Page 64 of The Winter Bride

‘Do either of you know how Mercy’s mother is?’ Annie asked.

Susan nodded. ‘Yes, I saw Barney just before the circus moved on, and he said she was much better.’

Annie was pleased to hear it and prayed that they’d be able to say the same for Peggy soon.

‘How long will you be staying?’ Eve asked.

Annie shrugged as she mopped Peggy’s brow. ‘As long as it takes, I suppose. I certainly won’t go back until I know she’s over the worst. I rang Marie last night and she assured me that Adam and Nancy are fine. I think they’re quite enjoying staying with her, actually. She and John took them to the zoo yesterday and apparently Adam loved it. Ruth is fine in the shop too, so I’ll stay as long as I’m needed.’

Eve was relieved to hear it. She and Susan had been doing what they could to help Levi, but it was difficult for them when they had shops to run and families to see to.

And then at last that evening, as Levi sat stroking her hand and reading bits of the newspaper to her, Peggy opened her eyes and blearily looked at him.

‘Ah, Peg, thank goodness.’

Annie heard him from downstairs where she was preparing some chicken soup to try and tempt them to eat and she flew up the narrow staircase, wiping her hands on a cloth as she went.

‘So, you’ve decided to join us again, have you?’ she teased Peggy. ‘You certainly had us worried for a while back there.’

Peggy looked confused, ‘Wh-what are you doin’ here, pet,’ she croaked.

‘Levi rang me to tell me you were ill, so of course I came. Now, I’m going to leave you two alone for a few minutes and then you’re both going to try some of my chicken soup. We need to build you both up and I won’t be going back to London till you’re well on the mend.’ And with that she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Left alone, Peggy glanced down at Levi’s hand holding hers and looked confused again. ‘I-I’m sorry if you were worried,’ she muttered.

‘Worried!’ Levi shook his head as tears started to his eyes. ‘Why, lass, I thought I were goin’ to lose yer an’ I don’t know how I’d ’ave gone on if I ’ad. I know this probably ain’t the best time to tell yer, an’ I’ll quite understand if yer don’t feel the same, but it took this to make me realise that you’re me reason fer livin’. I love yer, Peggy, there’s no point in me hidin’ it any longer.’

Now it was Peggy’s turn to have tears in her eyes. ‘Well, I’m very ’appy to hear it, cos I’ve loved you fer years.’

‘You ’ave?’ He sounded astounded and delighted all at the same time. ‘In that case soon as yer well enough we’d best start plannin’ a weddin’. If you’ll ’ave me?’

‘Oh, I’ll ’ave yer all right.’ She chuckled. ‘I thought yer’d never ask!’

Chapter Thirty-Two

Annie was absolutely delighted when they shared their good news the next day. Peggy was still as weak as a kitten but was much more her old self. She had a twinkle in her eye and something to look forward to.

‘And about time too,’ Annie told them. ‘Why, a blind man on a galloping horse could see how much you two care for each other. So, when is the big day to be?’

‘Well, I want her to be properly right first,’ Levi answered. ‘So we thought per’aps somewhere around Christmas. Give her a few months to get back on her feet.’

‘How lovely, a winter bride.’ Annie clapped her hands. ‘In that case, here’s what we’re going to do. Nearer to the time you’re going to come and stay with me in London for a few days and I insist on the bride having a complete new rig-out from my shop. That will be my wedding present to you, Peggy.’

Peggy frowned. ‘Eeh, there’s no need fer that, pet,’ she said. ‘I’m sure I’ll find sommat suitable to wear here in one of our shops.’

‘You most certainly are not going to wear second-hand clothes on your wedding day,’ Annie declared indignantly. ‘And I shall love scouring the fashion houses for something suitable. I know what you like and it will be a pleasure. And while you’re staying, I can take you sightseeing with Adam and Nancy and you can make a little holiday of it.’

‘But who’ll look after the shops?’ Peggy said doubtfully.

Annie chuckled. ‘Eve will, of course, and she’ll be glad to. I’m sure both she and Susan will be delighted to hear your news. But now I’m going to phone Marie, if you don’t mind, and just check that all is well there.’

‘Help yerself.’ Peggy was still rather nervous of the phone and rarely used it apart from to phone Annie. It was usually Annie who rang her and even then, her heart would start to flutter as she forced herself to answer it.

Annie came off the phone shortly after content that all was well in London. Adam was being spoilt shamelessly by the sound of it and the shop was still doing well.

Over the next two days Peggy grew strong enough to come downstairs and sit in the chair for a few hours each day, and by the end of the week it was hard to make her rest any more.

‘I don’t want all this fussin’, I’m fine,’ Peggy insisted. She was up and pottering about now, although Levi was still keeping a very close eye on her.