Stormy Days On Mulberry Lane

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘She’ll need a doctor by the look of her,’ Tom said as they walked back from the market to their homes in Mulberry Lane. ‘I think it’s probably just lack of food and tiredness, but she needs to be checked over just in case.’

  ‘She can go in the little single room I only let if everything else has been taken,’ Peggy said. ‘If the doctor wants to send her to hospital he will, but I think what she needs is a little love and care.’

  ‘It was lucky for her you were there then,’ Tom said, giving her a smile of approval. ‘I’d have taken her back to my Rose at normal times, but she’s struggling a bit just now.’

  ‘Yes, I know.’ Peggy shot an anxious look at his face. ‘She isn’t really ill, is she?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Tom replied, ‘but you know Rose – she’s stubborn. I’ve advised her to ask the doctor to call, but she says she’s fine, just feeling a bit like a whale on a beach.’

  Peggy laughed. ‘That is exactly how I felt when I had the twins – oh dear, you might suddenly double your family, Tom.’

  ‘That wouldn’t bother me as long as Rose is all right,’ he said. ‘I like having kids about – but I shall need to get a bit of help for Rose until she is on her feet again, anyway.’

  ‘Yes,’ Peggy agreed and glanced at the girl in Tom’s arms. She’d just moaned and her eyelids had fluttered, but she didn’t open her eyes. ‘Rose deserves looking after, Tom, and I know you will.’

  They had reached Mulberry Lane and one or two heads turned to watch as Tom carried his slender burden inside Peggy’s boarding house.

  Pearl, her housekeeper, was just replacing the telephone at the reception and looked surprised and then concerned. ‘What happened, Peggy?’

  ‘This child fainted. I’m going to put her in the little blue room and ask the doctor to call.’

  ‘Yes, of course. I’ll do that for you.’ Pearl smiled at her. ‘The sheets are fresh because I cleaned it this morning. I just booked the last of our available rooms for September and I thought we might just need that one over the summer.’

  Peggy followed Tom up the stairs. He knew exactly which room she was talking about, because he’d decorated all of them earlier in the year and his hard work and integrity were so good that Peggy understood why everyone was prepared to wait until he could fit them in. Tom didn’t just cut and cover like so many decorators; he worked to exact standards and she was proud of the way he’d turned out. As a young lad, Tom’s mother had treated him unfairly and there had been a time when he might have gone to the bad, but he’d fought off the man who had tried to make him a thief and his present standing was all down to his own hard work.

  Peggy quickly went ahead of him when they reached the spare room, opening the door and then turning down the fresh sheets. Tom gently placed the young girl on the bed and they both stood back to look. She was wearing a faded print dress that was too big for her, her fine hair was lank with grease and her skin was a chalky white. As Peggy gently drew the sheet over her, her eyes flickered open and for a moment she looked frightened.

  ‘It’s all right,’ Peggy said as she attempted to sit up. ‘My name is Peggy and I’m going to help you. This is my boarding house in Mulberry Lane – and I’m going to get the doctor to look over you, but I think you’re exhausted and hungry – aren’t you?’

  A tear rolled down the pale cheek, followed by others, but the girl made no attempt to wipe them away, her wide blue eyes staring up at Peggy with doubt and fear.

  ‘You fainted in the marketplace,’ Peggy told her. ‘My friend Tom Barton carried you home for me. You are safe here, please believe me.’

  ‘Thank you—’ A faint smile flickered in the girl’s eyes. ‘I think you’re kind—

  ‘Would you like a cup of tea or cocoa?’ Peggy asked. ‘Are you hungry or would you rather just rest until the doctor gets here?’

  ‘Could I have a drink of cocoa please?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Peggy touched her arm lightly and saw a flicker of something in her eyes. ‘Did that hurt?’

  ‘No, not what you did—’ the girl pulled up the sleeve of her dress and Peggy saw purple bruises. She’d clearly been beaten some time previously.

  ‘Who did that to you? Can you tell me who you are and where you live so I can fetch someone for you?’

  The girl shook her head, her eyes going anxiously from Peggy to Tom and back again.

  ‘We’ll leave her to rest, Tom,’ she said. ‘I’ll be back soon with your drink.’

  The girl nodded and closed her eyes.

  Peggy went downstairs with Tom, thanked him for his kindness and he took his leave. Pearl was busy scrubbing the table, but she told Peggy the doctor was on his way and she moved into the kitchen, busying herself with making a cup of tea. A fresh sponge cake Peggy had baked earlier was on the table, filled with buttercream and strawberry jam. She cut a slice and put it on a little tray with the creamy and fragrant cocoa and carried them upstairs.

  Her guest was lying with her eyes closed. Watching her for a moment, Peggy realised she was probably older than she’d thought on first seeing her – perhaps seventeen, but slight and so pale that she looked like a child.

  The girl’s eyes opened as she saw Peggy. She smiled and tried to sit up. Peggy placed the tray on the little chest beside the bed and went to help her into a comfortable sitting position.

  ‘There, that’s better,’ she said and put the tray across her lap. ‘Would you like to tell me your name and where you live now?’

  ‘I’m Gillian,’ the girl said. ‘Gillian Taylor – but please don’t tell anyone my full name. If he knew I was here, he would come and take me away…’

  Once again, the fear was in her eyes and Peggy thought she had begun to understand. ‘He beat you, didn’t he, Gillian?’

  ‘Yes.’ Gillian sipped the cocoa and smiled as she tasted its smooth creaminess. ‘Oh, you make it lovely – better than my aunt’s.’

  ‘Thank you, I’m glad you like it.’ Peggy hesitated, wondering whether to ask where her aunt lived. Gillian was clearly nervous and it seemed with good cause. ‘Can you tell me who beat you?’

  ‘His name is Mr Barker,’ Gillian said and glanced fearfully towards the door. ‘He tried to make me do what he wants and I wouldn’t, so he beat me – I ran away.’

  ‘Good for you!’ Peggy said and she felt a knot of anger and outrage in her stomach, because she understood immediately what Mr Barker had wanted Gillian to do. She would be pretty when she was well with her hair washed and her clothes clean. ‘How did you get away?’

  ‘He was drunk, so I escaped when he fell asleep,’ Gillian told her and the reflection of her fear was in her wide eyes. ‘He said I belong to him – that he owns me and I have to pay him…’

  ‘Pay him for what?’ Peggy probed gently.

  For a moment Gillian hesitated, then, ‘Dad lost his job after the war and Mum died four years ago. He couldn’t work and they were going to throw us on the streets. Mr Barker owns all the property in the lane. His rent man said we had to go, but then I heard him whispering with my father…’ She sniffed and silent tears rolled down her cheeks again. ‘Mr Barker came to see us and he gave my father ten pounds and told him he could stay in the house and—’ A little sob escaped her. ‘Dad sold me to him…’

  ‘No! How could he?’ Peggy was filled with fury and the desire to inflict great pain both on Gillian’s father and the rogue landlord. ‘That is wicked – and it is against the law. You’re his daughter and he has rights, but he can’t sell you like that.’

  ‘He said I belonged to him and I had to go and live with Mr Barker.’ Gillian was weeping gently now as her story unfolded, about how she’d been bullied and ordered to do things she felt were wrong. ‘I told him I would never do what he wanted and he locked me in my room for weeks – he took away my clothes and gave me this dress and he wouldn’t let me wash myself. He said I could wash and eat when I agreed to work for him…’ She covered her face with her hands. ‘I had t
o lie with him first and then the men he would bring to my room…’

  ‘The filthy wretch!’ Peggy couldn’t help the outburst. If the man had been within her reach at that moment, she would cheerfully have murdered him. ‘Just let me get my hands on him…’

  For a moment, the young girl’s face lit up and Peggy saw that she really was very pretty. Young and vulnerable, she had been treated shamefully.

  ‘When you escaped, did you think of going to the police?’ Peggy asked.

  Gillian shook her head. ‘Mr Barker has friends in the police – they watch out for him and he pays them. I was afraid they would tell him and he would fetch me back. I know he doesn’t care what happens to me – he used to hit me all the time.’

  ‘And your aunt – she might help you?’

  ‘No, she wouldn’t – she hates me.’

  Peggy frowned. Gillian had a terrible family if half of what she was saying was true – but why would she lie? It was clear she’d been badly treated and was still very upset, so Peggy didn’t doubt her and she didn’t press for too many details about her home. When Gillian was a little stronger, no doubt she would tell her. ‘So, you’ve just been wandering – for how long?’

  Gillian shook her head. ‘I don’t know,’ she confessed. ‘Perhaps two months or more. I lost count of time…’

  Peggy nodded. She heard the doctor coming up the stairs and Pearl’s voice directing him. ‘We’ll keep this to ourselves for the moment, love. We have to think what to do to keep you safe.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Gillian smiled at her shyly, looking apprehensive as the doctor entered the room. However, he was a gentle, older man, and she lost her fear of him as he examined her carefully and with consideration.

  ‘So, you’ve not been eating and you had a nasty fall,’ Doctor Morton said. He looked sceptical but didn’t contradict her. ‘Well, those bruises are old and I can’t see any sign of internal damage – but you need bed rest and good food.’ He turned to Peggy with a lift of his eyebrows. ‘Do you want me to arrange for Gillian to be taken into a clinic for a couple of weeks?’

  ‘No, if there is no need for medical treatment, Gillian will be fine with us – if she wants to stay?’ Peggy looked at the young girl, who nodded her head.

  ‘Yes, please, if I may…’

  ‘I think you should,’ Peggy said, giving her a reassuring smile. ‘You will be safe and happy with my family.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I’ll see you out, doctor.’

  Peggy took him down the stairs to the hall. He looked at her, his eyes questioning. ‘You do realise those bruises didn’t come from a fall, Peggy? Most are old, but a couple are more recent.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ she said. ‘Gillian has a story, but she doesn’t want anyone to know it yet.’

  ‘Well, on your head,’ he said, shaking his. ‘Your kind heart is legendary, Peggy – but be a little careful. You can never be sure these young girls are telling the whole truth…’

  ‘I know that, doctor, but in this case, I prefer to give her the benefit of the doubt.’

  ‘Of course, you would,’ he said and smiled at her. ‘She’s healthy enough, just starved, I would say, and beaten at some time in the past. Call me if you need me.’

  ‘I shall – and thank you for your advice.’

  ‘Which you have no intention of taking,’ he said and went out of the door.

  Able came into the hall as the doctor left. He looked at her enquiringly. ‘Everything all right, hon?’

  ‘Yes, fine, Able. I expect Pearl told you?’

  ‘Tom Barton did,’ her husband replied with a smile. ‘How is the patient?’

  ‘She will be fine in a while,’ Peggy said. ‘Her story is her own – but it is an outrage, Able. Some men should be horsewhipped.’

  ‘Indeed, some men are monsters and I’d string them up if it was left to me,’ Able agreed.

  ‘Unfortunately, the one who should have looked out for her let her down badly.’

  ‘Ah, well, you will look after her,’ Able said, his eyes steady with love. ‘Janet rang after you went out earlier. I told her you would ring her back later?’

  ‘Yes, of course I will…’ Peggy frowned. ‘Can you remember where I put those clothes Janet left behind? I kept them because they were good and I think some of them might just fit Gillian.’

  5

  ‘Rose sent these bits for your guest,’ Tom said the next morning as he handed Peggy a parcel tied up in brown paper and string. ‘She was going to take them to the stall on the market but thought they might come in useful.’

  Peggy smiled. ‘That is so good of her. I found a dress of Janet’s that fits her, also a skirt and two pretty blouses, but Janet’s shoes are much too big. I think Rose takes a smaller size?’

  ‘Yes, she’s a size four,’ Tom said. ‘I think there is a nice pair of black patent leather she’s hardly worn. They were a little too tight for her and if Gillian has tiny feet, they may be just the right size – otherwise, I’d be pleased to buy her a new pair.’

  ‘Oh, Tom, you are lovely,’ Peggy said and smiled at him warmly. ‘Able offered to do the same and I’m sure we shall buy her some new things when she is able to go shopping – but just for the moment anything we have that will fit must be nicer than what she had.’

  ‘Is she any better?’ Tom asked. ‘You said the doctor told you it was mainly tiredness and the beating…’

  ‘Yes, and he confirmed his opinion when he called this morning.’ Peggy frowned. ‘She is sitting up and resting but asked if she could get up this afternoon. Naturally, I told her she could do whatever she wants.’

  ‘It was lucky we were both there when it happened,’ Tom said. ‘Otherwise she would be in the infirmary and I know she is much better off with you, Peggy.’

  ‘I’m just angry that she was treated the way she was.’ Peggy hadn’t told him exactly what Gillian had told her, but he knew she’d been badly treated and he’d seen how thin and pale she was when he carried her home.

  ‘Yes, I can understand that,’ he agreed. ‘Well, if you need anything you know where I am.’

  ‘I know, thank you. I made some of your favourites.’ Peggy indicated the plate of still warm tarts on the table and smiled as he took one and bit into the coconut and jam tart, rolling his eyes in pleasure as he left.

  She looked up as Pearl entered the kitchen carrying dusters, pans and a tin of polish. ‘I’ve given the rooms a polish this morning while the guests are out – is there anything more you want me to do, Peggy?’

  ‘I think we’re fine,’ Peggy said and glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘If you would like a cup of tea or coffee, I’ll pop the kettle on and we’ll have a chat – unless you’re in a hurry to go?’

  ‘No, I haven’t got much to do this morning,’ Pearl told her with a smile. ‘I was just reading about the trouble out in Korea. The North has marched into the South. I do hope that doesn’t mean another war for us…’

  ‘I doubt it,’ Peggy said. ‘Even if we were called to help, it wouldn’t be like the last war, Pearl. Our Government just doesn’t have the money to get involved in anything big. We’re still paying our debts for the last one.’ Why were all these men hell-bent on destroying each other? Peggy wondered.

  Pearl nodded, but still looked anxious. Britain was only just recovering from the years of bloody conflict and no one wanted another. She sat down at the table as Peggy filled the kettle. ‘You’re not helping with the cakes today then?’

  ‘No, it’s Maureen’s turn to help Sheila this morning,’ Peggy said. ‘I shall serve in the shop for two hours this afternoon – but then I’ll pop the casserole in the oven and take Freddie and Fay to their skating sessions.’

  ‘I thought they caught the bus on their own?’ Pearl questioned.

  ‘Yes, they do most days after school. They have a lesson from four-thirty to five-thirty and then come back on the bus – but today they have a two-hour session and Sara wanted me to go in and see Fay�
�s progress. She wants to discuss the competition she’s entering her in, I believe – and the costumes she will need.’

  ‘That must be expensive?’ Pearl said with a sigh and it was clear she was thinking of her own daughter. As a widow with a small child, Pearl had found it difficult to work before she came to the boarding house, because her previous employers hadn’t been able to accept that she needed time off to be with her child for school holidays and when she was unwell. Peggy’s wages were enough to enable Pearl to manage, but there was certainly not enough for many luxuries.

  ‘Yes, it is, although I found someone who makes them at a reasonable cost,’ Peggy agreed. ‘Able does tend to spoil the twins – but we were earning quite a bit more at the café than we are here. Next month we’re full, so things should pick up a little – and I told you Mr Bonnet is paying to reserve his room the whole time.’

  ‘Does that pay for you?’ Pearl asked. As well as cleaning and bed-making, Pearl helped Peggy with the bookwork. Her previous job had been as a secretary to a bookkeeper, but she was quite happy to turn her hand to anything Peggy asked of her. ‘I wasn’t sure if you charged him enough?’

  ‘I couldn’t ask the same as if I was feeding him, could I?’ Peggy asked with a little frown. ‘I do need to make a profit – but I’d hate him to feel he’d been overcharged.’

  ‘Far from it,’ Pearl said and laughed softly. ‘You err on the side of generosity every time, Peggy.’

  ‘I suppose I do – but I’ve always manged to make a good profit,’ Peggy said. She sighed and got up to fetch out her jam pans. ‘I’m about to make some jams and marmalades. I thought I might sell a few in Sheila’s shop.’ A little laugh escaped her. ‘That should please your bookkeeper’s instinct.’

  Pearl nodded. ‘I shouldn’t question, Peggy. I’m sure you know what you’re doing – but I often wonder if you are too generous to friends – and to strangers, too. You didn’t know that girl upstairs, but you just took her in. I don’t think many would do it…’