The Buffer Girls (39 page)

‘Punish you? Whatever for?’

‘Because I defied him. I took Thomas back into our house and I held his wedding reception there too. Arthur is an unforgiving man.’

‘You think he’s going to have Richard
start at the bottom and work his way up? The way he was making Thomas do?’

Constance shook her head. ‘No,’ she said flatly. ‘He intends to start him in the offices so that he can learn the administrative side of the business.’

George stared at her for a long moment before saying. ‘Oh.’

‘I think,’ Constance said slowly, ‘he now intends to make the boy his heir.’

When Arthur was strong enough, he resumed his trips to the works, but only on two or three days a week. George Bayes was managing things quite well, though it was not like
having the guiding hand of the owner on the helm. Because his ‘secret’ was now out, Arthur saw no reason to hide his visits to Belle any more and so he had Kirkland drive to her house
and sit outside for
several hours at a time.

On his first visit after his illness, Belle could not hide her surprise. ‘I began to think you weren’t coming any more. I thought you were too angry with me.’

‘I’ve been ill,’ he told her shortly, making little of what had happened to him. ‘I was very angry with you, at first, but whilst I’ve been recuperating, I’ve
had time to think. My son – my
legitimate
son
– has sadly disappointed me by marrying beneath him. I want nothing more to do with him and I care not what happens to
him.’

Belle gasped and stared at him. She could hardly believe the man’s callousness. When he’d first told her that he’d ‘thrown Thomas out’, she hadn’t really
believed that it would be long lasting. She’d thought that when his temper cooled, he would make it up with Thomas.
Though where that would have left Richard, she didn’t dare think.
Probably dismissed as having served a useful purpose for his callous father. If such action had been directed towards her own son, whom Arthur had not wanted and had made no secret of the fact that
he hadn’t, then she might – perhaps – have understood it. But to disown the son who had been born in wedlock, the one who had
been brought up to believe himself heir to a thriving
business, was beyond her understanding.

Whatever else she had done in her life, she loved her son devotedly and had done her best for him. She had placed him with loving foster parents, but never hid her identity from him. She had
seen him every weekend throughout his childhood. She’d ensured that he had had a good education and now
she was rewarded by the fact that he understood – and accepted – her
situation without recriminations or censure.

And now, when Arthur seated himself and began to explain his plans for Richard, she could hardly believe that what she’d hoped and dreamed of was actually coming true.

‘I wasn’t sure you really meant it, Arthur, especially since you haven’t visited me again since then – I
didn’t know you were ill – but I am so grateful that
you’re going to do something for our son.’

Arthur had the grace to nod and say, ‘Well, I owe you something, Belle, after all these years of discreet devotion. You have never once caused me humiliation and, as far as I know, the
only time you have disobeyed me has been over Richard’s birth. But I am prepared to overlook that. It suits
me now to do so.’ He hadn’t quite given up the notion of punishing her
in some way for her deception, but he didn’t want it to affect the boy. He had another use for him.

When Richard finished his schooling in the summer of 1922, Arthur took him to the works and presented him, without embarrassment, to his employees, particularly to George
Bayes, who was to take the boy under his wing
and see that he was taught the workings of the office. George hoped he looked suitably surprised when the introductions were made.

But the arrival of Arthur’s illegitimate son by a former music-hall dancer was the talk of the factory for days and rippled out into the streets of the city. Trip heard about it from
Nathan Hawke and when he told Emily, she was shocked.

‘He’s
sixteen
? Do
you mean your father has known Belle Beauman all that time?’

‘So it seems. And there’s something else. He has let it be known that my half-brother is now his heir.’

‘Do you think your mother knows about that?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘It’s put you in a bit of an awkward position, hasn’t it?’

Trip nodded, chewing his lower lip. ‘Do you think I should tell her?’

‘How can you? You’re
barred from visiting her now that your father’s living back at home.’

Constance had, of course, written to Trip to tell him of his father’s illness, but there had been no invitation for him to visit, not from her and certainly not from Arthur.

‘According to what Mr Bayes told Mr Hawke,’ Trip went on, ‘he’s going to set Richard to work in the offices, so that he can learn the administrative
side of the
business.’

‘You mean, he’s going to make his illegitimate son his heir just because you married me? Oh Trip, I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have married me.’

‘I’m not sorry and, yes, I should have. Come here.’

They both rose from the table and he took her in his arms, holding her close. ‘I will never, for a moment, regret having married you, my darling. Don’t ever think
that.’

Emily clung to him. She believed he meant what he said, but she wasn’t so sure.

Despite Nathan Hawke’s goodness to them, Trip’s future was not going to be what it might have been – what it should have been.

Though they had each other, the future looked very uncertain.

Constance sat in the morning room, debating with herself. It was now the last week in August and some three
weeks earlier, shortly after he had introduced Richard into his
family’s firm, Arthur had had a second stroke, a much more serious one. Constance had at once engaged a professional nurse when, for several days, Arthur’s life had hung in the balance.
Slowly, he had recovered although he was now physically incapacitated and hardly able to talk. Nor could he write what instructions he wished
to give. And Constance knew he still wished to give
directions as to how his business should be run, but she chose to act as if she couldn’t understand him.

She had asked him but one question, ‘Do you want Thomas to come back?’

When his answer had been a violent shaking of his head, she had turned on her heel and left his bedroom. Since then, she had left his care to Nurse Adams and
to Kirkland, who helped her when a
man’s strength was needed. The weather was unseasonably wet and cool, but Constance hardly noticed; she was too busy working out a scheme in her mind. And this morning she was ready to go
into action. She rang the bell and when Polly appeared, she asked her to find Ernest Kirkland.

‘Please ask him to come to the morning room.’

When the man entered
the room a few moments later, a little nervously, Constance smiled at him. ‘Please sit down, Kirkland.’

‘Oh, I couldn’t, ma’am, I’m in me gardening clothes.’

‘Of course. I’m sorry.’ Constance’s smile broadened. ‘Kirkland, I want to ask you if I can trust you?’

The man frowned. ‘I should hope so, ma’am. I’ve worked for you for several years now and—’

‘I’m sorry, I’m not making myself
very clear. Of course I know you are as honest and trustworthy as the day is long.’

The man’s features relaxed.

‘What I mean is, can I trust you with my secrets? I wish to do certain things and I don’t want my husband, or the rest of the staff, finding out.’

Now his expression cleared. This he could understand. Maybe the lady had a lover and he wouldn’t blame her if she had and hadn’t
he kept the master’s mistress secret for years?
No one had ever found out about Belle Beauman from his lips.

‘I can be discreet, ma’am.’

Constance chuckled, guessing what was in the man’s mind. ‘Oh, I’m not indulging in clandestine affairs, I promise you. It’s to do with my husband’s business and
– and my son.’

‘Ah – I see.’ Now he thought he understood. He, and all the staff for
that matter, knew about the trouble between father and son and in private they all sided with Master
Thomas, but, of course, it wouldn’t do to say so. But Ernest was shrewd enough to realize that, with Arthur’s illness, the reins now lay in Constance’s slim, but capable, hands.
‘Of course, ma’am, you have my word.’

‘Good. Then tomorrow morning I want you take me in
my
car to Sheffield
and so that no questions are asked, I will drive to your house on the far side of the village to pick you
up. I wish I had the nerve to drive into the city myself, but I just haven’t. Chesterfield is my limit and that is where I shall tell the rest of the staff I am going.’

Constance often drove into one of the nearest towns to shop, usually to Buxton, but just occasionally to Chesterfield.

‘I understand. What time would you like me to be ready?’

‘About nine thirty? Will Nurse Adams be able to manage him without you for a day, d’you think?’

He nodded. ‘I’ll ask her and I’ll tell the rest of the staff that you have given me the day off as I have some personal business to attend to. Would that do,
ma’am?’

‘Certainly, Kirkland. Thank you.’

As the man turned to leave
the room, Constance watched him go, a smile on her lips. She knew she had found an ally.

Constance set off at nine o’clock the following morning, having ascertained for herself from the nurse that her husband was no worse and that there was nothing the young
woman needed for her patient. ‘Mr Kirkland asked me last night when he helped put the master to bed, ma’am, but I said I could manage
this morning. He’s got some personal business
to attend to, he said.’

Constance had nodded, satisfied that Kirkland had so far played his part.

Out of the gate, she drove straight ahead and then turned left at the end of the street into Greaves Lane, past the smithy and The Candle House. She gave a cheery wave to Bob Clark, who had
already been at his anvil for three hours. She also
waved towards the front window of the Ryans’ home. Even though she couldn’t actually see Josh, she knew he would be at his bench and
might just notice the noisy car going past. She must call and see Martha very soon, she reminded herself. The whole family – Bob Clark too – had been very kind when they had heard of
Arthur’s recent illness, enquiring about him each day and offering practical help
if it was needed. In fact, all the villagers had been genuinely sympathetic towards Constance. She halted the
vehicle outside Ernest Kirkland’s cottage and by the time she was sitting in the passenger’s seat, he had emerged from his cottage and climbed in behind the wheel.

‘Which way do you want me to go, ma’am?’

‘As long as we set off in the direction of Chesterfield to start with,
that’s fine.’

As they drove, Constance shouted above the noise of the engine, ‘I want you to take me to see Trip and Emily first, please, Kirkland. Do you know where Mr Hawke’s premises
are?’

Ernest nodded. Conversation was difficult and they didn’t speak again until Ernest was pulling up outside Nathan Hawke’s workshop.

Constance climbed down and knocked on the door. Trip opened
it and gaped at her. Then an anxious look came into his eyes. ‘Is it Father?’

‘No, he’s no worse, but no better either since I last wrote to you.’ She paused and then added, ‘Aren’t you going to invite me in?’

‘Oh – yes – of course. Sorry. I was so surprised to see you here. I thought something must be wrong.’ As he held open the door for her, he glanced out and saw Ernest
sitting behind
the wheel. ‘Ah,’ he said, smiling now. ‘I wondered how you’d got here.’

With the introductions made, Constance looked around. ‘Emily works upstairs, does she?’

‘Yes, but she’s gone out to see customers. There’s only Nell who actually works here and the other two girls are in Mr Hawke’s other premises in Rockingham
Street.’

‘How’s business?’ Constance included Mr Hawke in her question.

‘We’re doing nicely, thank you, Mrs Trippet, considering the difficulties businesses in general are experiencing in these unsettled times. I think we might see a change of government
at the next election in November. With unemployment rising to over a million early last year, I think the voters will be looking elsewhere for their leadership. Still, you haven’t come here
to talk politics
with me.’ His eyes twinkled at her over his spectacles perched on the end of his nose. ‘I’m sure your visit’s to do with these wonderful young people I have
working with me now.’

Constance smiled, for what she had in mind might well rob the man of at least one of his workers. However, for the moment she said nothing but perhaps the intuitive Nathan saw something in her
face for he said
gently, ‘I was sorry to hear of your husband’s illness. I have told Trip that if he is needed at home – or even at his father’s works – then he must
go. He must not feel obligated to me if he is required elsewhere.’ He paused and then added, ‘How is his business fairing without Mr Trippet at the helm?’

Constance met his direct gaze. ‘I will be perfectly honest with you, Mr Hawke, since perhaps
it will affect you. I don’t know how much you know . . .’ She glanced at Trip for
guidance.

‘Mr Hawke knows everything, Mother.’

Constance nodded and continued, ‘It’s very doubtful if my husband will ever be well enough to return to running the business. He has put his – um –’ she hesitated
for a moment, not quite knowing how to describe Richard Beauman, then said, ‘Thomas’s half-brother
in charge. He is recently out of school and knows nothing about the business. Mr Bayes
says the boy is doing his best, but it is too much to have such a burden placed on his young shoulders.’

‘Can George Bayes not run it? He’s been there a long time.’

‘That would have been the best solution, yes, but George has been placed in an awkward situation. Arthur has acknowledged Richard as his
son and made him his heir.’

‘Mm, yes, I see,’ Nathan said.