The Tenants Of Fell End Farm Part Four

Andrew stopped rooted to the spot.  From nowhere  Alf was by his side.  Putting his arm round the lad he said, ‘Don’t take any notice of Norma Willmot Andy.  Any man will tell you it’s a waste of time hitting women but Bob Willmot disagrees.  He says it’s not a waste of time if you hit them hard enough and he hits Norma plenty hard enough.  She martyrs herself by putting up with it.  Your mother and father are alright.  Things just didn’t pan out for them that’s all.  Anyhow people will be getting divorced all over the shop before long.’

A few days after their disastrous visit to the vicarage, Lynn was hanging washing on the line when she saw a car turn off the road and come bouncing up the lane.  It was thawing and the lane was slippery.  The car, expertly driven, came to a halt in the yard and a woman stepped out.  Lynn new at once that it was Andrew's mother.  She saw an imposing woman, expensively dressed.  She wore a felt hat, and a fur coat and on her feet, galoshes to cope with the snow.   Lynn forced a smile.  'Hello, I can see you are Andy's Mum.'

Jean surveyed Lynn and instantly liked her.  Lynn was wearing a blue beret that she recognised as one of hers and one of Andrew's cardigans over her dress yet despite her apparel the girl possessed a certain chic.

'Hello Miss Lynn Trevor, are you going to invite me in?'

'Yes of course,' Lynn smiled with relief.  'Shall I go and find Andy?'

Jean shook her head, 'Let's you and me have a cup of tea and a little chat.'

Inside the house Jean saw the difference Lynn had made and was impressed.  Lynn threw logs on the fire, made a cup of tea from the kettle singing on the hob and they sat down.  You've done a good job of smartening this place up.  It's always been a pigsty when I've come before.'

Lynn smiled nervously, 'Thanks.'

'Jean smiled back, 'Now then Lynn,' she spoke reassuringly, tell me all about yourself.'

Lynn told her story.

'Why couldn't you get a job?'

'It had got to December.  I was told either no vacancies or try again in the New Year.'

'I think I would have found something,' Jean said doubtfully.

Lynn flushed, 'I tried hard to get a job.'

'Right,' Jean leant forward and poured herself a second cup of tea and then said , ‘Now tell me everything that has happened since you got here and I want the truth mind. '

Lynn told her story.

'You make Andrew sound like a saint,' Jean said.

'Well I think he is a man in a million,' Lynn replied.  'He could have taken advantage of the situation but he didn't.  We have done nothing to be ashamed of.'

'And now you think you love him?'

'Oh yes, I couldn't have feelings like that for a man I didn't love.'

Jean smiled briefly 'And you want to marry him and live here.'

'Yes.'

'It's a hard life Lynn.  Hard and isolating.'

'I know.'

'They never leave the farm.  Don't think you can talk him into doing some other kind of job if you can't take it any more.'

' No I understand that.'

Don't you think you should just hold off for a while instead of rushing into marriage.'

Lynn smiled, 'It's Andrew who wants to rush things but I understand why.  People will talk.  The vicar thinks we are living in sin.  He has refused to marry us.'

Jean was immediately angry, she had clashed with Clarence Gerard herself.

‘.So you've been to see the vicar?'

'Yes.'

'And he refuses to marry you and accuses you of living in sin?'

Lynn nodded.

'How do you feel about that?'

Lynn said 'Honestly Mrs.... sorry I don't know your married name.'

Jean said, 'It's Hardman but call me Jean.'

Lynn went on, 'Well...Jean, I have always dreamt of a church wedding but if it has to be a registry office, I'll be disappointed and it's unfair.  I've done nothing wrong, but I will just have to put up with it.  Andrew and the Vicar are daggers drawn.  He told us we were living in sin and told us to get out.'

'Did he really.' Lynn saw Jean flush with anger and new instantly where Andrew got his temper from.  Jean went on, 'Tell me what you would like to do to the house.'

They were talking enthusiastically when Andrew walked in.  Jean said, 'Hello Andrew.'

Andrew ignored his mother.  Addressing Lynn he asked, 'Are you alright?'

Only when Lynn assured him that she was fine did Andrew turn to his mother saying stiffly, 'Hello Ma.'

Lynn jumped to her feet and invited Jean to stay for tea.  When Jean accepted she left to prepare the food.

Jean said, 'let's go out to the car.  We can talk there.'

Once in the car Andrew said, 'Don't try to talk us out of this.'

'I'm not trying to talk you out of anything.  You are right, she is a nice girl.  You've done well for yourself.  Don't go and spoil things.  Let me help.'

'How can you help?'

'With money.  I've just had a long talk to her and unlike you I've listened to what she is actually saying.  She wants to get engaged, that means an engagement ring.  She wants to get married, that means a wedding ring.  She wants a church wedding.  Have you any idea what that will cost and she wants to make the house habitable, something I always longed to do.  She is talking about bedding, curtains, furniture, and painting and decorating.  How much have you got in the bank Andrew?'

'Through gritted teeth Andrew said, 'Not very much.'

'Right Jean went on, 'Lynn's father was a skilled workman.  I think she has some idea that you earn as much as he did.  Have you told her about how depressed farm prices are.  How little you earn?'

'Andrew shook his head, 'No.'

'No you have not.  It's all been about picnics down in the woods amongst carpets off bluebells.  'That's a new one, the romantic hill farmer.'

They sat in silence, Andrew staring moodily out of the window.

Jean reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.  'I really like Lynn Andy.  Let me help you.'

Andrew faced his mother, 'How.'

'Money and advice.'

'I can manage my own affairs.'

'You will struggle and Lynn will get as fed up as I did.'  She went on soothingly, 'Just hear me out.'

Andrew shrugged 'Go on then.'

'Meet Sid.  I know you don't like him but he wasn't responsible for me leaving.  He is a real nice chap and he would love to help.  We will pay for the wedding and everything.  I have part of the business now, my own money.  I want to spend it on you.  Make your life easier.'

Andrew's head jerked up, 'I don't want you coming back and taking over.  Lynn will be the mistress at Fell End Farm.'

'I won't take over anything but I will help.  There will be times when she will need another woman around.'  Jean went on,  'I'll tell you what, I promise every year when the harvest is in, I will pay for someone to come in and run the place for a week whilst you and Lynn go on holiday.'

Andrew protested half heartedly, he was still wary of her but when she asked, 'Have we got a deal?' He nodded in agreement.

Jean smiled, 'Are we friends again?'

Guardedly Andrew said 'Yes.'  He new what a forceful character his mother was.

Jean said, 'It's all going to turn out fine.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I'll be staying the night so I'll just drive down to the phone box and tell Sid.'

They spent a convivial evening.  Andrew happy to let the women chatter away as they washed up the tea things.  Returning from the kitchen, Jean said, 'I'll take Lynn to town tomorrow to buy somethings, then you meet up with us in your best suit and we will go and see the vicar.  How dare he refuse to marry you, the sanctimonious twerp.'  Lynn laughed.  Andrew saw that Jean had completely won her over.  She wanted to know all about Jean and Sid's life.'  Jean explained, 'Sid's very well connected. He's on the Chamber Of Commerce.  He gets to know all sorts of things.  He says every house in England will have electricity installed in the next ten years.  Even here at Fell End Farm.'

'Whoo hoo!' Lynn cheered, 'that would be great. Just think Andy washing machines and irons and vacuum cleaners.

'Now just hang on a minute,'  Andrew reasoned.  'It won't come cheap you know, it will all have to be paid for.'

Lynn laughed happily, 'It's true what they say about farmers, you are as tight as ducks arses.'

Andrew's head jerked up, his face flushed.  He had not expected to be spoken to like that.'  Jean lowered her head to hide a smile.  Lynn was happier than she had been for a long time and the evening was a great success.  Jean and Lynn shared a bed and Andrew, laying listening to them chatting and laughing, felt that somehow he had lost control of something.

Gwen Gerard put down the copy of the Times she was reading in the morning room and went to the window when she heard a car pull up on the gravel drive.  When she saw Jean step out of the Shiny blue Standard Ten and march determinedly towards the door with Lynn and Andrew in tow, she quickly left the room and went to open the door herself, directing the maid back to the kitchen as she did so.  She new that Jean Hardman as she now was, infuriated her husband.  They had clashed many times before.  She opened the door with some trepidation.

Jean said, 'Hello Mrs. Gerard, we would like to see the Vicar please.'  She spoke firmly.

'He's in meeting just now,' Gwen replied.

'Then we will wait.'

Gwen nodded, 'Come in.  If you will just wait in the hall, I don't think he will be too long.'  She smiled reassuringly at Lynn.

Lynn smiled back nervously.  Just then the library door opened and four men spilled into the hall chatting amiably, the Vicar, Sandy Renton, the Verger and a local business man.  When he saw Jean and Lynn the Vicar Quickly asked his guests to leave but asked Renton to stay.

'Jean said, 'Hello Sandy.'

Renton a stocky, Red Haired Scot in his mid forties replied, 'Hello Jean.'  He nodded at Andrew.  'Emmott.'

Andrew nodded back, 'Mr. Renton.'

Gwen asked her husband for a moment of his time.  In private she said, 'Don't be too hard on them Clarry please.'

The vicar shook his head, 'How dare that woman show her face here.'  He patted his wife's hand and left.  Back in the hall he faced Jean.  He stood erect, his hands behind his back and addressed her  'I know why you are here and my answer is no.  I will not allow the wedding of your son and this young woman in my church.  I have advised Renton of what the state of affairs is at Fell End Farm and I have no doubt, as estate manager, he will take a view.'

Jean cut in, 'You're not going to preach morality at me are you Sandy.'  She went on, 'This girl had just been evicted onto the street with nothing.  She faced the workhouse or the streets.  Andrew, the good Samaritan, took her in.  We are in a recession with mass unemployment.  This girl had no choice but to accept my son's offer of help and hear this, they are not living in sin.  They have done nothing to be ashamed of.  As usual you are too quick to jump to conclusions and just got it plain wrong.'

Gerrard was furious, 'I will take no lectures from you on how I conduct Church affairs.  You, the only divorced woman in the parish.  A woman who abandoned her husband and son in the most selfish and heartless way.'

'This isn't about me, it's about these two young people.'

'I have no wish to punish anybody,' The vicar responded heatedly.  'I simply cannot condone activity that would send entirely the wrong message to other young couples in the parish.'

Sandy Renton cut in, 'You can see the vicars problem Jean.  Everybody in the village is talking about this girl living openly with Andrew, totally unchaperoned.'

'She isn't unchaperoned, I'm here,' Jean snapped back.

'You have responsibilities in Blackpool.  You cannot be here all the time.' Gerard said testily.

'Oh yes I can.' Jean said airily.  'I'll ring Sid up he'll understand.'

The vicar was incredulous.  Red faced he said, 'Madam your propensity for abandoning husbands astounds me.'

Before Jean could reply Lynn said,' Begging your pardon Sir, could I have a word in private.'

After a moments hesitation, Gerard answered, 'Yes alright.'  He glanced at his wife, she nodded approvingly.  He showed Lynn into his study.  Sandy Renton frowned.  He had further business with the vicar and would have to wait.  Gwen addressed Jean. 'I'm sorry my husband is so upset.  It's this awful business with the abdication, Prince Edward and Mrs Simpson.  It's got all the church men so worried.'

'Oh don't worry about that pair,’ Jean waved her hand dismissively,  ‘My husband is on the Chamber of Commerce.  He gets to hear all the latest gossip.  He can tell you tales about those two that would make your hair stand on end.  It's all the men are talking about in their clubs, that and the chance of another war starting.'

'War!' Gwen was horrified.

'Oh yes,'   Jean said.  'A lot of them think it would be a damn good thing.  Get the mills and factories humming again, end this awful slump.  They say things can't go on as they are.'

Gwen held her hands up in horror, 'Please don't go on.'

Just then the door opened and the Vicar asked his wife to join him in the library.  When she entered she found Lynn upset.  Gerard said, 'I have told Miss Trevor that I cannot allow this marriage to take place whilst she is living as she is.'

Gwen asked, 'Lynn isn't it?'

Lynn nodded.

'Well what do you say?'  Relieved to be talking to another woman, Lynn said, 'We are not living as man and wife Miss.  I swear to you we have done nothing wrong.  I had no choice but to accept Andy's offer to stay with him and he has been very good.  He's been a real gentleman.  I would have been in real danger if I had not accepted his offer.  I would have been reduced to sleeping in the railway station waiting room or on a bench.  My landlord and the bailiff who evicted me had some fine idea's about how I could earn money.  They tried to get hold of me but I told them Andrew was my boy friend and he was waiting outside.  That saved me.'

Gwen glanced at her husband.  Lynn went on, 'I have always dreamed of a church wedding.  I don't want to get married in a registry office.  I'm coming to live in this community.  I want it to be this church that I come to with my husband and children and I will be chaperoned at all times.  I promise that if Jean, Mrs Hardman, sorry, has to go back to Blackpool for any reason, I will go with her.'

Gerard exchanged glances with his wife.  He new instantly that his wife wished him to relent.  He spoke in a milder manner,  'I do feel you are rushing into marriage.  You know nothing about farming.  It's a very hard and lonely life for which a slip of a girl like you, a town girl, will just not be suited.  You are too frail Miss Trevor.'

'I am stronger than I look sir.  I did athletics at school.'

'Really!'  Gerard's interest quickened, he had been a five and ten thousand metres runner at university, 'and what were your events?'

'Two hundred and four hundred metres Sir.'

'Splendid, and did you take an interest in this years Olympic games in Berlin?'

'Oh yes Sir.  Wasn't Jessie Owens marvellous.'

'Ah...yes,... yes indeed.' The Vicar frowned.  He appraised Lynn again and saw that she was indeed high waisted with a good length of leg and probably more physically durable than he had first thought.  In fact he quite liked her.  Her credentials were all in order, Christened, baptised, really, he had no grounds for not marrying the couple.  He smiled at Gwen who smiled back and then said, 'Very well I will arrange for the Banns to be read Miss Trevor, the sooner you are married the better I think.'

When they emerged from the library, everybody was happy, Lynn was excited, jean was mollified and Sandy Duncan was relieved. With farm tenancies falling as people drifted away from the land, he had not wanted to get into a moral argument with the vicar over the suitability of this young couple to keep the tenancy. Lynn hugged a relieved Andrew. The equalibrium was shattered when Lynn said excitedly, "i know you all worry about me having to cope with the isolation, but I won't be isolated. I'm a member of the Ramblers Association. I'm going to write to them and tell them about our foorpath through the woods. Lot's of hikers will come and I'm going to put a sign up and sell teas, sandwiches and pies." Andrew was stunned.