Forgive and Forget (37 page)

Violet smiled up at him coquettishly. ‘Then you’d better find somewhere for us to live pretty quick, hadn’t you?’

And with that, she hitched Michael onto her hip and marched down the road, leaving Micky and her own family staring after her.

It was Roland who broke the stunned silence. ‘Micky, there’s a spare room at our place. You – you and Violet could have it for – for tonight. That’d be all right, wouldn’t it, Polly?’

‘I – er – ’ Polly was stunned. She’d believed that Roland had no time for the Fowlers, and especially Micky, like the rest of them.

Micky looked uncomfortable but he recovered enough to say, ‘That’s kind of you, but – ’

‘Roland, dear,’ Polly put her hand on his arm. ‘I don’t think—’

But for once Roland was decisive. ‘We can’t let a young newly married couple spend their wedding night apart. We can let them have the house to themselves. We can go and stay at your father’s house. Just for tonight. And then tomorrow, I’ll go with Micky and try to help him find somewhere for them to live. In fact, I might already know of somewhere, but I’d need to find out.’

Micky – and Polly – were both looking relieved. Polly couldn’t forget Micky’s declaration of his feelings for her. And Micky was wishing heartily that he’d never said a word to her. But he pulled himself together and said, ‘That’s very generous of you, Roland. I’ll gladly take up your offer – if Vi’s willing.’ He pulled a comical face. ‘But as you’ve seen my
wife
has a mind of her own.’

Now that Roland had fully explained his solution, Polly was happy to go along with it. They’d be in the spare room – not in the bed she shared with Roland – and she would be at home. Impulsively, she said, ‘And I’ll look after Michael for you. In fact, why don’t you make it two nights – until Monday morning when you’ve to go to work?’

‘That’s kind of you, Polly. If Violet agrees, we will. And thank you.’

Violet jumped at the chance. Polly and Roland hurriedly packed the few belongings they would need and Micky and Violet did the same.

‘It’ll be just like a honeymoon,’ Violet said. ‘Your Roland is such a nice man. I hope you know how lucky you are to have him, Poll.’

‘He is,’ Polly agreed, neatly avoiding answering the last part of the question. ‘Look, Vi,’ she said as she helped Violet carry the bundle of belongings to the house that was now her home, ‘none of us were happy about you marrying Micky. But you have. It’s done, so now you must try and keep him in line. It looks as if you’re not afraid to stand up to him.’

‘I’m not, Poll.’ Violet’s forehead wrinkled. ‘But I’m no romantic fool either. I know he’s difficult and I know too that he’s going along with everything I say just because he wants to – well, you know. That’s what this is all about. He reckons he’s waited long enough and he’s not going to wait another minute.’ She laughed wryly. ‘That’s men for you.’

Polly said nothing, thinking of her own wedding night, of Roland’s shyness, his tentativeness and his consideration for her.

She blotted out the thought of what a wedding night with Leo might have been like and tried to concentrate on the problems she could foresee for her sister. She hoped she was wrong, but she had the horrible feeling she wasn’t.

But Polly’s new brother-in-law was full of surprises. The very next day – Sunday morning – he set off with Roland in search of the man who might have a property to rent out. He walked with a newfound swagger, whistling cheerfully. He was a married man now, with a pretty little wife – even if she did have a sharp tongue at times – and he was with his son. Micky had decided to acknowledge Michael as his own and for the last few months had made no secret of the fact. Everyone believed it anyway; Violet had made sure of that from the start and in his heart of hearts he knew it to be true. He’d only gone along with what his father had said to avoid being trapped into a hasty marriage. But recently, realizing that there really was no chance with Polly, he’d grown very fond of Violet, and Michael was a boy to be proud of. Besides, it was time he settled down.

Roland’s contact had had a flat available until the previous week.

‘I’m sorry, mate, I’ve let it. The folks are moving in tomorrow.’ He pondered a moment and then said, ‘Have you asked Albie? Him what runs the material stall in the market.’

‘I know Albie,’ Micky said at once. ‘I work on the markets. Why?’

Roland nodded too. ‘And Polly knows both him and his wife.’

‘He rents out two rooms in his house. There’s only him and his missus. They never had no kids and I reckon their last lodgers have just left. See him.’

As they walked away, Micky muttered, ‘I don’t reckon Albie will want owt to do wi’ me. I ain’t got a good name round the market.’

‘Oh dear,’ Roland murmured. ‘Perhaps we’d better go on looking then.’

They did, but when dusk began to fall, they trudged home without having found any other leads towards getting the newly married couple a place of their own.

‘Mebbe we could stay at yours, Roland? Vi could help Polly and they could still look after the rest of the family together.’

Roland was doubtful. He liked to see the best in people, but he was not stupid. He’d seen the looks that Micky gave Polly, had seen the flash of desire in them at rare moments when Micky thought no one else was watching. To his relief, though, he’d seen Polly turn away in disgust and knew that, whatever Micky’s feelings for her were, they were certainly not reciprocated.

‘It’d be better if you could find a place of your own. After all, it’s not as if there’s just the two of you. There’s Michael too.’

At the thought of his son, Micky smiled. ‘D’you know, Roland, I wouldn’t admit it to everyone, but he’s the best part of all this. At last I get to live with my son.’

‘So you do acknowledge he’s yours, then?’

Now Micky shoved his hands in his pockets and had the grace to look ashamed. ‘I was scared, Roland. We were both so young and me dad – well – he said I should deny it. But I reckon it was more to get at William than anything else. He wanted to see the Long-dens brought down. He’s always thought the whole family’s too high and mighty.’

Roland said nothing for they had reached the Long-dens’ home to find Polly and Violet waiting with a hot meal for them and anxious questions.

Micky related the events of the morning and, to Roland’s surprise, left nothing out.

‘I could ask Selina – Albie’s wife – if you like,’ Polly offered. ‘We’ve become quite friendly.’

Micky shrugged. ‘Wouldn’t mek no odds, Poll. Albie’d have the final say and it’d be a “no”.’

Polly regarded him thoughtfully for a moment and then said, ‘No harm in asking. If they do say no, it’ll be no more than you’re expecting.’

Micky pulled a face.

‘Maybe it would be best if you asked Albie, love,’ Roland suggested. ‘You know him well too, don’t you?’

As they finished their meal and Violet spooned the last of Michael’s dinner into his mouth, Polly promised, ‘I’ll go first thing tomorrow morning. And as long as Roland doesn’t mind, you can stay here a night or two longer. We’re all right at Dad’s.’

She would never have admitted it out loud, but she was quite enjoying being back with Stevie and Miriam; she still missed the youngsters.

Early the next morning Polly approached the market nervously.

‘Hello, lass,’ Albie greeted her. ‘Now I’m glad I’ve seen you. I’ve got some lovely bits of material for you. Perfect for rug making.’ He grinned at her. ‘But maybe you’ve got all you want now?’

Polly smiled weakly.

Albie peered at her. ‘Summat wrong, duck?’

‘Er – not exactly. But I’ve come to ask you something and I’m afraid you’re going to say no.’

‘Spit it out then.’

‘It’s about my sister and – and Micky Fowler.’

‘Oh – him!’

His tone didn’t sound promising and Polly’s heart sank.

‘They’re looking for a place to live. Just – just rooms or a small flat or house. And Roland heard that you let out a couple of rooms in your house.’

Albie regarded her thoughtfully. ‘There’s a babby, ain’t there?’

‘Yes. Michael. He’ll be three in August, but he’s a good little chap.’

‘It’s not that, Polly.’ Albie sighed heavily and there was sorrow in his eyes.

‘It’s Micky, isn’t it?’

‘No. Actually it’s not him either, though I do have me doubts about that young man.’

There was a pause whilst Polly waited impatiently. She bit her lip to stop herself saying, ‘What then?’

Albie let out a deep sigh. ‘It’s the kiddie – ’

As Polly opened her mouth to defend her nephew, Albie put up his hand. ‘Oh, I don’t doubt what you say, but you see, duck, it’d be heart-breaking for my missus to have a little ’un about the place. We – we desperately wanted children, Polly, but it never happened and it’s been a great sadness to us all these years. I’d’ve taken a risk on Micky – really I would – but I couldn’t do that to my Selina.’

‘Of course not,’ Polly said huskily. She turned away, nodding her thanks.

Both of them forgot all about the remnants of material which Albie had carefully put on one side for her.

Violet and Micky spent one more night at Polly and Roland’s home, whilst they again stayed with William, Stevie and Miriam.

Just before her bedtime Miriam climbed on Polly’s knee and wound her chubby little arms around her older sister’s neck. ‘Have you come home, Polly? I miss you. Violet never gives me cuddles like you do, or tells me bedtime stories. She’s always too busy.’

‘Huh! I don’t know what with, the house is a tip,’ William groused. ‘And the meals she cooks, well, I’ve seen stray cats turn their noses up at the leftovers.’

Polly hugged Miriam to her. ‘You can come round to our house any time you like for a cuddle and a story.’

‘Can I come and live with you?’

‘No, no, your home is here with Dad and Stevie. But Violet, Micky and Michael are going to get a home of their own, so you’ll have to help Dad around the house. And when you’re a bit older, you can learn to cook.’

‘I can make gingerbread men now. Mrs Halliday showed me.’

Polly was startled and glanced at her father. William moved uneasily in his chair and avoided her gaze.

‘Miriam goes down the road to see her sometimes,’ he muttered.

Polly nodded, not in the least surprised that Bertha Halliday held no grudges against the innocent young girl. The only people to blame for her son’s unhappiness were Polly, and William for being the cause of his daughter’s refusal to forgive and forget.

Polly was back in her own home and cleaning vigorously. Violet and Michael were back at the Longdens’ home and Micky had been banished to the Fowlers’ house – much to his disgust.

Polly was singing cheerfully at the top of her voice and scrubbing her scullery floor when she thought she heard a sound. She stopped to listen and then it came again. Someone was knocking at the door.

She threw her floor cloth into the bucket and pulled herself up. As she did so a wave of nausea overwhelmed her and she clutched the edge of the sink to steady herself. This was the third time it had happened in as many days and she’d felt very queasy each morning. But at least now she knew the reason. She staggered to the back door to open it.

To her surprise, Selina Thorpe was standing there.

‘Good lord, girl. You look as white as a sheet. Let me help you to a chair.’

Whilst Polly leant back and closed her eyes, Selina made herself at home by finding everything she needed to make a cup of tea. When at last she sat down opposite and regarded the girl steadily, she said, ‘Albie told me your sister’s looking for a place.’

Polly drank the hot tea gratefully and nibbled the biscuit Selina had put in her saucer. The nausea began to subside a little.

‘She is, but – ’ She hesitated.

Selina nodded. ‘I know what he told you, but he got it wrong.’ Although there was still a deep sadness in the woman’s eyes, she was smiling. ‘I’ve learned to live with it, Polly. And do you know, I’d love to have a little one about the place. If we get to know each other, I’d like nothing better than to look after him whilst Violet goes out to work – if she wants to, that is, now she’s got a husband to look after her.’ Selina pulled a face. ‘Though she’d do well not to rely on that scallywag too much.’

‘Oh, but – ’

‘I know you look after little Michael for her, but – ’ Selina’s smile broadened. ‘If I’m not mistaken, and I’m not often wrong, one of those kiddies I said you’d have one day, is already on its way.’

Polly’s cup rattled in its saucer as her hand trembled. She stared at Selina.

‘How on earth did you know?’ Was the woman really a witch as some of the folks around here called her? ‘I’m not far on yet. I’m not even showing.’

‘Oh, I know,’ the older woman said and the two women laughed together. ‘I bet your hubby’s tickled pink, ain’t he? Now,’ Selina went on briskly, ‘about Violet. Albie and me are prepared to give it a go. We suggest a month’s trial for both sides. At the end of the month, if it’s not working out for either of us, then they can find somewhere else.’