The Guest Who Stayed

Chapter 10 - August Bank Holiday 1921

The next day Alice was up at six preparing the breakfast. The sun was streaming in through the parlour windows and the promised fine bank holiday looked set to unfold. Jed wandered into the parlour still rubbing his eyes and sniffed at the smell of sizzling sausage and bacon.

"It's going to be another hot one, Alice. I expect I'll get burnt up same as yesterday."

"Not if you cover up properly. I've packed you plenty of water so make sure you drink that."

"You didn't mean what you said last night about going out with this Jack, did you?" asked Jed as he wiped the last remnants of bacon from his plate with a piece of bread."

"I dunno. Let's just see what happens."

"It don't seem right to me, you going off with some strange bloke and I'm out working."

"Flora will be with me, I told you," replied Alice more tetchily than she had anticipated.

"Hello, I smelt breakfast cooking."

Alice and Jed turned to see Jack standing in the doorway. He carried a small bag over his shoulder as if he was already prepared to go out.

"Oh, Mr. Malikov - I mean Jack. You're early. I didn't expect you just yet," muttered Alice in a state of confusion. "This is my husband, Jed. Jed, this is Mr. Jack Malikov, our guest."

Jack leant forward and held out his hand to Jed, who responded by wiping his hands on his trousers.

"Got fat on my hands."

"Oh right," replied Jack, withdrawing his hand quickly. "Anyway, it's nice to meet you and I want to thank you for letting me stay these few days."

Alice watched aghast as Jed poured tea into his saucer and slurped the liquid into his mouth. It was an old farming practice and one that Alice had banned.

"Jed, please don't do that, my love - not in front of our guest."

"I'm in a hurry. Can't drink hot tea."

"I had hoped you could join us for a drive in the car today," ventured Jack. "But I understand you're busy with your work. I quite understand that. I was telling Alice yesterday that this is my first break for three years."

"I don't take breaks," replied Jed reproachfully. "And I don't 'ave a posh car either. I have a barrow. Still, it's good enough for me. I best be going now. Good bye, Alice, my love."

"Wait, Jed. You need your lunch and your drink." Alice rushed forward with Jed's lunch bag and placed it firmly over his shoulder. "You take good care now and I'll see you later."

Jed gave Alice a fleeting glance, his eyes betraying a hidden anxiety. Then he turned and set off for work.

"Jed's not quite himself. He's working hard and to be honest he's not convinced about us having a paying guest. But the truth is, Jack, we needs the extra money, so I'm really glad you're here. And now I'm going to get your breakfast ready."

It was gone nine o'clock before breakfast had been cleared away and they were ready to leave. Shortly before that, Flora arrived and was introduced to Jack. His affable manner made her laugh and all three were soon relaxed in each other's company.

Jack seemed well prepared for the day. He wore white flannel trousers and a light navy jacket. Alice and Flora had no previous experience of day trips to the coast and so they had to improvise from their limited wardrobes. Flora had put on a blue cotton dress secured around the waist with a white sash. The dress had probably fitted when she was in her early teens but now it was tight around the bust and showed off her figure to good effect. Alice wore a white cotton skirt which reached down to her calves and a pink jacket buttoned up to her neck. But having seen how Jack's eyes were drawn to Flora, Alice surreptitiously undid her top buttons to reveal more of her white chest.