Page 19

Chapter 19

May 1911

On Monday evening, the day before the much talked-about theatre excursion, John was unwell.

A sore throat had reduced his words to a rasp, and Ursula had called the doctor, concerned that he might have diphtheria.

‘Laryngitis,’ said the doctor, addressing John.

‘You need to speak as little as possible, and under no circumstances must you go to work.’

‘But what about taking my daughter to the theatre? It’s her birthday treat.

’ John squeezed the words out.

‘We are going to see The Great Lafayette tomorrow evening.’

The doctor shook his head.

‘I would not recommend it. If you cannot remain silent, or near silent, for a few days, you may cause permanent damage to your vocal cords.’ He turned to Ursula, who was standing at the end of the bed.

‘I feel that going into a crowded place is not to be recommended at all.’

John was not pleased.

His face betrayed him, but it seemed there was no argument.

‘I’ll show you out, Doctor,’ said Ursula.

John heard snatches of instructions as they walked down the stairs, and then the sound of the big front door closing.

‘But what about the theatre?’ he croaked when she reappeared.

‘I’ve been thinking about that.

’ Ursula sat down on the edge of the bed.

‘Finlay can take her, and I will stay here to look after you.’

He shook his head.

She took his hand. ‘Finlay is seventeen, and he can be quite responsible when he wants to be.’

‘It was supposed to be a special night out. Just the two of us, that’s what you and I planned for her.

’

‘There will be other visits to the theatre.’ She put her finger to her lips.

‘No more talking. Ann will understand, and Finlay is going to university later this year. He will be completely occupied with his studies and all his new friends. There may not be many more occasions where he will escort her, and behave like the older brother he actually is.’ She patted the counterpane.

‘Now, please, you really must rest your poor voice. I’m going to ring for Isobel to bring you a drink.

It’s not too late and I am sure she won’t mind.

’ She stood up. ‘You work very hard for all of us and you’re always thinking about other people, and now it’s our turn to look after you.

’

John shook his head.

‘Very well, I won’t ring for her.

But in that case, I insist on making you a hot toddy.

Some honey and lemon to soothe that throat of yours?

I am sure I can manage that on my own.

’ She kissed his forehead.

‘Tomorrow, the doctor said you should start having salt water gargles, four times a day, so I’ll let Isobel know in the morning and she can bring them to you at the proper times.

’

He pulled a face.

‘No arguments! I’ll bring the children in to see you before they go to school.

’

*

In the morning Ursula ushered Ann and Finlay into the bedroom as promised.

John was sitting up in bed wearing his blue and cream striped pyjamas and looking rather flushed.

His voice was husky but he had improved a little.

‘As you can see, your father is quite poorly. The doctor came last evening and has given strict instructions that he must rest and not talk.’

John made the sign of buttonholing his lips and pulled the eiderdown up to his chin.

Ursula looked at the two school-uniformed children.

‘This has left us with rather a difficulty.’

‘The Great Lafayette,’ said Ann, crestfallen.

‘We won’t be able to go.

’

‘You will be going. I have a solution.’ Ursula turned to Finlay, who was staring out of the window, not giving anyone his full attention and obviously embarrassed at seeing his normally robust father in bed.

‘Finlay, you will take Ann to the theatre this evening.’

Finlay’s head snapped around to look at his father.

He ignored Ursula completely.

‘I have choir after school, I won’t be back in time.

’

‘You don’t yet know what time you will be needed,’ Ursula pointed out.

‘And I will write to the choirmaster and explain the circumstances. And if a letter from me is insufficient, your father will write one as well.’

‘He won’t let me off attending if I am going to the theatre instead,’ protested Finlay.

‘We are rehearsing for the end-of-term concert.’

‘Then I won’t tell him.

I will simply say that due to illness, you are needed at home.

’

‘You’re going to lie?

’

‘No. It’s the truth.

You are needed to look after your sister.

’

‘Look after me?’ It was Ann’s turn to protest. ‘I’m thirteen years old, I don’t need anyone to look after me.

’

John looked from one face to the other.

He took a sip of water and spoke, very quietly, so they had to come closer to the bed to hear what he was saying.

‘Very well, we shall return the tickets to the box office and the whole outing will be cancelled.’

‘That’s not fair!

’ Ann exclaimed. She glowered at Finlay.

‘This is your fault. I’m going to school now.

I suppose I am still allowed to do that by myself?

’ She stomped out of the room.

‘I was joking,’ said Finlay, raising his shoulders in an exaggerated shrug.

John beckoned him closer, so Finlay would be able to hear him.

‘It didn’t sound like it.

But the ball, as they say, is now in your court, son.

’

‘Oh alright ,’ replied Finlay, dragging out the syllables.

He looked at the clock on the mantelpiece.

‘If you can dash me off a note I will take it in tomorrow. I can’t wait for it now, I’m already late.

’ He left the room, clearly feeling as though he had been hoodwinked into something he didn’t want to be any part of.

‘That went well!’ Ursula could not remain quiet, and her voice shook.

John smiled at her and responded, his voice creaking and almost vanishing in places.

‘Ssssshhhh. It went exactly as I thought it would. Finlay hates choir so he will be glad of the excuse, and Ann will be grateful to be able to go on the outing. I think it’s a good result.

’

There was a tap at the bedroom door and Isobel entered carrying a tray with a teapot on it, and a slice of toast on a side plate.

‘Toast water,’ she announced.

‘It cures everything. And it’s better when freshly made.

’ She put the tray down on the dressing table.

‘Toast water?’ mouthed John to Ursula, but Isobel was too quick and she saw him.

‘Yes, Mr Black. You break up the toast and put it in the pot with the hot water and wait for ten minutes, and then you pour the water into the cup. I brought a strainer for you as well.’ She straightened up, looking rather pleased with herself.

‘It’s a well-known remedy.

’

On the other side of the room, Ursula tried not to laugh.