Chapter 26

“Ah, yes. I was simply applying my knowledge of criminal activities to the question of Mrs Murphy. If they want to have continuing control over what she can say about them, then threatening her daughter’s safety might pop into their heads as a lever.”

I nodded, “I get you. So if we can get the daughter out of the way, out of sight, we might be able to gain some information from Mrs Murphy; information she may not realise she has, with her just assuming it as normal background that may seem to her to be entirely inconsequential.”

“That is so. The gang may not see it that way, but be afraid she might have seen or heard something she was not party to. That makes her and her daughter at risk. Do what you can, my boy, to ameliorate the situation.”

I took the question home with me and introduced it after a good dinner. I told the others about our encounter with Mrs Murphy and what Daddy Thomson had to say, then I asked Georgie to give us her assessment.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Georgie confessed. “Mrs Murphy is a nice woman, intelligent and fairly knowledgeable, though typically under-educated. We never met the daughter; she admired Bob and suggested her ‘looker’ daughter was about the same age and might be interested in him. Bob showed his wedding ring and put her off, so all we know about the daughter is that she is ages with Bob and in her mother’s opinion a ‘looker’. My estimate of Mrs Murphy is that she may well be right about her daughter.”

Sandy asked, “Do we know anything about this daughter’s activities? Is she a university student or a worker somewhere? She is obviously not married, or at least not currently married, if her mother was offering her to Bob? If we don’t know, how do we get the information?”

Janet added, “We don’t even know if she has any children of her own. That might change things again.”

Phyllis offered, “I can speak with Mrs Murphy when she contacts me, and ask her for these details about her daughter, purely for background to her application to work for the Antiques Market. I can even suggest the possibility of hiring her daughter if she has the correct qualifications and abilities for a job with us.”

We left that matter for now, and moved to a more personal subject to do with family and children. We were beginning to think about which primary school our kids should attend when they reached the age of five. They could go to the nearest one, that would be normal if our house fell into their catchment area, or we could see if another primary school had better outcomes with children. The other option was to home school them, but that would be more expensive, having to hire a teacher to come on a regular basis. It would though allow us to slant their education the way we chose, but the downside is they would not get the social interaction with other children outwith our family. I would like them to absorb a few foreign languages at a young age, when they thought nothing of using several languages. This was what was happening in our family nursery already.

It was agreed to spend some time looking at all the options before coming to a single conclusion, and Sandy announced that the decision would be a group vote so that all the wives had a say in it, whether their children were coming up to school age shortly or were years off that point. Everyone’s opinion mattered in making a family judgment.

Two days later, Phyllis reported back that she had met Mrs Murphy at the Antiques Market, and was impressed by her abilities in regards to old watches. She had suggested a trial period of a few days advising both dealers and customers, for which she would be paid at an agreed rate, and take it from there. We were pleased at this news.

They had discussed family, and Jean Murphy’s daughter was currently at the newly opened teacher training college at Ayr – Craigie College of Education. She was among the first intake of student teachers, and expected to graduate next year.

Carol exclaimed, “Training to be a primary teacher? That might suit us for home schooling, if we go that way. My Brenda is a sensitive child so home schooling might suit her better than formal schooling.”

Sandy nodded, “That may be the case, Carol. Some of our children might benefit from associating with outside children at school, but some might find it a trial; we will just have to wait and see, as they develop their personalities.”

I contributed, “In the longer term, they all have to get used to interacting with children and adults beyond our family, if they are going to cope with society in general. Even if some of them are home schooled for a while, they need to have contact with other kids, for example children of our neighbours in this street. Learning to socialise is part of a child’s social education.”

Sandy agreed, “Yes, you yourself showed how to become more adapted to society, once you got the chance of doing so, Carol. Now you are using that belated ability, and making a success of your work.”

Jenny chipped in, defiantly, “Most definitely! Carol has become my mentor in socialising outside of the family. I am now much more confident when I am out and about, and I don’t mention my nasty Daddy. If anyone asks, I say he died suddenly, and that’s it. They can assume a heart attack, and that’s fine with me.”

Georgina intruded, “We don’t need to bring up sad episodes like that, girls. Can we change to something more uplifting?”

“How about Florence Glasgow?” Jennifer asked. “What’s the latest on her?”

“Doing well, now that she has been given a chance,” said Phyllis. “She is learning several jobs within Janet’s operation, and part of my business as well. We will eventually find out where she fits in best, and give her that job as a temporary measure, but she needs to take on a course at college to learn a career for her long-term future. There are lots available, but if you want to do well, you choose a course that really interests you. I regretted getting married early instead of waiting until I had qualifications to offer an employer. Just as well that I had an expertise in antiques that I picked up from my late husband’s hobbies. I am hoping that Jean Murphy has picked up a similar benefit with regard to watches.”

Georgie grunted, saying, “Very likely. She is cleverer than her current job indicates. I would guess that she took a lowly position, easy to get, until she could sort out her life and move on. A wise and thoughtful move, if you ask me.”

I agreed, “Having a daughter at teacher training college suggests that to be the case. Mother probably steered her in that direction, as they are always looking for new teachers. The old marriage bars in teaching are officially gone, but many girls still imagine they are required to leave on marriage and plan their lives that way, looking to become a housewife. Social barriers take a long time to get fully expunged from society.”

Carol pointed out, “Well, we girls are managing to be working mothers, my love, and doing very well at it! I know you could afford to just let us be mothers, but I love my job and have fun doing what I do. Thank God that we have our nursery to look after the children while we are at work!”

“And a midwife to help us with giving birth!” added Phyllis. “Us older women don’t have it quite so easy as you younger girls.”

“You mean like my mother, Phyllis?” Jenny asked.

“Perhaps, dear I was not thinking of her, but as she is not officially part of this family, she doesn’t count that way. Of course, she will have similar access to whatever she needs, but you are the one in the family, not her.”

“But we are both in the family way,” Jenny giggled, “And both babes courtesy of Bob. Just think, her baby and my baby will be half brother or sister, depending on which we get.”

“Technically, yes,” said Sandy, “But in this family, they are all brothers and sisters to each other, no matter which mother gave birth to them. There is an old Scots proverb: ‘We are all Jock Tamson’s bairns’, but in this family they are all Bob McIntyre’s bairns!”

“Amen to that,” said Georgie fervently. “I am glad my kids are both Bob’s. I just love them!”

I commented, “Thank God they love you too, Georgie. I’ll assume they take after their mother, rather than me.” Georgie stuck out her tongue at me for that comment, but otherwise remained silent.

Life continued as a series of incremental changes, with my pregnant ladies getting closer to parturition, Florence getting settled in a job and making preparations for studying for a career; Alice and Naomi both were soon confirmed pregnant and George Bryson got a new university post as head of department at a higher salary.

The criminal gang happily accepted a good offer for their former headquarters, and had Georgina looking for a replacement for them. There were no more attempts at the fake insurance scam, for which everyone was intensely relieved.

I was disappointed that after France and Britain signing an agreement to build the Channel rail tunnel, there was little happening about making it a reality. By my reading, nothing will start until it can be fully financed, and that could take years.

New Labour prime minister, Harold Wilson, has been pushing for technological progress in British industry, but I’ll believe that when I can see it. Progress needs funding, and Labour is not good at encouraging investment. The more informed investment advice I had received from our time traveller supports that assessment, but he has given us insights into the profitable sectors for the next few years. Thank God for that!

As I and my family cruised along in our own world of love and banter, the real world came to our door with a surprise: politics. I had not had any strong inclination towards any particular party, as long as their actions in local and national government did not display stupidity. I had treated elections as being to vote for best candidate and not for the party label. To me, it is the person and his attitude towards other people that determined whether he merited my vote.

It was therefore a surprise when a member of the local Conservative party turned up at our door one Saturday afternoon and introduced himself as the leader of the party’s selection committee. His name was Charles Menzies and I recognised him as a local businessman.

Mr Menzies was courteously invited in by Jennifer and taken to our lounge while she found out if I was available. She found me in the nursery, playing a game of snakes and ladders with my older children, who were taking turns at challenging me. As the game involves a lot of chance moves, I had won some of the games, but not all, and every child winner was delighted to have beat Daddy.

Jennifer interrupted to say, “Daddy is needed to meet a man who has come to see him specially, children. I’ll send him back as soon as I can, I promise.”

I apologised to my children and went along, asking Jennifer what was it about, but she could only tell me the name he gave and that he was from the Conservative Party. I raised my eyebrows at this news, but went along to discover what he had to say, for I was not aware of any impending election where he might be seeking my support.

He rose as I entered the lounge and offered his outstretched hand.

“Mr McIntyre? Pleased to meet you. My mission here is firstly to introduce myself and tell you a little about our plans for the future, if I may?”

I shook his hand in a friendly manner and with a wave of my hand directed him back to his seat and tried to make him feel welcome.

“Nice to meet you sir. My door is always open to new friends. Are you soliciting funds?”

“Not a problem, currently, Mr McIntyre, so no. My name is Charles Menzies, a member of the well-known bookselling family, and we have contacts with many businessmen who like to support our efforts as a party. Sorry, I should explain that I am from the local Conservative Party, and am chair of our candidate selection group.”

“I see,” I mouthed delicately, still unsure of why he was here. “So you are not soliciting funds? What are you here for, then? What help are you seeking, if I can be blunt?”

“Ah, straight to the point! An admirable trait in a man such as yourself. Well, as you may have noticed, many of our town councillors, of whatever party, tend to be, shall we say, getting on in years? We would like to see a renewal of faces on the town council, so I am on the hunt for younger men who might be persuaded to serve their community.”

I let out a breath. “Ah, so you are looking to choose trainees as possible future candidates in local elections? An admirable preparation for the future, but how can I help you? Are you looking for a neutral site for interviewing these young men or young women; something like that?”

He coughed gently and seemed slightly caught out.

“Um, a little different from that, Mr. McIntyre; may I call you Robert or Bob, as that is so much friendlier?”

“I don’t see why not. I prefer Bob. Should I call you Charles in return?”

“That would be fine, Bob.”

“So please explain your intentions, Charles. I am a busy man, and I have family business to attend to. My youngsters are hoping to beat me at snakes and ladders.”

He blinked at my revelation, then recovered his poise.”Of course. I understand. We are all busy men. I am led to believe that you have a strong investment portfolio as well as a well-paid job with your estate agency. Am I right in that?”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise at his unexpected knowledge.

“You appear to be well-informed, Charles. It is surprising, as I do not brag, especially on finances. Is there a point to this apparent investigation of my financial situation?”

“Please do not take it amiss, Bob. I am fully aware that you prefer to keep a low profile when it comes to personal finances, but word tends to get around, albeit in a quiet way. That is why I was told that you were both young and well-heeled, to put it mildly. Those who told me were insistent that it be kept under wraps and not made public, but it had relevance to my group’s plans for the future.”

I held up a hand to halt his flow of words.

“Please let me call in my wife Sandy at this point, Charles. She is my business adviser and this might be of interest to her.”

I went to the door and called through to all and sundry, “Would someone send Sandy through to the lounge? I have someone she should meet.”