Lost & Found (30 page)

‘I saw Mavis when she was taking James to school earlier. She looks as happy as a lark,’ Marilyn said.

‘Yes, she loves living here,’ Lily agreed, and it was true. Mavis had been next door for six weeks now, and, despite the house being half the size of her home in Ellington Avenue, she was happier than ever. The children had been unsettled at first, and still hated sharing a bedroom, but thankfully James liked his new school. So far Mavis hadn’t found a place in a local nursery for Grace, but her name was down and hopefully one would become available soon.

‘My Rhona likes Mavis. It’s nice they’ve become friends.’

Hardly that, Lily thought, but it was a thought she kept to herself. Almost from the day Mavis had moved in, Rhona had latched on to her but, at only seventeen, she doubted they had much in common. Rhona was boy, fashion and music mad,
and Lily still thought she was allowed too much freedom. All right, things were changing nowadays, but unless Marilyn pulled Rhona’s reins in, she was asking for trouble.

The door suddenly opened and Grace ran in, Mavis behind her. ‘Hello, love,’ Lily said, smiling at her daughter. ‘Jenny rang earlier. She wants to pop over to see you again on Sunday. I said you’d ring her back.’

‘I’ll do it in a minute, but, first, what do you think of this?’ Mavis asked, unrolling a sheet of paper.

‘Gawd, blimey, Mavis, did you draw that?’ Marilyn asked. ‘It looks just like him.’

Lily had to agree. The sketch of Bobby was wonderful, her son’s cheeky grin and the emergence of his first tooth captured perfectly. ‘Mavis, it’s great,’ she said, once again feeling that familiar surge of guilt that she had, until now, refused to acknowledge Mavis’s talent. ‘Can I have it?’

‘Of course you can,’ Mavis said.

‘Thanks, darling. I’ll get Pete to frame it.’

‘Here, Mavis, how much do you charge? I’d love one of my Rhona.’

‘Er…I don’t charge anything.’

‘Well, you should,’ Marilyn said. ‘I can’t afford much, but I could stretch to half a crown.’

‘How about that, Mavis? It sounds like you’ve got your first commission,’ Lily said, grinning broadly.

‘No, Mum, I’ve only just started sketching again. I’m not good enough yet and need a lot more practice.’

‘Practise on my Rhona then,’ Marilyn suggested.

Mavis chewed her lower lip before saying, ‘All right, but it may not be any good and I certainly won’t accept payment for it.’

‘Well, girl, if you’re sure,’ Marilyn said. ‘Mind you, if it’s good I’ll make sure that a lot of people see it and, who knows, you might get orders for more.’

‘I doubt that.’

‘Mavis, don’t put yourself down,’ Lily said. ‘If this sketch of Bobby is anything to go by, you could find yourself earning a few bob.’

‘I don’t know why you lack confidence in yourself,’ Marilyn said. ‘This drawing of Bobby is marvellous, and look at you, you’re gorgeous. To top it all you speak so well, sort of posh.’

‘I’m not posh.’

‘You sound it to me, and I’m hoping it’ll rub off on Rhona. If she learns to speak like you she could get out of that flaming factory. Find a better job.’

‘Granny, look,’ Grace said.

Lily turned to see that, using the edge of the sofa, Bobby had pulled himself to his feet. His legs wobbled, but at only seven months old he was standing. ‘Who’s a clever boy then?’ she said, beaming with delight.

‘James was walking at ten months and it looks like Bobby will too,’ Mavis said.

Bobby flopped down onto his bottom, but, cushioned by his nappy, he just chuckled. ‘Pooh, Granny, he smells,’ Grace complained.

‘He wants changing,’ Lily said as she swooped Bobby into her arms.

Marilyn stood up. ‘I’ll be off, Lily. See you soon, Mavis.’

‘Bye,’ they both chorused and, as the door closed behind her, Mavis went to ring Jenny while Lily changed Bobby’s nappy.

‘It’ll be nice for you to see Jenny again. Is Tommy bringing her in his van?’ Lily asked as soon as her daughter finished the call.

‘Yes,’ Mavis said, her cheeks turning red.

‘That’s nice. I must admit Tommy’s turned out all right. He’s doing so well too, with his own business. You could do worse, my girl.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘I ain’t blind, Mavis. The last time he came over, I saw the way he looked at you. I think you like him too, don’t you?’

‘Tommy’s all right, but I’m not interested in him in that way, Mum.’

‘Please yourself,’ Lily said, ‘but as I said, you could do worse.’

‘No, thanks. I’m happy as I am. Anyway, it’s time I was off. My place looks like a bomb’s hit it.’

‘Leave Grace with me. Bobby will only start screaming if you take her home.’

‘Mum, she’s more in your place than mine.’

‘I don’t mind. She’s no trouble.’

‘All right, but I’ll take Bobby when I go to collect James from school.’

‘Fine, see you later,’ Lily said, and as her daughter left she relished the thought of preparing Pete’s dinner without having to keep one eye on her son. Now that he was crawling, Bobby was into everything, and it’d be even worse when he started to walk. Mavis often took Bobby off her hands when she had housework, washing or ironing to do, and Lily marvelled at the difference it had made to her life now that her daughter was living next door.

Though she had pretended differently, Lily was pleased that Mavis wasn’t interested in Tommy Wilson. He was a good-looking bloke and enough to turn any girl’s head, but she wasn’t ready to lose her daughter yet.

Of course, it wasn’t easy for Mavis with Grace and James sharing a room, and she knew that it couldn’t go on forever, but for now Lily was happier than she’d been in years. She’d been given a second chance with Mavis—a chance to be a proper mother and to make up for all her years of neglect. She wanted to keep Mavis close and the last thing she wanted was Tommy Wilson upsetting the apple cart.

On Sunday, Mavis looked around her small living room. The furniture was shabby, but she didn’t care, and if it wasn’t for the fact that Jenny was coming over she knew it wouldn’t have been this tidy. Housework was done haphazardly these days, and Mavis loved being able to do as she pleased. All her married life she’d been given a list of daily tasks, ones that had to be completed, first to her mother-in-law’s high standards, and then her husband’s.

Never again, Mavis thought, cherishing her independence. Well, not quite, not yet. Financially she was still dependent on her mother, and remembered how loath she’d been to accept the tin box stuffed with money that had been shoved into her hands the day she moved in.

However, as soon as she could, Mavis had seen a solicitor, and now knew that there was no need to worry, the man insisting that she’d be entitled
to a good settlement. It would take a while for the divorce to come through, but when it did Mavis knew she’d have the means to pay back all she owed her mother.

With a last look around the room, Mavis went next door. She was looking forward to seeing Jenny again, but couldn’t feel the same about Tommy. He unsettled her, and, knowing now that he was the man who had haunted her dreams, she couldn’t look at him without blushing.

‘James, it’s time to come home,’ Mavis said as she walked into her mother’s house. ‘Greg will be here soon.’

Her son jumped to his feet, but Grace remained where she was. ‘Come on, Grace, you too.’

‘It’s all right, Mavis, she can stay with us if she wants to,’ said Lily.

‘Mum, you’ve had her all morning.’

‘It doesn’t matter. Leave her with us,’ Pete said.

Mavis smiled at the man she’d once been determined to hate. He was marvellous with the children and they loved him, both of them making a beeline for Pete as soon as they saw him. James was like a different boy already, more outgoing, with a ready smile always on his face. ‘Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind,’ she said, ‘but, Grace, don’t you want to see Jenny and Greg?’

‘Yes, but take Bobby,’ Grace appealed.

‘All right,’ Mavis agreed.

‘Thank Gawd for that,’ Lily said. ‘You know what he’s like when these two leave.’

Mavis picked Bobby up. ‘Right, kids, let’s go.’

‘If he plays up, bring him back,’ Pete called.

‘He’ll be fine,’ Mavis assured him, and as she stepped outside the van was just turning the corner. Soon it pulled up beside her, Jenny and Greg tumbling out of the passenger side. ‘Hello, you two, it’s lovely to see you.’

‘Mavis, you look even better than you did two weeks ago. You’re blooming.’

‘Hello, Mavis.’

She felt her heart skip a beat on hearing Tommy’s voice, and, as she’d feared, Mavis felt the heat of a blush rising. ‘Er…hello, Tommy,’ she stammered, and avoiding his eyes she added, ‘Come on in.’

‘Let me hold him,’ Jenny begged as soon as they were inside, her arms reaching out for Bobby.

‘You’ll be sorry. He weighs a ton.’

‘I don’t mind,’ Jenny said as she took Bobby. ‘Oh, dear, he’s making me go all broody.’

‘It’s about time you had another nipper,’ Tommy remarked. ‘It ain’t much fun being an only child and I should know.’

‘Yes, me too, but do sit down,’ Mavis urged.

‘Greg seems happy enough,’ Jenny said as they both took a seat.

‘Yeah, I suppose he is.’

‘Can we play in our bedroom?’ James asked.

‘Yes, all right,’ Mavis agreed, though with the room so tiny she doubted they’d stay upstairs for long.

The children ran off, but Jenny continued to hold Bobby as she mused, ‘I wonder what Stan would say if I tell him I want another baby.’

‘I should think he’ll enjoy the task,’ Tommy said.

‘Oh, you,’ she chuckled. ‘It’s all right for men. They get all the pleasure, while we women get all the pain.’

‘I didn’t think a bit of nooky was that bad,’ Tommy quipped.

‘I’m not talking about that, you daft bugger. I’m talking about childbirth.’

Mavis smiled. Jenny and Tommy were always the same, bantering, but it was all in good fun and only her own awkwardness around Tommy spoiled her enjoyment of their company. ‘Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’ she asked.

‘Coffee for me,’ Jenny said,

‘Me too,’ Tommy agreed, his smile warm as he met Mavis’s eyes.

Mavis hurried from the room, fighting the feelings Tommy aroused, but as she placed the kettle onto a gas ring she almost jumped out of her skin when a voice spoke from behind her.

‘Mavis, can I have a word? Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump.’

‘It’s all right. You just startled me,’ she said, busying herself with spooning coffee into cups.

‘Mavis, now that you’re settled, I was wondering if you’d let me take you out. We could go for a meal, or to the pictures, in fact, anything you fancy.’

Mavis found her heart thumping in her chest. Tommy was asking her out and she didn’t know how to respond. Yes, he aroused sexual feelings in her, but she’d never enjoyed lovemaking and doubted she ever would.

Why Tommy made her feel like this was beyond her, especially as nowadays she enjoyed the sheer pleasure of sleeping alone. For the first time in her life Mavis felt that she was her own woman, making her own decisions, and she wasn’t ready to give that up. ‘I’m sorry, Tommy, but no, I don’t want to go out with you.’

‘Fair enough,’ he said, rapidly disappearing while Mavis carried on making the coffee.

When it was ready, she carried it through to her tiny living room, feeling tense, and she was relieved when Jenny spoke. ‘James seems like a different boy, Mavis,’ she said whilst bouncing Bobby on her lap.

‘Yes, he is. He used to be so nervous around Alec, unnaturally quiet, but he’s blossoming now.’

‘Mavis, I think Alec might be moving soon. There’s a sold sign outside the house now.’

‘Is there? Goodness, I still can’t believe he put it up for sale.’

‘There’s been a bit of gossip in the avenue, a few people saying that Alec has gone a bit funny.’

‘Funny. What do you mean?’

‘Well, like he’s not right in the head.’

‘What makes them think that?’

‘It was the woman who lives the other side of me that started it off. Apparently, her friend works for the estate agent’s and she said that when one of the chaps took someone round to view the house, he came back as white as a sheet. He said that when they went into the living room, Alec started talking to his mother as though she was still there. It really spooked him, and the buyer.’

Mavis frowned. It certainly sounded odd, but surely Alec hadn’t lost his mind? ‘Maybe he’s still in a state, you know, still grieving,’ she suggested.

‘I don’t know, perhaps, but you’ve got to admit it’s strange. And that’s not all. I haven’t seen him leave for work for ages. I reckon he’s lost his job.’

The children came running downstairs and Mavis held a finger to her lips in warning. They were both happy, hardly ever mentioning their father, and she didn’t want them to hear anything about Alec that might unsettle them. Quickly she changed the subject to something mundane.

Tommy was quiet, hardly saying a word as she and Jenny talked about this and that, and too embarrassed to look at him, Mavis was glad when an hour later Jenny said it was time for them to go.

‘It’s been lovely to see you,’ she said, showing them out.

‘I’m sure Tommy won’t mind bringing me over in another couple of weeks,’ Jenny said, then lowering her voice she continued, ‘If I hear any more about Alec, I’ll let you know.’

‘All right, and thanks,’ Mavis said, and as Jenny climbed into the van she remained on the doorstep to wave her off, her eyes still avoiding Tommy’s.

Alec was chuckling as he tore the solicitor’s letter into pieces, and, throwing it onto the floor in a shower of paper, he started to pack. Mavis thought that she’d won, that she was going to get his money, but, no, she was going to lose.

To ensure that Mavis suffered, Alec was determined that there’d be no divorce, not for many, many years. They’d have to find him first, and he was determined to make that impossible. Once again, Alec chuckled. Mavis would have to work, probably as a skivvy to support herself and the children, and that suited Alec just fine. James and Grace might have to go without, but that didn’t bother him. They’d been spoiled and James needed to toughen up, to find out that, thanks to women, life wasn’t a bed of roses.

Alec paused to ponder. Would he miss the children? No, not really. If his mother hadn’t manipulated him into marriage they would never
have been born. Yes, his mother had caused all this, but he’d be free of her soon. Free of Mavis too.

His cases packed, Alec went downstairs and into his mother’s room, smiling with satisfaction. ‘It’s nearly time for me to leave, Mother.

‘What’s that? I shouldn’t have left my job? Don’t make me laugh, Mother. It was you who chose my so-called career, who put me in that office, who forced me to work with all those silly girls, the ones who made my life a misery. They laughed at me, did you know that? They called me old fashioned, a stuffed shirt, and drove me mad with their incessant chatter.

‘Yes, you may well ask what I’m going to do now, but I’m not going to tell you. I don’t have to tell you anything, ever again. I’m free to do as I please.’

Alec went to the bookcase and pulled out his treasured stamp collection. ‘Here’s a clue, Mother,’ he said, the albums in his arms.

He grinned at her puzzled expression, loving the thought of leaving her wondering. It was his love of stamp collecting that had given him the idea, and thanks to the sale of this house he would have ample money to follow his dream.

‘Right, that’s it, Mother. I’m off now, and good luck with the new owners. They’ve got four children, noisy little buggers, and I know you’ll love that.’

Alec’s high-pitched giggle filled the room, but
then he walked out, closing the door firmly behind him. It was time for his adventure to begin. He had his new identity in place and would no longer be known as Alec Pugh. That name had been his mother’s choice, not his, and he refused to carry it with him.

He would find the perfect location, one that was miles and miles away from Battersea. He rather fancied a pretty village somewhere, with thatched cottages, deep in the countryside. Of course, there would have to be a shop for sale, and instead of collecting stamps, he would sell them.

Oh, it was going to be marvellous. He’d be able to spend his life talking to fellow enthusiasts, buying stamps from around the world to offer his customers. He’d be his own man, unencumbered by women, and if one dared to come into his shop, he’d kick the bitch out.