‘Don’t call me that!’
‘I’ve loved your mother for years.’
‘I don’t believe you.’
‘It’s true.’
‘Then why didn’t you marry her? Why? Look at you! Floundering for excuses to cover your lies!’ shouted Drake as his anger exploded.
‘I don’t need to explain myself to you.’
Drake lunged towards him and grabbed his collar. ‘I saw you with my mother!’ shouted Drake as he locked eyes with him. Their faces were so close he could feel the man’s breath on his skin. He had respected him. Now he despised him. ‘You are no more than a dog on heat!’
‘I didn’t marry her because she was already married,’ replied Timmins, calmly. Drake hesitated; his fists grew weak and slowly unfurled. Surely he had misheard him. ‘Her husband was always away preaching. We met at bible class. I thought she was the prettiest thing I’d ever set eyes on. She was lonely. I was lonely.’
Drake stepped away, shaking his head. His mother had an affair?Hismother?
‘Suddenly she didn’t want to see me any more. I didn’t want it to end, but she did and I had to walk away. Later, I found out they were going to have a child and consoled myself that she probably grew frightened that if we were discovered, folk would forever question if the baby was her husband’s. She did not want to humiliate him. She always said he was a good man and he did not deserve her betrayal. It was only the other day that I discovered that the baby was mine.’
‘What baby?’ Drake stepped back, dazed from the revelation. ‘What happened to the baby?’ Timmins did not answer. ‘Tell me.’ Why did his voice sound like a bewildered child? ‘Tell me what happened to the baby!’
‘I’m looking at him,’ replied Timmins.
Too many lies had been exposed. Too many questions that needed to be asked. It was too much to take in. His world had changed and he did not know how to change it back. An angry yell escaped him as he lunged at his father and punched him hard on the jaw. Timmins’ head jerked to the side and for a moment time stood still. Drake wanted him to retaliate; he wanted the fight to continue so he could discharge his anger, but Timmins did not. Instead he straightened and looked him in the eyes.
‘I loved your mother.’
‘You know nothing of love!’
‘I know more than you. I loved her enough to walk away. Can you say that?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’ve seen you both. You can never have a future together.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘You and Miss Evelyn. I know you think you have feelings for her—’
‘Shut up!’
‘—and she might enjoy your company—’
‘You don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Drake turned away, but Timmins grabbed his arm and made him face him again.
‘—but you can never be together. She is not of our class. She is used to a way of life that you can never provide. She is playing with you, like a curiosity, but she would never lower herself to marry someone like you.’
Drake shook his arm off. ‘Don’t . . .’
‘She is young and beautiful and you are a handsome lad. I can see why you are both attracted to one another, but it is a flirtation and a dangerous one.’ Timmins placed his hand on his shoulder. ‘Listen to me. If your secret liaisons are discovered,her reputation will be destroyed. What gentleman would want to marry a woman who has been cavorting with a labourer? I loved your mother enough to walk away and save her marriage. If you care anything for Miss Evelyn, end it, before you ruin her.’
Drake shrugged him off. ‘We are not playing a game! We love each other!’ he shouted. The words were out and he could not take them back, but his feelings for Evie were more serious than mere cavorting and Timmins needed to know that.
‘Love is not enough. There will be other girls. What about Tilly from the house? I have seen you both walking to Perran. She has a soft spot for you. She is always making eyes at you.’
Timmins didn’t understand. He never would. ‘I’m not interested in Tilly.’
‘You are a fine looking young man. You can have your pick.’
