Mother’s Ruin Read online

  Elsie could guess how Sally would have reacted to that. She loved her son dearly, but he rarely took the blame for anything and always tried to find a scapegoat. He’d been the same as a child. Yet he had so many wonderful qualities, ones she felt made up for this one flaw in his character.

  ‘Arthur, when are you going to take responsibility for your own actions?’

  ‘Don’t start, Mum. I know it was my fault and I’d do anything to turn the clock back.’

  ‘We’d all like to do that, but don’t give up, Arthur. If you want Sally back, you must try again.’

  ‘It’s no good. Sally was adamant, and now that she’s moving so far away, I’ll only see Angel during school holidays.’

  ‘Oh, God, this is awful. I’m going to miss Angel too, but not just my granddaughter, I’ll miss all of them. Ruth and I go back a long way,’ Elsie said as she rose to her feet. ‘I must go to see her, and perhaps talk to Sally at the same time. She might listen to me.’

  ‘I doubt it, Mum.’

  Elsie ignored this and went to the back door, calling to Bert. When he came inside she said hurriedly, ‘I want you to run me to Candle Lane.’

  ‘What? Now?’

  ‘Yes, it’s important. I’ll tell you all about it in the car.’ She then turned to Arthur. ‘Make some sort of excuse to Angel, and stay here until we come back.’

  Arthur nodded, rising to his feet and walking out to the garden. Elsie watched for a moment as he crossed the lawn towards his daughter. Angel was playing with the cat, pulling a piece of string and giggling as the animal tried to catch it. Her red curls were bouncing, the sun enhancing the fiery colour, and she saw Arthur sweep the child up into his arms. How must he be feeling? He had lost his wife, and now must feel that he was losing his daughter too. There had to be something she could do, there just had to. ‘Come on, Bert, let’s go,’ she urged, anxious now to get to Candle Lane.

  * * *

  Ruth’s bed was still strewn with clothes when she heard a knock on the door. She thought it was Mary and hurried downstairs to let her sister in.

  ‘Elsie! Bert!’ she said, startled to see them instead of Mary.

  ‘Arthur has just told me that you’re all going away. We’ve been friends for years, since our children were small and I had to come to see you. I can’t believe you’re getting married.’

  ‘You could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw Andrew again,’ Ruth said, as they followed her inside. ‘He’s wonderful and just as I remembered him.’

  ‘I’m pleased for you, even though it seems a bit quick.’

  ‘I know, isn’t it amazing? If Andrew didn’t live in Scotland, I’m sure we’d have taken things more slowly. Still, quick or not, I’m over the moon. I’m sure we’re all going to love living there.’

  Elsie’s stance stiffened. ‘What about Arthur! Sally’s taking Angel such a long way away and he’s in a terrible state.’

  ‘When my daughter caught Arthur with that girl, she was in a state too. It’s his fault that the marriage broke up, and seeing what Sally has been through, I can’t feel sorry for him.’

  ‘Ruth, please, Arthur made a terrible mistake, but he loves Sally, and I’m sure that deep down she still loves him too. Isn’t there something we can do to get them back together?’

  ‘No, I’m afraid not. She’s made up her mind and is coming with us.’

  ‘Is she in? Maybe I could try talking to her.’

  Ruth lowered her eyes. She was getting married, going to Scotland, and when Sally had agreed to go with them, her happiness had been complete. The last thing she wanted was Elsie putting a spoke in the wheel. ‘Sally is upstairs and I think she’s had enough upset for one day.’

  ‘But—’

  Another knock on the door cut off Elsie’s protest. Ruth went to answer it, hoping it was her sister this time as that would give her an excuse to get rid of Elsie. ‘Mary, come in.’

  Mary greeted Elsie and Bert, but then Ruth said, ‘As you can see, my sister had just arrived and we have family business to discuss.’

  Bert’s voice suddenly boomed. ‘Fair enough, but we’d like to see Sally before we go.’

  ‘I heard your voices and was on my way down,’ Sally said, as she walked in.

  Ruth’s lips tightened. This was the last thing she wanted. ‘Elsie and Bert are just leaving.’

  ‘Sally, I can’t believe you’re going to Scotland,’ Elsie said, ignoring the hint. ‘Arthur is in a dreadful state.’

  ’It’s no more than he deserves,’ Ruth told them.

  Bert walked up to Sally, taking her hand in his. ‘I know you’ve been badly hurt, but Elsie is right. I’ve seen the state my son is in. Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive him?’

  ‘Please, Sally,’ Elsie urged.

  Ruth held her breath, her heart thumping as she looked at her daughter. Oh, Sally, don’t go back to him, she silently willed.

  ‘No, it’s too late now,’ Sally told them, and Ruth’s breath left her body in a rush of relief.

  ‘Do you still love him?’ Bert asked.

  ‘Please, I don’t want to talk about it any more,’ she said, tears suddenly filling her eyes.

  ‘I told you I didn’t want my daughter upset again,’ Ruth cried. ‘She’s been through enough. Now I don’t want to be rude, but I think you should go.’

  Sadie came into the room. ‘What’s going on?’

  It was Elsie who answered. ‘We just came to talk to Sally and to say goodbye to you all.’

  ‘I hate goodbyes,’ Sadie said grumpily, as she shuffled across to her chair.

  Elsie pulled Sally into her arms. ‘I’m sorry we’ve made you cry. It’s the last thing we wanted to do. I know you’re leaving soon, but will you keep in touch?’

  Sally dashed the tears from her eyes and with a watery smile, said, ‘Of course I will, and . . . and you’ll still see Angel. I’ll bring her down to visit as often as I can.’

  Elsie was close to tears now, and seeing her distress, Ruth felt awful. This was her friend, a woman who had helped her when she was in need. She ran across the room, wrapping her arms around her friend. ‘I’m going to miss you, Elsie.’

  It was Elsie who pulled away first, sobbing now as Bert led her from the room.

  ‘That was awful,’ Mary said. ‘The poor woman was so upset. Mind you, I’m going to miss you all too.’

  ‘You can come to visit us as often as you like. Andrew has a large house so there’ll be plenty of room.’

  ‘Have you set a date for the wedding?’

  ‘No, not yet. Everything is happening so fast, but when we do have a date, you will come, won’t you?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.’

  Both looked at their mother when she spoke. ‘I never thought I’d leave London. Even when bombs were falling during the war, I stayed put.’

  ‘You could live with me, Mum.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ Ruth protested. ‘You have to work and Mum still can’t be left on her own.’

  ‘Sally could stay with me too.’

  ‘You haven’t got room,’ Ruth pointed out, annoyed at her sister’s suggestion.

  Mary sighed. ‘I know, and to be honest I’m just being selfish. You’re all moving away and it feels like I’m losing my whole family.’ And as though fighting her emotions, Mary’s voice became brusque. ‘Anyway, where’s Andrew? I’ve yet to meet him.’

  As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. ‘I expect that’s him now,’ Ruth said, soon leading him into the kitchen. ‘Andrew, this is my sister, Mary.’

  ‘Hello,’ he said, reaching out to shake her hand.

  ‘So, you’re going to marry my sister.’

  ‘Yes, and I hope you’ll come to our wedding.’

  ‘As I told Ruth, I’ll definitely be there.’ Sally was hardly listening, her mind drifting and her head beginning to ache. ‘If you don’t mind, I’d best start sorting my things out,’ she said, glad to leave the chat
ter of voices. Her heart was heavy as she went upstairs, and instead of packing she flung herself across the bed.

  She had made her decision, she was going to Scotland, but now, as Sally turned over to stare up at the ceiling, tears once again flooded her eyes.

  Chapter Fifty

  Monday morning dawned bright and clear, but when Arthur climbed into the car, Joe could tell by his friend’s face that something was wrong. ‘What’s up, mate? You look down in the dumps.’

  When Arthur told him why, Joe’s jaw dropped. Until this moment he’d been sure that eventually there’d be a reconciliation, but instead Sally and her family were moving away. ‘Christ, mate, I can’t believe it.’

  ‘Neither could I at first, but she’s definitely going.’

  ‘Bloody hell, mate, that’s a crock. I’ve got a bit of news too and at least it means I’ll be around to help you to drown your sorrows. You once suggested that I should find somewhere else to live, and now that Patsy has moved out, I’m taking her flat on.’

  Arthur smiled wryly. ‘Well, at least there’s no chance that I’ll be accused of having it off with you.’

  During the rest of the journey Arthur hardly spoke and sat slumped in his seat. Joe tried to lift his spirits, but his replies were monosyllabic.

  When they arrived at the site it was full of activity and once again Joe felt a thrill of excitement. The development was taking shape, and soon he hoped they’d see a large return on their investment. ‘It’s looking good, Arthur. The first house will be finished in another month or two and we’ll use it as the show house. Mind you, we’ll need to get the décor right.’

  ‘Sally would have been great at that. She’s got an eye for interior design.’

  ‘Talk to her again, Arthur. She may still change her mind.’

  ‘No, it’s too late. She’s leaving for Scotland in the morning.’ Joe sighed, wishing Arthur would put up more of a fight. He was about to voice his thoughts, but his friend had already climbed out of the car, his face etched with sorrow as he headed for the site office.

  They had only one visitor in Candle Lane that evening. Mary called round to say goodbye. She couldn’t get time off work in the morning and now clung to them. ‘What time is the van coming?’

  ‘It’ll be here at eight, but it won’t take long to load. There’s only Mum’s furniture, a couple of cartons and our cases.’

  The telephone rang and Sally went to answer it. It was Arthur’s sister, Ann.

  ‘Sally, I can’t believe you’re doing this,’ she said, without preamble. ‘All right, what Arthur did was terrible, but you can’t take Angel away from him.’

  ‘I’m not. I’m only moving to Scotland and he can still see her.’

  ‘Huh, it’ll be once in a blue moon.’

  ‘Ann, I’m doing what I think is best.’

  ‘I can’t see how taking Angel away from her father is for the best.’

  ‘She’ll be living in a better environment, with her family around her.’

  ‘Your family, not her father’s. Sally, don’t do this. My brother made a mistake, a stupid mistake, but he’s told me that Patsy meant nothing to him. It’s over with, finished.’

  ‘So is our marriage, Ann.’

  ‘Sally, you’re being unreasonable.’

  ‘I’m being unreasonable!’

  ‘Yes, I think you are.’

  Sally clenched her teeth. ‘I wonder if you’d say the same if it was your husband who’d been unfaithful.’

  ‘I think I’d be more forgiving.’

  ‘Well, Ann, I hope you never have to put that theory to the test,’ Sally said. She’d had enough and didn’t want to talk any more. ‘I’m sorry, Ann, I don’t want to argue with you, and I must go.’

  ‘All right, go then, but I still can’t believe you’re doing this to my brother.’

  She felt a surge of anger and slammed the receiver down, only for it to ring again a few seconds later; this time Elsie was on the line. She could hear the pain in her mother-in-law’s voice, and when the phone was passed to Bert, his voice was thick with emotion too.

  Sally spoke to them for a while, her voice cracking, and when the receiver was finally replaced she felt completely shattered.

  More followed when Mary rose to leave at ten o’clock. It was an emotional goodbye for all of them, and unable to stand any more, when the door closed on her aunt, Sally went to bed.

  An hour later and Sally was still awake, wishing the spiritual presence would come to comfort her, but she saw only shadows cast by the moon. Turning over her eyes drooped, but behind closed lids she recalled the pain she had seen in Arthur’s eyes. Was she being unreasonable? Was this her way of getting her own back for the hurt he’d caused?

  Sally’s mind turned to all the things that had been said; Arthur’s words, those of her in-laws, and lastly, Nelly Cox. She had forgiven her husband and gone on to have a happy marriage.

  There was also Nelly’s question. The old woman had asked if Sally really wanted to spend the rest of her life without Arthur.

  Sally felt as if she’d only been asleep for minutes when her mother was waking her up again.

  ‘Come on, Sally, it’s six-thirty.’ Blearily she opened her eyes and with a small nod, sat up. So this was it, the day had arrived. In just a few hours they’d be leaving Candle Lane. It was going to be a long day for all of them, and as Angel was still asleep, Sally decided to leave her for another half an hour.

  Gran was up when she went downstairs, and as her mother made a pot of tea, she was smiling happily. ‘What do you want for breakfast, Sally?’

  ‘Nothing, Mum. I’m not hungry.’

  ‘You should try to eat something. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.’

  Sally sat down, Nelly’s question still on her mind and as her mother handed her a cup of tea, she stirred it absent-mindedly. Unbidden, tears welled in her eyes. ‘Oh, Mum.’

  ‘Sally, don’t start. There’s no time for tears. We’ve got too much to do this morning.’

  ‘I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, if going to Scotland is the right choice.’

  ‘Don’t be daft, of course it is. We’ll all be out of this dump, and living in Edinburgh will be so much better for Angel. She’ll thrive there and I know that Andrew will see that she wants for nothing.’

  Sally stood up, her shoulders hunched. ‘All right, I’ll go and get washed and dressed before getting her up.’

  ‘Good girl, but don’t spend too much time in the bathroom. I’ll need to sort Tommy out too.’

  Another hour sped by, and now Andrew had joined them. Moments later, Denis called round, looking hung over as he said goodbye to Tommy. ‘Now be a good boy and I’ll come up to Scotland to see you whenever I get the chance.’

  Tommy didn’t seem concerned when his father left, the parting surprisingly easy, and now Ruth began to run around like a headless chicken, checking drawers and cupboards for anything she might have failed to pack.

  ‘Calm down, darling,’ Andrew said. ‘Look, here’s the removal van.’

  Sally felt as if she was in a dream, her head woozy. They were going. They were really going.

  Whilst the removal men were shown Sadie’s furniture, Sally stepped outside, memories flooding back as she looked along Candle Lane. In her mind’s eye she could see herself as a child, playing with Ann. She could picture Arthur too, a cheeky boy who often teased her, but he’d grown into a handsome man who’d stolen her heart.

  As though her thoughts had bidden him, Sally saw someone turn into the lane. Arthur! She watched him walking towards her, her tummy feeling as though it had turned a somersault.

  ‘Sally, I had to come, had to see you. Please don’t go,’ he begged. ‘Please give me another chance.’

  As she stared up at him, Nelly’s question filled her mind again. Could she put it behind her? Could she trust him again?

  ‘Sally, I love you, and I swear I’ll never be unfaithful again.’

  Her throa
t constricted with emotion, they gazed at each other, and as Sally took a hesitant step forward, Arthur swept her into his arms. It felt right. This was where she belonged.

  ‘Please, Sally, please come back to me.’

  ‘Nelly Cox asked me a question and now I know the answer.’

  ‘What question?’

  ‘She asked me if I really wanted to spend the rest of my life without you.’

  ‘And?’ he asked, eagerly.

  ‘No, I don’t.’

  He lifted her up, his voice loud with joy as he shouted, ‘Nelly Cox, I don’t know how you did it, but I love you.’

  ‘I don’t think she can hear you,’ Sally said, smiling now. ‘Nelly left Candle Lane and she’s moved into Osborne House.’

  ‘Then I’ll go to see her with the biggest box of chocolates I can find.’

  Sally’s face sobered. ‘Arthur, I must tell my parents, and not only that we had better stop the removal men before they put my cases on board!’

  They walked into the kitchen, hands clasped. ‘Mum, Dad, I’m sorry, but I’ve changed my mind. I won’t be coming to Scotland.’

  ‘Daddy!’ Angel squealed, running up to her father. ‘I knew you’d come. I knew we wouldn’t be going to Scotland with Nanny and Granddad.’

  Arthur swept her up into his arms. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘The lady told me.’

  ‘What lady?’ Sally asked, but somehow she already knew the answer.

  ‘The one who comes in the lovely light.’

  Andrew spoke, his voice full of wonder. ‘My mother sees something similar.’

  ‘Me too,’ Sally said. ‘And now it seems my daughter will be following in our footsteps.’

  Ruth spoke at last, her eyes sad. ‘I can’t believe you’re not coming.’

  ‘We’ll visit you as often as we can.’

  Andrew moved to Ruth’s side, taking her hand. ‘I know you’re upset, but take a good look at our daughter. She’s happy, and that’s what matters.’

  ‘Yes, but for how long? You’re out of your mind, Sally. What if he hurts you again?’

  ‘Ruth, I won’t,’ Arthur said. ‘I’ll never make the same mistake again.’

  ‘See that you don’t, laddie,’ Andrew growled.