even, the kids and Gran would come running to us, begging us to take them in, not able to stand Pat’s domineering ways. She’d turn them into her slaves, running after her and your dad. And that’s not to mention she’d be looking to us to stump up the money for Gran and the kids’ keep. She’s got some nerve, Arch! Now go and tell we won’t be accepting her generous offer.’
‘Oh, I see Arch is breaking the good news to yer.’ Pat had come out to join them. She was looking annoyed. ‘But I told yer not to bother Aidy with this until after the funeral. Huh, well, it’s done now.’ Before either of them could get a word in, she then addressed Aidy. ‘There’s no need to thank me. It’s the least we can do in the circumstances.’ To them both she said, ‘Dad’s staying here, said it’s not seemly we should both leave early as we’re family, but I’m off to start packing.’ Truth was Jim Nelson would not budge for any reason until there was not a drop of beer left in the barrel. ‘Wouldn’t hurt the kids to come and give me a hand, ’specially the two older ones. Find ’em, Arch, and send them round. I’ll get it all done as quick as I can and then yer can help us settle in before you need to get yerselves back to yer own house. It’s been a long day and you’ll be wanting an early night.’
‘Now look, Mrs Nelson …’ Aidy began.
Pat put up a warning hand and interjected, ‘As I said, there’s no need for thanks. We’re family, least we can do.’ With that she heaved her bulk the short distance to the back gate and disappeared through it out into the jetty beyond.
Aidy glared in annoyance at her husband and told him, ‘You’d best go after your mother. Tell her she’s wasting her time packing.’
With that she spun on her heel and marched away back into the house, leaving a worried-looking Arch staring after her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Bertha was in the kitchen drying dishes when Aidy found her. She took one look at her granddaughter’s face and knew something had greatly upset her. Discarding the pot she was drying, along with the cloth, on the draining board, she caught Aidy’s arm, pulling her to a halt. Aware they were not alone in the kitchen, she whispered, ‘What’s up, ducky?’
Bertha would be furious herself when she learned of Pat’s devious plan to get her hands on this house. But there was no need for her grandmother to know now as Aidy had put a stop to the plan. ‘Nothing, Gran, I’m just tired,’ she told her, which was actually true so she wasn’t lying.
But Bertha knew her granddaughter well and wasn’t convinced. ‘You sure that’s all?’
‘I’m sure, Gran. Now stop fussing.’
Bertha still wasn’t convinced. She wasn’t that short sighted she could mistake an annoyed expression for a tired one. ‘Mmm … well … have it your own way. I’m tired too. Although I’m glad they all turned out for Jessie, I’ll be glad when they go.’
Six o’clock saw the last of the mourners take their leave and the bereft family was finally on their own, to start rebuilding their lives. Well, all but one member of it. Arch was missing.
He’d had plenty of time to pay a visit to his mother. As he hadn’t come back, Aidy was convinced he was feeling mortally embarrassed that he had ever allowed her to suggest her plan, and needed to get up the courage to face his wife with an apology. He’d be in the pub, gaining that courage through a couple of pints.
Arch had been to the pub, but it wasn’t the courage to face his wife he needed. He was preparing himself for a scene with Pat. Being raised by a mother like that had made Arch a strong-minded man who could stand his ground with anyone … except his mother, that was. Despite his no longer living under her roof, Pat still managed to keep a controlling influence on him that he just couldn’t bring himself to shake off. Arch himself understood why. Although he would never admit it, his own mother terrified him. Memories of the many thrashings he’d received as a child whenever he had dared to cross her were still very vivid in his mind. Despite the fact he was now a man, Pat still treated him as she’d always done …