Sing as We Go (46 page)

Kathy turned on her stool to stare at him for a moment and then she burst out laughing.

*

Jemima and the rest of the Robinson family were just as genuinely thrilled as Morry had been. She went through the whole story again while she cuddled her son on her knee. She could hardly drag her gaze away from him, and she couldn’t believe the incredible turn in her fortunes. She had found the man she loved, they were to be married and they had been given their son back.

‘We’ll get married down south,’ Kathy told them. ‘Tony has another operation coming up so he won’t be able to leave hospital for several weeks. Maybe even months. I shall take James and get lodgings near the hospital and we’ll be together.’

‘What a lovely ending, cariad,’ Betty said, wiping tears from her eyes. ‘Well, almost. I still can’t help feeling sorry for his poor mother. I know she’s been spiteful and possessive, but she must be in shreds. And as for his poor father, he must be torn in two. Wanting to be loyal to his wife, yet desperate to see his son. Poor, poor man.’

Three days later, Kathy walked up the drive to the hospital.

‘My, but you’re heavy,’ she chuckled to the child in her arms.

It was a bright, warm day and she knew most of the mobile patients would be out in the grounds. And she knew just where to look for Tony. In his favourite spot, sitting on the fallen tree trunk in the shade. She had almost reached him before he heard the soft sound of her footsteps on the grass. He turned, the right side of his face towards her, and for a fleeting moment it was the old Tony, the handsome unblemished face of the man she loved, turning to her, standing up and holding out his arms. And now she saw his whole face, saw the ravaged left-hand side and knew she loved him even more if that were possible.

She stood before him and, with a catch in her voice, said, ‘This is your son. This is James.’

The look of incredulous joy and wonder on his face swept away any lingering doubts Kathy might have had. All the misunderstandings, all the heartache was forgotten. They were together at last and whatever the future held for them, they would face it – together.

Forty-Five

Over the weeks that followed their poignant reunion, Kathy was carried along on a tide of ecstasy. She scarcely knew what was happening in the war, she was so totally wrapped in her own little world of happiness – a happiness she had never expected to find. But somewhere in the back of her mind lurked a feeling that all was still not quite right. That her happiness was not as complete as she had expected it to be.

They were married quietly in the local church, the congregation made up, almost entirely, of patients from the hospital. To crown their happiness, Tony’s final operation was a success and the great man declared that there was really nothing more he could do for him. His face would always be scarred and he would never regain the full use of his left hand, but, as Tony himself said, he was better than a great many.

‘We can go home,’ he told Kathy. ‘Back to Lincoln.’

Suddenly, Kathy realized what had been niggling at her. Tony’s parents. Betty’s words had stayed with her. The generous woman could still find it in her huge heart to feel pity for the lonely, twisted woman. But why? Why didn’t Beatrice want to see her son any more? He had come back and yet she was still acting as if he was dead, as if she
wanted
him dead.

Understanding came to her as she was bathing James on the last evening before they were due to travel north back to Lincoln. Gently, as she soaped his smooth skin, she revelled in its perfection. She watched him splash in the warm water, listening to his happy chuckles. He was growing to be just like his father. He was going to be so handsome, so good-looking . . .

The realization came slowly, seeping into her mind. Now she understood. Beatrice had so loved her perfect boy that she couldn’t bear to see him injured, couldn’t cope with the tragedy of his marred good looks. All her life she’d wanted perfection. She’d been born into the wrong branch of the Hammond family. Though spoiled by her wealthy uncle, she’d still been the poor relation. In her eyes, her husband had disappointed her and now her son, on whom she’d pinned all her hopes, had failed her too. Beatrice was a bitter and twisted woman, but gazing now on her own son, feeling her love for him overflow, at last Kathy began to understand.

As she lifted the slippery, wriggling child out of the water and wrapped him in a warm, fluffy towel, she whispered, ‘We’re going home tomorrow, my precious boy. And do you know what? You’re going to meet your grannie and granddad.’ Her smile broadened as another thought entered her mind and she murmured, ‘And what your other grandparents will say, I daren’t think.’

But in her heart she already knew. Her father would grumble and grouse for a while, but then the realization would dawn on him. He had a grandson. A boy! At last, he had an heir for his family’s farm. Kathy’s smile was tinged with sadness. Perhaps, for once in her life, she had done something that would please her father. And as for her mother? Well, the moment James was placed in her arms she would feel a happiness she hadn’t known existed. No, the problem – as always – was Beatrice Kendall.

Their long journey took them to Sandy Furze Farm, where Tony was welcomed into the warm and loving Robinson family. Even Morry shook his hand warmly, slapped him on the back and joked, ‘Just look after our Kathy, else you’ll have the whole of the Robinson family after you.’

They stayed for a week, during which time Tony and Kathy travelled backwards and forwards to Lincoln to find somewhere to live. ‘And if you think I’m going to live in a flat on Mill Road, you can think again,’ Kathy teased him.

They found a small terraced house on one of the streets leading off Monks Road, not far from where she had lived with Jemima, and signed the contract to rent it for a year. Then they went into Hammonds’ store and sought out Mr James. He was in the office that had once been Tony’s.

The shock and then the delight that spread across the older man’s face touched Kathy. ‘Anthony! You’re alive! My God! This is wonderful. Come in, come in, sit down. How are you?’

He ushered them into his office, sat them down and sent his secretary scurrying to unearth a bottle of champagne. ‘This calls for a celebration. And if I’m not mistaken, there’s another reason, isn’t there? You’re married?’

Shyly, Kathy nodded. She glanced at Tony and gave a slight nod, silently giving her permission for the rest to be told.

Tony cleared his throat and said with a mixture of embarrassment and pride in his voice. ‘We – er – we have a son. His – his name is James.’

The man stared at them for a moment and then threw back his head and laughed aloud. ‘You’ve named him after me?’

‘Well – to be honest, not exactly,’ Kathy said. ‘It’s a long story.’

‘Let’s hear it then.’ Mr James stood up as his secretary returned with a dusty bottle and three glasses. As he popped the cork and poured it out, Kathy explained.

‘I’m so glad it’s ended happily for you both – for the three of you, I should say. But there’s only one thing that disappoints me,’ he added, looking directly at Kathy. ‘That you didn’t come to me. I would have helped you, my dear. But perhaps, then, you didn’t know me well enough. I expect I was just Mr James, owner of Hammonds, and rather aloof?’

Kathy blushed and nodded.

‘Then I’m sorry because, truly, I would have stood by you.’ Now he looked sternly at Tony. ‘And as for you, young feller, well, you’re damned lucky to get a second chance to put the fiasco of that wedding right.’

‘I know,’ Tony said simply.

Mr James was smiling again. ‘Just one thing,’ he said wagging his finger at the pair of them. ‘I insist on being the boy’s godfather. Oh, and by the way,’ he added with deliberate casualness, ‘when can you start back to work?’

Tony and Kathy gaped at him.

‘You mean – you mean you’ll employ me? Looking like this?’

‘Why ever not?’

*

They had been living in Lincoln for a month. Tony had settled back into his position at the store and James Hammond had given him more responsibility than ever, happy to return to his privileged life of golf and fishing.

‘I think most people are getting used to me now. One or two customers still stare a bit. I suppose I shall always have to put up with that.’ He smiled lopsidedly. ‘The kids are the best though. They’re so open and unafraid. They just come up to me and say, “What’s the matter with your face, mister?” It’s the parents who are embarrassed and try to shush them.’

He sat in silence, lost in his own thoughts. Kathy took a deep breath. ‘Talking of parents, we should go and see yours. We should take James to meet his grandparents.’

The bleak look in Tony’s eyes as he glanced at her twisted Kathy’s heart, but she was resolute.

‘They – they don’t want to see me.’

‘That’s not quite true, is it? I’m sure your father does.’

‘But Mother doesn’t.’

Kathy sat on his knee and put her arm round his neck. Gently, she said, ‘No, but she’d like to see James, now wouldn’t she?’

He rested his cheek against her breast. ‘You really mean you’d risk taking him to see her?’

‘What do you mean, “risk”?’

‘She’ll want to take him over. Replace me with him. He’s very like me. Like I used to be,’ he added wistfully.

Kathy slid off his knee and knelt in front of him. With gentle hands she cupped his face and looked straight into his eyes. ‘Tony Kendall, after all I’ve been through, do you really think I’m going to let anyone –
anyone
– take away my son from me again?’

Tony grinned sheepishly. ‘No, I don’t.’ He was thoughtful for a moment before he nodded slowly, ‘All right. We’ll go. But on your own head be it.’

The following Sunday was a fine, bright day as they walked up the hill to the Kendalls’ home, Tony carrying James in his arms. Kathy rang the front door bell and they waited, glancing at each other a little nervously until they heard George’s slow and heavy tread approaching on the opposite side. The door opened and the man standing there stared at them, his glance going from one to another and then coming to rest, finally, on the child in Tony’s arms. His expression softened and tears welled in his eyes.

‘Hello, Dad,’ Tony said at last. ‘Aren’t you going to invite your grandson in?’

Wordlessly, as if for the moment he had quite lost the power of speech, George pulled open the door and gestured to them to step inside.

‘Is Mrs Kendall in the front room?’ Kathy asked, taking the lead.

George nodded.

‘Then I’ll go and see her on my own first. You take James into the kitchen and introduce him to his grandfather properly.’

Without waiting for a reply, Kathy opened the door to the left of the hall and went into the room.

Beatrice Kendall was lying on the sofa, looking for all the world as if she hadn’t moved a muscle since the last time Kathy had seen her. Except, Kathy recalled, the very last time she had seen the woman had been in the church, feigning a heart attack.

At the sound of the door opening and closing, Beatrice opened her eyes and lifted her head. She squinted against the light from the window to see who had entered.

‘You! What on earth do you want?’

Kathy sat down in the armchair. ‘I’ve come to see you.
We’ve
come to see you.’

Beatrice caught her breath. ‘Anthony? Anthony’s here?’

Kathy nodded.

The woman put her hand over her eyes in a dramatic gesture. ‘I don’t want to see him,’ she wailed. ‘I can’t.’

‘All right. You don’t have to. But wouldn’t you like to meet your grandson?’

There was a stillness in the room, the only sound the ticking of the bracket clock, the crackling of the logs on the fire.

Slowly, her hand dropped away from her eyes and she stared at Kathy. ‘My – my grandson?’

‘Yes, he’s called James and he’ll be three in November.’

‘You mean – you mean he’s illegitimate?’

‘No. Because we’re married and as I understand it, even if a child is born out of wedlock, when the parents marry the child is legitimized.’

‘You’re married?’ Beatrice almost spat out the question.

‘Oh, yes,’ Kathy said airily. ‘We’re married.’

Beatrice pulled herself up and thrust her face towards Kathy.

‘When?’ she demanded.

‘Six weeks ago.’

‘Six weeks?’ Beatrice’s mouth twisted. ‘Then how do I know it’s really Tony’s child? It could be anybody’s.’

Anger surged in Kathy’s breast. Resentment and bitterness towards this woman welled up inside her. Beatrice hadn’t changed. Not one bit, but Kathy bit back the sharp retort and with a serenity that surprised her, she said, ‘Oh, I can assure you that he’s Tony’s son. You’ll soon see for yourself.’

There were conflicting emotions flitting across the woman’s face as she struggled to come to a decision.

‘Bring him in,’ she muttered at last. ‘Just the child. Not – not Tony.’

‘Oh no,’ Kathy said firmly. ‘James won’t come without his daddy. It’s both – or nothing.’

The two women stared at each other in a battle of wills. It was Beatrice who was the first to lower her eyes and submit with a brief nod.

Kathy rose and left the room, returning a few moments later. Tony followed her into the room, carrying the little boy. George hovered nervously in the doorway.

Beatrice’s gaze was fixed on the child. Deliberately, it seemed, she avoided looking into her son’s face. She didn’t even greet him. Her whole focus was on the little boy. Tony bent forward and set the little chap in her lap. James looked up into her eyes and reached out to touch her face.

‘Hello, Grannie,’ he said, just as Kathy had taught him.

Tony stepped back to stand beside Kathy. She sought his hand and held it and together they watched. George too, from the doorway, watched. Before their amazed eyes, a change came over Beatrice. They saw it. All of them saw it for themselves, though had they not, not one of them would have believed it if it had been told to them.

The woman’s face softened, seemed to grow younger even. She smiled, and her eyes were alight with a tenderness they had not shown in years.