Page 68 of A Family Affair
Honey blurted out, ‘I know… I know the whole story.’
Grandma Pins looked at Honey with a cautious expression but there was relief in her voice as she said, ‘Oh thank goodness…’ and then to Levi, ‘But I’d like some privacy, so could you please ask the others to leave, then fetch Iris and your mother, and the others, my housemates.’
Levi shot off, muttering apologies as he herded everyone from the room, arms spread wide as if to shield Honey and his Grandma.
Then, in a movement so graceful, the woman in the armchair smiled, lifted her arm, and held out her hand to Honey and said, ‘Please don’t cry, my dear. It’s all going to be just fine. And what a wonderful birthday present… meeting my great-granddaughter.’
On hearing this Honey sprang from her chair and knelt by what she now knew was her great-grandmother’s side. Taking her soft, fragile liver-spotted hand and placing it to her face she said, ‘I’m so glad we found you… I knew I had to look but didn’t know where. I wanted to so badly, for my Grandad.’
‘And now you have, dear girl, now you have.’
There had been a bit of a kerfuffle and mild panic amongst the gathered guests but once everyone was settled in the other lounge and their glasses refilled, they were reassured that Grandma Pins wasn’t unwell, just a little overcome by the event.
The close family members were gathered in the day lounge. On the sofas sat Iris and her husband Bill, and on the outlaw side of the family as they were jokingly referred to, Levi’s other grandparents.
By Grandma Pins’ side on the floor sat Honey and next to her Levi, who had his arm protectively around Honey’s shoulder. Zoë was perched on a chair next to Mike looking nervous, and for signs they might need to call the doctor. Levi reminded her that across the hall they had a plethora of healthcare professionals, so they had it covered.
Honey thought she was going to be sick because she knew what was coming, the big question, and all eyes were trained on her as Grandma Pins spoke.
‘I’m sure you’re all worried about me but there’s no need. I’ve had something of a shock today because this young lady here has, quite by accident opened a window, or perhaps a door, to the past and now she has, there are things I need to tell you all. But first, and before I ask Honey to explain her side of things, I have a confession.’
Honey saw Zoë’s shoulders rise as she inhaled, her breath held as Iris said, ‘What on earth are you talking about, Mum? I don’t understand.’
‘Well if you wait and listen, then you will, Iris!’ Grandma Pins tutted then continued but before she did, she gave Honey’s hand a squeeze.
‘My darling husband and I had such a wonderful marriage based on honesty and trust, not to mention the fact that he saved my life during the war. But out of respect for me and to save my feelings that had been badly hurt, he went along with the story I’d concocted. One that got me through the darkest days of my life.’
Honey saw Iris open her mouth but one look from her mother silenced her immediately.
‘Over the years you’ve all known that I couldn’t have children, and that I have loved my darling Iris and her brother Ian since the day I saw them and became their mother. However, the truth of the matter is, I suffered such grave injuries during the second night of the Blitz, that I was never able to carry a child again.’
Honey heard the key word ‘again’ and the gasp from the others told her they’d picked up on it too. Silence descended on the room, and she prayed Iris wouldn’t speak because this moment belonged to Grandma Pins.
‘On that dreadful night in 1940, I gave birth to a baby boy and to this day I believed that he’d died in my arms. Because when I awoke, after the longest night under a sky swarming with enemy planes, and found I’d been rescued and saved from the brink of death, I was told that my little boy hadn’t made it. But it seems he did, and I have no idea why or how, but it now transpires that the baby I gave birth to lived, and I’m hoping that Honey here will be able to explain.’
All eyes were on Honey, and she thought she was going to cry, right there in front of everyone, such was the responsibility of telling the tale of Molly McCarthy. The true version of events that would no doubt have everyone in the room hating the woman who had stolen a baby.
Honey had no choice, though, because so many lives had been affected by the one snap decision. She owed it to the innocent woman seated by her side and strangely, Molly too, because it wasn’t black and white. A case of right or wrong. It was down to Honey to give an unbiased, factual account of what happened. She wished she had the letter to read out, but it was at her grandad’s.
She looked at Levi. His arm was still round her shoulder which he squeezed, encouraging and reassuring, the same as the look in his eyes. She could do this.
Taking a breath, she began.
It was time to be brave, tell the truth, share a secret and hopefully heal the wounds of the past. This was Aunty Beryl’s and Molly McCarthy’s chance to put some of it right. This was their moment.
CHAPTER51
ELEONORA
Everyone was shell-shocked once Honey had told the story. Afterwards there’d been questions that the poor girl had answered to the best of her ability and Eleonora’s heart went out to the pale-faced, bug-eyed woman seated by her side. And dear Levi had tried to help out too, but she expected that holding Honey’s hand had been enough. Sometimes, that’s all anyone needed, a hand to hold in the worst of times.
And amidst the hoo-ha, she’d wanted to laugh because really, she should have known. Or did she already? The minute she’d clapped eyes on Honey earlier, felt her skin against her cheek, their hands joined as one, she hadn’t wanted to let go. It was the most curious feeling ever, like they fit.
And that hair, the exact same colour as Clarissa’s. Not as deep-auburn as her own. Even now, she could remember sitting on the bed, brushing her little sister’s long tresses as she told her a fairy story or sang a lullaby before bed.
Instinctively, Eleonora reached out and touched Honey’s hair and smiled. Honey smiled back but her eyes were wary and tired. The recounting of the tale had taken its toll and throughout, even though she’d tried to be unbiased, Eleonora sensed that Honey had a sense of loyalty to the woman she regarded as family. Molly McCarthy.
That was to her credit and Eleonora admired Honey even more and felt the need to reciprocate in some way, to reassure. The eyes of the room were upon them, but she was holding court and now they’d asked their questions, she hoped they’d remain silent.
