By
Jan
Chapter 11
Nikki stood watching out of the library
window, her arms wrapped around herself almost protectively, as Bob carried Helen’s
possessions out to his van. He had been doing odd jobs for her grandmother for
as long as she could remember but at that moment she hated his guts.
Helen was in the children’s bedroom packing the last of their clothes into a suitcase. The floor was littered with Jemma’s toys and the little girl was sitting on the floor amongst them. They had all been neatly boxed but as she got tired of playing with one thing she left it on the floor and fetched something else out. The boys were already at the cottage helping Lynne and Rob to sort everything out at that end. “Jemma, put your toys back in your box now, sweetheart, then Bob can put it in the van,” she told her niece patiently.
“But,
Auntie Helen, I want to play,” Jemma wailed.
“I
know you do, sweetheart, but we’ve got a lot to do before bedtime. Now, you can
keep one toy out but put the rest away,” she spoke more firmly this time
because she knew how stubborn Jemma could be until she got her own way.
“Can’t
I play with two?” the child pleaded.
“You
can play with two small toys but Dolly has to go into the box,” Helen conceded
then smiled with satisfaction as Jemma began to put her toys away…no way was
her beloved Dolly – an old rag doll – going into the box. “Good girl,” Helen
hugged her when the floor was clear. “Now, I’m going to take this suitcase down
to the car. I won’t be long.” She picked up the suitcase and started downstairs
with it, only to meet Nikki on her way up. She held her breath as Nikki
hesitated momentarily before brushing past her.
Nikki continued up the stairs and went
into her grandmother’s bedroom. She had hoped to avoid Helen as long as
possible but she knew she would have to face her sometime if only to say
‘goodbye’ to the children.
“Has
Helen gone yet?” Emma asked as Nikki closed the door behind her.
“Not
yet. Don’t worry she’ll be up to see you before she goes.”
“Isn’t
there anything you can do to make her stay? Why don’t you talk to her?” she
said pleadingly.
Nikki
smiled sadly. “There’s no point, Gran. Helen isn’t interested in me.”
“But
you can’t know that,” Emma protested.
”Take
my word for it, she couldn’t have made her feelings for me any plainer,” Nikki
retorted bitterly. “I’m going into town, do you want anything bringing back?”
“I
don’t but check with Maddy and see if she wants anything.”
“OK,
I’ll see you later.” Nikki dropped a kiss onto her grandmother’s cheek then
left the room.
Emma
sadly watched her granddaughter’s retreating back and wished there was
something she could do to give Nikki the happiness she deserved. No sooner had
the bedroom door closed than it slowly opened again and Jemma peeped in with
Dolly clutched to her chest.
“Come
in, my dear,” Emma said kindly.
Jemma
slowly entered the room and went and stood beside the old lady’s chair. She
looked at her for several moments before speaking. “Auntie Helen and Nikki were
fighting.”
“Really?”
Emma replied, trying not to sound too interested. “Do you know why?”
The
little girl nodded then leaned close and whispered in Emma’s ear. “Because
Auntie Helen was going out with Doctor MacDonald.”
“I
see.”
“But
I think Auntie Helen really likes Nikki,” Jemma told her
conspiratorially. “I saw her crying.”
Emma
stifled a smile, out of the mouths of babes…”I think Nikki really likes Auntie
Helen,” she whispered back.
“Then
why do we have to leave?” she demanded.
That
was the question she had asked herself many times. “I don’t know, child.”
“I
do,” Jemma replied importantly.
“You
do?” Emma asked patiently.
“It
was because of the lady who talks funny.” Jemma screwed up her face struggling
for a name.
“Talks
funny?” Emma repeated. “Do you mean Miss Taylor?” Jemma nodded. “I don’t
understand, Jemma, why would the lady who…Miss Taylor, have anything to do with
you leaving?”
“She
said she was going to report Auntie Helen to the Social if we didn’t go!” she
announced then frowned. “Mrs Wade, who’s ‘Rick’?”
“’Rick’?”
Emma echoed.
“The
lady said we were ‘at Rick’s!’”
The
old lady smiled, suddenly enlightened, so that was it! “Have you told anyone
else about this, Jemma?” The little girl shook her head. “Good girl! We’ll keep
it our secret.”
“Jemma!”
They heard Helen outside in the corridor calling for her niece.
“Run
along, my dear,” Emma told her. “But come and see me before you go.” She
watched the little girl skip from the room then her eyes narrowed angrily, so
Marcia Taylor was at the back of it all! Nikki was obviously fond of the woman
or she wouldn’t spend so much time with her so it was no good telling her
Marcia had been blackmailing Helen. No, she would have to sort this one out
herself!
With
the last of their possessions finally packed into the car, Helen stood outside
Emma’s bedroom door tightly holding onto Jemma’s hand. The old lady had taken
the news they were leaving exceptionally well but now the moment had arrived
she hoped Emma wouldn’t be upset.
“This
is it then, Jem,” she said with a wry smile at her niece then gave a brisk
knock on Emma’s door before entering.
“All
ready?” Emma asked, smiling bravely when she saw them.
Helen
crouched down beside her and placed her hand on Emma’s arm. “It’s been lovely
working for you, Emma, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Emma
covered Helen’s hand with her own. “It was lovely having you here, all of you.
I just wish you didn’t have to leave.”
“You
can manage without me full time now and I’ll still be calling in on you to
check on your progress,” Helen assured her.
“You
were always more than my employee, Helen. Surely you know that.”
“Yes,
well…” she smiled, momentarily unable to speak then she drew Jemma forward.
“Give Mrs Wade a hug, sweetheart. The boys will be waiting for us.”
The
little girl flung her arms around Emma’s neck and hugged her tightly. “See you
soon, Mrs Wade,” she promised happily.
Helen
felt the old lady’s hand tighten on hers then she kissed her cheek. “Bye, Emma.
Thanks for everything.”
They
went downstairs. There was only Maddy to say their farewells to now.
“Is
Emma alright?” Maddy asked when they entered the kitchen.
Helen
took a deep breath. “She’s a bit upset.”
“That’s
only to be expected. I’ll go up and sit with her when you’ve gone,” Maddy
replied kindly. “Don’t be a stranger, Helen. Come and see us sometime.”
Helen
nodded. “We’d better go.” She hugged the older woman then took Jemma’s hand.
They had been happy in this house or they could have been if it hadn’t been for
Marcia Taylor. She wished she could have said ‘goodbye’ to Nikki but if they
came face to face now she didn’t know if she would have the courage to walk
away.
When
they arrived at the cottage, Helen was delighted to see that Rob and Lynne had
started trying to make order out of the chaos and, although there was still
plenty to do they would be able to get into bed that night.
“Why
don’t you come round to ours for a meal?” Lynne suggested when she and Rob
decided it was time to leave.
“That
would be lovely, thanks,” Helen replied gratefully. “But I think we’ve imposed
on your time enough today. I really do appreciate your help.”
“No
problem,” Lynne waved aside her thanks. “Just give us a shout if you need
anything. We won’t be going far tonight, Rob is on call.”
“Don’t
try and move any heavy stuff on your own,” Rob put in. “I don’t want you doing
your back in for Monday.”
“I’ll
bang on the wall,” Helen promised with a laugh.
When
the young couple had gone, she went upstairs to find Jamie using his bed as a
trampoline. “Down you get, young man!” she ordered, grabbing hold of him and
swinging him on to the floor. “Where are your brother and sister?”
“Dunno,”
he shook his head.
She
ruffled his hair. “Let’s go and find them. How do you fancy a take-away for
tea?”
“Great!
I want a cheeseburger!” he shouted enthusiastically.
“Cheeseburger
it is then!”
They
went downstairs and found Tommy and Jemma playing with Blackie in the small
garden at the back of the cottage. It had been a few months since it had just
been the four of them…five now with the puppy…and, although she knew she would
miss living at the Wade’s house, miss the company, the children were safe and
that’s all that mattered.
Emma’s
chin set stubbornly as she limped her way downstairs and into the kitchen where
she found the housekeeper just putting the ironing board away. “Maddy, would
you drive me into town?”
Maddy
looked at her in surprise. She knew her employer disliked the way she drove and
was forever telling her to slow down when they went out in the car together.
“Of course.”
“Don’t
worry,” Emma’s lips slipped into a smile. “This is one day you can pretend
you’re Stirling Moss. I’d like to get there in a hurry. Get your coat, I’ll
tell you as we go.”
After
giving her directions, Emma was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to worry
about Maddy’s driving and they soon pulled into the car park of the town’s
plushest hotel. “Stay here!’ Emma ordered as she started to get out of the car.
“I’m
coming with you,” Maddy replied stubbornly.
Emma
nodded, grateful for her company. This was going to be anything but pleasant.
She led the way into the hotel and to the reception desk. “What is Marcia
Taylor’s room number?” she asked in a commanding voice.
“Five-three-six,”
the receptionist informed her. “I’ll ring Miss Taylor’s room and let her know
you’re here.”
“That
won’t be necessary, thank you,” Emma replied abruptly. “I want to surprise
her.” She looked at Maddy and winked imperceptibly.
The
look of astonishment on Marcia’s face when she opened the door to her knock
gave Emma a feeling of immense satisfaction.
“To
what do I owe this pleasure?” Marcia asked, the smile on her lips not reaching
her eyes.
“May
we come in?” Emma said formally.
“Sure.”
Marcia swept to one side to allow them entry. “Now, are you going to tell me
what you’re doing here?” she demanded, leaning back against the door with her
arms folded.
“I’ve
come to ask you to stay away from Nikki,” Emma stated, trying to keep her voice
steady.
The
American snorted in disgust. “Don’t you think that’s up to Nikki? She is old
enough to know whether she wants to see me or not.”
“She
may be old enough but she’s also too soft to tell you to sling your hook!” Emma
retorted. “But I’m not!”
Marcia
moved from the door and opened it wide. “I think you’d better leave.”
“I’m
sure American lawyers have a governing body, what do you think they would do if
they found out one of their members was a blackmailer?” she exclaimed. “I’ll
have to ask my old friend the judge, I’m sure he’ll know.”
“You
wouldn’t dare,” Marcia sneered. “Or I’ll tell Nikki what you’ve done.”
“No,
madam, I’ll tell Nikki what you’ve done and I don’t think she’ll be too
pleased when she knows what you’ve put Helen through!” She drew herself up to
her full five feet nothing height. “I asked you before, now I’m telling
you…stay away from my granddaughter!”
“Why
you vicious old…!”
“Stay
away from her!” Emma interrupted sharply. “And if you ever do anything to hurt
Helen or those children I’ll make you sorry you were ever born!” She glared at
Marcia for several moments then turned to Maddy. “Come, Matilda,” she said
haughtily, using Maddy’s given name.
The
two women rode down in the lift in silence and marched through reception.
“That sure rode her out of town on a
rail,” Maddy said appreciatively as they walked out into the sunlight.
“Are you still reading those trashy
Westerns?” Emma demanded.
“Yup, sure am,” Maddy replied as she
twirled an imaginary Colt 45 round her finger then blew imaginary smoke from
the end of an imaginary barrel.
“You’d better give me one to read,”
Emma said with a twinkle in her eye. “Then I can find out what ‘rode her out of
town on a rail means’!” The two women giggled together like naughty
schoolchildren. “Come on, Maddy, let’s get back to the ranch before they send a
posse out looking for us and can we take it a bit slower on the way back? I
don’t want to finish up in Boot Hill before my time.”
Maddy gave her a suspicious look. “Are
you sure you haven’t been reading my Westerns already?”
“Gary Cooper wasn’t my hero for
nothing,” Emma remarked with a faraway look in her eye.
“Randolph Scott was always my
favourite,” Maddy mused dreamily.
“John Wayne!” they chorused together.