Chapter 13
Ronnie had been reading a letter from Tilly.
It was a rambling series of events that involved her best friend, Fliss, who seemed to be leading Tilly astray and encouraging her to do all sorts of things that she described as adventures and he suspected might be distracting her from her studies.
There was also mention of an attractive doctor.
So, she had made some discoveries about junior doctors after all.
But then, who was he to criticise? His relationship with Sarah had taken up a great deal of his time and attention recently too.
What with his work and his visits to East Cowes, he realised that he hadn’t spent much time at home.
He hadn’t even introduced Dot and Amelia to Sarah yet.
They had been extremely restrained in not prying too much and Ronnie had appreciated that, but he thought it was time that they met her.
They would then realise how serious he was about their future together.
Ronnie mentioned this the following morning at breakfast and no sooner had the matter been raised than a time was arranged.
‘We thought you’d never get around to it,’ Dot said.
‘Now, I’ll get on and put pen to paper, and then you can pass the invitation on to her. We’ll ask her to come next weekend. How’s that?’ Amelia added.
‘That’s wonderful. Before you meet, though, I should tell you something.
Sarah is having a difficult time with her husband.
He doesn’t want to give her a divorce. Sarah is frightened of him.
He’s heavy-handed and has a short temper.
He’s been known to be physically violent towards her,’ Ronnie said.
‘I don’t like the sound of that,’ Dot said. ‘If he finds out about you, Ronnie, that could be extremely difficult, if not dangerous, for both of you.’
Ronnie agreed. ‘That’s why we have to tread very carefully.’
‘But if he’s violent, as you say,’ Dot asked. ‘Surely that’s grounds for divorce?’
‘Thankfully that is now, I believe, the case,’ Amelia explained. ‘The law has changed recently, more in favour of the woman. Sarah might find that the police are readier to listen to the woman’s point of view and domestic violence is now grounds for divorce. What she needs is legal representation.’
‘But that will take time to organise,’ Dot added.
‘Sarah can’t afford to wait. She needs help now and, as far as I see it, the best way we can help her is to remove her from this dreadful situation while something can be done.
We need to get her away from him before he hurts her and her son really badly. ’
‘And you need help too, Ronnie. You can’t fight him on your own. You need the law on your side,’ Amelia said.
‘But what can we do?’ Ronnie asked.
‘Give us time and I’m sure we can come up with a solution,’ Amelia said.
* * *
As soon as the time could be arranged, Sarah and Anthony were invited for afternoon tea. Ronnie met Sarah and Anthony off the bus and escorted them to the School House. He opened the front door and called out, ‘We’re here.’
Amelia and Dot came rushing through from the kitchen.
‘Welcome, welcome,’ Amelia said. ‘Do come in. Pleased to meet you. I’m Amelia and this is Dot. We’ve heard so much about you, Sarah, and this must be little Anthony.’
‘Not so little. You’re a tall boy, Anthony, for three years old or is it four?’ Dot asked.
‘He’s almost four,’ Sarah replied.
‘Here, let me take your coats. We’ve lit the fire in the lounge; it’s cosy in there.’
Sarah looked nervously at Ronnie, who smiled reassuringly back at her. Sarah glanced around at the well-appointed room and noticed the paintings on the walls and the large mirror above the mantelpiece. A black-and-gold clock ticked away rhythmically beneath it.
Dot invited them to sit down, and offered Anthony a cake and smiled at him.
‘You know the way to get a child’s attention,’ Sarah said. ‘But then, you’re both teachers so you have plenty of experience.’
Amelia brought in the tea tray and poured while Dot passed Sarah the finely cut sandwiches.
‘I’ve made egg and cress for Anthony. I hope he likes that,’ Dot said. ‘Or there’s ham if he would prefer.’
Anthony chose the egg and then whispered to his mum, ‘And can I have some of that after?’ pointing to the Victoria sponge with oodles of jam and cream emerging from the centre.
Sarah nodded in response.
‘This is lovely,’ Sarah said. ‘Ronnie tells me that you’ve all been here since 1923? And that you’re both teachers at the local school.’
‘So, our Ronnie has been giving you all the family history, has he?’ Dot asked, casting a cheeky look at Ronnie.
‘Skeletons and all,’ Ronnie replied, laughing.
The humour lightened the tension that Sarah felt. She didn’t want her nervousness to come across. They were being so kind.
‘He’s told me a brief background to how he came to the Isle of Wight, yes,’ Sarah replied. ‘And all about Micklewell. It sounds a lovely place.’
‘Are you a country girl at heart, Sarah, or have you always lived in the town?’ Dot asked.
‘Well, I was born in Wales, in a mining town. My father was a miner. It’s about the only job you can get in that area of the country.
He didn’t have much choice really. He died of silicosis.
All miners’ wives knew their husbands’ time would be limited,’ Sarah replied.
‘It was a fact of life down there. My ma didn’t last long after him, either. She had a heart attack.’
‘So, neither of them knew little Anthony?’ Amelia said. ‘That’s very sad.’
‘Yes, it is, but my aunts have absolutely doted on him since we moved to be near them,’ Sarah replied. ‘He’s a very lucky little boy. He gets treated to all sorts. They spoil him.’
‘How do you like your job, Sarah?’ Dot asked.
‘Well, it brings the money in. The men are a bit rough and ready, but they always watch their manners when they’re around me. I would really like to be doing something a bit more creative. I’m sure teaching is a very fulfilling job to have.’
‘Yes, it is,’ Dot said. ‘But quite exhausting sometimes, wouldn’t you agree, Amelia?’
‘Definitely. I’m always ready for my bed on any weeknight. What do you mean by creative, Sarah?’ Amelia asked.
‘Not teaching. I’m not clever enough for that,’ Sarah said.
‘Don’t underestimate your talents, Sarah,’ Ronnie interrupted. ‘You’d make a wonderful teacher. I’ve seen how much you encourage Anthony with his drawing and reading. He will go to school already able to read, write his name and count to twenty or more, I’m sure.’
‘No, I’m too old to do the training now — besides, I need to earn our keep,’ Sarah said.
‘That won’t be your sole responsibility for ever, though, will it?’ Ronnie said, reaching for Sarah’s hand and squeezing it. ‘Who knows what the future will bring?’
Dot and Amelia exchanged glances.
‘I’m sure you could turn your hand to many creative things, Sarah,’ Dot said. ‘Now, how are you and Anthony at playing snap? How about it, Anthony?’ Dot asked.
‘That’s a good idea. We love snap, don’t we, Anthony?’ Sarah replied.
Anthony nodded and then whispered something to his mum.
‘Anthony says could he have just one more piece of cake, please?’ Sarah asked.
‘Of course,’ Amelia replied, serving him another slice of her delicious sponge.
Ronnie was so pleased that the afternoon was going well. He would, as Dot suggested, arrange to take Sarah and Anthony to meet the rest of his family as soon as he could arrange it.
The afternoon passed cordially, and Dot and Amelia steered clear of the subject of divorce until it was time for them to leave.
Sarah took Anthony to the toilet and Amelia used the opportunity to whisper to Ronnie, ‘I’ll get on the case of finding a solicitor.
I have some contacts in the profession. It would help, I’m sure, if there was a witness to his violence. ’
‘Thank you,’ Ronnie replied. He was relieved that he had disclosed the problem of Sarah’s husband and was hopeful that they might be able, in some way, to help.
‘And you be careful of her husband. If he’s a violent man, you need to steer clear of him,’ Dot added.