Fenwick Houses by Catherine Cookson

Author:Catherine Cookson [Cookson, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780553109153
Publisher: Corgi
Published: 1959-12-31T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

it was at the end of March, nineteen-forty-four, a Monday morning, and I was in the middle of washing when Father Ellis called. He had for some time been assigned to this district again, but he did not call every week as he had done in my moAer's time. The feeling that had been between us before the child came had not returned. Constance herself was a reminder of that night by the river, and I dont think either he or I ever met without some memory of it returning.

"And the memory would bring heat to my face and neck. I still went to confession to him, but I knew that I did not make a good confession, for I could not speak of the thoughts that were ever present in my mind and the longing of my body which I knew to be sinful, so because of this I did not often take communion. This was the reason for his visit this morning. He had not seen me at the altar rails of late and wanted to know the reason why. I gave him every reason but the right one, saying it was awkward with Dad's shifts, and that I had no one with whom to leave Constance.

"What about your Aunt Phyllis?" he asked.

"Surely she would look after her for an hour or so ?"

I could not tell him that the very thought of letting the child go next door and come in contact with Don was terrifying to me. More so because Constance was fond of him. If she was playing in the front street and saw him coming up the road she would run to him before I could check her, crying, "Uncle Don! Uncle Don!" and always he had some gift for her, large or small, and I could do nothing about it.

After Sam had brought into the open the terrible trait in Don's make-up, I had taken a stand saying that the child was being spoilt and could have no more presents except at birthdays and Christmas. But Aunt Phyllis undermined my authority, for she supported Don, saying,

"Let the hairn have the bit things." She was a strange woman, for had I allowed her she would have treated Constance as she had Don when he was a child and ruined her with extravagant affection, as she still did Don even to this day.

While Father Ellis was standing on the step saying goodbye, there came between us a flash of the old relationship as he said kindly, "You still miss your mother, Christine?"

"Yes, Father," I replied.

"Sometimes I seem to feel her about the house. In fact, I can't believe that I won't go into the kitchen and not find her there."

He nodded his head, saying, "Yes, I understand. She was a good woman was your mother, and she loved you dearly." His words now brought the past into the present for they seemed to say, "And she would have lived for some time longer but for the shock you gave her.

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