‘Phil’s coming to stay next weekend, Dad,’ Janice told her father when she returned from the wedding. ‘He’ll come on Friday and stay till Sunday… if that’s OK with you?’
‘You know it is, don’t you, lass?’ said Alec Butler. ‘Phil’s always welcome here. You’ve only just seen him, though, haven’t you?’
‘Well… yes, but it’s rather important Dad, actually. He wants to have a chat with you.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Alec’s warm brown eyes lit up with interest and he smiled knowingly at his daughter. ‘Say no more, eh? Is he going to ask me an important question?’
Janice laughed. ‘You’ve just told me to say no more and I don’t intend to. Shush… Ian’s coming in now. I’ll tell him that Phil’s coming, of course.’
Fourteen-year-old Ian dashed into the living room in his usual boisterous way. There had been a football practice after school so it was now six o’clock on the Monday evening.
‘Good lad – you’ve taken your muddy boots off,’ said his father. ‘Was it a good practice?’
‘Yeah, it was OK. I’ve been chosen for the second team on Saturday. We’re playing a school from Fleetwood. But you know I like football best. I wish they played it at school instead of rugby.’ Ian was a devoted fan of Blackpool Football Club, who were living in past glory, having won the FA Cup in 1953.
‘Never mind. You’ve done really well to get in the team,’ Janice told him. ‘I’ll put the tea out now you’re here. We’ve waited for you. It’s your favourite – one of them, anyway – sausage and mash.’
‘Goody!’ said Ian as they sat down at the table. He was a pleasant-looking boy, brown-eyed and dark-haired, a younger version of his father. He was almost as tall as Alec now with a cheerful smile – most of the time – like his father. None of them had smiled much, though, following the death of their beloved wife and mother the previous year. They were all trying to adjust now to life without Lilian; she had left a tremendous void for all of them.
‘I was just telling Dad that Phil’s coming to stay next weekend,’ Janice told her brother.
‘Goody!’ said Ian again. ‘D’you think he’d like to come and watch me play on Saturday morning?’
‘I’m not sure,’ replied Janice cagily. ‘We might have something else to do.’ Phil had suggested that they should go and choose a ring after he had spoken to her father.
‘You could come as well,’ Ian added. ‘Though you’re not right keen on rugby, are you?’
‘Not really,’ agreed Janice. ‘It’s so rough and I’m always afraid somebody’s going to get hurt.’
‘They do sometimes,’ said Ian. ‘Phil will be sleeping in my room, won’t he, same as he did before?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Janice smiled to herself. There was absolutely no question of Phil sharing a room with her, either at her home or at his. It was never even hinted at. Their parents would be horrified at the idea. ‘That sort of thing’ was strictly for after you were married. That was what Janice and all of her friends had been brought up to believe. Nevertheless, there were some who had to get married in a hurry.
Even when they were left alone in Janice’s home, or in Phil’s, they kept a limit on their behaviour. Janice doubted that she would have any real experience of ‘that’ until after their marriage.
The bungalow that Alec had chosen was not large but there were three bedrooms – quite smallish ones. Two were on ground level, occupied by Alec and by Janice, and there was a dormer room which Ian had been pleased to claim as his own. It had a sloping ceiling and a triangular window that jutted out above the front door, and he liked being up in the roof away from everyone.
Phil arrived on Friday in time for the meal that Janice had made when she returned from her day at college. She had prepared a chicken casserole the previous night which only needed heating up in the oven. She had wondered while she was making it how her dad would manage when she married Phil and went to live in Yorkshire. Her dad came to lend a hand in the kitchen now, especially with the washing-up, as if to get ready for a time when she would not be there. When her mother had been alive, Alec, like most men of his generation, had hardly ever entered the kitchen. It was believed that this was the woman’s province. But things were gradually changing as more women worked outside the home.
Phil complimented Janice on the casserole, but she admitted that the apple pie had been bought from a bakery that prided itself on homemade produce.
‘And why not?’ said Phil. ‘Mum buys fruit pies from a shop in Ilkley to serve in the restaurant. It’s impossible to do everything yourself. We concentrate on the starters and the main courses.’
‘So you’re still working for your father, are you?’ asked Alec.
Janice guessed that her dad was fishing as he already knew the answer to that.
‘Yes, for the time being,’ replied Phil. ‘Dad knows that I won’t stay there for ever. I’m looking around… There’s plenty of scope in Yorkshire – new places opening up all the time. I would never set up in opposition to Dad.’ He cast a quick glance at Janice and they smiled at one another, a look that didn’t pass unnoticed by Alec.
When the meal ended Janice cleared the plates away quickly and started the washing-up. ‘I’ll help,’ said Phil, grabbing a pot towel, but Janice shook her head.
‘Now’s a good time for you to go and talk to Dad,’ she said. ‘He’ll be expecting you anyway. I’ve not said very much but I’ve dropped a hint. I thought I’d make it easier for you, although you’ve nothing to worry about. And Ian’s going out.’
Her brother was already shouting ‘Cheerio’ as he went out of the door. He was going round to a pal’s house to play a game of chess. They had recently joined a chess club at school and this was the latest craze when they were not playing or watching football.
‘See you later,’ called Ian. ‘I won’t be late, Dad…’
‘OK then. I’ll brave the lion in his lair!’ said Phil, giving Janice a quick kiss.
‘Oh, come on, now! Dad’s an old softie. I’ll give you twenty minutes or so then I’ll come in with some coffee.’
‘Come in, lad, and sit down,’ said Alec as Phil reappeared in the living room. This was the room at the back of the house where they dined and then took their leisure in the evening. There was also a small ‘front room’, as it was always called, which was kept for best, for high days and holidays, such as Christmas or family celebrations. Janice didn’t see the point of it really and was trying to persuade her father to have central heating installed; then they could use all the rooms in the house all the year round.
Phil sat down in the armchair opposite to Alec, one on either side of the fireplace. Alec noticed the slightly anxious look on the young man’s face and felt a little sorry for him. He remembered the time, back in the early thirties, when he had plucked up the courage to ask Florrie Cartwright if he might marry her daughter, Lilian.
Florrie had been a formidable woman, a seaside landlady of the old school, although well-liked by her visitors. Fortunately, she had taken to Alec and the two of them had always got along well together. Alec had known, though, right from the start, that if he wanted to marry the girl he loved he would have to give up his job at the mill in Burnley, despite his chance of promotion, and live at the boarding house in Blackpool. That was where he had met Lilian when he was on holiday there. Lilian could not possibly be spared to go and live in Burnley. Her work was there in Blackpool and Florrie’s word was law. Alec had known that his sacrifice would be worthwhile. After a spell of casual work he had found employment as a maintenance engineer for an electrical company.
He understood now how Phil must be feeling. He had liked the young man ever since Janice had brought him home two years ago, when he was doing his national service in the RAF. Lilian had liked him as well, and they had been pleased when the friendship had progressed. Phil had been most helpful while Lilian was ill and after she had died. He had worked along with Janice and the rest of the staff when they needed help with the catering and had proved to be a very able chef. Alec was prepared for the inevitable outcome; he knew that when the two of them were married they would live in Yorkshire and work together in their own business.
‘So I think you’ve something you want to tell me, haven’t you, Phil?’ Alec leaned forward, smiling at the young man in an encouraging way.
‘To ask you, really, rather than tell you,’ said Phil. ‘I love Janice very much – I think you know that – and I believe she loves me. And… we would like to be married but we want to know, first, if it’s all right with you? You see… it will mean Janice leaving here and living in Yorkshire. I’m looking – that is to say, Janice and I will be looking – for a business somewhere in the county. My aunt left me quite a substantial sum when she died, not long ago. So I do have the wherewithal, and I want to spend my life with Janice.’
Alec nodded. ‘Of course it’s all right with me, lad. You surely didn’t think I would raise any objections, did you? I’m only too pleased that she’s met you and that she’s so happy, because I can see that she is. Lilian would have been pleased as well. I’ve been trying to prepare myself for the time when Janice leaves home. I knew it would happen one day. I shall manage, don’t you worry about that… And you won’t be a million miles away, will you?’
‘No, just across the Pennines. And you’ll be able to come and stay with us, you and Ian. But that’s in the future – the not-too-distant future, I hope. We haven’t thought about a wedding date yet or bought a ring. We’re hoping to do that tomorrow.’
‘We must have a celebration,’ said Alec. ‘It isn’t every day that my only daughter gets engaged to be married.’ He beamed at Phil, his smile becoming even broader when Janice, rather tentatively, entered the room carrying a tray laden with cups and saucers and a coffee pot.
‘I’m really pleased, love – very happy for both of you.’ Alec took the tray from Janice and put it on the table. Then he put his arms round her and kissed her cheek. ‘Wonderful news! I was just saying to Phil that we must have a celebration. What about a nice meal out, somewhere posh, tomorrow night? Just the four of us – that’s if Ian would like to join us, and I don’t see why he wouldn’t.’
‘So… I take it you said yes to Phil?’ Janice’s eyes twinkled as she handed her father a cup of coffee.
‘Of course I did. I know you’re underage, not twenty-one till next January. But I’m sure you’re old enough to know your own mind, and I know that Phil will take care of you. He’s been telling me about his windfall, so that makes things easier, doesn’t it? Have you anything in mind about the sort of business that you’re looking for?’
‘We wondered about a tea shop – a rather exclusive one, I mean, not a “greasy spoon” cafe,’ said Phil. ‘Serving morning coffee, afternoon tea and light lunches, and maybe catering for larger parties in the evening. Then Janice can use her talents as a confectioner. That’s one idea – we’ll just have to see what turns up.’
‘It’s early days yet, Dad,’ said Janice. ‘We’re not officially engaged yet. We’ll tell Ian tomorrow once we’ve got the ring. I’m sure he’ll be pleased that Phil’s going to be his brother-in-law! Where were you thinking of for tomorrow night? You usually go to your club on Saturday night, don’t you? And I know you enjoy it. Isn’t there a darts match?’
‘No, not tomorrow. And I can miss the club for once – this is more important.’
It was true, though, as Janice said, that he enjoyed the club, far more than he had thought he would. He had made a few new friends there. It was really a working men’s club but ladies were invited along as well. Alec had never been interested in that sort of thing before, spending evenings in the pub with a crowd of fellers. He had preferred to be with Lilian in the comfort of their home. During the summer, when the hotel was busy, there had been little time for leisure but they had sometimes gone out for a quiet drink or a visit to the cinema when the hotel closed after the Illuminations ended.
Alec had gone quiet, thinking of someone he had met at the club quite recently. For the first time since Lilian had died he had felt a faint stirring of… something. But it was far too soon, he told himself.
‘What’s up, Dad?’ said Janice. ‘You’re miles away.’
‘Am I?’ said Alec, shaking his head and trying to rearrange his thoughts. ‘Sorry… I was thinking about where to go tomorrow night. But you’ll have a better idea about the places than I have, Janice.’
‘There are a few good places in town,’ she replied. ‘What about the Lobster Pot? They do a nice meal – mainly fish dishes, of course. Scampi and lobster and crab, as well as the usual plaice and haddock. It makes a change from steak and chips, which seems to be the standard fare in most places. What do you think, Dad?’
‘Yes, it sounds fine to me.’
‘We’ll book then, shall we, when we go to town in the morning? For the four of us.’
Janice was doubtful, though, that Ian would want to go, especially to somewhere where he would have to get ‘all dressed up’.
‘You two go out now if you want to,’ said Alec. ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll watch the telly and wait for Ian to come back. He’s a good lad – if he says he’ll be back by half past nine I know he will be.’
Janice and Phil strolled along to Stanley Park, a short distance away. They had time to wander near the lake and the Italian Garden, but dusk was falling and the few people who were there, mainly courting couples like themselves, were making their way to the gates before the park closed.
Alec was dozing and came round with a start as they entered the room. ‘Just an old gangster film,’ he said, nodding towards the screen where the sound was blaring away at top blast. ‘James Cagney, but I’m blessed if I know what the heck they’re doing.’ He got up and turned it off. ‘I wonder if they’ll ever get round to colour on TV, like they have at the cinema? That’d be great, wouldn’t it? Won’t happen in my lifetime, though.’
‘Don’t say that, Alec!’ said Phil. ‘They’ve got it in America and I bet there’ll be colour telly here, maybe in ten years or so. You’re going to live longer than that, aren’t you?’
‘I damn well hope so! I’m only just turned fifty, but then… you never know, do you?’ He was pensive for a moment and it was clear that he was thinking about Lilian. ‘It’s a good job that you don’t know what’s round the corner…’ He stopped speaking as Ian burst in.
‘Aren’t you watching the telly, Dad?’
‘No, it was a load of rubbish. What about you? Did you win your game?’
‘Nah… Gary beat me again. He’s a whizz at chess. But I’ll get my own back next time, you’ll see!’
Janice wondered if he might have other plans for the following night but she decided not to mention the proposed meal in town. She would wait until she was wearing her ring.
‘I’m off to bed now,’ said Ian. ‘I’m knackered!’
Janice smiled at him. ‘Shall I bring you a drink of hot chocolate?’
‘No, s’all right, thanks… I had some supper at Gary’s. G’night. See you in the morning.’
‘What about, you, Dad?’ asked Janice. ‘A cup of tea? Or chocolate?’
‘Tea will be fine, love.’
‘Then we’ll all have tea,’ said Phil. ‘It’ll make it easier. You stay there and I’ll see to it.’
‘No, you’re the guest,’ said Janice. ‘It’s my job, for now.’
‘But I’ll soon be one of the family…’
‘I’ll make sure you do it then,’ said Janice with a smile. ‘Never fear!’
Alec turned in, as he put it, when he had drunk his tea, leaving them on their own.
‘Alone at last!’ said Phil, throwing his arms round her and kissing her in the way he had wanted to do all day. They indulged in gentle lovemaking for a while, but Phil knew when it was time to put a stop to it. This was getting increasingly hard to do, but he knew how Janice felt about it while she was in her family home, and the same applied when they were at his home in Ilkley.
Eventually he left her with a fond kiss at her bedroom door and climbed the stairs up to the dormer room. He crept in and undressed in the dark as Ian was fast asleep in the camp bed, having left his more comfortable single bed for Phil.
Next morning Phil drove into town. He managed to find a parking spot, but not without difficulty as it was Saturday. The town was busy with weekend shoppers and there were quite a few visitors, although the summer season had not yet started in earnest.
Beaverbrooks, the jewellers, was the place to go and Janice could not restrain her smile of joy as they entered the shop.
‘Engagement rings, please,’ said Phil to the young lady assistant. She smiled at them both.
‘Certainly, sir. Have you anything in mind? And, of course… the price range?’
Phil had a quiet word with her and Janice stood to one side. She had insisted that he mustn’t spend too much as they would need their savings, plus Phil’s inheritance, to obtain the business they wanted. Phil wanted Janice to have a nice, decent-sized ring of her choice but, like a true Yorkshireman, he told himself that he wasn’t made of money.
After trying several she finally decided on an emerald surrounded by small diamonds. Some people might think that green was unlucky but she was not overly superstitious and it was the one she liked best. Fortunately it fitted perfectly and didn’t need altering.
‘Congratulations,’ said the assistant. ‘I hope you’ll be very happy.’
‘I know we will,’ answered Phil, smiling broadly. ‘Keep it on,’ he said to Janice. ‘We’re really engaged now.’ He did not kiss her, though, not wanting to behave in a demonstrative way in public.
He handed her the little velvet box and she put it away in her shoulder bag. As they walked along the street hand in hand she could not stop smiling and she kept glancing down, almost unbelievingly, at her left hand.
‘Now, where’s this Lobster Pot place?’ said Phil. ‘Let’s go and book for tonight.’
It was very close to the jeweller’s and they booked a table for four at seven o’clock. Janice knew that her father did not like to eat late at night. She was still doubtful that it would be Ian’s ‘cup of tea’.
Alec became quite emotional when Janice showed him her ring. There were tears in his eyes as he kissed her then shook hands with Phil. ‘I’m a silly old fool, aren’t I? I’m really pleased for you both and I know you’ll be happy together. But it’s the thought of Janice leaving…’
‘You won’t be losing me, Dad. You’ll be gaining a son – isn’t that what they say? – not losing a daughter.’
‘And we’ll see you as often as we can,’ added Phil.
‘Anyway, it may not be for ages yet,’ said Janice. ‘I’ll find a temporary job in Blackpool when my course ends, and we have to find somewhere that we both really want. It might take a long time.’
She hoped, though, that it might not be too long. She and Phil wanted to be together now, and had talked, tentatively, about a wedding towards the end of the year. She could live with Phil at his family home in Ilkley if they had not found a suitable place by then. But she would not say that to her father; better to take one step at a time.
Janice, with Phil’s help, prepared a quick lunch of soup and sandwiches as they would be dining out later. When Ian arrived back at one o’clock he was full of beans because their team had won and he had scored a try. Janice decided to tell him their news after lunch. He ate as though he was starving and did not notice the ring sparkling on her finger. But why should he? Why would any lad of his age?
‘We’ve got some news for you,’ Janice told him when the pots were cleared away and they were having an after-lunch cup of tea. She knew that he might be dashing out somewhere again before long.
‘Go on then, what is it?’
She held out her hand. ‘Look! Phil and I have got engaged.’
‘Gosh, that’s great!’ he said, his brown eyes opening wide. ‘You mean… you’re getting married?’
‘Yes… in a little while,’ said Janice.
‘So, I shall be your brother-in-law,’ said Phil.
‘That’s wizard,’ said Ian. ‘I’ve always wanted a brother. She’s all right, though…’ He gestured towards Janice. ‘But she’s only a sister. A brother’s different. So you’ll be coming to live here all the time, won’t you?’
‘Er… no,’ said Janice. ‘We’ll be living in Yorkshire after we’re married. But it won’t be just yet,’ she added, noting that the look of pleasure on Ian’s face had been replaced by one of puzzlement.
‘Why can’t you live here?’ he said rather belligerently. ‘I mean, p’raps not here in this house, but in Blackpool? I thought you’d want to have a hotel like we did before. You came and worked there, didn’t you, Phil, when Mum was ill, and after… afterwards? There are lots of hotels in Blackpool.’
‘But we want to do something different,’ said Janice. ‘Phil’s always lived in Yorkshire and we want to find somewhere there – a cafe with a shop, or a restaurant, we’re not sure yet…’
‘That’s not fair!’ said Ian, revealing a petulance that was most unlike his usual sunny nature. ‘I don’t see why Phil can’t come and live here instead of you going there.’
‘You’re being very unreasonable and very childish, Ian,’ said his father.
‘No, I’m not!’ he retorted. ‘Janice lives here and she looks after us. She has done ever since… ever since Mum died. She cooks our meals and… everything.’
He looked like a little boy lost and Janice’s heart went out to him. She knew he was being selfish, looking at things from his own point of view, but who could blame him? He had lost his mother and now this had brought it home to him in a different way. She knew that her departure would leave a gap in his life; he had assumed – foolishly, maybe – that she would always be there. She hoped Dad wouldn’t be too hard on him.
Fortunately Alec tried to cajole rather than to scold him. ‘Well, we’ll have to start looking after ourselves, won’t we, son?’ he said. ‘I know I left the cooking and all that to your mum, and then to Janice. But I’m not too old to learn and you’re old enough to help me.’
‘But I can’t cook and I don’t want to learn,’ Ian argued. ‘I’m a boy and boys don’t cook. Nobody can cook like my mum used to.’ He was very close to tears.
‘Come on, now,’ said Alec. ‘We all miss Mum but we’ve been managing all right, you and me. And we’ll manage when Janice goes away. Anyway, what about Phil? He’s a wonderful cook, he’s a chef, and he started learning when he was a lad like you.’
‘But it’s his job and he likes doing it.’
‘Well, we all have to do things we don’t like sometimes,’ said Alec, beginning to lose patience. ‘Snap out of it, Ian, there’s a good lad. Janice won’t be going anywhere for a while yet and you’ll get used to the idea.’
Phil had kept quiet so far, not knowing what to say. Quite possibly the lad was blaming him. ‘You’ll be able to come and stay with us,’ he said now. ‘There are some great football teams in Yorkshire, like Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. We could go and watch them on a Saturday, you and me, and perhaps my dad, he likes football.’
‘S’pose so…’ said Ian, trying to smile at Phil. Despite all this he liked Phil a lot, but he didn’t like him taking Janice away. She had been like a second mother to him since Mum died. He knew he mustn’t cry; that would make him look stupid and babyish.
Janice decided to try and smooth things over. ‘It might be ages before we find what we’re looking for,’ she said, ‘and you’ll be used to the idea by then, I promise you. This is what happens in families – people move away and nothing stays the same for ever. Phil and I were hoping you’d be pleased for us. We’re going out tonight for a meal in town – just a little celebration, and we’d like you to come with us. Dad’s coming, of course.’
‘Where are you going then?’ he asked, still a little sullenly.
‘To the Lobster Pot. They do smashing meals there – all sorts of fancy things, but you can have fish and chips if you like.’
‘Mmm… sounds OK,’ he said. ‘I won’t have to get all dressed up?’
‘No, not so long as you’re neat and tidy,’ said Alec. ‘Janice and Phil really want you to be there. I shall be sorry when Janice leaves us, but we’ll have a nice new place to visit in Yorkshire.’
‘All right then,’ said Ian. ‘I’m going out now, though. We’re having a kick around in the park, Gary and me and some others. What time are we going out?’
‘We said we’d be there by seven o’clock,’ said Alec. ‘You’ll be back ages before then, won’t you?’
‘S’pose so,’ said Ian. Then, as if aware that he sounded ungracious, he added, ‘Yeah, I’ll be back. See you later…’
‘He’ll come round,’ said Alec when the door closed behind him. ‘He just thought things would carry on in the same old way.’
‘He misses Mum an awful lot,’ said Janice. ‘He didn’t cry much when she died, if you remember. He just retreated into his shell and wouldn’t talk about it. Maybe he’s having a delayed reaction now. I’m pleased he’s coming with us, though. I’d feel dreadful if he wasn’t there.’
Fortunately the meal at the Lobster Pot turned out to be a happy occasion. It seemed as though Ian had decided to put his resentment to one side. He was rather quieter than usual, but he did his best to be amenable. None of them dressed up as they might do for a dinner dance or an important anniversary. They wore casual summer clothes suitable for the pleasant late spring evening.
Ian chose the ever-popular battered haddock and chips, served with fresh garden peas rather than the mushy chip-shop variety, and tucked into his meal with relish. The others chose salad meals, Alec opting for fresh salmon and Janice and Phil for crab, a delicacy only eaten on special occasions. A bottle of sweet white wine, the house wine, was a pleasant accompaniment, and Ian, after a small glass of this, appeared to have forgotten his worries. After a delicious dessert of Black Forest gateau, with coffee to round off the meal, it was time to depart.
It was still only nine o’clock, and as Phil drove away out of the town Alec rather hesitantly suggested that as the night was still young – and if the others had no objections – he might spend an hour or two at the club he usually went to on a Saturday evening.
‘Of course – why should we mind?’ said Phil. ‘How will you get home?’
‘I might walk,’ replied Alec. ‘It’s not all that far but sometimes I get a lift back. It just depends…’
The club was on the outskirts of the town where the shops gave way to large private premises, some of which were boarding houses or small hotels.
‘See you later, maybe,’ said Alec as he opened the car door. ‘I won’t be late but don’t wait up for me. Thanks, Phil…’
Alec opened the glass door which led into the large lounge area. The aroma of cigarettes and ale drifted on the air but it was a comfortable, homely smell to Alec. A friendly game of darts was in progress at the back of the room and, in the annex beyond, a game of snooker. An attractive dark-haired woman behind the bar called out to him as she saw him enter the room.
‘Hello there, Alec. We thought you weren’t coming. You’re later tonight, aren’t you?’
‘A family occasion,’ replied Alec. ‘My daughter’s just got engaged and we’ve been having a little celebration. Anyway, I’m here now. I’ll have a half of bitter, please, Norma.’
‘Certainly…’ She smiled at him in a friendly way. ‘You go and sit down and I’ll bring it over to you. We’re quiet at the moment, so I’ll have one with you…’