Catherine Cookson by House Of Women

Author:House Of Women
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-08-27T22:40:56+00:00

PART THREE

"Take her to the doctor," Lizzie said.

"What can I say to the doctor, Mam? That her teacher says she's not paying attention? That twice this term she's had to leave the classroom because she was sick?"

"Yes, you can say just that, especially the latter ... She's not...

?"

"Oh, my God! Mam, don't suggest such a thing."

"Well, my dear, just think back; you weren't many months older."

"Don't rub it in, Mam."

"I'm not rubbing it in, Peggy. That's the last thing I would do, you know. I'm just stating a fact."

"Well, it isn't that, it's him. She's worried in some way about him, but I can't get anything out of her. And if I can't make her open up, how do you expect the doctor to do so?"

"Oh, she'll more likely do so with him than to you, knowing that it's hell let loose every time you look at each other. So do as I say: get on to Doctor Rice and make an appointment."

"She tells me she's going to a disco tonight."

"Has she been before?"

"Once or twice. But he doesn't know."

"Well, you should tell him. Put him in the picture. He's bound to know when he comes and finds her gone or going."

"He rarely comes home early on a Tuesday night. He has some meeting or other he goes straight to. On a Friday, too. So if there's anything she wants to go to on these nights, I tell her to go."

"What a set-up for a young lass when her father mustn't be told she goes to a dance," said Lizzie, which brought forth from Peggy the sharp and quizzical retort, "Remember, Mam, when I was fifteen I wasn't allowed out at all after six o'clock unless you were with me."

Lizzie turned in somewhat of a huff and made for the door, saying,

"Things were different then. This is nineteen eighty-three. There was a set of decent rules then; now they're changing partners every night."

"And having babies at fourteen."

Lizzie turned from the doorway, saying, "Don't get bitter, Peggy.

What's done is done. And it was done for the best, although I must admit it didn't turn out like that. Anyway, you should be thankful that she's got a clean name, and so have you. "

"Oh Mam, for God's sake! shut up, and go home before I lose my temper.

"Clean name, and so has

she. " With a father like Andrew Jones? Let me tell you something, Mam:

I'd have been happy to have had a bastard and to have taken my chance on never being married. But I would have been married and happily.

"

"Oh, yes, yes, we know you would, dear, and to Charlie Conway. But it didn't happen like that and you've got to make the best of it."

As her mother stamped away down the drive Peggy stared after her. Make the best of it, she had said. She got what she wanted and left me with the rough end of the stick . An hour later Peggy was sitting by Victoria's bed. She was holding her grandmother's hand as she said, "I won't be long.

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