by Cathy Sharp
‘Oh well, in that case …’ Mrs Davies sniffed. ‘I suppose there’s no harm in it – but they won’t get it on your nights off, I can tell you. If you go off to a better job like most of the girls I shan’t put myself to all this bother …’
Jinny didn’t answer, simply arranging the last of the food on to the plates and starting to carry it through into the dining room. Mrs Davies was clearly in an awkward mood and she wasn’t sure how to answer her. She’d told her she didn’t mind the work, but that didn’t help. Something more than usual wasn’t quite right in their cook’s world, but Jinny couldn’t get close enough to her to find out why she was so tetchy. She considered whether she dare ask Nancy or Wendy to talk to her … but they would probably think she was complaining, and she wasn’t – she just wanted the atmosphere in the kitchen to be comfortable.
Mrs Davies went through to her little office and sat down at her desk. Jinny glanced at her as she walked by carrying plates of food into the dining room. She appeared to be poring over a little black notebook and frowning, totting up figures of some kind. It must be her housekeeping records. Jinny didn’t know how much Mrs Davies was allowed to purchase food and cook for everyone, but she did know that she often had to remind the cook that various supplies were running out and she invariably grumbled that everything they bought was too expensive.
Jinny left St Saviour’s at half-past seven having finished all her work. Micky was waiting for her at the end of the road. He grinned as he saw her coming and walked to meet her.
‘We’ve just missed one bus,’ he told her. ‘Do yer want to wait for the next or shall we walk to the next stop and catch it there?’
‘Let’s walk part of the way,’ Jinny suggested. ‘It was hot in the kitchen this afternoon and we’ve been without Elsa all day … I can do with some fresh air.’
She tucked her arm through Micky’s and smiled up at him as he squeezed it against him. ‘You look a bit hot,’ he said. ‘Are yer still enjoying your job or is it hard going?’
‘Sometimes it’s hard work but I like most of it …’
‘What don’t yer like?’
‘Mrs Davies moans a lot, and she’s got worse the past couple of days. I think she’s had bad news …’ Jinny said. ‘I saw her reading a letter last Monday morning but she pushed it in her pocket when she saw me watching her and told me to get on with my work. Ever since then she’s been grumpy and nothing pleases her, but I can put up with that; it’s no worse than Mum used to be. I like the kids and the other members of staff are lovely – and everyone is so appreciative of what I do …’
‘Well, yer can’t ’ave it all – ain’t that what they say?’
Jinny laughed as she looked up at him. ‘Yes, that’s what they say and I’m happier at Halfpenny Street than I ever was at home …’
‘Good,’ he said and something in his eyes at that moment made her nape tingle. ‘What about comin’ to the flicks with me one night?’
Jinny hesitated, and then inclined her head. ‘I’d like that, Micky. I can’t do it often, because I’m on duty until this time or later most nights – and I have to be back by half-past ten at the latest. I suppose the best time would be on a Saturday. I get one Saturday afternoon and evening off a fortnight – and Tuesday nights I have free most weeks, but we might not get to see the whole of the main picture …’
‘Let’s go to the Pally instead then,’ Micky said. ‘We can leave at ten and walk home and you’ll be in plenty of time …’ He suddenly leapt out into the road and flagged down their bus, grinning as it stopped for them. ‘Come on, we’ll be there in half the time and then I can walk you back later …’
Nellie’s face was black and blue and Jinny’s eyes filled with tears. Her friend was behaving as if it were nothing, but she knew she must be hurting badly, and her anger against Jake increased.
‘Oh, Nellie, I’m so sorry,’ she said and went to kiss her very gently on the cheek. ‘You should tell Bert. He would give him a good hiding.’
‘Can’t say for sure it was Jake, ’sides, I don’t want my old man in trouble with the police. ’E would go fer ’im if I said it were Jake,’ Nellie said warily. ‘Whoever it were jumped out at me as I walked through the alley where there’s no lights, didn’t ’e? I couldn’t see nothin’ but a dark shape …’
‘Everyone knows it was Jake,’ Jinny said. ‘I wish we could go to the police and get him locked up.’
‘Jake’s a menace. Your mother told him to go, but ’e just gave ’er a hiding. She’s scared of him, Jinny, but ’e’s the boss of her and she’s trapped now. ’Er only solace is the beer ’e gives ’er.’
‘I hate him,’ Jinny said fiercely. ‘If I could, I’d beat him until he couldn’t stand up. I’d break every bone in his body …’
‘You leave ’im alone, girl,’ Nellie said. ‘’E’ll have it in for yer if yer say one word out of place. I thought ’e’d forget yer once yer weren’t around, but ’e’s one to bear a grudge. ’Sides, you used to keep the place decent and it’s filthy now, never a clean shirt or a cup fer ’im; ’e wants yer back so you can wait on ’im … and warm ’is bed an’ all if ’e got the chance.’
‘He’s already threatened me a couple of times,’ Jinny said. ‘He told me Mum was ill – is it true?’
‘She were in a bad way after ’e thrashed her, but I don’t think she’s ill. I told ’er to come round when Jake had gone to the pub, but she said she was goin’ wiv ’im. I told ’er yer might be ’ere but it didn’t make no difference.’
Jinny sighed, knowing that her mother was lost to her. She lived for the drink she got from Jake and he was in control of her life; there was nothing Jinny could do to help her until she got rid of him.
‘I wish he was dead or crippled in some way so he couldn’t hurt any of us ever again,’ she said vehemently. ‘He’s evil, Nellie, and he deserves to be punished – but if no one will tell the police he’ll keep gettin’ away with it.’
‘That’s the way of things round ’ere,’ Nellie said. ‘The lucky ones get a good man, like me, but yer ma was always one for the lookers and she always picked bad ’uns …’
Jinny nodded, tears pricking her eyes. ‘I don’t like to think of him at large, free to attack you or Mum whenever he’s in a temper …’
‘I doubt ’e’ll bother with me again,’ Nellie said. ‘If I told my old man it were ’im fer sure, ’e’d get some of his mates and give Jake a thrashin’ …’
‘Why don’t yer?’ Micky asked, looking at her intently.
‘You know my old man ’as history wiv the local police,’ Nellie said. ‘Got in a fight down the Docks and was warned that if ’e did it again ’e’d lose his job and probably end up goin’ ter prison … Bert’s the best ’usband ever but ’e’s got a temper when ’e thinks somethin’ ain’t right …’
Micky nodded and there was an odd expression in his eyes. ‘Tell him to keep ’is nose clean then, Nellie love. Some of us will see to it fer yer …’
‘Micky!’ Jinny said, rounding on him. ‘You mustn’t do anythin’ that would get you into trouble with the law. We need evidence against Jake that we can give the police and stop him hurting folk. Surely someone will stand up in court and tell them what a bully he is? Perhaps if I talk to Mum she’ll see sense …’
‘You be careful,’ Nellie warned. ‘If ’e catches you round ’ere …’ She shook her head. ‘I’m all right and ’e won’t touch me no more – you’re the one ’e hates, and if you give ’im the chance ’e’ll ’ave yer …’ She hesitated, then, ‘I’ll talk to yer ma, Jinny love. If she’ll go to the police I’ll take ’er in until they’ve got ’im under lock and key …’
‘Promise me you’ll be careful,’ Jinny said. ‘I care about you, Nellie – you’ve been like a mum to me and I don’t want Jake to hurt you again.’
‘I know when ’e’s gone out,’ Nellie said and chuckled. ‘I’ll see if I can make ’er see sense, love – and then we’ll talk again. In the meantime, you take
care of yerself.’
‘She’ll be with me,’ Micky said. ‘We’re goin’ out now and I’ll take care of her.’ He looked Nellie in the eyes and she half nodded. ‘Jinny will be fine with me …’
‘Yeah, I reckon she will,’ Nellie said. ‘Just make sure ’e can’t get to ’er, Micky. The bugger’s mad and if ’e started hurtin’ ’er ’e might not know when to stop …’
Jinny sensed something pass between them, some unspoken message that she wasn’t supposed to know about. ‘I’ll be all right,’ she said. ‘I shan’t go out alone at night and he daren’t do anything in broad daylight …’
‘Don’t you worry, Nellie,’ Micky said and winked at her. ‘Jinny’s my girl and I’ll see that devil don’t get near her …’
Jinny looked at Micky as they walked home, trying to read his face, but his expression was thoughtful and not easy to fathom.
‘You won’t do anythin’ silly, will you?’ she said as they stopped a short distance from St Saviour’s in the entrance to a narrow alley. ‘Please, Micky. I do like you and I don’t want you to be in trouble because of Jake …’
Micky bent his head and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. ‘You’re too young to think about gettin’ married yet, Jinny, and I’m not ready to settle – but I care about yer – and one day I’m goin’ ter marry yer …’ He smothered her protest with another kiss. ‘I ain’t gonna force yer, love, but you’ll see how good I can be and one day you’ll know …’
‘Micky, I like you loads but I’m not sure …’ He grinned at her and she felt suddenly shy. ‘Perhaps one day many years ahead – but I want to do something with my life before I get married … I might train to be a cook …’
‘I ain’t ready yet either, but don’t forget I look after my own.’ He gave her a little push forward. ‘Go on, get in and be safe. I’ll watch until you’re inside …’
Jinny did as he said, pausing at the door of the nurses’ home to turn and wave before using her key to go inside. She was thoughtful as she went upstairs to her room. She did like Micky a lot but she hadn’t intended to get into a permanent relationship just yet – but then, he’d admitted he wasn’t ready to settle down either. If they went out for a while and one of them got fed up it would all blow over anyway. She should accept her good luck and not worry over things that didn’t matter.
The thought that Jake was lingering in the shadows waiting for his revenge was like a dark cloud at the back of her mind. Jinny knew she’d made an enemy of him by threatening to go to the police, but she wasn’t going to let it worry her. She was angry that he’d hurt Nellie and wondered what she’d done to anger him. Perhaps he thought Bert knew what he was doing down the Docks and that Nellie had told her Jake was in with a bad lot, but of course it had been Micky that had told Jinny. If he’d taken his fury out on Nellie because of her, Jinny wouldn’t forgive herself. Jake hadn’t actually hurt her the day he’d tried to grab her so there wasn’t much she could report to the police, but if he ever did give her a beating Jinny decided that she wouldn’t be intimidated; the moment she had proof of his wrongdoing she would report him and hope they sent him down for a long time. If she’d seen him actually beating her mother or Nellie she wouldn’t have hesitated, but at the moment she could only wait and pray that he would be punished one day. If Micky was right and he was mixing with the wrong sort, perhaps they would sort him out …
CHAPTER 14
Nancy was coming down the main staircase, her arms filled with dirty linen that she was taking to the scullery to parcel up for the laundry. One of the sheets was hanging down and just as she reached the last two stairs her foot caught and she went forward sharply … into the arms of someone she couldn’t see, because of all the laundry she was carrying, but knew because of the smell of paint.
‘Whoa, steady there,’ Rob’s voice said kindly. ‘Are you all right, Miss Johnson?’
‘Yes, thank you,’ Nancy said, looking up at him and feeling a little flustered. ‘I just missed my step. It was lucky for me that you were there …’
‘Well, as long as you’re not harmed,’ Rob said and his gentle smile made Nancy respond with a smile of her own. ‘I was planning on finishing the landing upstairs this afternoon so I’ll get on out of your way.’
‘You’re not in my way.’ Nancy blushed as he looked at her. ‘How are you getting on, Mr Thompson? It is all looking very fresh and bright.’
‘There’s still a fair bit to do yet,’ Rob told her. ‘This is a big place for me on my own and Nick has taken on other work now he’s finished the plumbing – but I’m getting there.’
‘Good.’ Nancy lingered for a moment, then, ‘Well, I’d better get this parcelled up ready for the laundry van to call …’
‘You should get a basket or something,’ Rob advised. ‘If you’d fallen from the top you could’ve really hurt yourself …’
Nancy nodded but didn’t reply. He’d sounded as if he really cared and that was a little unsettling, because she didn’t know how to respond, and she hurried away feeling oddly uncertain. He had such a lovely smile and a nice manner – and a part of her still regretted the way she’d been sharp with him on that first day. Perhaps, she thought wistfully, if she’d been friendly he would have invited her to the party Jinny had never stopped talking about since that night …
Oh well, she probably couldn’t have gone anyway, because she’d been on duty that night … although she knew Mavis would have swapped with her if she’d asked. Nancy dismissed the regrets as foolishness as she got down to work. She would be a fool to let herself go soft over Rob – because she knew she could never have a proper relationship with a man. How could she – after what Pa did to her when she was a child?
He’d ruined her, scarred her for life, leaving her with bitter memories and for many years disturbing dreams, though at last those had stopped coming. Nancy was luckier than her brother, because Terry’s mind had been warped and twisted forever after what their father had done to them both.
Brushing away the moisture from her eyes, Nancy got on with her job. This was silly, letting a few kind words get to her. She didn’t need Rob Thompson to ask her out; she didn’t need anyone but her friends at St Saviour’s …
‘Got yer at last, you little runt!’ The voice of the Beast in Andy’s ear made him start and he darted forward as he felt the hand grab his shoulder. ‘You’re comin’ wiv me and we’ll get that sister of yours an’ all …’
‘No! You can’t make me,’ Andy cried and wriggled free of his step-father’s hold. ‘I won’t come back and Beth won’t either. You’ve hit us for the last time and now you’re goin’ to pay …’
‘I know you’ve set the cops on me,’ Arthur Phillips growled. ‘They came round the house lookin’ fer me – Mabel next door told me – but I was out. You’ve been tellin’ lies about me and you can just take ’em back … or I’ll skin you alive …’
‘I didn’t tell lies; it’s all true,’ Andy defended himself. ‘I know you want us out of the way so you can ’ave Dad’s house but we ain’t comin’ back. I don’t want the house or anythin’ to do with you and I don’t care what you say …’
‘You little sod …’ Arthur muttered and made another grab for him, but Andy kicked out sharply and ran back into the playground, his breath coming sharply in gasps of fear. He’d been lost in happy thoughts of playing for the school team and just hadn’t seen the Beast hanging around. His head down and angry tears on his cheeks, he ran straight into someone’s bulk and steady hands held him firmly.
‘What is wrong, lad?’ Mr Barton asked, looking down at him and then beyond. ‘Was that man trying to force you to go with him?’
‘He’s my step-father,’ Andy said. ‘The doctor said he would be arrested fer hurtin’ me and Beth, but he’s come after me and if he makes us go with him, he’ll kill us …’
‘Slow down, lad,’ his teacher said and let go of his arms. ‘I’ll have a word with Mr Phillips …’
As the schoolmaster walk
ed towards Andy’s step-father he turned and walked off quickly, but not before he’d thrown him a look of menace. Andy shuddered, because he knew that one of these days there would be no one around to protect him.
‘Hey you – Phillips! I want a word …’ Mr Barton called but there was no answer. Arthur didn’t even turn his head to look. After a moment he returned to Andy and stood looking down at him. ‘He frightened you, Andy. I’ll see you home – but first we’ll go to the police station and talk to Sergeant Sallis. That rogue wants locking up before he does more damage.’
‘Thanks, sir,’ Andy said. ‘I can stand up to him, but if he tries to grab Beth … she’s terrified of him. He used to swear at her and beat her all the time. I told the truth because the doctor said the police would believe him, but now he’s after us and I’m afraid of what he’ll do …’
‘The police need proof before they can pull him in for questioning. Your doctor knew you’d been beaten, but he only had your word it was your step-father. I’m going to bear witness to what I saw, which isn’t enough but may help to convince the police that Mr Phillips is violent,’ the teacher said. ‘Come on, lad. We’ll go in my car – your friend Keith can come with us if you like …’ He smiled at him. ‘I’ll ask Sister Beatrice if it’s all right – and if she agrees my wife and I will take the pair of you into the country and give you some driving tuition on a private airfield this Sunday. Now how would you like that?’
‘Would you really?’ Andy’s smile lit his face. ‘Could Beth come too – if she gets back from the hospital?’
‘Is your sister poorly then?’
‘Yeah, I ain’t sure when she’ll be back …’
‘Well, if she is you can bring her or another friend. I’ll hire a station wagon and take one of your carers too – make it a proper outing with a picnic basket and lemonade.’