Chapter 10
774 Words
Chapter 10
'Will you just leave me alone, Bridget, please!'
It was her turn to shrug as they went in. He was worry ing his mother silly, although with her usual indomitable spirit, Mrs Duncan wouldn't admit it or even deign to recognize the change in her son. But Bridget had made up her mind to go and see David and try and get some sense out of him.
She went into the parlour and saw that the old lady was sitting with a letter in her lap, her glasses on the cushion beside her.
'How are you? Any more headaches today?'
'Not the sort you mean!' came the sharp reply. 'Is there something wrong? I don't want to pry, but
You're always prying, but you mean well.' Bridget took no notice; she'd learned to ignore the forthright remarks.
I had this at lunchtime, from Mrs Lennox. She's going to live with her daughter because she can't manage by herself any more. I can't say I blame her, but I just hope she won't regret giving up her home. If I remember rightly, that Alice of hers is a bossy piece, even as a wain she was too forward by half!'
Bridget sat down beside her. Mrs Lennox rented the small house Mrs Duncan owned in Melville Street in Pollokshields East. 'So, what will you do?"
'I'm too old to be bothered finding new tenants and getting someone to collect the rent and do the repairs. It's not worth the trouble. I'll sell it.'
'I know it's none of my business. . . 'No, it's not, but you're going to say something anyway,
so go on." 'I know of someone who would jump at renting a house like that.'
'Half of Glasgow would "jump" at the chance!'
'I know that, but my friend Bernie would make an excellent tenant, she would!'
"The one who helped you move in here?"
'Yes. Archie is quite handy, he could fix anything that needs doing and Bernie will bring the rent here, or Eileen could give it to me. Won't you give them a chance, just as you gave me one?'
'You've the gift of the blarney, Bridget O'Donnell!'
"Then will you offer it to them?" 'Only if you do something for me in return.'
'What?'
'Find out why my son is moping around as if he had the cares of the whole world on his shoulders and can't speak a civil word to his own mother!'
Bridget sighed. 'I've tried. Believe me, time and again, I've tried.'
"This nonsense has gone on long enough!'
'I know. I'm going to see David to see if I can get to the bottom of it. They used to be so close, like brothers. I'm sure they've had a row.'
'Over some fast piece, no doubt! And not worth falling out over, I'd guess. I thought you and Ian had an "understanding"?"
'We're friends. I told you when I first came here that I was only interested in my career.' I had hoped... Och, never mind. Just do what
you can.'
'I will, I promise. Will you let Bernie and Archie have the house?" Mrs Duncan nodded. 'But if there is any rowdiness -
out they go!' You won't regret it! Bernie's a good girl, she works
hard and so does Archie. Can I go over after supper and
tell them?"
'You may.'
'Oh, thank you! Ian isn't going out, so you won't be on
your own.' For all the company he is these days, I just might as
well be."
'When is Mrs Lennox going?' 'At the end of the week, so your friends can move in whenever they like after that, but don't you forget your
side of the bargain, Bridget.'
'I won't and thank you again!' Impulsively she leaned over and kissed the withered cheek. 'Oh, get off with you, girl! I'm not giving them the
house, they'll be paying rent!'
As she got off the tram on the corner of Bedford Road she smiled to herself, anticipating the look on Bernie's face. On the rare occasions Bernie came to Cartland Drive she was always saying how lucky Bridget was, that she didn't know she was born and that one day she was determined to get out of Warwick Street herself.
The street hadn't changed, except that if anything it looked even more dilapidated. She wondered now how she had ever lived here, amidst all this filth. A woman was coming towards her, a grubby toddler clinging to her skirt, a very young baby wrapped tightly in the shawl that crossed over her bosom, a bundle of washing
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