‘Tilly, Dot, what a surprise!’ Kate said, her eyes wide with curiosity. ‘What a joy to see you both. Please, please come in. You look tired out, Dot.’
‘I’ll get some water,’ Sarah said, rushing to the sink.
‘We didn’t know when we were going to see you, Tilly. We heard from Ronnie about your lucky escapes. We were sorelieved that you got home safe and sound. He told us how you met on the train. What are the chances, eh? But we have to make the most of your time. They’ll send you back, won’t they? You and Ronnie are too important. Your skills are needed.’
Tilly looked straight at Kate, the message in her expression clear.
‘We decided just to come. It was a last-minute decision, seemed like the right thing to do, didn’t it, Dot? Before I have to go back. Dot needed the break. She hasn’t been in the best of health,’ Tilly replied.
‘Yes, you do look pale, Dot,’ Kate said. She moved past Tilly, casting a worried look in her direction before taking Dot in her arms and holding her close. ‘We were so sorry to hear about William,’ Kate whispered in Dot’s ear, her hands searching Dot’s back and touching her frail shoulders. Dot hung on to Kate and let the trembling subside before she drew away. It was as if the tears had dried up and had nowhere else to go but to seep deep inside her, filling her until no words would come.
‘Come and sit down. I’ll put the kettle on,’ Sarah said, moving a part-finished green-and-blue-striped dress that was draped over a chair. ‘There’s some cold meat pie left over from last night. Would you like a slice?’ she asked.
‘That would be nice,’ Tilly replied. ‘It’s been a long time since breakfast.’
When the tea was poured, Tilly ate her pie. Dot took one mouthful, but then left the rest.
‘I expect you’re tired after your journey,’ Kate said. ‘Why don’t you go and lie on my bed for a while, Dot?’
Dot nodded and made her way, wearily, up the stairs.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Sarah busied herself with clearing the crockery, leaving the two sisters to talk about Dot’s situation and her state of mind.
‘As soon as I saw her, I knew that she was in a bad way,’ Kate said. ‘I remember how I felt when I was told about Philip. That feeling like the bottom has dropped out of your world, like a flowing stream is bearing you away and there is nothing you can do about it. You’re sinking, sinking, without trace.’
The sisters agreed that what Dot needed was time. Grief had no boundaries. Once it lodged itself between your shoulder blades and surged in the bottom of your stomach, there was no knowing when it would surface and when it would subside.
‘Amelia and I decided that she needed complete rest, that’s why we didn’t waste any time, but I’m aware that you are already overcrowded here. How will you find the space?’ Tilly said.
Sarah heard this comment when she re-entered the kitchen from the wash house.
‘We just have to find room,’ Sarah announced. ‘If anyone should go, it should be Anthony and I. Dot needs to be with her family.’
‘We can’t do that,’ Kate replied. ‘Anthony is settled here and I couldn’t possibly cope with the workload now our sewing business is up and running. Besides, there are other considerations.’
‘How about asking around the village? If anyone has a spare room?’ Sarah suggested. ‘That way we wouldn’t be far away, and Anthony could still go to school and I could come here to work.’
‘I suppose I could ask Mary Suss again. She’s a good friend and now her daughters have moved away she has space. I’ll go to see her this afternoon.’
Chapter 25
Ronnie, Jim and Albert were all down at the forge when Tilly and Dot arrived. Ronnie had been accompanying Jim and Albert to the forge each day in order not to get in the way of the two women carrying out their sewing orders. They needed all the space they could get and they didn’t need him under their feet. He had no idea that when he got home that evening, there would be an even greater demand on his mother’s time. Anthony was home from school, and Dot and Tilly’s arrival had thrown the routines into disarray. When they came in the door, they were surprised to see Dot and Tilly there.
Ronnie took Dot gently in his arms and hugged her. She looked like a fragile creature who would fall apart if he squeezed her too hard. She looked pale and wan, and the sparkle had gone from her eyes. When Ronnie had arrived in Micklewell Kate had told him that William had been killed, but they hadn’t seen Dot and it was clear from looking at her that she was devastated by her loss.
‘I’m so sorry, my dearest,’ Ronnie said.
He held her close while she sobbed into his shoulder. Jim and Albert held back until her sobbing slowed and then both took her in their arms too.
There were no words that they could find to express their sadness. Dot was inconsolable.
‘He was a good man,’ Albert said.
They asked no more questions as they sensed Dot’s fragile state. The family limped their way through their evening meal, not wanting to upset Dot further. No one really knew what to say. Kate explained the sleeping arrangements. They were all thankful that Mary Suss had said she was delighted to help them out. Far from being disturbed about the sudden change, Anthony was pleased. It was another adventure and, whenRonnie said that Mary made the best shortbread in Micklewell and that he would be sleeping in the same bed as his mother, he became quite excited.
‘And,’ encouraged Kate, ‘there will be different toys for you to play with. I happen to know that Mary’s daughters have the best model farm and animals in the village. They also have lots of books for you to look at.’
Anthony was completely convinced and packed his bag with enthusiasm. After dinner, Dot retired to bed once more. Tilly explained the situation with Dot in more detail and it was agreed that the three sisters would share Kate’s bedroom, and the men would divide themselves between the other bedroom and the front room. It was the best arrangement for them all. Ronnie said that he would take the front room as it was the least comfortable of the two options and he whispered to Kate that he wanted to talk to her alone. Once everyone else had gone to bed, his mother said goodnight and was about to join the rest of them. Ronnie asked his mother to wait — he had something to ask her.
