Two weeks had now passed and Derek was painting the shop, but he’d just been given the news he was hoping for. The pitch was his. He wasn’t going to keep it as a fruit and vegetable stall – there were a good few of those already. Even if a bit rusty, he’d go back to what he knew, and that was selling china and glass. He might even add a few other bits for kitchens that could sell well, small things that would be simple to display.
Derek stretched his back. Pearl was checking out a few wholesalers and needing a break he went upstairs, where Lucy immediately offered to make him a cup of tea. He liked Lucy, and her son was a nice lad, but he wasn’t too happy that Pearl had invited them to move in without consulting him. The flat had seemed large when they moved in, but in just a short time it seemed to be bursting at the seams. Still, at least it kept Nora from trailing after Pearl, who was busy with the refurbishments, along with sourcing stock, and thankfully seemed a bit happier in Battersea now.
‘Is there anything else I can get you before I go to collect Clive from school?’ Lucy asked as she placed the drink beside him.
‘Lucy, I don’t expect you to wait on me hand and foot.’
‘I don’t mind, and as Nora isn’t any trouble it gives me something to do.’
‘I’ve got a bit of news,’ he said grinning. ‘I got the stall.’
‘You did? That’s smashing! I bet you’re dead chuffed.’
‘Yes, I am,’ he said, still smiling as Lucy left the room. He’d been unwilling to acknowledge it, but since Pearl had inherited this lot, along with the jewellery, he’d felt like a kept man and it didn’t sit well with him. Now, at last, he’d be the breadwinner again, and as Pearl’s ideas for the shop might not take off, he should be able to make enough money to support them.
Derek found his mind turning to his gran. She had at last agreed to see Pearl and he was taking her to the retirement home on Sunday. It was something he had wanted for so long, and was looking forward to seeing Pearl and his gran reconciled.
For Lucy it had been so hard to leave her flat and to watch her furniture being loaded into a van for storage, but for Clive’s sake, she had managed to appear cheerful. It helped that she found Pearl and Derek so easy to live with, but the lack of privacy, of having her own sitting room, with her own things around her, was already making her wonder if she had made the right decision.
Thankfully there was a light at the end of the tunnel. She’d had another interview with the housing association, explained that she and Clive only had temporary accommodation, both sharing one room, and had been thrilled to be put on the top of their list. They were modernising terraced houses in nearby streets, and from what Lucy had seen, some were nearing completion.
‘Come on, Nora, leave that now and get your coat. We’ve got to collect Clive from school.’
‘All right,’ she said, reluctantly putting her duster down.
Lucy had never known anyone who loved housework so much and the flat sparkled with cleanliness. With Pearl busy sorting the shop out, Lucy was happy to do the cooking for all of them and she had taken over the laundry too.
‘I’m ready,’ Nora said. ‘Get Clive and we do a jigsaw.’
Lucy had to smile. Since they had moved in, Nora seemed to love having Clive around. When he came home from school she would sit drawing or painting with him, and she liked simple jigsaw puzzles too. Thankfully Clive didn’t mind and he treated Nora like a big kid who liked to play with him. ‘I’m ready too,’ she said, and with Nora beside her they were soon walking through the market.
As they drew close to Eddie White’s stall she saw that he wasn’t busy, and as Pearl said she’d display the tie-dyed T-shirts in the shop when the refurbishments were finished, she hadn’t needed to approach him.
‘Watcha, Lucy, have you got a minute?’ he called.
‘Yes, but that’s about all,’ she said as he came to her side.
‘Lucy, I’ve wanted to ask you this for some time now … but, well, I wasn’t sure what you’d say. I … I err … err …’ he floundered.
‘Eddie, I can’t hang about. I’ve got to fetch Clive from school.’
‘Do … do you fancy going to the flicks or something?’ he asked in a rush.
Lucy gawked at Eddie, unable to believe her ears. She’d known him for years, since childhood, and he’d never shown the slightest interest in her before. ‘You want to take me out? But why?’
‘Ain’t it obvious? I’ve always fancied you, but as soon as you started going out with Paul Sanderson you didn’t have eyes for anyone else.’
Lucy bit on her lower lip. Yes, there had only been Paul, her first and only love. There wasn’t a man on earth who could take his place. ‘Leave it out, Eddie. I’ve seen what you’re like around the women and I’m sure you’ve got a string of girlfriends.’
‘You’re the girl of my dreams and I’d rather have you.’
‘Eddie, I know you and that’s all flannel. Forget it. I’ve got no intention of going out with you.’
‘You’re breaking my heart.’
‘Lucy, go out with him,’ Nora said. ‘It’s good. You be happy.’
Embarrassed, Lucy flushed pink. ‘Shhhh, Nora.’
‘It’s nice to hear she’s on my side,’ Eddie grinned.
‘Look, Eddie, I’m sorry, but I haven’t got time for this. Come on, Nora, we’ve got to go.’
‘Will you at least think about it?’ Eddie called as they hurried off.
She didn’t reply, and her eyes narrowed as she looked at Nora, wondering if this was one of her strange predictions. ‘Why did you say that, Nora?’
‘What did I say?’
‘That I’d be happy with Eddie.’
‘You will.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Just do.’
Lucy gave up. What did it matter anyway? Eddie might be nice-looking, tall and slim with blond hair and blue eyes, but she wouldn’t be going out with him. He was a terrible flirt and she’d just be another string on his bow.
When Emily arrived home from work that evening, she still found it hard to walk into an empty house. It had only been a short while since they left, yet she missed Pearl so much, Derek too; and though John would be coming to stay at the weekend, it wasn’t the same as having him in the house every day.
It wasn’t just that she missed seeing them; she missed the interaction, asking each other how their day went, exchanging views, discussing a radio or television programme, and so much more. She now ate solitary meals, and the kitchen, though it looked the same, felt so empty.
After eating her dinner, Emily sadly washed up just one plate, wondering if instead of remaining in Winchester she should have gone with her family to Battersea. As she was drying her hands there was a knock on her door.
It was Tim, her next-door neighbour. ‘Come in,’ Emily invited.
He followed her through to the kitchen. ‘The amateur dramatic group are performing a play on Saturday night and I’d like to see it. Would you join me?’
‘I’ve got John for the weekend.’
‘He can come with us.’
‘In that case I’d love to see it. Now if you have time, do sit down. I’ve been chewing something over in my mind and could do with a bit of feedback.’
He pulled out a chair. ‘Fire away then. I’m all ears.’
Emily smiled. Tim was such a lovely chap, and though in his late fifties he carried his age well. Just under six feet tall, with grey hair and eyes, he had a distinguished look about him that she found attractive. ‘You know that I love my job,’ she said, pulling out the opposite chair to sit down, ‘and that I would find it hard to leave Winchester, but I miss my family. I’ve been wondering if I should move to Battersea to live with them.’
The smile left Tim’s face, his tone urgent. ‘No, Emily, I don’t think you should do that.’
‘But I hate coming home to an empty house, and surely you understand. It must have been like this for you, worse, when you lost Delia.’
‘Yes, it was, but I have a lot to thank you for, Emily. Without your support and company, many evenings would have been unbearable.’
‘I was glad to help, but you don’t really need me now.’
‘It isn’t a case of need, Emily. It’s more that I’ve grown very fond of you and I would miss you terribly if you left.’
‘I’ve grown fond of you too, but …’
Tim leaned across the table to grip her hand, interrupting her as he appealed, ‘I know this is rather sudden, but don’t leave, Emily. Marry me.’
Emily just stared at him, too surprised to speak.
‘I can see how shocked you are, and I know I’m no spring chicken, but we have so much in common and I’m sure I could make you happy.’
‘I … I don’t know what to say.’
‘Please, Emily, say yes.’
She wanted to, but found that doubts flooded in. ‘You … you were so happy with Delia and I don’t feel I could ever replace her.’
‘I don’t want a replacement. I want you: sweet, gentle, kind, lovely you. We’ve seen a lot of each other this past year, shared so many things, and I’ve fallen in love with you.’
‘You have?’
‘Yes, but I must confess I didn’t realise how much until you said you were thinking of leaving.’ Tim stood to walk around the table where he held out his hands. Emily took them and was pulled gently to her feet and into his arms. ‘Stay, Emily, please stay. Say you’ll marry me.’
She pulled back to look up at him and at that moment their lips met. Emily found herself melting, her reply when she was able to give it a breathless whisper. ‘Yes, Tim. I’d love to marry you.’