‘Well, I can help you there. Eddie told me I was welcome to take any of Mary’s clothes I wanted. You’re about the same size so there’s bound to be something more suitable for you. I’ll show you where they are in a minute.’
Charity looked dubious. ‘But won’t Mr Wells be upset seeing me in them?’ she queried.
Maureen chuckled. ‘I doubt it very much. Men don’t tend to notice what we’re wearing.’
When they had finished their drinks, Maureen led her upstairs. There was a large trunk in one corner of the front bedroom. She began to lift out skirts and blouses. They were very plain compared to what Charity was used to, but they were much more practical.
‘I’ll go and get changed right away,’ Charity said gratefully.
‘Yes, and I’d better go out to the wash house and start on the washing. I’ve no doubt there’ll be a pile there waiting for me. I’ll wash those clothes you’re wearing for you as well if you like.’
Charity smiled and hurried away to get changed.
By lunchtime, Maureen had all the washing blowing in the wind on the lines strung across the yard.
Charity was in the kitchen preparing them all a light lunch of bread and cheese. Maureen had just sat down at the table when Eddie walked in. Charity saw the way the woman’s eyes lit up at the sight of him. She knew in that moment that Maureen still loved him and thought how sad it was. She must be a very kind woman to sacrifice her own life for her family as she had.
‘Ah, Maureen,’ he greeted her. ‘You’ve met Charity I see.’
Maureen nodded. ‘I have indeed and she’s doing a grand job from what I can see of it.’ She looked slightly concerned. ‘But will you still be needing me to come in now?’
He frowned at her. ‘Of course I will. Charity is doing quite a few jobs about the farm now. That’s as well as seeing to the children and the cleaning. I’m sure there’s more than enough work to keep you both busy.’
She looked relieved.
‘And how did Sadie’s wedding go on Saturday?’ he asked next.
‘Really well and she looked beautiful. I can’t believe she’s the last of the young ones to leave. There’s just me and Mother now. But she’s growing weaker by the day,’ she said sadly.
‘And have you thought what you’ll do when her time comes?’ he asked gently.
Maureen shrugged. ‘I dare say I’ll try and get a full-time job somewhere.’ She was also aware that she would have to leave her home. The last of her siblings had left, and she would be unable to pay the rent without their wages. She had hoped that she could move into the farm when she lost her mother. She would have loved to care for Eddie and the children. But if Charity stayed it seemed that she had that job now.
Charity went out to see to the animals after lunch while Maureen prepared an evening meal. Charity had enjoyed having another woman for company and was pleased when Maureen told her that she would be back the next day to tackle the ironing. They had clearly taken to each other. Once Maureen had left, as always, Charity’s thoughts turned to Luca. She was counting the days until the circus arrived in Appleby. She was missing him even more than she had imagined she would. She missed her parents and her friends too, but if that was the price she would have to pay to be with Luca, she would gladly pay it.
Chapter Ten
As the last circus wagon pulled onto the road, Luca sighed with relief. It was very early in the morning but he didn’t mind as, at last, they were on their way to Appleby Fair. Soon he would see Charity again and he could hardly wait. They had a long journey ahead of them but he didn’t care. At least while they were on the road, he would be spared Scarlet’s attentions. She had been like his shadow ever since the Gypsies had moved on. So much so that even his parents had noticed.
‘I reckon she sees herself as wife material,’ his father had teased him. ‘Perhaps you should consider it?’
Luca wasn’t amused. There was only one girl for him, but he couldn’t tell his father that. He had been in a constant state of concern. Had Charity managed to make her escape? And if she had, was she somewhere safe? There was no way of knowing until he reached Appleby Fair and Charity got a message to Scarlet. And even then, the first two days would be busy erecting the big top and the fair. He steered the old horse pulling his trailer onto the road and tried to concentrate.
At that moment, in Top Acre Farm, Charity was lighting the fire in the kitchen. For the last few days, she had felt unwell, although she had no idea why. Her breasts were tender too and she found that the thought of breakfast made her feel nauseous. Soon Eddie and the children joined her.
‘Are you feeling all right?’ he asked kindly. ‘You look a little pale.’
She nodded as she spooned porridge into the children’s dishes. ‘I think I might have caught a chill or something,’ she answered.
‘Then have an easy day,’ he suggested. ‘Maureen will be here shortly. She’ll take over and look after the children.’
‘Oh, there’s no need for that,’ she assured him. ‘I’m sure I’ll be fine soon.’
She and Maureen had struck up a friendship in the time she had been there. Maureen was now doing the food shopping in town for her. Charity was afraid to venture there in case one of her Gypsy friends spotted her. It wouldn’t do for her to be dragged back to the camp. She doubted her cousin would still want to marry her even if she was. She would be disgraced now and it was unlikely any Gypsy man would want her. Even so, she had no regrets. She was living for the time when she could be with Luca again.
Maureen arrived almost an hour later. Charity had dressed the children by that time and now they were happily playing outside.
Maureen put the two baskets of groceries on the table and stared at her. ‘Feeling all right, are you?’ she asked, much as Eddie had earlier.
