Full Circle

By C.B. Dellhurst

Maud Richards was in her first year at a teacher-training college up in Newcastle. She was an excitable girl, full of expectations for what the future held for her, and she knew she wanted to teach. Her family was so proud of what she had already achieved because no one in her family had ever gone to college before. Most of the girls who came from a Lancashire town, as she did, were destined for the cotton mills, and most of the lads were destined for the coalfields or factories. It was natural to assume all of them would follow the family tradition, but not Maud or her younger sister, Sara. Their parents wanted them to have what they could not: a good education.

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Maud and Sara Richards lived in a cotton mill town in the foothills of the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. Their parents wanted to give the two sisters the best opportunities they could—opportunities they themselves did not have. They sacrificed a great deal to give their daughters the best education possible.

After fulfilling her education, Maud went into the world of teaching, which had always been her dream. She then met a solicitor called John Howard. She was in love with him. Theirs was the perfect marriage—or so she thought.

For Sara, it took her sometime to realise her potential, as she was head over heels in love with Tommy Foster. Tommy was from the wrong side of the tracks with a bad reputation. However, she eventually joined the Royal Navy for adventure and excitement, only to become entangled with a Dave Phillip, who liked to be in control.

For the girls, their journeys take them into a sordid world of deceit and danger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728387154

C.B. Dellhurst

C.B. Dellhurst has always been interested in writing but has only now began to write for a wider audience. This is her latest book.

Book preview

Chapter 1

As Maud lay in the hospital bed, drifting in and out of consciousness, the nurses rushed around like scolded peacocks. All this fuss amused her. What would Elle think? Maud said to herself.

Then the doctor appeared. He nudged Maud slightly. Maud opened her eyes and tried to focus. Well, Maud, we have been ordered to take diligent care of you by you-know-who, said the doctor with a smirk on his face.

Maud’s face beamed as much as it could, and she nodded in approval as the doctor made his way towards the door. Maud’s mind began to drift.

***

Maud Richards was in her first year at a teacher-training college up in Newcastle. She was an excitable girl, full of expectations for what the future held for her, and she knew she wanted to teach. Her family was so proud of what she had already achieved because no one in their family had ever gone to college before. Most of the girls who came from a Lancashire town, as she did, were destined for the cotton mills, and most of the lads were destined for the coalfields or factories. It was natural to assume all of them would follow the family tradition, but not Maud or her younger sister, Sara. Their parents wanted them to have what they could not: a good education.

Fortunately for the two girls, their aunt Cissy and uncle Albert were able to help their mother, named Peggy, and father with a little bit of financial support. Their uncle Albert was a turf accountant. He had many a youth who worked as bookie runners, coming back with illegal betting slips from millworkers and miners. His line of work involved a lot of money—legally or illegally.

When school was out, Maud would help her uncle Albert in his betting shop, working out the calculations after races so that they had the winnings ready to pay out. The workers knew to the exact halfpenny how much each person should receive, and boy, was there hell to pay if they made a wrong calculation. Maud loved working for her uncle Albert. Sara, of course, was just a tad too young to help.

On Sundays, the whole family would visit aunt Cissy, Maud, and Sara’s mother’s sister. Sara never wanted to go. She was too busy chasing boys. She still had two years left at school and did not have a clue about what she wanted to do when the time came to leave. Her head was always in the clouds as she drooled over famous film stars and read the Picture Post. Her mother and father used to get exasperated, with her and chastised her on many occasions. It made no difference to Sara. She would just switch off at her whim.

Usually before they visited aunt Cissy, the girls and their mother would go to Sunday service at the local church, and afterwards, their mother would visit the cemetery and lay flowers. This used to upset the girls, as it reminded them of Teddy, their older brother, who died from tuberculosis. It took their mother and father years to get over his death—if they ever did. On a Saturday night, their father would have a skinful of ale at the local pub. Their mother was glad to have the peace and quiet, till he came home, of course. Then he would talk so loudly all the neighbours would hear him.

It was a ritual, really. Their mother, Peggy, would return from the Sunday morning church service and deliberately put the radio on so loud that the family could not hear themselves speak to this, their dad would eventually come downstairs with the fiercest hangover, looking the worse for wear. He would then wink at the two girls. This amused the girls so much they would giggle.

The two sisters were as different as chalk and cheese. Maud was the ambitious one. Sara was the opposite. She just wanted to have an enjoyable time, and never gave her future a thought. She was bright like Maud but could not wait to leave school. She was not remotely interested in college. Their mother took in sewing and ironing to support the family budget. Their father, who worked in the mines, was in poor health. At times, he was too sick to work because the coal dust had damaged his lungs. Maud and Sara helped as much as they could to give their mother a break.

***

Christmas was not far off, anticipation and excitement filled the air. Everyone busily bought what they could afford. Mrs Richards, like most of her neighbours, would pay into a Christmas club every week, giving what their family could to enable them to have some money for presents and turkey. Maud would also save up some of her money from Uncle Albert. She would buy a hamper for Christmas. Sara would try to contribute, which, was not that often, the arrangement was, that after Christmas, when Maud went back to college, Sara would help at the betting shop.

During this time, the girls would take themselves to Manchester. Maud would treat Sara to lunch, either at Lewis’s or Paulden’s, depending on how they felt. Sara noticed that Maud began to change in attitude and dress sense. She longed to buy the most expensive suits and perfume. Sara was different. She would go for cheap dresses and skirts that would attract the opposite sex, much to Maud’s displeasure. Sara called her sister an inverted snob.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve, flew by. It was back to college for Maud and back to school for Sara. Maud felt hesitant to leave because of their father’s worsening health. He had to accept that he was suffering from lung disease. He did not receive a good prognosis. It was a common ailment in the mining community.

I think I will stay and help out here. I can take my final exams in the summer instead of at Easter, said Maud to her mother, Peggy.

Peggy would have none of it. Our Sara’s here. She will help me with Father. You just pass your exams; then come back home to us as soon as you can.

Maud just looked at Sara. The last thing she wanted to do was return to the Rossendale Valley, even though it was a beautiful part of Lancashire set in the foothills of the Pennine Chain Maud’s eyes had been opened to another world that she yearned to explore. Maud now felt torn between duty and ambition. Her goal was to teach at a grammar school. She had stayed on another year to obtain a degree in math’s.

It was with the help of her aunt Cissy and uncle Albert that she was able to carry on at college. They were very supportive and paid for all her extra tuition fees, so she could achieve her ambition. At times, Maud questioned their involvement in helping her with financial support, and quite often, she questioned her mother on the subject. But her mother dismissed this with something like Well, it is because they have no children, and left it at that.

***

As Easter neared, Maud was sitting her finals. She had revised till she felt dizzy. She had put all feelings of home on hold. But she kept looking at a new, unopened letter on her kitchen table. She pondered whether to open the letter or leave it till after she had finished her finals. She decided to leave the letter till after her exams the next day. All thoughts of the letter went into her subconscious.

Of course, putting off opening the letter did not work. The morning after receiving it, Maud opened the letter. It read, Your father is seriously ill. Floods of tears flowed down her face, as she felt guilty for not being there to help. The letter also featured a footnote from Sara. It just read, Where the hell are you? We need you here! I cannot do this on my own! The message was fractious.

After reading it, Maud pulled herself together and made her way to the college hall to take her finals. She knew that she had to achieve her certificate. Her whole life depended on it. If she could set the world on fire and reach her goals, after all it had taken five years of her life.

Sara was furious with Maud. But her mother and aunt Cissy assured Sara that it was important for Maud to finish her exams. Then, she would come home to take on the responsibility of the main breadwinner. Sara was not so sure. She said to herself, why do they not see that Maud has changed? However, her aunt Cissy had noticed a profound change in Maud’s attitude, and she did wonder if their family had done the right thing in giving her a college education.

Currently, Sara was working on an agenda for herself. She had met young man called Tommy, who was a couple of years older than her. She was smitten with him and dreamed of him sweeping her off her feet. He was, from all accounts, a womaniser, but Sara had set her stall out. Tommy worked in a solicitor’s office a few streets down from the one where Sara worked. Sara sometimes had to take divorce documents to his office. He was a handsome bloke and knew it. Very confident in his ways, he had plenty of attitude.

Didn’t see you at the Pally on Saturday with the girls, Tommy told her when she came by his office.

No. My father is rather poorly. There is nothing doctors can do for him. We are waiting for my sister to arrive home from college, so we can both help Mother. I am hoping it will give me more free time, replied Sara.

Blimey. Sorry to hear that, Sara. My father croaked about two years ago. My mother still cries over him. Can’t think of why—he was a bastard to her, he said in a cold way.

I have to get back now, Tommy. See you around, Sara replied and left his office.

When Sara arrived back at her own solicitor’s office, she felt chuffed to bits that Tommy had missed her. So, he might be interested in me, she was saying to herself when a phone call interrupted her thoughts.

Hi, it’s me. How’s father? Maud asked.

You’ve taken your time. When are you coming home? Father’s sinking fast, Maud. Mother and I are trying to make him as comfortable as we can. He keeps asking for you, retorted Sara.

This shocked Maud. I’ll be home by the weekend. Tell Mother I am sorry, Sara. See you at the weekend.

Chapter 2

Maud stayed true to her word and arrived home Saturday morning. With trepidation, as she entered the house, she noticed things were not as they should have been.

You’re too late, Maud. Your father died early this morning, said her mother, Peggy, in a tone she had never heard before.

This really upset Maud—whether this was because of her guilt for not opening the letter sooner, one would never know. She went over to her mother and put her arms around her, crying as she said, I’m sorry, Mother. Please do not chastise me. If I had known how bad it was, I would have come home sooner and taken my exam later. She tried to stiffle her tears.

Her mother took pity on her and kissed her gently on the cheek. Well, you’re here now, and that’s all that matters, her mother said in a softer voice. She informed Maud the funeral was to take place the following Tuesday.

That day, Aunt Cissy arrived with Albert. Aunt Cissy was none too pleased with Maud and told her so. But Uncle Albert told Maud, Storm in a teacup, if you ask me; they will get over it, speaking of Maud’s aunt’s and mother’s feelings towards her.

His comments lifted Maud a little from her guilty feelings. Her mother, to her credit, just got on with it and never chastised Maud again; she just felt grateful that Maud was home and could now take over the reins, which, of course, Maud was unaware of.

A while later, Aunt Cissy came over to Maud and asked, How do you think you have done on your exams?

Not sure. I think I have done enough. I cannot really tell. I will just have to wait and see.

Aunt Cissy carried on. What are your plans now to find work here in Rawtenstall and help your mother out? She has sacrificed so much for you two girls.

Maud looked at Aunt Cissy and replied, To be honest, Aunt Cissy, I have not given work much of a thought yet. Aunt Cissy’s remark worried Maud. She wanted to get away from Rawtenstall; she had other ideas as to where she wanted to work. Was it now payback time?

***

The funeral went off without a hitch. All the neighbours came, and after the service, everyone trooped over to the Richards’s house for a good, old-fashioned wake. Some people brought sandwiches and cake, the lads brought ale and Guinness, and Uncle Albert gave a bottle of sherry for the womenfolk. It was a wake no one would forget in a hurry. Everyone got half-cut. Bodies gathered all over the place, reminiscing about the good old days, singing old wartime songs as Bert, a neighbour, bashed away on the piano.

Maud and Sara felt disgusted by this; they had never saw a wake before. They supposed the old folk just felt glad it was not them. And a shindig helped the miners and their kinsfolk get through their tough times. They had had many a miners’ strikes over the years, which put pressure on everyone who worked in the mines, many families feuding over whether to break the picket lines and go back to work. For some, it was a matter of feeding their families; for those who did decide to return to work, things would never be the same again.

Sara’s fella, Tommy, came to pick her up after the wake because he could not get the time off work to attend. Sara introduced him to Maud, who was not that impressed by him. She assumed he was a chauvinist and had little depth because he only talked about himself and going out and getting pissed. His remarks raised a few eyebrows with their guests.

Their mother looked over to Maud and shrugged her shoulders at Tommy’s behaviour. Sara noticed this and went over to Maud to say, You are such a snob, Maud. Just because you have had a college education, you think you are above all this. Some of us work in the real world; we have no choice. We do not live in ivory towers like you. People around here do what they can with little or no reward, so do not you dare act high and mighty with me!

Everyone saw and heard Sara’s extreme anger with her sister. At that, everything went very quiet, and then the piano started up again.

Maud was very upset. She apologised to Sara, saying, I didn’t intend to be snotty. It is just that I am not that impressed with your friend and think you could do better. Then Sara walked away.

Their mother came over to Maud and whispered to her, We have tried to warn her that he is a bad apple. His father was the same, and his mother had a terrible time with his father. It looks like he might be following him.

Sara and Tommy left without saying a word, both upset about the whole episode. We’ll show them, Tommy. They don’t know you like I do, said Sara in a caring way.

Tommy just looked at her and said nothing. He often heard comments like Like father, like son. They did hurt him, of course, but over time, he had become immune to the whispers. The whole episode, but especially Maud’s remarks, had upset her. She very rarely argued with her sister, which made Sara even more dismayed.

Soon after, everyone else at the wake started to make their way home, promising to keep in touch. Peggy knew that, of course, would never happen; she did not even know half the people. Cissy told her, We have to get going now, Peggy, and kissed her sister gently on her cheek. Then, Cissy turned to Maud, saying, Remember what I said Maud: family first.

After Maud’s aunt and uncle and everyone else had left, Maud’s mother said, What was that all about?

Maud sheepishly looked at her mother and said, Oh, Aunt Cissy thinks I should stay here and look after you and try to find something nearer to home, which is not a bad idea. She was just trying to appease her mother for the time being.

It’s been a long day. I think I’ll go upstairs, said her mother in response.

Maud stayed downstairs, occupied with her own thoughts. She really wanted to leave home and find a job in Manchester. She had set her sights high over the years. She had not envisaged staying put to look after her mother. Now, she felt torn between loyalty and duty; as her aunt Cissy had said, her mother and father had sacrificed all their lives to give her and Sara the opportunities that they never had. Feeling jaded, she, too, retired for the night.

Suddenly, the two women were, wakened by a raging row going on downstairs. Maud at once went to see what the commotion was. When Peggy was halfway down the stairs, she, to her horror, saw Tommy Foster forcing himself onto Sara. So, Peggy went into the kitchen, produced a rolling pin, and belted Tommy with it. Then, he turned around full frontal, which was not a pleasant sight for anyone to see. He was about to retaliate when Maud appeared and withered him. After that, Tommy quickly made for the door, with Peggy in hot pursuit, calling him all the names under the sun.

A couple of the neighbours came out to see what all the rumpus was about. Once Peggy explained to her neighbour Mick what had happened, he furiously said, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes when word gets out.

Peggy then said, Leave it, Mick, but if he comes looking for Sara again, I’ll give you a knock. I know the lads will sort him out.

Mick replied, "They sure will, Peggy. The little upstart thinks he is tough like his old man. His dad was always a torment and a pisshead to boot. He’ll be licking his wounds now;