Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection. Josephine Cox

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ that’s all.’

      ‘How d’you mean?’

      ‘Well, you shifted about a lot, turning this way and that.’

      ‘So, did I disturb you?’ He was afraid she might have seen him pacing the floor.

      Vicky chuckled. ‘You know me,’ she answered. ‘Once I’m out, it would take an earthquake to wake me. No, you didn’t disturb me,’ she assured him. ‘It’s just that when I got out of bed to visit the bathroom, you seemed a bit unsettled.’

      ‘I expect I was dreaming of all the things that could go wrong with this party.’ He looked round. ‘Where’s the birthday boy?’

      ‘Still fast asleep.’ Lucy poked her head out from the pantry. ‘So don’t you go waking him.’

      ‘And don’t you go worrying about things going wrong with the party!’ Vicky advised. ‘Because everything is in hand. It’s all been checked and double-checked; Jamie’s presents are all wrapped and ready, the birthday cake is setting and will be perfect for cutting tonight, the trimmings are up and the barn is all ready … or so you say!’

      ‘It is!’ Ronnie grumbled, falling into the room. ‘Apart from a few finishing touches which’ll only take a few minutes.’ Hunched in his chair, unshaven, unwashed and with his hair standing on end, he looked like he’d been fished out of the river.

      ‘Right!’ Clapping her hands together to release a flurry of flour, Vicky went to the tap and filled the kettle which she then put on the stove. ‘Lucy! A dozen rashers of bacon and a bowl of eggs, if you please. We’ve a hungry mob waiting to be fed.’

      ‘I’ll have three eggs if they’re going.’ That was Thomas, bleary-eyed and yawning.

      ‘God Almighty! Look at the state of the pair of you!’ Vicky laughed. ‘I hope you can both manage to recover for tonight.’ She did a little jig on the spot. ‘’Cause your mammy’s expecting you to give her a dance or two!’

      Lucy saw how Barney’s strained face lit in a smile at his wife’s antics. ‘There you go, Vicky.’ Placing the eggs and bacon on the side, she peeped again at Barney, and suddenly in that one precious moment, there was not another soul in the room but herself, and him.

      At 6.30 p.m. the first partygoer arrived. ‘I’m a bit early,’ Adam apologised. ‘Only I thought there might be summat I could do to help.’ In truth he had wanted a quiet talk with Barney.

      ‘You’d best come wi’ me.’

      Barney guessed the reason for his early arrival. ‘We’ll check the barn and see if I’ve forgotten anything.’ In his grey corduroy trousers, best blue shirt, and with his unruly hair tamed to a shine, Barney looked good.

      ‘The ladies are upstairs titivating theirselves and the boys are in the kitchen picking at the food.’ He chuckled. ‘If Vicky catches them, they’ll wish they’d never been born.’

      As they strolled to the barn, Adam asked, ‘How are you feeling, matey?’

      ‘If you mean am I looking forward to the party,’ Barney replied, ‘the answer’s yes. If you mean have I accepted what’s gone on with me …’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘What choice have I got, old friend?’

      Saddened to his heart, Adam nodded. ‘And what will you do about America?’ He was reluctant to interfere but knew the dilemma Barney faced. ‘There’ll come a point when you have to tell the family.’

      ‘I’m dealing with it.’

      Adam sighed. ‘Remember, you’re not on your own, Barney,’ he said softly. ‘I’m here for you. Any time you want me, I’ll be here.’ When the tears filled his eyes he blinked them away.

      ‘I know.’ Throwing an arm round the little man’s shoulders, Barney walked him to the barn, where he threw open the door. ‘Well, what d’you think?’

      Adam was mesmerised. The barn was festooned with colour from one end to the other: paper chains and streamers hung across the roof and down the walls, and in between, strategically hung so as to be safe, were a dozen long lanterns, all lit and twinkling. The benches were set out; the food table was dressed in a long pink cloth, and the dance-floor stretched away as far as the eye could see.

      ‘It’s like Wonderland!’ Adam marvelled and Barney laughed. They went inside and walked round the floor. Then Susie came running in. ‘Mam says you’re to come and help carry the food,’ she said, and ran out again.

      For the next half-hour it was mayhem, with everyone trotting backwards and forwards with plates and dishes of food, cutlery and jugs, dodging each other and making a second and third trip, and when the long table was filled to bursting, the guests started arriving: the butcher and his wife; Doris Dandy from Everton, various villagers and others who had known the Davidsons for many years.

      Jamie was getting very over-excited; dressed in his best clothes and overwhelmed by all the noises and strange faces. Lucy let him enjoy himself for a half-hour or so, then she popped back to the farmhouse with him and put him to bed, waiting until he had fallen asleep before returning to the festivities.

      Leonard Maitland arrived alone, his attention instantly drawn to Vicky, who looked very fetching in her new cream-coloured skirt and pink lace blouse, with her hair loosely looped up on top of her head, and long wispy strands curling round her face. She was a picture of loveliness.

      There were two neighbouring farmers and their entire families, and finally, arriving in a flurry of excitement with one of her new girls trailing in her wake, Bridget came waltzing through the doors. ‘Jaysus, Mary and Joseph, will ye look at this! It’s like heaven come to earth!’ she screeched with excitement.

      A moment later, taking the young woman aside, she reminded her, ‘You’re not here to enjoy yourself.’ She kept her voice low. ‘Sure, haven’t I suffered the bad atmosphere in the house these past few days, the pair of youse, fighting and arguing like two alley cats! I’ve only brought you here tonight so I can keep an eye on you, while the other one calms down.’

      She wagged a warning finger. ‘Watch your tongue and keep yourself to yourself, Brenda. I don’t want ye messing with the men tonight.’ She edged closer until they were eyeball to eyeball. ‘I swear, if I so much as see you look at a fella, I’ll thrash the arse off ye, so I will!’

      Wisely, the young woman backed off. ‘What am I supposed to say if anybody comes talking to me?’

      ‘Oh, you’ll think o’ something, I’m sure.’ Bridget gave her a gentle shove. ‘Now be off and fetch me a glass o’ that wine they’re handing out.’

      With everybody safe inside and a glass of best homemade wine in their hand, Barney stood on the chair and welcomed them all. ‘This is really a triple celebration,’ he said, winking at his wife. ‘Not only is it to mark little Jamie’s birthday and christening although the little chap in question has gone to his bed, but as most of you will already know, the Davidson family are away to start a new life in America.’

      Pausing for breath, he thought about the imminent journey, and his secret heart was heavy. ‘It’s good to see you all here,’ he finished. ‘And now let’s have a toast – to Jamie … and America!’ There was an almighty cheer. ‘To Jamie and America!’

      ‘God СКАЧАТЬ