Mothering Sunday by Rosie Goodwin

Author:Rosie Goodwin [Goodwin, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction
Published: 2017-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Eight

By the time Lavinia Huntley arrived back at the Spooner residence her nerves were in shreds and her face was the colour of putty.

She found everyone waiting for her, anxious to hear the outcome of the meeting. However, Annie took one look at her and told Sunday, ‘Go an’ make a nice strong pot o’ tea, lass. It looks like Lady Huntley could do wi’ one!’

They all sat down in the drawing room and when Sunday had fetched the tea and passed cups round to everyone, along with a slice of Bakewell tart to keep them going as it was nearly lunchtime, Lady Huntley began to tell them all that had gone on.

‘So the swine denied it then!’ Annie said in her usual forthright way.

Poor Daisy was wringing her hands but Lady Huntley smiled at her kindly.

‘Only until I told him that we would put the case before the magistrates. He left quietly enough then, and now we’ll never have to set eyes on the despicable man again.’

She reached out and patted Daisy’s hand. ‘I do, of course, realise that this still leaves you in a terrible position through no fault of your own, my dear, and I said as much to the guardians.’ She reached into her reticule and withdrew a small, clinking pouch. ‘They thought that this might see you over the coming months at least and took it from the safe. The sum is nowhere near enough to compensate for what you’ve been through, but use it wisely.’ She placed the pouch in Daisy’s hand, saying. ‘There are twenty gold sovereigns in here.’

Daisy stared down at the money in her hand. To the girl it seemed like a fortune, but Biddy Spooner wasn’t so impressed.

‘What we have to decide now is what’s going to happen to her,’ she said gruffly. ‘Young Daisy can work for some weeks longer, admittedly – but then where will she go?’

‘I’ve already given that some thought,’ Annie butted in with a smile at Daisy. ‘She can stay here until she gets too big to work, then she can move in wi’ me. By then Sunday will have taken over all the cookin’ – yes, you will, my girl – so I’ll not be needed. Then when Daisy has had the babby I’ll take care of it durin’ the day while she comes back to work. How does that sound?’

‘It’s a lot for you to take on at your age,’ Biddy commented but Annie grinned.

‘I ain’t past it yet, thank you, Biddy Spooner, an’ it’ll be quite nice to ’ave a little ’un in the house again so don’t get writin’ me off just yet. The way I see it, this is the best solution fer all concerned.’

‘It does sound viable,’ Lady Huntley agreed. ‘But are you prepared for the gossip, Annie? People can be very cruel and it won’t be easy for you or Daisy, especially as they won’t know the circumstances.’

‘It’ll be a nine-day wonder,’ Annie said airily. ‘Daisy ain’t the first unwed mother an’ I’ve no doubt she won’t be the last.

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