It's Now or Never (15 page)

The sound of someone at the front door caused her to almost jump out of her skin. She broke a thread and swore silently before rising from her chair. Going over to the window, she lifted the bottom of the net curtain and peered out.

Standing outside on the step was a strange man. The fact that he was wearing a black trilby and a belted raincoat was enough for her to drop the curtain and sink on to a chair. She had not expected him so soon but there was nothing for it but for her to go to the door and let him in. After all he had come all the way from America to find her and Bobby. Taking several deep breaths and smoothing down her skirt and hair, she hurried to the front door.

For several moments both of them just stood there, staring at each other. Then a slow smile lifted the corners of Stuart's mouth and he said, ‘You're like your mother.'

‘Only in looks. We aren't a bit alike really,' she could not help saying.

‘Well, I wouldn't know that, Lynne, this being the first time we've met.'

‘Of course, you're right,' she said, feeling slightly embarrassed. ‘Do come in.' She held the door wide. ‘Although, I doubt this house is what you're used to.'

‘I know why you say that,' he said, stepping over the threshold. ‘You watch too many American movies.'

‘You're telling me that America doesn't have everything bigger and better?'

‘Nope, and you shouldn't be ashamed of where you come from. My grandpa was a first generation American. His pa came from Argyllshire from what was just a stone croft in the hills.'

‘I'm not ashamed,' said Lynne, tilting her chin. ‘May I take your coat and hat?'

‘Thanks!' He took them off and handed them to her. Underneath he was wearing a Harris tweed suit in a heather mixture, a cream shirt and a beige and brown tartan tie. His hair was thick and wavy and she was reminded of a big friendly woolly dog.

‘No kilt?' she said with a hint of humour.

‘I admit I was tempted.' He chuckled and changed the subject. ‘I was beginning to think I'd never set eyes on you. If it weren't for Betty at the coffee bar and your daughter …'

‘Roberta,' said Lynne. ‘I named her after her father. May I offer you a drink? Only tea, I'm afraid. Unless you like Camp coffee with chicory essence?'

‘Camp coffee will be fine. I remember having it when I was over here after the war. You know it was a Scotsman who invented it?'

‘Of course, it has a picture of one on the label.' She led him into the parlour. ‘I think we'll talk in here. My grandmother is in the other room and she's asleep. If she wakes, then she'll keep interrupting while you're talking.' She waved him to a chair and excused herself.

She was back in a jiffy and they settled facing each other with cup in hand. She was surprised at how comfortable she felt in his company, despite feeling slightly apprehensive about what he had to tell her. ‘Well?' she asked.

‘I never expected to return to Liverpool,' he said after a hesitation, ‘but Pa was set on finding you and your daughter.'

‘Not my mother – is she dead?'

He nodded.

A tremor went through her and unexpectedly she felt a lump in her throat.

‘Sorry, but I gather there was no love lost between you.'

She nodded.

From a pocket he took a photograph and handed it to her. ‘Your mother married my father and this is them and me with my grandparents.'

Lynne gazed at a younger but recognizable Stuart with her mother, Ellen, who was smiling, a man who had a faint resemblance to Stuart and an elderly couple. They were posed against the backdrop of a white painted house with a garden that appeared to be full of flowers as well as several trees that she thought were orange trees.

‘How did she die? Was she ill? She looks so well in this photograph.'

‘No, she was mauled by a bear while she and Pa were camping in the Rockies.'

Lynne could not believe it and had an urge to laugh. ‘I can't believe my mother went camping! She wasn't that kind of woman.'

‘People change,' said Stuart, sipping his drink.

‘I wouldn't deny that, but my mother – camping!' This time an incredulous laugh did break from Lynne. ‘It's impossible that she could have been killed by a bear. What did it do? Hug her to death?' She clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘I shouldn't have said that, what an awful thing to say!'

‘You're in shock,' said Stuart, starting to his feet. ‘Have you any brandy?'

She shook her head. ‘I'm all right, honestly. Just allow me a few moments to take this in.'

They were both silent for what seemed an age and then Lynne said, ‘Mother told you about the old school, I suppose, and that I was a pupil there?'

‘She'd kept a photograph of when you were a school girl.'

‘She kept that photograph!' Lynne could scarcely believe it.

‘Pa believes it was because she was so proud of you winning a place at her old school. Your name and that of the school and the date were written on the back of the photo. I brought it with me and then I misplaced it. I found it again when I was in Scotland. I'd used it as a marker in a book of maps.' He placed the photograph in question on the table in front of her. ‘Pa was really shocked when he discovered she'd kept you and your daughter a secret from us all that time but he kept his feelings to himself because of the state she was in.' A shadow crossed Stuart's face. ‘I was sorry when she died as she was kind and always interested in what I was up to. She told me that she'd always wanted a son.'

Lynne felt a once familiar ache inside her. ‘I know! She told me that to my face. I don't think she realized how much it hurt me. Nevertheless, thank you for letting me know she kept my photograph.'

Silence.

Lynne smiled. ‘I'm glad you went to the coffee bar and spoke to Betty Booth. My daughter really admires her. Fancies herself as a would-be artist and enjoys sketching people. I'd like her to be a teacher and earn a regular wage.'

He smiled. ‘Pa would say that most parents want what's best for their children.'

‘It's true. He sounds a sensible man, your father,' said Lynne.

Stuart nodded. ‘He'd like to meet you and your daughter.'

‘Oh,' Lynne was taken aback. ‘I don't think …'

‘There's no rush for you to decide,' said Stuart hastily. ‘I'll say no more on that score right now. I rather threw that at you.' He leaned forward. ‘Tell me … Miss Booth … does she have family?'

‘I don't know a lot about her,' said Lynne. ‘I have a feeling my daughter told me that her father was killed in the war and that her mother is dead. She has her own flat and several cousins. I think one of them is married to a friend of Hester Walker. She's the one who told me where you were staying.'

Stuart stared at her. ‘I think I met her brother today. I certainly met a Sam Walker who was with the actress Dorothy Wilson.'

‘What do you think of her?' asked Lynne casually.

‘She sure is a knockout and he's a good-looking guy.'

‘Yes, one could say they make a perfect couple,' said Lynne brightly.

‘Looks are only skin deep,' he said seriously.

‘My mother always thought they were important.' She sighed. ‘It feels strange knowing she's dead and that there's no chance of me ever seeing her again.'

‘If Pa and I had known, I could have visited you and your daughter when I was over here in ‘forty-eight,' said Stuart, reaching out and touching her hand. ‘At least I can tell you that I do have something of hers for you.'

‘What?' asked Lynne, surprised.

‘A couple of pieces of your mother's jewellery that Pa was determined you should have if I found you.'

‘Really?'

From an inside pocket Stuart took a small pouch of soft damson leather and handed it to her. ‘She brought them from England and wore them every Sunday. She told me they were Victorian and from the port where Dracula landed in England.'

Lynne wasted no time loosening the drawstrings of the pouch. When she tipped it upside down, out slid a necklace of silver and jet beads and matching silver and jet earrings. ‘I remember these,' she said, a smile curving her lips. ‘Mother told me they had been in the family for years. The stones were found on Whitby beach and it was there that they were made into jewellery.'

‘She told me that it was famous for its jet.'

‘Yes, it was very popular with Victorian women when they were in mourning. She didn't often wear them, just on Sundays and for my father's funeral.' Lynne let the beads run through her fingers, remembering her mother telling her that the jewellery was worth a bob or two. ‘I really do appreciate you bringing these to me. You will thank your father for me, won't you?'

‘You could thank him yourself. Pa would sure love to meet you and your daughter. He thought that if I found you that maybe you could come back with me after my trip to Europe when I return to the States in a few months' time?'

Lynne sighed and said regretfully, ‘I'd like to and I'm sure Roberta would, too, but I couldn't leave my grandmother and she's not well enough to travel so far.'

Stuart looked disappointed. ‘Well, when the pair of you are able to come, let us know. You don't have to worry about the fare, we'll take care of that.'

Lynne was touched. ‘That's kind of you but I couldn't accept.'

‘Why not? We're family!'

She smiled. ‘I appreciate you saying that. Shall we just wait and see? And could you do me a favour and allow me to keep this photo of you and your family and my mother, so I can show it to Roberta?'

‘Sure you can. I have the negative back home. I can also let you have the photograph your mother kept of you.' He reached into a pocket and took it out.

Lynne placed the other photograph on the mantelpiece before taking the one of her that her mother had kept all these years. She gazed down at her younger self and tears pricked her eyes. ‘I wish she had told you about us earlier and we had met in ‘forty-eight. I wouldn't have carried so much hurt and anger around with me for so long,' she said unsteadily.

He squeezed her hand. ‘Well, we've met now and Pa and I don't want to lose touch with you and Roberta.'

She nodded. ‘If we can't visit your father just yet, we can write.'

He agreed and released her hand. ‘And now I must go. I can see you're busy and I've a lot to do before leaving tomorrow. I'll send you a postcard from the different places I'll visit and God willing I'll be back in a couple of months.' He stood up and leaned down and kissed her cheek. ‘Until the next time, Lynne.'

‘Until the next time,' she echoed.

She walked with him to the front door and waved him off. Their time together might have been short but it had been good. Her mother's death had come as a shock but at least she could be grateful to her for not forgetting about her completely and for providing her with a stepbrother. She had always wanted a brother and it might prove useful for her daughter having family connections in America. This evening she was going to a friend's house straight from school, so Lynne decided not to tell Nan about Stuart's visit until Roberta arrived home.

Stuart's visit was still playing over in Lynne's head when Hester arrived that evening. She led her into the front room and helped her off with her coat, asking after her sister.

‘I'm sorry, but Jeanette couldn't make it.'

‘What a shame.'

Hester agreed. ‘She did give me her measurements if you wanted to buy the material and just allow a bit extra in case they're not perfect.'

Lynne nodded but decided she would do no cutting until she measured Jeanette herself.

‘I spoke to our Sam,' said Hester, smiling. ‘He told me that he bumped into you at the hotel. Then shortly after he and Dorothy met Stuart Anderson outside the Philharmonic pub and told him about seeing you. What I want to know is whether the Yank came to visit you?'

Lynne wondered what else Sam had told his sister about her but did not ask, telling her instead about Stuart's visit as she took out her tape measure.

Hester's eyes widened. ‘Goodness me! Perhaps your mother was once a girl guide and went camping when she was younger.'

‘She never mentioned it. Anyway, she wouldn't have been taught what to do if she confronted a bear in the wild.' Lynne shuddered. ‘When you think we regard bears as cuddly.'

‘I know. Our Jeanette loved her teddy bear.' Hester held out her arms so Lynne could measure her bust.

Lynne continued with her story and Hester marvelled. ‘Such generosity! It's a pity your mother didn't think of inviting you to California, all expenses paid. She might not have gone camping.'

Lynne giggled, although she knew that really what had happened wasn't the least bit funny. It must be nerves making her behave the way she was. ‘Poor mother and my poor stepfather! Anyway, let's stick to the matter in hand. You've a good figure and I'm really looking forward to seeing this gown finished. I bet your future husband counts himself a fortunate man.'

Hester's eyes softened. ‘I think I'm the luckiest woman alive. Ally's kind, understanding and has a great sense of humour.' She paused. ‘Our Jeanette is hoping to get married next year, so there could be more work for you in the future. It's no use passing my wedding gown on to her. It would need altering too much. I can give her five inches in height and she's slimmer than me. She takes after her mother. Whereas Sam and I take after our father.' She glanced at Lynne. ‘What did you think of my brother?'

‘You're lucky having him for a brother,' said Lynne before she could stop herself. ‘I mean, except for my father and Robert, I've had little to do with men. At least having a brother means you grow up used to men's ways. I was only young when my father died.'