Read Online Roses of Winter by Murdo Morrison - Free Book Online

sorry I was to hear the news about….” She broke off and Ella was astonished to see her dab at her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief. Recovering herself, she went on. “I always thought that your May was such a fine young woman, such a great credit to you. I was heartsick when I heard the news.”  
    Ella’s heart thawed at the obvious sincerity and feeling of the woman. “That’s awfy kind of ye, Mrs... Bessie. It means a lot tae me tae hear ye say that.” She sat down on the chair and burst into tears.  
    Bessie rose and went to her, rested one hand on her shoulder for a moment then went to finish making the tea. By the time she came back with two cups in her hand, Ella was wiping her eyes. “Here Ella, have your tea,” she said gently.
    They sat quietly for a while looking at the fire until Bessie put down her cup. “I’ve brought a little something for you.”  
    “Och ye shouldnae have done that, Bessie.”  
    Bessie waved aside her polite protest. “Well, open it then,” Bessie urged.  
    Ella carefully undid the ribbon and unfolded the paper. “Oh Bessie,” she gasped, “whit a wonderful thing tae give tae me.” She held up a hand embroidered linen tablecloth, so delicately worked and fine it took her breath away. Overcome, she placed it carefully aside and hid her face in her apron. Bessie sat quietly, waiting for Ella to compose herself. After a time she raised her face to look at Bessie. “Did ye dae that yersel’? Och, its that nice ah couldnae bring masel’ tae use it. Ah’ll keep it for show.”
    Ella poured another cup of tea for Bessie. “Have ye had any word from yer sons? Ah hope they’re aw right.” Bessie sighed. Having both of her lads at sea in the Merchant Navy was a constant source of worry for her. When letters arrived they were often weeks old and for all she knew the writer could be dead and at the bottom of the sea before she received them. Sometimes the letters had pieces cut out or inked over. She hated the idea of strangers reading her mail.  
    “I just got a letter from Donald. He’s been crossing the Atlantic to America but until he gets home I usually don’t know where he’s been exactly. They censor their letters you know.”  
    “Oh, that’s awful, reading your mail like that.”  
    Bessie nodded. “But there’s been no word from Alec for quite a while. I can’t sleep at night for the worry.”  
    “And now we’re no’ safe at hame either,” Ella said. “It’s a terrible thing this war. Ah hope its over soon.”
    Again Bessie sighed. “I’m afraid I can’t see it being over for quite a while,” she said. “My husband Murdo was in the last one you know, though I didn’t know him then.”
    Ella nodded. “Aye, so was Willie. It changed him, he wis never the same efter that. Oh, he’s good tae me an aw that, but the spark went oot o’ him when he came back.”
    “Yes, Murdo won’t talk about it but it must have taken its toll. I hope it will be different for Alec and Donald but I fear it won’t.”
    They spent the morning talking and Ella was surprised to find that she was enjoying Bessie’s company. The woman seemed to have a breadth of knowledge about a whole host of things. It had carried her away from her tragedy for a few short hours. The spell was broken when Bessie looked at the clock. “Oh my, look at the time. I need to get back.”  
    “Bessie, wid ye come back an’ see me again when ye hae the mind tae?”  
    “I will,” said Bessie firmly, “you can be sure of that, Ella. And maybe you would like to take a turn down to see me?” They parted with a promise to do just that.
    “Whit, are ye telling me ye got a visit from that wumman?” Betty Gillies exclaimed later that day when she dropped in for her usual tea and blether. “Well ah never.”
    “She was very nice tae me, Betty,” Ella insisted. “Ah’ll allow, ah wisnae expecting tae see her face up here but we had a nice long talk. An’ look at whit she