Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

came about, but what of John? What was his reason for getting wed?’

      ‘Who knows?’ Harriet took another swig of tea. ‘He might have thought they’d do better business-wise to be man and wife. Think about it, love. They’re both very clever people when it comes to making things happen.’

      Lizzie shook her head. ‘You’re saying that John got wed because he wanted to expand his business?’

      ‘That’s the way I see it.’ As a businesswoman herself, Harriet admired him for it.

      ‘But that’s not my John’s way of thinking,’ Lizzie objected. ‘It’s too cold and empty a reason for him to take such a big step as marriage.’

      ‘Well, maybe when Rosie told him she loved him, he married her because he liked her enough. Emily was lost to him and Rosie needed him. The business needed him, too, and to my mind that’s a very suitable arrangement.’

      Turning Harriet’s words over in her mind, Lizzie lapsed into silence. It was possible Harriet was right in her assumption, but Lizzie wasn’t satisfied with that. She needed to know that John was content in his marriage. It was true, the couple seemed well suited. But was it enough?

      ‘Are you sure you’re all right, dear?’ Seeing how Lizzie had paled, Harriet was concerned. ‘And you haven’t eaten a thing.’

      ‘I’m weary, that’s all.’ Getting out of her chair, Lizzie thanked her for the tea. ‘I think I’ll leave on an earlier train. I know John said he’d come back this afternoon and show me his site and everything, but I’m just too tired. I can always visit another time, can’t I?’

      ‘He’ll be so disappointed.’

      Lizzie was stood, her two hands gripping the back of her chair as though without the support she might fall over.

      ‘He’ll understand – and besides, I’m sure he’s got more important things to do than fuss over an old woman like me.’

      Harriet wagged a finger at her. ‘You’d best not let him hear you say a thing like that!’ she chided. ‘He thinks the world of you. What! When he gets started on the subject of “my Auntie Lizzie”, you can’t stop him.’ She paused. ‘Aw, Lizzie, are you sure you can’t wait a while longer? Maybe go home tomorrow?’

      Lizzie shook her head. ‘He and I found time to have a good long chat,’ she revealed, ‘though there’s never enough time, is there?’

      Harriet gave a wry smile. ‘Not in my experience,’ she answered knowingly.

      ‘I wanted to see him wed, and I’ve done that. I needed to know if he was all right in himself, and he seems fit and well enough, and doing good in business, just like he said.’ She smiled. ‘I feel a bit more settled now I’ve seen him. But I’m fair worn out, so I’ll start my journey home on the next train. If I write him a note and explain,’ Lizzie took hold of Harriet’s hand, a look of gratitude on her face, ‘you will make sure he gets it, won’t you?’

      ‘Of course I will,’ Harriet assured her. ‘The minute he comes through that door to see you and collect the rest of his things.’

      ‘You’ve been so kind, Harriet. It’s been a joy to meet you, but I really do need to get home now. The journey to Blackburn is a fair old way.’

      Lizzie’s one thought was to see Aggie. It was time that dear woman knew the truth of it. Moreover, it would be a burden off Lizzie’s mind, to confess what a terrible thing she had done.

      Harriet could see how determined she was. ‘There you are.’ Going to the drawer she handed Lizzie pencil and paper. ‘When you’ve done that, prop it behind the clock on the mantelpiece.’ Collecting her coat from the door she shrugged it on. ‘While you’re fetching your bag, I’ll pop down to the inn to order a carriage to take us to the station.’

      Growing more weary with every step, Lizzie climbed the narrow stairs to her room. In a surprisingly short time, she had packed and returned with her hand-made tapestry bag, to find Harriet back already. ‘I’m ready for off,’ Lizzie told her.

      ‘And I’ve got the carriage waiting outside,’ Harriet informed her proudly. ‘My treat.’

      Lizzie was horrified. ‘I can’t allow you to pay out for a carriage!’

      Harriet was adamant. ‘You’re John’s aunt and my guest, so don’t argue!’

      A few minutes later, wearing her outdoor clothes and carrying her precious handbag, Harriet led her to the door. ‘If it’s all right with you, I’m coming to the station,’ she said. ‘John would be happier to know I’d seen you board the train.’

      ‘That would be nice, thank you.’ Lizzie valued her company.

      The carriage-driver took Lizzie’s carpet-bag and helped her aboard, though when he came to give Harriet a hand, she cast him such a wicked glare, he scurried away and almost lost his footing as he clambered onto his lofty seat. ‘All right for off, are we?’ he shouted, and before Harriet had fitted her backside into the seat, he started forward.

      ‘Hold your horses, you mad bugger!’ she screamed. ‘Are you trying to kill us or what!’

      At the station, she ordered him to wait while she saw Lizzie on to the train. ‘I can take myself onto the platform,’ Lizzie pointed out, ‘if you’re in a hurry to get back.’

      Harriet would hear none of it. ‘I came to see you off, and that’s what I mean to do,’ she answered in her sergeant-major fashion.

      Once Lizzie was aboard, Harriet waved until the train was out of sight. Poor little devil, I hope she’ll be all right, she thought. She crossed to the waiting carriage. Something had upset the woman, that was for sure. Poor Lizzie didn’t look at all well.

      Before she climbed back into the carriage, Harriet gave the driver another of her warning glares. ‘If you want paying, you’d best make sure I’m good and seated, before you go flying off up the street!’

      ‘Certainly, missus.’ He tipped his cap. ‘I’ll be as gentle as a babby.’

      ‘Hmh!’ The carriage tipped dangerously to one side as she hoisted her sizeable weight into the seat. Slamming the door shut behind her, she bawled out, ‘You’d better be, if you know what’s good for you!’

      Up front, manoeuvring his carriage down the narrow cobbled street, the driver made faces as he chatted to himself. ‘Yes, miss, no, miss. Think yourself lucky I let you in my cab at all, you lard-arse!’

      When they reached the lodging-house, he smiled sweetly at Harriet, took her money and went away at the double. ‘And good shuts to you an’ all, madam!’

      A few hours later, John arrived to see Lizzie. ‘She’s gone, lad,’ Harriet informed him. ‘She went some time ago. Said she were dog-tired and needed to get home. She’s left you a letter, mind.’

      Surprised and disappointed, John took the envelope she handed him, and opened it. The contents soothed him, for Lizzie had written a bright and happy letter:

       My dear John,

       Please forgive me for taking my leave, but I need to get back. Your Rosie seems a really nice young woman, and I’m so glad I came to see the two of you wed. Thank you both.

       I’m sorry not to have waited for you this morning, but I know you will understand, son. In all the years I’ve lived, I’ve never once been this far from Salmesbury and Blackburn town. It just goes to show what an old stick in the mud I am, doesn’t it? I know you’ll be bringing your new wife to see me, and I really look forward to that.

       I’ll write when I’m home, and maybe you will do the same? For now, God bless you, son.

       Give Rosie my love, won’t you?

       Lizzie XX