The Pawnbroker's Niece Read online

  Rita saw Josh, his arms wrapped round a basement railing as if he needed something to hang on to. Now, him she was pleased to see because, after all, he was the only half-brother she had. ‘Hi, Josh!’ She smiled down at him and held out a hand but he hung back.

  Eve told her son to stop skulking down there and come and say hello to his sister. Slowly he stumped up the steps and clutched Eve’s skirt. ‘Don’t do that!’ She slapped his hand away.

  Rita’s lips tightened but she knew it would be a waste of time rebuking her mother. She made up her mind to be extra nice to Josh. As she stared at them, she asked herself how her mother could afford to dress up to the nines. She was wearing a cream and brown checked two-piece and a hat with an enormous feather in it. On her feet were crocodile court shoes and she was carrying a handbag and suitcase. She had to still be on the game. Maybe found herself a rich bloke. Perhaps the husband had discovered what she’d been up to and that’s why she was here. She wondered what Margaret would say when she saw her sister again and how she would feel about having a nephew beneath her roof.

  ‘Well, are you inviting me in?’ said Eve, an edge to her voice. ‘Or are you going to keep me on the step all day?’

  ‘I suppose you’d best come in but I don’t know how Aunt Margaret’ll feel about you stopping.’ She stepped aside and waved her mother in.

  Eve entered the house followed by Josh, and she stopped abruptly by the wrought iron staircase, gazing up at the domed glass roof. ‘Bloody hell!’ she breathed, placing the suitcase on the floor. ‘This is some place. Our Maggie really knows how to make the money. Is she in?’

  ‘This is where she works. I’d better warn her you’re here.’ Rita walked towards the office.

  ‘Don’t bother announcing me,’ said Eve, skirting round her daughter and pushing open the door. She stepped inside and shut Rita out.

  Margaret did not lift her head from the ledger on her desk but said, ‘Who was that at the door?’

  ‘Look up and you’ll find out. Long time no see, Maggie.’

  Margaret glanced up and the muscles of her face froze and several moments passed before she said, ‘Rita wrote telling you we’d moved. I wish she hadn’t.’

  ‘I love you, too,’ said Eve with a mirthless smile. ‘But she not only told me that you’d moved but that she was getting married, so I decided it was my duty as a mother to come and give the bloke the onceover.’

  ‘So you’ve remembered you’re her mother? Fancy that! Well, I can assure you that Sam’s a good bloke, so you can go back where you came from.’

  ‘What a way to welcome your prodigal sister home!’

  ‘This isn’t your home.’ Margaret’s heart began to thud. The last thing she wanted was her sister finding out she’d had a baby out of wedlock. How Eve would enjoy her fall from grace. No longer able to sit still, Margaret stood up and came round the desk and, leaning against it, she folded her arms. She was wearing a navy-blue suit with white piping round the collar and cuffs and sensible court shoes and knew she looked smart — but glamorous? Eve had glamour, and what the film people called It.

  ‘I don’t believe you’re here just because you decided to cast an eye over Sam. What are you really here for? Out with it!’

  Eve raised pencilled eyebrows. ‘You’re so untrusting. You and Reet are the only family I have — you two and Josh.’

  ‘Where’s your husband?’

  Eve shrugged her shoulders. ‘You tell me?’

  ‘Left you, has he, because he got fed up of your carryings-on?’

  Eve’s eyes narrowed, became almost catlike. ‘You can think what you like. But you wouldn’t have this place if it wasn’t for Father’s money. I reckon I’m entitled to half of it.’

  Margaret felt a rush of relief. She could get rid of her sister if it was only money she was after. ‘So the truth’s coming out now. Well, I’ll give it you straight. I’ve worked hard for what I’ve got, but because I’m such a nice-natured person I’ll give you a handout as long as you take yourself out of here and don’t come back.’

  ‘How much?’

  ‘A hundred pounds.’

  ‘Two hundred.’

  ‘Don’t push your luck. I’ve done your job for you where Rita’s concerned for the past few years. A hundred and thirty and that’s my last offer. These are hard times, even for me.’

  Eve hesitated.

  ‘Take it or leave it,’ said Margaret, straightening up from the desk. ‘Legally I don’t have to give you anything.’

  The muscles of Eve’s face relaxed. ‘I’ll take it. I’ve got friends I can stay with. I wouldn’t mind a bite to eat first, though…and if I could leave Josh here while I look them up I’d take it as a big favour.’

  Margaret was surprised. ‘You brought him with you?’

  Eve’s eyelids flickered. ‘You surely didn’t expect me to leave him behind?’

  Margaret made no answer but instead ushered her sister out of the office. Rita was sitting on the stairs with Josh. She was telling him the story of David and Goliath with actions and they were both obviously enjoying themselves. Margaret had to admit he was an attractive little boy but being of mixed race she felt certain he was bound to meet with problems trying to be part of two worlds and felt sorry for him. ‘Rita, take Josh down to the kitchen and tell Mrs Richards to give him something to eat, and if she could put something on a tray for your mother and bring it into the office I’d appreciate that.’

  Rita looked at her mother, who smiled. ‘We’ve hardly eaten since we left Cardiff so we’re starving. I’ve got to slip out afterwards and see a friend about a place to stay, but you’ll keep your eye on Josh for me, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course.’ Rita had to admit to feeling relief that her mother was not staying at the house. Knowing her the way she did, she guessed Eve would expect her and Mrs Richards to wait on her hand and foot; and it was often much easier to do what Eve asked than argue because she could get right moody. She went downstairs with Josh, giving Mrs Richards a shock when she walked in with him and explained he was her half-brother.

  Upstairs, Margaret had gone to her safe and taken out the money to give to Eve. She had also slipped off the wedding ring, not wanting any questions about that from her sister. ‘Don’t expect anymore,’ she said, handing over the wad of notes.

  ‘You’re like Father. It was like getting blood from a stone getting money out of him.’ Eve opened her handbag, placed the banknotes inside and sat down.

  ‘You don’t half push your luck.’

  Eve smiled sweetly. ‘So, tell me about you and Will.’

  Margaret almost jumped out of her skin. ‘What did Rita tell you?’

  ‘Why, what is there to tell?’ asked Eve, eyes as sharp as a ferret’s.

  Margaret determined not to let anything slip about her son. She could not imagine Rita having told her mother about him. ‘He’s missing. He went to find Billy who went off to China and nothing’s been heard of either of them for ages.’

  Eve rolled her eyes. ‘Where’s Will’s brains? China, for God’s sake! Did he forget what happened to Alan?’

  ‘Of course he didn’t,’ snapped Margaret.

  ‘What’s been done to find them?’

  ‘The padre who belongs to the Seamen’s Mission has been doing his best by contacting people out there, but I haven’t heard from him for a while. I don’t like bothering him as his wife’s having a baby and that’s not easy at her age. I know.’ She bit her lip, hoping Eve wouldn’t pick her up on those last two words.

  Eve looked surprised and amused. ‘So Father Jerome took the plunge at his age. It shows you. It’s never too late.’

  ‘You know him?’

  ‘We’ve met. I’d get in touch again if I were you. It’s his job to be pestered about problems to do with seamen. And that’s what Will was at one time, wasn’t he?’

  Margaret nodded, and decided to follow up her sister’s suggestion as soon as she got rid of her, which was even quicker than she had
hoped.

  Half an hour later Margaret set out for the Sailors’ Home, thinking to find the padre there, only to be told that his wife had just given birth to a baby girl so he was at home. So he got what he wanted, thought Margaret, remembering a previous conversation with him. She was cheered by the news.

  To her relief she was made welcome at the house and it was obvious they thought she was there to see the baby. She admired the new arrival and it was plain to see that the padre, whose hair was pure silver these days, would be a doting parent. Afterwards, over a cup of tea, she brought William and Billy into the conversation.

  The padre said, ‘I was going to ask if you’d heard any more news but I see somehow the letter I posted through your door has gone missing.’

  ‘Letter! What letter?’

  ‘I heard from Billy. It was weeks ago.’

  Margaret’s heart felt as if it was performing a somersault inside her chest. ‘What did he say? Did he mention Will at all?’

  ‘Yes! He’s been very ill. Almost died, apparently.’

  Margaret felt faint. ‘But he’s all right now?’

  ‘Let’s hope so. The message was sent via the Chinese Inland Mission. William was in a hospital in Hong Kong and Billy was staying there until his father was fit to come home.’

  Tears rolled down Margaret’s cheeks. It seemed miraculous that after all this time they were both alive. Yet she must not get too excited. Hong Kong was thousands of miles away and they had the long sea journey to complete before she could relax. Even so, it was good news she had to tell Rita, and fresh tears sprung to her eyes.

  The padre held one of her hands between both of his and said a prayer for William and Billy and a safe journey home, and then saw her out.

  As soon as she arrived home Rita noticed the tearstains on her face and felt sick to the stomach. ‘What’s wrong? Have you heard something about Mr Brodie and Billy? They’re not dead?’ she whispered.

  ‘No!’ Margaret’s happiness burst through and she flung her arms about Rita and danced her round the room. ‘They’re alive!’

  ‘Alive!’ Rita could scarcely believe it but her aunt’s actions reassured her. Billy was alive and he would be coming home; she would see his face again. She began to laugh and cry at the same time, not knowing whether she was on her head or her heels.

  Chapter Twenty

  Margaret heard her name being called and dragged herself out of a wonderful dream to gaze bleary-eyed at her niece. She looked angry and was cradling a grizzling Jonathan and holding a weeping Josh by the hand.

  ‘You’ll never guess what Mam’s gone and done.’ Rita did not wait for an answer. ‘She’s left Josh the way she left me. I could scream! Last night I was so happy. How could she do this to him and us?’

  Margaret eased herself up against the pillows and groaned. ‘I should have known she was up to something. Why should she suddenly want to give the man you’re going to marry the once-over? She’s never worried about you before. She deliberately came here to dump her son and get money out of me. What a fool I was!’

  ‘She’s left a letter.’ Rita sat on the bed and Margaret took the baby from her. Josh immediately sat on Rita’s knee. ‘What were you thinking of, giving her money?’

  ‘I didn’t want her staying on here.’ Margaret felt like tearing her hair out. ‘I didn’t want her finding out about Jonathan. You know the kind of thing she’d say and I didn’t want to hear it from her.’

  Rita could understand her aunt’s feelings. ‘So what do we do? I feel like strangling her right now but it’ll be a waste of time trying to find her. She says in the letter she’s going to America. There’s a bloke there who says he’ll set her up in an apartment and she’s got to seize the chance of a whole new life.’

  ‘The crafty madam! If I had her in front of me I’d strip her naked and throw her out on the street. America! No wonder she needed money. Where’s she sailing from?’

  ‘Southampton. She was catching an early train. That’s to make sure she was out of Liverpool before we found the note.’

  ‘What else did it say?’

  ‘That she’s written a letter to Caleb so he knows where to find Josh.’

  ‘Does that mean he’ll want the boy so he’ll be coming here?’

  ‘Yeah! I can’t understand, though, why Mam didn’t leave him with Caleb’s sister.’

  Josh lifted his head from Rita’s breast and muttered, ‘Auntie Hortense hated Mam and she didn’t like me ’cos I was Mam’s son. She told me so.’ The boy’s shoulders drooped. ‘Now you don’t want me either.’

  Immediately Rita felt torn by guilt, remembering how she had felt when Eve had deserted her — and she had been so much older. ‘It’s not that I don’t want you. But this isn’t my house and I’ll be getting married shortly, and what’s my husband going to say? We’ll just have to hope your dad gets the letter and comes up with some ideas of what to do with you when he’s at sea.’

  Josh’s bottom lip trembled. ‘You’re not going to strip me naked and throw me out on the street, are you?’

  Rita could not prevent a smile. ‘Of course not! But if our mam turns up here again —’

  ‘We’ll tar and feather her,’ said Margaret, unbuttoning her nightdress and telling Rita to take Josh out of the room and give him some breakfast…and she wouldn’t mind a strong cup of tea and toast.

  Rita took her brother down to the kitchen where Mrs Richards already had a fire going and the kettle on. She gave her brother a bowl of grape-nuts with plenty of milk and sugar and asked him about his father, remembering her mother telling her how fond Caleb was of his son. She seethed with anger, knowing it was going to take her some time to get over her mother’s latest escapade. She just hoped that Josh’s father would come for him. Otherwise the boy was going to feel worse than she had when deserted by their mother.

  *

  Rita took a last look in the hall mirror and knew she had hit the right note in choosing the green frock with white spots and matching bolero jacket. For the last couple of days she had dressed with care, thinking this might be the day when Billy and William arrived home. The padre’s letter had been found in the pocket of the suit she had worn the day Jimmy had turned up on their doorstep — and which she had not worn since. Three days ago a postcard had arrived postmarked Gibraltar, announcing the Brodie men should be home within the week.

  She smoothed back a strand of hair, which had come loose from her tortoiseshell slide, and winked at her reflection. She picked up her handbag and called a tarrah to all within hearing distance. Josh came running and asked was she going to the shop and could he come. He was inclined not to let her leave the house without knowing where she was going and often wanted to go with her. She was fond of him but had to be strict. Keeping an eye on him and trying to work at the same time wasn’t easy, so it was shared out between herself, Mrs Richards and Babs. The girl’s mother knew better than to complain about her daughter mixing with the boy. Margaret also did her share of keeping an eye on him.

  Rita kissed her half-brother’s dusky cheek. ‘Not today. Who knows — today could be the day when your dad turns up, and what if you’re not here waiting for him?’

  Josh’s face brightened. ‘He’ll probably come by ship.’

  She had already taken him down to the Pierhead so he could see the ships coming and going. ‘Probably.’ She kissed him again and left.

  Rita was only a few doors away from the shop when she noticed Sam arguing with a middle-aged man. Presuming he was a customer with a complaint she increased her stride, but as she approached the man shambled away.

  ‘Who was that?’

  ‘Me bloody father! Pardon my language but he makes me mad.’ Sam lifted the wire mesh guard he had just removed and carried it inside the shop.

  ‘He’s taken his time finding out you’re here. What’s he want?’

  ‘Money! There’s nothing else he’d want from me.’ Sam’s expression was grim. ‘I told him to get lost and if he pest
ered me again he’d be sorry he started.’

  ‘Good for you!’ She squeezed his arm. ‘Everything else OK?’ Her gaze swept the shop’s interior and she thought the stuff on those top shelves could do with dusting.

  ‘Fine. I’ll just put this up the lobby and be off up the yard. There’s a float in the till and the kettle hasn’t long boiled.’

  ‘Thanks, luv.’ She kissed his cheek and wished he could make her feel tingly all over, like just thinking of Billy did. ‘You take care driving that lorry.’

  ‘I’m not doing the driving today. Archie is.’ Sam’s face lit up. ‘He’s almost as good as me now.’

  ‘That’s great.’ Rita saw him out.

  She made a cup of tea and brought it into the shop, served a customer and then fastened an apron about her waist and tied a scarf over her hair. She climbed the ladder and began to dust, singing, ‘If you were the only boy in the world and I was the only girl.’

  ‘Nothing else would matter in this world today!’

  She dropped not only her duster but lost her footing on the ladder.

  Billy seized her by the ankle and steadied her with his other hand.

  She gazed down at him and was so overcome by emotion that she could not speak for a moment and when she did her voice was raw. ‘About time too! For ages we thought you were dead. I could hit you for putting us through all that pain and worry.’

  ‘Feel free!’ He grinned. ‘Are you coming down so you can give me a proper welcome home?’

  She held out both hands and he gripped them and swung her down, bringing her against him. She allowed herself to gaze at him only briefly, noting lines about his eyes and mouth that had not been there before, and that his skin had been burnt by the weather and he was thinner, much thinner. Her heart longed for him. She wanted to look after him, be all things to him, but knew she had to pretend her feelings were only sisterly. ‘Welcome home! It’s so good to see you.’

  ‘Give us a kiss, then!’ Before she could prevent him he caught her up in his arms and kissed her hard. She found it difficult to resist returning the kiss but kept her lips pressed together. She wanted to cling to him and not let him go but knew she had to be sensible. She was getting short of breath and forced herself to pull away.