Chapter 71: Mary Schormann

Manchester, morning: Monday, October 20th

‘Well, this is it.’ Mary stepped forward to give her son a hug and then stopped, glancing up at the rows of windows along the front of the large building. She gave a short laugh that she hoped hid the sudden pangs of anxiety. ‘I won’t kiss you, Richard. Who knows who’s watching? I wouldn’t want to damage your image before you start here.’

‘Don’t be daft, Mam.’ He enfolded her in a bear hug. ‘Who cares?’

But when she leaned back to study his face he looked apprehensive.

‘Look after yourself, son.’ Mary touched his cheek so he was watching her mouth. She spoke softly so Peter wouldn’t hear. ‘And don’t worry about anything. Karen will be all right. George Shuttleworth won’t bother you. He’ll keep his distance, I’m sure of that.’ She raised her voice so Peter would hear. ‘Keep in touch. Ring us at the weekend; let us know how you’re going on.’

He nodded. ‘Will do.’

Peter shook hands with Richard and then gave him a quick hug. ‘Work hard, son.’

‘Look after yourself, Dad.’ His gaze took them both in. ‘Look after one another.’

‘We will,’ they chorused.

Mary gave Richard’s arm one last squeeze before getting into the car. ‘You look so smart,’ she said.

They didn’t speak as Peter manoeuvred the car into the traffic. There was a huge lump in Mary’s throat and she knew if she started to cry she wouldn’t stop for a long time. All she could think of was that both her children were now living lives that she had no place in. Letting herself glance at Peter, she saw his set profile and knew that similar thoughts would be going through his mind.

They slowly followed a double-decker bus towards a set of traffic-lights. Mary gazed unseeingly out of the side window, the image of Richard waving to them before turning away and walking through the double doors of the hospital still in her mind. Peter manoeuvred the car into the next lane, alongside the bus. There was a large banner advertisement for Outspan oranges and grapefruit between the lower and upper deck. Above one of the little stick figures between the fruit a young girl stared down at Mary.

‘Victoria.’ Mary clutched Peter’s leg. ‘Look, it’s Victoria.’

Peter ducked his head lower to peer through the passenger-side window. ‘No, Liebling. No, it is not our daughter.’

‘I could have sworn… I thought she’d done her hair differently’

‘No.’

The cars in front of them moved forward and left the bus at a standstill.

‘Sorry, love,’ Mary said. She took her handkerchief from her handbag, wiped away the quick tears and blew her nose.

Peter patted her knee.

The lights changed again and Peter eased up on the accelerator and let the Hillman Minxdrift forward. The line of traffic filtered to turn left hadn’t moved. Peter pulled on the handbrake.

Pushing her handkerchief back into her bag, Mary glanced sideways at the car they’d drawn up alongside. ‘That’s posh,’ she said, still sniffing.

Peter studied the long black bonnet. ‘A Jaguar,’ he said. ‘It is very nice but too expensive to run.’

As both lanes moved forward again Mary peeped at the driver. In a heartbeat she felt cold fear. Even after all these years, even with the heavy jowls, there was no mistaking the profile. She shifted in the seat, turning her back to the window.

‘Mary?’

She heard the concern in Peter’s voice. ‘I’ll miss Richard so much.’ Her voice was a croak. She cleared her throat. ‘I hope he’ll be all right.’

‘I am sure he will.’ Peter smiled and patted her knee again. ‘Now,’ he said, as the traffic moved again. ‘Today? Back to Llamroth?’

As casually as she could, Mary said, ‘Can we stay on another couple of days? I know you’re as anxious as me to get home but you look tired. And, if you don’t mind, I think we’ll go to Henshaw Street. Ellen keeps asking if we’d stay with them for a day or two and I really do need to talk to her. Linda says she’s right off the rails again with the drinking.’ She didn’t miss the grimace on his face. ‘I know … but it’s for Linda.’

Just the mention of Linda made him move his head in agreement. ‘Yes.’

‘You could spend some time with Ted?’ Mary said. ‘And perhaps see Heinz? You haven’t seen him since he retired. You never know, he might give you a free haircut.’ She ran her hand over the back of his neck. ‘You’ll be looking like a hippie yourself before long.’

He gave a quiet chuckle. ‘We will stay, if that is what you want, Liebling. But, please, for only two days?’

‘Okay. Thanks, love.’

Seeing George Shuttleworth in that Jag, feeling the fear, had decided her. She wasn’t going to wait to see what he intended to do. She’d go and face up to him.