Chapter 4 – Shepherd's Pie

Much later I came out of my crying jag and was absolutely exhausted. I knew my eyes were all puffy, nose all red, even without looking, and the poor pillowcase was much the worse for wear. A handful of toilet tissue cleaned most of the nasal filth off the pillow, but a lot of cold water was needed to get my eyes back to normal.

It being so uncomfortable to lean over the tiny sink, a wet washcloth soaked in cold water was the best remedy. Then the hiccups started. They lasted for quite a while, and by the time I'd repaired the facial damage, gotten my diaphragm settled down, and changed into a dry dress, the green one quite soaked with water, tears and snot, it had gotten very late. Being very sorry for myself and sitting for at least an hour quietly had also helped the evening go by.

The green dress would have to be washed, and having just a few outfits with me, I'd have to do laundry sooner than I'd expected. The blue print dress I struggled into matched my eyes perfectly, even with the dark shadows under them. My watch read 10:20 and it was quite dark outside. I pried the door open and heard no voices below. This was likely the time to go down.

I tiptoed below and only John Howe, the barman was there, cleaning up. Perfect, I thought.

"Oh, hello, Louisa! Everything alright? You must have really needed a nap, luv. It's been hours since you went up."

"Yeah. Well I was tired. Long train ride."

"If you're looking for supper, I'm sorry. Cook left about 9:30 and I don't think there's much fit back there. Want me to look?"

Ah, no dinner. "No, no. I'll be alright."

"You're sure? I can call the missus and ask her to throw something together for you."

"No, that's fine. I'm not really hungry. Think I'll just go for a walk then."

"A walk?" John threw the towel onto the bar. "A walk? No by god! You sit down right there," he pointed to a table, "and we'll do something for you. Right?"

"Ok." I sat down at the table and tried to relax but I was tense as a violin string.

John whipped out his mobile and dialed. "Maureen! Guess who's sitting in the pub. No! Not him! No, it's Louisa. Louisa Glasson. Yes! Yes? Who'd you hear that from? Never you mind that! Right... more on that later. Say, the kitchen's closed and she needs a meal…. You will? Of course. Kisses!"

He leaned across the bar and smiled at me. "She'll put something together for you. You just sit there; put your feet up if you wish. About ten minutes she said."

"Thanks, John. I really don't want anything special."

He came 'round the bar and flipped the sign on the door from Open to Closed. "Now you can eat a meal in peace and not have people, all…"

"All?"

"You know. All gawkin' like."

"Right." I let out my breath. "Thanks."

"You are a guest in this here pub, and I don't want nobody sayin' that John Howe didn't know how to treat a guest. So there."

I nodded dumbly and as he bustled about cleaning the bar and the tables, carrying glassware to the back and so forth he was smiling. It was calming to see this pleasant man so busy, yet so happy at it.

In due time, the door banged open and John's wife Maureen came in bearing a basket covered with a cloth. I could smell something hot and delicious.

Maureen's face lit up when she saw me. "Louisa Glasson! So nice to see you back. This is about the job at the school, I hope! Not been the same since you left, you know. The new headmaster is…"

"Not now, Maureen! Let the woman eat, for god's sake. What did you bring her?"

Maureen set the flat basket on the table, whisked the cloth from it, and the delicious smell of shepherd's pie hit me like a warm blanket.

"Oh, that does smell wonderful! Maureen. I can't thank you enough… and it's been… a hell of day." I sniffed, and dabbed at my nose with the napkin.

Maureen set a steaming hot dish of mashed potatoes, ground lamb, peas, carrots, and onions before me, and then added two rolls and a pat of butter next to it. "There! Now you tuck into that and John will get you something to drink." She reached over and touched my belly briefly. Her eyes were smiling as she looked up. "Congratulations, Louisa!"

"Thanks… but who told you?"

The woman shrugged. "You know… little birds."

"Right."

John brought over a tray with three tall mugs, each filled with a pale yellow liquid.

"John?" asked Maureen. "You daft man, whatever are you bringing her?"

He gave us both a big smile. "Beer for you and me Maureen and apple juice for Louisa. I'm not that daft, woman!"

We all laughed and Maureen rubbed John's arm affectionately.

So I picked up a fork and took a heaping mouthful of the comfort food. "Oh, gosh, Maureen, this is… so good!" I was hungrier than I thought and though my stomach was getting squeezed as my uterus grew, and my meals had been getting smaller, it had been so long since I'd eaten the whole portion disappeared quickly.

I mopped up the gravy and juices with the last bit of roll and leaned back. All the while the couple had been sitting there quietly, sipping their beers, smiling and obviously having a great time watching me eat. The last of the apple juice washed the roll down.

I wiped my mouth and leaned back. "Gosh, I was famished, but I'm really stuffed now!"

John looked at Maureen and she at him and then they both burst into laughter.

"Did I say that?" I chuckled. I shook my head. "Yeah, really."

John finally stopped laughing and wiped his eyes. "Maureen? Stop now! It was funny. But stop!"

Maureen was holding her sides. "Sorry, Louisa. Just…"

My hand had crawled to my belly and rested there. "Oh, yes! Stuffed and full as well!" This brought on even more peals of laughter.

Maureen reached over after we finally calmed down and squeezed my arm. "How are you, then Louisa? Doing fine?"

I patted the bulge. "Fine. Baby's doing well and if I can get the job at the school… I'll be even better."

"That's really fine," she replied. "I'm so glad to see you back. The kids, ours too, will be ever so glad when you're back where you belong."

"Right." Where I belong. Well at least these two cared. I brightened. "Thanks for saying that!"

Maureen stood, leaned over and gave me a hug, then podded john. "Come on Johnnie boy, up you get! Louisa needs her rest, and so do we."

John rose. "I'll just set these glasses behind the counter and we'll be off. Timothy will be down here in the morning layin' breakfast on, starting at seven. When's that interview at the school?"

"Nine thirty."

"Well, then, since I may not get back here until noon, best of luck, Louisa Glasson."

"Thank you John, and you too Maureen. I'm amazed how fast your made this meal for me! Hope I didn't steal anyone's dinner."

Maureen gave me a grin. "I fed the kids a lot earlier. And I had that waiting. That was John's dinner!"

John rolled his eyes.

"Oh, don't worry, Johnnie, I can always scramble an egg for you! Goodnight Louisa." She bent and kissed my cheek.

John followed suit. "Goodnight Louisa…" he started then stopped. "Luck."

I stood and hugged him. "John I can't thank you enough."

He ducked his head and shook it. "My pleasure." As the door swung shut behind him, I knew that I had at least two people who were on my side.