Time to Move On (22 page)

He wanted to go back to Cwm Derw, but the longer he waited, the harder it became. He no longer imagined the way her face would light up as he stepped through the door, now he thought of walking in and
finding
someone else behind the bar, working beside her, laughing, his sojourn at the Ship and Compass forgotten.

Other faces passed through his mind and he wondered whether Luke and Seranne were together as he had once predicted. It was as he was thinking about Seranne and Luke that he saw Luke, and he was startled, as though he had willed him into existence out of his unconscious. ‘Luke,’ he called and as he waved, Luke saw him and ran across.

‘Alun! So this is where you live? What good luck meeting you, now you can give me your address. Betty would like to know where you are, and Jake would too.’

‘I found a job in a hotel as I told you.’ He gestured behind him to where the sign read, ‘Sea View’.

‘Better than the Ship and Compass?’

‘Not at all. The customers here are transient, few staying more than a week, many passing through on their way to somewhere else. At the Ship, Betty’s customers are friends.’

‘You should have stayed. She’s managing with a woman helping at the moment, Tilly Tucker. Hard on them sometimes with the heavy lifting and moving about they have to do.’ He stared at Alun and said, ‘Why don’t you come and see us all?’

Alun nodded but didn’t answer. They walked a little way along the road that skirted the six miles of Swansea Bay, then Alun asked why Luke was there. Taking a chance, Luke told him about his concern for Seranne’s mother. ‘I’m going to see the wholesalers to find out why Paul no longer deals with them. Want to come?’ He had an idea that getting Alun involved might be an obtuse way of getting him to return to Cwm Derw – at least for a visit and he had a suspicion that was what both Alun and Betty wanted. If he was wrong then there’d be no harm done.

The wholesalers selling equipment and ingredients to bakery
businesses 
was not far from Swansea and the owner was willing to discuss his ex-customer. ‘Yes, Jessie Laurence. Married that Paul Curtis, didn’t she? More fool her! She was a customer of ours, not big but she always liked the very best. As for why Jessie decided to deal with someone else, perhaps you’d better ask her that.’

‘Did you have a disagreement?’ Luke asked.

Mr Green shrugged. ‘Not with Jessie, although I suppose you could call it that.’

‘You can’t explain?’

Alun said, ‘Why don’t you tell Mr Green exactly why we’re here, Luke? If he knows the situation and how worried you are, he might be more helpful.’

‘The truth is, Mr Green, we think Jessica is no longer in charge. Her husband seems to have taken over and he’s running the place into the ground.’

‘Why are you involved? What business is it of yours? I shouldn’t discuss private business with a stranger. Not without good cause.’

‘I haven’t any right to make these enquiries, but I care for Jessie’s daughter and I’m trying to find out what’s wrong so I can help.’

The man hesitated for a moment, staring at Luke as though summing him up. Then he shrugged again and said, ‘The truth is, they haven’t paid their account for months and Jessie always paid our monthly statement by return post. They ordered new equipment now it’s becoming
available
, a new sink, a larger fridge, lighting, and they increased their
regular
order. Now they owe us a lot of money. There seems no prospect of us being paid, so we cancelled all further orders and have put the debt in the hands of our solicitor.’ He took out a few sheets of paper listing what had been supplied.

‘He’s probably sold the new equipment you supplied,’ Luke muttered angrily. ‘Apart from the sink, there’s no sign of any of it in the kitchen. Thank you for being honest with us. I suspected something of the sort. Jessie’s new husband has let the business slide and until now she hasn’t seemed aware, or perhaps she doesn’t care.’

‘I find that hard to believe. I’d have trusted Jessie with anything. Until these past months she was as reliable as anyone could wish. So what happened?’

‘Paul Curtis “happened”!’ Luke said. ‘The real question is, what can we do about it?’

Luke and Alun went into a pub and ordered beers and sandwiches. They sat in silence, each mulling over the situation but neither coming up
with an idea.

‘The problem is whether Seranne would thank us for trying to help or accuse us of interfering,’ Luke said, and added, ‘Quick to lose her temper is Seranne.’

‘She must realize that things are seriously wrong.’

‘Yes, but facing problems is never easy. I think we’re all inclined to hide our heads in the sand and hope the problem will go away.’

‘I’ll come with you to confront Paul if you think it will help,’ Alun offered. ‘The first move seems to be to ask him what’s happening.’

Luke had an important meeting that afternoon but they arranged to meet the following day and drive to the tea rooms to talk to both Jessie and Paul. As they drove there, they planned their approach.

‘I’ll appear sympathetic and anxious to help,’ Luke said.

‘And I’ll stand watching, saying very little but obviously disapproving. They might think I’m a policeman,’ he added with a smile. ‘Paul has seen me before but no one really notices a barman.’

It was mid-morning, Alun having managed a day off, and on their way they detoured and looked at Paul’s empty shop – his ‘new enterprise’. The windows had been partially whitewashed to discourage people from looking inside but through the carelessly applied screen they could see boxes of goods stacked at the back. There was no sign of Paul.

When they reached the tea rooms, to their surprise the place was closed. In fact, with the neglected appearance, it looked as though it had been abandoned. Luke knocked on the side door and when there was no reply, Alun banged harder. Eventually the door opened to reveal Jessie, still in her dressing-gown, her hair bedraggled, her face filled with fear.

‘It’s all right, Mrs Curtis – Jessie,’ Luke said. ‘I was passing and thought I’d call and say hello.’

‘Is Mr Curtis in?’ Alun demanded, trying to sound authoritative.

‘No, he’s out on business.’ A nervous tic pulsed rhythmically in Jessie’s cheek.

‘May we come in?’ Luke asked, moving towards her slightly, forcing her to step back. He waited for her to move upstairs and he and Alun followed.

‘Why is the tea rooms closed?’ Luke asked. ‘Aren’t you well? Perhaps you should have stayed in hospital for a day or so.’ When there was no reply he asked, ‘Mrs Sewell, is she ill perhaps?’

Jessie cleared some dishes from the small table and took three clean cups and saucers from the dresser. ‘I’ll make us a cup of tea, shall I?’

‘Where’s Mrs Sewell? Isn’t she coming in today?’ Luke persisted.

‘She’s gone with Paul. There’s another business venture they’re
persuing
.’

‘I see. So you’ll soon be running the tea rooms again? What a good idea, you managed the business so well.’

‘I don’t know. I’ve lost interest in it to be truthful. I worked there for too long. It’s time for a change.’

An hour and two cups of tea later there was still no sign of Paul. Luke glanced at his watch and said, ‘Jessie, why don’t you come back with us and see Seranne? She’d be so pleased to show you what she and Babs have achieved. I think she’s amazingly clever but she insists it’s all due to your teaching.’

For a moment they thought she would agree but then she frowned and said, ‘Paul will be worried if I’m not here.’

‘Of course he won’t. You can leave a note, and we won’t be away very long. We’ll bring you back once you and Seranne have had a chat. She misses you so much and would love to see you.’

They were hopeful as Jessie went to get ready, and Luke took the opportunity to look around while she washed, dressed and combed her hair. On a sideboard there was a box labelled, ‘Seranne’s Post’, but apart from a library book reminder, it was empty.

Several drawers were stuffed with papers and in the time they had, they found a large number of outstanding accounts and reminders of unpaid bills, including those for electricity and gas and those from Green and Sons. A warning from Alun and they returned to their seats as the door opened and Jessie came in.

They were outside, getting into the car when another car drew up and an angry Paul stepped out. ‘What are you doing? Where are you taking her?’ he demanded.

‘Sorry, darling, but I’m going to see my daughter.’

‘Not now, Jessie. I need you here, there’s something I need to discuss. I’ll take you at the weekend, all right? You only had to ask me and I’d have arranged it, you must know that. Anything you want, you only have to ask me, darling.’

‘No, Paul,’ Luke said firmly. ‘It’s all arranged. We’ll have Jessie back before teatime.’ He put an arm around Jessie’s shoulders and ushered her towards the car, where Alun held the door open. At the very last moment, with her hand on the open door she stopped, turned around and went back into the flat.

‘Thank you for the offer, Luke,’ Jessie said. ‘You’re so kind. But I’ll come at the weekend with Paul. Give Seranne my love, will you?’

‘Come on, Jessie, better you tell her yourself,’ Luke said in a final attempt, but Jessie smiled and put an arm through Paul’s, leaned her head against his shoulder and they stood and waved as Luke and Alun drove away.

Determined to achieve at least one of his objectives, Luke drove straight to the Ship and opened the car door for Alun to get out.

‘I don’t think this is such a good idea, Luke. Betty might be
embarrassed
, thinking I’m hoping for my job back.’

‘If you’re still worrying about her brother, look over there.’ Sitting in the spring sunshine, reading a newspaper, Alun recognized Ed Connors. Ed looked up and waved, then went back to studying the day’s
happenings
.

Slowly, as though walking towards some dread punishment, Alun walked into the Ship and immediately looked at the bar. He was relieved when Betty was nowhere to be seen. He needed to take this in stages. Tilly Tucker was serving Bob Jennings and, in a corner near the open fire, a couple of the regulars were playing dominoes. Under the window on one of the old benches that had begun life in a church, a burst of laughter made him turn.

Jake was there, dressed in old corduroys and a cowboy-style shirt. ‘Here he is at last, and don’t think we’ve forgotten it’s your round,’ he called. Then he stood up and went to the door to Betty’s living-room and shouted, ‘Come and see who’s here, Betty.’

Alun stared at the doorway smiling, his heart pounding, longing to see her but afraid the joy on his face wouldn’t be reflected in hers. The
doorway
remained empty and he began to think she was refusing to see him. Then a voice behind him said. ‘Alun! What a lovely surprise.’ He
swivelled
around and standing at the entrance was Betty. Without thinking, he ran the few steps towards her and hugged her. The regulars cheered and he began to apologize for embarrassing her.

She held him close. ‘Never mind this lot, they never grew up,’ she said loudly. ‘Are you hungry? Will a sandwich do? Tilly, get these two a drink on the house, will you? Come and tell us your news. I’ve heard of you from time to time from Jake and Luke, but—’ She laughed then,
covering
her face with her hands. ‘Gosh I’m gabbling aren’t I!’

‘Make him wait, we need sustenance over here,’ a domino player complained and Alun waved at them. ‘Always were the impatient one, Roy Johnson! And watch that Waldo, he’s trying to look at your hand!’

Time passed in handshakes and the exchange of news. For Alun, it was an enormous pleasure reviving friendships and there was no doubt about
his welcome. Between sharing parts of conversations and helping Tilly behind the bar, he and Betty exchanged glances their eyes glowing with undisguised happiness. They managed only half spoken sentences between interruptions as newcomers came in and saw him and welcomes began all over again.

It wasn’t until the place closed that Betty and Alun were able to talk properly and even then their words were stilted by the presence of first Tilly, then Luke.

‘Look, why don’t we leave now and let Betty get on with her chores? We can come back on Sunday.’ It was eventually agreed that Alun would stay and help clear up while Luke drove Tilly home, then returned for him.

Betty and Alun dealt with most of the work in their efficient way while they talked. Then, as they passed each other in the confines of the bar, they stopped, threw down the things they were carrying and met in the kiss they both longed for.

When Alun left with Luke, promising to return on Sunday, they parted with the sensation that the miles were tearing them apart.

‘Of course, if you really don’t want to go on Sunday, I can make your excuses for you,’ Luke teased.

‘Nothing will stop me now.’

‘Good. Now there’s only Seranne’s mother to sort out.’

Talking to Seranne was always going to be difficult, Luke knew that. He also knew it was something he had to do. He would be at a business meeting in Newport the following day and wouldn’t have a chance to see her, but Saturday was a possibility. He’d be back by the evening and she wouldn’t refuse an invitation to go to the Ship and see Alun on Sunday.

Jessie knew Paul was upset. He didn’t say anything, but he implied by his ultra-reasonable, tolerant manner that he was hurt. She tried to please him, preparing a good meal, asking interested questions about his
afternoon
, and about the business plans. Flattering him about his foresight in changing from the tea rooms to something more forward looking.

‘Seranne doesn’t understand, she’s never wanted anything other than the business she’s always known,’ she said.

‘So is that why she sends Luke snooping into my business and pretends it’s out of concern for you?’

‘Don’t be angry, Paul.’

‘Darling, I’m not angry. Just disappointed that you’d go off knowing I’d be home longing to talk to you about all that happened. I’ve got my
plans approved and you weren’t going to be here waiting to here about it.’