Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts by Mary Gibson

Author:Mary Gibson [Gibson, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781781855751
Publisher: Head of Zeus

‘And fare thee well my only love,

And fare thee well a while

And I will come again my love

Though twer ten thousand mile.’

‘You wanted to know why she went now, Sam. Don’t you remember her last words?’

He nodded, understanding dawning. ‘She said she was ready to go and see her Michael now.’

‘She missed him, Sam, she just missed him.’

All this time the horse and cart had been tied up outside. Sam had checked on Blackie once, but the horse had stood patiently, waiting for the human drama to play itself out in the house. When Lily and Jock returned, Sam hefted the penny-farthing up on to the grain sacks in the cart, roping it on firmly. The rain still lashed down in sheets as they clambered up on to the cart. It was as if the storm was reluctant to let them go and they hunkered down, submitting to it. Sam looked across at Nellie, swathed in her father’s mackintosh with the rain bonnet covering her frizzled hair, and as rain streamed down his face, he smiled.

‘You do look a bit funny.’

‘I always try to look me best,’ she replied tartly, glad to give him some amusement.

‘Ge’up!’ he called to Blackie and the cart lurched forward. Clattering along through the rain-painted streets, they talked about what Sam would do now. He had to shout above the pummelling rain. ‘I’ll leave the cart in the yard and explain to Wicks; better go and see him tonight, or I won’t have a job on Monday!’

She didn’t envy Sam his interview. ‘Best not to expect any sympathy from that old git, but you’ll need time off to see the undertaker and the vicar.’

‘I’ll go Monday; he’ll have to find someone else to deliver this load.’

‘What will you do about the kids?’

‘That’s not for you to worry about, Nell.’

She sighed, exasperated at his pride. ‘I wasn’t worrying, I’m just asking, and anyway, we’re both orphans now.’ She let that sink in. ‘And I want to help… if you need it.’

‘Sorry, Nellie, ’course I’ll be grateful for your help, but you know that damn promise makes me feel awkward. Any rate, they’re not such kids any more. Charlie’s thirteen and Matty’s twelve, and, to be honest, she learned how to run the house years ago. I reckon I can manage with ’em till they start work.’

‘Well, I suppose yer mum knew that as well, eh?’

Lizzie Gilbie had waited as long as she could, but now that it came to it, Nellie felt almost robbed. After all, she had promised to look after them. Still, she offered what she could.

‘It might be harder for Matty. Twelve’s not an easy age for a girl, Sam. We’ll have her over to us, me and Alice. There’s things she won’t want to talk to her big brother about.’

Nellie could see Sam blushing by the light of the cart lamp. He coughed and thanked her.

‘Tell you what, Nell, there is something you could do.’

‘What’s that?’

‘You could give her a few cooking lessons.

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