Time to Say Goodbye Read Free Page A

by the time the girls re-joined her, still white and tired but at least relieved of their most pressing need. The three of them and Mrs Hainstock congregated on the pavement alongside the little car, and were still there when a tall woman came out of the post office, hesitated, and then approached them. ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Hainstock,’ she said politely. ‘What’s the trouble?’
    Mrs Hainstock began to explain rather haltingly that she had been unable to find suitable accommodation for the three girls and would have to take them in herself, although on a temporary basis only, since her house was bulging at the seams already.
    When Mrs Hainstock stopped speaking the stranger shook her head sadly, but addressed herself to the three girls. ‘I’ll have you, lasses,’ she said briefly. ‘I’m Miss Marcy, good thing you’re all girls, because the only suitable space at the Canary and Linnet is the attic.’
    ‘Oh, but . . . the Canary and Linnet? I don’t think . . . that is to say . . . it’s not on my list of suitable accommodation, Miss Marcy . . .’
    But the three girls looked at one another, and then the tallest – Rita – spoke directly to the stranger. ‘Can you really take all three of us?’ she said, clasping her hands like the heroine in a Victorian melodrama. She had seized on the woman’s name and spoke directly to her. ‘Oh, Miss Marcy, we’re so tired! I’m sure your attic would be just what we’re looking for.’
    ‘Well, it would certainly solve a few problems, but of course we could only accept your kind offer on a temporary basis, since licensed premises could scarcely be regarded as a suitable home for three ten-year-old girls . . .’ Mrs Hainstock began, but she was firmly interrupted.
    ‘My house is a respectable one, and I think the children have had enough disturbances without adding more,’ Miss Marcy said quietly, so that the girls could not hear. ‘If they come to the Linnet, that’s where they’ll stay.’ She smiled. ‘I’ll see that they aren’t in the bar during opening times; we’ve a large kitchen with a back door leading directly into the garden, and the back stairs lead up to the first floor. As you know, the Linnet was a manor house until the Great War so we’ve plenty of room. And if you’re worried, let me assure you that Jill and I stand no nonsense. The men who drink at the Linnet will respect my wishes, as they have always done. The presence of three little girls will make them even more careful to guard their tongues.’ She opened the car door and gestured to the girls to get inside, directing the next remark to the three of them. ‘It’s only a couple of miles to my home; if Mrs Hainstock will be good enough to drive us there you’ll be able to help me make up your beds – I’m afraid it may be shakedowns on the floor until I can get organised – and have a quick meal before saying good night.’
    Mrs Hainstock clearly did not know whether to be delighted or horrified at the thought of her charges being taken off her hands by this strange but attractive woman, but the girls were in no doubt. Rita squeezed first Debby’s hand and then Imogen’s. ‘I don’t care where we sleep so long as we don’t have to go on and on like that ghost ship . . . the Marie Celeste ,’ she whispered. ‘What’s wrong with the lady’s house, anyway? An attic sounds nice.’
    But before either girl could answer, Miss Marcy had got into the cramped little car and was telling Mrs Hainstock that she was sure the authorities would be so relieved to have found somewhere for the girls to live that they would not object to the fact that the Canary and Linnet was a pub.
    In the back seat Rita raised her blonde eyebrows, Debby muffled a giggle with one plump hand and Imogen smiled and clapped her hands, but softly so that the adults in the front of the car could not possibly hear. Then the three of them leaned back and took no further notice of the discussion taking