A few days passed and Emmet hadn't heard from Rose. He kept an eye on Hyacinth's coming and goings. Liz reassured him that there was no change in their father. So Rose wouldn't have forgotten him and he should wait for her to call, which she would when she was ready.
That Friday, Emmet returned home to find Liz taking two casserole dishes out of the oven.
"Oh Emmet, I'm glad you are home. Hyacinth rang to say there would be no coffee today. Her father passed away this morning. The coma and infection were too much for his poor heart." Explained his sister.
Emmet's thoughts instantly went to Rose.
"Hyacinth did say to make sure that you were there for Rose."
"I'll go over now. Poor Rose." He said putting his briefcase down.
"Give me a few minutes to take this casserole to Hyacinth, I've made one for Daisy too so I'll drive you. I thought they won't want to cook and they should eat something."
"Liz you are so kind." Her brother smiled.
"Well I remember after I found out that mum and dad were killed in that road accident, Mrs Siddall who lived next door at the time made us a few meals and it was very much appreciated. Especially with Gail been so small. So, I always said I would return to favour to someone who unfortunately found themselves in a similar situation."
Liz followed Emmet's instructions to Daisy's house. She wasn't all that surprised to see that their house wasn't the one that Hyacinth had directed her to all those years ago. She didn't care the house looked ram shackled. She liked Daisy and if Rose was going to settle down with Emmet she didn't have a problem with that, so long as she could be faithful.
Daisy answered the door. She looked dishevelled in her baggy t-shirt and jogging bottoms. Her eyes were dark with crying but she managed a warm smile.
"Daisy, we are so sorry for your loss." Liz said sweetly.
"Thank you Liz, Emmet. Do come in. Our Hyacinth isn't with you is she?"
"No, should she be?" Liz replied with caution.
Daisy sighed. "I dunno. She isn't exactly speaking to any of us at the moment. She's blamed me for Father passing away." Daisy said holding back the tears as she invited the guests in.
They found Violet sat on the sofa and Rose was sitting in the armchair that didn't belong to Onslow. Emmet almost didn't recognise Rose. She was dressed in a baggy yellow t-shirt and black leggings. Her hair was in messy waves rather than neat curls and she didn't have any make up on. Her eyes were no longer that dazzling blue but red from crying. He immediately went and sat in the armchair with her, pulling her in for an embrace.
"I'm so very sorry ," he said kissing the top of her head.
Rose didn't reply she just let Emmet hold her.
"Do either of you want a drink?" Daisy said to Elizabeth and Emmet.
"I'll have a coffee please Daisy, milk one sugar. Thank you." Liz answered, it made a change to be offered coffee and not feel nervous.
"I don't suppose I could have a brandy could I please?"
"Emmet!" his sister scolded.
"No, he's fine. Can you make that two brandies please Dais?" Rose replied.
"Make it three our Daisy." Added Violet.
They all sat around and made idle chitchat for a while. Liz enjoyed the fact she could drink her coffee without spilling it and they both enjoyed listening to the sisters reminiscing about their father. Up until now the siblings just got the impression the old man had been a total 'odd bod' and Hyacinth's tales of him being a war hero were exaggerated. Which, of course they were to some extent.
A short while later Onslow opened the front door, carrying a plastic carrier bag. He didn't say anything but went round the sisters in turn, handing them items out of the bag. Daisy got a bunch of cheap flowers and a box of chocolates. Rose received a packet of cigarettes and Violet a box of herbal tea. He had a small win on the horses and wanted to help cheer them up with what was left of his winnings, after spending a few hours in the pub. Daisy was elated with her husband's new found generosity.
"Hello you two, I didn't know we were having company. I went to clear my head leave this lot to it."
"We heard from Hyacinth about her father so we wanted to give you our condolences." Explained Liz.
"Elizabeth has made us a casserole." Daisy said to her husband who had no where to sit.
"Oh that's very kind, thank you. Looks like you've got in with the right family this time, our Rose." Onslow said.
Rose hesitated before asking the next question. "How is Hyacinth?"
Her family all looked angry at her for asking such a question.
"Why would you want to ask about her, after everything she said to you all today. Especially to Daisy?" Onslow asked sounding annoyed.
"I know, I can't forgive her for what she said to our Daisy. But at the end of the day she's lost her father too."
Emmet was moved by this caring side of Rose. He had been secretly hoping Rose would have nothing more to do with Hyacinth so in turn she wouldn't speak to him once she found out they were an item.
Liz put down her empty mug. "I don't think she's taken it too well. She did tell me she had spoken out of turn but didn't say how. Anyway thanks for the coffee but we best be going. Leave you to it. Emmet?" Liz didn't want to get involved.
Rose looked at Emmet with wide eyes, "Aren't you going to stay tonight? It would mean a lot to me."
"Well, yes if that's alright with you?"
"I want you here Emmet." Rose whispered softly.
"Well looks like I'm bunking down on the settee tonight." Violet said.
"I've told you. Instead of sharing with Rose, take Father's bed. It's not like he will be needing it."
"It doesn't seem right Daisy." Violet replied, sadness rang out in her voice.
That night was uncomfortable for everyone under the roof of the council house. Emmet lay there holding Rose as she sobbed. He wasn't very good when it came to emotions but Rose didn't seem to mind. They could hear Daisy in the next room crying and blaming herself. After several hours Rose eventually fell asleep, allowing Emmet to do the same.
He woke up not long after to Rose pacing up and down her side of the bed. It transpired her grief had gone from sadness to anger. Anger at Hyacinth.
"I'm going to make her apologise, she can't get away with what she said to our Daisy."
"Rose, come back to bed you are tired and upset. This isn't going to help."
"I'm going to have it out with her tomorrow. See if she will apologise to Daisy. Then maybe she can come to this chat with Violet's undertaker friend tomorrow. She should be here really. Oh I could kill her!"
I wish you would, Emmet thought to himself.
Rose woke again at half seven. Daisy and Onslow could be heard snoring through the wall. Emmet offered to go and fetch her a cup of tea.
Once downstairs, he was startled to see Violet asleep on the sofa. He had forgotten that's where she had spent the night.
"Oh I am sorry," he said as she stirred. This was the first time he had noticed just how similar Violet and Rose looked.
"Don't worry. I've not been asleep, what with everything on my mind and I'm guessing it was our Rose pacing up and down half the night."
"I did tell her to come back to bed. She was getting worked up about Hyacinth." Emmet explained. "How did you know it was Rose?"
"If it had been our Daisy it would have sounded like a heard of baby elephants."
Emmet didn't know whether to laugh at that. "You know Violet, I know we've met before on the odd occasion but you aren't anything like I imagined you to be."
"I'm guessing that's down to her, Hyacinth. Don't listen to her I'm nothing like how she makes out. We are all from the gutter but unlike her, I've not forgotten where I'm from. And I'm not ashamed ether. She wasn't always like this, you know. She used to be quite kind. I'll never forget after mum died, it was our Rose's birthday a few days later. Father hadn't organised a present what with mother being ill for a while and of course we were very poor. So our Hyacinth took it on herself to make sure Rose had a present. It wasn't much some of Mum's old jewellery and some tat that had belonged to Granny. Father took her gesture badly unfortunately. That's why our Rose doesn't celebrate her birthday anymore. To give Hyacinth her due, she did a lot to make sure we didn't go without too much, growing up."
Violet then chuckled, "She even resorted to nicking milk off other people's doorsteps and the odd tin fell into her pocket when she did the shop. I get she wanted to get away from the abject poverty. I think we all did but you can't avoid the past. Oh, I wish I could get it through to her thick skull money doesn't bring happiness when you are married to Bruce. Our Daisy and Onslow have it sussed, they are still poor but they have love and happiness and to me that makes your life richer than any amount of money could."
Emmet nodded in agreement as he took in this new information about his neighbour. He then declared, "I've come down to make Rose a cup of tea but rather foolishly I don't know how she takes it. She's always made the tea when we've been together on previous occasions."
In her best Rose voice she replied, "I like me tea how I like me men. Hot and strong and no sugar. I'm sweet enough, just a dash of milk."
Emmet laughed. "Thanks, do you want one?"
"Yes please, lots of milk and one sugar. You will look after our Rose wont you? She won't admit it but she can be quite a vulnerable soul under that streetwise exterior."
"Of course, I will. I've never met anyone quite like Rose. I'll take care of her I promise."
"Good. Before we all fell out, Hyacinth said your Liz's fella is coming home for good?" Violet probed.
"Yes he's retiring, which means I've got to look for somewhere else to live as I don't want to play gooseberry and I think they are keen to spend time in New Zealand with their daughter."
"Well if you need somewhere to live the three shops I'm getting in my divorce all have flats. I'll do you a good deal. I offered Rose the one above the bookies but she doesn't want to live above where I'm making her work."
"That sounds very kind." Emmet smiled. If being with Rose meant having to deal with Hyacinth, at least he wouldn't have to put up with her singing at him everyday.
"I tell you what, I've the keys to the biggest and best one with me, I'll show you round on my way to meet the children before this informal chat with the undertaker."
Before Emmet could agree, Rose came into the room. "Have you forgotten my tea?"
"Sorry love, I was just chatting to Violet she's going to show me round one of her flats this morning. Do you fancy coming with us? I could do with a second opinion." He asked making his way into the kitchen.
"Yeah I'll come, I can walk you home after as I'm going to try and sort things out with Hyacinth. Get her to see sense."
While Emmet put the kettle on, Rose headed upstairs to speak to Daisy. On her way, she automatically went to check on her father. She couldn't help but cry seeing his empty bed and neatly folded pyjamas on the chair, waiting for him.
For the first time in her life, Rose knocked on her sister's bedroom door.
"It's not like you to knock." Onslow commented.
"How you doing? Rose asked her sister.
"So, so," sighed Daisy. "Are you okay?"
Rose nodded. "Listen, I've been thinking. If I get our Hyacinth to apologise for what she said to you, do you think we could invite her this afternoon? She ought be here really otherwise she will only do it all without us."
"Yeah, whatever I'm fed up with all this now." Daisy replied sadly.
"That's why I want to try and sort it. Thanks Dais, Emmet is making a brew. Do you two want one?"
"Yes please." The couple both replied.