A Mother’s Gift: Two Classic Novels. Josephine Cox

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СКАЧАТЬ more than twenty years wed, and three children into the bargain, Vicky and Barney still adored each other, as much as on the day they first met. Theirs was a deep, everlasting love, and one which Lucy sensed that neither she nor countless others would ever experience in their whole lives.

      The meal was wonderful, and so was the company. They chatted and laughed and drank the wine, and when the child fell asleep in his chair, Barney lifted him out and made him comfortable on the sofa. ‘Right!’ Returning to the table, he told everyone to fill their glasses and raise them for a toast, and when that was done he stood for a moment looking from one to the other, until his gaze rested on Lucy. ‘We would have liked you to stay here with us,’ he said, and Lucy’s heart rose, ‘but as you know, your being here meant that Susie had to sleep downstairs on the couch, and though she didn’t mind that …’ he looked at Susie and she nodded in agreement ‘… it isn’t a situation that could continue for any length of time.’ He hesitated. ‘You do understand, don’t you, Lucy?’

      Lucy understood, and even managed a bright smile. ‘Of course I do,’ she assured them. ‘I never really expected that I could stay here. I’m just grateful for the time and help you all gave me. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.’

      Barney smiled at her. ‘Look under your plate, lass.’

      Lucy was confused. ‘Under my plate?’

      ‘That’s what the man said!’ That was Ronnie, being his usual comical self. But there was a certain twinkle in his eye. In fact, as Lucy glanced at each family member in turn, she saw a twinkle in all their eyes.

      ‘Go on then, Lucy. Look and see what he’s put there.’ Susie was excitedly bouncing up and down in her chair.

      Gingerly, Lucy lifted her plate and moving it aside, took out an envelope that was folded there. She opened the envelope and dipping her fingers inside, withdrew a large, shiny coin. ‘A guinea!’ Her eyes widened in astonishment. ‘What’s this for?’

      Barney told her fondly, ‘It’s your first month’s wages. Me and my Vicky have discussed it with the family, and we all agree there’s enough work on this farm for all of us. When harvest comes there’s no time to catch your breath; then there’s the carting and stacking, and any number of other tasks that could do with another pair of hands … especially for Vicky, who’s always rushed off her feet. This house is too much when she’s needed outside. That’s where you come in, Lucy. So, the job’s yours, if you want it?’

      In a minute Lucy was out of her chair; running round the table she threw her arms round Barney’s neck. ‘Oh Barney … all of you! You don’t know what this means to me.’ Going from one to another, she kissed and hugged them in turn. ‘Instead of passing this house every morning, and trudging all the way on to the Hall, I’ll be turning in at your gate.’ The excitement was all too much. ‘I’ll be working with you all. Oh, it’s wonderful!’ She laughed through her tears. ‘I can’t believe it!’ She was sure that no one apart from Dorothy would miss her at Haskell Hall.

      At that moment there came a knock on the door. ‘All right, matey, come on in.’ Barney appeared to know who it was even before the door opened.

      The door inched open and a man appeared; small of stature, with a kindly face and smiling eyes, he greeted everyone in turn. ‘Hello, Lucy,’ he finished. ‘I hope you’re fighting fit after your accident?’

      Lucy was not surprised to see him. ‘Hello, Adam,’ she answered. ‘Yes, I’m well, thank you.’ A kindly man in his early thirties, Adam Chives was well-known throughout the village of Comberton-by-Weir. In fact, there wasn’t a single house that he had not been into at some time or another, for he was the local handyman, tried, trusted and greatly respected by one and all. Lucy always suspected that he had a soft spot for her, on the quiet. However, he was far too much of a gentleman to say anything.

      ‘Come on then, m’laddo!’ Barney held out his hand. ‘I trust you’ve brought it with you?’

      ‘I have,’ came the proud reply. ‘I’ve done everything you asked of me, and more besides.’ He handed something to Barney, winked at Ronnie, and said, ‘I expect there’ll be a bonus in there somewhere for me, will there not?’

      Barney took up the tease. ‘There certainly will be – in the shape of a roast dinner with all the trimmings … if you want it, that is?’

      Adam didn’t need asking twice. ‘That’ll do me,’ he told Vicky, who was chuckling at the pair of them. ‘In fact, I could think of nothing else all the way here.’

      ‘Right then! You sit down and fill your plate while I have a quiet word with Lucy.’

      ‘Whatever you say.’ In fact, Adam was already privvy to the reason for Barney’s need to talk with Lucy in private.

      Adam had known Barney for many years; in their childhood they had learned the times-table together; ridden side by side across the fields on whatever horse they could borrow; shot rabbits for the pot, and later sat many a while on the porch, exchanging tales of when they were lads. They knew each other as well as any brothers might, and loved each other the same.

      Leaving the others to chat, Barney rounded the table and taking Lucy by the hand, led her out to the back porch. They sat on the bench and there, Barney spoke his mind. ‘There’s summat you need to think about.’

      Lucy asked him what he meant. But she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams what he was about to say.

      Barney continued, ‘I know it’s none of our business, but well … Me and Vicky have been talking and what we think is this: it’s not good to bring a child up in a house of women – if you know what I mean?’

      Lucy had no doubts. ‘You mean women who entertain?’

      Sucking in his lips he took a deep breath. Afraid she might have taken him wrong, he answered sincerely, ‘It’s not for me to judge other folks. All I’m saying is this: for little Jamie’s sake, and yours, it won’t be a bad thing when you move out of there.’

      Lucy gave a wry little laugh. ‘It’s easier said than done.’ She shrugged her shoulders. ‘For a start, where would I go?’

      He smiled. ‘So, you would leave if you only had somewhere to go. Is that what you’re telling me, Lucy?’

      ‘Oh, yes.’ Lucy was aware of her environment and knew as well as did Barney, that it was not a suitable place to raise a child. ‘If I had somewhere to go, I’d leave – though I have to say, I would miss Bridget and the girls. They’ve been such good friends to me.’

      ‘I know that,’ he agreed. ‘Haven’t they visited you time and again since you’ve been here? And haven’t I heard you laughing with them, when only hours before, you were fit for nothing? Believe me, Lucy, after you being so poorly, it did our heart good to hear you. Now then, lass, I want you to take this.’ Opening his hand, he revealed a heavy iron key lying in his palm. ‘Take it!’ he urged. ‘There’s no rush. Just give it some thought and let me know what you decide.’

      Lucy was confused. ‘It’s a key.’

      He chuckled. ‘Well, of course it’s a key!’

      ‘But where does it belong?’

      ‘It belongs to the little cottage at the other end of the brook. The one where Leonard Maitland’s gardener lived СКАЧАТЬ