The Linford Collection by Liz Harris

Author:Liz Harris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heywood Press

26

Chorton House,

Sunday, mid-June, 1922

* * *

The loud wails of Walter and Nellie’s daughter, Emily, sounded throughout her christening in the church that stood atop a hill not far from Chorton House. Her vehement protests travelled from the baptismal font along the aisle, up the grey stone walls on either side of the small church, and spread out across the vaulted ceiling that arched above the congregation.

‘I’d cry, too,’ Charles told Nellie and Walter later on as together they went to join Thomas and Alice who were already in the sitting-room, ‘if someone was throwing cold water over me on a chilly day. Despite the sun, it’s surprisingly cool for June.’

‘That’s a little disrespectful, Charles, don’t you think?’ Sarah said, following him into the room, with Christopher and Louisa just behind her. ‘Christening’s an important ritual.’

‘That you don’t believe a word of,’ he said, sitting down. ‘The only times you go to church are for births, deaths and marriages.’

‘Were we christened?’ Christopher asked, flinging himself on to the floor next to his father’s chair and leaning back against the leg.

’Of course, you were, darling,’ Sarah said. ‘And here at Chorton, too.’ She turned back to her husband. ‘I may not be a religious person, Charles, but I assure you I’m still able to appreciate the gravity of such a rite. And to have such a discussion today of all days is hardly appropriate.’ She sat down on the empty seat on the sofa next to Nellie, who was looking tired and miserable, and put her arm around Nellie’s shoulders. ‘She’ll settle soon, Nellie darling. You’ll see.’

‘I thought girls were supposed to be meek and quiet,’ Nellie said, close to tears, ‘but Emily isn’t. Everything seems to make her cry, and at full volume, too. I feel guilty at my relief when Nanny Jane takes her away from me. I must be an awful mother.’

Sarah hugged her. ‘You mustn’t expect too much too quickly. You’re still getting over the birth, and you’re bound to be exhausted. Things will feel better when you’re not so tired. Trust me.’

‘I do hope so. Was I as noisy as Emily when I was that age, Mother?’ she asked as Maud came into the room with Joseph and Robert, and took a seat on the sofa opposite hers.

‘You most definitely were,’ Joseph cut in cheerfully, going to sit next to Maud. ‘And Robert was just as bad. Being noisy seems to be an inherited characteristic.’

Nellie glanced at her father. ‘And what about Dottie?’ she asked sharply. ‘Was she noisy, too?’

‘Your father wouldn’t know, darling,’ Maud cut in smoothly. ‘Parents didn’t see much of their children when you were young, not like nowadays. We would spend about an hour each afternoon with you, that was all. And as for Dorothy, she was a quiet child, the quietest of the three of you.’

‘Since we’re not eating for a good hour and a half,’ Charles said, stretching out his legs and yawning, ‘and I, for one, could do with some exercise, why don’t we go for a walk? If we put a jacket on, it should be quite pleasant.

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