‘Sorry to keep ye waiting, Uncle Pat,’ Blackie said, joining him on the terrace outside. He grinned. ‘I’m afraid Sarah and Angela are both chatterboxes. I couldn’t escape for a bit.’
Patrick simply nodded, and gave him a searching look. They turned to leave, when Blackie heard his name being called. As he swung around, Sarah was coming outside, followed by Angela.
Angela rushed forward and stretched out her hand. ‘Hello, Mr Kennedy, I’m Sarah’s sister, Angela Welles.’
He took her hand and found himself smiling back at her. ‘Nice to meet you, Mrs Welles.’
‘Can I offer you something … a glass of lemonade perhaps? It’s such a warm day.’
‘Thank you kindly, but we must be off. We’ve been out for a while; I must get us home.’
‘Of course, I understand.’
Sarah said, ‘I hope you can come with me to Harrogate on Saturday, Blackie. Finn said he’d like to join us … for a day out.’
‘I’ll try,’ Blackie answered, wanting to escape. ‘Are ye going in the morning?’ He started to walk forward.
‘Today probably.’ Sarah gave him a big smile, and Angela said, ‘You’re welcome too, Mr Kennedy.’
‘Thank you, but I’m busy next weekend.’
‘What a shame,’ Angela answered, and retreated to the house.
‘Goodbye to both of ye,’ Blackie said, and took hold of his arm. ‘Let’s be going, Uncle Pat.’
Patrick waited until they were out of the garden and on the street before saying, ‘I must admit they’re both very pretty girls … women.’ His voice trailed off, and he didn’t say anything else, leading his nephew along the path that led onto the moor. ‘Let’s sit down on this seat for a moment,’ Patrick said. ‘I need to talk to you before we get home.’
Blackie did not respond but sat down, waiting, wondering what his uncle would say. Tell him off, no doubt.
But he was wrong. Patrick shifted on the seat slightly and stared at Blackie. ‘How far has this gone, lad?’
‘Er-er – not sure what ye mean, Uncle?’
‘Have you … been intimate with Sarah?’
Blackie was startled. His uncle obviously assumed he was entangled with the younger of the sisters. Not wanting to get Sarah into this mess, he improvised, ‘No, I haven’t.’
‘All right, I’m glad to hear you’ve been cautious. But if it goes any further and you take that step, I want you to protect yourself. We don’t need any babies out of wedlock. Go to the chemist shop tomorrow and sort out what you need. Just in case, so you’re prepared. And remember what I said about behaviour. You need to be thinking about marriage if that’s the way things are going. And don’t ever force yourself on a woman. Let her show that she’s … ready, willing and able. Understood?’
‘Yes, Uncle Pat, ye know I always listen to ye.’
Patrick nodded. ‘Sarah explained why you were angry. And in a way, I suppose I don’t blame you. Take my word for it, some women can be devious and manipulative. So be careful, be alert.’
‘Thanks for the warning,’ Blackie muttered. ‘Shouldn’t we be going, Uncle Pat?’
‘Aye, we should. Let’s go across the moor and down to Tower Lane. That’s the quickest way to Town Street.’
The week became busy for Blackie. He had shown his plans for Mrs Wilson’s conservatory to his uncle and to Mrs Wilson herself, and both sides had approved.
Patrick Kennedy was delighted when she signed the work contract and told him Blackie could start at once. And he did. He was measuring the space, visiting the glaziers, ordering quantities of glass, wood and paint. Then he went in search of terracotta slabs for the floor of the conservatory. He was thrilled, the fuss of the weekend forgotten.
In the middle of the week, he came home to find a note from Sarah, explaining he should go on his own to Harrogate. She had written down an address. She had also explained she would meet him there that afternoon. Unexpectedly, she had to work on Saturday morning and would go straight to the train station at noon, see him in Harrogate later.
There was no mention of Finn in Sarah’s note, and so Blackie spoke to him the next day, when he finally went to the carpentry shop.
‘I don’t want to go,’ Finn said in a quiet voice. ‘I don’t want to spend the money, and anyway …’ Finn cut himself off, then whispered, ‘I had a note from Moira. She wants to talk to me on her day off. And that’s Saturday.’
Although Blackie was surprised, he kept his face neutral. ‘And where are ye meeting her?’
‘On the moor, opposite the Traveller’s Rest. She said we might want to find a café, have a bite for dinner.’
‘Then you’d better take some money with ye,’ Blackie chuckled.
Finn said, ‘I will. I’ve got a bit put away, just like you. But she said it’s her treat … as thanks for seeking her out in the Ham Shank.’
Later that week, Blackie found the right time to talk to Patrick. He asked his uncle if it was all right for him to go to Harrogate on Saturday.
‘You’re going with Sarah, correct?’
‘She has to work Saturday morning, but she’ll be there, yes.’
‘Is this an overnight trip?’
‘I think so, Uncle Pat.’
His uncle frowned and paused for a moment. ‘Then take some money from your savings and stay at a bed-and-breakfast place. More suitable, I think. More discreet. And be careful. Watch your step and keep your eyes peeled.’
‘I will, Uncle Pat, I swear on the heads of the Blessed Saints, I will.’
Patrick simply nodded, went into his office and closed the door. As he sat down at his desk, he grimaced to himself, and wondered why he’d bothered to say those words. If those two want to sleep together they will, he thought. They won’t be able to help themselves. Don’t be so daft, Kennedy. They’re young and involved, don’t kid yourself.