The tangling of the web, p.17
The Tangling of the Web, page 17
Sally was now in a state of confusion. What on earth was Luke going on about? She knew it was all to do with this strange lassie, Angela, a slip of a woman who had had the temerity to barge into her life and turn it upside down.
Still emotionally frail, Sally began to sob. Why, she thought, is Luke demanding that I send David away? Would it not make more sense for me to keep one ally close by? Plucking at the front of her coat, she observed Luke again and she noticed that her normally completely-in-control brother was panicking.
Inwardly, she was still reluctant to send David away. After all, was it not true that Luke and herself had never had an easy relationship? But here he was asking – no, begging – for her help, and had he not come to her rescue when Angela assaulted her?
Against her better judgement, she heard herself say, ‘Thank you, David. You have been very kind, but it’s time you got back home to your wife. She needs you. And don’t worry, because Luke and Angela will take care of me.’ She weakly smiled to him, but it belied the fact that she was thinking the blow to her face and nose must have rendered her senseless – unable to make a logical decision. That had to be the irrational reason as to why she was inviting two people who really hated her into her home. These people who knew she would have no protection … not one single ally close by to come to her aid.
The hotel business was successful for Ginny, and she proved very quickly that the large profits were indeed to be made between the sheets. That was why she was always on the lookout for new premises. Someone had told her about an eight-roomed house down in Seaview Terrace in Joppa that was crying out to be developed into a bed and breakfast.
Ginny prided herself in the fact that she was a woman before her time. She was a successful businesswoman who could beat any man any day. Nonetheless, there were things she should have done but hadn’t: for instance, she never seemed to find the time to get driving lessons, so she didn’t have a driving licence and therefore she didn’t own a car.
What she did have was plenty of money to spend on hired vehicles, so the day she decided to inspect the house at Seaview she arrived by taxi.
On arrival at the address, she had asked the driver to drop her off on the grass verge on the other side of the street from the houses so she could view the property she was interested in.
The row of superior houses impressed her. They had obviously been built at a time when it was fashionable to own substantial property close to the beach. Scanning along the edifices, she noted that only two other houses in the long row had been turned into lodging accommodation.
Crossing over the street, she climbed the steps to the house that was for sale and with a flourish she rang the bell.
Half an hour later, Ginny was standing on the doorstep making her departure. ‘Are you interested in the house?’ the seller asked.
Ginny, being Ginny, had done her research. She knew the middle-aged woman doing the selling was the daughter of the recently deceased owner and she was anxious to get a quick sale so she could return to America, which she now called home.
‘For myself – no,’ Ginny drawled. ‘I like small hotels that I can enlarge. So this is too little for me to develop far enough. But,’ she hesitated, ‘I do think I know of someone who this would be a good stepping stone for.’
‘You mean you know someone who may be interested in …’ The woman abruptly stopped. What she was thinking was ‘a broken-down, badly maintained and in much need of repair, shortly to be condemned building’. But, fixing an insincere smile on her face, she continued sweetly to Ginny, ‘A house that has so much potential? A place that could be developed and wear the stamp of the personality of the person who buys it.’
Sighing before indicating with her finger, Ginny pointed out to the sea. At that minute in time the tide had ebbed and the sea was calm and it twinkled like diamonds in the morning sun. ‘See there,’ she began, ‘that magnificent view.’ The woman nodded enthusiastically. ‘That is the only thing this house has going for it right now.’
‘But I thought you said you knew someone who might buy this?’
‘I do. But … let’s say … you would have to become more realistic about the asking price.’
Morning hadn’t come too soon for Sally. She wanted to believe that Angela was a Walter Mitty character, but what she said about her having been born to a young teenager who then left her in the orphanage fitted in with Josie having disappeared when she was just fifteen. What also became more believable with the dawn was how Angela’s grandmother in America had found out that she existed and then she’d come over, and taken on the establishment and won – won the right to adopt her own granddaughter, who she had cared for ever since.
There were other things that were perplexing Sally. One was why had Josie not sought her help? For God’s sake, she was only fifteen and pregnant to a GI who had been sent to France, which meant she had been left all alone to face the condemnation that was poured onto all unwed mothers to be. Hadn’t she trusted Sally enough to ask for understanding? Why, hadn’t she known that Sally loved her dearly and would have forgiven her anything? Sally stopped in her deliberations. Why, she scolded herself, would Josie require my forgiveness? The only person in this sorry affair that she should beg absolution from is Angela.
The other matter that was of great concern was that when Mrs Yorkston had contacted her and offered her assistance, even – if Angela was to be believed – to take her to America and care for her and Angela, why hadn’t Josie taken up this generous offer? Sally had thought up till now that Josie, who lived in a land of make-believe, would just have loved to have been offered the chance of emigration to America. Why hadn’t she grabbed the chance to live the American dream? Angela’s grandmother appeared to be a warm and loving woman. Was that not always what Sally and her siblings had yearned for: a supportive, affectionate mother figure?
Thinking of a mother figure caused Sally to draw up. She smiled. Now wasn’t that just fortuitous of me to have persuaded Flora to have a telephone installed. Flora had been reluctant to give the contraption houseroom and took delight in saying, ‘Don’t be daft, Sally. You know fine there’s a call box just five minutes down the road that I can use if there’s an emergency.’ What she didn’t add but thought was, Besides, I sleep a lot easier when I’m not privy to every little crisis that happens down in Leith – especially if my darling Bobby sneezes twice. Nonetheless, after much persuasion she had relented and the telephone, just for use in real emergencies, was installed.
After dialling Flora’s number, Sally had to wait for what seemed an eternity before she answered. ‘Hello. Is there a fire or something?’ Flora huffed. ‘Surely you know hens have to be fed and eggs collected?’
‘Flora, it’s Sally.’
‘Of course I knew it was you, Sally. Nobody else ever rings this abomination’s bell.’
Ignoring the rant that was always Flora’s opening remarks, Sally, without enquiring as to Flora’s well-being, said, ‘Flora, now I want you to cast your mind back.’
‘To where?’
‘Look, it’s just, do you remember when you went to Blackpool to see the lights and you came back with Josie?’
‘Hardly likely to forget that happy day, am I?’ Flora shouted – not through frustration this time but because she thought she had to heighten her voice so Sally could hear her in Edinburgh.
‘Right, now what I want is for you to concentrate hard and try and recall did Josie say anything about a baby or a GI or America?’
A long pause followed.
‘Flora, Flora, are you still there? What I am asking is …’
‘I know what you’re asking and I’m trying to remember, but it’s such a long time ago. Blast this getting old. The only thing going for it is you get a pension. Now, what did Josie say that day?’ There followed a long hesitation during which Flora hummed and hawed. Eventually she drawled, ‘No, Josie never mentioned nothing about a baby or an American GI. Though I think if she’d come across the GI she would have been pleased, very pleased … Just said, she did, that she had to run away because someone we all knew was trying to get her to do things that no lassie should do unless she’s been churched.’
Sally sighed. Flora was getting old, and every week now when she rang her there were always problems. If it wasn’t that she didn’t have her distance glasses on so she couldn’t see to hear Sally then it was her hearing itself that was bad. The hearing had the habit of getting really bad if Sally ever had reason to criticise any of the children – especially Bobby.
‘Okay, Flora, you get back to the hens. And don’t you concern yourself about not knowing about what Josie forgot to tell us when you found her. When I’ve caught up with her and got the whole story, I’ll ring you.’
Sally hung up, but not in time not to hear Flora scream, ‘Is there a story here that I should know about? Sally, Sally, you tell me now. Knowing Josie I bet it’s juicy and …’
Before Sally could go any further with her enquiries, the doorbell rang. Thinking that Luke had made good progress in bringing Josie home from Glasgow Airport, she skipped along the corridor.
‘Gosh that was quick,’ she said, yanking the door open.
‘Clairvoyant are you now,’ Ginny quipped as she brushed past Sally and proceeded towards the living room.
‘Thought you were Luke,’ Sally explained when she caught up with Ginny.
‘Don’t tell me that the two of you are being civil to each other? Now that is a turn-up for the books.’
‘He is just away to Glasgow to pick up Josie. She’s been on holiday in Menorca.’
‘But why would he bring her here? She has a home of her own now.’
‘Just a wee family problem we have to get straightened out.’
‘And I hope by the look of your face it will not end up in any more blows.’
Fingering her swollen nose and bruised cheek, Sally replied, ‘This mess. Och, you know how it’s a hazard of the trade. But you should see the other guy – came off worse, he did.’
‘Hmm,’ observed Ginny, who wasn’t convinced by Sally’s excuse. ‘Now what I’m here for is I’ve got this great idea.’
Sally groaned. Ginny, she knew, did get good ideas, but today, with the Angela affair to be straightened out, Sally could do without any further proposals for consideration.
Ignoring Sally’s reluctance, Ginny sallied on. ‘Now Sally, just listen. I’ve just been to see this wonderful house in Joppa.’ She paused. ‘Okay, it’s not wonderful just now, but it will be once you’ve spent time and money on it. Honestly, Sally, it has so much potential and it’s a snip. Or it will be once you’ve beaten the greedy woman – American she is – down.’
‘But I have a nice home here. I love it. Why would I want to move?’
‘Because, my dear Sally, as I’m always pointing out to you, it’s easier to make your money between the sheets than it is in a bar in Leith – where you are in danger of having your face rearranged.’
Sally shrugged.
Ginny continued, ‘Believe me, this house is just crying out to be developed into a bed and breakfast, and it could also be your stepping stone to starting up your own hotel empire.’
Sally knew she should argue, but she just didn’t have the energy or motivation to do so. Ginny was a dear friend and she knew she had her best interests at heart. It was true Sally could have more time to herself if she hadn’t the two bars to supervise, but she liked working in the trade. Not wishing to hurt or alienate Ginny, she found herself saying, ‘Ginny, I promise you that I will look at the house. Leave the details, but today I just have to get a family problem straightened out.’
Ginny, who was one never to let an opportunity pass by, responded, ‘And while you’re about it, get rid of PC 49. He has an ailing wife.’ Sally made to interrupt, but Ginny silenced her with a wave of her hand, ‘And yes, I know, because I know you, it’s platonic, but since they introduced the birth control pill who ever believes any relationship is not sexual?’
‘The problem I’m dealing with has nothing to do with David. It’s …’
The door opened and a tousled, half-slept Angela, carrying a teddy bear, sauntered in.
‘Oh. Now aren’t you the dark horse? Here was me thinking I would put you on track to becoming a hotel owner and here you have already started by taking in paying guests.’
‘I’m not a visitor,’ an indignant Angela said defensively. ‘Am I, Aunt Sally?’
Sally shrugged and waved her hands. ‘No. Ginny, this here is Angela. She’s …’ Sally just didn’t know what to say, because until Josie confirmed that she had had a child, nobody could be positively sure she had.
‘Josephine’s daughter,’ Angela informed her.
Not sure if she had heard right, Ginny exclaimed, ‘Are you claiming that Josie, when she was a scatterbrain, gave birth to you?’
Angela nodded.
‘And you are also asking me to believe that she scooted off on holiday and left you behind?’
‘No. She doesn’t know that I’ve managed to track her down. It will be as big a surprise to her as it was to you when she comes in and finds me here.’
Lifting her handbag, Ginny began to make for the door. ‘Sally, I think as you appear to have your hands full I’ll take off for now, but …’ She paused whilst pulling on her gloves, ‘… don’t forget the house in Seaview Terrace, Joppa. You really must consider it – especially now you have relatives popping out of all sorts of holes in the woodwork.’
Two hours passed before Luke came back into Sally’s.
‘Where’s Josie?’
‘Look Sally, you know how hazardous that car trip from Glasgow Airport is. That A8 is a death trap … and okay they’re upgrading it bit by bit … but as I didn’t want to end up in bits, I didn’t mention Angela to Josie.’
Luke turned to Angela. ‘Unpredictable your mother is when she gets a shock. Don’t know how she’ll react. After all, did you not demonstrate last night how volatility runs in the family? Besides … All Josie could do was babble on about how wonderful Menorca was and – wait for it, Sally – how she might be becoming the owner of a flat there!’
The information about Josie thinking about buying a holiday home went straight over Sally’s head. ‘But I told you,’ she protested, ‘to tell her and get the initial shock over for her.’
‘Look, Mrs Righteousness, if you’re so keen on having that done and since I’ve just dropped our Josie off at her house why don’t I drive you and Angela up there and the two of you can break the good news to her.’
* * *
Luke had just dropped Sally and Angela off at Josie’s door when Angela grabbed Sally’s arm. ‘Aunt Sally,’ she whimpered, ‘what if she still doesn’t want to know me?’
Sally took a deep intake of breath and exhaled it slowly before responding, ‘The only way we’ll find that out and why she did what she did is to ring this bell.’
On opening the door and finding Sally and Angela standing there, Josie became wary. She could tell from Sally’s demeanour that all was not well. Sensing that somehow Sally had found out she had signed up to buy a flat and thinking that Angela was probably the British agent, she gulped, stood aside and allowed them to enter.
Once they had all got seated, Josie began. ‘Please don’t be angry. I can explain. And if we all work together, we will be able to sort everything out.’
Sally gasped. ‘For heaven’s sake, Josie, I know you can be feckless at times, but how do you reckon that by sitting down and talking about it you can sort everything out? You just can’t. This lassie here is your child, Angela!’
Dumbfounded, Josie started to stutter, ‘But I thought she was the British mortgage advisor?’
‘No, she bloody well is not,’ Sally exploded. ‘She is, in case you have gone deaf and didn’t hear me, the daughter you abandoned in a soulless orphanage in 1945!’
Josie slipped off her seat. Cries like those of a wounded animal escaped her. With her bare hands she thumped on the floor. Still whimpering, she slowly began to crawl towards Angela, but Angela turned away from her. All her life she had wanted to face her mother. Have her mother put out her arms to her. But this whimpering, cringing creature was not the kind of mother she had ever envisaged her mother to be. She had been hard enough to desert her, hard enough to ignore the pleas of her grandmother, and here she was cowed, frightened, grovelling.
The cries of Josie were so distressing that Sally dropped down beside her and lifted her up in her arms. ‘Sally,’ she pleaded as Sally rocked her from side to side, ‘this young woman cannot be my little girl. She’ll not be fully grown yet.’ She paused and through her tears she glanced at Angela. ‘Every night I dream of her. I know it’s not her because, oh, Sally, dreams never come true.’
‘It is her, and what you have got to do is pull yourself together and tell us why you acted in the way you did.’ Looking towards Angela, Sally softly added, ‘This lassie here, your very own child you gave birth to, deserves to know the truth.’
Unable to control her anguish, Josie trembled and sobbed. ‘I met,’ she began falteringly, ‘fair-haired, deep blue-eyed Roy Yorkston at a dance in a café on Princes Street.’ Josie now seemed to go into a storyline that she had told herself over and over again and again. ‘He wasn’t tall, but was tall enough for me. And his smile … it would have melted the iceberg that hit the Titanic, and see the first time he called me “babe” in his American drawl my legs felt like jelly. I’d never been in love like this before. He was my Rhett Butler and I was his Scarlett. From the moment we kissed we knew we loved each other and were destined to love each other forever. Still love him, and only him, I do.’
A strange, eerie silence filled the room. It was as if the ghost of Roy had come in and joined them. After a while, Josie felt she had to put some things right and suddenly the stillness of the room was broken by her blurting, ‘Now don’t run away with the idea we were doing … well, you know what. No, not even when he showered me with nylons, chocolate and chewing gum. Please believe we’d been going out at least three months before we … Anyway I found out I was having …’ She faltered before adding, ‘… his child, but he was on embarkation leave, so he promised to come back and make it alright for me – and I now know he would have, but when you get killed you just don’t seem to be able to keep your promises.’
