by Cathy Sharp
‘Do you think Mrs Jenkins will take me, Sister?’ Jinny asked anxiously. ‘Is the course very expensive?’
‘Normally, I think it costs about twenty pounds,’ Sister Beatrice said. ‘However, I once helped Mrs Jenkins recover from an illness and she is prepared to waive the fee – providing you pass the interview, and in return for your agreeing to work in the catering business when not in class. Of course you will get some time to yourself. One evening a week and Sundays I believe …’
‘Oh, that is so kind of her – and you,’ Jinny said. ‘Do you think I shall pass the interview, Sister?’
‘I’ve given you a good reference and I’m sure Sandra would put in a word for you too – and then it’s up to you, but I have every hope you will make me proud of you …’
‘Oh, thank you,’ Jinny said. ‘When is the interview?’
‘A letter will come to inform you,’ Sister said. ‘So, now you are both certain of my wishes for Christmas Eve? We shall have a party and the girls from next door will be invited to join us with Miss Saunders and those members of her staff she cares to bring. On Christmas Day we shall have a simple meal and watch Her Majesty broadcast to the nation on the television Billy Baggins was kind enough to give us … Did you know that the speech was to be on television instead of the radio this year? I didn’t until Billy told me.’
‘He gave the television to you, Sister,’ Jinny said. ‘It’s his present to you to thank you for all you did for him and Mary Ellen …’
‘And very generous it was too,’ Sister Beatrice said. ‘I shall take it with me when I leave, but until then we may all enjoy it. Billy is going to drive me down to Halfpenny House. He and Mary Ellen will take my bits and pieces in a car he is borrowing and I’ll ride with them. I said I would go on the train but he insisted that they would take me. Angela is coming up to fetch the last of the children herself the day after Boxing Day … and I shall then finish up here and hand over the keys …’ A little sigh escaped her, but she raised her head, determined not to show any sign of distress that so many years of her life were ending, but Jinny guessed how she must feel.
Jinny was grateful to Sister Beatrice for helping her to find a position after the home closed. She and Nellie had made Nancy’s wedding cake and given it to her, and received the promise of an invitation to the wedding. After that they’d turned their attention to making Christmas puddings and cakes and preparing mincemeat. Although most of the orphans would have left for Essex by Christmas, it was important to make the party a good one for the girls from the probationary centre and the staff, since it was to mark the end of an era.
November had fled after Sister Beatrice announced that St Saviour’s would be closing at the end of the year. Thanks to the second-hand television Billy Baggins had given to Sister Beatrice, everyone saw the Russians send their dog Laika into space; they heard that the House of Lords was to admit women peers; and that Christian Dior, the king of French fashion, had died. A new British singing sensation called Tommy Steele and the Cavemen were storming the stage and TV screens; in Paris the heads of all the countries in NATO had met and agreed to allow USA missiles to be based in Europe, because of what was perceived as the Russian threat; and Elvis Presley had been drafted into the American military.
At St Saviour’s life was changing fast too. The carers had been busier than ever; as well as the trips to Halfpenny House, they had packing to oversee, sorting out dark cupboards and discovering stuff left behind by children who had gone on to other lives. Most of it had been taken to the charity stall on the market, and Jinny had carried paper bags stuffed full of old clothes, discarded puzzles and games, and a cricket bat to the charity stalls.
When her duties were over in the kitchen each day, she’d helped Kelly to clean out the cupboards and pack the children’s things. Every week at least six children had departed for the orphanage in Essex, some of them looking apprehensive, others excited, all of them clutching parcels wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.
By the second week of December only a handful of orphans remained, all of them aged thirteen or older, the senior boys having left to take up their apprenticeships and find a new home in a youth hostel. Five others were due to leave for Essex on Boxing Day and the other three were girls of fifteen and sixteen, who had volunteered to stay and help Sister Beatrice until they left to take up the jobs she had secured for them and their accommodation in a hostel for young women.
Micky came to visit Jinny at the beginning of December. He told her that he might not see her for a couple of weeks, but would definitely be back by Christmas.
‘What are you doing?’ Jinny wanted to know. ‘You’re always coming and going. The last time we went out was at the end of October. Since then I’ve only seen you twice for a few minutes, just for a coffee and you never have time to talk. I never know when I’m going to see you …’
‘I’ve been busy,’ Micky said and his eyes didn’t quite meet hers. ‘I’ll tell you about it soon, I promise …’
‘Why should I care?’ she said huffily. She’d hoped he might take her dancing before Christmas and ask her out for Boxing Day, which was when her duties officially finished at St Saviour’s and she was due to leave for her cookery course.
‘Because you’re my girl,’ Micky said and grinned at her, pulling her into his arms and giving her a quick kiss. ‘You know it’s true, Jinny. I’ve been busy that’s all – and when this is over I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’
Jinny shrugged again and he went off looking a bit down, but she didn’t like him being secretive and was afraid he might be doing something that would get him into trouble with the law. Micky set his own rules and she knew that some of his schemes were a little dodgy. She just hoped he wouldn’t do anything that got him locked up in prison.
It was as busy as ever in the kitchen, because although the orphans were leaving for Essex each week, the girls from the probationary centre came to lunch and tea every day now. Ruby Saunders visited the kitchen and talked to Jinny and Nellie. She seemed disappointed that neither of them was staying on after the orphanage closed, but asked them to apply to her if they needed a job in the future. She and Sister Beatrice were often to be seen walking about the building and having long discussions, Ruby making notes on a clipboard she carried with her.
‘You’d think that Miss Saunders had taken over already,’ Kelly said with a disapproving sniff. ‘She asked me if I’d stay on for a while, but I told her I couldn’t …’ Her eyes sparkled with pleasure. ‘I didn’t tell her why, Jinny, but I’ll tell you – I’m having a baby …’
‘You must be delighted,’ Jinny said and gave her a quick hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you, Kelly – and I’d love to come and see the baby when it’s born.’
‘You’ll always be welcome, you and Nellie – and Nancy. All of you really …’ Kelly smiled and touched her stomach. ‘My husband is over the moon.’
‘I’ll just bet he is,’ Jinny said. ‘Come on, sit down and I’ll make you a cup of tea.’
CHAPTER 32
It was so quiet now that most of the children had gone. The nurses’ home was empty apart from Sister Beatrice, Rose and Jinny. Only three dorms were now occupied at St Saviour’s and they had closed down the isolation ward after Wendy left, because it was no longer necessary. Ruby had told her that after long discussions with Miss Sampson it had been decided that they would keep only one nurse on after the orphanage closed. She would deal with day-to-day problems like sore throats and accidents. Any inmate taken seriously ill would be sent to the hospital.
‘Miss Sampson says it is an unnecessary luxury,’ Ruby had told her during one of their long chats in her office. ‘As you know, I would’ve preferred to keep the nurses and the wards, as you have, but I’ve been told we cannot afford to waste money.’
‘I dare say Miss Sampson has her point,’ Beatrice had soothed. ‘After all, that’s what the hospitals are for. When we opened St Saviour’s we were dealing with very sick child
ren often brought in in terrible condition and the hospitals were filled with wounded soldiers. There was nowhere else for the kids in those days. Your girls are healthy and full of life – and it is expensive to keep the wards open. It has been a struggle to find the funds all these years …’
‘You sound tired,’ Ruby said and looked concerned. ‘Are you quite well, Sister?’
‘Perfectly,’ Beatrice said more sharply than the inquiry deserved. ‘You understand the arrangements for Christmas Eve? We shall have the present giving in the hall and then tea in the dining room. I’m sorry there is no tree this year, but with the younger children gone I considered my limited funds would be best spent on small gifts and a good meal.’
‘It’s good of you to do it at all,’ Ruby said. ‘I’ve always given the girls a decent meal on Christmas Day but I’m afraid they’ve had no gifts – though I should like to make a donation to the fund this year …’
‘That will not be necessary, Ruby. I’ve agreed a fund with Angela, who has been generous as always. The gifts are small but everyone will receive one – and I shall play carols on the radiogram Angela presented to us last year. Have you decided which of your girls you will permit to attend the church service with Nancy and Rose and our children?’
‘Yes, I’ll give you a list. There are ten who wish to attend and they’re all quite sensible.’
‘Good, then we shall be pleased to include them. The service is on Christmas Eve and they will come back for the party.’
‘I’ve been told some of my boys will be arriving on the first of January. I need to have a few adjustments made – some locks on downstairs windows in particular. Do you think those builders who did the renovations would come in? I know it’s short notice …’
‘I’ll speak to Rose. She is getting married to the builder after we close you know. I’m sure she can arrange it for you. Nick is very obliging …’
‘Good.’ Ruby stood up. ‘I think that’s all …’
‘Yes, I believe we’ve covered everything,’ Sister Beatrice nodded. ‘Have you heard what will happen to the nurses’ home yet?’
‘No, I haven’t been told. I think they may sell it off … Again, Miss Sampson considers that it is unnecessary to provide accommodation for our employees in this day and age and too expensive …’
‘She may well be right,’ Beatrice said. ‘Well, good evening, Ruby. I shall see you on Christmas Eve if not before.’ She sighed as the door closed behind her visitor. All these plans and talks were more tiring than she could ever have imagined, and she would be glad when it was all over and she could join Angela in the country …
As she left St Saviour’s to retire to her own room for the night, Beatrice could not remember a time when the place had seemed so empty. She felt a wave of loneliness and uncertainty and then, quite suddenly, there was a burst of laughter from one of the boys’ dorms. The feeling of despair left her as swiftly as it had come. It was the end of an era but soon she would be taking up a new position amongst friends and with the children she loved … there was still so much to look forward to …
*
Jinny felt that she’d made real friends at St Saviour’s. Wendy had already left to take up a training course at a hospital, although Rose was still here and Nancy and Sandra, but most of the carers had gone. It was a much reduced family at St Saviour’s now, but as Jinny left that afternoon in mid-December to do her Christmas shopping, she felt that her life had never been better. She was going to buy presents for all the staff and she might get Micky a little gift too, though he didn’t deserve one, because she’d heard nothing from him all week.
Thanks to Sister Beatrice, there would be small gifts for all the children on Christmas Eve, including the girls from next door. This year there was no tree and the gifts would be given out by Sister Beatrice herself. They would not have a carol service at the home, but Rose and Nancy were taking some of the children to a service at the church on Christmas Eve.
Jinny wished that her mother was alive so she could have given her something nice, but in her heart she knew the only present her mother would have wanted was booze, and there was no way she would have spent her savings on that.
‘What yer doin’, Jinny luv,’ Dave asked as she approached his stall. ‘Lookin’ fer a new dress fer Christmas?’
‘No, I’m spending my money on presents for my friends,’ Jinny said and smiled at him.
‘What yer lookin’ fer then, luv?’
‘Oh, scarves or gloves, perhaps some perfume … not sure yet …’ Jinny said and lingered. There was a beautiful red dress with a full skirt and a sweetheart neckline that looked as if it was her size but she resolutely ignored it. ‘Have you got anything that costs about five bob and looks as if it cost more?’
Dave grinned at her. ‘The girl wants a bargain … well, look, ’ere then – I’ve got a box of silk scarves special for the Christmas trade and you can ’ave first pick …’
Jinny immediately fell in love with the beautiful scarves. They looked worth four times as much as Dave was offering them for and she asked him again if he was sure they were only five shillings each.
‘How many do you want then?’ Dave asked and Jinny fingered them reverently. She would have liked a pretty red one for herself, but her money would only stretch so far and she wanted to contribute two pounds to the fund Sister Rose had set up to buy gifts for the children.
‘I’d like these five please,’ Jinny said and selected five of the prettiest ones she could find.
‘Right, that’s a quid to you, love,’ Dave said and pushed them into a paper bag for her. ‘If you change yer mind about a dress you can pay me after Christmas …’
‘I’m not goin’ anywhere special,’ Jinny said. ‘I’ll probably pop to the pub with some friends one evening, and I’ll be workin’ over Christmas Day – I’ve nowhere else to go and Nellie wants the day off to be with her family. She thinks Colin and his family may be home for a little holiday then.’
‘Not going anywhere for Christmas?’ Dave raised his brows. ‘What about comin’ to a special dance with me this evenin’ then? ’
Jinny hesitated, but she hadn’t been anywhere for ages other than to the flicks with Nancy and some of the children on a Saturday afternoon. They’d taken the kids to see The Lady and the Tramp, which was showing again at the local cinema for the umpteenth time, so it was more work than an outing for her and Nancy, but the kids had loved it, and if she told the truth so had Jinny. There had never been money for things like that when she was a kid so she supposed she was sort of making up for lost treats.
‘I’m clean and decent and I don’t bite,’ Dave said with a grin and Jinny giggled, feeling happy and excited all at once. ‘I like you, Jinny, and I’d never hurt you. I know you’re Micky’s girl and …’
‘No, I’m not,’ Jinny said, making up her mind. ‘And I’d love to come to the dance this evening.’
‘Great! Where shall I pick you up then?’ Dave looked really pleased with himself and Jinny smiled.
‘Outside St Saviour’s, please. I’m a Halfpenny girl,’ she said. ‘I want to be a really good cook, Dave, and that’s what I’m going to do – one day maybe I’ll get married and have kids, but I want to be someone first.’
‘You’re someone right now as far as I’m concerned,’ Dave said, ‘but I know you just want to be friends for now and that’s all right with me …’
Jinny paid him for her scarves and went on her way. She had a few more gifts to buy and then she had better get back and finish her work so that she would have time to wash her hair ready for the evening …
Jinny thought Dave looked really smart in his pale grey suit and white shirt with a darker grey tie, his black winkle-picker shoes polished to within an inch of their lives. He’d slicked his hair back with Brylcreem and he smelled of a light aftershave. Wearing her best dress and with her dark hair freshly washed and curled with kirby grips so that it fluffed out about her face and curled over her ears, Jinn
y felt smart and proud to be with Dave.
The dance was held in a small hall with soft lighting that changed colours as a ball spun from a pendant in the ceiling, and the band was on a stage at one end of the room, at the other a bar selling soft drinks only. The floor was highly polished, which made it easy to dance, and though Jinny wasn’t sure of all the steps for some of the dances, Dave seemed to know them all. He surprised her by being a really good dancer, and he was patient, telling her to follow him and helping her to pick up the various moves. By the time they’d danced the first six dances she was ready for a long cool orange juice. Dave drank the same and seemed to enjoy it.
‘I never saw you as being one for dances like this,’ she said, feeling happy. ‘I thought you would prefer goin’ down the pub with your mates.’
‘Yer live and learn,’ Dave said and grinned. ‘Amateur ballroom champ 1955 and ’56 …’
‘Really – you’re not kidding me?’ Now Jinny was shocked, because Dave’s cockney cheek and patter had led her to believe he was one of the lads and this was a new revelation.
‘I enjoy a few pints wiv me mates now and then,’ he said with a grin, ‘but if I’ve got a chance of a good partner I’d take a dance any time …’
‘I’m not much good as a partner for you,’ Jinny said mournfully and noticed that a young blonde woman was looking at them a little resentfully across the room.
‘You could be if we came regularly,’ Dave said. ‘We could even go to classes on a Tuesday night if you were free?’
‘I don’t get much time off,’ Jinny said regretfully. ‘I’m going to catering college when St Saviour’s closes … but I’d like to come to a dance sometimes …’ She caught her breath as the striking blonde walked up to them.