Forgotten Dreams (48 page)
Sassy beamed ecstatically. ‘It’s what I’ve always wanted, only I never knew it,’ she said.
Gran, however, shook an admonitory finger. ‘Only if Louella don’t need you,’ she said firmly. ‘You’re a grand girl, Sassy, and there’s nowt I’d like better than to have you back where I feel you belong, but if your mam’s career depends on you, then we’ll have to think again.’
‘But she’s got Merle, or she will have as soon as Merle’s had the baby and got it adopted,’ Sassy said. ‘Oh, Gran, I know what you mean because I do love Louella, despite the lies she told me. But she’s managed without me for all this time . . .’
‘You don’t know she has, me love,’ Gran said gently. ‘You’ve written to her but you never gave her your address, so she couldn’t write back. She’s mebbe been in real trouble, needing help . . .’
Sassy had been lounging comfortably in her chair, but at these words she shot upright. The thought of Louella in trouble brought her out in a cold sweat and she knew, suddenly, that even though it might break her heart, she would go back to the stage sooner than see her mother suffer hardship. ‘You’re right, Gran,’ she said humbly. ‘If she really needs me . . . but I’ll contact Merle first, then we can both go back to the Gaiety together and face Louella.’
Gran nodded her approval. ‘Good girl; I knew I wasn’t mistaken in you,’ she said. ‘And if you do have to go back to Louella, I’m sure it won’t be for ever, because you can always help her to train someone up to take your place. And now let’s talk of other things. Have you been aboard the
Girl Sassy
yet? What do you think of her?’
Girl Sassy
yet? What do you think of her?’
‘No, but Troy’s going to give me a tour later today,’ Sassy said. ‘Do you still have Champ? I did love the old feller.’
Troy and Gran both shook their heads. ‘No, he’s retired now. We got the
Girl Sassy
fitted with an engine three or four years back, and though we miss old Champ, the engine’s a real improvement,’ Gran said. She chuckled. ‘No nosebag, no hay net, and no tramping to and from the stable block; oh aye, it’s made life easier.’
Girl Sassy
fitted with an engine three or four years back, and though we miss old Champ, the engine’s a real improvement,’ Gran said. She chuckled. ‘No nosebag, no hay net, and no tramping to and from the stable block; oh aye, it’s made life easier.’
‘Except when the blamed engine goes wrong, which happened a lot at first,’ Troy observed. ‘But it’s like everything else; you grow accustomed. I reckon I know as much about engines now as any feller on the canal, and I can usually sort out a problem before it has a chance to get serious.’
‘Well, I don’t know anything about engines, so I shan’t be able to help you there,’ Sassy said at once. The realisation that the knowledge she had remembered thanks to Nat would be wasted was rather a blow, for she had loved Champ and had looked forward to seeing him again.
But when she said as much, Gran chuckled and leaned across to squeeze her hand. ‘You’ll learn about engines when you’re back with us, same as we’ve all had to do,’ she said calmly. ‘And you’ll see old Champ again, next time the barge reaches Pinfold. You and Troy can take the old feller a handful of carrots; he’s in a meadow not fifty yards from the canal.’
‘I’d love to do that,’ Sassy said, beaming at her companions. She turned to Gran. ‘I hate to leave you, but I’m beginning to feel truly anxious about Merle. Do you think Troy and me should go to the station tomorrow? We can get the train times and leave for Leeds as early as possible the following day. Then with luck we should get back here by evening.’
Gran nodded decidedly. ‘I think you should,’ she said. ‘I wish I could go with you but I’d only hold you back.’
Sassy got to her feet and walked across to pull the kettle over the flame. ‘And now let’s have a nice cup of tea,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Oh, I can’t wait to explore the
Girl Sassy
, because I’m sure it’ll be only a matter of time before I’m able to become a member of the crew.’
Girl Sassy
, because I’m sure it’ll be only a matter of time before I’m able to become a member of the crew.’
After the midday meal that day, Troy and Sassy walked further along the bank to where the
Girl Sassy
was moored and climbed aboard. Troy explained that the boat was not ready to sail so the cupboards, coal bunkers and water tanks were empty, and of course the fire was out, but even so, Sassy was enchanted with the craft. Looking round the tiny cabin brought her dream vividly to mind and she could not imagine why she had assumed it to be a caravan. Now that she saw it in reality, it could not have been anything other than a comfortable cabin. The pretty checked curtains at the windows, the scarlet covers on the seats either side of the central table, which would make up into a double bed, the brilliantly painted kettles, pots and buckets, all positively shouted of the canal. Troy pointed out the cupboards beneath the pull-out bed, which would hold sheets and blankets as well as Gran’s thick shawl and the leather boots which she would need for deck work but would not dream of wearing inside the cabin itself. Naturally, the bedding had all been removed along with spare clothing and so on, for the
Girl Sassy
had been laid up, Troy told her, for two months and had not been due to sail for another week.
Girl Sassy
was moored and climbed aboard. Troy explained that the boat was not ready to sail so the cupboards, coal bunkers and water tanks were empty, and of course the fire was out, but even so, Sassy was enchanted with the craft. Looking round the tiny cabin brought her dream vividly to mind and she could not imagine why she had assumed it to be a caravan. Now that she saw it in reality, it could not have been anything other than a comfortable cabin. The pretty checked curtains at the windows, the scarlet covers on the seats either side of the central table, which would make up into a double bed, the brilliantly painted kettles, pots and buckets, all positively shouted of the canal. Troy pointed out the cupboards beneath the pull-out bed, which would hold sheets and blankets as well as Gran’s thick shawl and the leather boots which she would need for deck work but would not dream of wearing inside the cabin itself. Naturally, the bedding had all been removed along with spare clothing and so on, for the
Girl Sassy
had been laid up, Troy told her, for two months and had not been due to sail for another week.
‘When we go, the barge will have everything we need aboard, and the cottage will be thoroughly cleaned out with everything we leave behind packed away,’ Troy explained. ‘I shan’t do anything about employing a lad until we know whether or not your mam needs you.’ He put out a hand and gave Sassy a playful cuff. ‘Drat Gran’s sense of fair play; I’m sure we need you a great deal more than Louella does, but as Gran says, Louella
is
your mam and anyway, if you do have to go back to her, it won’t be for ever. Now, if you’ve seen everything you want to see below, we’ll go on deck and you can peep into the stern cabin.’
is
your mam and anyway, if you do have to go back to her, it won’t be for ever. Now, if you’ve seen everything you want to see below, we’ll go on deck and you can peep into the stern cabin.’
They scrambled up on deck and Sassy asked rather anxiously where the lad would sleep if she were forced to remain with her mother for a while. ‘Because it seems as though I’m letting someone down, whatever I do,’ she said worriedly. ‘If only Merle has had the baby and got it adopted, then she and I can help Louella to train someone else . . . or maybe Merle herself will be enough – I mean they can do a mother and daughter act, or even a two sisters act, without me being involved.’
‘If you ask me, a woman who can manage alone for months probably doesn’t need either of you,’ Troy said bluntly. ‘As for the lad, d’you see the dog kennel, up on the roof? We used to keep oats and that for Champ in there, but now it contains a tent and a sleeping bag. If push comes to shove, we can erect the tent on the bank alongside the
Girl Sassy
, and a young feller can sleep in that. Of course it wouldn’t do in winter, but with spring advancing and summer just round the corner, it’ll be comfortable enough.’
Girl Sassy
, and a young feller can sleep in that. Of course it wouldn’t do in winter, but with spring advancing and summer just round the corner, it’ll be comfortable enough.’
‘Yes, I suppose . . .’ Sassy was beginning when a shout which was more like a shriek echoed across the water.
She glanced up and saw a barge approaching at a leisurely pace, whilst a small figure clutched the tiller and began to pull the boat round towards the
Girl Sassy
. Behind her, Troy’s voice said: ‘What the devil? Do you know anyone aboard the
Wanderer
?’
Girl Sassy
. Behind her, Troy’s voice said: ‘What the devil? Do you know anyone aboard the
Wanderer
?’
‘No, of course I don’t. Apart from Nat, the only people I know on the canal . . .’ Sassy was beginning, when she stopped short and uttered a shriek even louder than that emitted by the figure at the
Wanderer
’s tiller. ‘Merle! My God, it’s Merle!’
Chapter SeventeenWanderer
’s tiller. ‘Merle! My God, it’s Merle!’
It was indeed Merle, and presently there was a joyful reunion aboard the
Wanderer
. Betsy came up from the cabin and she and her daughter moored the barge against the bank, and then, with great tact, went off to visit Gran so that Merle and Sassy could exchange stories. Troy stayed aboard the
Girl Sassy
but he kept glancing towards the other barge and Sassy had the comfortable feeling that he would come to her aid if she needed his help.
Wanderer
. Betsy came up from the cabin and she and her daughter moored the barge against the bank, and then, with great tact, went off to visit Gran so that Merle and Sassy could exchange stories. Troy stayed aboard the
Girl Sassy
but he kept glancing towards the other barge and Sassy had the comfortable feeling that he would come to her aid if she needed his help.
Sassy hugged Merle tight, tears of relief and joy running down her cheeks, for she had worried about the other girl a good deal and the sight of her had reawoken all her old fondness for her friend. But as they drew apart Sassy realised, suddenly, that she had been able to hug Merle without having to avoid her friend’s bump. ‘Merle, you’ve had the baby!’ she exclaimed. ‘Was it a boy or a girl? Has it gone to nice people? Oh, but I’m sure it has because you’d make certain of that.’
Merle stared at her, eyes rounding with astonishment. ‘Gone to nice people?’ she echoed. ‘She hasn’t gone anywhere, she’s far too little. She’s below in the cabin, fast asleep. Betsy thought it would do me good to get some fresh air and she knew I was looking out for the
Lucky Lady
, so I left Veronica – I’ve called her that because her eyes are as blue as the wild veronica which grows alongside the canal – and came to the tiller.’
Lucky Lady
, so I left Veronica – I’ve called her that because her eyes are as blue as the wild veronica which grows alongside the canal – and came to the tiller.’
‘Oh! But – but you said you were going to have the baby adopted,’ Sassy said, staring at her old friend. ‘Does this mean you’re going to keep her? I don’t think Louella will be too pleased, though I know she said she’d take you back once the baby was born.’
Merle sniffed. ‘I’m not worried about Louella,’ she said. ‘But you must come and see my little Veronica, then you’ll understand why I couldn’t possibly let her go to anyone else.’ She led the way down into the cabin and tiptoed across to a small makeshift cot, which had clearly once been a drawer. The child was invisible, but Merle folded back the blanket to reveal her daughter’s red and crumpled face. ‘There you are: Veronica O’Mara, me own little daughter,’ she said proudly. ‘Ain’t she the prettiest thing you ever did see?’
Sassy, who thought the baby looked uncommonly ugly, opened her mouth to make some joking retort, then glanced at her friend’s face and saw that Merle was absolutely serious. She really did think the red-faced, swollen-eyed, almost bald infant was beautiful. So Sassy perjured her soul and said faintly: ‘What a little darling! No wonder you want to keep her. But Merle, love, you surely don’t mean to stay aboard the barge for ever? What’ll you do when you reach Liverpool?’
‘Oh, can’t you guess? I’m going back to Merlotto’s Circus in Blackpool,’ Merle said.
‘But – but . . .’ Sassy stammered. ‘You said – you said . . . your mam . . . your pa . . .’
Merle giggled. ‘I know. I were terrified they’d be furious and I dare say they will be,’ she said candidly. ‘Pa will shout and Ma may shed a tear or two, but they both love babies and you know they’d never turn me out, not really. I’ll gerra good tellin’ off, which I guess I deserve, but then they’ll do everything they can to see me and Veronica right. Why, in three or four months I’ll be doing me act again and Ma will give an eye to Baby, so that’s all right.’
‘That’s grand, and I’m truly glad for you,’ Sassy said sincerely. ‘But it may put Louella in an awkward position because I believe she thinks you’re returning to the Gaiety. And what about Baz? Do you still . . . well, do you still like him?’
‘Oh aye, he’s real nice, but I don’t suppose he’ll be interested in me any more,’ Merle said. She did not sound unhappy, and leaned over the cot to tuck the blanket round her daughter once more. ‘Men – unmarried ones – aren’t really interested in babies, you know.’
‘But won’t you pop into the Gaiety before you go to Blackpool?’ Sassy asked rather desperately. ‘I really think you should, dear Merle. You ought to tell your Uncle Max, as well as Baz and Louella, you know.’
Merle straightened up and led the way out of the cabin and back on to the deck. ‘I’ve written a letter . . . well, three letters,’ she said. ‘One was to you, in case we missed you on the canal, so I shan’t need to post that, but the others are to Louella and Baz, explaining matters.’
‘Yes, a letter’s all very well, but it would be far better if you went along yourself. I’ll come with you, Merle, because we’ve both got some explaining to do,’ Sassy said. ‘If you don’t mean to rejoin the act then I suppose I may have to do so, for a while at any rate. I really can’t let Louella down.’
‘No, because she’s your mother, but she’s not mine,’ Merle said unanswerably. ‘Besides, she never really liked me, you know she didn’t. I don’t think she’ll be at all sorry to go back to the mother-daughter routine with just the two of you. Anyway, as I told Betsy, they’ve managed without us for simply ages, so surely they can go on doing so?’
Sassy shrugged. ‘Who can say? Management might have refused to let her do a solo act, and then all she would have would be magician’s assistant. Oh,
do
come back with me, Merle. Once the
Wanderer
docks in Liverpool, we can be at the Gaiety theatre in half an hour.’
do
come back with me, Merle. Once the
Wanderer
docks in Liverpool, we can be at the Gaiety theatre in half an hour.’
Merle, however, shook her head decisively. ‘No, I can’t do that because I’m not going as far as Liverpool. I’m getting aboard a train at Burscough Junction station. I’ll have to change at Preston but I should be home before dark. You see, now that May has arrived the circus will soon set out on tour. I must get back to Blackpool before they go, I really must.’
Sassy looked at the mulish set of her friend’s mouth and gave in gracefully. ‘Yes, I’m sure you’re right. If you’ll give the letters to me, I’ll deliver them for you,’ she said.
She gestured to Troy and he came aboard the
Wanderer
with alacrity, holding out his hand to her friend. ‘I’m Troy, and you’ll be Sassy’s pal Merle,’ he said as they shook hands. ‘I couldn’t help hearing what you’ve been saying since you come up on deck and it’s a shame you can’t go with Sassy to the Gaiety, but you’re right, of course. You must get home before the circus moves on. And anyway, since I’m going with Sassy, I dare say we’ll manage to explain why you aren’t able to visit them in person.’
Wanderer
with alacrity, holding out his hand to her friend. ‘I’m Troy, and you’ll be Sassy’s pal Merle,’ he said as they shook hands. ‘I couldn’t help hearing what you’ve been saying since you come up on deck and it’s a shame you can’t go with Sassy to the Gaiety, but you’re right, of course. You must get home before the circus moves on. And anyway, since I’m going with Sassy, I dare say we’ll manage to explain why you aren’t able to visit them in person.’
Merle beamed at him. ‘You’re going with Lottie?’ she asked. ‘Oh, that’s grand that is; it makes me feel much better. And you called her Sassy, just like your barge!’
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