Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

She smiled, looking at them. Their heads were close together as they scrutinized the map, and Lisa thought about lan's earlier remarks about his lonely childhood. They were just like brothers, they were so close, she thought. In fact, closer than most brothers, for Fergal and Matty had always been scrapping and arguing and Dinny Magee had once thrown his younger brother, Dermot, into the Suir and had then had to go in after him, and they had both felt their Pa's belt across their backsides for that escapade. She'd never seen two friends who were so close. She shrugged. They were both a bit odd. Sure, anyone who spent their precious week's holiday watching birds in pouring rain, must be odd!

Between shows Nancy had been trying to find a place of her own, now that she could at last afford one. She and Helen had seen countless rooms all over London, but the ones she liked were always far too expensive. She wanted something 'grand' she'd told Helen, but what she wanted and what she could afford were two totally different things.

It was Helen who hit on the suggestion of sharing. "That way we can both afford something "grand" as you call it. I know I don't earn nearly as much as you, but it would help, wouldn't it? It would be that bit extra and we could share the expenses.'

Nancy had really wanted a place that would be hers alone, but common sense told her that it was share with Helen or settle for something less elegant. So she'd agreed and they'd found some really lovely rooms on the ground floor of a large house not far from Mrs Weston's. It was still Bloomsbury, but the more 'select' end. They had both spent hours choosing furnishings and discussing colour schemes for both were determined that everything was going to be 'modern', Art Deco and Art Nouveau were all the rage. And when they were finally finished they

were going to throw the party that Nancy had promised. She was enjoying life to the full. She was now successful and was well known in all the best places. People crowded around the Theatre waiting to catch a glimpse of her and she loved it all. She revelled in every minute of it. It was wonderful to have enough money to buy nice clothes and she'd been given a few pieces of expensive jewellery by Jimmie Masters, who followed her around like a lap dog, as Edward had commented.

'You're jealous!' she'd replied.

'Of him! Good God, Nancy, he's welcome to you. You won't catch me running around after you, waiting patiently for a pat on the head when you remember I'm there. I'm far too busy!' had been his reply. But he was jealous of Jimmie Masters. Despite himself, he knew his feelings for Nancy were becoming more and more serious. He also knew that if he let her know that, she would treat him far worse than she treated poor Jimmie and he wasn't prepared to be mocked behind his back, as Mr Masters was. He had also been far from happy about Helen sharing Nancy's flat.

'You don't like Helen, do you?' she'd said the day she'd shown him round and asked him if he liked it. 'Of course, it will look better when we've finished decorating and got rid of all this old stuff,' she'd added.

'You know my views on Helen Mason. She's a bad influence, but as long as your social life doesn't interfere with your work, you can do as you please.'

'I intend to. And she isn't a bad influence, she just likes to have fun. What's wrong with that? You were always tel ling me to make friends, to broaden my outlook, and when I do you still complain. You're impossible, Edward!'

'I suppose I am, but that comes of being older and

wiser, Nancy.'

Everything was ready. The buffet was laid out in the small dining room and she'd hired waiters to serve the drinks. Nancy checked her appearance in the full-length mirror in her bedroom. Helen had been right about the dress, she hought. The shades of purple, mauve, lilac and white suited her. She turned round and the chiffon skirt with the very latest handkerchief hemline swirled around her legs. The bodice was bloused and pleated into the deep purple satin sash that hugged her hips. The same colour was repeated in her satin headband which was adorned with one white and one mauve ostrich plume, both held by a diamond pin. She wore the drop earrings Jimmie had given her and the matching bracelet, through which she'd threaded a chiffon handkerchief. She'd discarded the long ropes of beads, thinking they ruined the effect, but Edward's corsage of lilac and white orchids was perfect. She touched the flowers again. It had been a thoughtful gesture, but quite out of character, and they must have cost him an arm and a leg. She smiled confidently at her reflection. She was certain that he really did hold some affection for her, in his own way, although he would never admit it. Well, if he ever did admit it she would enjoy seeing his face when she told him to 'Go to hell!' She'd enjoy watching him slink away with his tail between his legs.

Helen opened the door, dressed in sapphire shot taffeta that suited her complexion and made her eyes a darker blue. 'Nancy, you look absolutely divine! I told you those colours were just right for you. Oh, by the way, arrived.' Edward's

'He's early.' Nancy cast one last glance at herself in the mirror and then followed Helen into the lounge.

'Edward! Thank you for the orchids, they're divine!' Divine was their favourite adjective of the moment. 'How did you know what colour to get?"

'I guessed. Besides, there's not a great demand for them so they don't come in many colours. I had to go to Covent Garden for them. You look lovely, Nancy."

"Thank you. How do you like it now?' She swept her arm with its glittering bracelet and floating kerchief over the room. Helen had gone to get him a drink.

'It's. modern.' She frowned irritably. You don't like it?'

'I didn't say that.' But you implied it. You didn't say it was tasteful or lovely or anything like that.' Edward thought it looked rather flashy and a bit

He much preferred the pieces of furniture she'd got rid of, but to say so would have hurt her feelings and probably sparked off an argument. You said you wanted it very modern and it is. I can see you've both spent a great deal of time, effort and money on it. Everyone will be impressed.' Nancy smiled. Thank you. I'm so glad you're not going vulgar.

to be sarcastic and I'm not going to lose my temper tonight, no matter how you provoke me.' 'I don't provoke you, do I?' 'Sometimes you're infuriating! But I'm glad you've

come, no one else has!' Edward pulled a face of mock horror. 'You mean there's all that food and we're the only ones coming?" 'Don't be stupid, you know very well what I mean!

None of the family is coming. You would have thought

that at least one of them would have come. Margaret

promised Ellen.'

Edward took his drink from Helen, nodding his thanks. 'Nancy, you can't expect Margaret to come in her condi tion. I thought Lewis wrote and explained?"

'He did. They mustn't have told Ellen about it, other wise she'd have got round Margaret."

'Even you can't be that blind, Nancy! Do you honestly think your friends, especially after they've all had a drink, are fit company for a child of her age?"

She shrugged. 'Oh, I suppose you're right. But Lisa could have come, she's got a good job and a nice place that she pays buttons for, she would have enjoyed it. I begged Ma to come over but she said she couldn't. If our Matty and Uncle Richard can't take care of themselves by now, then they're even bigger eejits than I thought! They could have come too. I wanted everyone to come!'

You've got lots of people coming.'

But I wanted them all to see how well I've done. I wanted them to go back and tell everyone in Clonmel all about it."

'Oh, I see! You didn't really want to see them, you just wanted them to go back and impress the whole town. Why didn't you invite the whole town?' Edward was being hateful again and Nancy glared at him.

'I won't be baited. I refuse to let you ruin my evening.' 'Good, then we should both enjoy ourselves, shouldn't we? You'd better open the door, I think your first guests

have arrived.'

Margaret smiled at the antics of the baby boy playing on the kitchen floor with Ellen. James Patrick Vannin was everything both she and Lewis could have wished for in a son. Fearing that Ellen might feel just a little jealous of all the fuss made of the baby, Margaret had encouraged Ellen to help her with him as much as possible. But, in fact, Ellen loved her little brother dearly.

It was hard to believe that the time had gone so quickly. Hard to believe that she'd forgotten the hours of pain that preceded the birth. But she'd never forgotten the sense of joy and contentment she'd felt, exhausted though she'd been, when Doctor Salmon had placed the baby in her arms. Lewis had been beside himself with happiness and pride and had even given all his workers a half crown extra in their wages, to 'Wet the baby's head', and for the first time in many, many years he had got gloriously, roisterously drunk.

They had both fretted and worried over the baby at first but it soon became evident that Jamie, as she called him, had a tenacious hold on life and had no intention of succumbing to the fate of his poor little half-brothers. When the baby had been a month old, Lewis had given her the deeds of the house as a gift. The business and all his property he intended to vest in his son, but Margaret had protested.

'What about Elizabeth and Ellen?"

'What about them?'

'Surely you're not really going to leave them out?"

'Elizabeth deserves nothing!' Lewis had replied, curtly. 'She does, Lewis. She's still your daughter. Your eld est child.' 'Margaret, I've never met a woman who is so tolerant

or so forgiving.'

She'd just smiled. It was hard to forgive Elizabeth, but she did try. She prayed every day for the grace to think charitably about her step-daughter.

When Elizabeth had found out about her pregnancy there had been by far the worst scene ever. Despite knowing she was unwelcome in her father's house, she had burst in and screamed and raged at both of them until Lewis had lost his temper and slapped her hard across the face. He had f*******n her ever to come within a mile of his house and had shouted that she had forfeited any chance she'd had of ever inheriting anything. Margaret had never forgotten that day.