Chapter 18
Mary
Dumfries
June, 1909
"I'd much rather go home," Mary groaned as she was nearly pulled down the street. Nellie was smiling, holding her friend's hand tightly as she marched ahead, unmoved by Mary's protests. "I don't know how you have all this energy. We just worked a full day!"
"How often does the fair come to a place like Dumfries?" Nellie said. "And the weather is so fine today. If you don't come, you'll regret it."
Mary rolled her eyes, but she had grown close to Nellie in the year they'd worked at the glove mill together. Nellie had taken Mary under her wing when she started and was like an older sister, always wanting what was best for her. Mary in return had been a place for Nellie to confide. Nellie's mother had died three years ago, followed by her father's remarriage to a woman all the Hume children detested. In fact, more than once Nellie had spent the night at the Costins after a particularly nasty disagreement with her father or stepmother. Mary's own father had died a few years ago, giving the girls an even closer bond.
On one of the large fields surrounding the town was the fair, already lit up and music playing despite there still being a few more hours until dark. Mary and Nellie glanced at one another excitedly before running to the ferris wheel, using the little pocket money they had from that day's wages for a bit of fun.
They had reached the top when Nellie began waving, pointing below. "I don't believe it!" she said, turning to Mary. "It looks like my brother's back early from his voyage!" There was a boy at the bottom of the ferris wheel using one hand to shield his eyes from the sun and waving towards them with the other. As the ferris wheel brought them back to the ground, Mary saw that he was around her age, with curly light brown hair and a crooked smile. He laughed as their car went back up again, much to Nellie's disappointment.
"He's the lucky one," Nellie said when they were out of earshot. "He's the only one who's managed to escape my father's grasp to go explore the world."
Mary had been told of Nellie's brother, Jock. It was fascinating to think that someone who lived in a landlocked place like Dumfries was out sailing the Atlantic and Caribbean for work. As the car approached the base of the ride and they were finally let out, she felt her heart begin to pound as he approached them.
"Jock!" Nellie squealed, leaping into her brother's arms. Her long, dark hair spilled around them both, causing them to laugh. "I'm so glad you're back! It's been unbearable at home without you around."
"I heard the fair was in town and knew I'd find you here," he said. As they let go of one another, he looked over Nellie's shoulder and locked eyes with Mary. His gray eyes were so warm and Mary's breath caught in her throat. He certainly wasn't the most attractive man Mary had ever seen, but there was a magnetic force pulling her towards him.
"Jock," Nellie said, "This is Mary Costin. She works at the glove mill with me."
Jock tipped his hat towards her. "Ah, so this is Mary. The one who is constantly rescuing you when Alice kicks you out."
Nellie grunted at the mention of her stepmother. "Please don't say her name in a place like this. I'm trying to stay in a good mood."
All three of them gave a laugh before Nellie pointed out some of the stands nearby. They tried their luck at bowling and Jock even attempted the hammer swing to no avail. They arrived at the ring toss where Jock insisted he pay for them. Nellie tried first, then Mary, in vain. When it was Jock's turn, he winked at Mary before throwing the ring and it landed perfectly at the back of the booth over a tower of playing cards. People whispered excitedly around them as Jock was handed his prize. Mary and Nellie admired the pack with awe, feeling how stiff and smooth they were, never having been used.
"For you," Jock said, offering the cards to Mary.
"I couldn't," Mary said, feeling her cheeks turn hot.
"Go on," Nellie said, elbowing her lightly. "Before he changes his mind! I've never seen Jock pass up a pack of playing cards before."
Mary accepted, turning the heavy pack over in her hands. She blushed as she caught Jock's eye and he offered his arm to her. "What else shall we see?" Jock said as they walked in between booths. "It's not even dark yet!"
"Oh, excuse me," Nellie said, waving to someone in the distance. "I see a friend from church who I owe some thread. I'll be back in a little bit!"
She ran off, leaving the two alone much to Mary's delight. A few years ago, people would have openly scolded her for being with a man without a chaperone. But things were changing, as so many of the couples walking around were young and unmarried like them.
"It seems my sister enjoys playing matchmaker," Jock said as he bought them two shaved ices. Mary smiled faintly, glancing at Nellie in the distance who was looking over her shoulder at them.
"I think she's afraid you'll leave and never come back to Dumfries," Mary said as she took a bite. "You're her favorite sibling, I hope you know. She talks about you all the time."
Jock chuckled. "I would hope so with the amount of grievances we've given our father and stepmother together. Nellie's very protective. She's been a mother-like figure to me since our mam died."
"Do you plan on leaving Dumfries for good?" Mary asked.
Jock took a bite, thinking for a moment. "I was planning on it, but now that I've met you, I'm changing my mind more by the minute."
Mary's heart began to race. "I'm glad," she said.
Jock suddenly took her hand, dropping both of their shaved ices to the ground and tucking them behind a nearby booth. He buried his hands in her hair and kissed her. Mary was initially shocked by his boldness. She'd kissed other boys before, but not like this and not so soon after meeting one another. But feeling his lips move against hers, she couldn't help but kiss him back. She lost herself in a heavenly bliss, pressed up against this fascinating boy that she'd just met, who was destined for things greater than she could have ever imagined.
He pulled away from her, his smile crooked. "I'm sorry," he laughed. "I just couldn't help myself. From the moment I laid eyes on you I wanted to do that."
Mary smiled. "And me as well."
"I'm only in Dumfries for a few days," Jock said, his voice heavy. "But please tell me where you live and I'll call on you when I'm back."
Later that night, when Nellie and Jock had bid goodbye and Mary made her way back to her family's apartments, she couldn't get rid of the smile on her face. Was Jock Law Hume really going to court her? Out of all the girls he'd met on his grand adventures?
She laughed to herself. Perhaps this is why she'd kept Nellie so close by this past year.
