Poverty Castle by John Robin Jenkins

Author:John Robin Jenkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Birlinn
Published: 2011-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

Two

AS SHE ran downstairs to the telephone in the hall Diana recalled the twins urging her to invite Peggy Gilchrist to Poverty Castle. They had been intrigued by what she had told them of her proletarian room-mate. Diana herself was doubtful, not because she did not want Peggy to come but because it might look like an attempt to win her over, corrupt her, Peggy might say, with one of her ironical smiles.

She picked up the telephone. ‘Hello. Diana here.’

It was Effie. ‘Oh, thank goodness, Di.’

Diana smiled. Trust Effie to be dramatic. Rowena wasn’t the only actress in the family.

‘The world’s fallen in on top of us, Di. The luck of the Sempills has ended. Isn’t that so, Jeanie?’

Jeanie’s voice was calmer, but did it tremble a little? ‘It’s not as bad as that. Not yet anyway.’

‘What’s the matter?’

It was Effie again. ‘You’ve got to come home this weekend, Di. You must.’

‘But the exams are next week.’

‘Bugger the exams. We need you here. Don’t we, Jeanie?’

‘Yes, Di, we do,’ said Jeanie. ‘Please come if you can possibly manage it.’

‘You haven’t told me yet what’s wrong.’

‘Mama’s pregnant.’

Diana’s own breathing stopped. ‘She can’t be,’ she said at last.

‘She oughtn’t to be, you mean, but she is. Nearly three months.’

But, thought Diana, hadn’t Papa taken her advice and had that operation, three years ago? He had slept with Mama ever since. Mama had been happy and hopeful again.

‘I know what you’re thinking,’ said Effie. ‘That operation should have prevented it. But, according to Dr Grant, there’s a million to one chance that the bits that were cut can come together again of their own accord. Nature striking back, you might say. Mama’s kept it a secret until now. I don’t think she could believe it herself.’

‘How is she?’

‘Overjoyed. Transfigured. Exalted. The happiest woman in the world. It would make you weep to see her. It would also make you laugh, because she is so outrageously happy.’

‘But how is she physically?’

‘That’s the big question, Di. Dr Grant was blunt with Papa. He said that having the child could kill her.’

‘Was he as definite as that?’

‘Yes, but he’s bringing a specialist from Glasgow to see her next Wednesday. She says herself she feels great, and Di, she looks it. Colour in her cheeks again. Sparkle in her eye. When we got home from school today do you know where she was? Running on the sands.’

Yes, but Mama, if there was any danger of the child being taken from her, would dissemble to prevent it. Even if she was in severe pain she would say she felt fine.

‘How’s Papa taking it?’

‘Absolutely stricken. Blames himself. It would make you weep, Di, Mama thinks he’s the most wonderful husband in the world, he sees himself as her murderer. He’s actually used the word.’

‘Papa’s too pessimistic. I suppose Rowena and Rebecca know?’

‘Di, the moles under the ground know, the birds in the air. Mama’s been shouting it to the skies. Literally. She even went out and kissed the rowan tree.

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