Page 18 of The Winter Bride

‘I heard you were setting up in the Pingles,’ she told them as she welcomed them in. ‘I’m just getting lunch ready; won’t you stay and join us?’

‘We don’t have time,’ Barney told her apologetically. ‘We’ve got a matinee this afternoon so they need all hands on deck to get everythin’ ready. We just thought we’d pop round to see ’ow yer settlin’ in.’ He glanced around approvingly. ‘It’s a grand house.’ Alfred was bouncing around his legs with his tail wagging and Barney bent to fuss him. ‘An’ I’ve no need to ask ’ow this little chap is doin’. He looks champion.’ Peggy had told him about the sorry state Annie and Monty had found him in.

Annie stared at Alfred fondly. ‘He’s great company for me when Monty’s at work. I must admit when I’m not out buying, I do get a bit fed up being at home. I’m used to being busy.’

Monty joined them then and they spent a pleasant half an hour chatting over coffee before Barney and Mercy had to leave. Annie was sorry to see them go; already she felt a strong bond with Mercy and she was sure they would become very good friends.

‘They certainly look happy enough,’ Monty commented as they watched them going down the road hand in hand. Annie nodded in agreement. They were both positively glowing with happiness and she couldn’t help but feel a little envious.

‘Yes, I think we’ve got a happy ever after with those two.’

Monty placed his arm about her shoulders and gave her an affectionate peck on the cheek. ‘A little bit like us, eh?’

She laughed and nudged him away.

His expression turned serious. ‘You are happy aren’t you, Annie? Only I don’t know if you realise it, but you’ve never actually told me you love me, whereas I tell you all the time.’

‘Oh, get away with you, you daft ha’porth,’ she laughed as she gently pushed him aside. ‘You know I’m not the soppy sort, but don’t I show you what I think of you all the time? I’ve never been one for being good with words. Although I have to say since Susan started giving me elocution lessons I think I’ve improved. She says it wouldn’t do to use the local dialect in front of our posh customers, so I have to watch my P’s and Q’s.’

Monty chuckled as they went back inside and Annie promised herself that she would try to be more affectionate in the future.

Chapter Nine

The following day the newspapers were full of the story of another young girl who had been raped and beaten. This girl wasn’t so lucky and her body was found in Bond Gate in the early hours of the morning by a railway man on his way to work.

‘It comes to something when a woman can’t walk out in safety after dark on her own,’ Susan said fearfully during a quiet moment in the shop. ‘And what must that poor girl’s family be going through. It’s bad enough when you lose a child to illness as I did, but for them to die in a violent way like this is unthinkable. Let’s just hope the police catch him this time. Until then I shan’t be venturing out alone after dark.’

‘It’s awful, poor soul,’ Annie agreed. A customer entered the shop at that moment so the conversation was stopped from going any further, but now the women of the town lived in fear. There was a murderer amongst them and until he was caught none of them would feel safe.

Much later in the afternoon as Annie was about to close the shop, Mrs Taylor-Lloyd breezed in looking none too pleased. Annie had sent Susan home some time before suffering with a headache.

‘Is what Reginald is telling me correct . . . that you and Montgomery are expecting a child?’ she said without preamble before Annie had even had time to greet her.

‘Er . . . yes, yes, it is.’ Annie felt her cheeks redden.

‘Why wasn’t I informed before now?’

‘We assumed Reggie would have told you. He’s known for a while,’ Annie answered in a small voice. ‘And I thought you would have noticed when you visited. I can hardly hide the fact.’

The woman said caustically, ‘Well he’s only just told me and I didn’t notice. As Montgomery’s mother, I would have thought you’d have the decency to inform us personally.’

‘I can only apologise,’ Annie answered primly.

‘And how are you settling in at the house?’

‘Very well, thank you. We’ve done a lot of improvements since you last visited.’

‘So, I assume you’ll be getting rid of this place now and turning your attention to being a proper wife and mother?’

‘Actually, I have every intention of carrying on working.’ Annie’s temper was rising, although outwardly she was calm. She wouldn’t give the woman the satisfaction of seeing that she’d been able to rile her.

‘And how do you propose to do that with a baby to look after?’

‘I have some wonderful friends who will be more than willing to help out with childcare, and Susan will manage the shop when I’m not here. Monty is quite happy with that arrangement,’ she added and was pleased to see that for once the woman was temporarily speechless.

‘I see,’ Mrs Taylor-Lloyd said eventually as she turned to leave. Disapproval was coming off her in waves and she left without another word, slamming the shop door resoundingly.

Annie stifled a sigh. The woman really was an insufferable snob but she was Monty’s mother, so she supposed she would have to try and get along with her.