cole’s funeral with her parents, and though Carol had thanked them for coming, she seemed distant and cold. Worse was to come when she went to see Carol a few days later, only to be told that they were moving out of the area and with so much to arrange they were too busy for visitors. After so many years of friendship, for Amy it was like a slap in the face. She had kept her distance for over a week, but despite being given the cold shoulder, she didn’t want to lose touch with Carol and had tried again.

Amy stared absentmindedly at the television, remembering her last visit to Carol and the final blow. Carol said they’d be moving soon, and when Amy had asked for their new address, there had been the lame excuse that she couldn’t remember it, followed by an offhand remark that she would write when they were settled.

There was no point in calling again, Carol had said, but when they had said their goodbyes she had thawed a little. Carol had thanked her for being such a good friend, briefly hugged her, and Amy knew from that moment on that she would never hear from her again.

‘You’re miles away,’ Tommy said.

‘Sorry,’ she said, pushing away her unhappy thoughts.

‘It’s all right, I know you’re a bit preoccupied with sorting out the wedding.’

‘There isn’t much to do now, especially since Rose offered to lay on a reception. She told me to leave it all to her, though of course my mum is making sure she gets her say in everything.’

‘Now that’s not fair,’ Phyllis protested. ‘I just want to make sure that Rose gets it right, that’s all. Take the cake for instance. She was going to have one made with four tiers. Now what’s the point of that when there’s only going to be about a dozen or so of us to eat it?’

Amy smiled and said, ‘Rose certainly likes to do things in a big way. Take that dinner set she gave me. There’s eight of everything, plus the vegetable tureens. I’ll need a big kitchen with lots of cupboards to fit it in.’

‘Talking of that, I’d better get on with looking for a flat,’ Tommy said. ‘I’ve been snowed under with work since getting this new contract, but I can’t leave it any longer.’

‘No!’ Phyllis said sharply. ‘Don’t do that.’

‘Why not? With the wedding only eight weeks away I’ve got to find us somewhere to live.’

With a sigh, Phyllis glanced at Stan and stood up. ‘We’re going to have to tell them.’

‘Tell us what?’ Amy asked.

In answer to her question, Phyllis went over to the mantelpiece, and taking down a vase, she tipped something into her hand. ‘I wanted to keep it as a surprise, but of course I’m as daft as a brush and hadn’t thought about Tommy trying to find a flat. Here,’ she said, holding them out. ‘These are the keys to your new home.’

Bewildered Amy asked, ‘What new home?’

‘The one next door.’

‘What? Winnie Morrison’s place?’

‘It isn’t hers any more, love, and it’s been empty for a long time. Thanks to Rose and Samuel it’s now yours, and don’t worry, it’s all been done up for you.’

Amy couldn’t believe it. She was getting married, but she’d still be close to her parents and that was just perfect. She smiled with delight, grabbed Tommy’s hand and said excitedly, ‘Come on, let’s go and take a look at it.’

Celia was less than happy when Thomas came home that evening, full of the newly refurbished house they’d be renting when they got married.

‘I don’t know why you’re so pleased about it,’ she huffed. ‘It’s a pokey place at the lower end of the Rise, and hardly suitable for a man of your standing.’

‘My “standing”? I’m no better than anyone else.’

‘Of course you are,’ Celia said, thinking that Thomas sounded just like his father. ‘You have your own business and you employ eight men now, not including your brother.’

‘Yes, that’s me. Another
employee
,’ Jeremy said.

‘Yes, Thomas, and we were going to discuss that with you tomorrow. However, as you’re here now and as we’re still up, we might as well talk about it now.’

‘Mother, I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ Jeremy protested.

‘I think it is. Look at Thomas, he’s as pleased as punch with his life, and it’s about time he realised that we’re not. He waltzed in here, full of his so-called good news, and didn’t even notice that I’m dreadfully upset.’

Thomas frowned and sat down. ‘No, I’m sorry, I didn’t. What’s wrong?’

Celia pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes for effect. ‘Jeremy has just told me that after your wedding, he’s leaving. He’s going abroad again.’

‘But why?’ Thomas asked, looking at his brother now.

‘Jeremy won’t tell you why, but I will,’ Celia choked emotionally. ‘You need to put yourself in his place, imagine how it would feel if your brother owned a family business that should in part be yours.’

‘As I’ve said to you before, Jeremy wasn’t here when Dad left so he passed it on to me.’

‘I know, but in all fairness you can redress that now,’ Celia said.

‘It’s all right, Tom, I don’t expect you to give me a share of the business,’ Jeremy said. ‘You took it on, built it up, and you deserve to reap the profits. It’s just that I find it a little humiliating to be employed by my kid brother so decided it’s time I left.’

Thomas lowered his head, saying nothing, and putting a finger to her lips, Celia indicated to Jeremy that he should be quiet. It had been clever of him to say that he didn’t expect a share in the business, and from what she could see it had given Thomas food for thought.

At last he raised his head. ‘It would break Mum’s heart if you leave and I’d like you to stay too. If you do I’ll give you a share in the business, but none of the financial profit for this coming year because you’re right, they’re down to me. However, despite what
Mum
thinks, I have been giving some thought to your role as a salesman. You’ll have to learn more about the business to be able to give estimates, but next year you’ll get a share of the profits too.’

‘Thomas, that sounds wonderful,’ Celia enthused. ‘What do you think, Jeremy?’

‘Well, it’s certainly an incentive to stay,’ he said, then stayed quiet for a moment, as if mulling it over. ‘All right, Tom, I’m happy with your terms, and don’t worry, once I’ve learned the ropes I’ll bring in plenty of new business.’

‘With a share in the company, I won’t be able to sack you if you don’t,’ Tom said, though smiling.

‘What sort of share are we talking about?’ Jeremy asked.

‘How about thirty-three per cent?’

‘Thomas, it should be half,’ Celia protested.

‘No, Mother, I’m happy with that,’ Jeremy said.

‘Good,’ Thomas said, ‘but with the amount of work coming in at the moment, and my wedding looming, if you don’t mind waiting we’ll get the legal stuff sorted out after that.’

‘Yes, that’s fine,’ Jeremy agreed.

Celia was less than pleased. She’d have liked the formalities dealt with before the wedding, but she’d learned that Thomas wouldn’t be pushed, and if one tried he would stubbornly dig his heels in. That was something Amy would find out if she tried to put a stop to Jeremy getting a share of the business. Not that Celia was really worried, because despite the things she’d told Jeremy about Amy, in reality she saw the girl as weak, easily intimidated, and inferior.

Jeremy surreptitiously winked at her, and Celia wondered why he was content with less than fifty per cent of the business. It didn’t take her long to work it out and she was pleased by Jeremy’s cleverness, sure now that he could outwit Thomas. Given time Jeremy would ensure that she got a share in the firm, an equal one, and with sixty-six per cent between them they would gain control.

It was perfect, she thought, her financial future would be assured, and instead of Thomas lording it over them, he would have to dance to their tune.

Amy found time flying past. It was a lovely spring day, the weather clement, and things had changed at work. For th
e past m
onth she’d had Saturdays off and had loved it, happy to forgo her Thursday half days. On her final half day off she had bumped into Miss Winters again, and had been persuaded to join her for a coffee. Once again Amy had felt sorry for her former manageress, feeling that she was lonely, and had impulsively invited her to the wedding. Miss Winters had graciously declined, but wished her every happiness before they parted, that being the last time Amy had seen her.

It was a Saturday morning now and Amy was waiting for the delivery van to arrive. Though the house had been newly decorated, they had to furnish it, so when Tommy could spare the time they chose everything from the G-plan range. When the van turned up Amy saw curtains twitching, but ignored them as it was unloaded and her new furniture carried inside.

‘What do you think, Mum?’ she said, standing back to admire the light oak cabinet, with black lacquered panels. It had open shelves, along with a built-in cocktail cabinet and a space for a television set.

‘It’s very modern, but it’s nice, and that drop-leaf dining table set is lovely too.’

‘The light oak matches the cabinet,’ Amy pointed out.

‘Now I like that,’ Phyllis remarked as a pale green and black settee was carried in and uncovered, along with two matching chairs.

Amy had been worried that the room would look too full, but now that everything was in place, she thought it looked lovely. ‘There’s just the bedroom furniture to unload now.’

‘Is that G-plan too?’ her mother asked.

‘Yes, Tommy insisted on it. He said it’s good quality and made to last.’

‘If he can afford this lot, that business of his must be making a fair few bob.’

‘Yes, I think it is.’

‘Does Tommy still want you to give up your job?’

‘Yes, but I’m not sure. He works long hours, and I’m a bit worried that I might get bored if I’m at home every day.’

‘I’d say make the most of it, because once a baby comes along there’ll be no chance of that.’

‘It’s a bit too soon to be talking about a baby. I’m not married yet.’

‘Well once you are, don’t take too long about it. I can’t wait to be a grandmother.’

‘I’ll do my best,’ Amy said, yet she had no idea what that side of marriage was like. When she was in Tommy’s arms, he aroused passionate feelings that left her wanting more, yet they had somehow managed to restrain themselves.

Not for much longer, Amy thought, there was just one week to go and then she’d be Tommy’s wife.

‘Mum, I know you haven’t been before, but you should come and see our house now that the furniture has been delivered,’ Thomas said when he came home that night.

Celia had no interest in seeing a pokey house at the bottom of the Rise, even if her son was going to live in it. ‘I still think you were mad to rent it, especially as you’ll be living next door to your in-laws.’

‘That won’t be a problem. I get on well with Amy’s parents.’

‘You won’t think that once they start to interfere, especially Amy’s mother.’

‘She won’t do that and we’ll be fine,’ Thomas said offhandedly.

‘You always dismiss my concerns as though they count for nothing,’ she snapped.

‘We managed to take an hour off work today to have the final fittings on our suits,’ Jeremy intervened. ‘Of course, I fancied a light blue waistcoat and matching cravat to go with mine, but Tom vetoed that idea.’

‘It’d be a bit much for a registry office,’ Tommy said.

‘If you’d chosen to get married in a church, Jeremy could have been your best man,’ Celia complained. ‘Instead it’s this paltry little affair, but I’m not lowering my standards. I’m wearing an apricot coloured silk suit and matching hat.’

‘Yes, I’ve seen your outfit and you’ll knock them out,’ Jeremy said.

‘Thank you, dear,’ Celia said, pleased, yet wondering now if she should have bothered. There’d be nobody of breeding to impress, either at the registry office or the reception, despite it being held in the cousin’s huge house, one that she had persuaded her rich husband to buy.

Money couldn’t buy class though, and Celia dreaded to think what food would be served, probably something like jellied eels. She shuddered at the thought.

Tommy was glad that Jeremy had placated their mother by changing the subject to their suits and her outfit. Jeremy had a way with her, and since he’d come home life had been a lot easier. With both her sons around
her now, she’d become less possessive of him, Tommy thought, and she was a lot more amenable when it came to Amy.

Though still inexperienced when it came to the glazing business, Jeremy was learning and Tommy didn’t regret offering him a share in the business. He’d baulked at the idea at first, thinking that he’d been the one who had built it up, but then decided he was being selfish and unfair. Jeremy was his big brother, and by rights the firm should have gone to him. It was great to think that by taking him on board, Jeremy would always be around now, the two of them eventually able to take the business to new heights. With new towns springing up out of London and vast swathes of houses being built, the possibilities of even larger contracts beckoned.

‘When you get up to speed with calculating estimates, I think you’ll be able to try your hand as a salesman,’ Tommy said, with the new towns in mind.

‘I’ll look forward to that, though of course I’ll need a car.’

‘When you’re ready you’ll get one,’ Tommy said, thinking that it was about time he got himself a car too. With the wedding looming it would have to wait for now, but
the accounts were looking very healthy, despite the expenditure on furnishing the house.