by Cathy Sharp
‘Hello, I’m Beattie,’ she said. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I’m Marjorie and I wanted to see Danny,’ she said and pushed Shelly forward. ‘This is my friend Shelly. She found the way here.’
‘Marjorie – Danny’s little friend!’ Beattie smiled and Marjorie’s fears evaporated. ‘Come in both of you and have a cup of milk and some cake. Danny is at school, I’m afraid – but he will be pleased to know you came to see him.’
The two girls looked at each other and then trooped into the big warm kitchen that smelled so good. There was a scrubbed pine table set with plates of fresh-cooked buns and cakes and they sat down on the chairs Beattie indicated, tucking into the cakes she offered them with enjoyment.
‘You’re a smashing cook,’ Shelly said, bolder than Marjorie. ‘Better than my mum – or Marjorie’s.’
‘It’s lovely cake,’ Marjorie said shyly. ‘I wanted to come to tea like Sister Rose told us but Mum took me to her friends and to Nanna’s. My nanna is lovely but I do so want to see Danny.’
‘Why didn’t you ask your mummy to bring you?’ Beattie asked her with a gentle smile that made her feel braver.
‘Because Daddy doesn’t think Danny comes from a good family but if Mummy saw your kitchen, she would let me come. Nanna told her she ought to let me see friends if I want.’
‘What is your nanna’s name?’ Beattie asked smiling.
‘Mrs Ethel Ross of 19 Rainbow Crescent,’ Marjorie said, reciting it as she’d been taught with a look of triumph.
Beattie nodded. ‘Supposing I went to see your nanna and told her about Danny and me and Sister Rose – would your mummy listen to her if Nanna approved of me?’
Marjorie nodded vigorously. ‘Mummy often listens to Nanna – it’s Daddy who doesn’t think I should remember what happened, but I do and it was Danny who looked after me.’
‘Yes, I understand,’ Beattie said. ‘I’ll go and visit your nanna, Marjorie – and I’ll take her some cake. If we can talk, perhaps she will let you come to us another day, in the afternoon on Sunday when Danny is home – only it should be soon …’ Beattie looked as if she would say more, then sighed and shook her head. She glanced at the clock. ‘I think you two should get back to school – but you can come and see me another day if you like.’
The pair of them got up immediately, thanked her and left through the back door. They looked at each other, giggled, caught hands and ran back towards their school.
Beattie watched them turn at the end of the road. They didn’t go to the same school as Danny – from their uniforms they went to the girls’ school where parents were able to contribute to the schooling. That was why Marjorie’s father considered that Danny wasn’t good enough to be his daughter’s friend. She frowned. Well, she would go to see Marjorie’s nanna, Mrs Ethel Ross. Beattie wasn’t sure where Rainbow Crescent was, but she had a tongue in her head and she could ask. She would go down the road and talk to Mr Forrest and see if he knew it. He had customers from all over and he did deliveries, too, these days, now that he had two strong lads living with him. If he didn’t know, he could point her in the right direction.
Smiling, Beattie put her coat and hat on. She needed some more flour and some dried fruit so she would take her purse and basket with her. That little girl had looked so earnest and yearning when she asked for Danny and she knew he remembered her. It was something she could do for him while she still had him living under her roof.
She’d been crying before the little girls came, feeling sorry for herself because they were going to take Danny away from her. Now she realised that she wasn’t the only one who would miss him and she was thinking sensibly again. Ted Phillips was a decent man and kind. He’d offered to bring the boys round so she wouldn’t lose Danny entirely and that meant she would gain even more company. It didn’t make up for having the lad she’d begun to think of as her son the whole time but it was better than nothing.
Life was so complicated. For a long time after her husband died, Beattie had felt as if her world was over, but then she’d started taking in lodgers and cooking for them. It gave her something to do and company – and then she’d met Sister Rose, who was more like a sister to her. All of a sudden life had been worth living again, and then Danny had come to her like a gift from God. It was unfair that she should have had a taste of happiness only to have it snatched away again, but she wasn’t losing him forever.
Beattie felt her natural calm and feeling of wellbeing return. She wouldn’t be alone and she would still see her Danny, still be able to teach him to cook, so she was luckier than most – and if Mrs Ethel Ross was a reasonable lady, perhaps she could fix up for Marjorie to visit with or without her mother.
‘So, you’re this Danny’s foster mother?’ Ethel Ross took Beattie into her neat kitchen. ‘Well, I know you, in a way, for I’ve seen you at the church fetes and I know you’re a marvellous cook because I’ve tasted the cakes you make for them.’
Beattie smiled at her. Now that she saw Marjorie’s grandmother, she realised that she knew her by sight but not by name. It was a small world after all.
‘Marjorie and her little friend Shelly came to see me. She seems quite upset because she can’t see Danny and so I thought I would visit and ask if you could help arrange something?’
‘Well, of course I’ll do my best. My daughter’s husband is a bit of a snob – thinks highly of himself just because he’s something important in that office of his, but we’re normal folk. I told my daughter, her father worked on the docks all his life as a foreman and if he was good enough for me, then I can’t see why Marjorie can’t see her friend – after all, if he hadn’t been there, she might have been severely harmed or we might never have seen her again, so the police said.’
‘What a relief,’ Beattie said. ‘Sister Rose told the children to ask permission to come but I think they just turned up at mine without asking anyone and I don’t want to upset their parents, though it was lovely having them.’
‘You leave it to me,’ Ethel said. ‘Now, why don’t you sit down, Beattie, and I’ll put the kettle on …’
CHAPTER 30
‘I think it is wicked,’ Lily said to Jenny when the sisters sat down to their Sunday lunch together. It wasn’t often they had a whole day off at the same time and they had enjoyed each other’s company, but Lily was upset because of what Sister Rose had told her the previous day when they chanced to meet at the change of duty. ‘This man has turned up out of the blue and laid claim to Danny. Apparently he’s Danny’s uncle and he is already adopting Danny’s best friend – and he wants to adopt Danny too.’
‘But Beattie and Rose were made his foster parents,’ Jenny said looking at her sister in distress. ‘Surely they can’t just take him away like that?’
‘Yes, they can, if the welfare committee decides it would be best for him.’ Lily frowned. ‘It doesn’t help that Danny was snatched from the church fete when he was in Beattie’s care. She was talking with her back turned to him, probably for several minutes, so they could say she wasn’t responsible enough. He’ll be in school all day and the teachers will be warned about the father. In the evenings Mr Phillips and Ron will be home with him and as he’s ex-Army and able to defend the boy it’s likely that he would be considered better able to protect him from his violent father.’
‘But Rose and Beattie adore that boy and he loves them,’ Jenny protested.
‘Yes, that’s true – but Danny also likes this Ron and he likes his uncle. Mr Phillips is talking of sharing him, letting him visit them and go on with his cooking lessons, and Rose seems to think that’s fair, though Beattie is still very upset about it.’
‘Yes, well, she would be,’ Jenny went on. ‘It makes me feel even worse about what I did, Lily. When Dr Clark told me he couldn’t take me out again, I tried to let Rose know that he’d never been in love with me – but I know she was hurt.’
‘You mustn’t blame yourself,’ Lily told her and smiled her approval. ‘
It isn’t your fault that you’re very pretty and men ask you out, Jenny. There was no reason for you to say no – he was the one at fault, and perhaps Rose too. If she’d given him some encouragement, he might have asked her to the theatre that first time instead of you.’
‘Yes …’ Jenny gave her sister a quick hug as she got up to clear the table. ‘Thank you for understanding that I never meant to harm Rose – I like her.’
‘As do I – but you’re my sister, Jenny, and I love you. You do know that, don’t you?’
‘Yes, I do, but I sometimes think you’re hiding things from me …’ Jenny hesitated, then, ‘Chris was here a couple of months ago and something happened but you didn’t tell me …’
‘Because it was secret and it might have cost him his life. He wasn’t supposed to be in the country.’
‘Then don’t tell me anything more,’ Jenny said and smiled at her. ‘I was upset at first and then I thought about what Chris does and I wondered if it was secret and I completely understand.’ She took a deep breath, then, ‘Are you two still all right together? I’ve noticed he hasn’t written for weeks now.’
‘No, because he can’t and I knew he wouldn’t be able to,’ Lily said with a smile. ‘We are very much all right – I’ve never loved anyone as I do him – except for you and that’s different.’
‘Of course, it is,’ Jenny said and nodded. ‘I’m so glad.’ She thought for a moment, then, ‘Have you seen Kathy recently? She doesn’t look all that happy. I mean, she has only been married a few months and she was so confident it would all be wonderful but she seems a bit quiet to me.’
‘I spoke to her yesterday morning,’ Lily said thoughtfully. ‘I think she’s fine, Jenny. She said that Bert had taken her to see a good film at the Odeon the previous evening and she was talking of a holiday in Bournemouth in August.’
‘Perhaps I’m wrong then,’ Jenny said and dismissed the faint worry she’d had since talking to the young woman when she brought up the early morning drinks for the children. ‘Let’s get this washing-up done and then go for a walk in the park, Lily. It’s such a lovely afternoon.’
‘Yes, let’s do that,’ Lily said. ‘We’re so lucky to have each other and jobs we love, Jenny. One day we may both marry and have homes of our own but until then we’ve got each other’s company.’
Kathy collected the lunch things from the children’s ward and took them back to the kitchen. She’d volunteered to help out this morning, though she wasn’t actually down for a Sunday duty but it was on Sundays that she found her life the most tedious, when she and her husband Bert were at home with her mother. Kathy’s mother ran the house like clockwork and there was hardly anything left for Kathy to do. On Sunday she was allowed to peel vegetables and help with the washing-up, but the cooking was her mother’s prerogative and Kathy didn’t like to say that she would like to try her hand at cooking for her husband.
Bert worked in the garden on Sunday mornings and in the afternoons he was encouraged to sit in his armchair and go to sleep.
‘Bert works hard all week, Kathy,’ her mother had told her when she’d suggested to him that they go to one of the parks for a walk and perhaps out somewhere for tea. ‘I’ve baked fresh cakes and you won’t find anything better in a teashop, however much they charge you.’
Kathy had agreed because Bert seemed to like the arrangement. When she told him afterwards, he’d just smiled at her.
‘Your mother likes having someone to make a fuss of on a Sunday, love. We go to work all week and we go out sometimes in the evenings – she spends a lot of time alone.’
Kathy couldn’t disagree because it was true, but she was young and sometimes she rebelled against settling into the ways of an old married couple. She wanted more fun and laughter, the space to tease Bert into doing what she wanted, which he would if he knew she really wanted it.
She wasn’t dissatisfied with her marriage, because Bert was a kind and considerate lover and she enjoyed what happened in bed enough not to regret having married him. It wasn’t earth shattering like she’d read about in some Ethel M. Dell novels, but it was nice enough now she’d got used to it. Her favourite outing was dancing and Bert took her on a Saturday night once a fortnight. He took her to the pictures twice a week and they usually saw the film she liked the look of and he bought her small gifts all the time.
Kathy knew that she had no real reason to complain but there was still a little doubt at the back of her mind, a feeling that things might be better if they didn’t live with her mother.
She ought to have put her foot down at the beginning. Bert had had his own cottage, which was now let to someone else so that they could live with her mother, rather than leaving her to live alone. Kathy had thought it a kind notion and it had pleased her mother – but just now and then she wished they had a home of their own.
She sighed and put the niggling doubts to the back of her mind. She had a few more jobs to do and then she could go home for the afternoon. Bert would be waiting for her – but so would her mother. It would be so nice if she could just go home to her husband alone for once …
‘Ah, Kathy,’ Matron’s voice spoke behind her and she turned. ‘It was so good of you to give up your Sunday to help us out. I wanted to thank you personally.’
Kathy blushed. ‘I was happy to come in, Matron. I don’t have much to do on a Sunday morning. My mother cooks the dinner you see.’
‘Ah yes, I dare say she is accustomed to it,’ Matron agreed and looked thoughtful. ‘Why don’t you suggest making a change another week? If this lovely summery weather keeps up, you could all take a nice picnic to the park and enjoy a bit of sunshine – say you think she works too hard and you’d like to make a fuss of her for a change. You never know, she might enjoy that.’
‘Yes, I might try that,’ Kathy said thinking what a wonderfully understanding person Matron was. She hesitated, then, ‘Is it fair that Sister Rose and her friend should have to give up their foster son to his uncle?’
Matron frowned and then sighed. ‘No, Kathy. In my opinion it isn’t fair, but in Danny’s case it may be the best option. His father is a brute and not above threatening two women living alone. Mr Phillips is a strong man and the committee feel that he is better able to protect his nephew than Mrs Robinson was and therefore his request is likely to be approved. As soon as he has a decent home for them, and that will be soon, he will be given custody of Danny.’
Kathy felt sad. ‘Sister Rose is being very brave about it but we all think it’s a shame.’
‘Yes, it is, but life isn’t always fair, as I’m certain you know, Kathy.’
‘Yes, I do, Matron.’ Kathy smiled at her. It was strange but her own irritation at her mother’s insensitive behaviour had faded into insignificance. Sister Rose had so much more to be sad about than Kathy.
‘You get off home now, Kathy,’ Matron told her kindly. ‘And thank you for helping out.’
Kathy walked home at her usual pace, enjoying the sunshine. It was a lovely afternoon and she smiled as she approached the house and saw her husband come out and walk to meet her.
‘Bert …’ She smiled at him. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Meeting you, love,’ he said. ‘I didn’t like to say anything in the house, because I don’t want to upset your mum – but how about you get changed and we catch the bus up town and go for a walk round the shops? I know they’re not open but we can window-shop and you can tell me if you see anything you’d like – and then we’ll go somewhere nice to tea for a change. Your mum’s cakes are good, but it’s nice to go somewhere on our own sometimes, isn’t it?’
‘Oh, Bert,’ Kathy said and hugged his arm. ‘You’re a lovely man! It’s no wonder I married you.’
‘You’re not fed up or regretting it? I know I’m older – but if I get too set in my ways just give me a kick up the posterior, love. I’ve got a young and lovely wife and I want to make her happy.’
‘I am happy, Bert,’ Kathy said. ‘I realised today
how very lucky I am to have you – and Mum too. We ought to take her out one Sunday for a nice picnic lunch somewhere.’
‘Why don’t I suggest a trip to Southend on the bus?’ Bert said and chuckled. ‘She’ll take it better from me, love.’
‘Yes, she will – you’re her golden boy,’ Kathy said and giggled. Her doubts had dissolved and she knew once again why she’d married Bert. He was kind and generous and she enjoyed being with him, because he could make her laugh. ‘I’ll get changed quick while you tell her where we’re going!’
CHAPTER 31
Constable Jones was waiting at the house when Danny got home from school the following Thursday. He looked serious and so did Beattie, her eyes a little red as if she was upset about something.
‘What’s wrong, Beattie?’ Danny asked and felt scared. ‘Have I done something bad?’
‘Not at all, lad,’ Constable Jones told him with a reassuring smile. ‘It’s just that your father was in court this morning – and he has been given three months in prison.’
‘Three months?’ Danny felt sick. ‘I thought he would get three years at least!’
The police officer nodded. ‘So did we all and he should have done but he got Judge Richards. He is one of the most lenient and your father pleaded poverty, told him that he’d taken you to help him earn a living and didn’t know you had a foster mother. When he was accused of ill-treating you, he said that he’d never beaten you in his life and you must have fallen over in the place where you sleep because there is no proper light or sanitation.’ Constable Jones shook his head. ‘We brought all the evidence we had, including his past convictions – but the judge said we should help people like your father rather than send them to prison and gave him the minimum sentence.’
‘He’ll come after me again,’ Danny said. ‘He’d been watching me for a while before he grabbed me last time and he’ll do it again.’