‘How can he? Everyone knows we was seeing each other for months in the autumn and all over Christmas. You ask the other girls, they’ll tell you. I . . .’ Tessie burst into noisy tears.
Flora stood up and went to her, pulling a lace handkerchief out of her sleeve and handing it to her. Her heart went out to this poor girl, but she had to put her family first.
‘There, there,’ she said gently. ‘Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.’
‘Yes, it is! How could it be worse, if you’ll pardon me for saying, ma’am? A baby on the way, put there by a man who denies the deed, and a fiancé who sure as eggs are eggs will walk back the other way when he sees the bun I’ve got in me oven. And me mum and dad . . . they’ll have me turned out of the house the minute they know. I’ll be destitute, on the streets. I might as well go and throw meself into the river now and be done with it!’
‘Tessie, please, I understand you’re upset, but there’s always a way, I promise you.’
‘And what way is that, ma’am, excuse me for asking?’
‘Well now, the most important thing is that you and the baby have a roof over your heads, isn’t it? I mean, your own roof.’
‘Course. But on my wages, there’s no way I could afford me own place.’
‘No. And that is why I am prepared to give you a sum of money with which you could buy a little house of your own. It will also provide you with a small yearly income until the child is at school and you can find work for yourself.’
‘Excuse me, ma’am, but why?’ Tessie looked at her suspiciously. ‘I mean, if that son of yours has told you it ain’t his baby, and he never even had . . . knowledge of me, why aren’t you casting me out without a second glance?’
‘My son has told me that the baby cannot be his, but that does not preclude me helping a young lady in distress, does it? I was once young too, Tessie, and desperate. And I received kindness and assistance in my hour of need. I am only repaying one kind turn with another,’ Flora replied calmly.
‘But houses cost a lot of money.’ Tessie blew her nose loudly into the handkerchief.
‘You could buy something suitable near your parents, if you wish. Where do they live?’
‘Hackney.’
‘I’m sure they will come round once the baby is born. Perhaps even your fiancé too. If he loves you, that is.’
‘Oh, yes, he loves me. He calls me the sunshine in his day. And look what I’ve done to him. No.’ Tessie shook her head. ‘He won’t never forgive me for this, never. So, what would you expect in return?’
‘Nothing. Other than perhaps the occasional photograph of the baby. And your promise that you will not drag my son’s reputation through the mud by spreading lies about him.’
‘I swear blind, ma’am, Teddy is the father of the baby. And I reckon you know it too, which is why you’re doing this for us. I’ve got your grandchild in here.’ She placed a hand on her stomach. ‘If it’s a boy, he could be the heir to all this.’
‘As you know very well, there is no way of proving it either way. So, there is my offer. Do you wish to take it?’
‘You’re covering for him, protecting him, ain’t you? Your darling son . . . Everyone knows he’s the apple of your eye and you won’t have a word said against him. Where is he?’ Tessie stood up, shaking with anger now. ‘I’d reckon there’s a chance you haven’t spoken to him at all. I want to speak to him meself. Now!’
‘Feel free.’ Flora shrugged as nonchalantly as she could, before turning her back and walking to her desk. ‘But the moment you leave this room, I shall withdraw my offer. And I can guarantee that you will hear nothing different from Teddy’s lips. Ask Louise. He’s denied it to her too,’ she added for good measure. She sat down at her desk and drew out her book of cheques. ‘What is it to be? You can leave with a cheque made out in your name to the sum of a thousand pounds, then go back to the cottage and pack your things. I will send Mr Tanit to drive you to Ashford station in an hour’s time. Or alternatively, you can leave empty-handed and throw yourself on my son’s mercy. Which, as you and I both know to our cost, is not a quality he possesses.’
Silence reigned and Flora hoped she had done enough to convince her. But she was proud, and bright, and Flora admired her spirit.
‘It’s blackmail, this . . .’
Flora said nothing, but picked up her fountain pen and slowly unscrewed the lid. A long, defeated sigh emanated through the room.
‘As you well know, I have no choice. I’ll take your money and go.’
‘So be it,’ said Flora as she wrote out the cheque, relief flooding through her. ‘You have made the right decision, Tessie.’
‘There was no decision to make, was there, ma’am? I loved him, you know,’ she said sadly. ‘I was always a good girl before, but he told me all sorts, like that he would marry me.’
‘Here is the cheque, and the name of my solicitor, who will handle any future correspondence. He will also help with any purchase of a house if necessary.’
‘Thank you, ma’am,’ Tessie managed. ‘You’re a kind woman, and that’s for sure. Teddy don’t know how lucky he is to have a mum like you who does his dirty work for him. He’s a bad ’un, he is, I’m telling you.’
‘Goodbye, Tessie. Take care of both of you.’
‘I’ll do me best, ma’am, swear.’
Tessie left the room. Flora sank into her chair, relief and disgust flooding through her in equal measure.
There is nothing dishonest about love . . .
She remembered Archie’s words to her all those years ago. Yet her love for Teddy and her need to protect him had turned her into a person she did not recognise. And Flora hated herself for it.
‘What is it, Mother? I’m due out at five for a meeting,’ Teddy said sulkily as he appeared in Flora’s study.
‘And you are ten minutes late already, so we’d better get straight down to business.’
‘What is it that I’ve done now? What gossip have you heard?’
‘I think you know very well what it is.’
‘Oh.’ Teddy chuckled. ‘I presume you have heard about my so-called liaison with the Smith girl.’
‘Yes, I have, from the other Land Girls and from your sister, who claims to have seen you both walking from Home Farm the night before Christmas Eve. And from Tessie herself earlier today.’
‘She has been to see you?’
‘I asked her to come.’
‘Good God, Mother. You seem to forget I am twenty-four years of age and capable of clearing up my own messes.’
‘Then you admit that this is your “mess”?’
‘No, I . . .’ Teddy faltered. ‘I don’t need my mother to interfere in my life. You do realise that the whole thing is a pack of lies?’
‘Having spoken to Tessie today, I sincerely doubt it is. I will get straight to the point. You know that Tessie is pregnant, and the chances are that it is your child she bears. You have refused to take any form of responsibility for your actions, as you take no responsibility for anything. You lie blatantly and routinely to save your own skin.’