The serial: The Pepper Girls Day 27

Billy said nothing. He just stood staring at her and saw the smile of recognition cross her face and with it, the memory of the pleasure of their last encounter

John said apologetically: “It’s going to be a while before I can see you again. The hospital is really busy and what with the studying an’ all...” but Annie knew the real reason.

She nodded. “That’s all right John,” she said, “let’s arrange to meet here again in a month’s time, say, which should give you a chance to get used to your duties at the hospital.”

John was quick to agree. He loved seeing his mother but he had another female to consider now who he couldn’t wait to see again.

They’d arranged to meet for tea and scones at the little cafe near the library and he hoped Sarah wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see her.

But it was with a heavy heart that Annie turned to home. If John continued to see Sarah, it would only be a matter of time before Josie found out about it and then Billy Dawson would be told and then the truth about John’s birth would have to be revealed, bringing heartbreak to the two of them and pain for everyone else.

Budding romance

Annie stopped in her tracks. She slowly realised that if anyone could put a stop to Sarah’s budding romance it was Josie.

She lived with the fear that Sarah would meet someone and turn away from her studies, and her mother’s plan for her to become an English teacher like herself. Annie could feel her spirits rise.

She would see Josie Dawson at the first opportunity, thanking God that Lexie had told her Sarah’s secret.

With her mind fixed on a solution, Annie hurried towards home. On the way, she stopped in at Harry Duncan’s butcher shop.

She’d buy some lamb chops, she decided, especially for Lexie, who she felt needed cheering up, although she still didn’t know what was wrong with her daughter.

Harry was busy talking to a tall, bearded man when Annie entered his shop.

“Be with you in a mo’, Mrs Melville,” he said, shaking the man’s hand and wishing him “cheerio”. The man turned to go and looked at Annie, a smile flitting across his lips.

“Mrs Melville,” he said cordially, “and how’s that daughter of yours, Lexie isn’t it?” Annie stepped back, a quizzical look on her face. “And who’s asking?” “Your daughter knows me,” he said enigmatically, “she’ll tell you who I am.” And with that, Robbie Robertson left the shop, never looking back.

Annie eyed Harry Duncan in confusion. “What was all that about?” she said. Harry grinned.

“Did you no’ ken meh auld butcher lad?” Annie frowned and shrugged her shoulders. “Robbie Robertson,” announced Harry proudly. “He’s turned oot to be a fine seaman in the Merchant Navy tae.”

Annie was shaken rigid at the news of the return of Robbie Robertson – and what was his reference to Lexie all about?

Surely not,... Annie thought, was this the reason for Lexie’s sudden disinterest in everything? Robbie Robertson.

Reluctance

Billy Donnelly slowly began to “paper over the cracks” in his marriage but spent more and more time in the Thrums Bar than at home.

He still gave his attention to the bairns but it was more a reason for not giving his time to Nancy rather than his fatherly duties.

If Nancy noticed, she didn’t say anything, just glad Billy was back with her. True, the marital bed was seldom used for its true purpose, as Billy continually told her he hated using the deadening sheath and implying that it was somehow her fault he had to do so.

“Can’t have you bringing another bairn into the world”, he’d said and as it was something that Nancy didn’t want either, she accepted the excuse for his reluctance to make love to her.

She’d heard some of the other young women saying the same thing. It was just the way things were and you just got on with minding your bairns and having your man’s tea on the table when he came home from the mill.

And domestic life would have probably continued in this fashion but for Billy’s recurring thoughts about Gladys Kelly.

He would relive their night of lust by closing his eyes and feigning sleep, while Nancy sat opposite him and knitted woollen cardigans for wee Billy and cosy pixies for Mary Anne.

She would often have to shake him awake to tell him it was time for bed but this seemed to irritate him, so she took to going to bed most nights alone.

It was one Friday night a week or so later when fate tapped Billy on the shoulder.

The Thrums Bar was packed with mill workers spending their wages on whisky and beer, the air thick with cigarette and pipe smoke and Billy Donnelly was in the midst of it.

Tempting

He was downing beer and not wishing to go home to Nancy, when he saw her.

Gladys Kelly was in the snug bar buying bottles of beer, probably for her mother Billy decided and looking as tempting as ever.

He quickly finished the last of his beer and left the pub, turning into the darkness of the nearby close, where he waited for Gladys to pass by.

It wasn’t long before he heard her approaching. With a suddenness that startled her, Billy stepped out of the darkness and stopped her progress up King Street, almost making her drop one of the bottles of beer.

Billy said nothing. He just stood and stared at her and saw the smile of recognition cross her face and with it the memory of the pleasure of their last encounter.

Gladys leaned against the close entrance, handing Billy the bottles of beer. “Going my way?” she asked huskily.

Billy nodded. There was no chance he wasn’t “going her way”.

(More tomorrow.)