I'll Get By (2 page)

‘Don’t be so hard on your brothers, whiskers are very important to young males. It’s a yardstick towards adulthood.’ But Aunt Esmé was laughing. ‘They will grow up into fine young men like their father. Are you sure you don’t want to follow the family tradition of entering the medical world? We haven’t got a dentist in the family yet.’

‘Just the thought of blood makes me feel squashy, let alone ripping out rotting teeth with a pair of pliers. Ugh! That’s utterly ghoulish. I don’t know what I want to do yet. Well . . . yes I do, I suppose. I think I might like to take after my father.’

‘But you said you don’t want to enter any branch of medicine.’

‘I meant my real father . . . Richard Sinclair Sangster.’

‘I don’t understand, Meggie. Richard was in the army, he was a soldier.’

‘Well, I could join the land army, couldn’t I? Someone has to grow vegetables and milk the cows. That horrid khaki uniform is unflattering though. It makes the women’s thighs appear gigantic.’

‘You’re thinking of becoming a farmer?’ Her aunt looked so mystified that Meggie giggled. ‘Lord no! Haven’t you forgotten my father was a lawyer before he took up soldiering.’

Esmé made a face at her as the penny dropped. ‘Of course he was. What does Livia think of that proposition?’

‘Not much . . . my mother said that hardly anyone would consult with a woman lawyer, even if any man would be willing to take me into their law practice, and that was the end of that conversation. But anyway, I sat the entrance exam for Girton College, and I’m waiting to see if I’ll be called up for an interview. So that’s a start.’

‘You’re aiming for Cambridge? Good lord, how very clever of you. I’m impressed.’

‘So am I. Some of the women sitting the exam were terribly earnest, and didn’t look as though they could conjure up a laugh between them. I haven’t told mother about it yet. She’ll probably kick up a fuss. But if there’s a war I shall probably leave and do my bit, anyway.’

‘But how will you afford university?’

Meggie shrugged. ‘There’s the Sinclair legacy. It’s not much use having a legacy if I can’t make use of it. I’m going to see Mr Stone while I’m in London and sort it out. Once I have all the finance arranged nobody will be able to object. I only met him once, when I was ten. He was past middle-age then, so he’ll probably resemble Methuselah’s grandfather by now.’

‘Seven years isn’t long. But as I understood it, you can’t have control of your legacy until you’re twenty-one.’

‘Oh, I don’t want control of it. I just want a good education from it. After all, Uncle Chad did, and he wasn’t even a Sinclair.’

‘That was because Chad managed to get a scholarship, and your father and stepfather opened a trust fund for him when he was young to see him through his training. He looked on that as a loan, and has paid most of it back now he’s practising.’

‘Yes . . . Daddy told me. The point is, Aunt Es, although they sponsored Uncle Chad, they didn’t think to sponsor you, and you were his twin. It was probably because you were a female. And nobody has given my education a thought either, though Luke and Adam seem to have their futures all mapped out. The parents are dreadfully old-fashioned. I’m a girl, so I’m expected to have a temporary job, and then get married and have children. Daddy said if I do a secretarial course I could probably get a job at the hospital. I can already type and take shorthand, since I did the course at school. I want more than that, though. You do see, don’t you?’

‘Yes . . . I do see. You’ve always had a lively mind and learned things easily.’ A wistful note came into her voice. ‘I’m quite happy being a nurse and midwife but I’d be just as happy to give it up and have babies of my own.’

‘Then why don’t you?’

‘Leo and I decided to both work and save our money, and then wait until we got back to Australia. Leo’s contract runs out at the end of the year, and it’s ages since he saw his family, so I think we’ll be going then. I’m looking forward to seeing Minnie again, especially now she’s my sister-in-law, and settling down in my own place. We’d planned to deliver each other’s babies, but Minnie is expecting her second child.’

Meggie voiced what Esmé thought. ‘If Leo keeps extending his contracts you might never go back. When they meet, my mother uses emotional blackmail on him, and tells him how much they’ll all miss you.’

‘Leo knows that. He might appear easy-going, but he doesn’t bow to that sort of pressure, and we have no intention of staying here permanently. Livia will get used to us not being here. After all, she has plenty to keep her occupied with the boys . . . and she has you, and Chad will be nearby.’

‘Oh . . . I don’t want to live at home, though I love them all to pieces. I want to do something exciting. Perhaps I’ll join one of the women’s services. The Women’s Royal Naval Service has a smart uniform, and I heard someone on the train saying they were reorganizing the service, just in case. Do you remember a time when you were going to be a dancer, and the fuss everyone made.’

‘Yes, there was a bit of a to-do over that, wasn’t there? My sister tends to be overprotective, but she means well. I did give it a try, but I made a better nurse than I’d ever have made as a dancer.’

‘And you might have made a better doctor than a nurse if you’d been given the chance.’

‘Oh, don’t let’s get into this women’s rights thing when you’re hardly through the door. I wanted to be a nurse ever since I can remember. Take your case up then come to the kitchen. I’ll make us a cup of tea. Unless you’d rather make your own, now you’re independent and filled with idealistic notions about improving the world.’

‘It’s called progress, Aunt Es.’

‘There’s not much progress going on as far as I can see. Still, they say that while men are talking they’re not fighting. It’s about time we women were consulted, but don’t tell anyone I said that.’

Meggie smiled. ‘I do love you, Aunt Es. You never talk down to me or think I’m still a child.’

‘You’re not a child, Meggie. You’re a little immature at times, but that’s to be expected since you haven’t been out of the family circle much, and we all have our moments of rebellion. I know you were joking, but being part of the women’s naval service wouldn’t do you any harm. Don’t close your eyes to what’s going on around you, but yes, do look to the future. The world is in a mess. Most people are convinced there will be another war.’

‘Do you think so?’

‘It seems to be heading in that direction. Your generation will have their work cut out putting the world back together again afterwards, and you will need some useful skills. I went into nurses training at your age, and although it was good to get out from under the family scrutiny and experience some independence, I soon learned that I knew very little. Having a family to turn to was comforting.’

Her aunt gave her a hug. ‘But here I am, lecturing you already. No doubt university will broaden your social life and open your mind to new ways of thinking. I just hope you haven’t based your career choice on your need to prove your independence, though. There’s much to be said for being a wife and mother. You only have to look at your own mother to see that.’

Meggie hadn’t based her choice on anything, but now the idea of joining the navy had appeared in her head it was proving to be quite an attractive proposition. The trouble was, she kept changing her mind. She shelved the idea for the moment. ‘I’ve thought it over seriously. I was going to ask you to talk to Mummy on my behalf once I’ve sorted everything out. She always listens to you. Would you mind?’

‘Who’s a little scaredy-cat then? Yes, I actually do mind being used as a go-between now you’re an adult. You owe your mother the respect of discussing it with her, Meggie. You know she doesn’t like me to interfere.’

Meggie sighed. ‘I thought you’d say that.’

‘Then why ask? How are my sister and brother?’

‘Mother is well. She’s helping Uncle Chad redecorate Nutting Cottage, so when he and Sylvia are married, they’ll be able to live in it until they can afford to buy a place of their own. Wasn’t Sylvia your friend at school?’

‘She was one of them. We were part of a small crowd, and we had a lot of fun together. Her parents moved to Bournemouth in our final year at school, and we lost touch when I started my nurses training. Sylvia and Chad should suit each other. She was quiet, but capable, and good at organizing people.’

‘You’ll be coming down for the wedding in September, won’t you?’

‘Would I miss my twin brother’s wedding? I’ve already booked a weekend off and so has Leo.’

‘I’ll miss you when you go to Australia.’

‘And I’ll miss you. Now off you go and unpack. Leo will be home soon.’

‘If he can find his way.’

‘He will. He uses the underground and has got built-in radar. A bit like your policeman.’

‘Do you suppose the sergeant will come for tea on Friday?’

‘I hope not.’

‘Why . . . didn’t you like him?’

‘He has charmer written all over him, and he’s too old for you, Meggie. You shouldn’t have encouraged him.’

‘Goodness, how could you tell his age . . . I couldn’t even see him under that monstrous helmet. Besides, I’m not about to have an affair with him. Just give him a cup of tea and a scone to thank him for helping me.’

‘Well, if you do decide to have an affair with him talk to me first so I can educate you about methods of birth control, which will help to avoid unwanted pregnancy and disease.’

Meggie blushed a fiery red and pressed her palms against her cheeks. ‘As if I’d even consider having a love affair! Goodness, my mother would have had a fit if she’d heard you say that.’

‘It looks as though you’re already having one. Believe me, mother nature has her own way of dealing with such matters, and I doubt if your mother would be consulted over it.’ Her aunt caressed her cheek and smiled. ‘Come to one of the clinic lectures run by the alternate nurse tutor. Other women are bound to ask the questions you might be too shy to ask for yourself.’

‘I’ll think about it.’ Picking up her suitcase Meggie headed upstairs, knowing she wouldn’t think about it for long.

Esmé watched Meggie go, a smile on her face. She loved having her niece to stay. The girl looked a little old-fashioned for a seventeen-year-old. Her hair was too long, and a little make-up wouldn’t go astray. She’d also buy a new outfit for her, a classic suit with padded shoulders and a sweet little hat to top it off – smart but not too fussy.

Meggie seemed to have no idea how to enhance her appearance. She vaguely resembled her mother, only was more animated when measured against Livia’s air of calmness. Her curiosity about everyone and everything, along with her smile, came from the Sangster side of the family.

Esmé turned when she heard the key in the latch, smiling when she saw the outline of her husband through the glass. Despite his boast of his navigational ability, she always worried when it was foggy. They worked in separate hospitals and quite often, one, or both of them, would sleep over.

Whipping off his brown trilby Leo went through his ritual of throwing it towards the hallstand. It hit the hook, spun round it and fell on to the floor. ‘Almost,’ he said. Taking off his coat he hung it on the hook, scooped up the hat and set it on top. His mouth crinkled into a smile when he saw her. ‘Ah . . . my favourite woman. Come here and give me a kiss.’

Leo had lost some of his Australian accent in the time he’d lived in England, but he still flattened his vowels a little. He hadn’t forgotten how to kiss her, his mouth travelling in a tease from her mouth to her nose on to her forehead, and then landing on her mouth again, for something longer and more lingering. ‘You taste delicious, like spotted dog.’

‘We’re having it with custard for pudding. I tested it first. How was your day?’

‘The Jenkins’ boy is minus an appendix and out of danger. I do wish parents would bring their children in earlier. Another hour or so and we could have lost him. You?’

‘I had one delivery this morning, a beautiful little girl who arrived just before the clinic began, which was rather convenient of her, since I managed to get back for it. They’re calling her Rosemary.’

They both liked positive days, and rarely discussed the negatives of their professions. It was wiser not to get involved emotionally with patients. The fact that Esmé loved all the babies she delivered didn’t count, she told him.

‘That’s different,’ Leo had said. ‘It’s the herd instinct. Females protect other females’ babies. It’s a mindless sort of thing, an instinct. Men are physically stronger and more predatory. They protect both, especially if they can get something out of it for the effort. Slaves to till his fields, extra female to see to his comfort . . . a favourite wife to massage his feet . . .’

That statement had earned him a cushion in the face.

Now she returned his kiss and said, ‘I’m still your favourite woman, then.’

‘Always. What’s been happening, anything I should know about?’

‘Meggie arrived. She had a police sergeant in tow carrying her suitcase.’

He raised an eyebrow.

‘She took it into her head to use public transport and then lost her way in the fog. She invited him for morning tea as a thank you, and I suggested he come on Friday, which is your day off. You don’t mind do you, darling?’

‘You want me to babysit Meggie on my day off?’ He groaned. ‘Am I wrong in believing she’s an adult at nearly eighteen?’

‘And still has the smell of the schoolroom on her. Sergeant Blessing is an attractive man . . . and twenty-five at least.’

He grinned. ‘Ah yes . . . twenty-five. I remember it well.’

She poked a finger in his stomach. ‘Not too well if you value your life.’

‘Does she fancy the bobby then? The last thing I want to deal with is a lovesick teenager.’

‘Not yet . . . but she will if he works at it, because she’s of an age to fall in love for the first time.’

‘Do you want me to see him off?’

‘Men understand the nuances of men much better then women do. When a woman sees an attractive man her brain immediately sizes him up as a possible mate and her hormones begin to rumba.’

‘And I thought it was my Australian accent that made you rumba. Just tell the policeman to bugger off . . . he should understand the nuance in that, whoever delivers it.’