Lucy.’
‘Quite right. Let’s keep our priorities in order. Eat first and I’ll batter his brains in later.’
Over the next weeks as the days shortened, Belinda continued to see almost as much of Lucy as she did of Benny and seemed content to have it that way. Not that they weren’t pretty inseparable as a couple and, in a way, Lucy envied them that contentment. Yet within the family, disagreement rumbled on. Benny seemed determined to be independent, refusing any sort of commitment beyond a bit of temporary employment now and then with his mother. Polly was clearly upset by his continued stubbornness and went about tight-lipped. Knowing her mother as she did, Lucy could see the situation exploding in Benny’s face if he didn’t make a move to find himself a proper job soon. Much as she adored him, Polly’s patience with her one and only son would surely only stretch so far.
But Lucy was happy for him, she was really. Belinda was a lovely girl, though what she saw in her head-in-the-clouds brother, she really couldn’t imagine. Maybe she was jealous in a way for wouldn’t she just love a man of her own; a life other than one with herself and two children packed in the spare room of her mother’s house.
That Christmas the Ministry of Food handed out free Christmas puddings and one was given to Lucy, since she was bringing a family up alone. A part of her resented this act of charity even as she gladly accepted it. Every day she was forced to remind herself that Tom was only missing , as if she needed to drum this fact into her head. Yet however much she might do so, deep down she held no hope that he would ever return, which left her feeling like a widow with all the problems that brought. But what if she wasn’t? Others, besides Lily Gantry and Minnie Hopkins, didn’t see her as such, so how could she ever rebuild her life, ever start again with another man until she knew for certain one way or the other.
She missed having someone to confide in, to chat with, to open her heart to as she’d used to be able to do with Tom. She didn’t always see eye to eye with her mother though it was admittedly true that Polly had never been one to interfere and when she offered advice, it was usually wise. Like the time she’d urged her to apologise to her employer for those telling sharp words. Nevertheless even a loving mother or a friend like Belinda, however valuable, couldn’t make up for the loss of a soul mate, a husband and lover.
As always Lucy took refuge from her troubles in hard work. It was the only way she could cope with her grief. Every morning she went to the end of the street and cleaned number 179, keeping a well buttoned lip despite much provocation from Minnie Hopkins. Lucy still couldn’t stand her but at least she’d kept her job, one she needed and enjoyed, and they both became reconciled to a state of what might be called an armed truce between them. Generally speaking they managed to keep out of each other’s way, circling each other whenever they met, like a pair of sparring dogs.
Lucy enjoyed looking after Michael. He was a kind and gentle man, had even stood up for her when she’d asked if she could have Sean with her while she worked, since the day nursery had closed. Minnie had been vehemently opposed to the idea, but Michael very reasonably pointed out that if Sean didn’t come, neither would his mother. And by that time, even Minnie had come to appreciate the excellent meals the young woman cooked for them, so had grudgingly accepted the situation.
To Lucy this was a huge relief as it eased the pressure on her over-full day. Sean, though curious about the big house was no trouble and seemed to benefit from spending more time with his mother. He played either in the long back yard or safely in the small front garden. Little bigger than a pocket handkerchief with a few stalwart marigolds surrounded by a privet hedge, the little boy seemed content with his chalks and slate, toy
‘Quite right. Let’s keep our priorities in order. Eat first and I’ll batter his brains in later.’
Over the next weeks as the days shortened, Belinda continued to see almost as much of Lucy as she did of Benny and seemed content to have it that way. Not that they weren’t pretty inseparable as a couple and, in a way, Lucy envied them that contentment. Yet within the family, disagreement rumbled on. Benny seemed determined to be independent, refusing any sort of commitment beyond a bit of temporary employment now and then with his mother. Polly was clearly upset by his continued stubbornness and went about tight-lipped. Knowing her mother as she did, Lucy could see the situation exploding in Benny’s face if he didn’t make a move to find himself a proper job soon. Much as she adored him, Polly’s patience with her one and only son would surely only stretch so far.
But Lucy was happy for him, she was really. Belinda was a lovely girl, though what she saw in her head-in-the-clouds brother, she really couldn’t imagine. Maybe she was jealous in a way for wouldn’t she just love a man of her own; a life other than one with herself and two children packed in the spare room of her mother’s house.
That Christmas the Ministry of Food handed out free Christmas puddings and one was given to Lucy, since she was bringing a family up alone. A part of her resented this act of charity even as she gladly accepted it. Every day she was forced to remind herself that Tom was only missing , as if she needed to drum this fact into her head. Yet however much she might do so, deep down she held no hope that he would ever return, which left her feeling like a widow with all the problems that brought. But what if she wasn’t? Others, besides Lily Gantry and Minnie Hopkins, didn’t see her as such, so how could she ever rebuild her life, ever start again with another man until she knew for certain one way or the other.
She missed having someone to confide in, to chat with, to open her heart to as she’d used to be able to do with Tom. She didn’t always see eye to eye with her mother though it was admittedly true that Polly had never been one to interfere and when she offered advice, it was usually wise. Like the time she’d urged her to apologise to her employer for those telling sharp words. Nevertheless even a loving mother or a friend like Belinda, however valuable, couldn’t make up for the loss of a soul mate, a husband and lover.
As always Lucy took refuge from her troubles in hard work. It was the only way she could cope with her grief. Every morning she went to the end of the street and cleaned number 179, keeping a well buttoned lip despite much provocation from Minnie Hopkins. Lucy still couldn’t stand her but at least she’d kept her job, one she needed and enjoyed, and they both became reconciled to a state of what might be called an armed truce between them. Generally speaking they managed to keep out of each other’s way, circling each other whenever they met, like a pair of sparring dogs.
Lucy enjoyed looking after Michael. He was a kind and gentle man, had even stood up for her when she’d asked if she could have Sean with her while she worked, since the day nursery had closed. Minnie had been vehemently opposed to the idea, but Michael very reasonably pointed out that if Sean didn’t come, neither would his mother. And by that time, even Minnie had come to appreciate the excellent meals the young woman cooked for them, so had grudgingly accepted the situation.
To Lucy this was a huge relief as it eased the pressure on her over-full day. Sean, though curious about the big house was no trouble and seemed to benefit from spending more time with his mother. He played either in the long back yard or safely in the small front garden. Little bigger than a pocket handkerchief with a few stalwart marigolds surrounded by a privet hedge, the little boy seemed content with his chalks and slate, toy
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