Carol Rivers - Lizzie Flowers and the Family Firm

Lewisham

South London

November 1934

Ethel Ryde cowered in fear at the sight of her enraged mother-in-law. Cora Ryde's tall, skeletal frame and contemptuous eyes were a sight to behold; a sight Ethel had always feared she would be faced with one day. The confrontation had been in the offing and it was only Ethel's strict avoidance of Cora that had so far kept a roof over their heads. Now the older woman's anger knew no bounds and it was terrifying.

'I've done my Christian duty and given shelter to you and your baby,' Cora insisted. 'But enough is enough. Your child was never destined to survive its sinful conception. It's time you considered my son's children, Rosie and Timothy. You must give your bastard over to the authorities.'

Ethel shook her head determinedly as she clutched her baby. Her mother-in-law's ultimatum was unthinkable. Wasn't it enough punishment that Cora had already evicted them from the home they had shared as a family when Richard was alive? 'Callum's done nothing wrong,' she defended. 'He needs his mother, just like Rosie and Timothy. If only you'd not turned us out of our house '

'My house!' Cora interrupted, freezing the protest on Ethel's lips. 'Did you really think I would allow you to stay?'

'Doesn't your Christian faith teach mercy?' Ethel pleaded as the salty tears pierced the corners of her eyes. 'Richard and me lived there all our married life.'

'You should have thought about that before you took a lover.' The red blush of fury showed under the deep grooves embedded in Cora's gaunt cheeks. 'I've held my tongue long enough, but the truth will out. To think what you've put your children through. A humiliation beyond words. My Richard was a God-fearing man and devoted son. He was a faithful husband to you, decent and upright. Thank the good Lord he never knew of your shame.'

Ethel felt herself falling against the wall, the words striking at her heart like a poisoned dart. Cora had reminded her daily of her adultery and it was heartbreaking to Ethel.

'I've tried to make amends,' Ethel pleaded as she held her eight-month-old baby to her chest. 'There's not a day gone by when I haven't mourned Richard. Or the fact I went with another man. If I could turn back the clock - '

'How dare you!' Cora interrupted, stabbing an accusing finger in Ethel's face. 'You're not fit to speak my son's name.'

'But I've done everything you asked,' Ethel wailed. 'I've hidden Callum from the world and not ventured out. Not till he needed the doctor - '

'Whereupon you refused his advice!' Cora looked as though she had just been scalded by hot water. 'The boy would have been taken away there and then without further fuss.'

'But I'm his mother,' Ethel protested. 'He's my baby! How could I give him away?'

Cora lifted her chin and sneered. 'Then there's no more to be said on the matter.'

Suddenly there was movement at the top of the winding staircase. The big Victorian house echoed Ethel's teenage daughter's soft sobs. Rosie's tear-stained cheeks were hidden under her thick blonde hair. At sixteen, Rosie was already a beauty. Ethel's stomach cramped at the thought of how she had betrayed her family. Beside Rosie stood seventeen-year-old Timothy, her brother. Tall and lanky, his fair hair was swept over the crown of his head just as his father Richard had worn his.

Ethel marvelled at the sight of her handsome son. She gazed into eyes that were the same shade of china blue as her own and yearned to beg his forgiveness.

But the two young adults stood solemnly, as if separated from their mother by an invisible wall. Ethel looked pleadingly at them, desperate for understanding. 'Please give me another chance. I'll do everything your grandmother asks. I'll not set a foot outside again until I can find a place for us all to live.'

Rosie stared at her mother with sympathy and even a little concern as if considering Ethel's heartfelt plea. A small flame of hope flickered in Ethel's heart only to be dashed as Cora positioned herself squarely at the foot of the stairs. Folding her long arms across her chest, she held her head high.

'Rosie, Timothy,' she intoned in a long-suffering voice, 'you know how much I've tried to help your mother in her hour of need. But now my health is suffering. Despite offering her a solution to her disgrace she refuses to listen. It's time for you to make your choice. There is a home for you here as long as you want it. But if you leave today then I shall wash my hands of the whole sordid affair.' She took out her handkerchief and dabbed at her nose.

Ethel was trembling violently as she stood by the open door; a chill winter breeze gusted in from the street, causing the baby to cough.

Surely Rosie and Timothy will join me, Ethel thought incredulously. Wasn't it obvious that Cora was trying to drive a wedge between them?

Ethel's wait was long and agonising. The seconds laboured into minutes until Ethel could stand it no longer.

'Rosie, Timothy, we're a family,' she beseeched for the last time. 'I know I did wrong, but I love you and need you with me.'