The Road to Rowanbrae Page 23

  Gregor jerked up. ‘That is uncalled for, Margaret.’

  ‘She must have worked on Aunt Beatrice to get her to change her will, but you are so besotted with her that you can’t see the kind of person she is.’

  ‘I am besotted with her,’ here Gregor’s eyes rested fondly on Mysie for a second, ‘but there is no truth in your allegation. Aunt Beatrice would never have allowed anyone to influence her, not even Mrs Duncan, although Aunt was very fond of her.’

  Bewildered and hurt, Mysie murmured, miserably, ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Phillip. I didn’t know … if I had, I’d have told her I didn’t want it. Please believe me, I didn’t know.’

  ‘I’m quite sure you didn’t, and I apologise for my sister’s rudeness.’ Gregor glared at Margaret.

  Lowering his eyebrows, which he had raised at Mrs Phillip’s outburst, Mr Coutts went on, fully anticipating more trouble. ‘To my niece, Margaret Phillip, the sum of £2000 only.’

  Her gasp confirmed his fears. ‘What about my children’s education?’ she cried, nostrils flaring.

  The solicitor shook his head. ‘Miss Wallace seemed to think that they were your husband’s responsibility.’ His attention went to the document again. ‘To my nephew, Gregor Wallace, I leave the residue of my estate, including my house.’ He looked up again. ‘I can assure you all that Miss Wallace knew exactly what she was doing on the day this will was drawn up, and she appointed me as executor with the strict instructions that her wishes were to be carried out to the letter.’

  Margaret Phillip glowered at her brother. ‘I might have known that you would be the favoured one. I am to get less than her housekeeper, and you are to get everything else.’

  In an attempt to pour oil on the turbulent waters, Mr Coutts said, ‘I should perhaps warn you, Mr Wallace, that there will not be a great deal left after all the bequests are met and all the expenses settled. And now, if you will excuse me, I must be going, but if you should wish to consult me about anything, I will be only too pleased to advise you.’

  Waiting until the solicitor went out, Gregor gave vent to his anger at his sister. ‘Well done, Margaret! That was a proper exhibition – God knows what that Mr Coutts must think of us. It took you all your time to visit Aunt Beatrice about once in every six months, and Maisie has been at her beck and call for twenty-four hours a day for years, so what the hell did you expect? That she would leave everything to you? Well, let me tell you, supposing I get nothing, I am very pleased that she showed her appreciation to the person who did most for her.’

  ‘You obviously know nothing about Mrs Duncan’s past history,’ Mrs Phillip shouted. ‘After her husband left her, she lived with another man until …’

  ‘I know about that,’ Gregor cut in, his hands clenching, ‘and so did Aunt Beatrice. Maisie told us that herself.’

  Not having expected this, his sister paused a moment before going on, sarcastically, ‘And did she tell you why she had to leave Burnlea and come here to work?’

  ‘Yes, she did, and I thought none the less of her.’ His voice was lower, his fury calming now that he had got it out of his system. ‘You can tell me nothing that I don’t already know, but unlike you, I would never have dragged it out again.’

  For the past minute or two, waves of nausea had swept over Mysie, and the angry voices had come to her as if from a great distance. It was almost as if she were hearing a discussion about an unknown person, but the silence after Gregor’s last words seemed to have more impact. It penetrated her benumbed brain then that they were talking about her. ‘I’m sorry that I’m the cause of you …’

  ‘It has nothing to do with you.’ Gregor laid his hand on her sleeve. ‘None of this was your doing, and if my sister had any sense in her head, she would see that.’

  Margaret Phillip raised her head slowly. ‘I suppose I should have come to see Aunt Beatrice more often, but I knew that she was being well looked after, and I was always so busy.’

  ‘I’m sure she did not blame you for that. By the way, she once told me she wanted your Beatrice to have her jewellery, as her namesake, so I will hand them over as soon as I can. I believe that they are antique pieces inherited from her mother, and are quite valuable.’

  Giving no indication that she was appeased by this, Margaret got to her feet and walked out. Gregor leaned back. ‘I am extremely sorry that you were a witness to that, Maisie.’

  Mysie frowned. ‘I wish your aunt hadn’t left me anything. She should have known that it would just cause trouble.’

  ‘Did you ever know my aunt to bother about creating trouble?’ Standing up, he noticed that the maid was still there, her eyes round, her mouth gaping. ‘I’m glad that you were included in the will, Maudie, but I still have something to discuss with Mrs Duncan. Would you mind leaving us now? Say nothing to Sandy nor Gina about the trusts, because I’m sure their mother will want to tell them herself.’

  ‘Yes, sir … no, sir.’ The flustered girl almost ran out.

  Gregor sat down next to Mysie. ‘I’d forgotten about her, but I think she is capable of keeping all this to herself. Don’t let what Margaret said worry you, she’ll get over it.’

  ‘But she was a relative and I wasn’t. I’d have been happy with just an ornament as a keepsake.’

  ‘When my aunt told me that she had made a new will, I hoped she had left you the house, but perhaps she thought that this way you might change your mind about marrying me.’

  ‘Oh!’ Mysie looked dismayed. ‘You told her about that?’

  ‘I did, but won’t you reconsider now, Maisie?’

  ‘I can’t, Gregor, I’m sorry.’

  ‘Don’t you feel the least bit fond of me?’

  ‘I am fond of you, but not enough to marry you.’

  His mouth gave a wry twist. ‘Some day, perhaps. But I am truly happy for you and your children, though Sandy’s future is assured anyway, provided he passes all his examinations.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I intend taking him in with me. Didn’t you realise that was why my aunt told him to go in for Law? And Gina can be …’

  Mysie jumped up, feeling that it was all too much for her. ‘Are you staying for tea?’

  Perplexed by the sudden change, he said, coldly, ‘No, thank you. My housekeeper is expecting me back.’

  She could tell that he was hurt, but was sure that she would break down if she didn’t go now. ‘Goodbye then, Gregor.’ She hurried out, and heard the front door close behind him as she went along the hall.

  When she went into the kitchen, Maudie started babbling to her about their good fortune, without once mentioning the big difference between the amounts they were to receive, and she waited until the maid ran out of breath before informing her children about the trusts. Gina was too young to understand, but Sandy looked thoughtful. ‘There’s no strings attached, are there? I can spend that money on anything I want to, once I’m twenty-one?’

  ‘Yes, legally, but I would advise you not to touch it. It’s always better to have something at your back for emergencies.’

  ‘Will Mr Wallace be coming here to live?’

  Maudie’s question startled Mysie. She hadn’t thought of the consequences of the terms of the will. ‘He didn’t say what he was going to do.’

  ‘If he does, he might keep us on.’

  Mysie was glad when Maudie went home and Gina went to bed. Sandy was in the sitting room studying and it gave her peace to think. She couldn’t work as housekeeper to Gregor, that was one thing definite. He might propose every day in the hope that he would wear her down. But he wouldn’t want to move in here. He already had a house … and a housekeeper. She would have to find different employment, whatever happened – unless the house was sold and the new owners kept her on.

  Gregor called the following day. ‘You two ladies must be very anxious to know how you stand,’ he said, as he took a seat in the kitchen. ‘I am sure you will be pleased to know that I have decided to sell my house in Forest Avenue. It’s to
o big for me, and my housekeeper has told me she wants to retire, so I would be very grateful if you both carried on as you have been doing – with an increase in wages.’

  Mysie shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t stay on as your housekeeper. I intend to look for another position.’

  Unable to argue with her in front of Maudie, he turned to the maid. ‘Would you be prepared to take over?’

  ‘Oh, Mr Wallace, I’d love to.’ She looked from him to Mysie. ‘But are you both sure …?’

  ‘Quite sure,’ Mysie said, firmly.

  Hesitating for only a moment, Maudie said, ‘Tom, that’s my young man, wants us to get married, but he can’t find a house. Would you consider letting us have the two rooms on the second floor, Mr Wallace? You could deduct the rent from my wages.’

  Gregor’s laugh rang through the kitchen. ‘My aunt would have loved this. Yes, Maudie, you may have those two rooms, and as soon as Mrs Duncan leaves, I will engage a new maid and you will become housekeeper. Meantime, I would be obliged if both of you would clear out anything you think I wouldn’t need, and all my aunt’s personal possessions. There is no hurry, and you may take anything you like that isn’t of obvious great value. Now, Mrs Duncan, I would like to talk to you in the sitting room for a moment.’

  He went ahead of her and waited until she closed the wooden venetian blinds, so that she could light the gas mantle. ‘Now, Maisie,’ he said when she sat down, ‘how are you going to find another position?’

  ‘It’ll be difficult,’ she admitted, ‘with Sandy and Gina to think about, but I’m sure I’ll find somewhere.’

  ‘You have the solution in your own hands, you know.’

  Knowing he meant that she could marry him, Mysie chose to ignore this. ‘The only thing is, I might not get another place for a while, and where would I live …?’

  ‘Let me ease your mind. I’ll remain at Forest Avenue until you find somewhere else to live. How does that suit you?’

  ‘Thank you, Gregor, and thank you for agreeing to Maudie’s suggestion. She’ll be a good housekeeper.’

  That night, when Sandy returned from the Tivoli with his eyes much brighter than usual, Mysie rounded on him angrily. ‘If you think I don’t know you’ve been drinking, you’re wrong.’

  ‘You knew we’d be going to the Criterion. We just had one, the same as last time.’ A gurgling chuckle belied his words.

  ‘One beer doesn’t make you giggle like that,’ she snapped.

  ‘I work hard all day, every day, just to please you, so you can’t begrudge me a little enjoyment. And Gregor Wallace can come and cheer you up when I’m out. I know he’d like to.’

  Mysie turned away. She wouldn’t argue with him now – what was the point? He was only trying to rile her by saying that about Gregor, and he would take his own way over going out with Bobby Phillip, whatever she said. Sandy was too old – and too tall – to be smacked, and she could only hope that he never came home fighting drunk like his father, nor became addicted to alcohol like his grandfather.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Over the next two weeks, Mysie and Maudie emptied cupboards and drawers, sorting everything into piles, and consulting each other about what Gregor Wallace would want kept. The clothes, of good quality and some hardly worn at all, were collected by the Salvation Army, but everything else was left until Gregor checked it over.

  On the first Friday night, Mysie was relaxing by the kitchen fire when Sandy came home, and one glance told her that he’d had too much to drink. His eyes were glazed, and when he said, ‘I’ll jusht go to bed,’ the words were slurred.

  From past experience, she knew that it made better sense to wait until a drunk man was sober before reprimanding him, and let him go. He needed a man to straighten him out, but the only man she knew was Gregor, and she couldn’t ask him.

  Sandy looked sheepish at breakfast time, and when his mother opened her mouth to speak, he forestalled her. ‘I know, I know. I was a bit tiddly last night. I’m just a bit worried about you and what we’re going to do – I wish I could help a bit more. Anyway, I wasn’t as bad as Bobby.’

  ‘Bobby’s not my problem,’ Mysie burst out. ‘If his father knew, he’d get a good telling off, and I’ve a good mind not to let you go out with him again.’

  Sandy grinned. ‘How would you stop me? Lock me in?’

  ‘Don’t be so cheeky. It’s only for your own good. You don’t know what happens to some men when they’re drunk. My father fell down an old well and drowned himself – not that I cared.’

  ‘I’ve never seen any old wells in Aberdeen, though there may be some, for all I know. Look, Mother, I just had a few drinks, that’s all. I didn’t do anything out of place, did I?’

  ‘No, but …’

  ‘Well, let it be. All the students drink, and nobody minds.’

  ‘I mind about you, coming home in a state like that.’

  ‘You can’t stop me drinking – all my friends would call me a mother’s boy if I did – but I promise I’ll never fall down any wells. Will that satisfy you?’

  Unable to stop a smile, Mysie let it be. She had enough to worry about. She had applied that week for two jobs she had seen in the newspaper, but as soon as she had mentioned Sandy and Gina, she had been turned down. Of course, that was only two, but it was still very disheartening.

  Unfortunately, she was turned down for another three jobs during the following week, and when Sandy came home on Friday night, he was inclined to be argumentative, making her spirits sink even farther. She couldn’t punish him, she couldn’t really keep him in, not at his age, and she would have to put up with it. But it was really upsetting. She would worry about him every time he was out with Bobby Phillip now, for what might they get up to when they were intoxicated?

  Her worries intensified on Saturday night, when he came in drunk again. He had sworn to her that he was going out with different friends this time, but where could he be getting the money to drink so much? What little she gave him as pocket money wouldn’t stretch to two nights’ drinking in addition to paying his seat in the Tivoli, and she wouldn’t be able to give him anything if she didn’t get a job soon.

  Gregor hadn’t called at Ashley Road since the day after the funeral, but when he came that Sunday to find out how Mysie was coping, he was shocked when she burst into tears. ‘What’s wrong? Is it too much for you?’

  ‘It’s nothing to do with that,’ she sobbed. ‘I can’t get a job, and I can’t live here once you move in.’

  ‘I told you before that you can live here for as long as you want. I won’t move in at all. I’ll keep on my old house.’

  ‘But it’s too big for you, and this is your house, and I can’t keep you out of it.’

  ‘I don’t mind. Oh, Maisie, you don’t have to leave at all.’

  A silence fell while she tried to pull herself together. Her homelessness was nothing to do with Gregor, and she shouldn’t have said anything; it had only upset him, too. In any case, it was likely worrying about Sandy as much as worrying about a job that was making her feel like this, but she didn’t mean to burden Gregor with that, as well. He had done enough for her already.

  After a little while, he took her hand. ‘When my aunt’s will is settled, you’ll be able to buy a house of your own.’

  ‘But I would still need to work to get enough money to pay for the rates, and the gas and electric, besides feeding and clothing the three of us.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that. Would you consider starting a boarding house? What you take in from your boarders would cover all your expenses. You are quite used to catering for large numbers, aren’t you? With your capabilities as a cook, you’d have them lining up to get a room.’

  ‘I don’t fancy having to run after a lot of people coming in at all different times for their meals – though I might have to, if the worst comes to the worst.’ Catching a familiar look in his eyes, she added, ‘And don’t tell me to marry you. You know I won’t.’

>   ‘It used to be can’t,’ he said, sadly. ‘Why won’t you, Maisie? I love you as much as ever.’

  ‘Oh, Gregor. Why don’t you forget about me and find somebody else to love?’

  ‘That’s something I’ll never do, but if it embarrasses you, I promise never to ask again. One thing, please let me know if you ever change your mind.’ He sat thinking for a moment, then exclaimed, ‘I’ve got it! Why don’t you open a home bakery? If you sold cakes, bread and meat pies, you would be a sensation, especially if you found the right district.’

  That did appeal to her – it would be a challenge. ‘Yes, I’d like that, but there’s usually just one small room at the back of a shop. Gina could sleep with me, but Sandy needs a room to himself.’

  ‘I’ll make enquiries for you, if you like. Some shops are part of a tenement, and when the shop is given up, one of the houses is often left vacant, too.’

  ‘Oh, Gregor, you’ve put new heart into me!’ The light left her eyes again as suddenly as it had appeared. ‘But I would need to buy furniture and bedding and dishes and …’

  ‘You could easily afford to buy everything you need, but I suppose, with your thrifty mind, you want to keep a nest egg? Well, I was wondering what to do with my goods and chattels when I sold my house in Forest Avenue, so you’d be doing me a favour if you took them off my hands.’

  ‘If I get a small house, there mightn’t be enough space … oh, I’ll make room for as much as I can.’

  She didn’t realise until later how cleverly he had arranged it, to avoid her thinking he was giving her the contents of his home out of pity. He was always so kind, nothing was too much trouble for him, and she couldn’t burden him with any more of her worries.

  It took Gregor almost two months to find the small empty shop in George Street with three rooms vacant on the first floor, and as soon as Mysie approved it, he got a painter to decorate it, and furniture removers to transfer his household goods to Mysie’s new home. In a little over twelve weeks after it had been first mentioned, the Duncans were installed in a cosy flat over ‘Maisie’s Cook-shop – Home Baking and Cooked Meats’.