put up with him, but why should I put up with second best? I’d never love him like I love Robert. Anyway, what if I say yes to him and Robert comes back home for me? What happens then?’
‘You still clingin’ to dreams of this Robert?’
‘Course. Why shouldn’t I?’
Minnie gave a mocking laugh. ‘You? Look at you. You’m like a princess. You could have your pick of any number o’ chaps now. Real gentlemen.’
‘Robert’s a real gentleman.’ She watched a woodlouse crawl along one of the square quarry tiles and conceal itself under the skirting board. ‘But I don’t want any number of chaps, Min. I want Robert, and I know he’ll come back for me. That’s why I have to keep putting this Bellamy off.’ She sighed heavily. ‘Any other girl would be glad of his attentions, I know that. I mean, he’s handsome. His prospects are good, coming from a wealthy family. But I can’t tell him why I don’t want to start courting him. If I do start, then I change my mind again when Robert comes back – which I would … D’you see what I mean?’
‘Yes …’ Minnie replied pensively. ‘But you could still have fun with this Bellamy. Maybe you should tell him your secret …’
‘No, I could never do that. He wouldn’t understand. He’s really serious about me. I’m sure he’d be jealous.’
‘Then it’s best you give him no encouragement, Poppy … not yet at any rate … But what about if this Robert comes back and he don’t want you after all? What if he comes back to marry the one he’s engaged to?’
‘Oh, don’t say that, Minnie. I know he’ll come for me.’
‘Well, I hope you ain’t mistaken, and give up the chance with his brother. You would be a fool … Have you mentioned it to Aunt Phoebe?’
‘Yes.’
‘And what does she say?’
‘Same as you. Don’t encourage him.’
‘There y’am then … Any road, I’ve got a sort o’ problem an’ all.’
‘Oh, Minnie, what?’ Poppy asked with alarm.
‘There’s this young woman what keeps coming to see me, trying to get me on the straight and narrer …’
‘So who is she?’
‘Says her name’s Virginia. Can you believe such a name? I reckon she is a virgin an’ all … And she’s older than me.’
‘I’m a virgin as well, Minnie. So don’t mock. It’s something to be proud of in this day and age.’
‘Proud of? It’s nothing to be proud of, keeping your virginity. Virginity’s no use to anybody. It’s only any use after you’ve lost it.’
‘Well, maybe you wish you’d still got yours.’
Minnie chuckled. ‘It makes no odds to me.’
‘Are you going to make a cup of tea, Minnie? I’m parched.’
‘Course, if you want one.’
‘Then you can tell me how you got on with that Captain Tyler.’
‘Oh, Captain Tyler …’
Minnie got up to put the kettle over the coals, then picked up the teapot with the intention of introducing a couple of teaspoons of fresh tea leaves. Some cold tea remained inside, so she took the lid off, opened the door and hurled the contents outside into Gatehouse Fold. At once there was a mild scream of protest and Minnie put her head out to see whom she had drenched.
It was Virginia. She stood at the door with wet tea leaves clinging to the front of her fine mantle, the brown liquid trickling off and staining the unadorned flounces of her skirt beneath.
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