Friends and Lovers (28 page)

Hilda yelped, gasped, panted. ‘Get an ambulance! Get me to the hospital!’

Viv gripped her hand tightly. ‘We’ll get you dressed first, Mam. Nick! George! Help me get her up.’

They both moved forward. Nick, his eyes on Hilda, said, ‘I think it would be best if we took your mam to the hospital as she says, right now!’

‘What do you mean?’ Viv stared at him.

‘Don’t ask questions. Just do it,’ he said grimly. ‘Come on, love,’ he addressed Hilda. ‘Take it easy. Lift, George!’

George did as he was told and somehow they managed to get Hilda up into the Land Rover.

‘Which hospital?’ said Viv, climbing in and shutting the door, her worried eyes on her mother’s huddled figure.

‘Mill Road,’ whispered Hilda.

George’s eyes met Viv’s. ‘Does she mean …?’

Viv groaned and dropped her head in her hands as she said in a muffled voice, ‘I don’t believe this. Nick, get us out of here!’

‘Oh God,’ moaned her mother.

The Land Rover shot off in a jerky fashion. Viv sat in stunned silence. Her mother’s hand grasped hers, the nails biting into her cold fingers as she deep
breathed her way through another contraction. Viv offered no words of comfort. She could not have said anything to save her life. All she could think was that her mother might die at her age, having a baby. She had nearly died having Viv.

‘This is crazy,’ said George, looking stunned. ‘How? Who’s?’

Nobody answered and he subsided into silence until the Land Rover came to a screeching halt in front of the hospital. By that time the pains were coming so close that Hilda was a trembling, writhing wreck.

‘Well?’ said George nervously. ‘What next?’

‘Get her out,’ screamed Viv, all her pent up anxiety bursting forth. ‘Do you want her to have the bloody baby here, you idiot!’

He jumped out immediately and so did Nick. They both lifted Hilda down but as soon as they released her she collapsed like a concertina on to the ground, writhing and whimpering.

‘Nick, pick her up,’ cried Viv.

Between them Nick and George picked up Hilda while Viv fled before them into the hospital.

‘You’ve got a sister,’ said the nurse, smiling gravely.

It was two hours later. ‘My mother?’ Viv’s voice was thick with emotion.

‘She’s had a difficult time and is very tired but she’ll be all right’

Viv sagged against Nick’s shoulder. ‘And the baby? Is she all right?’

‘Small but she’s all there. Your mother’s a very lucky woman.’

‘Good.’ Viv cleared her throat. ‘Can I see them?’

The nurse nodded. ‘Your mother’s anxious to speak to you. We can allow you a few minutes so that you can reassure each other.’

Viv looked at Nick and then George. ‘I won’t be long.’

‘You take all the time you want,’ murmured Nick, and kissed her briefly.

George raised his eyebrows and lit a cigarette.

As Viv walked up the corridor the nurse said, ‘It’s been a big shock for you, dear.’

‘I had no idea.’

‘I think that perhaps your mother did but didn’t want to believe it. Too good to be true, I suppose.’ She chuckled. ‘The baby’ll be a nice reminder of her dead husband.’

So that’s what she’d told them, thought Viv, following the nurse through swing doors into the ward, trying to convince herself that it was all a dream.

Her mother lay unmoving in a high bed but her head turned as Viv approached. Her first thought was that her mother looked old, much too old to have just given birth. Her eyes were twin circles
of a startling blue in her drained features.

The nurse murmured, ‘Just a couple of minutes. She must rest.’ The she left them alone.

‘Well, that was a turn up for the book,’ whispered Hilda.

‘You’re crazy, Mam,’ said Viv, her body quivering with a surfeit of emotion. ‘How could you be so stupid?’

Hilda’s hesitant smile evaporated. ‘Don’t criticise me, honey,’ she said wearily. ‘All those years married to Charlie and never a slip up. I just didn’t expect it to happen at my age. I thought it was the change.’

‘The change?’ A sharp laugh escaped her. ‘Some change! Whose baby is it, Mam?’

Hilda frowned. ‘Whose do you think? Steve’s, of course! Dom always took precautions, and honestly I’ve had nothing to do with him since I went with Steve.’

Viv believed her because Mr Kelly hadn’t been near since she’d been back ‘OK, it’s Uncle Steve’s.’

‘What am I going to do, Viv? You won’t give up on me now will you? I mean, you and Nick will help me?’

Viv suddenly had a vision of Nick and herself slaving away, caring for her mother
and
the baby. ‘We’ll have to tell Stephen,’ she said.

Hilda’s throat moved. ‘He won’t believe it’s his. He doesn’t trust me.’

‘The pair of you made love so there’s a fair chance he will,’ said Viv positively. ‘He’s a very moral person deep down. He’d want to do what’s right by you and his baby. He’s got a right to decide anyway.’

Hilda’s eyes brightened slightly. ‘I suppose he has. Will you tell him?’

Viv had known as soon as she mentioned Stephen’s name it would come to this. ‘I suppose I’ll have to,’ she muttered. ‘There’s nobody else, is there?’

‘No,’ said her mother. ‘But if there was, I don’t think they could handle him better than you.’

‘Best soft soap, Mam,’ said Viv, smiling slightly. ‘I wish I could be so sure …’ She gazed down at her half-sister in the cot, noting her mass of dark curls and blue eyes. Her smile widened. She was Stephen’s all right!

‘I don’t believe it!’ Stephen’s face wore a stunned expression.

‘Why not?’ said Viv, perching sideways on the arm of a chair. ‘You slept with her for months on and off, didn’t you?’

‘Yes, but …’ He flushed. ‘Are you sure she’s mine, Viv?’

‘She looks like you except for the nose,’ murmured Viv. ‘Hers isn’t broken. She’s lovely, Uncle Steve. A picture. Wait till you see her.’

He cleared his throat and dug his hands into his pockets. ‘Whose idea was it, Viv, that you tell me? Yours or Hilda’s?’

‘Mine. Mam believes you won’t want anything to do with her. She’s been miserable for months believing that. Like you’ve been miserable, staying away from her.’

‘You know why I stayed away. And I still can’t
bear the thought of her with him. I don’t know if our getting married would work, Viv.’

‘Why not? And who is
he
?’ demanded Viv, leaning forward. ‘You tell me, Uncle Steve, who you believe my father was and I’ll tell you what I believe.’

He stared at her, hesitated, then muttered, ‘Your Uncle Tom. They were in love. They were engaged once.’

She allowed a small silence before saying, ‘I see how your mind’s worked. I thought that once because of the photographs but I’ve thought again since,’ she lied. ‘Mam told me that she broke off her engagement to him because she realised she was wrong about him. That he liked himself too much.’

‘She told you that?’ He raked his fingers through his curling hair. ‘Even so, Viv, she might not have been telling the truth.’

She threw down her other card. ‘She mightn’t have been telling the truth when she said your brother
wasn’t
my father. She might have said it just to hurt us because she was so jealous. When you see her and the baby ask her if my Uncle Tom was my father or whether Jimmy was after all?’

‘You mean, go and see her in hospital?’ He reddened. ‘But they’ll all know then.’

‘No, they won’t,’ said Viv. ‘She’s told them the baby’s father is her dead husband.’ She giggled suddenly at the thought.

‘It’s not funny, Viv,’ said Stephen, his expression
harassed. ‘What are people who know he’s been dead for two years going to say? There’ll be gossip.’

‘My mother’s always set the tongues wagging.’ She giggled again. ‘Not that I’m going to let our neighbours know the truth. I’ve told George – who’s home, by the way, and a problem – that he’s not to breathe a whisper about a baby. I haven’t even told him who the father is yet.’

Stephen shook his head at her. ‘I think you’re a touch hysterical, Viv. But I will go and see Hilda. If the baby’s mine, I’ll have to support her at least.’

Viv sobered. ‘You do that, Uncle Steve. But not today. Go tomorrow. Mam’s got to rest. She didn’t have an easy time of it, you know.’ She got up and kissed him.

He nodded and saw her out.

Viv freed a long breath and then ran to the bottom of the avenue where Nick was parked. ‘Well?’ he said, putting down his magazine,

‘He’s going to see her tomorrow. I’ll have to see her tonight and take in her make-up and one of her glam nighties. If he sees her like she is now he won’t want her.’

‘That’s unkind,’ said Nick.

‘But the truth.’ She grimaced. ‘I told him a whopping lie, though.’

Nick stared at her. ‘Tell, Viv.’

She told him. ‘Tonight I’ll have to tell Mam
what I’ve done and it’s up to her what she does then. He’s really got a thing about my father, just like you have about George.’

‘What about George?’

She looked at him. ‘What about him?’

‘Are you going to tell him the truth?’

Viv’s mouth set stubbornly. ‘Start the engine, Nick. I’ve got a lot to do.’

‘Viv!’

‘Not now, Nick. Don’t you think I’ve had a hell of a day already without you going on about George? I wonder what made him come back so soon?’ She slumped in the seat and closed her eyes. ‘Anyway, he knows we’re getting married so isn’t that enough?’

‘He’s staying at your house and tonight your mother’s not going to be there. I don’t like it, Viv,’ he said quietly, starting the engine.

‘Later, Nick,’ she murmured. ‘I’m tired.’

‘Later then,’ he said.

That evening she went into the hospital carrying a laden shopping bag. Her mother looked a little better but the rough cotton hospital nightdress did nothing for her. ‘I’ve brought you a few things. Your make-up and that.’

‘Did you see Steve?’ asked Hilda anxiously.

‘Yes.’ Viv took a peek at her sleeping sister and marvelled at her beautiful skin. ‘I hope she opens her eyes for him.’

‘He’s going to come?’ Hilda attempted to sit up
straight and looked towards the swing doors.

‘Not tonight,’ murmured Viv. ‘Tomorrow. I told him you had to rest. I thought you needed some time to put on your glam act.’ She started to unpack her bag. ‘Grapes, a nightie – the satin and lace one – a hairbrush and mirror, some whatsies, make-up, a couple of magazines from Mrs Kelly, orange juice.’

‘Magazines from her next door!’ Hilda looked startled. ‘What have you told them all?’

Viv sat on the chair beside the bed. ‘At first I thought of telling them you were dead but decided that was a bit drastic. Besides, they’d expect a funeral.’

‘Very funny.’ said her mother. ‘What did you tell them?’

‘That you’d had gallstones taken out. I don’t want a whiff of a baby to get back to Mr or Mrs Kelly. If Stephen ever got to know about your affair with him, Mam, that would be the end.’

Hilda’s mouth drooped and she rested her head against the pillows and said miserably, ‘He won’t marry me.’

‘He will if you play your cards right.’ Viv told her mother what had taken place between her and Stephen and eventually a smile began to play about Hilda’s lips.

‘You know, Viv, you
do
take after me.’

‘You mean I’m a prize liar? I don’t think that’s anything to be proud of.’

‘No. I’ll have to go to church and confess all my sins.’

‘Me too,’ said Viv. ‘In the meantime you can dolly yourself up and persuade Stephen that Uncle Tom wasn’t my father and marry him double quick so you don’t have to take the baby back to our street.’

Her mother’s smile faded but there was a sparkle in her eyes. ‘I’ll do my very best.’

‘You do that.’ Viv bit into a grape, kissed her sister’s cheek, told her mother that she’d be seeing her and left to meet Nick, who was taking her out to dinner.

‘You can stay the night,’ she said across the restaurant table.

‘That’s your answer to telling George?’

‘What’s wrong with it? I thought you’d jump at the idea.’

‘Can I sleep in your bed?’ There was a hint of a smile in his voice.

‘What do you think George would say to that?’ She forked some curry and rice into her mouth.

‘He’d probably stand guard in front of your bedroom door.’

Viv stared at him and suddenly was conscious of the smouldering sexual undercurrent that had been between them since her return from America. ‘You could always walk over him, sword in hand,’ she said unevenly.

‘You still fantasising about knights?’ Nick’s fingers curled about hers. ‘I wish we could get married right away.’

‘I wish you and George could be friends. I don’t want the pair of you fighting forever.’

Nick said firmly, ‘I don’t want to be his enemy but I can see that vendetta you once talked about carrying on forever if he’s not told.’

‘I don’t know why you should think that!’ Her fingers twisted in his. ‘If Mam marries Steve she’ll be moving out. We could marry and you could move in with me.’

‘With George there? Some beginning! He came home to try and stop you marrying me. He told me so when you went in to see your mam. Fortunately he didn’t make any cracks about my mother because then I would have spilt the beans about his precious father.’

Viv groaned. ‘He actually said all that to you?’

Nick raised his eyebrows. ‘I don’t know why you should be so surprised. You’re a beauty, Viv. Even more tasty than you were just over a year ago.’ He kissed her fingers. ‘Now you see why he should know about his father.’

‘I can’t tell him, Nick,’ she said urgently. ‘I promised Aunt Flo. Once I get Mam and Stephen sorted out then I’ll do something, trust me.’

‘I do, but not George. Anyway, for now I’ll stay the night.’

When they got home it was obvious to both of them that George knew exactly why Nick was there. ‘Don’t think you’re sleeping upstairs,’ he growled. ‘There must have been enough creeping about going on in this house for Aunt Hilda to get pregnant.’

‘He never came here,’ said Viv swiftly. She still had not told George that Stephen had been her mother’s lover. Tomorrow, she might tell him tomorrow. ‘You’ll both sleep down here,’ she said, glancing at Nick. ‘Unless I can find a chaperone to be with me upstairs.’

‘Why not ask Mrs Kelly?’ snapped George. ‘Come one! Come all!’

Viv stared at him and suddenly had an idea. She told Nick that she was going to use the telephone round the corner and would not be long.

‘Who were you phoning?’ he said when she returned and was making cocoa in the kitchen.

‘Ursula.’

Nick stared at her. ‘What on earth for?’

Viv’s eyes twinkled. ‘To be my chaperone. She said she’d come.’

‘She’s coming here?’ hissed Nick, closing the door into the front room where George was listening to the wireless.

She nodded. ‘I explained the situation. She thought it hilarious and can’t wait to meet George.’

Nick groaned. ‘She’s too classy for him.’

‘No, she’s not,’ said Viv indignantly. ‘That’s Celia speaking. If you’ve not careful, Nick, you’ll lose touch with your roots. Just remember that all men and women are equal in the sight of God. Even the Queen is only flesh and blood.’

‘OK, OK!’ said Nick, running a hand through his hair. ‘But I don’t know why you have to protect George from the realities of life. If you’d only tell him the truth about his father being yours we wouldn’t have this trouble.’

‘He’s suffered enough from the realities of life,’ she whispered, shoving a cup of cocoa into Nick’s hand. ‘Besides he’s the only brother I’ve got, and I love him. I think Ursula would be good for him. Unless of course it could be that you like Ursula too much to hand her over to him?’

That’s not a nice thing to say about Ursula,’ said Nick angrily. ‘Perhaps we should pretend that it’s true, then George would be bound to take an interest in her just to annoy me?’

Viv’s face stilled. That’s a good idea! We could …’

‘No, Viv,’ he said. ‘I was kidding. I’m not playing games like that. I’m surprised at you.’ He pulled her into his arms and made to kiss her mouth but she averted her face.

‘Why don’t you think it’s a good idea?’ she asked.

‘Because it’s the kind of game your mother
played and it didn’t come off.’ He covered her face with kisses.

‘Drink your cocoa,’ she whispered. ‘You’re making my legs go all funny.’

‘I don’t want to drink my cocoa,’ said Nick. ‘What did you mean about loving George? Who do you love the most? Is it your brother or me?’

‘Be quiet,’ she muttered. ‘He’ll hear.’

‘Good!’ His mouth swooped on hers but she responded angrily, turning the kiss into a fierce battle of wills that aroused them both as they tussled and ended with them on the floor. She was certain Nick allowed her to win because she was on top of him. ‘Well, Viv?’ he said breathlessly.

‘You ask the most stupid questions,’ she panted. ‘I could hit you.’

He laughed. ‘Make love to me instead.’ She put a hand to his pants but he caught hold of her fingers and kissed them. ‘Say it, Viv? Brother George or me?’

It was at that moment that George entered the room with a thunderous expression. ‘There’s some girl at the door saying she’s your chaperone, Viv! By the look of it you bloody need one.’ He marched past them and took his jacket from a hook on the wall, picked up his rucksack and went out of the back door.

‘He must have heard,’ cried Viv, scrambling to her feet and making to go after him.

Nick stopped her. ‘I’ll go! You talk to Ursula.’

‘Nick, you won’t …’

‘Trust me,’ said Nick and was gone.

He caught up with George halfway down the darkened entry which smelt of cats and bits of rubbish left behind by the bin men. ‘Where are you going, mate?’

‘I’m no mate of yours,’ snapped George, quickening his pace. ‘Go back to her and leave me alone.’

‘Running away, are you? You were always good at that, Cookie.’

George slowed down, scowling at him. ‘You’ll take that bloody back. I can face up to the truth but I’ve got to get away.’

‘I take it bloody back,’ said Nick softly. ‘But stop and think, George, about what you’re doing to Viv. Nothing would make me happier than for you to carry on going and stay out of my life but she happens to care about what happens to you. It’s not what I like but that doesn’t matter at the moment. What matters is Viv being happy and she won’t be if you disappear.’

‘I’ll send her a postcard.’

‘Like you did when you went to France?’ Nick’s voice was scornful as he kept pace with him. ‘She worried then about you. I think she’s a fool but that’s Viv. Your mother brought her up so you should know better than anyone how she feels about family.’

‘More fool her! Mam should never have taken her on. She should have told Aunt Hilda to go to hell!’ George glanced about him wildly as they came out of the entry. ‘I was always having to look after her. Even after Rosie it was like having another sister—’ His voice tailed off.

Nick took a deep breath. ‘That’s how your mother brought you up. Perhaps she knew what she was doing all those years ago? You lost a sister. She gave you another one.’

George stopped and stared at Nick and there was a glitter of tears in his eyes. ‘It is true then? I’ve often wondered who it was. How could they do that to Mam?
How could they
?’

Nick thrust his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘A moment of madness?’ he said carefully. ‘We all do daft things without thinking of the consequences. I’ve done it. You’re doing it now.’

There was silence.

Then George said in a low voice, staring up the lamp-lit road, ‘Kathleen Murphy became a nun. I didn’t realise just how much a part of my life she was until she wrote and told me that she was marrying Jesus. I felt like I’d been stabbed in the back, betrayed.’ He swallowed and his voice was husky when he continued, ‘I treated her like a little lapdog when we were kids. She’d follow me around, worshipping me. I took it for granted that our life would go on like that.’ He stared down at the ground.