1785891979 by Kay Patrick

Author:Kay Patrick [Patrick, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador
Published: 2016-04-27T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Geoffrey called to collect Edwin the day before the move to Garibaldi Street. He was furious at having his father ‘foisted on him’ as he put it and Edwin refused to speak to either Stanley or Marie, so it was a huge relief to Marie when they finally left.

By contrast, it had been greatly distressing to say goodbye to Gladys. She promised to call on her whenever she could, but Gladys said she better not. She said her husband was a difficult man and didn’t like visitors. On the morning she and Stanley left, Marie hugged her tightly, unwilling to let her go. They were both tearful. Finally, Marie walked away and didn’t look back.

The landlady at Garibaldi Street had been out on the front doorstep all morning watching the removal men do their work. Marie was doing her best to ignore her.

“Don’t scratch that paint,” Mrs Gilpin shouted after them as they staggered up the stairs with yet another crate. “All damages will have to be paid for, Mrs Minton. What’s in them boxes anyway?”

The crates were numbered and Marie was crossing them off her list as they were taken into the house. “In the first six crates? They’re mostly books.”

“Books?” Mrs Gilpin pursed her lips. “Well, I hope the floor will stand their weight. I hope you’re not planning to run a lending library up there, because no business can be carried out on these premises.”

“No, they all belong to me.” Marie crossed off yet another crate.

“It doesn’t seem natural to have that many books,” she heard the landlady mutter. Then, to her obvious horror, she saw the piano. “Great, noisy thing, that is,” she complained. “Gilpin needs his sleep. He doesn’t want disturbing by some piano pounding out through the house every hour of the day and night”

Marie tried not to show her irritation.”I’m sure I can practice at a time that will suit us all.”

“So, your husband’s bought the old ironmonger’s shop in Briggate, has he?” Mrs Gilpin followed her into the house, wanting to gossip. “Turning it into a grocers? Needs a lot of work doing to it, if he’s going to do that. Is that where he is now?”

“Yes. If you’ll excuse me, I have a great deal to see to as well,” Marie said, following the removal men up the stairs to the apartment. “I mustn’t keep you,” she called over her shoulder, leaving Mrs Gilpin with no option but to end the conversation.

When the removal men had gone, Marie wandered into her bedroom. It was much bigger than the box room she’d had at The Laurels. There was plenty of space for the large wardrobe and the chest of drawers that she’d salvaged from Peter’s room. Unfortunately, her window looked straight into the window of the house opposite, but she would make lace curtains to give her some privacy. She ought to start unpacking. She wouldn’t touch Stanley’s things. He’d made it clear he wanted the crates containing his belongings left in his room unopened.

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