Stay with Me Page 4

  Mary finally eased Lena from her but still held her hand as she said, ‘I must tell the others.’ She glanced at the two men and they came to support Lena. ‘Take her to the drawing-room,’ she said.

  Mary dabbed the tears from her eyes, rubbed her cheeks and drew herself up. She knew she must not weaken. Strength would be needed in the days to come. She should show it now. She opened the door to the dining-room. A charged silence met her. Questioning eyes were on her as she went to stand at the head of the table.

  ‘It was terrible news I had to tell Pauline and James,’ she explained. ‘The railway bridge has collapsed and taken the Edinburgh train with it. There can be no survivors.’

  Shock and incredulity filled the room. Everyone stared in disbelief at her until Avril broke the silence.

  ‘But, Mama, the bridge . . . ’ Not knowing what she was going to say she let her voice trail away.

  This was the signal for Mary to take charge. ‘It would be best if you all leave. Avril, Fiona, Robbie, see your friends out and then come to the drawing-room. Alistair, Olivia, you go there now, see if you can be of any assistance. ’

  Everyone did their best to help. Olivia, wanting and needing to be with James, was in a turmoil of emotion, trying to come to terms with the realisation that she would never again see the two people she’d regarded as her second mother and father. The shock made Alistair long to be with Lena; she would need him, and he wanted to be needed in such a crisis. His face was deathly white as he took his sister’s hand and they hurried from the room, while the three young MacBrides ushered the rest of the guests from the dining-room, promising to pass on their expressions of sympathy.

  Olivia and Alistair were unable to speak when they first entered the drawing-room but both James and Lena knew from their expressions and embraces that they, too, were suffering at this dreadful news.

  When Mary came into the room she brought with her a sense of calm for which everyone was thankful. ‘There is much to be thought about but we will wait for the children to join us,’ she announced.

  Her husband came to her. ‘I think maybe we could all do with a glass of wine.’

  ‘A good idea,’ she agreed, knowing that giving people something to do, even if it was only holding a glass, could help ease the moment.

  Martin went to the decanter and James and Robbie joined him. Alistair started to move too but Lena’s grip on his hand tightened. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. She mustered a wan smile of thanks. His heart cried out to her; he wanted to kiss away the dampness in her eyes.

  Once everyone was seated, Mary said, ‘We have to decide what to do now. The four of you,’ she glanced across to her nephew and niece and their friends from Whitby, ‘can stay as long as you wish.’ She glanced toward her husband for his approval.

  ‘Quite right, my dear,’ replied Martin, reading the signs that she was relieving him of taking charge. ‘Alistair, how will that sit with Dr Jollif?’

  ‘Sir, I’m sure he will understand, I will write to him tomorrow, explaining the situation.’ He glanced at Lena. ‘I’ll stay as long as I can be of help.’

  ‘Thank you, Alistair.’ She pressed his hand again.

  ‘What about you, James?’ Mary asked.

  ‘There is the business to run so I can’t be away too long. But as you know, Ralph Bell is a competent manager, well trained by . . . father. I’ll write to him. He needn’t take any major decisions. That will be up to me now.’

  The firmness behind his final words registered on Lena’s mind, but her thoughts were in too much of an upheaval for her to comment on it.

  ‘I hope Lena and I can return together, and I’m sure we would welcome the support and strength of Alistair and Olivia upon our homecoming.’

  ‘Whatever you wish, James,’ said Olivia, receiving a nod of agreement from her brother.

  ‘Then it is settled,’ Mary said with relief. Her eyes turned to her own children. ‘You must do all you can to help your cousins through the trying days ahead.’

  They were all sincere in their offers to do whatever they could.

  She decided it was best to keep everyone’s minds occupied, so said, ‘Now, we must think about clothes. You men are easily dealt with - dark suits.’

  ‘I have my dark jacket and frockcoat but I’ll need some black trousers and a black cravat,’ said James.

  ‘That applies to me too,’ said Alistair.

  ‘Nae problem,’ Dr MacBride assured them.

  ‘You will need mourning dresses, Lena. If you are to follow etiquette, which I think you should, that will mean black crêpe for six months, then you can change to silk for three months followed by half-mourning when you can wear greys or mauves. We have a Family Mourning Warehouse in Dundee so I suggest we pay a visit tomorrow.’

  ‘What about me and Fiona?’ asked Avril.

  ‘Three to six months in black silk, nothing ornate, the only adornment a piece of jet. Olivia is no relation so is not bound by the same etiquette.’

  ‘I would like to do the same as your daughters, ma’am,’ she replied.

  Mary nodded her approval. ‘And I will follow the apparel expected of a sister though I am no blood relation.’

  ‘That is very kind of you,’ said Martin, a lump in his throat. He straightened his shoulders and took a grip on his feelings. ‘James, Pauline, it is understandable that you will want to return to Whitby. You have your friends and there is the business to run. You are old enough, and competent enough, to make your own decisions, but I want you to understand that your aunt and I will be ready with our advice and support, should you require them.’

  ‘That is most kind of you, Uncle. And you, Aunt,’ said James. ‘I know I speak for Lena also in expressing my thanks.’

  ‘You have nothing to thank us for,’ said Martin with a dismissive gesture. ‘Stay until you feel ready to face Whitby again.’

  Gloom hung over Dundee. Few people saw any reason to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Enquiries were started. Rumours about the cause of the collapse circulated, and fingers were pointed. But none of this helped to ease the gloom in the MacBride household.

  James and Lena could not yet grasp the reality of the situation, their minds too numbed by tragedy. It was difficult for them to accept what had happened. They still expected their parents, so full of good health and energy, to walk in at any moment. Their uncle, aunt and cousins tried to ease the situation for them, though they too were hard hit by the disaster. Life could never be the same for any of them and each of them knew they would have to find their own way forward. Her best course came to Pauline four days into the New Year.

  Dr MacBride had been called out to an emergency, telling Mary not to wait lunch for him as he did not know what time he would be back. The rest of the family had finished their luncheon when Lena caught everyone unawares by saying in a firm voice, ‘Aunt, will you take me to the river?’

  There was a moment of stunned silence.

  ‘Yes,’ replied Mary quietly, ‘but do you think that’s wise?’

  ‘That river is my mother and father’s grave. If they had been buried in a churchyard I would have visited them, so I must go to the river instead.’ She glanced at James, saw agreement in his eyes, and knew he had been thinking the same but had held back the suggestion for fear of upsetting her.

  Mary recognised that she should not raise any further objection; this was something Lena had to do. ‘Of course I’ll take you. Angus can drive us there.’

  Alistair and Olivia accompanied them but, not wanting to intrude on family grief, stood to one side and paid their own respects to the two people they’d held in high esteem.

  Lena stood between her brother and aunt, staring into the waters of the Tay. They had wrapped up well against the chill in the air, but it was a different kind of chill that gripped Lena then. It came from within her and there was little she could do to combat it as she gazed at the water, bereft today of the power it had held while it pounded the bridge. Her parents lay
lifeless beneath its quiet flow. She would never see them again. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks.

  James fought his tears, as he knew his father would have wanted him to. He needed to be strong for his sister and for what faced them when they returned to Whitby. And that had to be soon. His hand sought Lena’s and each found solace in the other’s touch.

  Mary saw the gesture and knew they would cope together with what lay ahead. She was not surprised when, on the journey back to the house, James told her, ‘I think we ought to return to Whitby soon. There will be much to see to there and it is our home.’

  Chapter Four

  Martin and Mary insisted on accompanying them to Edinburgh, where they stayed overnight. With everyone holding their feelings in check, the parting at Waverley Station was nevertheless a tearful one, with Martin extracting promises from Pauline and James to get in touch if the necessity arose.

  Conversation as far as York was desultory, with Alistair and Olivia uncertain whether to try to distract their friends or leave them to their thoughts.

  James and Olivia were contemplating the future in different ways. James was trying to work out how his father would want him to develop the business, but dismissed that thought by reminding himself his ideas would naturally differ from John’s and he was now in charge. Lena saw little consolation ahead for her. In the year’s mourning she faced, there would be little social contact. Sympathisers would call and leave their cards unseen; close friends would linger a while but soon be gone, leaving her to her own thoughts in the big empty house with all its memories. Why hadn’t she been born a boy? Men had it so much easier at these times; they could escape into their work.

  Alistair took charge in York. He booked rooms for the night, considerately choosing a different hotel from that they had used when heading north. The coach he had hired to take them to Whitby the next day arrived on time. Once the coachman saw they were comfortably seated he set the horses on their way.

  The night’s rest had lightened spirits a little but, as the descent from the moors towards the coast started, the sombre feeling that permeated the coach was replicated in the grey clouds overhanging the town.

  When they neared New Buildings, Alistair asked, ‘Would you like us to come in with you?’

  James glanced at Lena, thoughtfully leaving the decision to her.

  ‘It is kind of you, Alistair, but I would rather the two of us faced our homecoming alone.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ queried Olivia quickly.

  ‘Certain.’ Lena gave her a wan smile. ‘You have both been pillars of strength and we are grateful to you for staying with us, but this is something James and I must face together.’

  Alistair and Olivia respected their wishes and made their goodbyes. James left the coachman to see to their luggage and took Lena’s arm supportively as they walked up the garden path towards the elegant house. Lena bit her lip and forced herself to hold back the threatening tears. This was certainly not the homecoming she had envisaged when leaving the house on Boxing Day.

  As they neared the front door it opened and Mrs Campion the housekeeper stepped out. She was neatness itself in her slim-fitting grey dress, calm and practical, respected by all. Once the travelling arrangements had been made, Dr MacBride had written to her informing her of the date and time of James and Pauline’s arrival. The commiserations she offered them now were heartfelt. She promised to do everything she could to assist Lena, whom now she regarded as mistress of the house.

  Lena was comforted to see her kind, familiar face. Mrs Campion had come to them as housekeeper when she was but twenty-five, after entering service in Scarborough at fifteen. Highly competent and with a sharp mind, she had mastered all the duties and skills of a housekeeper by the time she was twenty.

  Once James had expressed thanks on behalf of himself and Lena, and the housekeeper had dismissed the rest of the staff, she made her own condolences with considerable feeling, expressing what wonderful employers Mr and Mrs Carnforth had been to her, and saying she hoped she would be able to continue in the service of the two persons she had watched grow up over the last ten years.

  Two hours later, seeking to occupy Lena’s mind, the housekeeper was talking with her in the drawing-room when a maid announced Miss Nash was calling.

  ‘Show her in,’ said Lena.

  ‘I’ll leave you, miss,’ said Mrs Campion, rising from her chair. ‘We can continue this tomorrow.’

  ‘Thank you,’ replied Lena. ‘You have been most kind.’

  ‘It is a pleasure to be of service, miss, though I wish it was not in such tragic circumstances.’

  The door opened then and the maid announced, ‘Miss Olivia Nash.’

  Olivia hurried in, but some of her concern vanished when she saw Lena’s demeanour.

  ‘I’m glad you came,’ she said accepting her friend’s kiss on the cheek and then indicating a chair to her.

  ‘I had to know how you are or I wouldn’t have slept tonight,’ Olivia told her.

  ‘Then rest easy, dear friend,’ replied Lena. ‘It may sound strange, but I feel more at ease now that I am home. There is still so much of Mama and Papa here, I am finding it a great comfort.’

  Olivia looked a little surprised. ‘I would have thought it would have made things harder?’

  ‘That was my expectation while I was in Dundee, but now I am home, even in this short time, I don’t find it so. I received heartfelt sympathy in Dundee, but it was in danger of becoming overpowering. I am better here, where I can be peaceful.’

  ‘I am glad you see things this way. I’m sure your mother and father would approve.’

  ‘I must thank you too for all you did there.’

  ‘My dear Lena, I hope I will always be around to help if ever you need me.’

  ‘And I for you, Olivia.’ She leaned forward and pressed her friend’s hand. As Lena straightened up she said, ‘Now tell me, what happened at Robin Hood’s Bay? Did your cousin have her baby.’

  Olivia raised her eyebrows a little. ‘No. Mother and Father are still there. Been a slight miscalculation, if you ask me. Father rides to Whitby every other day to the office. He left a note at home yesterday, saying he had received Alistair’s letter telling him what had happened and explaining when we would be back. He hopes to see you and James when he is in Whitby tomorrow. At the end of his note he said Mother sends her love to you both.’

  Pleased to see Lena looking settled, Olivia left after half an hour.

  The following day, on his way to the office across the river, James was stopped on numerous occasions by people who wished to express their sympathy at what had happened. Lesser acquaintances expressed their feelings by touching their forehead or by a respectful inclination of the head. John Carnforth had been a much admired man in Whitby. That walk made James realise he had something to live up to, and stiffened his determination to do so.

  ‘Good day, Ben, Jude,’ he acknowledged the firm’s two middle-aged clerks when he looked into the outer office.

  ‘Good day, Mr Ja—er, sir,’ they spluttered, uncertain as to how they should address him now. They had seen him grow up from a boy who loved to be around Whitby’s quays and ships and he had been called Master James then until promoted in their estimation to Mr James. Now he would be Mr Carnforth since there was only one remaining.

  James smiled to himself at their confusion. ‘Is Ralph in?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ they both chorused.

  He went down the corridor to the next room which served as the manager’s office. Like the one he would be occupying, it had a view across the roadway to the quays and the river, beyond which could be seen the shipbuilding yards. Carnforth’s offices were at the hub of Whitby’s activities, only a short distance away from Nash’s thriving concern.

  ‘Ralph!’ James greeted the manager brightly as he entered the room.

  ‘James!’ He sprang to his feet and the two young men exchanged firm handshakes. Ralph was pleased that the relationship th
ey had built up as youngsters, Ralph being only two years older than James, did not appear to have been affected by the fact that James would now own the firm - or at least that was what he expected. He lost no time in extending his commiserations and sympathy, and added, ‘This has been a terrible tragedy and a great shock to you. Take your time coming back. Everything is in hand here. You can see . . .’

  James held up his hand to stop him. ‘No, Ralph, I’m taking no more time away. I’ll be better off being involved. I know you are capable of carrying on but there are certain things . . .’

  ‘I fully understand,’ his friend interrupted, ‘and I think it’s the best approach. I know your father would approve of such an attitude too. So let me bring you up to date with what has happened while you were away.’

  ‘Good man, Ralph! I couldn’t have a better person by my side. Stay with me - you won’t regret it.’

  Ralph made no comment but opened a ledger and started to explain their current financial situation.

  Half an hour later, James leaned back in his chair. ‘The accounts show us to be well set up. I think we are well placed to make some shrewd investments in specialist cargoes.’

  Ralph nodded. ‘We’ll cast around. You might pick up some more hints about possible new markets now that you will be mixing with other owners and merchants.’

  ‘My ears will be ever attuned,’ said James, smiling.

  A knock on the door stopped any further conversation between them. Ben came in.

  ‘This has just been delivered for you, sir.’ He handed over an envelope to James.

  ‘Is the messenger waiting for an answer?’

  ‘He is, sir.’

  James tore the paper open. He glanced quickly at it and, looking up, said to Ben, ‘Tell him that will suit me.’

  ‘Very good, sir.’

  When the door closed Ralph gave a little chuckle. ‘Sir! You’ve been promoted. Are you expecting that from me?’

  James grinned. ‘If I said yes, you’d up and leave.’