Legacy of Greyladies (6 page)

‘No, tell me. But what?’

‘They’re going to introduce a Military Service Bill into Parliament next month. They say it’ll be only for single men, but there have been massive casualties and I can’t see how they can avoid conscripting married men sooner or later. I hope they don’t call Lucas up. Surely he’s too old. Only they have to replace the men they’ve lost.’

‘It’s dreadful how many men have been killed,’ Mildred agreed. ‘My Edwin has such poor eyesight, I doubt he’d pass a medical. It’s very selfish of me to think like that, but I pray they won’t take him away from me when I’ve only just found him.’

When Alex went to use the lavatory, he stared at his thin face in the mirror, wishing he wasn’t staying in this house of unhappy memories. Then he cheered up at the thought of attending Mildred’s wedding. He was looking forward to meeting her husband-to-be. Why, there might even be time for her to have a child. She deserved that.

He wished he’d had a child, but had never met a woman whom he could imagine marrying.

Two days later the funeral was held, with less pomp and ceremony than he’d expected.

‘Didn’t my mother specify the details of today?’ Alex asked Mildred over breakfast. ‘I’d expected more … fuss.’

‘Yes, she did. However,
I
didn’t see the point in wasting so much money on her obsequies. You’d think she was Queen Victoria from the list she gave me. As if the funeral attendants wear weepers on their hats these days!’

‘They do look rather silly trailing strands of crepe down their backs.’

‘What gave me the courage to defy her wishes was that there are women and children going hungry, men dying in agony because of the war and others injured and struggling to make a living. I couldn’t bear to waste money on your mother’s follies when it could be put to better use. You don’t mind, do you?’

‘I agree with you absolutely.’

‘She’d already bought a plot in the churchyard and chosen her coffin. Let that suffice. A few of our neighbours and some people from her church will be attending, out of courtesy. She had no friends left alive.’

‘I don’t think she ever had any real friends.’

‘No. She wasn’t like my dear mother.’ Mildred was silent for a moment or two, then said, ‘Those attending are coming back here afterwards for light refreshments, but I hope to get rid of them within the hour, then we’ll have the reading of the will.’

‘You’re more decisive than you used to be.’

‘When I came to look after your mother, I had to learn to stand up for myself.’

‘Well, I’m grateful that you did it and glad it led to you meeting Edwin.’

The funeral went smoothly and Alex hoped he played his part properly, but the service, graveside ceremony and slow drive back to the house seemed to go on for ever. And then he had to speak to those who’d attended and listen to their condolences as they made free of the generous refreshments, not easy to provide in a time of food shortages.

He didn’t even know half of them, probably would never meet them again.

At long last the funeral gathering drew to a close. Alex saw the last guest out and lingered for a few moments on the doorstep, breathing in the cool, fresh air.

But there were still things to do, so he closed the front door and went back to join Mildred, her fiancé and his partner, Mr Telsom.

‘We can have the reading of the will now, if you wish, Mr Seaton,’ Edwin Morton said in his quiet, rather musical voice.

‘Yes. Let’s get it over with. Then if I need to leave the house to the new owner, I can go to a hotel.’

‘I doubt it’ll come to that.’ Edwin gave a faint smile.

‘We’ll go into the dining room, shall we?’ Mildred led the way without waiting for an answer.

Alex noted that she smiled briefly at her fiancé as she sat down and that Edwin returned the smile with a warm, loving look. It was good to see that.

There were some papers waiting on the table and it was Edwin’s partner who went to sit in front of them.

Once the other three people were seated, Mr Telsom cleared his throat. ‘I drew up the most recent will, Mr Seaton, because it would have been a clash of interests for my partner to do it by then.’ His glance in Mildred’s direction said why. ‘The will isn’t complicated, so with your permission, I’ll summarise its main points.’

Alex hoped that meant his mother had left something substantial to his cousin.

‘Very well. Agnes Rosina Seaton left everything she possessed in equal parts to her son Alexander James Seaton and her niece Mildred Rosemary Seaton.’

The words were out before Alex could stop them. ‘I don’t believe it!’

Mildred reached out to take his hand. ‘It’s what you deserve, dear.’

The two lawyers waited to continue, their expressions polite and non-committal. He supposed a lot of strange things were said and done when wills were read. It took him a minute or two to calm down, and his first impulse was to refuse the bequest.

But that would have been stupid and he had never thought himself lacking in common sense.

‘I’m sorry. I was rather surprised.’ He turned to Mildred. ‘I’m glad she remembered you. If anyone deserves that money, you do.’

‘It wasn’t always easy to look after her, I will admit.’ She smiled across the table. ‘But doing it led me to my dear Edwin, which is far more important than the money.’

‘What does the estate consist of these days?’ Alex asked. ‘My mother was never very good with money.’

‘This house and its contents, a few hundred pounds in the bank and very little else,’ Mr Telsom said. ‘My partner and his wife-to-be have no desire to live here, so they wish to sell everything. How do you feel about that, Mr Seaton?’

‘I’m of the same mind. However, since I’m in the trade, perhaps it’d be best if
I
sell the furniture and other items. I have a lady and gentleman who work for me and who clear out houses of deceased persons. I’m sure with their help, I can get far more money for the contents than my cousin could. There are one or two items I should like to keep, and of course I’ll pay a proper price for them.’

‘What a good idea!’ Mildred said. ‘I wasn’t looking forward to going through my aunt’s things, I must admit,
because I don’t think she ever threw anything away. Is that everything, Mr Telsom?’

‘Yes. I’ll leave each of you a copy of the will and take my leave.’

‘What about her maid?’

‘She refused even to consider leaving the poor woman anything.’

‘Then I think we should give her something, Alex. If she hadn’t been so old, I doubt she’d have stayed with my aunt.’

‘Give her what you think right. And a medal with it, for putting up with my mother for so long.’

She smiled but wagged her finger at him in mock reproof.

Edwin showed his partner out and came back to join them. Mildred was standing near the fire staring into it and he went across to put one arm round her shoulders. ‘Are you all right, my love? You were looking rather sad just then.’

‘I’m fine, but I do find it sad that no one will miss her.’

She looked across at Alex. ‘Well, that’s done now. On a happier note, I’ll remind you that Edwin and I have booked our wedding for tomorrow morning at eleven.’

‘I shall look forward to it.’

‘And after the wedding, I’ll move straight into Edwin’s house. I shall be glad to leave this place. It’s never been a happy house, has it?’

‘No, never. I’ll get up early tomorrow and sort out the things I wish to keep, then I can catch an afternoon train to London immediately after the wedding. I shall be glad to leave the house, too.’

‘We’ll leave the maid to look after things till your employees arrive. Or if she gets another job, which she
hinted she might have a chance of, we’ll simply lock the place up. They can stay here, if they like.’

‘I’m sure they’d appreciate that.’

It was just the three of them for dinner and afterwards they sat by the fire chatting. The more time he spent with Edwin, the more Alex liked him.

‘Can I ask what made my mother change her mind about leaving anything to me?’

‘I did,’ Mildred said. ‘I didn’t tell anyone but she talked once or twice of leaving everything to me. I told her that if she didn’t leave a good part of the money to you,
people
would talk
. She was always terrified of being gossiped about – I don’t know why, because she never did anything scandalous. I’m not sure I feel comfortable about taking half the money, even.’

Alex let out a harsh laugh. ‘That’s the main thing that makes
me
feel it’s right to accept the bequest, that you get your share. I’m not short of money, Mildred. My business is very successful, even now.’

He wasn’t sure whether to say it, but took the risk. ‘I hope it’s not too late for you two to have children, because then I’ll have someone in the family to leave my money to.’

‘I share that hope for children,’ Mildred said. ‘But I’ll remind you that it’s not too late for
you
to marry and have children, either.’

‘Who would want to marry an old crock like me, whose hair is rather thin on top and who is definitely on the scrawny side?’

‘Many women, because you have a kind heart and a decent nature.’

Alex could feel himself flushing. Personal compliments had been rare in his life and he never knew what to say or do when they were offered.

He went up to bed and left the others chatting, but Edwin didn’t stay late and Alex heard the front door open and close about ten minutes later.

He hoped he’d never have to come back to this house again.

He smiled in the darkness. He was very much looking forward to the wedding. That would end his visit on a happier note.

When Mildred came downstairs to go to her wedding, Alex almost didn’t recognise her. Happiness had even lent her the illusion of prettiness – or perhaps it wasn’t an illusion. Perhaps this was the real Mildred and the other rather plain woman had been the illusion.

The ceremony at the registry office was brief, with himself and Mr Telsom acting as witnesses, and Mrs Telsom attending as a guest. Afterwards, they went to a local hotel where Edwin had ordered an excellent luncheon, together with a bottle of French champagne.

Alex snatched a moment with Mildred before he left. ‘If you need anything, ever, you know I’ll help you.’

‘Don’t worry about me, dear. I trust Edwin absolutely. And remember, if you have to come to Swindon, you must stay with us from now on.’

She chewed the corner of her lip, something she’d done from childhood when she was uncertain about what she wanted to say.

‘What is it?’ he prompted.

‘It’s you. Alex, please try to find yourself a wife.’

‘I’m far too busy to go courting.’

‘No need to
go courting
,’ she said firmly. ‘Just keep your eyes open, and if necessary, take a risk. You can be too careful about these things, you know.’ She grasped his hand and gave it a little shake. ‘Promise me that if the opportunity occurs, if you meet a woman you really like, you’ll make the effort to get to know her.’

‘Mildred, dear—’

‘Promise me!’ She laughed suddenly. ‘It’s the wedding present I want most.’

‘Oh, very well. I promise.’ He couldn’t imagine it happening, though.

She patted his cheek. ‘I know you won’t break your word. Ah, Edwin! Come and say goodbye to my cousin.’

Donald watched sourly as Olivia put on her outdoor things. ‘I don’t like you associating with that Horner-Jevons woman. I don’t know what poor old Humphrey was thinking of to marry someone as unconventional as her. Cecily tells me she goes out in public wearing
trousers
. Has she no shame?’

‘So do you. They’re very practical garments. I’m thinking of getting a pair made for myself.’

‘I’ll burn them if you do.’

‘While I’m wearing them or after I take them off?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

She studied him. Her feelings for him were undergoing a change. She’d always been a little afraid of upsetting him, he was so big and strong, but after spending more time than usual with him, she now considered him a stuffed shirt with a narrow view of the world, who backed down when challenged.

And he was rather stupid too. From the way he talked about what he would do after Britain won the war, it was clear that he expected life to go back to how it had been before.

She too believed they’d win the war, whatever it took. But she was equally sure most people wouldn’t go back to their old ways of living and thinking. Young men who had never gone more than ten miles away from their villages had now seen big cities and travelled to foreign countries. They’d met all sorts of people, and though they’d seen some harrowing sights, they must have learnt a great deal too.

She was sure they would have been changed by their experiences.

And so many men had lost their lives, like her husband. The women they left behind would have to make new and different lives for themselves. It stood to reason that with so many young men being killed, there would be a lot of young women unable to find husbands at all.

She opened the front door to see if there was any sign of Babs’s car, shivering as a cold wind sucked the warmth from her body.

‘Shut that door!’ yelled Donald.

‘Yes, your majesty,’ she muttered and chose to wait for her friend outside, where the air might be cold, but no one yelled orders at her.

Babs turned up a few minutes later to pick Olivia up. ‘Can you get into the car without help?’

‘Of course I can.’ She opened the door and climbed nimbly in.

‘Did you sell a lot of groceries today?’ Babs asked in a teasing voice.

‘Yes, of course. With Christmas coming next week people are trying to buy little treats, especially those whose sons and husbands will be home on leave. Are you staying down here in the country for the holiday?’

‘No. I’m going up to the London flat and will be having friends round and going to a few parties. You could come with me, if you liked. It’s a big flat and I have plenty of room for guests. I doubt you’ll have much fun with dear Donald.’