It's Now or Never (20 page)

‘And persuade Maggie that London is a dangerous place for young pretty girls,' said Jared.

Dorothy remembered her younger self and the struggle she'd had to become an actress. She had only got where she was today because she hadn't listened to those who had told her not to do it. She had been single-minded, her heart set on doing what she loved best and wanting success. If it had not been then she would have dropped out years ago. She was aware they were all waiting to hear what she had to say.

‘I admire Betty's courage for daring to tell her family that she's changed her mind and wants to do something else,' she declared with a smile. ‘Encourage her and if it's just a mood, then she'll soon realize what sheer hard work treading the boards is and give up.'

‘You really believe that?' asked Emma.

‘I wouldn't say it if I didn't,' replied Dorothy with a shrug. ‘It's the same with Jared's sister. I understand your concern but let her have her chance. Otherwise, she'll hate you and might just run away. Much better if I were to give you the name of a boarding house in London. It's run by a woman I know, who gave up her career on the stage and took it over from her mother. She looks after her lodgers like a mother hen does her chicks.'

Emma glanced at Jared. ‘She sounds a good person,' she said.

‘The best,' said Dorothy warmly. ‘I'll give you her full name and address and Maggie can mention my name to her.'

Jared thanked her.

Hester changed the subject, mentioning an amateur play that was advertised in the village. It was decided that they would go and see it the following evening and that's what they did. The others enjoyed it but Dorothy was not impressed by most of the performances and could see where the production could be improved.

Afterwards, as she and Sam strolled back to the inn, he asked her whether she could see herself getting involved in such a group after they were married. She experienced a sinking feeling in her gut.

‘It's not the first time you've mooted that idea. Is it that you believe if you bring it up often enough I'll say yes? I don't want to play at acting! I want the real thing and if I can't have it then that's the end of it!'

‘Don't be so touchy!' said Sam, kicking a pebble into the gutter. ‘I was only asking. You spoke so wisely to Emma and Jared about Betty and Maggie. You could teach a group like that to improve their performance.'

Dorothy felt like stamping her foot. ‘Let's drop it! I meant what I said.'

He scowled. ‘OK! No doubt you'll be glad to get back to the city?'

‘To be honest, yes! I'm a townie. I'm glad we're going home tomorrow and pleased that there's Hester's wedding to look forward to.'

‘No doubt because once it's over, you can join your film-making pals down south,' said Sam.

‘I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to the filming.'

He looked grim and, without another word, strode on ahead.

She swore beneath her breath, thinking she could catch up with him if she put on a spurt, but she couldn't be bothered. Although she had enjoyed the break away, it had not really drawn them any closer to reaching an agreement about the future that would make them both happy.

It was Easter Saturday and the sun was shining as Lynne came out of Edie's hairdresser's next to St Alban's pub in Whitefield Road. She almost collided with Hester and Jeanette.

‘You're early,' said Hester, eyeing her hairdo.

‘I have to get Nan up and see everything is OK for her and Bobby,' said Lynne, smiling. ‘They're both coming to see the wedding. How are you feeling this morning? Not a bag of nerves, I hope.'

‘A bit jittery,' said Hester, pulling a face. ‘Praying that everything goes off smoothly. At least I don't have to worry about traffic jams from here to Whalley preventing Ally from getting to the church on time. He was staying with my friend Wendy and her husband last night.'

‘That's great,' said Lynne, ‘and you have the sun, too.' She held her face up to its rays.

‘We could do with the wind dropping,' said Jeanette, rubbing her arms. ‘It's still a bit chilly.'

‘Give it time,' said Lynne. ‘By this afternoon, it could be a lot warmer.' She hesitated. ‘Thanks for dropping my pattern book in the other week, by the way, Jeanette. How is Betty?'

‘A bit glum-faced. I told her that she should have got you to make her a couple of frocks, even though she says she's not going to Italy. I don't know why she's allowed what Maggie said to undermine her confidence. She must know she's got artistic talent.'

‘I certainly think she has,' said Lynne. ‘I love her painting and have it in my bedroom. Bobby's a bit put out, says she never thought I'd go for modern art. She's done a rather nice sketch of that singer, Tony.'

‘Well, Tony'll be singing at the do this evening and Betty will be there, too.' Hester paused. ‘We'd best go inside. Our appointment is in five minutes. See you this afternoon, Lynne.'

‘I'm really looking forward to seeing
your
outfit finished,' said a smiling Jeanette, fluttering her fingers at Lynne before following Hester into the hairdresser's.

As Lynne went on her way, she thought about the outfit she had made for the wedding and prayed that she had not overdone it. She had spent more than was sensible on materials and would hate Hester to think she was trying to outshine the other guests. Lynne's problem was that she needed more customers if she was to continue to be self-employed and she wanted to make an impression that said
See how talented I am
. As much as she hated to think of Nan passing away, it was a fact of life that when people grew old they died. Without Nan's pension and small savings, finances would be even tighter than they were now. Perhaps best not to dwell on that at the moment. Today was one of celebration. If the worst came to the worst then she could always pawn her mother's jewellery and accept her stepfather's offer to pay for Roberta to go to America.

To Lynne's delight and surprise when she arrived home she found a postcard on the mat of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. She turned the postcard over and read the small neat handwriting on the reverse. She slipped it into her jacket pocket and entered the kitchen with a smile on her face. She dumped the shopping she had done on the way home on the table and looked at her daughter. ‘Guess what?'

Roberta, who was polishing the sideboard, glanced at her mother and did a double-take. ‘Blinking heck, Mam, I hardly recognized you with your hair all wavy. You going somewhere?' she added with a cheeky grin.

‘Very funny,' said Lynne, her eyes twinkling. ‘Is Nan still asleep?'

‘She was when I looked in on her. D'you want me to go up now and see if she's awake?'

‘Take her a cup of tea up and show her this.' Lynne passed the postcard to her daughter.

Roberta gazed down at the photograph of the Trevi Fountain and heaved a sigh before turning the postcard over and reading the greetings from Stuart. ‘He wishes we were there enjoying the sunshine with him,' she murmured. ‘At least this means he was definitely serious about keeping in touch. You did notice that he mentions Betty and how much she'll enjoy Italy?'

‘Yes,' said Lynne, starting to unpack the shopping.

‘Perhaps he'll send a postcard to her at the coffee bar,' said Roberta, putting on the kettle. ‘I wonder what Dorothy Wilson will be wearing for the wedding.'

‘I guarantee it'll be something expensive,' said Lynne, not wanting to think about the actress and her relationship with Sam. ‘D'you think you'll be able to make a pan of scouse for you and Nan?'

‘What's difficult about it?' said Roberta. ‘I just have to throw everything in the saucepan and let them simmer.'

‘Not quite that simple. You'll have to put the meat in first and simmer that for about an hour. It's a cheap cut, so will be tough if you don't. Then add more water and your chopped vegetables, as well as salt, pepper and some dried herbs.'

‘Do I add Oxo?'

‘It's not necessary but you can if you want.'

‘I thought I'd take her for a walk in the park after we've seen the wedding. It's not that far away from the church,' said Roberta.

‘As long as you make sure Nan has her walking stick and doesn't get too tired,' said Lynne, pushing a paper bag across the table. ‘There's two cream cookies in there for you and Nan.'

Roberta flushed with pleasure. ‘Thanks, Mum, you shouldn't have but I appreciate the treat.' She paused. ‘I was thinking as soon as I'm fourteen, I'll get a Saturday job to help out with expenses.'

Lynne smiled. ‘That's a good idea but you've ten months to go before then, so stop worrying. Now I'd better put the finishing touches to the hat I'm going to wear.'

Lynne was feeling a little shy as she entered the church, knowing that she would know few people there. Then she saw Sam, handing out books and directing people to pews and realized he must be one of the ushers. Suddenly he noticed her and she felt a rush of pleasure as those treacle-toffee eyes took her in. She wondered what he thought of her outfit. On her curling shiny auburn hair she was wearing a wide-brimmed hat trimmed with cream artificial roses and her trim figure was clad in a lace and satin straw-coloured Edwardian-style full-length gown with a fluted hem. On her small feet she wore a gleaming pair of cream crossbar shoes. Fortunately she had remembered to leave off the spectacles her daughter did not approve of.

‘Can this really be Mrs Donegan, the dressmaker?' he asked in a jokey voice.

She told herself to be sensible. He probably smiled at everyone with such charm and besides, he was already spoken for. ‘Yes, it's me,' she said awkwardly. ‘How nice to see you again, Mr Walker.'

‘Call me Sam,' he said, shaking her hand before handing her a prayer book and hymnal. ‘You'll be with our lot and that's this side,' he indicated.

‘Thank you.'

‘Hester told me she'd invited you. You've made a great job of her wedding dress and you look very nice, too. Did you make that outfit yourself?'

‘Yes. I don't get the opportunity to dress up often, so I'm hoping I haven't gone over the top,' she said in a rush.

‘You know who you remind me of in that outfit?' said Sam. ‘The Queen Mother when she was young.'

‘If I do, then I've made a big mistake,' said Lynne ruefully. ‘She was only a small girl during the Edwardian era when this style was fashionable.'

‘I can't believe you'd make a mistake,' he said easily. ‘It must be me. Anyway, don't fashions come and go? I mean not everybody stops wearing a favourite suit or dress because the fashion pundits dictate change.'

Lynne smiled. ‘You're right! I'm sure there were plenty of women who carried on with this style during the Great War and its aftermath. The Queen Mother would have been nineteen in 1919.'

‘I've seen her several times,' said Sam. ‘The first time was during the thirties after the abdication when she and the King came to Liverpool before his coronation.'

‘I remember that,' said Lynne. ‘Everyone was cheering and waving flags because they admired them so much.'

‘That was because the country felt let down when Edward abdicated,' said Sam. ‘I admire people who do their duty by others. Next time I saw them was when I was a policeman on the beat and they came here for the Grand National.'

‘Your job must be really exciting,' said Lynne.

He smiled. ‘It has its moments but sometimes it can be as dull as ditchwater. Paperwork and the like.'

‘I see what you mean.' She became aware that there were a couple of people waiting to talk to him. ‘I'd best go and sit down,' she whispered, and made to walk away.

He took her arm and glanced down the nave. ‘Can't have you sitting on your own.' And he walked her right down the aisle.

‘I could have sat at the back,' she whispered.

‘There'll still be room in the front pews for a small one, so stop worrying. You'll get a better view of your handiwork from there.'

She gave up arguing with him, not sure whether she felt embarrassed or flattered that he should be determined to take care of her. As they reached the two front pews, she noticed Dorothy looking slightly bored, sitting next to an old lady.

‘Dot, can you look after Mrs Donegan?' he asked.

Dorothy's head shot up and she stared at Sam and Lynne.

There was such an expression on her face that Lynne said, ‘I'll sit somewhere else.'

‘That sounds sensible to me,' said Dorothy, her fingers curling on the handbag in her lap. ‘You're forgetting, Sam, that your dad and Grace, as well as Beryl, will have to squeeze in here.'

‘I hadn't forgotten them,' said Sam. ‘Shove up, Dot! She's not going to take up much space and Grace will be in her wheelchair.'

Dot's mouth set in a stubborn line. ‘What about you? You won't be at the back for the whole of the service.'

‘Don't worry about me,' said Lynne, her cheeks rosy. ‘I'm only the dressmaker and I've seen Hester's wedding gown from all angles already.'

‘You heard her, Sam,' said Dorothy. ‘She's only the dressmaker! You're embarrassing the poor woman.'

‘Am I embarrassing you, Lynne?' asked Sam.

Lynne did not like being called
the poor woman
. There was no way that she'd feel comfortable sitting next to Dorothy and was tempted to tell Sam that but she did not like agreeing with Dorothy, so said, ‘I know you're being kind but it is probably best I sit further back.'

He gave in. ‘If that's what makes you happy, then I'll find you a seat a bit further back.'

She thanked him and with a short nod in Dorothy's direction, followed him to a pew two rows behind the family one. She wasted no time unhooking a hassock and kneeling on it. She lowered her head and clasped her hands and remained in an attitude of prayer, thinking of the scene that had just been played out.
Why did Dorothy Wilson not like her?
Lynne sensed it didn't have anything to do with her being only the dressmaker. There had been real dismay in her eyes when she had caught sight of Lynne with Sam. She remembered the way Dorothy had reacted when they had set eyes on each other in the hotel.