Friends and Lovers (29 page)

‘Viv did pretty much the same thing, didn’t she?’ murmured Nick. ‘So you transferred some of your feelings for Kathleen to Viv. Except she wasn’t Kathleen. Even so, when she fell in love with me you felt betrayed. But she didn’t stop loving you, George.’

‘She loves you more.’ He kicked at a paving stone.

‘I should hope she does because it’s me she’s marrying, never you,’ said Nick frankly, hunching inside his sweater.

George glared at him, balling his fist. ‘I don’t want it to be true!’

‘Perhaps not. But it is. Take a swing at me if you like, I think a punch up would probably do us good, but Viv wouldn’t like it if we go back all messed up.’

‘You’re a right smart arse, Brycie,’ said George, relaxing his fists and hitching his rucksack higher. ‘But I’m not going back. You can tell Viv—’ He paused, swallowed. ‘You can tell her I’m OK. That I will be back – when I’m ready. Tell her I’m going to see Jackie’s parents. I liked her. Viv’ll know who I mean.’ Without another word he turned and walked away.

Nick watched him until be was out of sight, then knowing he was in trouble with Viv, strolled back to the house.

She had the door open as soon as be knocked. ‘Where is he?’ she demanded.

‘He’s gone. But he’ll be back,’ replied Nick, nodding at Ursula who was rocking herself in the chair and nursing the cat.

‘What a drag,’ she said with a sigh. ‘I’d looked forward to stealing him away for an hour’s raucous merriment at The Iron Door. Now I’ll just have to play at strawberries.’

‘You mean gooseberries,’ said Nick, moving further into the room and warming his hands by the fire.

‘Gooseberries?’ Ursula looked pensive. ‘They’re prickly. You can imagine one of them keeping people apart.’

Viv said exasperatedly, ‘Do you two mind shutting up about stupid fruits? Nick, what did you say to him? Where’s he gone?’

‘I said nothing that you’d have disagreed with.’ He crossed his fingers. ‘And he’s gone to see someone called Jackie’s parents.’

‘Jackie?’ Viv frowned then enlightenment dawned. ‘She was the one be tried to save when the dam burst. He was racked with guilt about her.’

‘Was he the last one to see her alive?’ said Ursula, interested. ‘If he was he’s probably felt deep down inside for some time that he should speak to them.’

‘Yes. That’ll be it,’ said Viv slowly.

‘It might even be the real reason he came home,’ said Ursula.

‘Right,’ said Nick, rubbing his hands and
thinking things were looking up. ‘Now we’ve got that sorted out perhaps I can have my cocoa, love? I’m freezing.’

‘Cocoa?’ Viv stared at him, still looking worried. ‘Go and make your own. I’m too upset!’.

He grimaced and did as he was told.

That night as Viv lay in her mother’s bed beside Ursula, who was reading one of Hilda’s
True
Confession
magazines, she wondered just what George had heard of hers and Nick’s conversation, and what he had made of it, and what Nick had said to him and what else George had said. It had been a bit difficult to ask with Ursula there. But perhaps she was right about George’s reasons for coming home and she and Nick had had it wrong all the time? Maybe they were all right?

She sighed, hoping that George would not do anything stupid. Perhaps she was an idiot to have got all worked up about him knowing? Nick was right. Why should he be protected? He was a grown man! Even so she hoped he would be all right. And that nothing else would go wrong.

She thought of her mother and the baby and suddenly things fell into perspective. She prayed that Stephen would do the gentlemanly thing and that everything would come right for them.

Stephen gazed into the cot and then lifted his eyes and stared at Hilda who looked better than he had
expected for a woman of over forty who’d just given birth. She was wearing the satin nightdress that he had bought her for a birthday and her breasts filled it beautifully. He cleared his throat. ‘Is she mine, Hilda?’

‘I don’t know how you could ask,’ she said with the slightest tremor in her voice. ‘Have you forgotten how many times we – made love? Real love, Steve.’

He flushed and glanced about him but the father at the next bed had his head close to that of the young woman whose hand he was holding. ‘Viv thinks she looks like me.’

Hilda smiled. ‘She’s got your hair. Natural curls. She’ll thank you for that when she’s older.’ Her fingers slid along the back of the seat next to the bed and patted it. ‘Come and sit down. It’s easier to talk that way.’

Stephen sat and immediately could smell her perfume. It was light, flowery, and evoked memories of the Lake District. He longed to touch her but instead clasped his hands tightly together. ‘What about Viv’s father?’

Hilda’s expression sobered and she began to pleat the fold of the sheet at her waist. ‘I lied to her, Steve. That night when she came home with that Norwegian sailor, I lied to her. I told her that Jimmy wasn’t her father when he was. I wanted to split you up because the pair of you were living in that house together and I’d been excluded.’

‘But I asked you to many me,’ he said carefully. ‘The three of us could have lived together!’

A small laugh escaped from her rouged lips. ‘I know.’ She touched one of his hands. ‘But I was hurt. And so angry and jealous that I cut off my nose to spite my face. But I paid for it afterwards! You don’t know how many time I wished I’d kept my mouth shut, but it was too late. Neither of you wanted to see or speak to me and I – I was too proud to come to you. I never thought that I could be having a baby. Your baby, Steve.’ Her fingers stroked the back of his hand. ‘Viv’s so embarrassed you know what she’s done? Told the neighbours that I’ve had gallstones removed! I don’t know how I’m going to face them all. It was bad enough when I had Viv and I was younger. At my age they’ll think it’s a hoot.’

His fingers caught hers. ‘You don’t have to lay it on with a trowel, Hilda,’ he said. ‘I believe the baby’s mine. We’ll get married. I’ll get a special licence.’

Relief flooded her face. ‘Thanks, Steve.’ She leant forward and, putting a hand to the back of his head, kissed him. All the banked down passion of the last months and all her gratitude was in that gesture so that he came out of the embrace convinced he was doing the right thing.

‘There’s one thing that bothers me, Hilda,’ he murmured.

‘What’s that?’ Her voice was anxious and she realised that she was holding her breath.

‘The gossip in my avenue when you turn up with a baby. I know we’ll have to put up with it for a while but I’d like to move away. We’ll have a new house … a bigger one. I thought of it months ago before we split up. I still think of that house as belonging to my uncle but it never seemed worthwhile making the move. Now …’

‘Are you thinking of a brand new house?’ said Hilda, her eyes gleaming. ‘Because if you are you could ask Nick’s advice. Perhaps he could design us one? He won an award, you know.’

He smiled. ‘I know. I’ll do that.’

They fell silent.

She murmured, ‘How d’you feel about Viv marrying him?’

‘As long as he makes her happy, that’s all I care about.’

‘Her real father couldn’t have wished her anything better,’ she said softly.

‘He never was a real bloody father to her, though, was he, Hilda?’ His blue eyes blazed into hers. ‘Not as much as I’ve been! So let’s forget him forever and consider instead what we’re going to call our daughter.’

Hilda was struck dumb but swiftly rallied. ‘I thought Melanie.’

‘Never heard of it.’ He tried it on his tongue
and thought it sounded like music.

‘She was a character in a book – and maybe we could have you mother’s name as well?’

‘It would be two Ms,’ he said gruffly. ‘And Mabel’s a bit old-fashioned.’

‘Perhaps we could call her Melanie Stephanie then?’ She smiled at him. He covered her hand with his and consigned Tom and Jimmy to oblivion.

‘They’re getting married,’ said Viv, smiling as she opened the front door to Nick on Monday evening. She was feeling much better about everything.

‘I know. Stephen phoned me about designing them a house.’ He kissed her.

‘He didn’t tell me!’ She reached for her coat. ‘He didn’t tell me what Mam said about my father either.’

‘Perhaps he wants to forget all that?’ Nick turned her round and did up her buttons and kissed the tip of her nose.

She nodded. ‘I’ll find out from Mam. Will you take me to the hospital?’

‘Sure. Heard anything from George?’

‘No.’ She sighed. ‘I’m not going to worry about him. Let’s get going to the hospital.’

When Viv came out Nick took one look of her face and grinned. ‘Come on – what did she say?’

‘My mother is the most terrible liar!’ said Viv in severe tones. ‘Apparently Jimmy was my father after
all, or so she’s told Stephen.’ She smiled innocently.

‘As if you didn’t know she was going to say that,’ murmured Nick. ‘And you think he believed her?’

‘Obviously.’ She shrugged. ‘Although I don’t know why he couldn’t have told me so.’

‘Perhaps not so obviously,’ said Nick drily.

Viv stared at him. ‘You mean he didn’t believe her but pretended to?’

He raised his eyebrows in a very speaking way. ‘People go around pretending all sorts of things all the time. Maybe he chose to believe her because it was what he wanted to believe. What does it matter? They’ve got a child to consider.’

‘They’re going to call the baby Melanie. It’s out of
Gone With the Wind
. She was a nice character, understanding and forgiving. A lot of the time in the book Scarlett O’Hara believed herself in love with Melanie’s husband.’

‘I know. I saw the film. And all the time she was really in love with the rogue with the heart of gold, Rhett Butler,’ murmured Nick. ‘There’s a moral there. Women! They never know their own minds. How do you really feel about George?’

‘He’s a grown man,’ said Viv, taking a deep breath. ‘I’m not his keeper. I’m not going to worry about him.’ She went into his arms. It was a lie of course but she was not going to let her feelings about George show. She smiled up at Nick. ‘I know my mind. Now when’s our wedding going to be?’

Viv stood before the long mirror, barely able to believe in the vision in ivory satin that was reflected there. The dress had a boat neck and a bell-shaped skirt dipping at the front with a train falling in folds from the back. Ursula had designed it but Viv had another costume for later that she had made herself. The thought of tonight made her smile. She was going to surprise Nick.

Hilda adjusted the short bouffant veil yet once more. ‘Mam, you’re fussing,’ cried Viv.

‘I’m allowed to fuss on my daughter’s wedding day,’ muttered Hilda. ‘I want you to bowl them all over when they see you.’

‘I want Nick dumbstruck but not speechless,’ said Viv dreamily. ‘I don’t care about the rest.’

Hilda smiled and shook her head. ‘What about George? Just like him to turn up out of the blue.’

Happiness flooded Viv’s features. I was so glad
to see him, Mam! And to hear his news. Wasn’t it great about that girl not being dead but having been rescued further down the valley? It’s made such a difference to him.’

‘Lovely,’ said her mother drily.

Viv grinned. ‘How about Aunt Flora, Mike and the kids? Weren’t you thrilled to see them?’

‘Of course!’

Viv turned her head and reached for the bouquet of yellow roses and white carnations. ‘Has she said anything to you?’

‘I take it you mean about Tom?’

Viv nodded and Hilda moaned, ‘Don’t move your head like that! You’ve disturbed your veil and I had it just right.’

‘Mam! You do realise that you’re doing the bridesmaids’ job?’ said Viv, exasperated. ‘Where
are
Dot and Ingrid and Ursula?’ She rustled over to the door.

Hilda hurried after her. She was wearing a cerise-coloured suit made of wild silk. ‘Where d’you think you’re going? We don’t want anyone seeing you yet. Not until you make your big entrance in church.’

‘I want to see Dot.’

‘You’ll see her in a minute. They’re getting ready in the other room. Our Flo’s in there as well as Lizzie. She’s got you a lucky black cat. Now relax. I’ll get us both a sherry.’

Viv raised her eyes to the newly whitewashed ceiling. ‘You’ll have me falling up the aisle!’

‘It won’t do you any harm. It’ll calm your nerves,’ said her mother.

‘I haven’t got any nerves.’ Viv did a little jig round the bedroom. George had called her ‘Sis’. She had hugged him and told him that he was never to do so again. The fewer people who knew the truth the better. ‘I’m happy,’ she said.

Hilda shook her head at her. ‘We all have nerves on our wedding day. I had nerves and it was my third wedding. I just wasn’t sure that Stephen would go through with it after all.’

‘He’s a hero is my step-daddy,’ said Viv. ‘I just hope he has no regrets – ever!’

‘Three females who spoil him soft – why should he have regrets?’ said Hilda, delicately arching her pencilled eyebrows.

Viv glanced about the bedroom in what had been Stephen’s house. While Stephen’s and Hilda’s new house was being finished they were going to America on a belated honeymoon so that at last Hilda could visit Hollywood. Nick and Viv had taken out a small mortgage on this house. Stephen had asked much less than it was worth. In two years or so they hoped to be able to buy land and build their own. ‘What about that drink?’ she said to her mother suddenly. ‘I’d like us to toast each other while we’re on our own.’

‘We’ve got a lot to be thankful for,’ said Hilda, her face brightening.

Viv leant against the dressing table and scrutinised her mother’s face. She said in mischievous tones, ‘Are you getting all sentimental on me, Mam?’

‘Me! I haven’t a sentimental bone in my body,’ said Hilda in scandalised tones, and whisked herself out of the bedroom.

Viv shrugged and went over to the window. Already a small crowd had gathered outside. Tonight, tonight! she thought. There was a knock on the door. ‘Enter,’ she said, considering the occasion demanded a grand word.

Her Aunt Flora entered, her hazel eyes alight with admiration and affection. ‘You look beautiful, love. I just came to see if you needed any help from your bridesmaids?’

‘Not yet. Shut the door, Aunt Flo. Mam’s just gone to get us a drink. She said I’m nervy but it’s her who’s got the nerves.’

‘She’s only had you for a short while,’ said Flora softly, ‘and now she’s losing you. It’s a moving moment.’ She looked about her. ‘It feels strange to be here in such circumstances. To think I could have lived here …’

‘Well, you didn’t. And thank God you didn’t,’ said Viv, sitting beside her and putting a hand through the crook of her arm. ‘Stephen’s right
for Mam.’ She hesitated. ‘How are you and Mam now?’

Flora murmured, ‘Just the same as we’ve always been. We give and we take what we need from each other, and that’s how it’s always been with us. Nothing’s going to spoil your wedding. This is your day so don’t worry.’

‘What about George? Has he said anything—’

‘Not a thing.’ Flora patted her hand. ‘I think I worried unduly. After all, he barely knew his father.’ She pulled a face. ‘Anyway he’s flirting with all the bridesmaids if that’s any consolation to you, but especially that Ursula. What do you think of her?’

Before Viv could answer there was a knock on the door and Flora got up and opened it to her sister. They stared at each other. ‘Perhaps I should get another glass?’ said Hilda.

‘No,’ said Flora, smiling. ‘You have your moment with Viv. I’ll see you later.’

With her colour slightly high, Hilda handed a glass to her daughter. ‘Here’s to you, Viv. I hope he won’t disappoint you.’

‘Mam! What a thing to say,’ she chided, placing her bouquet on the bed.

Hilda pulled a face. ‘Well, you accused me of going soft on you before so I couldn’t have that.’

Viv smiled and raised the glass. ‘I hope you’ll be content in your new house, Mam, and that you
find a hard-working daily to take my place.’

‘I’ll see to it, don’t you worry.’ Hilda smiled and drank the toast. ‘I’d better go and take Melly off Steve. He’ll have to get ready for you.’

Viv nodded, then just as Hilda made to go she leant forward and kissed her. Her mother stilled and stared at her, her eyes suddenly moist. Then she reached out scarlet-tipped fingers and touched Viv’s cheek gently. ‘You both deserve to be happy,’ she said quietly. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done without you both. Tell Nick I said that when you’re alone and far away or he’ll think I’ve gone soft.’

‘I’ll tell him,’ whispered Viv, moved almost beyond words.