Now My Life Begins Read online

  NOW MY LIFE BEGINS

  by

  SHIRLEY A. ROE

  TheEbookSale Publishing

  Copyright© 2011 Shirley A. Roe

  All rights reserved including rights of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  Short sections may be reproduced for review and promotional purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, establishments, places and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Actual places and historical references have been used only in order to place the location and timeline. Any interaction of the fictitious characters in these places or these actual events is pure fantasy.

  Published by:

  TheEbookSale Publishing

  Limerick, Ireland

  First Edition

  2011

  ISBN: 978-1-84961-102-2

  Dedication:

  I dedicate this book to five wonderful women, Jean, Carol, Barb, Bette and Sue. They are my Ya Ya sisters, standing together through good times and bad. Always there to support, enjoy life and laugh. I shall treasure our memories together forever.

  This book is also dedicated to my grandchildren, Haley, Erik, John, Angela, Shyanne and Adrina, who I love with all my heart. My books are my legacy to you.

  A special thank you to:

  Trisha Fitzgerald for another wonderful cover and Cindy Taylor, whose editing skills were invaluable.

  Other books by Shirley A. Roe

  Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story

  A Call to Faith and Freedom

  The Whittaker Family Reunion

  Return to Whittakerville

  Snow Eagle

  All available in print and ebook format from Amazon.com and other online stores or direct from the publisher store.theebooksale.com

  Table of Contents

  England 1905

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Part Two 1938

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue 1965

  Author

  England 1905

  Chapter One

  The train station was deserted. Low in the morning sky, the sun was casting a pink glow over the moors, as a light mist settled on the ground. The stationmaster glanced up and down the platform, his eyes resting on the lone figure seated at the far end.

  She looks sad, he thought. He felt a protective desire to comfort her somehow; however, it was not his place. Reluctantly, he turned and entered the train station. There was work to be done and the northbound train from London was due any minute.

  Jenny unconsciously twirled her long scarf through her fingers. Her mind was miles away. Was she doing the right thing? Edinburgh was such a long way from home and she wouldn't know a soul. There was still time to pick up her old, worn suitcase and go back to the house. Wrestling with her decision, she heard her mother's voice, like a faint whisper on the wind. It was quiet, almost a murmur, but she knew it was her. “Go, girl. Life will never bring you what you want if you don't go and find it. You deserve some happiness.” She tilted her head, as if to lean closer to someone.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the train whistle. “Northbound train to Edinburgh,” shouted the stationmaster. “Prepare for boarding,” he shouted, as if the platform were full of people and Jenny grinned at his sense of longstanding tradition. You are right, Mother; nothing will ever change in this town. I must go.

  The stationmaster returned her smile, thinking how much more attractive she looked when she smiled, as she moved toward him. “Going somewhere for a short holiday, Miss?”

  “Actually, I am traveling to Edinburgh to take up my new position. I am to be the assistant to the City Clerk.” She raised her head proudly. Jenny had been very happy the day the letter of acceptance came. It was a very prestigious position, one that she would do her very best to keep.

  “That sounds lovely, I wish you well. Here comes the train, so step back, please.” He lifted her suitcase, noticing that it was not very heavy. “Other bags coming later?” She blushed a deep pink.

  “I am afraid there was not much to pack.” The trainmaster turned away, embarrassed at his blunder. Loudly the train came to a halt with an ear-piercing screech.

  A cloud of black soot descended on the station and a conductor appeared in the doorway of the train, dropping the steps in place. Formally, he stood to the side. “All aboard, that's going aboard.” Again, Jenny was reminded of tradition and the never changing world that she had grown up in. She smiled at the trainmaster. Taking a deep breath, Jenny looked back up over the roof of the train station, to the town perched on the hill. The old church steeple glowed in the rising sun. Rooftops blackened from years of railway soot and shops and houses filled with people, ready to live another day just like the one before, all stood as they had for decades. The milk wagon clanked and rattled its way over the cobbles, moving slowly from door to door. She closed her eyes, trying to capture the scene one last time. Goodbye old friends. Lifting her long skirt and placing her worn but polished boot carefully on the step, she boarded the train.

  Moving carefully down the aisle, Jenny chose a seat with a window facing the station. Adjusting her scarf, she held it up to her nose allowing the scent of roses to fill her with memories of her mother. The lovely silk threads sparingly added by her mother's hands, shone in the sunlight that filtered through the window. She could still hear her mother's voice, “Now you must keep this scarf for a special occasion, Jenny. The silk threads are very expensive, and I was lucky to get them from Lady Watsworth.” Jenny looked pensively through the window as the train pulled away from the station. Mother, this scarf is very precious; I thank you. How fitting that I wear it on the most important day of my life. A single tear rolled down her cheek and she self consciously, wiped it away.

  The village disappeared far behind the train. In the distance, Jenny could see the towering Watsworth mansion lording over the village. Her mother had spent more than fifty years working there, day after day, until the day she died. That is not going to happen to me. Soon, it too was out of sight.

  She leaned back into the comfortable seat. Memories drifted in and out of her mind as the train chugged down the tracks, away from the only life she had known. She remembered when she nearly drowned at age six, and Tim McKitterek pulled her from the pond. That was the day she knew she would marry him. Jenny revisited all of the fun and joy she had felt as a child in the northern England town, always accompanied by her best friend, Tim. She grew up loving Tim. Perhaps it was a childish love, but Tim would always have her heart. Jenny had spent many hours planning their future, but life had a way of interfering with dreams. Tim's father left mysteriously one morning, and Tim was now the sole support for the family. Suddenly all of the fun was gone. Fate had dealt them a blow that changed their lives and their dreams, and Tim would never leave Watsworth as the two of them had dreamt, and talked about. The conversations had grown short as Tim faced u
p to his responsibilities. Jenny had watched him walk into the mine every day, hoping that she would see a sign of “the old Tim,” but soon she realized, it was over. It was up to her to live the dream alone. She would miss him terribly, but Jenny was not letting go of her future. It was really happening; she could hardly believe it. At twenty-years-old, Jenny Barstow was leaving for good. A smile crossed her lips; her eyes sparkled with excitement. Now my life begins.

  Chapter Two

  Above the train station, a young man ran anxiously to the top of the hill. He could see the station and the boarding train below. The train was pulling out, and there was no time to run down the hill to the station. Breathless and perspiring, he searched the station for any sign of Jenny.

  He saw a slim figure disappear into the passenger car. “Jenny, Jenny wait!” No response, so he shouted again. “Jenny!” The air filled with black smoke and soot, and the train was barely visible below him. A loud whistle pierced the air. Desperate, he shouted as loud as he could, “Jenny, wait. I love you!”

  Deflated, he watched as the train pulled out of the station. He collapsed on the grassy knoll overlooking the tracks, head in hands. Why had he waited so long? Why didn't he tell her sooner? Now she was gone.

  “Timothy McKitterek, what are you doing sitting here? You should be at the pit. Don't you lose your job, young man, we have mouths to feed.” The heavyset woman stood over him, hands on hips. Her brown hair was pulled back starkly, and her chubby jowls shook when she spoke. Tim looked up at his mother, heartbroken. His eyes were filled with tears.

  “She left Ma. Jenny just left on that train. Now I will never see her again.”

  “No time for silly romantic notions, off to work you go.” She turned unsympathetically back to the street. “Now, get going before you get sacked.” She ambled off toward the butcher shop, never looking back. Tim watched her go. Silly romantic notions? He loved Jenny. Could his mother not understand that? Did she ever think of anything but work and money?

  As he walked the short distance to the pit, Tim thought about his mother. She had six children, ages six to twenty-one. There had been nine but three had died. Life was difficult and Tim's weekly pay from the pit helped to feed the large family. His father had left them over five years ago and it seemed that Tim had grudgingly, stepped into his shoes. Resigned to his situation, he picked up his tools and headed into the mine. This is it for you, Tim McKitterek. Jenny is lucky to have escaped.

  At the thought of Jenny, he felt a great aching in his heart. He would miss her. What a fool he had been. He wanted to wait until he had money of his own before he told her he loved her. He wanted her to be his wife, but what could he offer a wife now? His mother took all of his pay except for a few coins; he had nothing. The light began to fade as he walked deeper into the mine. The air turned thick and damp, and his mood grew as dark as the pit.

  Jenny watched the passing scenery with great anticipation, as she had never been beyond the limits of the village. This was a great new adventure, and she would make the most of it. She checked her purse once again, nevertheless there was only enough money for one month's rent for her room and a few necessities. She would have to be very careful until her wages came in.

  Jenny was very grateful, because the position with the City Clerk in Edinburgh paid a modest wage, but it was more than she had ever earned. As a woman, she was very lucky to have been hired, even if the pay was half of what a man would have gotten for the same position. She thought about her Uncle Edgar. Working for her uncle in Watsworth, she earned only a pound a week, but the experience had enabled her to obtain this new position. Her Uncle Edgar was the accountant for the mining company. Although he put in a good word for her, it was Jenny's impressive mathematical skill that had earned her the position. At a very young age, her uncle and her mother marveled at her ability to do mathematical problems with little effort. The manager of the mine was very happy with her work and sorry that she was leaving.

  Thoughts of the mine made her think of Tim once again. How she would miss him. As children they would joke about their cottage and Jenny's cooking. Tim always made her laugh. She had loved him since she was six, but the words had never been spoken. The past five years had been very difficult for the McKittereks. Tim was a very hard worker, and his mother needed him to support the family, and so it had been a long time since she and Tim joked about a life together. She would see him every day at the mine and the two would chat for a few minutes before he began work. Although she still held out hope, he never talked about marriage anymore. Responsibility weighed heavily on his young shoulders and she could not remember the last time she heard him laugh. Jenny knew that there was no future with Timothy McKitterek; sadly that door was closed.

  “Tickets.” The conductor interrupted her thoughts. Better to forget about Watsworth and a future with Timothy McKitterek. You have a new life in Edinburgh now. Jenny smiled as the conductor punched her ticket. She would think of her future. There was much to do when she arrived.

  The train began its approach to Edinburgh's Waverly Station. Jenny stared in fascination at Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city, with its high rock precipice protecting all that had lived within the walls. “Waverly Station!” shouted the conductor. “Watch your step.”

  Jenny stepped onto the busy platform; people bustled to and fro. Several trains arriving and departing the station filled the air with black soot and noise. Swept up in the flow of people, Jenny found herself climbing the steep grade to the street above. Tentatively, she looked around at the huge city. Never in her life had she seen so many people or so many buildings, which made it all a little overwhelming. A cart sped past, causing her to jump and bump into a stranger. The man scowled at her. “Sorry, so sorry.” Her apology fell on deaf ears. Everyone was rushing somewhere and all were oblivious to the shy woman from Watsworth, clutching her worn suitcase for dear life.

  She took the address of the City Clerk from her purse. Asking directions, she headed down the Royal Mile. Tall buildings, some five and six stories high, surrounded the cobbled streets. Jenny looked at them with interest. Men with carts, jostled for space with horse drawn carriages and long sleek motorcars. The streets were overflowing with people. She saw many signs in windows advertising “Rooms for rent.” I shall have to find a room to let soon. What will it be like living in such a busy place?

  The city was very overwhelming. One thing she noticed was the smell, sometimes strong and pungent and other times faint, but the smell was everywhere. Her nose wrinkled. I shall have to get used to it. I am a city girl now.

  Arriving at the main building for the Edinburgh City Council and office of the Lord Provost, Jenny straightened her jacket, pulled her back straight and entered the building that would be her future. Her heart was pounding in her chest. The doorman directed her to the offices on the fourth floor, and slowly and carefully, she climbed the stairs, rehearsing her introduction. Her letter of employment was clutched tightly in her hand.

  A man pushed past her as she reached for the door, almost knocking her down.

  “My apologies, Miss.” He barely stopped to apologize, leaving her shaken. She walked into the huge offices of the men that ran the city of Edinburgh and the counties for miles around. Dark wood paneling covered the walls. Nine-foot ceilings decorated with ornate crown moldings hovered over her head. She felt intimidated by the elaborate décor. Suddenly, she felt out of her element; panicking she turned back toward the door.

  “May I help you?” a scratchy feminine voice inquired.

  Jenny turned to face the woman behind the large reception desk. “I…I am here to see Mr. Johnson. I am to be his new assistant,” she stammered, as her face grew pink with embarrassment.

  “Mr. Johnson? I am afraid you must be mistaken. Mr. Johnson has an assistant.” The woman with the pointed nose and sharp chin looked at her impatiently.

  “No, I am not mistaken. Here is my letter of employment.” Jenny was becoming upset with this woman. She
shoved the letter in front of the woman, who slowly glanced at it.

  “Letter or no letter, Mr. Johnson has an assistant. You will have to leave.”

  Jenny clutched her letter to her bosom; this could not be happening. She began to shake. “But I have a letter, and I am to start work today. Please, ask Mr. Johnson to come out here. I must speak to him. Tell him Jennifer Barstow is here to see him.” Her hands trembled and her voice cracked as she stared at the receptionist.

  “Mr. Johnson is very busy. You will have to leave.”

  “No, you don't understand.” Jenny raised her voice. Several people looked up from their work to stare. “Please, I must see Mr. Johnson.” Just then a young man appeared from the offices behind the receptionist. His glance moved first to Jenny and then to the receptionist.

  “Is there a problem, Miss Carter?” He moved closer, observing Jenny's nervousness and the crumpled letter in her hand.

  “This woman claims to have a letter from Mr. Johnson stating that she is to be his assistant. But, of course that is ridiculous, since you are Mr. Johnson's new assistant.” She smiled at him, her chin growing more pointed with the gesture. “I have told her she must leave, but I think someone will have to escort her from the building.” Haughtily, she gave Jenny a dismissive look. The young man approached, standing a little too close to Jenny. She stepped back.

  “Miss, there seems to be some mistake. May I see your letter?” Hesitantly Jenny handed it to him. He looked at it, and then smiled. “I don't know why you received this letter, since as Miss Carter has told you, I am Mr. Johnson's assistant. Allow me to introduce myself, Ian Murphy. My uncle is the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, John Murphy.” He placed great emphasis on the last sentence. His chest puffed out proudly.

  He looks like a cock in a hen house, thought Jenny. “But I have this letter. I have traveled a long way.”