Crossing the bridge, p.26
Crossing the Bridge, page 26
He dug a heel into the floor. ‘What if I told you I found a possible buyer for the Waratah?’
She raised her brows. ‘Already?’
‘Someone close to home too.’
‘Who?’
‘Me.’ The smile on his face unfolded and his dimples deepened.
‘The cat who got the cream?’ Her whole body jiggled with laughter. ‘Of course it’s you. Why would I think anyone but you would buy it?’
‘Maggie got a new sewing machine. Girls might get a piano. It’s only fair I treat myself once in a while. I’d like to take you and Glenn for a ride again.’
‘Glenn would like that. But Lee would miss out.’
‘I’ll arrange one just with the boys then.’ He arched one brow. ‘And one separate for you and me? A trip to the grove? I have a truth to yell into that gorge.’
Heat ran along her shoulders and up her neck. A truth to tell. She had her own to spill, too. ‘I should go. See you tomorrow—come for dinner.’
He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her. ‘Tomorrow.’
She wanted the embrace to never end and sighed when he let her go. She sensed his eyes on her as she left and smiled. It was as if the sun had come out from the cloudy sky.
* * *
On her return to Guilford Farm, Aunt Violet and Uncle John’s car lay parked outside the farmhouse and Nicholas Holby’s police car was next to it. She pulled up near the steps, her heart beating fast. Was Glenn hurt?
Edith burst from the front door and ran down the steps and Poppy opened the car door. ‘Love, love … I don’t know what’s gotten into her.’
‘What’s going on? Is Glenn alright?’
‘No, it’s Violet.’ Edith’s voice trembled. ‘She arrived about half an hour ago. Nicholas is with her.’
‘Violet’s hurt? Is that why Nicholas is here?’
‘No, she’s not hurt and Nicholas wouldn’t tell me. He said it was official business. But I don’t think … Violet was in a right state when I told her where you were.’
‘It’s alright, Edith.’ Poppy’s stomach flipped, as if she were on some carnival ride. Something was wrong for her aunt and uncle to come all this way unannounced. Poppy patted Edith’s hand and headed into the farmhouse. Inside, she hung her hat and removed her gloves calmly, pausing to stare at the family portrait. Taken just after the war had started, the photo showed her sitting stiffly in a wooden chair holding four-year-old Glenn on her lap. Dan’s hand lay possessively on her shoulder. A tingle travelled along her collarbone to the back of her neck.
Uncle John’s distinct mumble travelled out into the hall and she strolled into the sitting room. ‘Aunt Violet, Uncle John, what a pleasant surprise. Nicholas, what brings you here?’
John stood and kissed her cheek. He had a grimace on his face. ‘Your aunt would like to have a word.’
Nicholas stepped forward. His face was ashen, like the time he arrived at her door to inform her of Dan’s accident. He handed her an envelope. ‘Penelope Guilford, I’m serving you with an interim protection order for your son, Glenn Johnathon Guilford. And for his delivery to Mr and Mrs Johnathon Armitage, joint custody guardians.’
Poppy stared at the envelope, then back to Nicholas. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Ronnie’s previous warning that her custody arrangement with Violet would come back to bite sent her thoughts cascading and a sharp pain developed in her chest. ‘What?’
‘I’m so sorry, love.’
Poppy tore the envelope open and read through its contents. Her father had taught her some basics of law, but it was all a blur in front of her—words and phrases in rivers of black indelible ink.
Maintenance including education. The court. Powers to make custody. Provision as to orders. Power of court as to production of child. Duty of court to have regard to conduct of parent.
Her aunt stood, stern and pink in the face. ‘Thank you, Nicholas.’
These words were the terms of custody and her aunt and uncle’s guardianship of Glenn. Terms she had agreed to. Terms that were being used against her. Poppy skimmed the page, seeking redress. She knew it was there, but her eyes clouded with tears. And as fast as she wiped them away, they came again.
Right of surviving parent as to guardianship. Power of father or mother to appoint testamentary guardians. Power to remove guardian.
The last phrase stood out and she brandished the paper in front of her aunt. ‘Power to remove guardian. I will exercise my right to remove you. I trusted you. How dare you, how dare you!’ A deluge of tears came violent and unimpeded.
Violet swallowed, and her chin stuck high in the air. ‘I’m sorry to say this, but Glenn should not stay here. Your uncle has filed a temporary motion. It was Nicholas’s job to serve it. Glenn is coming home with us to Adelaide today.’
Poppy bared her teeth. ‘No. No, he is not. I am his mother.’
‘You can visit him.’ Violet’s voice was warbling iciness. ‘At our house, of course. And if you choose to come to your senses, come stay with us. Until you sort yourself and your priorities.’
‘Priorities?’ Glenn ran into the room and Poppy reached for him, bringing him in close. ‘That’s not our arrangement. It never was!’ She jabbed a finger at Violet. ‘This guardianship was to protect Glenn if I died, not for you to take him away from me while I am still here.’
Violet looked at Glenn and back to Poppy. ‘It’s come to our attention that Daniel has another child.’
Poppy froze. ‘And what has that to do with Glenn? With me? With you?’ Her muscles stretched into a quiver and heat flushed uncontrollably through her. Blood pounded in her ears. She shook the envelope in Violet’s face. ‘What’s it to do with this?’
Violet backed away, her face flushing. ‘Given the circumstances. You are overwrought. I knew there was something off. I’m sure with some redirection, a great deal of prayer and some common sense we shall get through this. We feel ...’
‘We?’ She directed her gaze to her uncle. ‘You agreed to this?’
‘Poppy, I ...’
‘You would never have even thought about this if it wasn’t for Violet. If my father were here, you wouldn’t have agreed. You cannot be that weak to let her do this.’
John bowed his head. Unable or unwilling to answer.
‘Insulting your uncle and I will not change the facts. We feel you are currently not in a state to carry out your motherly duties.’
What about any of Dan’s actions made her an unfit mother? None of this made sense. She was an exemplary mother. No one could take that away from her. ‘How is what Dan did my fault? How does this make me an unfit mother?’
‘After this Alice Marsh woman told your Uncle John the circumstances of her child’s birth—’
Poppy’s gaze darted to her uncle. ‘What? Uncle John told you about Clementine?’
‘It wasn’t quite that way, Poppy love, ju— just—’ her uncle stuttered.
‘I sent her to you in confidence. What she told you is privileged information. I’m not a lawyer, but I know that much at least. You had no right to speak of Alice’s business with Violet. It’s unethical. Like what you are both doing here.’
‘It doesn’t matter how I came about the information. You should have told us.’
‘It does bloody well matter. Alice’s business is none of your business. Why were you even interested in her? Because I was the one to suggest she seek Uncle John’s help? Or is it because her seeking a divorce is something you deem ugly and vulgar?’
‘When a child is in the mix, it is.’
‘Why? How did you even know?’
‘I employed someone separately to do a little digging. A most reliable man. He found out more about this Marsh woman. My instincts were correct. Your uncle simply confirmed it.’
Poppy shook uncontrollably. This wasn’t happening. Her worst fears were coming to pass. Violet had a look on her face as if she’d eaten something unpleasant and Poppy had a sudden urge to smack it off her face.
‘Do you realise you’ve probably put Alice in danger? And Clementine, too? Are you that callous?’
‘Nonsense. Anyway, that type of woman ...’
‘Shut up, Violet! I’m fed up with your snobbery. With your interference in my life. I’m fed up with you belittling me at every moment. You can’t take Glenn; I won’t let you.’ She held him tighter. She struggled to restrain more tears.
Glenn sobbed. ‘I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go!’
‘You can’t take him because of his father’s indiscretion.’
‘But where does a boy learn such things? I suspect Daniel’s mother was not a beneficial influence. You only have to look at Ronnie to see that. I am fully expecting her to fall pregnant to some soldier who leaves her on the streets of Melbourne. A hostess, I hear. I’m sure that’s a euphemism for something far more unpleasant.’
Poppy’s mouth opened into a gape. Her aunt had been judgemental in the past but this was on a whole other level. ‘Are you calling Ronnie a ...’ She refrained from using the word in front of Glenn, but she understood Violet’s derisive comment.
‘I call it as I see it. And in that vein, there’s the matter of this mechanic. I was told that’s where you were today.’
‘Yes, he is selling the Waratah for me. But that is beside ...’
Violet put her hand up. ‘Eleanora tells me you aren’t going to marry Walter Butcher after all. That you’ve have been spending time with this mechanic and his family?’
‘Yes. His family is kind and lovely and all that’s good.’
‘It matters not.’ Violet exhaled. ‘We need to get down nitty-gritty of how this will play out. I don’t wish to part you and Glenn forever. A boy needs his mother, but there are some simple rules you need to follow in order for him to return to you.’
‘Rules? There are no “rules” in an agreement like this. What are you talking about?’
‘It’s all right there.’ She pointed to the letter. ‘If the guardian so appointed considers that the mother or father is unfit to have the custody of the child, the guardian may apply to the court.’
‘And these rules are to go along with this order you’ve made up to bend me to your will?’
‘All I’m asking is that Glenn comes back to school in Adelaide and that you abandon any attempts to help this Marsh woman and her illegitimate child. We wouldn’t wish your reputation to be sullied in this community any more than it already is. Goodness knows what would happen if word got around in Adelaide. And, finally, you stay away from unsavoury men. I’m ashamed that you have been keeping such company. I thought I had done a good job raising you to find the right sort of people with which to mix.’
‘Your sort of people are mean, stiff-necked, parsimonious snobs. I never wanted part of that life, certainly not with men who care for me only for the way I look on their arm.’
‘And you chose love, did you? Because that has turned out well, hasn’t it, my dear?’ Violet reached for her but Poppy pulled away.
‘That is below the belt. Yes. I chose love. I chose Dan. You’re taking Glenn away because of who I associate with now? Because of JB.’
‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that. But since that disreputable night where he took you “stargazing” I have learned so much more.’
‘What poisonous gossip have you had poured into your ears?’
‘He has a son. A son he had with a woman out of wedlock. If that doesn’t tell you the character of the man, I don’t know what does. And you have brought an illegitimate child into the fold to spend time with my nephew. Hardly good motherly behaviour.’
Poppy gripped the weeping Glenn harder. ‘Lee is just a child. He doesn’t deserve condemnation any more than Clementine does.’ JB had never told her about how Lee came into being and she had never asked, because in the scheme of things, despite her initial shock and the wave of panic it sent through her, it didn’t matter. None of it mattered if you loved someone.
‘Why are you doing this? Is it because of Isabelle? Is it because you can’t control me any more than you could control her? And you’re using Glenn to get what you want? Is that it?’
Violet’s face dropped with Isabelle’s name. But she remained silent.
‘These are your rules if I’m to keep my son here?’ In a room full of people, she’d never felt more alone. The expectations Violet laid before her made her stomach lurch. This was the first time since she discovered Dan’s betrayal that she wished he was still here. Playing Saint George to Violet’s dragon.
‘Yes, and they are non-negotiable.’
‘Oh, they are negotiable.’ Poppy steeled herself. There was no Saint George. She had to fight this battle on her own. She made a cutting motion with her hand. ‘Very negotiable.’
The man she had married and loved had betrayed her, but he had given her the greatest gift of her life, Glenn. All that mattered to her right now was that someone, someone who purported to care for her, who she’d relied on since her own mother died, was taking away that gift.
‘Nicholas, she can’t do this. She’s not leaving with him. I won’t let her take him.’
‘Poppy, love, I don’t have a choice. You can fight the order in front of a magistrate. But do it the right way and I’m fairly certain the authorities will listen. In fact, if I have to, I’ll come down myself to sort it bloody well out.’
Poppy began sobbing again. ‘I won’t. I can’t. I won’t.’
Glenn looked up at her through his own blur of tears ‘I don’t want to go, Mum. I want to stay here.’
Edith burst into the room. ‘You absolute witch, Violet Armitage. I wish a house would fall on you.’ She stabbed the air in front of Violet’s nose. ‘Poppy is a good mother with a good heart, which is more than what I can say for you. You don’t even have a heart, it’s a stone. I’ve watched you for years, listened as you berated her. Hardly a word of encouragement or kindness. If ever I had a daughter, I would want one like Poppy. You don’t deserve her.’ She moved and encircled Poppy and Glenn in her arms.
‘Sergeant Holby, please tell your wife to refrain from insulting me.’
Nicholas pulled himself up to his full height of six feet. ‘I’m afraid I can’t, and I won’t do that, Mrs Armitage, any more than your husband would muzzle you. As much as a muzzling is needed.’
‘I won’t be spoken to like this. Country manners, indeed. I’ll be speaking to your superiors.’ Violet huffed and clicked her fingers. ‘It’s time to go, Glenn.’
‘I don’t want to go, Mum.’ He turned to Nicholas. ‘Don’t make me go.’
Violet expelled a sigh. ‘Nicholas, bring my nephew to the car.’
Nicholas crossed his arms and shook his head. ‘No. That’s not part of my duty, I’m afraid.’
‘Very well. Glenn, my love, go with your Uncle John. We can go to the cricket on the weekend. Anything you like,’ she said it with an unnatural smile, one that reminded Poppy of a soulless mannequin.
Violet’s change in tone—merely a ploy to pacify Glenn—failed, and Glenn gripped Poppy tighter.
Poppy’s mind raced with what she could do to stop this madness. She dropped to her knees and embraced him tight. She grabbed his face and kissed his cheeks and his forehead. ‘I love you.’
‘You won’t even have to go to court, Poppy. But let him go for now, love,’ Nicholas said.
She looked up at him. ‘Are you sure?’
‘The law is the law, but you are the boy’s mother and of good character. Ask anyone around here. The authorities will not want to see this in court.’ Nicholas laid a hand on Glenn’s shoulder. ‘Go with your uncle, lad.’
‘No!’ Glenn yelled. ‘I won’t go! I won’t!’
Poppy paused and steadied the tremble in her voice. Her gaze darted between Violet, John, Nicholas and the crying Glenn. There would be no choice but to let him go for now. She smoothed her hands over his shoulders. ‘Glenn, sweetie. Go with your Aunt Violet and Uncle John and I’ll— come see you very soon.’ She wiped the tears from her face. ‘You’ll be back here before Bradman makes his next century, I know you will.’
‘But I don’t want to. I hate her. I hate the way she made you cry. I hate her!’
She took his hands in hers. Her distress had bled into his, and she couldn’t let it go further. ‘Hate is a strong word, sweetie. We’ll sort this out. If you go, it will be easier for me to fix. And I don’t want you any more upset than you already are. I can fix this.’
Glenn nodded and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. ‘You promise?’
She kissed his forehead again. ‘Pinkie swear, I promise.’
‘I’ll go, Mum.’ He hugged her and kissed her cheek.
Poppy inhaled a deep breath and with Edith and Nicholas followed John, Violet and Glenn outside. Glenn, still in tears, propped himself in the back seat and opened the window.
Violet stood in front of Poppy. ‘I only have yours and Glenn’s welfare in mind.’
‘You say that so often, Violet. Do you really believe it? Because I certainly don’t, not any more. Look at your nephew—you got what you want, but why you want to cause such misery, I don’t know. You’ve taken the one thing that means everything to me. But I’ll do everything you ask—’
‘That’s all I wanted to hear, my dear.’
‘I haven’t finished. I’ll do everything you ask for now. Your stupid rules, I’ll follow. I’ll banish all suitors from my life, not just the ones you deem unsavoury. If Isabelle was here, I know she’d be standing with me and not you.’ If Isabelle or her father were still alive, it would never have even gotten this far. ‘But know this, when Glenn comes home, you will no longer be welcome here.’
‘You don’t mean that.’ Violet sniffed. ‘You’ll see I’m doing you a favour.’
Poppy didn’t answer. The car started and her heart burst. She put her hands to her mouth and blew Glenn kisses. The car rumbled down the drive and Poppy chased it through a cloud of dust and fresh tears. She turned to Edith. ‘I need to call Ronnie right now.’
