Let it Shine Read online

  Outside, Ellie was running down the street to meet Betsy, who had just rounded the corner. She had obviously taken trouble with her appearance and looked very smart. Taller and of bigger build than Ellie, she was dressed in a dark skirt and white blouse. These days, her brown hair hung to her shoulders. She and Ellie had never been much alike, and over the years any slight similarity there might have been seemed to have altogether disappeared.

  Running alongside her was the dog, a light-coloured Labrador of some three years old. Puffing and panting, the poor thing was being taken along at a pace too fast for her liking.

  Catching up with her, Ellie walked alongside. ‘Grandad looks well,’ she told Betsy. ‘Tilly too. They’ve got a surprise waiting.’

  Betsy wasn’t impressed. ‘What is it?’

  ‘I’m not telling. It would spoil it.’

  ‘How come you know what it is and I don’t!’

  ‘Because I was here first, that’s all.’

  ‘I hope he hasn’t been and bought me anything babyish. He forgets we’re all grown-up now.’ When the dog seemed to draw back on the lead, she gave it an almighty yank, making it wince.

  ‘Let me take her lead,’ Ellie offered. ‘You can go on ahead, if you like.’

  Betsy refused. ‘I’ll take her. She’s my dog, not yours!’

  Ellie’s hackles rose. ‘Don’t treat her like that then. She doesn’t like it, and anyway, she’s with pup.’

  ‘Pups or no pups, she’d better do as she’s told.’

  After that there was no need to yank on her neck, because from then on the bitch kept pace. Though her mouth frothed and her paws hurt, she was wise enough to know that in Betsy, she had a hard mistress.

  When she saw the party-table, Betsy put on a show of appreciation. ‘It’s lovely,’ she told Tilly and gave her a swift peck on the cheek. When Grandad called her over for a birthday hug, she kept the dog between them and her kiss was fleeting and given grudgingly.

  ‘Happy Birthday.’ Bertie gave them each a small silver locket. Ellie loved hers and put it on immediately. Betsy shoved hers in her pocket. ‘I’ll wear it later,’ she said airily. But it was clear she didn’t think much of it.

  Bertie hid his disappointment and showered his affection on the dog, which settled at his feet and enjoyed the attention.

  It was then that Ellie noticed the extra places. ‘Hang on – the table’s set for seven,’ she observed. ‘Who else is coming?’

  When in that moment the front door was opened, Tilly suggested with a wink, ‘There’s your answer. You’d best go and see, hadn’t you?’

  When she saw who was coming down the passage, Ellie gave out a squeal of delight. ‘Larry!’ Wheelchair-bound, but looking every inch the old Larry she knew, her brother was being pushed by Mick, the loyal friend who had stood beside him all this long time.

  ‘Hello, sweetheart.’ He held out his arms. ‘Ellie! You’re as pretty as ever.’

  Going at a run, she threw herself into his arms, hugging him so hard, he cried for mercy. ‘Oh Larry! I didn’t know!’ Laughing and crying all at the same time, she kissed him then ran ahead to tell Betsy. ‘Look who’s come to our party!’ she cried, bounding into the parlour. ‘It’s Larry and Mick.’

  Betsy seemed happy to see her brother. ‘I thought they wouldn’t let you out of the convalescence home on your own?’

  ‘I’m not on my own,’ he said, pointing up at Mick with a grin. ‘I’ve got my very own chauffeur.’

  Tilly took charge as always, bustling and fussing, and making everyone feel wanted. ‘Set him here,’ she said, and led them to a space nearer the fireplace. ‘Mick, you can sit over here, aside o’ me.’

  When the two young men were settled, she put Grandad on the opposite side next to Betsy, knowing he needed to talk with her, then Ellie and herself opposite Mick.

  The girls had some news. ‘You tell them, Betsy,’ Ellie said.

  Bertie looked up. ‘What’s all this then, eh?’ He didn’t like surprises.

  ‘Me and Ellie are not going to college after all.’ By the look on her face, Betsy was obviously angry about it.

  Tilly gave a little cry of disappointment. ‘Oh, what a shame. And you were both looking forward to it so much.’

  ‘I had it all planned,’ Betsy said peevishly. ‘I wanted to be a teacher. You get respect from the pupils, and nobody challenges your authority.’ The idea of being in charge of forty and more children appealed to her sense of superiority.

  ‘So, why the change?’ Larry wanted to know. ‘I thought it was all settled. You’ve had the home teacher in since you left school at Christmas, and next September you’d go to college and make summat of yourselves.’

  ‘It’s to do with money,’ Ellie told him. She too had been disappointed, but for different reasons. ‘What with the home teacher and books and everything, it’s taken most of Peggy and Ted’s savings. Going to college would mean Ted working overtime every night. It would have been too much for them, and that’s why the plans were changed.’

  Betsy rounded on her. ‘We could still have gone,’ she said sourly. ‘If only you hadn’t said we could go out to work and forget college.’

  ‘I had to, sis. It wasn’t fair to them, and besides, they’ve done so much for us already. It’s time we paid some of it back.’

  ‘Well, I think you’ll both do very well, whatever you turn your hands to.’ Tilly always looked on the good side. ‘Now then, we’ve a party to enjoy. What’s say we get started, eh?’

  Bertie led the example by clasping his hands together, his head bowed. ‘We thank the good Lord for the food on this table,’ his voice dropped to a whisper, ‘for them we love, and them who can’t be here.’ No one round that table doubted his meaning.

  ‘Happy Birthday, girls!’ Tilly cried, and by starting the singing, she wisely carried the mood away from things best forgotten.

  When the singing was over, everybody cheered and the party was on. Tilly poured tea for everyone and, made hungry by the feast before them, nobody needed telling to tuck in.

  Ellie was curious. ‘Is there somebody missing?’ she asked, indicating the empty place. ‘Looks like you’ve set a place too many.’

  All eyes went to Tilly.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind, but my sister’s grandson, John, is in the area today,’ she explained. ‘Bertie will tell you, he was here earlier but then he went off in search of a job. I told him we wouldn’t wait, but that soonever he got back, he was welcome to come and eat with us.’ Looking flustered, she turned first to Betsy then to Ellie. ‘I hope that’s all right with you both? Because if not, I’ll head him off at the door and make some sort of excuse.’

  Betsy swallowed the knob of bread before answering. ‘I don’t like strangers much,’ she declared ungraciously. ‘But it’s Grandad’s house, so it’s up to him.’ It was a cruel dig.

  Stunned by Betsy’s unfeeling remarks, the others looked embarrassed, but not Ellie, who told her in no uncertain terms: ‘Tilly has gone to a lot of trouble for us to enjoy this party, and as far as I’m concerned, John is welcome to share it. Besides, the more the merrier.’ Turning to Tilly, she smiled warmly. ‘It’s my party too, and he’s very welcome. In fact, I’m looking forward to meeting him.’

  Bertie nodded. ‘The lad will always be welcome in my house.’

  Realising she was the villain, Betsy grudgingly retracted her words. ‘I suppose it’s all right if he comes. Besides, you’ve made so much lovely food,’ she cooed, ‘it would be a shame to waste it.’

  Relieved, Tilly thanked them both. ‘He’s a quiet lad,’ she explained. ‘An only child, and now with his parents moving away down South, he’ll be all alone in the big bad world. You’ll like him, I’m sure.’

  So now, the conversation turned to this stranger.

  ‘How old is he?’ Larry wanted to know.

  ‘I’m not altogether sure, but to my reckoning, he’ll be coming up to twenty or so.’ Having given the answer, Tilly concentrated on bu
ttering her slice of bread.

  ‘What kind of work is he looking for?’ Mick was curious. Tilly shrugged. ‘I’m not sure about that neither,’ she admitted. ‘Anything that pays well, I expect.’

  Bertie had a few words to say. ‘He’s not a tradesman or owt like that. In fact, I don’t reckon he’s all that bothered what he does. He drove a truck some time back, I do know that, ’cause he called in here once on his way back to Darwen. Like Tilly said, he needs a wage, ’cause he’s after a place to live round ’ere, and they don’t come cheap.’

  Licking the butter off her fingers, Tilly told them, ‘I’d have the lad to stay with me, but I’m past all that.’ She smiled at Bertie. ‘The only company I can put up with these days for any great length of time is Bertie’s. We understand each other, you see.’ Winking at Larry, she made them all laugh. ‘The truth is, I’m the only woman that would put up with him. I’d wed him tomorrow, but d’you think he’ll put a ring on my finger? Will he heckaslike!’

  Calm as you please, Bertie cut himself a slice of pork. ‘I might think about it,’ he said cheekily, ‘if you promise to put a spread on like this every week.’

  The talk soon shifted to Larry. ‘I watched him do his exercises today,’ Mick disclosed. ‘He’s doing well.’ Gesticulating with his arms he said, ‘They put him between these narrow rails and held him up. Then, just for a second or two he was on his own. It was grand to see.’

  ‘Yes, and I can tell you, it was the longest minute of my life,’ Larry admitted.

  ‘And when will they let you loose?’ Bertie wanted to know.

  ‘Oh, I’ve a long way to go yet, Grandad,’ came the answer.

  ‘They’ll not let me out till I can fend for myself.’ A glint of determination lit his eyes. ‘It won’t be easy, but I’m determined to walk again. I have to!’

  Mick had some good news. ‘I’ve already told Larry that when he’s able to, he’s welcome to come and live at my place. It’ll be better than him being on his own, and I’ll be glad of his company. He’ll not even have to go upstairs if he doesn’t want to, ’cause I never use that big front parlour. And we’ve got a downstairs lavvy off the scullery.’

  Larry had been overjoyed when Mick told him of his plan. ‘I can’t tell you how much it would mean to me,’ he said now. ‘If I’m near all I’m used to, with Mick to urge me on, I’d be out there in no time, like Tilly’s John, looking for work and a chance to get my life back.’ He looked at Mick with gratitude. ‘I’ve a good mate here,’ he said. ‘The best.’ He gave a deep-down sigh. ‘But, like I say, there’s a way to go yet.’

  ‘You’ll do it.’ Mick had no doubts.

  Neither had Bertie. ‘I’m sure you will, lad,’ he said stoutly. ‘You’ve done wonders already, and we’re all proud of you.’

  ‘And are they hopeful,’ Tilly loved Larry like her own, ‘about you walking again, I mean?’

  ‘They won’t commit themselves.’ How many times had he himself asked that same question, and each time been given that same answer.

  Greatly encouraged, Ellie gave him a goal. ‘If you’re not standing on your own two feet by this time next year,’ she announced, ‘you’re not coming to our birthday party!’

  Tilly raised her glass. ‘We’ll all drink to that. So there you are, Larry… think on what your sister said. You’re to be out of that contraption by this time next year.’ And they all tipped up their glasses and toasted the dream.

  Ellie discreetly closed her eyes and said a little prayer. When she opened them again, it was to see Mick looking across the table at her, his kind brown gaze resting on her face with such tenderness it startled her. For the longest moment of her life she could not break the contact between them. Nor did she want to.

  He smiled then, a warm, wonderful smile that sent the blush up her neck and into her face. Seeing her embarrassment, he felt ashamed and looked away, hurriedly engaging in conversation with Bertie.

  The all-too brief incident had left Ellie shaken and excited. She had always liked Mick, right from when she was a little girl. He made her laugh, and he was the best friend in the world to all of them. But Mick was just Mick, and nothing more. Now though, she had seen him in a different way. When he looked at her through those quiet, loving eyes, she had seen something wonderful. Probably without even knowing it, he had awakened something in her that she had never known was there, a kind of need. A rush of exhilaration. It was a frightening thing, and yet so natural.

  She covered her nervousness by gabbling on to Tilly. All around her she heard them talking, about how Grandad missed his old dog, after losing it to an illness. She heard Betsy reveal how her own dog was in pup and how she meant to sell the pups for a good deal of money. ‘If they’re not sold I’ll have them put down,’ she announced, provoking a volley of protest from everyone round her.

  Ellie heard it all, the chiding and the laughter, and the inevitable bantering that happens round a table when friends and family get together. She heard it all, and yet she heard nothing, because all the time she was thinking of Mick. Though she dare not look at him, she was acutely aware that he was only an arm’s reach away; a smile, a word, and she would be the happiest soul on earth.

  She was tempted to glance up, to see that quietness in his brown eyes. And feel the strange, trembling excitement he had caused in her. Instead she avoided eye-contact, yet just occasionally she felt his gaze settle on her, and her young heart beat fifteen to the dozen.

  While the food was still plentiful and the home-made elderberry wine still flowing, a resounding knock came on the door. ‘That’ll be our John!’ Scrambling out of her chair, Tilly hurried down the passage to let him in, returning a moment later with the young man in question. ‘This is John,’ she said. ‘Come to join us, if you please.’

  John was nothing like Ellie had expected. Tall and wiry, with a long mop of brown hair, he seemed rather brash… a bit too full of himself. Not at all like Tilly.

  Mick got out of his chair and shook hands; so did Ellie. ‘Nice to meet you all,’ the young man said. His attention went to Ellie in particular; he thought she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen. ‘I hope you don’t mind me busting in on your party like this?’

  ‘I’m Betsy!’ Drawing his attention, the girl smiled up at him. ‘We don’t mind you coming to our party one bit.’ Looking at her sister, she asked boldly, ‘That’s right, isn’t it, Ellie?’

  ‘You’re very welcome,’ Ellie told him, and he thanked her kindly.

  Tilly was delighted. ‘There you are, son.’ She introduced him to everyone and showed him to his seat. ‘We’re all glad to see you. You’ve missed the start, but you’ll not miss the finish. The girls will blow out the candles and cut the cake in a while, but for now, tuck in and if there’s anything you’d like that isn’t on the table, you’ve only to ask.’ Looking at the twins, she suggested timidly, ‘Happen the girls won’t mind if we save a little slice of cake for you to take back to your grandma?’

  The girls agreed, and her thank-you smile enveloped them all. John, too, showed his gratitude. ‘Grandma will like that. She loves a nice bit of cake, and Auntie Tilly bakes the best cakes ever.’ In truth, he thought it would make him a nice little snack on the way home.

  Tilly explained, ‘I’ve never been quite sure what John should call me. Being his grandma’s sister, I’m not really his auntie, but that’s what I’ve been known as, since he were this high.’ She demonstrated a height just above the table leg.

  Larry said he thought the correct term was ‘great-aunt’, but Mick argued that it was too much of a mouthful anyway.

  Bertie approved. ‘Auntie sounds right enough to me… especially for a young ’un.’ With his own mouth full of chewed scone, a stern scowl from Tilly made him swallow the piece whole.

  When John was settled with a loaded plate of food in front of him, Larry asked, ‘Tilly said you’d been out looking for work. How did you get on, if you don’t mind me asking?’

  ‘No, why should I
?’ Taking his time, he bit off a chunk of pork pie and ate it reflectively. ‘If you must know, I got absolutely nowhere!’ he admitted. ‘I must have walked miles! I trudged round God knows how many cotton mills and foundries. I must have been to half a dozen coal yards. I even went to the tram depot to see if they needed any drivers.’ He shook his head. ‘Nothing doing!’ Picking up another slice of pie, he told them, ‘I’m working out a week’s notice where I am now, so I’ll have to be off soon and catch the train. I’ll come back next week and try again. You never know, I might strike lucky next time.’

  Mick said little, but he couldn’t help but wonder if this fella-me-lad was telling the truth. As far as he knew, there were umpteen jobs going spare in Blackburn; in fact, there was even talk that the coal yards were desperately short-handed. ‘Did you try the coal yard down Henry Street?’

  Swilling down a glass of elderberry wine, John answered, ‘Tried them all. Like I said – there was nothing doing. Why – where do you work?’

  ‘I’m the foreman at Brindle’s Shoes in Blackburn town. We often need people in different departments. Why don’t you call in one day?’ Mick said, trying to be helpful.

  But John would not be drawn further on the subject. In fact, he seemed more interested in listening than talking, and more in looking at Ellie than he did at the food in front of him.

  Ellie felt an instinctive dislike for him, and that was unusual, because as a rule she got on with everyone, friend and stranger alike. Where Mick had made her feel good when he smiled on her, this one’s smile made her skin crawl. But, seeing as he was the lovely Tilly’s guest, she would treat him as such.

  Two others had seen the way John looked at Ellie. One was Bertie; the other was Mick.

  Bertie had never really taken to the lad. Like Ellie he put up with his company for the sake of Tilly, that dear soul who could see no wrong in anybody.