‘She lip reads and we use sign language.’
‘Well, I use sign language when talking to my Bill, but I am sure it is not the type you are talking about. Mind you, Allison will probably get on well with my Bill he claims he is deaf and all, but he can always hear what he’s not supposed to. Come in and meet him.’
‘I hope he will not mind us staying for a few days?’
‘Mind! He will be glad of the company. He is crippled with arthritis you see and he cannot get around as he used to do, so having someone other than me to talk to will suit him just fine. He says he cannot get in a word edgeways with me, but I am sure I don’t know what he means.’
Jessie smiled to herself and followed Mrs Bun inside. Everything had a well-worn and polished look about it. Jessie’s immediate thought was that this was a happy house. Mrs Bun led the way into a large sunlit room, full of old but comfortable looking furniture. Knick-knacks and pot plants were on every shelf and windowsill. Sitting under the widow was a small thin man with a pleasant face but Jessie suspected that he suffered a great deal of pain.
‘Well, I can see you have worked as hard as Murphy out there.’ Mrs Bun flapped her hands at him. Despite her flippant manner Jessie perceived that Mrs Bun obviously adored her husband. ‘Come in the pair of you, don’t stand blocking the doorway.’ She motioned with her arms for them to come into the room. ‘This is Bill, my husband.’ Turning to him her manner became softer. ‘Bill dear, this is Jessie and her daughter Allison, they have come to live in old Miss Kelly’s cottage. Of course they cannot stay there in the condition it is in. So I have invited them to stay with us until they get it ready to live in.’
Bill smiled and his smile transformed his face. The lines of pain disappeared and replaced with warmth and kindness. He extended his hand. ‘Nice to meet you both. I hope you will enjoy your stay.’
Jessie shook his hand and although the grip was firm she suspected it cost him some pain to do so. In contrast to his wife he spoke in a quiet almost inaudible voice.
‘Please, call me Bill, Mr Bunnington is such a mouthful.’ Jessie smiled gratefully at him.
‘Well I see Murphy has found a new friend.’ Murphy the dog had followed them inside and was unashamedly enjoying the attention given to him by Allison.
‘He has more fleas than brains that dog, but he still knows which side his bread is buttered on. Like most males he enjoys having a female fuss over him.’ Mrs Bun’s voice filled the room. Again though her tone lowered and became softer when speaking directly to her husband. ‘Bill dear, Allison is deaf but she can lip read.’
‘The poor wee thing, well at least she won’t have to listen to your constant chatter,’ he said with a twinkle in his eye.
‘William Bunnington I am sure I do not know what you mean,’ she replied as she playfully ruffled his thinning grey hair. ‘Come with me Jessie, I will show you where to put your things.’
Jessie was taken into a large airy room. The windows faced out towards the sea across the road. The lace curtains were blowing gently in the warm breeze. A four-poster bed dominated the room and Jessie could tell at a glance that it would be deliciously comfortable. A faded rose patterned carpet covered the floor, giving the room a soft warm appearance.
‘Make yourselves at home, the bathroom is the next door on the left. We eat at six but we don’t stand on ceremony here, so there is no need to press your ball gown, we are just plain simple folks.’
All the kindness extended to them had the effect of making her feel weepy. She was emotionally drained. Her eyes were moist and she felt choked up as she spoke, ‘Thank you Mrs Bun, what can I do to help?’
Mrs Bun’s demeanour changed as she spoke directly to Jessie, positioning herself so that Allison could not lip read. ‘Jessie I am old woman, who talks far too much, but I am not stupid. I know you are here because you are running from someone, or something, and at a guess I would say it something to do with that large bruise on your face.’
Jessie’s hand involuntarily went to her face. After all she had been through in the last few days she knew that the tears were 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