Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Lisa picked up her bag. Even beside her mother she felt impoverished. Sarah had a black wool coat over a grey wool dress, the collar of which was edged with dark grey bugle beads, and she wore a large-brimmed black hat, banded by a narrow grey ribbon. Obviously Mrs O'Leary had been busy.

They all met on the landing and tears came into both their eyes when they saw Margaret. She looked beauti ful, the cream wool making her skin glow translucently, the hat making her appear a little older but very elegant. Sarah held out her arms and hugged her.

'Oh, I wish your poor Pa could have been here to see

you! You look beautiful, Margaret, beautiful!'

'Oh, Ma, don't! You'll have me crying as well soon and I'm so nervous my hands are shaking, see!' She held out her gloved hands and Sarah held them tightly. 'God bless you. May you be as happy as your Pa and

I were!'

Margaret felt the tears pricking her eyes. She didn't want to think about the future; if she did she might change her mind. She just wished it were all over.

Lisa wiped her eyes. She felt happy for her sister and yet strangely depressed.

Will you come down the lot of you, the taxi cab is here and Himself has been gone nearly ten minutes!' Matty called agitatedly from the hall below. He was giving his sister away, being her nearest male relative. With a last dab to her eyes, taking Ellen's hand firmly

in her own, Sarah followed her eldest daughter down the stairs, followed by Lisa. It wasn't a full Nuptial Mass, just the Marriage Service,

because it was a Special Licence, but there were quite a

few people in the church. Canon Ormond married them as befitted such a ben efactor to the church as Lewis Vannin. Margaret was surprised that her nervousness had vanished and she answered clearly and without hesitation. She took her vows to love, honour and obey, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer until death do us part, clearly and reverently. She never broke a promise and she was determined to fulfil those vows, come what may.

Behind her in the front pew on her left stood her family and on the right Ellen, Elizabeth and Ernest. Elizabeth was dressed to the nines in a short fur jacket over a dusky rose-pink dress and she positively glittered with jewels. Sarah glanced across at her and decided the child hadn't been exaggerating. She looked like a Christmas tree with all that jewellery on and had obviously set out to outshine her daughter, but she had only succeeded in making herself look over-dressed and fussy beside Margaret's uncluttered, simple, elegant outfit. Now she was a little thankful Nancy hadn't come, for putting those two together would be like putting a match to paraffin!

Elizabeth had glanced quickly over at her new step mother's family and Lisa had happened to intercept that look. It was one of sheer disdain and it made her feel so small and plain and down-at-heel. The depression that had started on the staircase had grown as she contrasted

her life, her home and surroundings with Margaret's. And the look Elizabeth had given her had set the seal on it. For the first time in months she looked at her life without the aura of love that had blinkered her and she saw the dirt, the poverty and the squalor that she'd grown used to, and she was shocked. Of course, she didn't really envy Margaret her husband, he was so old and looked very formidable and humourless, but nevertheless, when she got back there would be some changes. She'd get out of MacFarlane's, get a better job - as she had always intended then she'd get out of the Gorbals. She'd somehow persuade Andy to marry her and they'd move. away. She'd never get to Newton Mearns, but there were other places. She'd slipped down into the abysmal rut so gradually that she hadn't noticed and only seeing her sister and mother had forced her to face the reality of her life.

As the voices faded and the organ began to play "Tantum Ergo' and the newly-weds went into the vestry to sign the civil forms before the Registrar, Lisa began to dream. They would be married at St John's and she would have a white dress and a long, white veil. Eileen and Bernie would be her bridesmaids and she'd have them in pale pink and then they'd go off to their new home. A nice little rented house or flat in a better area, away from all the filth and noise and violence.

Sarah touched her arm and brought her down to earth. Everyone was leaving. It was over. Margaret was now Mrs Vannin.

There had been a decidedly strained atmosphere over the wedding supper caused mainly by Elizabeth's presence and her determination not to be anything other than cool towards everyone as a sign of her complete disapproval. But when Violet and her mother who had been brought in to help - had cleared the table, things had relaxed a little. Soon after, they had all adjourned to the large, front parlour, where Lewis engaged Matty in a conversation about modern farming methods and trade and industry generally, staying clear of politics, while Ernest sat and listened,

Sarah sat between her two daughters on the long sofa, while Ellen sat on the floor at Margaret's feet, quite overcome by the new family she had suddenly acquired and who were not in the least bit like her elder sister, as she had feared they might be. Elizabeth sat apart on a high-backed, winged chair, determined to remain aloof, but curious just the same.

'So, what is it that you do, Lisa?' she asked, seeing the girl's colour heighten as her eyes went straight to the old, shabby shoes.

'I work as a sewing machinist in one of Glasgow's biggest clothing manufacturing works.'

'How interesting.'

Lisa tried to smooth out the creases in the cheap, wool skirt, wishing Nancy were here. She'd put that one in her place and smartish. But then she remembered Bernie's words. She couldn't rely on her sisters any more. 'Of course, I'm only using the time to learn. I intend to make a career in the business. I'll probably be a buyer in one of Glasgow's fashionable shops. You could learning the business from the bottom up!' say I'm

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Margaret smiled. Good for Lisa. It looked as

though she had learned to stand up for herself, although she looked pale and thin and her clothes were shabby. She must be finding it hard, she'd make sure she slipped her a few pounds before she left.

'Such a pity your other sister couldn't come, I was look ing forward to meeting her. It must be very glamorous being on the stage and in the West End, too!'

I'm sorry, too, but it must have been something really important. You two would get on like a house on fire.' More like an ammunition dump, Sarah thought grimly.

'And what does your husband do?'

'He's in shipping,' Elizabeth said vaguely. 'Doing exactly what?' Sarah persisted. 'I really don't know. I never ask about such boring

things.' 'He's a clerk. I heard Pa say so!"

Elizabeth shot Ellen a look fit to kill.

'Haven't I told you, Miss, that little girls should be seen and not heard. You've far too much to say for yourself alto gether!' Sarah scolded, but not harshly, noting Elizabeth's discomfort.

'Yes, Grandma.'

Elizabeth choked on her sherry. Grandma! The little monster was completely won over by them. 'And what do you do with yourself all day? Do you

work?' Sarah continued.

Elizabeth looked at Sarah in horror. 'Work? I've never worked.' 'Really, you must get very bored.' Sarah, in other cir

cumstances, would have told her straight that a day's work

never hurt anyone and was to be recommended.

The conversation died, until Lewis joined them and said he hoped they would all be comfortable and it was a pleasure to have them to stay, but that it was time Ellen was in bed. She'd had enough excitement for one day.

Ellen was about to protest until she caught Mary

Kate's eye. Elizabeth rose, glad to escape. 'We really must go, too, Ernest. Would you get my jacket?'

'No need, Ernest, Vi will fetch it,' Margaret said.

Sarah looked at the clock; it was nearly eight. 'Come along, Ellen, we've both had a long day and I'm not as young as you. I think I'll go up myself.' She kissed Margaret's cheek and clutched Ellen's hand. She wasn't quite sure what to do about her son-in-law.

He nodded. 'Goodnight, then.'

'I think it would be more sensible altogether if you called me Sarah, don't you?'

He smiled. 'Very well, goodnight, Sarah.'"

She looked pointedly at Lisa. 'Don't you be staying up too late either, Lisa. I would like a word with you before you go to bed."

There was a small flurry of activity as Elizabeth and Ernest left and Sarah and Ellen went upstairs, followed shortly by Lisa.

Lewis was about to refill Matty's glass.

'No, I've had enough, thanks. I'm not a drinking man and it's been a long day.' He paused, embarrassed. 'Would you mind if I borrowed a book from your fine library? I'm a great one for reading, but I don't get much time at home."

Help yourself, do, and if there's anything else you need, just ask.'

They shook hands and Matty left.

Margaret got up and refilled Lewis's glass and handed it to him. Thank you, Lewis, for being so kind and generous to my family."

'I couldn't do anything less.' He had been impressed

by them, especially by Sarah, who seemed a fine, strong,

sensible woman and it had surprised him. Nor was Margaret's brother the philistine he had dreaded. Maybe he had been over-reacting. Had he really expected her brother to be an uncouth rebel. Margaret felt more nervous now than she had all

day and she twisted the gold band on the finger of her

left hand.

'Would you like another drink, my dear?'