Soon they were sitting together and they were watching him expectantly.
‘So, what is so important that you need to talk to us about it so late?’ his mother said encouragingly.
Luca sighed. He knew that what he was about to say would break their hearts. All his life he had been training to become the circus master when his father retired. But that would never happen now. His need to find Charity was too great. And so, he began to tell them about his love for her.
‘But you know that the Gypsies and the circus people marry their own kind.’ His father looked shocked.
‘And we have always wondered if you and Scarlet would wed,’ his mother added.
Luca shook his head. ‘I’m sorry. But love strikes where it will. We have no choice in it.’
His mother sighed. ‘You do realise that by running away Charity has shamed her family? It is highly unlikely they will accept her back now. That is, if she wanted to return to them.’
‘I know that.’ Luca sighed. ‘But I have to try. I need to know that what Scarlet told me was true. I hope you understand.’
His father began to get upset and angry. ‘So you are going to go on a wild goose chase looking for a girl who has already spurned you? Is she worth risking what you have worked for all your life? In a few years’ time you could be master of all this. And what will we tell everyone if you leave? We will be a laughing stock.’
‘Does that mean you will not let me come back?’ Luca asked quietly.
His father opened his mouth to answer but his mother butted in first.
‘There will always be a place here for you, my son.’
‘Not if he brings the Gypsy girl back with him.’ His father glared at her. ‘What would people say?’
‘Times are changing,’ she said hotly. ‘And if the only way I can have my son here is with her . . .’ She paused. ‘Then so be it.’ She turned to Luca again and touched his hand gently before saying, ‘Go and do what you have to do, and with my blessing. And remember, your home is with us, wherever we are.’
Luca gave her a kiss on the cheek and left quietly. It was time to start packing up his trailer. There was no time like the present.
Chapter Eighteen
Late in July Maureen didn’t appear for work at the farm one day. Charity was concerned. The week before Maureen had confided that her mother was now gravely ill. She mentioned it to Eddie when he came in for a cup of tea mid-morning. He had been up all night with a sick cow and looked tired.
‘I hope she’s all right.’ He frowned. ‘I wonder if I should pop into town and see her?’
‘I could go,’ Charity offered. She didn’t mind going into town now that her people had moved on. ‘I could take the children with me. I have some shopping I need to get anyway. We’re almost out of flour.’
He nodded. ‘Thank you. I should be here when the vet arrives. I think old Daisy might be on her last legs.’ He sighed. Daisy was one of his best milkers. She had been at the farm for years and he was fond of her.
So, shortly after, Charity tidied the children and they set off for the town. The children always enjoyed going, especially if Charity treated them to a sugar mouse each from the sweet shop.
Thankfully, Charity’s morning sickness had abated now, but she had noticed her waistline was thickening. She had spent the night before letting the waistbands on her skirts out, but they were still slightly tight. Soon she would treat herself to some material and make some loose dresses. She had settled well into the cottage. She enjoyed the solitude of living alone but she still missed Luca desperately. She would often stand in the window wondering where he was and what he was doing. And then she would picture him with Scarlet. He would be kissing her as he had once kissed Charity. Then the pain of betrayal would come back tenfold. She had calculated that the baby would come sometime in late January to early February. She felt nervous at the thought of the birth without her mother to help her, but Maureen had promised that she would be there for her. Eddie had also promised to organise the midwife from the village nearer to the time.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was riding high in a cloudless blue sky. As they approached the high street in the small town, the children became excited. They loved to peer into the shop windows. Charity quickly got the shopping they needed before taking them to the sweet shop. Simon chose a sugar mouse and Tilly opted for a liquorice twist. And then they headed for Maureen’s house. It was a small terrace where the doors opened directly onto the street. Some little girls were rolling hoops along the cobbles or playing hopscotch. The boys were kicking about an inflated pig’s bladder that served as a football.
When they came to Maureen’s door Charity tapped on it. She didn’t want to make too much noise in case her mother was asleep. Maureen opened it almost immediately. She looked tired and drawn but she smiled at the sight of them.
‘Come on in.’ She held the door wide. ‘I was just about to make a cup of tea. And I bet you two wouldn’t say no to a glass of lemonade.’
The children skipped out to look at the yard and Charity asked, ‘How is she?’
Maureen sighed. ‘The doctor came this morning.’ She blinked back tears. ‘He said her heart is failing now. It could happen anytime.’
‘I’m so sorry.’ Charity knew how much Maureen loved her mother.
‘Death comes to all of us be we beggars or kings,’ Maureen said quietly. ‘But how are you? I’m sorry I couldn’t leave her today.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that, and I’m fine,’ Charity assured her. ‘The morning sickness has all but stopped now.’
