For The Sake of Her Family (26 page)

Putting on her cheeriest voice, the housekeeper brushed Nancy’s arm and said, ‘Not long now – another three months and we’ll be hearing the patter of tiny feet. Your
mother would have been so proud. I’m knitting, you know – it gives me something to do of a night.’ And then she began sniffing into her handkerchief again, upset but trying not to
show it, as she shuffled out of the room.

Alice sipped her tea and watched the two men reading the plans in the bright light that was streaming through the open study windows. She liked the study, with its green walls lined with
bookcases; it gave her a secure feeling. Seeing Gerald seated at his desk like a proud statesman, she couldn’t help but think how things had changed since her first meeting with the Frankland
family. Then her mind returned to the present as she observed Nancy, her features drawn and tired. Thankfully, this was one of her better days. There were times when it was all she could do to
remember her own name, let alone anything else. The sooner the baby was born, the better for all concerned.

‘Beg your pardon, sir, but I thought you might want to see this.’ Faulks entered the study waving a crisply ironed newspaper. ‘The paper boy sends his apologies at the lateness
of his delivery, but as you can see by the headlines it could be grave news, especially for your Russian colleagues.’ Flustered, he set the paper on the desk in front of his employer.

‘What’s all this fuss, Faulks? What on earth are you talking about?’ Disgruntled, Gerald picked up the paper and scanned the front page. The colour drained from his face as he
read.

‘What is it? What’s wrong?’ said Will, seeing his reaction.

‘Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, has been assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist. This could have terrible consequences if the Austrians retaliate
by attacking Serbia. Russia is sworn to defend the Serbs, while Austria will turn to their German allies for support.’ Gerald placed the paper on his knee, his face grim as he contemplated
what would happen if, as he feared, the great powers of Europe went to war.

‘Oh, so it’s nowt for us to worry about, then, just a load of foreigners fighting among themselves. From the way you were looking, I thought good old King George had died! Come on,
let’s get back to these plans; never mind the paper.’ Will leaned over the architect’s drawings, trying to make sense of them all.

‘For God’s sake, man, there are people I love in Russia! If war breaks out, their lives may be in danger. And you expect me to put all thought of that aside for the sake of building
a few houses? There are more important things in this world than making money.’ Thrusting the plans away, Gerald sprang to his feet and went to the window, the newspaper still clutched in his
hand. ‘A beautiful day like today, sun shining, family all around me, but I feel a dark cloud blotting the horizon.’

Nancy went to her brother’s side and laid her hand on his shoulder. ‘You’ve always got us, dear. It’s better we forget our ties to Russia. The time has come for us both
to move on and find happiness here.’ Smiling, she kissed him lightly on his cheek before returning to her seat next to Alice.

‘Aye, come on, man, nothing’s happened yet. Don’t go looking at the black side. These bloody foreigners always kiss and make up; the whole thing’ll have blown over by
next week.’ Will patted him on the back.

‘I hope you’re right, old man. I pray that you’re right and I’m wrong, because otherwise we’ll be building these houses for nothing.’ Gerald came away from
the window and poured two whiskies from the decanter on his desk. He handed one glass to Will and downed the contents of the other in a single gulp.

Will looked at the crystal whisky tumbler filled with golden liquid. Never having drunk the stuff before, he followed Gerald’s example and threw it back in one gulp. Coughing and
spluttering, eyes watering and cheeks turning red as the spirit warmed his insides, he wheezed, ‘Now I know why they call it firewater! Give me a pint of best bitter, any day.’

Gerald patted him on the back and laughed. ‘It’s a taste that grows on you after a while. Same thing’s true of bloody foreigners.’

‘Aye, you can keep them and all. Nearest thing to foreign I’ve ever seen is Lancashire, and that was enough for me.’ Will laughed and coughed again as he leaned over the
desk.

‘Let’s hope, for all our sakes, that you never go any further,’ said Gerald, pouring another drink. This time he sipped it slowly and thoughtfully.

‘Gerald seemed to be very worried by the news. I think he might know more about it than he let on.’ Alice was sitting with Will on the wooden bench outside the
cottage watching the sun set over Combe Scar. For fear of upsetting Nancy, they had not spoken of the incident in the study while in her presence; the journey home had been spent chatting about the
new houses and their visit to the manor instead. Only now that she had retired to her bed, leaving brother and sister to sit outside until it was time for them to sleep, were they able to discuss
it.

‘It’ll be nothing. I’ve never even heard of this fellow that got killed, so how could it make any difference to us that he’s dead? We’ll get them houses built and
we’ll make as much brass as Gerald. Then we’ll give everyone a run for their money.’ Will finished cleaning his shotgun and blew down the barrel. ‘It’s a grand night.
I’m just going to have a wander up the fell and pot a rabbit or two. Are you coming with me?’ He jangled some cartridges in his pocket and put his cap on.

‘No, I don’t think I will. I want to sit here a while longer and mull things over. Nancy’s been good today, but who’s to say what she’ll be like tomorrow? She wears
me out some days.’

‘Aye, that’s why I’m going up the fell – need a bit of time to myself. I tell you, Sis, it’s a high price I’m paying for a bit of extra brass.’ He put
his shotgun over his shoulder and walked away.

‘You’ve only yourself to blame,’ she retorted, but he didn’t hear her. Alice shook her head. Will had everything to look forward to – new big house, doting wife, a
baby on the way – and he still wasn’t satisfied. He’d only been married a couple of months and already his patience with Nancy was wearing thin. Hopefully, when the baby came
along, things would be different.

Her thoughts returned to Gerald and the expression on his face as he studied the newspaper. Something had disturbed him a great deal, and that worried Alice. Unlike her brother, Gerald knew all
about politics and world affairs. Not only had he travelled the globe and lived in Russia for a while, he’d attended Sedbergh School and been a cadet. He wouldn’t have been alarmed
without cause.

The glorious sunset soon made her forget her anxieties, bathing the countryside in shimmering hues of gold and orange. The screeching of diving swallows made way for the high-pitched squeak of
bats as they clambered out of their daytime hiding places to glide through the dusky skies on dark, leathery wings. Alice shivered as the temperature fell with the disappearance of the sun. It was
time to go in and wait for Will’s return, although, knowing him, it could be early morning before he ventured home.

She lit the oil lamp and placed it in the window, catching sight of her reflection in the glass. What a state she was in! Alice took a loose strand of hair and twisted it behind her ear.
She’d gone to the dogs since moving out of the manor. Maybe now that plans for the houses were coming along, she could convince Will to buy her a new dress and perhaps a hat to go with it.
Tomorrow she would suggest that they take a ride into Kendal for some baby clothes and then she would try and steer Nancy past that shop she liked, the one on Stramongate. They always had such
beautiful materials in the window. Yes, that would be the best way to go about it: once Nancy came around to the idea, Will wouldn’t be able to say no. She hummed to herself as she sat at the
table darning Will’s socks. When they visited the manor to show off the new baby, she’d be all dressed up in her new dress, new hat, maybe even new shoes. She wanted to look pretty next
time she saw Gerald, because it would be her he’d be looking at, not the baby.

‘Gerald, good to see you.’ Colonel Fredericks stood up from behind his desk and shook Gerald’s hand firmly. ‘I wondered if you would be showing
interest. I take it you’ve heard that Germany declared war on Russia yesterday? It’s only a matter of time till good old Blighty gets pulled into it. Damned shame, but we’ll soon
show them.’ He indicated for Gerald to take a seat. ‘So, what can we do for you, old man? D’you fancy a posting?’

‘That’s what I was hoping for, sir. I reckon I’d be more use with a gun in my hand fighting for my country than potting the occasional pheasant or rabbit.’ Gerald had
thought long and hard before catching the train to Carlisle and requesting an interview with his father’s old friend, the colonel of the Border Regiment. The news that Germany and Russia were
now officially at war had made up his mind.

‘Seriously, lad, do you really want to risk everything to go and fight in some foreign field?’ The colonel’s usual bluff manner was replaced by a much more serious tone. In the
days when Gerald’s parents were alive he had attended many dinner parties at Whernside Manor; fascinated by his dress uniform, the young Gerald would follow him around, begging to be allowed
to play with the sword that hung by his side. ‘I owe it to your father and mother to warn you, Gerald, that this could turn out to be the war of all wars if England does get involved.
You’ve a lot to lose. And then there’s that sister of yours . . .’

‘What’s the point of wasting my training sitting in the Dales, pretending to be lord of the manor, when everything I know is changing?’ Gerald looked the colonel in the eye.
‘As for Nancy, she’s now married and is expecting her first baby.’

‘Is she, by God! Then congratulations are in order. Who’s the lucky fellow? Anyone I know?’

‘No, Colonel, he’s no one you would know.’ Gerald wasn’t about to tell him that his sister’s new husband was just some local and that it had been a shotgun wedding.
Impatient to return to the matter at hand, he declined the colonel’s offer of a celebratory cigar and pressed on: ‘Do you think you can find me a commission?’

‘If that’s what you want, I will write a letter of recommendation to the War Office informing them that one of the finest cadets Sedbergh ever produced is applying for a commission.
They’ll want to see your birth certificate and a medical certif—’ He broke off as Gerald produced the documents from his pocket and handed them over. ‘Well, my boy, you
really are determined, aren’t you? With these I can get you gazetted more quickly. But, Gerald, you take care. I wouldn’t want the son of my dearest friends to end up dead because of
me.’ He smiled at the serious-faced young man sitting across from him.

‘Thank you for your concern, Colonel, but I am determined to volunteer. When this country does get drawn in, I want to be one of the first to take up arms. There’s far too much at
stake for me to ignore my obligations.’

The two men got to their feet and shook hands. The colonel looked tired and too old to take on a new war. But Gerald couldn’t wait for his papers to come through so that he could do the
job he’d trained for as a cadet at Sedbergh and fight for King and Country.

‘Read all about it, read all about it! Britain declares war on Germany.’ The newsvendor on the corner of Stramongate was doing a roaring trade, barely managing to
give out the papers and take the money fast enough. People were clamouring to get their hands on the latest edition with its shocking news of Britain’s entry into the war against Germany and
its allies. Will, Nancy and Alice dodged the throng and crossed the road to the haberdasher’s, the bell above the door chiming loudly as Will ushered his womenfolk into the shop.

‘I’ve never known a morning like it,’ said the shopkeeper, turning from the window where she’d been watching the commotion. ‘That’s the second printing of
papers that young lad has sold today. Folk are carrying on like they’ve been given a pot of gold ’stead of getting into a war. I can’t see any sense in it, myself. Why should we
go and rescue those Frenchies? The world’s gone mad.’ Observing Nancy’s bulge as the three drew closer, she added: ‘Just be glad that you’re married. At least you
won’t be going to war. And you won’t be letting him go, will you, love, not in your condition?’

Already unnerved by the hubbub in the street, Nancy became even more confused and scared at the mention of war. Alice hurried to reassure her as Will stared through the glass door at the crowds
still gathering.

‘Here now, take the weight off your feet.’ The stout middle-aged shopkeeper came out from behind the counter with a chair and set it down beside Nancy. ‘I remember when I was
having our Alf – by ’eck, I was tired and my feet ached. I used to say to the old man he had no idea what I went through to give him a son. They’ve no idea, haven’t these
fellows, no idea whatsoever what we women go through.’ Catching sight of Alice casting an admiring glance at a ream of delicate pink calico, the astute saleswoman swiftly changed topic:
‘Now that is a lovely bit of calico, just come in from Liverpool docks last week. I can give you a good deal on it if you buy two dress lengths, and it’ll last well.’

‘Thank you, but we’ve come for some of your baby clothes. We noticed them in the window last time we were in Kendal.’ Alice spoke on Nancy’s behalf.

‘Aye, I’ve a good stock in: wool vests, liberty bodices, nappies . . . and I’ve some lovely flannelette nighties – any baby’s right in them until they start
crawling. Is this your first?’ She turned to Nancy, studying her with enquiring eyes.

‘Yes, it’s my first.’ Nancy looked down at the floor, not wanting to engage the old woman’s stare.

‘Well, I hope it’s a lad, for your sake. Then you mightn’t have to go through it again. The pain when I had our Alf was unbearable. I vowed I’d never have another after
that. I tell you, these fellas take their pleasure but don’t know the other half of it.’

‘Can we have a look at the vests, please?’ Alice cut in, hoping to get the shopkeeper off the subject. She didn’t want Nancy subjected to a long drawn-out description of the
agonies of childbirth. From the look of the woman, the son whose birth had proved so much of an ordeal must be a grown man by now.