not far away. Mrs Bun looked kindly at her.
‘Jessie it is none of my business and if you do not wish to tell then that is fine by me. As I said I know I talk too much but the truth is I talk to people, not about people. So if at any time you want to share your problem it will go no further and that is a sincere promise.’ Moving her large frame so that now Allison could be part of the conversation she continued. ‘If you two don’t get your skates on and get unpacked, I will send you both to bed without any supper.’
‘You’re funny, Mrs Bun,’ Allison laughingly said.
‘Oh funny is it now, well let me tell you it will not be so funny when you see the stack of dirty dishes out there. And another thing Murphy will need some exercise after tea, the only exercise he normally gets is chasing fleas off his own backside.’
Mrs Bun left the room and closed the door behind her. Jessie and Allison both fell on the bed holding their hands over their mouths to stifle their laughter. It was the first time in a while that Jessie had felt like laughing.
‘Mrs Bun is nice, isn’t she Mum?’
‘Yes dear, she is very nice.’
‘I thought at first she was cross.’
‘I know, I felt like that too.’
‘Do you think she meant it, when she said I could take Murphy for a walk?’
‘I am sure she did, but maybe it would be better to wait until tomorrow, after you have had a good sleep.’
‘Do you think I could take him down on the beach?’
‘We will talk about it tomorrow, now we should get unpacked.’
The next hour they spent unpacking and then they washed and changed into fresh clothes. While they were changing Jessie heard a scratching noise at the door. Feeling almost certain she knew who it was she opened the door and in shambled Murphy. ‘Come on Murphy, come and get a pat,’ said Allison extending her arms. Jessie felt pleased to see her daughter relaxed and happy. The past few days had been traumatic for both.
They ate tea amid a great deal of playful bantering between Mr and Mrs Bun. The tea was delicious. They had steak and kidney pie consisting of the most mouth-watering pastry Jessie had ever eaten. Following this they had lemon and meringue pie with lashings of cream and ice cream. After railway pies and stale sandwiches it was a feast fit for a King. During the meal Mr Bun told Jessie he felt that the cottage she was planning to live in was basically sound. ‘I’m sure that most of the repairs you will find are superficial. Old Miss Kelly spent a lot of money keeping the place in good repair. It is only since she died that it has been let go.’ He then went on to recommend her on some reputable tradesmen to use. ‘If I was younger, and healthier, I would come and help you myself.’
‘You have both done more than enough for us. Allison and I will never be able to repay you.’ Jessie genuinely meant what she said and again felt close to tears.
Seeing her distress Mr Bun spoke to Allison, ‘Do you like playing Ludo Allison?’
‘I love it.’
‘Good, then let’s go and have a game.’
‘You watch him Allison he cheats.’
‘I do not.’
‘Oh, yes you do. Honestly, the other night, he threw a six, but counted eight squares to knock off my man.’
Allison giggled as Mr Bun winked at her. Jessie was so grateful for these kind homely people. A photo on the mantelpiece took her eye. It was of a man in a Sea Captain’s uniform. He was sporting a large red coloured beard. The resemblance to Mrs Bun was obvious.
‘Is this your son?’
‘Don’t start her on that subject, she will talk for the rest of the evening about him.’
‘Get away with you man, and play Ludo.’ She flapped her large hands at him and then turned back to Jessie. ‘Yes that’s our son, Hamish James Bunnington Sea Captain of the Nelson Princess a cargo freighter. He sails around the south pacific. He comes home every six weeks or so in fact he is due home in the next few days. He is my absolute pride and joy.’
‘You just have one child then?’
‘Yes the good Lord only blessed us with one child. Not that I am complaining mind you. The only thing is, I wish he would get married and settle down and give us some grandchildren to spoil rotten. I am sure he would make someone a wonderful husband.’
‘If he is as kind as you and Mr Bun I am sure he would.’
‘Oh get away with you, it is a pleasure. Just look at Bill he is thoroughly enjoying playing Ludo.’
‘No, really Mrs Bun you have been very kind to us and we are both very grateful. I haven’t been shown much kindness in my life, actually neither of us has.’
Mrs Bun said nothing as she took of her shoes and put her stocking feet upon a low stool to rest her weary legs. After doing so she faced Jessie and quietly said, ‘Do you want to talk about it?’
Jessie did not immediately answer but sat staring into space not really looking at anything in particular. Then without warning the tears started flowing, not convulsions of crying just gentle tears rolling down her cheeks. Mrs Bun handed her a large clean hankie. Silence followed for a few minutes and then Jessie quietly told her all that had happened to her and why she had fled here.
‘So you thought you were coming to a lovely little cottage, with a picket fence and lace curtains at the window?’
‘Yes, something like that.’
‘Well, I know it’s none of my business, but have you money to repair the place?’
‘Yes I have a little, plus Fred, who kindly let me have the cottage, put five hundred pounds in an envelope for me. I didn’t know he had even done it until I opened the letter in the train. The thing is though, I vowed I would not use it unless in the case of an emergency.’
‘And this is not an emergency? Good grief girl, you can’t live in the place as it is. If this Fred gave you the money then he meant you to use it.’
‘I suppose so.’
‘There is no supposing about it.’
‘I could always pay him back later.’
‘Of course you can. How do you plan to support yourself and Allison? Or have you not got that far yet in your plans?’
‘Actually I have thought of nothing else since I left. I have always loved sewing, so I thought I would use some of my money and buy a sewing machine and take in dress making. Does that sound a daft idea?’
‘Far from it, there is always a demand for dress makers. You can start by making something for me if you can find a pattern big enough, to fit my shape.’
‘She said she was going to make dresses, not tents.’
‘See what I told you, he pretends he can’t hear, but he hears what he is not supposed
