The Door to Happiness

By Rowena Ewart

Archie Mc Burnie enlists in the army in 1939, his wife Jane and children move from their idyllic cottage on the Cairnmuir estate in the soft rolling countryside of south west Scotland where they lived for ten years, to some shabby rooms in the town of Durrisbridge.

Isolated and lonely from her friends at Cairnmuir, food short, money scarce and Archie drinking the money becoming aggressive.

Just when Jane thought things couldn't get worse, her youngest daughter contracted Tuberculosis and she found she was pregnant. Tuberculosis has such a stigma

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467893633

Rowena Ewart

She was born, brought up and educated in the south west Scotland and was fortunate in her life having five careers all with medical input. Many years in nursing in different disciplines finally teaching medical terminology and legal aspects of medicine to medical students of various backgrounds. She set up her own teaching business She worked in many parts of England with various ethnic and indigenous groups and never met any one whom she did not like. She is married with one lovely daughter who is a veterinary nurse. The are great friends, enjoying occasional days' out shopping and lunch. They live in beautiful Northumberland countryside. Her husband is retired. They enjoy gardening, cooking, entertaining, reading and of course writing. She has enjoyed the company of the characters in this novel as good friends. She has written many articles for Nursing or Medical journals and has co- written a book for Practice Managers but this is her first novel and she hopes you enjoy it as much as she has done. and enjoyed their company. I have worked in many parts of England with various ethnic and indigenous groups. I never met anyone whom I did not like. I am married with a lovely daughter

Book preview

Chapter One

The moment he turned his car through two stone gate posts into the sweeping driveway edged with banks of rhododendrons and hydrangeas, a myriad of colours and hues, simply a joy to behold, Bill Austin fell in love with Cairnmuir

The majestic house, a three storey rectangular well proportioned Victorian building sitting high on a hill in the beautiful scenic grounds, with three rows of symmetrical windows which were glinting a shade of gold in the afternoon sun which also rendered the sandstone building a rosy red.

Just as Bill had finished his studies at Edinburgh University, tragically a road accident resulted in the death of both his parents. Bereft he felt there was nothing to keep him in Scotland and after much thought he chose to go to Australia. However, after six years when the events in his life there had become tainted by tragedy, his enthusiasm for the Australian Plains waned and he began to long for home.

He sold up and came back to Scotland in 1936 when even then there were rumblings of war on the horizon. He’d searched for a long time to find a place where he could absent himself from the pressures of life and as he looked around at this breath taking place he thought this could well be it.

He parked the car and walked up to the sandstone pillared portico and knocked on the heavily studded oak door obviously designed to repel an invasion.

Jeannie Gregson the present housekeeper, an ageing slim little body, answered his knock.

Come away in. You’ll be Mr Austin no doubt? She asked with a kindly nod of her head.

Yes, that is I he answered shaking her hand.

Aye, the Factor said you’d be here today. And peering past his shoulder she added and is that your motor, my what a grand car and no mistake. Her tone was almost accusatory, hinting at the extravagance of having a Rolls Royce motor car.

She showed him around the house with its’ beautiful Victorian features, the mahogany bookcases; the matching sofa tables and the elegant display cabinets. As she fondly pointed out the many beautiful parts of the house, Bill became increasingly aware of Jeannie’s love for this place and, as they progressed, he sensed that perhaps he was being allowed grudgingly, to reside in Mrs Gregson’s home.

She had a manner of assuming what he would or would not want by suggesting in her lilting tone You’ll be wanting to meet all the tenant farmers, or you’ll need to meet the present estate manager and the ghillie or you’ll be wanting to take your breakfast in the housekeepers’ room, it having the smallest fire grate, for the coal, you understand.

Well Mrs Gregson, Bill replied kindly but firmly, I will probably do all those things when I have settled in, but for the moment, I think I will just have a wander around the house by myself to soak up the atmosphere so to speak.

I don’t think I can permit that, Mr Austin, as I have my instructions to show you around the house.

Bill was no stranger to instructions but on this occasion he demurred.

Thank you Mrs Gregson, I fully appreciate your instructions, but I would like to wander about on my own for a while. However, I promise not to steal the family silver and I will report to you before I leave.

Slightly abashed she countered Such a thing never entered my head but you’ll be wanting some tea then no doubt. There she was again making decisions almost before he knew them himself.

The catalogue informed him that the immense sitting room was three hundred and thirty square feet and from his vantage point he couldn’t quarrel with that. He stood to admire the huge marble fireplace with two carved figures at either side as if holding up the mantle. Above matching it for size was a lovely mirror in a gilt frame.

He walked through the French doors into the garden at the rear of the property, and if he had had any doubts, which he didn’t, the view from his stance was enthralling. From the stone flagged terrace leading to steps with stone vases filled with trailing red geraniums on either side. A vast lawn led down to a ridge of high Scottish pines, and beyond the river wound its’ way through the valley like a glistening ribbon of silver through the estate of 18,000 acres. In the far distance the Queensberry hills.

He inhaled deeply feeling the sheer exhilaration of the cool clear air as intoxicating as champagne. The feeling of space and distance provided a superb indebtedness of freedom which he needed. As he stood admiring the limitless scene he could feel his shoulders relaxing and the tension in his body subside filling him with a sense of inner peace.

He reflected that had he not bumped into Calum Mc Cready in Princes Street in Edinburgh, he would not have found this magnificent place.

They shook hands, embraced and slapped each other on the back as men friends do when they meet after some intervening time.

I haven’t set eyes on you since varsity. I heard you’d left the country.

Yes, I’ve spent some time in Australia, in fact I only returned a couple of weeks ago. My parents’ house was let when I left and now the tenants want to buy the house.

Oh God Bill, I’m sorry, of course we heard about your parents’ dreadful accident.

Yes, well I’m here to pick up the pieces, and find myself a home.

Have you got a job yet?

No. I will have to look for something.

Calum reached into his inside pocket retrieving a small card. Quickly, scribbling a number on the back he said This is the ‘phone number of some people in a government department who are looking for bright young fit lads like yourself, especially with your languages. Give them a call and tell them I gave you the information.

Bill put the card in his pocket and they parted avowing to keep in touch.

Turning to leave, his eye was caught by an advertisement in a Solicitors’ window. He stood reading it for a moment and then went inside to gain further information. The rest was history. But for Calum stopping him he would not have found Cairnmuir.

The estate was made up of woodland and five farms, a mixture of arable and dairy herds, with one farm having sheep on the hills. The estate and farm workers’cottages distanced from the main house, were dotted about the estate in picturesque clearings in the woods.

Having looked around the rest of the house there was nothing there to change his mind. He eventually met up with Jeannie in the library.

Have you seen all you want to see?

Yes I think I am going to be very happy here.

And do you have the finances to buy the estate?

He was somewhat taken aback by her candour and felt like telling her to mind her own business instead, he nodded assent.When he asked Jeannie if she would stay on at Cairnmuir as housekeeper.

Her reply came as no surprise to Bill I wasn’t anticipating going anywhere else Mr Austin. This has been my home since I was fourteen years old.

He may be purchasing the estate but these worthy people were going nowhere.

Most of the farmers were tenant farmers, who quickly adapted to Bill’s no nonsense approach and Archie McBurnie the chauffeur/handyman who had also been with the previous occupant of Cairnmuir fitted his needs nicely.

Gordon Fraser, the estate manager was a formidable impressive man, and Bill was of the opinion that he was not a man to be contradicted. He spoke softly, quietly, and authoritatively. His craggy features, palest of blue eyes, grey short curly hair resembling wire wool, made it difficult to guess at his age, but Bill suspected he was not as old as his looks portrayed.

However Andrew Gair, the ghillie a widower of some years was just the opposite, a friendly man eager to share his fishing and salmon expertise to anyone who had an afternoon to spare.

Willie Anstruther, the gardener had been at Cairnmuir as long as anyone could remember and the gardens were testimony to his knowledge and skill. He was a man of few words but those were usually succinct.

Bill gathered, from information provided by Jeannie that Nellie Hamilton, a cook of some distinction was also in with the fittings. He suggested ‘popping’ into the kitchen to introduce him self but Jeannie raised her hand to stop him. No Mr Austin, if you wish to speak to Nellie we can summon her and she will come to see you. Only staff members are allowed in the kitchen, but as it happens she is not in at the moment.

Bill gave a wry smile at the thought of ‘a no go kitchen’ in his house. These people were fiercely loyal sharing affection and respect for each other. Bill thought that here, given time he might become an important part of this family which was Cairnmuir.

Chapter Two

When war was declared, one or two people in the village of Allonbrae a couple of miles away did speculate why such a fit man was not in uniform, but generally agreed that, as he was involved in farming he was probably exempt.

The war had a devastating effect on most of the families on the estate and the village.

Jeannie quickly became accustomed to Bill’s ways, his likes and dislikes. He had no need for a lot of staff as he was frequently away from home on business for weeks at a time. She knew every nook and cranny of the place and was a good source of information concerning the estate and the people. But I am not a gossip you understand. she assured Bill.

Archie Mc Burnie enlisted in the army in 1939 and, recently Jeannie had told Bill what she had been hearing about Archie.

They say he spends every waking minute when he’s home on leave in the Covenanters Inn drinking like a fish, fighting with his shadow and him with a lovely wife and bairns. She did not wait for Bill’s answer, but walked away shaking her head in despair.

It irked her to know of misery being deliberately inflicted upon people, when heaven knew there was plenty going on without going to look for it.

Bill had liked and trusted Archie. In all the years he had never known Archie to be the worse of drink and it saddened him to hear he was drinking,

Sitting at breakfast one morning, opening his mail, there was a letter from Jane McBurnie, Archie’s wife, saying that she had been to see the Housing Factor, who required two references stating that she was a good tenant before her application for a house could be considered.

I am sorry to bother you, but did not know who else to ask. I hope you will not mind me troubling you. If you are agreeable, could you please write in the first instance to the Housing Factor but if you feel you cannot do this task for me, I shall quite understand. Jane had signed her letter Kindest regards, Jane McBurnie.

Two years had passed since he had seen Jane. He remembered her fondly as a rather lovely young woman with soft blue grey eyes; an unblemished complexion; and dark curly hair framing her face. She had an aura of serenity about her, but what he remembered most was her soft throaty laugh. She loved her children, but was always generous with her time, when Nellie the cook needed help.

As he read Jane’s letter he questioned why she needed a house. And where he wondered were they living now. The address at the top of the letter was King Street which he knew with its’ large Victorian houses, so why should she need another house. He sat for a moment contemplating the contents of the letter, drumming his fingers on the table indicating his anxiety of thought.

He glanced over at a pile of forms awaiting his attention from the Min. of Food and Ag.checking to make sure every acre of land possible was utilised for the production of food; indeed a meadow close to the now empty stables had been ploughed and planted with potatoes and sugar beet.

Scraping back his chair he arose quickly from the table and walked briskly to the front hallway. Mrs. Gregson, he called, I shall be out for most of the day, but probably back in time for supper.

Jeannie appeared in the kitchen doorway at the end of the long hall, drying her hands on her apron.

Very good Mr. Austin, I’ll leave you a tray in the housekeeper’s room, where the fire is alight. You will remember it is my night for the whist, she told him.

Jeannie was a great devotee of the whist drives.

Coal was rationed but thankfully they had a plentiful supply of logs. Gordon Fraser saw to that, branches fallen in the gales were quickly cut into logs.

Bill grabbed his coat and hat from the hallstand, pulled open the heavy glass inner front door and went out to the garage to get the car.

Chapter Three

It was not one of Jane’s best days and the weather didn’t help. It was a grey blustery wet day with the wind blowing the smoke from the chimneys down over the roof tops and the smell from the gas works was seeping through the cracks in the window frames.

A week ago, she had taken Jessie her six year old daughter to the Sanatorium to receive treatment for Tuberculosis. The sight and sound of her crying; her young face wet with tears, when Jane had reluctantly left her at the ward. This vision haunted her night and day. She would have done anything, rather than leave Jessie there, miserable unhappy and frightened. Even the promise that she would return to see her on Saturday didn’t calm the little girls’ anxiety.

Just you leave her mother, she’ll soon settle down when you are gone. The Sister had assured her. Jane wasn’t at all sure about that. But, she had the others to think about Alex twelve, and Aileen eleven, not to mention the baby she was expecting.

Jane knew she would have to tell Ivy Watson, the landlady about the expected baby and Jessie’s admission to hospital, but such was the stigma related to tuberculosis, she had been putting off the ‘evil hour’ fearing they would be asked to leave and where, she wondered would they go. Rooms were hard to find as people were moving away from Glasgow and the bombing.

Eventually knowing that she could not put it off any longer, certain in her mind that they would be asked to move out, it was with fear and trepidation she approached Ivy’s ground floor rooms.

Jane had psyched herself up to ask for time to find somewhere else, but Ivy completely took the wind out of Jane’s sales by announcing but this is marvellous as though all Jane’s Christmases had come at once. But that’s great you will be eligible for a house. You must go to see the Housing Factor today and if you need a reference give him my name And then as an afterthought, and you will be eligible for a green ration book. Such was Ivy’s enthusiasm Jane had to hold herself back from shouting a sarcastic whoopee!

The Housing Department forms stated that two references were required and so it was with reluctance that she wrote to Bill Austin, the owner of Cairnmuir where they had lived in one of his cottages until Archie enlisted in the army, asking if he would provide a reference for the Housing Department.

Now from her stance at the top floor window she’d observed Ivy hurrying in the direction of the town, and upon hearing the doorbell, she made her way downstairs to answer it.

The last person Jane expected to see standing on the doorstep was Bill Austin. Momentarily she was lost for words. He looked so incongruous standing there with his trilby hat perched jauntily on the back of his head; his blond curls flopping on to his forehead; and his coat unbuttoned blowing in the breeze. Jane thought he looked like a rakish Fleet Street reporter or an escapee from a stage performance of some Agatha Christie play.

Hello Jane, aren’t you going to ask me in? he said smiling.

I’m sorry, yes, yes of course come in she stumbled over her words.

She glimpsed the Rolls parked at the door. "What a coincidence I have only just sent a letter to you.

No coincidence Jane. It is because of your letter that I am here.

She stood back to allow him to enter. We are on the top floor, so there is quite a climb.

Well I’m not in my dotage yet, he joked so I think I’ll manage.

Jane led the way up the drab staircase. The linoleum flooring had long since lost its many jewel colours and was now a dirty brown and the dark green paint was peeling off the wall. She ushered him into the living room trying to hide her embarrassment that he should see their present circumstances, but, he appeared not to notice, settling himself into a chair by the fireside resting his arms along the length of the chair arms, crossed his legs and balanced his hat on his foot comfortably at ease. Jane poked the fire to encourage a flame out of the few pieces of coal in the grate, and sat down in the opposite arm chair.

Tell me your news he asked how’s Archie, and all the family. How’s Jessie, I miss her chatter. We miss you all.

Jane related what she knew of Archie’s happenings, including his time at Dunkirk, when he had volunteered to drive an ambulance loaded with sugar and other food stuffs to the cliff edge and dump it into the sea, to prevent the oncoming German Army getting their hands on it.

Good for him. Bill said and then hesitantly he asked, Forgive me Jane, if I am speaking out of turn, but I heard that he was hitting the bottle a bit hard lately, is it true?

Instantly, Jane wondered how this information had filtered into Cairnmuir. Her voice trembled with emotion as she answered honestly.

Yes it is true and it worries me greatly You know he had a brain haemorrhage four years ago, and although the Professor said that he was fit and well, I never for a moment thought they would pass him medically fit for the army. Now he is drinking heavily………Oh don’t get me wrong. her voice soft but anxious, all the men must be scared witless and unhappy, resorting to the whisky bottle for solace and I know it is not altogether his fault, the locals press drinks on the soldiers as gratitude I suppose for their being in uniform, only Archie, shouldn’t drink with his past medical history.

Bill noted, that despite everything, her loyal attempt to rationalise Archie’s behaviour.

Jane had said more than she meant to say but it was like the flood gates opening. For so long she had no one to talk to and here was Bill Austin whom she knew she could trust and couldn’t stop herself. Tearfully, she told him that she had taken Jessie who was ill with Tuberculosis to the Sanatorium, and of course, of the expected baby.

Bill listened quietly and then patting the arms of the chair, he announced with authority, Right, put your coat on Mrs. McBurnie, we are going out for the day, we’ll grab some lunch and try to sort out your housing problem. I have a little bit of influence in that direction and if I can’t use it to help a friend, then I am not much use am I?

He was greatly troubled to see Jane looking so thin and pale not at all the lovely woman he remembered. Holding out her hands as if in supplication, Jane started to protest, Look….I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lumbered you with all my worries

But Bill would have none of it. Feigning pique he rebuked her You wouldn’t have me eat a solitary lunch would you?

Smiling agreement and thinking how good it would be to escape even if just for a short while. She agreed Oh alright thank you that would be very nice, although I’ll have to be back before four-o-clock to be here for the children. I’ll just tidy my hair and get my coat

When she was out of the room, Bill’s gaze took in the peeling faded wallpaper with a large damp patch in one corner, the cracked damaged flaking whitewashed ceiling and the single dim bulb suspended on what looked like fraying flex. He marvelled at how she coped with simple everyday life, not to mention carrying coal up three flights of stairs. The prospect of attempting to carry a baby up three flights of stairs filled him with dismay. ‘What a dump! How the hell had they lived here for two years or more. Damn Archie for his precious pride, leaving his family in this state’ He was determined that if it was within his power, Jane would be moving out of here and soon.

Jane felt conspicuous getting into the Rolls, although she had been in it many times with Archie, but this time it was different with Bill Austin driving. She secretly hoped the neighbours were watching.

I always feel guilty driving the Rolls, Bill admitted especially at this time, but Jimmy McLeish, at the garage is looking out for a small car for me, less thirsty with the petrol you know, but these things take time.

They drove about five miles out of the town of Durrisbridge to a little family owned cafe` near the sea. Originally, it had been a private house perched high on the cliffs on the Solway Coast and the enterprising owners had converted the ground floor into a restaurant, where the visitors could enjoy a wide and varied meal expertly cooked.

I like this place. It has an atmosphere of peace don’t you think, almost as if the cares of the world had evaporated. Bill observed as he chose a table in the wide bay window.

Yes it is lovely. We used to come here for the day with the children. They never wanted to go home. Jane recalled.

The rain had cleared leaving a bright breezy day. From their vantage point they watched the vigorous white foamed rolling surf, the clean unblemished sand, one or two cotton wool clouds scudding across the blue sky and the seagulls swooping and diving into the dunes in the hope of finding some scrap left by a visitor.

The conversation was casual, as good friends do in each other’s company, while they enjoyed their omelette, even if it was made with dried egg, tomatoes and mushrooms, tea, bread and margarine with vanilla ice cream for afters.

This was more than Jane had eaten at one meal for some time. She relaxed listening to Bill telling her what had transpired on the estate since they left and then on a more serious note he said

You know Jane it was not my intention to put you out of your cottage, but Archie was adamant that if he could not do the work he would not have you live on in charity

This was news to Jane. Shocked, it took her a moment to take it in.

I knew nothing about that but it’s his blasted pride. she said angrily through clenched teeth.

Bill lowered his head so that he did not direct his question face to face.

Is Archie ever aggressive when he is drunk Jane?

Then glancing at her face, he saw the troubled expression in her lovely grey blue eyes. Sometimes she uttered sibilantly, not wishing to expand further.

Seeing her obvious discomfort, Bill quickly changed the subject again talking about Willie Anstruther, the Gardner who dispensed fruit, flowers and vegetables with such largess as if they were his very own; of Jane’s friend Jeannie Gregson’s latest exploits at the whist drives. She’s the terror of the trumps, I believe, Bill joked and about Nellie, the cook who constantly complained about the rationing, but somehow she always makes an effort to make sure the children on the estate have enough.

The thought passed through Jane’s mind ‘my children could use some of her kindness’

It pleased Bill to see Jane smiling and she had not felt as relaxed in a long time.

After lunch they drove to the Housing Office in Durrisbridge. Entering the ancient musty smelling building, they followed the signs to the Office. Bill explained to the young clerk who he was and asked to see the Housing Factor.

I am afraid he is in a meeting, the clerk, a pimply youth replied.

Bill ushered Jane to a seat close by Oh not to worry, we’ll wait. he announced, hinting forcibly that he would not be put off. Presently the clerk got up from his desk and went into the office marked, Housing Factor. After a short interval he came back out to say Mr Mutrie is free to see you now.

Bill stood up Thank you he said airily.

He held the door for Jane allowing her to enter the office first. Bill offered his hand to the man behind the desk saying Charles, how are you. We haven’t had a round of golf for simply ages.

Charles Mutrie, a short stout man, in a tweed suit with a florid complexion, and a bald pate with a fringe of monk style grey hair, nodded and murmured something non committal and then

How can I help you he asked

Bill explained the reason for their visit, and Jane handed over the completed forms, together with Ivy’s reference.

Now Charles, I am confident that you can help this lady who has a very good case for housing. Bill asserted.

Yes. Charles answered ponderously, taking the papers and perusing them, "they all have a very good case for housing, but I cannot manufacture houses out of thin air can I?

I know you have a very difficult job Charles that is why I offered one of my cottages to a member of your staff. Now, I could give Mrs. McBurnie and her family a cottage, but, it would mean uprooting the children from their school, her husband is in the army fighting for his country, and she is desperate to be near her youngest daughter who is very ill in hospital. So sad don’t you think?

Yes quite, quite Charles Mutrie said rubbing his hands together in a hand washing motion. He picked up the forms his lips pressed inward together while studying the contents, and then hesitantly said I think………..I may be able to help you Mrs. McBurnie. Some houses have just become available from a private source, but they are about two miles out of town. It would mean a bus journey for you and the children.

Scarcely able to believe her ears, Jane said We wouldn’t mind that at all, what type of houses are they? So many questions she wanted to ask.

I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll give you the key to 24 Ashtrees Avenue, and you can look at it yourself, then come back and tell me what you think. Rising from his chair he left the office. Bill winked at Jane and put his finger to his lips indicating to her to say nothing. Charles returned with the keys attached to an addressed label. Handing them to Jane he added Go and have a look at it. If you decide to go ahead with the tenancy please come back to this office to sign the agreement, of course if you decide not to take the house, then please return the key promptly. I am afraid that is the best I can offer, and only because you have exceptional circumstances.

His attitude was very much ‘take it or leave it’ but holding the keys in her hand, Jane knew she would never part with them again. She didn’t care what the house was like, no matter what needed doing to it, she would do it and willingly.

Chapter Four

Leaving the Council building, Jane thought her heart would burst with excitement, never did she imagine this morning that she would have the keys to a house this afternoon. She knew of course it was Bill’s influence that was responsible for her happy state.

Thank you, thank you, Bill; I’ll never be able to repay your kindness.

Tosh and bosh, he jested with a laugh You were just in the right place at the right time. Anyway, he added making strides toward the car let’s get to this house and see what it is like. Surprised Jane asked "Now?

No time like the present, so climb aboard madam and I will take you to see your future domicile. He was almost as excited as she was. They laughed together. But even in her exhilarated state, her inner sense warned her not to expect too much.

Bill pulled the starter and the car purred into life. He drove the car out of the town past the High School and the Golf Course and presently on to the open road. A mile and a half or so along they came to a densely wooded area on the right hand side and a little further on the left, a small estate of houses.

Built pre-war, they were well spaced out semi detached houses, with the outside stone work painted a cream colour. Bill steered the car round the roads between the houses looking for Ashtrees Avenue. Eventually they turned into a tree lined cul de sac. Inclining his head to the right and this looks like number 24

At the end of the cul de sac was a narrow footpath which led to the main road.

That will be very handy for you to catch buses to town, instead of having to walk all the way around the road. Bill reasoned.

Jane thought the house looked beautiful, and the houses on either side had a sort of well bred look about the curtained windows. Her mother had always said that you can tell what the occupants of a house are like by the state of the windows and front door.

Jane rubbed the side of her nose with her little finger, worried that there might have been a mistake. Perhaps Bill had got the wrong address. As she sat in the car looking at the house, he invaded her thoughts.

Well Mrs. McBurnie, are you not going to look inside? so saying he took the keys from her grasp allow me.

He opened the latch on the wooden gate and they walked up the path bordered with flowerbeds, a little overgrown, but that didn’t matter to Jane. He unlocked the white painted door with fan shaped glass panel at the top and stood back to let Jane enter. Immediately ahead of her was the staircase. To her right was the bathroom and toilet with shining white ceramic fittings. To her left was the sitting room which ran