Riches to Rags Page 23

  Jenny shook her head, her mouth trembling. ‘She’s had a stroke.’

  ‘Ah, I’m sorry, Jen.’

  ‘What are you doing here at eleven in the morning?’ Jenny hastily changed the subject. Her emotions were too raw to talk about Ma’s illness at the moment.

  ‘I’ve left my job.’ Edna held out her left hand to show off the half-hoop diamond engagement ring. ‘I’m getting married next week to David Hughes. He’s asked me to marry him and I’ve agreed.’

  ‘That’s wonderful!’Jenny jumped up and hugged her friend, so excited for her. She knew Edna had had a tough life and deserved some happiness. ‘I’m so pleased for you. Where are you getting married?’

  Edna laughed at her friend’s obvious delight and playfully pushed her back in her chair. ‘If you’ll stop hopping about, I’ll tell you. David comes from Wales, so we’re going to be married there in a week’s time. He’s got a job to go to – something to do with accounts. He’s well educated,’ she said proudly. ‘And his family have found us a house to rent.’

  ‘Wales?’ Jenny’s pleasure seeped away as she realized what this meant, but she kept smiling somehow. She was going to lose Edna. But she mustn’t be selfish and let her dismay show, because this was absolutely wonderful for her friend. ‘That sounds exciting.’

  ‘It is, and I’ve had a lovely letter from David’s mother. She sounds ever so kind and very pleased about the wedding.’

  With cups of tea and a couple of biscuits in front of them, they settled down. It had been some time since they had been out together, so this was a chance to catch up on all the news.

  ‘Tell me all about it,’ Jenny urged.

  Edna waved her hand, laughing. ‘It’s been a proper whirlwind romance, but he’s so nice and we love each other.’ She became serious. ‘I’ve got a chance of a new life and I’m taking it, though I’d have married him even if he’d been a chimney sweep.’

  ‘That’s real love, then,’ Jenny teased.

  ‘We’d like you to come to the wedding. I know it’s a long way, but David’s mum said you could stay with them for a couple of days.’

  The disappointment was intense, but not even for such a special occasion would she go away for several days. ‘I can’t leave Ma.’

  ‘I was afraid you was going to say that, but I do understand. I wanted to bring David round to meet you, but he’s had to go back to Wales to arrange the wedding and sort out his new job. I’m going on the train tomorrow.’

  ‘You must write and tell me all about it, and send me a photo if you can.’ Jenny kept her tone cheerful. Edna was happy and she wouldn’t want to dim her joy.

  ‘I’ll do that.’ Edna stood up to leave. ‘And one day you must come and visit us.’

  ‘That will be something to look forward to.’ She kissed Edna and waved brightly as her friend walked up the street.

  As soon as she was out of sight, Jenny returned to the kitchen, sat down and bowed her head in sorrow. Now she’d lost her friend.

  That blasted coin definitely had two tails!

  The next morning Jenny was wondering how she could go out for some shopping, with Glad out and Ivy working at the hall. She would never leave the house unless there was someone here with Ma. She emptied the tin they kept their money in, counted it and began making a list. It was essential to decide exactly what she was going to buy. Careful planning was the key to providing a decent meal each day, and Jenny was quite proud of her shopping skills these days. It didn’t matter how tempting something might be: if it wasn’t on her list, she didn’t buy it, unless it was cheaper than the item she had originally planned.

  The list when finished was depressingly short, but it was all wholesome food. Apart from a few biscuits that Ma loved, luxuries were out of the question. Her mouth fairly watered when she remembered the lovely puddings and cakes she’d had in the past, but they weren’t essential. And the day would come when they would be able to buy them again: the depression couldn’t go on for ever. With that positive thought, she placed the coins on top of the list next to her shopping basket. As soon as someone came, she would pop out.

  While Ma slept, Jenny could snatch a few quiet moments for herself, and she sat down to think. Edna would be on her way to Wales now, and a new life. It had come as a shock to have her friend move away, but she couldn’t be more pleased for her. Edna deserved this chance of happiness, and it was a ray of hope that lives could change for the better.

  A knock on the front door brought her out of her musing. When she opened the door and saw Matthew standing there, she felt a blush creeping up her face. She had cried on his shoulder. What must he think of her?

  ‘Hello, Jen.’ He studied her face intently. ‘How’s Ma?’

  ‘Much the same.’ She stepped aside. ‘Would you like to come in?’

  ‘Thanks.’ He strode straight into the kitchen and, seeing the money and list on the table, said, ‘Are you going shopping?’

  ‘Yes, as soon as I can find someone to sit with Ma, but everyone’s out at the moment.’

  ‘I’ve got half an hour to spare. I’ll get this for you.’ He scooped up the list, coins and the basket, then headed for the door before she had time to object. ‘Do you go to the shops at the top of the road?’

  ‘Yes, but only buy what is on the list. I’ve put the price beside each item.’

  He was already striding towards the shops, and she wasn’t sure he’d heard a word she’d said. Jenny fumed. If he wasted their precious money on unsuitable purchases, she would be very angry. Watching his tall figure disappear with her shopping basket on his arm, she shook her head in disbelief. Who the hell did he think he was, sweeping in here and taking over?

  Suddenly she saw the funny side of it and began to giggle. What were the shopkeepers going to think when a strapping young man turned up carrying her shopping basket? Well, it was too late to stop him now. If he wanted to make a fool of himself, that was up to him. He obviously didn’t care what other people thought of him. She could admire him for that attitude.

  Nipping upstairs to check on Ma and finding her asleep, Jenny went back to the kitchen to put the kettle on. The least she could do was offer him a cup of tea when he returned.

  He was back in less than twenty minutes, and Jenny gaped at the overflowing basket. ‘You never got all that with the money I gave you.’

  ‘No, I bought a few extras.’ He began putting the packets on the table.

  Jenny watched open-mouthed, becoming angrier by the second. There was butter, bread, jam, bacon, eggs, sausages, tea, milk, biscuits – whole ones – fruit, veg and even a small chicken. A few extras?

  ‘I can’t afford all that. You’ll have to take it back.’

  ‘Don’t be so bloody proud, Jen.’ Matthew was clearly exasperated by her attitude. ‘You and Ma have got to eat. Look at you, you’re starving.’

  ‘We are not! And who the hell gave you permission to call me Jen?’

  ‘Don’t change the subject.’ Matt raised his voice. ‘All I’ve done is buy you a little extra food. If it upsets you so much, you can pay me back when you’ve got the money.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she snorted. ‘Where do you think I’m going to get that much money from? And stop shouting!’

  There were three sharp taps from the room above.

  ‘Now look what you’ve done, you’ve woken Ma up.’ Jenny headed for the stairs at a run, with Matt right on her heels.

  Ma was propped up and holding her stick in her good hand.

  ‘Hello, Ma,’ Matt said cheerfully. ‘Sorry we woke you, but your Jen needed a good talking to.’

  Jenny couldn’t believe her eyes when Ma winked at him.

  ‘Ah, I see you approve.’ He sat down on the edge of the bed and removed the stick from her hand, laying it on the blanket where she could still reach it. ‘Now, I don’t want you to worry about her, because I’m going to be around. All right?’

  Ma winked again and Matt leant forward and kissed her forehead.
‘Good, that’s settled, then.’

  What’s settled? What the devil was he on about? Jenny had thought that Ma couldn’t understand, but she was obviously communicating with Matthew.

  ‘I’ve bought you a nice little chicken for Jen to cook and make soup with the bones. And a pound of your favourite sausages, because the butcher told me you’re real partial to them.’

  Ma winked again.

  ‘Now I’ll leave you to get some sleep while Jen cooks you a lovely meal.’ He patted Ma’s hand. ‘You keep her in line now. Her language is something shocking!’

  Jenny could hear Ma’s cackle in her head as she watched Matthew stand up and give Ma a wink; then he clattered down the stairs and out the front door.

  ‘Well,’ was all Jenny could say as she stood motionless, absolutely amazed at the scene she had just witnessed. ‘Do you know what he was on about?’

  Ma gave a crooked smile. She actually smiled!

  Jenny did the same in relief. It was as if Matthew had woken Ma out of the stupor she had been in since the stroke. Hope flooded through her. Perhaps her dear Ma was going to survive against all the odds. ‘Terrible bossy, isn’t he?’ she joked, feeling light-hearted.

  The smile came again, and Ma lifted her hand to shoo Jenny away.

  ‘I see, you want your chicken, do you?’

  Ma actually nodded this time. Jenny sang to herself as she went downstairs and set about the meal.

  ‘My, something smells good,’ Glad said, as she looked in the kitchen an hour later.

  ‘It’s a chicken!’ Jenny beamed. ‘You’ll never guess what happened today.’

  Glad sat down while Jenny told her about the argument with Matthew because he’d bought extra shopping, and his conversation with Ma.

  ‘She’s so much better, Glad,’ Jenny told her excitedly. ‘She actually smiled. Isn’t that marvellous? Perhaps she’s turned the corner and is going to pull through.’

  ‘Don’t raise your hopes too much,’ Glad warned. ‘I’ve seen folks rally for a while and then sink back again.’

  ‘I know that can happen.’ Jenny’s smile faded. ‘But I can hope, can’t I?’

  ‘Of course you can.’

  Fred came in. ‘I’ll just pop up and see her.’

  Fred was with Ma for almost half an hour. When he came down, he handed Glad a piece of paper with spidery writing on it. ‘Ma wants you to sign this, Glad.’ He gave his wife a pen and when she’d put her signature on the bottom, Fred tucked it in his pocket.

  Fred and Glad had always looked after Ma’s affairs, and Jenny thought this was another good sign. Ma was obviously feeling bright enough to give them instructions to deal with something. ‘She’s much better, isn’t she, Fred?’

  ‘She’s quite perky and looking forward to the chicken.’ He laughed. ‘She’s fairly drooling at the mouth, and I’ve given her a pencil and pad so she can write messages while she’s still thinking straight.’

  ‘That’s a good idea.’ Jenny approved. It would be lovely to be on the receiving end of Ma’s caustic remarks again, even if they were only written ones.

  The chicken was beautifully tender, and Jenny was delighted when Ma ate every morsel. She cut herself off a small amount; the rest she sliced up and took next door to Ivy for the children. The carcass with vegetables was made into a large saucepan of soup for the next day.

  As the gorgeous smell of cooking filled the tiny kitchen, Jenny felt rather ashamed of the way she had reacted to Matthew’s shopping trip. He was only being kind, but she didn’t want him to feel he owed her something.

  Giving the soup another stir, Jenny pondered why that should worry her. After a taste she added a little more salt. The spoon was halfway to her mouth again when she realized why she had exploded at him. She liked Matthew, had done from the moment she had seen him that first Christmas, and she wanted his friendship. Wanted to know he liked her for herself.

  The spoon dropped with a clatter. Oh, dear, that wouldn’t do at all! He was from a wealthy family, and even though she had once been in the same situation, she was now penniless. It was ridiculous, but these things still mattered to society. She ought to know, because she’d been brought up with these prejudices. If she became too friendly with him, his family would believe she was trying to edge her way back up, through him. She gave a snort of disgust, imagining what his father would have to say about that! No, she must forget the whole thing. Anyway, he was probably only helping because he felt sorry for her, and she didn’t want or need anyone’s pity. Things were difficult at the moment, but it wouldn’t always be like this. The fact that Ma was so much better was a hopeful sign.

  She turned the gas down to simmer the soup, shaking her head in disbelief. How stupid to have her first crush on one of the Stannard family.

  26

  That evening Matt arrived home still highly amused by the argument he’d had with Jenny about the extra shopping he’d bought for her and Ma. Where had that timid frightened under housemaid gone? The girl who had turned on him with such fire was so different. Now eighteen, she had grown in stature and confidence. He doubted if she was afraid of anyone or anything now. The last two years must have been unbelievably hard for her, but, instead of becoming cowed by the experience, she had come through it magnificently. He liked this new, mature girl. Although too thin, she was absolutely beautiful.

  He grinned to himself as he remembered the old woman winking saucily at him. It wasn’t any surprise that Jenny loved her so much, because even in sickness there was still a hint of her feisty nature. He’d understood the plea in those sharp eyes – you look after my girl, lad, it had said. When Ma died, and she knew she was going to soon, he would make sure Jenny was all right. That should cause a fight or two, but when that day came he was well aware that she was going to be distraught. She would have the support of her friends, of course, but he would also be there, whether she wanted him to be or not!

  John walked in just in time for dinner. ‘I’ve got some news.’

  ‘Tell us before we sit down to eat,’ his mother suggested.

  ‘Greaves is in trouble.’ John sat down and stretched out his long legs. ‘He’s a gambler.’

  ‘The stock market?’ Luke sat forward, interested.

  ‘No,’ John said, shaking his head. ‘He’s always boasted that he didn’t lose anything in the crash, but he has on the horses. He invested a lot in four steeplechasers, and bet heavily on them whenever they raced. None of them ever won, and he had to sell them at a huge loss. By this time he was in debt and continued gambling to try to recoup his losses, with disastrous results.’

  ‘That’s a fool’s way to try to make money.’ Their mother was clearly disgusted. ‘He doesn’t sound very bright, and from what I saw of him he is too fond of the drink.’

  ‘Well spotted, Mother,’ John grinned. ‘That’s another of his problems.’

  ‘So he’s selling the family silver to pay his gambling debts.’ Matt grimaced. ‘The damned idiot. If he doesn’t pull himself together, he’ll lose everything.’

  ‘From what I can gather he’s quite close to that now.’ John stood up as the dinner gong sounded. ‘He needs an injection of cash very quickly.’

  ‘Good thing you found this out, John.’ Gilbert helped his wife up. ‘He needn’t bother coming to us for a loan.’

  Luke slapped Matt on the back. ‘Well, he won’t be bothering Jenny again. She hasn’t got a dime.’

  ‘If he does, she’ll really give him what for!’ A deep chuckle of amusement rumbled through Matt; it also contained relief. That was one problem she wouldn’t have to deal with again. ‘She’s changed beyond belief.’

  ‘She’s had to change to survive,’ his mother said gently. ‘Some might have crumbled under it, but it has made her strong.’

  ‘Yes, it has.’ He had to agree with that. She wouldn’t let anyone push her around now, but that strength must have been there in the beginning or she would never have had the courage to run away in the first plac
e. The harshness of her life since then had brought her true character to the surface. He had thought he was being courageous by leaving university to become a car mechanic, but that was nothing compared to what Jenny had achieved. His admiration for this plucky girl just grew and grew.

  During the next two days Jenny’s hopes soared as Ma began to order her around again with the aid of the pencil and paper. She still couldn’t speak, but was obviously in control of her faculties and aware of everything going on around her. Her frustration at being helpless also showed quite often, when she threw the pencil across the room with fury gleaming in her eyes. Jenny understood how difficult it must be for her and patiently ignored the outbursts.

  Ma was in this kind of mood when she and Glad struggled to move the fuming woman and change the sheets.

  ‘Don’t be so difficult, Ma,’ Glad scolded when she was pushed away while trying to brush Ma’s hair. ‘You’ll feel much better when you’re clean and tidy.’

  Grabbing her pencil, Ma scribbled, ‘Won’t. Bugger off.’

  Jenny laughed, enjoying these flashes of spirit from Ma. If she continued to improve, she would soon be shouting at them. Everyone kept telling her that there was no hope of recovery, but she didn’t believe that. She wouldn’t believe it. While Ma still had fight in her, anything was possible.

  Ma was writing again, and she thrust the notebook at Jenny. It said, ‘Get Matt. Want see. Now!’

  ‘What do you want to see him for?’ Jenny was perplexed by the demand.

  The word ‘now’ was underlined with such a heavy stroke that the pencil lead snapped. Ma tossed it away in disgust and then waved Jenny towards the door.

  ‘You’d better do as she says.’ Glad sighed, picking up the pencil and sharpening it. She glanced up at Jenny, giving a wry grimace. ‘She’s certainly making good use of the one arm she can move. I’ll stay with her while you find him.’

  ‘I’ll go to the hall and ask his mother to give him a message.’

  The pencil was snatched out of Glad’s hand and the word ‘garage’ written down.