Flora and Cyrus held Alice’s hands as she skipped along between them. Flora couldn’t believe they were taking her to her first day at school.
They’d found a day-school for infants in what was termed the ‘Posh End’ of Brixton. The fees were just affordable to them, as Aunt Pru had left her house to Flora, which meant they hadn’t had to use any of their funds to house themselves. But if Cyrus didn’t get a position soon, then they might have to rethink, and educate Alice themselves for a time.
‘Our little girl is growing up, aren’t you, darling, and is soon to have a baby brother or sister.’
‘I want a sister, really, but I don’t mind a brother, Daddy.’
‘Well, we don’t have much choice in the matter, so whatever it is, we’ll all love and welcome him or her, won’t we?’
‘Yes, Daddy. When will you fetch the new baby?’
Flora bent her body so that she could whisper to Alice. ‘Any day now. Might even be here when you get home from school.’
‘What! Are you all right, Flora? Has something happened?’ The panic in Cyrus’s voice made her giggle.
‘I’m fine, but yes, I am having niggles. Little pains in my back.’
‘But my mother doesn’t arrive for three days!’
‘Well then, you’ll have to take care of us, darling.’
‘Of course I will, but it will be nice for you to have another woman with you. I’m dying for you to meet Mother. I just know you will both get on so well. You both have the same independent spirit. Mother won’t interfere, or anything like that; she’s not one for bothering how others run their lives, but she will be happy to help, if you need it. She can’t wait to meet you and Alice.’
‘And I’m looking forward to meeting her and getting to know her.’
They fell silent then, as they reached the gates of the school. And as she had done every day, Flora thought about Aunt Pru and how proud she would have been to see Alice take this next step in her life.
Smiling heavenwards, as Alice was taken by the hand and led into school by a young teacher, Flora remembered Aunt Pru’s own little school and how she’d helped so many children in Stepney, and then adults in Brixton. And how she’d brought Alice into the world, but wouldn’t be here to bring in her second child. Oh, Aunt Pru, I miss you. I miss you so much. Has it only been ten months since you left me?
‘You’re quiet, darling. Don’t worry, Alice will be fine.’
‘I know. I worry, though, that she might just get settled and make new friends and we have to take her out of school.’
‘I’m hoping that I hear from Willingborough Bank soon. My interview with them went well. The manager served in the same regiment as me, though he joined a year later, so I didn’t know him, but he’s keen to help a fellow officer, and my qualifications stood the test for the position of accounts clerk. And then I can study and take further exams, in the hope of rising to bank manager myself.’
‘But you are a violinist, not an accountant! It’s so sad that you can’t find a position with an orchestra.’
‘There is a possibility; a friend I studied with is thinking of forming his own orchestra and he mentioned you; he knows you are a pianist. It would just be part-time for a while – well, mainly rehearsing of course – but he has a backer, so there would be a small payment for each musician. He plans to stage concerts, so there’s a chance we could gain popularity. I’m very excited about it, but I wasn’t going to say anything until after the baby is born, as you have enough to think about.’
‘Oh, that would be wonderful . . . Ooh!’
‘What is it, darling? Flora! Oh dear, what shall I do?’
As Flora clung to the railings of a house, pain clutched her like a vice, but she couldn’t help but smile as the usually calm Cyrus began to flap and panic.
‘I’ll run for a cab . . . but, no . . . I – I can’t leave you. Oh, Flora, why did you even think of coming out of the house?’
‘Free spirit, darling. No new baby was going to keep me from seeing my first child take the next step of her life. There, the pain has subsided and we’re nearly home. As soon as we get there, run for Rowena – she’s standing by, ready to help.’
‘Not the doctor?’
‘No, you goose, he’ll charge the earth and make a huge fuss. We women can sort this out. Don’t worry, darling.’
A week later, with their son sleeping peacefully in his cot, having arrived in the world, kicking and screaming, just an hour after they had reached home, Cyrus’s mother arrived.
Just a short time in her company explained to Flora how it was that Cyrus was so beautiful to look at, as well as being a beautiful person, because his mother was both of those things. Tall and slender, she was the picture of elegance, from her dark hair with hints of silver strands running through it, which she wore rolled back from her face with a centre parting, to her dainty feet, encased in slipper-type shoes that matched whatever she wore. On this September afternoon a pink frock fitted her shapely figure, and a flowing chiffon over-dress floated around her, giving the impression of a butterfly.
As they sat in the garden together, Flora felt dowdy in comparison, as her tummy hadn’t reduced much with the birth, and she’d had to wear one of the shifts that Rowena had made for her to wear during her confinement.
But then, better that than her nightdress, as should have been the case, because she really should be in bed, according to convention. New mothers were meant to stay bedridden for at least ten days. But thank goodness Olivia – as her mother-in-law had asked Flora to call her – did not stand on convention. She’d swept into Flora’s bedroom an hour ago with a bowl of hot water. ‘Up you get. Fresh air will do you more good than a stuffy bed, my dear. Wash yourself and dress, and I’ll get tea ready. We’ll be really naughty and sit in the garden.’
Flora ventured downstairs shortly afterwards.
‘That’s better. I haven’t seen you dressed before, and you look lovely, my dear. And don’t worry. I’ll keep popping in to take a peek at Frederick. Lovely name. Cyrus told me you called the baby after your brother, and that he will be known as Freddy. Poor Freddy: was he your only brother, dear? Are your parents still alive?’
‘Oh, Cyrus hasn’t told you?’
‘I asked him about you and your family, but mysteriously he said that I must ask you?’
‘Well, my story is a little strange, and he probably thought I should tell you what I want you to know. But I don’t mind you knowing. I think it best not to have any secrets. Freddy was my half-brother, born of an affair my father had . . .’
Olivia didn’t interrupt or react in any way; it was as if the way Flora’s father carried on was normal behaviour to her.
‘Anyway, it appears that my nanny wasn’t the only one my father was unfaithful with. He had an affair and another son, whom I’ve never met. When my mother found out, which must have been when that son was a few years old, as he is apparently older than my eldest brother, my father tried to make up to Mother, and I was the result . . .’
By the time Flora had finished her story, tears were running down her face. She hadn’t realized she still cared so much.
‘I’m sorry. But, well, I – I need to know something. You say that your brother runs a mill in the North and is afraid of losing it. This may seem a strange question, but are the shops your father runs haberdashery shops?’
‘Yes, do you know him?’
Olivia had turned deathly white and her hand shook as she put her cup down, almost missing the saucer, causing the high-pitched sound of china against china.
‘Are you all right, Olivia? Are you not feeling well?’
‘I – I . . . Oh dear, I think I’ve had too much sun.’ Taking a lace hanky from her sleeve, she dabbed at her eyes.
She’s crying! Olivia’s crying, but why? For some reason, Flora felt fear clench her. ‘Shall we go inside? It’s cooler in the front room, as it doesn’t get the sun.’
When Olivia stood, it was as if she had shrunk and aged. She had the look of someone who’d suffered a shock.
‘Let me help you, Olivia, hold on to my arm.’
Before Flora could take the outstretched arm, Olivia bent forward and was sick. ‘Oh dear. Oh, I’m sorry. How disgusting of me.’
‘No, you’re not well. You couldn’t help it. And nothing like that embarrasses me. I was nursing for a couple of years, remember? Now, hold my arm and let’s get inside, where it is cooler.’
The fear wouldn’t leave Flora as she settled Olivia in an easy chair and went to fetch a glass of water for her. Olivia’s symptoms were those of someone who had been exposed to too much sun, but that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t that hot today, and they’d only been outside for a short time. It seemed to be something that had been said that had upset her, but what? Did Olivia know the woman with whom Father had a child? How amazing that would be, as it could lead to her meeting her second half-brother. Maybe even becoming close to him, as she had done Freddy. But dared she ask Olivia? No, I must wait for her to volunteer the information, as I might upset her further.
‘Is that better? Maybe you could put something cooler on, once your legs feel steadier, or perhaps you would like to lie down?’
‘N – no, thank you, my dear. I’ll be all right in a moment.’ Olivia put her head back. More tears seeped out of her closed eyes.
‘Can you tell me what is upsetting you, Olivia? Sometimes it helps to unburden yourself, and I’m a good listener.’
‘Thank you, b – but no, I c – can’t tell you. I’ll be all right. May I have some time alone, my dear?’
‘Of course. Just call up to me if you need me. I feel more tired than I thought I would, so I’ll slip back into bed. I’ll take Freddy with me, so there’s no need to worry. Take all the time you need.’
Once in bed, Flora lay back on her pillow and went over the possibilities of why her story had upset Olivia, because she was sure it was what she’d said. Olivia had become very agitated after she had told her what Father did. It was as if it triggered knowledge in her – something she knew, but didn’t want to. Surely it must be that she knows who Father’s mistress is? But how do I ask her, without appearing very rude and intrusive?
There wasn’t a chance to talk the incident over with Cyrus until they were in bed. It was he who brought up the subject of his mother not looking well.
‘I think telling her about my family upset her.’ Flora related what had happened.
‘But why? Why should Mother be upset? I mean, any kind and caring person, as she is, would feel compassion for you, but to the extent of crying and actually being sick! I’ll have to talk to her about it. There must be something in what you said that worried her.’
‘It happened when she asked a little more about Father, and what his work was.’
‘This just isn’t like her. What on earth can be troubling her?’
‘Whatever it is, we need to give her time. We want to help her, but clearly we can’t yet. I’m sure she will come to us when she can. Let’s not worry her any further, but carry on as if nothing has happened, until she feels she can talk to us.’
‘You’re right, darling. Yes, we’ll arrange a nice evening for her tomorrow tonight. We’ll have a good dinner, and then you and I can play for her. I want to practise something with you that I have written for the piano and violin. I have to go for a second interview at the bank tomorrow, which sounds hopeful, and thought you might find time to read the score and maybe have a little practice of it?’
‘Oh, the one I have heard you tinkering with? It sounded lovely. I will, I’ll spend some time on it. Clever you. I wish I could write for the violin. I have so many pieces for the piano.’
‘We’ll take a look at them one day, darling, and see if I can adapt them. Now, no more talk, I need to snuggle up to you. If I’m going to present my best tomorrow, then I have to get to sleep. And you, darling, are still in recovery, after giving me my wonderful son. And it will soon be his night-feed time, at this rate.’
His kiss awoke in her feelings she didn’t think she would feel this soon after giving birth, but she suppressed them. She could hear in Cyrus’s voice how tired he was.
Sleep didn’t come to Flora for a long time, as her mind went over possibilities. It even occurred to her that Olivia might be one of her father’s conquests; but no, if that was so, then Cyrus would have thought of the possibility. In any case, Olivia didn’t seem like the kind of woman who would have affairs. Why should she? She had been widowed for many years and could have remarried, but hadn’t done. It was all a mystery, but the most likely answer was that Olivia knew Father’s mistress. What an exciting prospect that was!
Although Cyrus tried to get Olivia to tell him what was troubling her, she wouldn’t. She only said that she needed to go away for a couple of days to sort out something very personal to her, which for the moment she couldn’t talk about.
This upset Cyrus, and for some reason further unnerved Flora, but they both knew they had to give Olivia the time she needed. So there was nothing they could do; they could only hope that Olivia felt better once she returned.