by Joan Jonker
‘Yer could have given him a black eye.’ Nellie was all for revenge. ‘I would have done if I’d been there. In fact I’d be so mad with him, I’d have given him two black eyes and a broken nose. See how he likes being picked on.’
‘Well it’s over with now, sunshine, so all we have to worry about is Mrs Reagan. We’ll call round in the morning to see if she’s all right, and if she needs any shopping,’ Molly said. ‘Although I think Hilda will be keeping a watchful eye on her. They’ll be good for each other. And who knows, sunshine, the accident may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. The two old ladies might spend more time together, go to the shops or for a walk in the park.’
‘That’s true, girl, they’ll be company for each other. We could call there in the morning before we go to the shops, eh?’
Corker had been keeping his eye on the clock. He didn’t want to look as though he was rushing away, but he’d been planning to take Jack for a pint or two. And he thought of a way of getting what he wanted without feeling selfish or guilty. He stood up to put a hand in his pocket, brought out a two shilling piece and placed it on the table. ‘This is not blackmail, Molly, me darlin’, it was a case of having two thoughts at once. I’d like, with your permission, to take Jack for a pint before the pub closes, and I’d like you to buy some cakes with that two bob, and take them with yer when yer go to Rita’s. Have a cake and a cup of tea on me. There’s enough there for a cake each, isn’t there?’
It was a beaming Nellie who told him, ‘Ay, Corker, I’ve just counted on me fingers, and we can buy eight cakes with two bob. That means two each for the four of us.’
Molly chuckled. ‘It’s a good job yer didn’t give her five bob, Corker, ’cos she’d have run out of fingers.’
‘Oh, aye, Mrs Sarcastic, have yer forgotten I’ve got toes as well? I don’t see them very often, like, but I’m on wiggling terms with them. Except the little toe on me left foot. I don’t get on with that at all because it’s got a ruddy corn on it.’
Corker pushed Jack towards the door. ‘Come on, or they’ll be putting the towel over before we get there.’ He turned to Molly. ‘I’d give up if I were you, me darlin’, ’cos yer’ll never get the last word with Nellie.’
Molly hurried to the door after him. ‘Corker, it’s a bit late to ask, but why didn’t Ellen come with yer?’
‘Paul arrived just before I came out, and I left him sitting at the table with Phoebe and Ellen. I think they’re sorting bridesmaids out, and making lists of things they have to do. I don’t have to tell you what a lot has to be thought of when arranging a wedding, yer’ve done it often enough. Anyway, they’ll have called time before me and Jack wet our whistle, so we’re going to scarper. Ta-ra.’
Molly was walking back to the living room when Nellie confronted her. ‘I’ll go now, girl, ’cos I don’t want to miss what’s going on next door. Our Paul didn’t tell me he was going to Phoebe’s to make lists out. I’ll have missed most of it now, and our Paul will only tell me bits and pieces, yer know what men are like.’
‘Yes, I do, sunshine, they’re not nosy like us women. But I think it’s late for yer to be calling next door. Phoebe and Paul have been to see Father Kelly and got the date they wanted for the wedding, and they’ve booked Hanley’s hall. They can’t give guests numbers yet because they haven’t had time to make a list. So why don’t yer leave it for tonight? Ellen will be tired, ’cos yer know she works all day. So have another cup of tea with me, and yer’ll find out what arrangements they’ve made when they’ve made them.’
Nellie was very reluctant, for she hated to miss anything, but she walked back into the living room under Molly’s gentle persuasion. ‘Our Paul’s a dark horse, girl. He never mentioned he was going next door.’
Molly pressed her down on to her carver chair. ‘He didn’t go next door, as yer put it, sunshine, he went to the home of his girlfriend. Phoebe, his future wife.’
‘Well, that’s next door, isn’t it?’ Nellie failed to see the difference. ‘He could have told me.’
‘Then what a predicament yer’d have been in, sunshine. Yer’d have had to make a choice. Here or next door!’
‘Oh, what’s the use, I can’t win! Go and put the bleeding kettle on, girl, before I cut me throat.’
Molly burst out laughing. ‘Yer’d have to go home to do that, sunshine, ’cos I haven’t got a sharp knife.’
Chapter Twelve
When Nellie called the next morning, she moved her carver chair to the table and plonked herself down. Molly had walked through to the kitchen and was striking a match under the kettle when Nellie shouted through. ‘We all slept in this morning, girl, the ruddy alarm clock didn’t go off. I’ve never seen George in such a bad temper as when he was struggling to get into his trousers. He doesn’t swear, as yer know, but the air was blue this morning. He called me all the names under the sun for not setting the clock. Him and Paul only had a mouthful of tea and a jam butty, and I didn’t have time to do their carry-out.’
Molly popped her head in. ‘Oh, dear, they wouldn’t be very happy with a jam butty, would they? It’s not much to start a day’s work on.’
‘They’ll manage, girl, don’t worry about that. Both of them are good eaters, they love their tummies. They’ll cadge off their mates until dinnertime, and then they’ll get something from the canteen. It won’t kill them for once.’
The kettle began to whistle and Molly disappeared to switch the gas off and pour the water into the teapot. ‘I’ll let it stand for a few minutes, sunshine.’ She stood inside the living room and looked down at the glum face on her mate. ‘What made yer forget to set the alarm, Nellie? That’s not like you. I know yer’ve done it before, but that was ages ago.’
‘Well, I was tired when I left here last night and it slipped me mind.’ Nellie jerked her head in disgust, sending her chins in all directions. ‘Anyway, George should have made sure, for it’s him what has to go to work.’
‘Yes, sunshine, it’s him what’s got to go to work, and it’s him what brings the wages home. Yer can’t have it both ways, yer have to share, give and take. Anyway, I’ll bring the tea in and that might cheer yer up a bit. Yer look down in the dumps.’
‘A cup of tea will cheer me up, girl, ye’re right. And if there’s two custard creams in the saucer, I’ll be twice cheered up.’ Nellie frowned. ‘That doesn’t sound right, girl, does it? Twice cheered up? Nah, I’ll stick to saying I’ll be very happy and yer’ll know what I mean.’
‘Yer getting all tongue-twisted now, sunshine, so why don’t yer skip how yer feel and enjoy the tea when it comes. And I’m pretty sure I can run to two biscuits each.’
Nellie sighed. ‘Like I said to yer the other day, girl, life can be a bugger sometimes.’
Molly came through with a cup and saucer in each hand, and the steam was rising from the cups. ‘I couldn’t be bothered setting the tray, it just makes more work for meself. And as for life, Nellie, well it’s better than having no life. It’s up to us to do the best we can with it.’
Nellie’s chins weren’t expecting her head to give a sharp shake, and they weren’t very happy with her. If she’d only given them notice they could have been prepared. ‘I can’t agree with yer today, girl, I’m not in the best of moods. You wouldn’t be, either, if yer’d heard the way George carried on. And if he starts off when he comes in from work, he’ll get the dinner thrown at him.’
‘That’s a bit drastic, sunshine, and a waste of good food,’ Molly said. ‘What about Paul, was he in a temper?’
‘No, girl, our Paul never gets in a temper. He just took things in his stride. He even gave me a kiss when he was going out of the door, like he always does. And d’yer know what, Molly? He even whispered in me ear that the day could only get better. It was on the tip of me tongue to say that it couldn’t get any bleeding worse, but I didn’t because he was only trying to cheer me up.’
‘He’s a good lad is your Paul, always happy and smiling. He’s settled down a lot
now, and he’ll make Phoebe a good husband. One thing she can be sure of, she’ll never be short of laughter ’cos he takes after you for cracking jokes.’ Molly leaned forward. ‘And yer’ve got a good husband in George. Yer can’t blame him for being a bit bad-tempered this morning, because like Jack, he doesn’t like being late for work. So bear that in mind, and when he comes in tonight put yer arms round him and give him a big hug and kiss. He’d like that, and it would clear the air.’
Nellie huffed and puffed. ‘Oh, he’d like it all right, girl, but he ain’t going to get it. It’s him what should hug and kiss me, and say he’s sorry for being so bad-tempered.’
‘Ye’re not going to like me for saying this, sunshine, but yer can be a bit childish at times. Yer can’t have everything yer own way, and George has spoilt yer by being too lenient with yer. Me and Jack never argue or fall out, because we share and share alike. I know how much is in his wage packet every week, and how much I get from him to buy all the food for the week. I put me rent away first, that’s the most important, having a roof over our head. Then money gets put by for gas and electric. And Jack is quite happy to have a couple of bob in his pocket for his ciggies and the odd pint of beer he has during the week. Me and him are quite happy with our lot. We love each other, adore our children, and I thank God I’ve still got me ma and da.’
‘Don’t be bragging, girl! Anyone would think yer were the only one with a loving husband, and kids that are adored. I love my kids as much as you do, and there are times when my husband is very loving. I bet he beats your Jack hands down when it comes to love and passion.’
Molly grinned. ‘That’s better, sunshine, more like yer old self. And I’ll let yer off bringing yer bedroom into the conversation ’cos yer haven’t mentioned it much lately. Which I have appreciated.’ She reached over for Nellie’s empty cup and saucer. ‘And now ye’re looking a bit more like yer old self, I think it’s time we were on our way. I’d like to call to Rita’s first, make sure she’s all right, and then come back and call in on Doreen and Jill before we go shopping. Does that arrangement suit you, sunshine?’
‘Down to the ground, girl, down to the ground.’
‘Right, well, I’ll stick these in the sink and we’ll be on our way. And keep our fingers crossed that Rita’s had a good night’s sleep, and is none the worse for her ordeal.’
The two mates cut through two side streets to save time, and just over five minutes after closing Molly’s door they were knocking on Rita’s. There was no answer to the first knock, and Molly shrugged her shoulders. ‘Perhaps she’s in the back and can’t hear us.’
‘I’d think it’s a safe bet she’s next door.’ Nellie didn’t like hanging around and she rapped on Hilda’s window. As usual it wasn’t a light rap; it shook the windowpane. And Hilda came out of the door shaking a fist, thinking a youngster was playing tricks.
‘Where did he go?’ Hilda, her lips tight and her eyes narrowed to slits, looked up and down the street. ‘Which way did he go? I’ll have his ruddy guts for garters.’
As innocent as a child, Nellie asked, ‘Where did who go, girl?’
‘Whoever banged on me window and nearly broke it, that’s who. Gave me and Rita the fright of our lives. Yer must have seen him, he’s probably run down one of the entries. I don’t know how you two could miss him, he must have only been inches from yer.’
‘Yer keep saying “he”, Hilda,’ Molly said, wondering how her mate was going to talk her way out of this. ‘What makes yer think it was a lad?’
‘Because there’s a couple of scallywags in the street what bunk off school, queen, that’s why. The mothers let them run wild.’
Nellie’s brain was working overtime. ‘It was probably a gust of wind, girl, and it rattled the pane of glass. My window often does the same thing.’
Molly couldn’t get over the likeness between the two women. They’d pass for twins. Equal in height and weight, if it came to a fight with blows exchanged, they’d knock each other out with the first punch. The only difference Molly could see between the two women was that Hilda wasn’t crafty like Nellie. For her mate’s face was really angelic when she blamed the wind for the window’s rattling.
‘There’s no ruddy wind out!’ Hilda glared at Nellie, thinking she was having her leg pulled. ‘There’s not even a breeze!’ She looked at Molly. ‘Did you see any lads, Molly?’
Thanking her lucky stars that the question had been asked in such a way that she didn’t need to tell a lie, Molly shook her head. ‘There’s been no lads here, Hilda, not that I saw. The street’s been empty while we’ve been here, not a soul in sight.’ She looked at Nellie, willing her to tell the truth and save a lot of bother, but her mate was quite unperturbed. After all, what was the point of asking for trouble? ‘Not a soul, sunshine, not a soul.’
Hilda’s arms dropped to her sides. ‘Well, queen, it’s a blinking mystery, that’s all I can say.’
Changing the conversation completely, Molly asked, ‘Is Rita still with yer, sunshine? We have knocked but didn’t get an answer.’
‘Well, yer wouldn’t, queen, because she’s sitting at me table finishing her breakfast off. She slept like a log all night. Went to bed at half past eight last night because it had been a hard day for her and she was worn out. And she slept right through until half past ten this morning.’
‘Oh, that’s marvellous news, Hilda,’ Molly said. ‘Thank God she’s got a neighbour like you.’
Hilda jerked her head, and as her chins swayed they said ‘Hello’ to Nellie’s chins, making friends, like. ‘Come on in and see her for yerselves. She’s probably finished her breakfast now, and she’d be delighted to see yer. She spent most of yesterday singing yer praises. Go on, get in, I don’t stand on ceremony.’
Rita was really pleased to see them, and she made such a fuss, the window incident was forgotten. She waited until they were seated, then said, ‘I have never slept so long in all my life. I couldn’t believe it when Hilda woke me and said it was half past ten! When I’m in me own house next door, I toss and turn for ages before I drop off, and then I only sleep in fits and starts. Hilda has been really kind. I can’t thank her enough. That long sleep has done me good; I feel much better and more light-hearted.’
‘That’s with having company, sunshine, someone to talk to,’ Molly said. ‘And you look fine to me, which has set my mind at rest.’
‘Yes, yer look ten years younger, girl,’ Nellie said, trying to make up for the window episode. She knew she would get a lecture off Molly as soon as they got outside, and she was trying hard to butter her mate up. Not that she thought she’d done anything bad enough to warrant the fuss that Hilda made. It was only a ruddy window, after all, and no real harm was done. But she wasn’t going to say that to Molly, she was going to be very diplomatic and watch her words. ‘Don’t yer think Rita looks a lot younger, girl?’
Molly was aware of Nellie’s tactics, but this wasn’t the place to say so. She’d wait until they were on their own. ‘Yes, she looks very well. Thanks to Hilda for having a spare bed – it certainly came in handy last night.’
Hilda was leaning back against the sideboard, a chubby finger making circles in the fat on her elbows. ‘She’s staying here tonight as well. Rita was against it when I suggested she stay, because she thinks she’s being a nuisance, but I enjoyed having her company. It was a change from talking to the wallpaper. So I’m glad she’s agreed to stay, for my sake and her own. Another decent night’s sleep will do her the world of good.’
‘Me and Molly are going to the shops,’ Nellie told her, for the sake of getting in her mate’s good books. ‘We can get yer shopping for yer if yer like?’
Hilda shook her head. ‘Thanks all the same, queen, but me and Rita were talking while we were having our breakfast, and we decided we’d go to Walton Park and have a walk around. Just for half an hour, like, I don’t want her tiring herself out. On the way back we’ll call at the shops.’ She leaned over the table and patted Rita on
the shoulder. ‘We haven’t decided what to have for our dinner yet, queen, have we? We’ve considered making a stew with mince and vegetables, or perhaps buying a nice piece of fish for a change.’
‘Oh, it’s nice to hear that,’ Molly said. Then, forgetting she was angry with Nellie, she said, ‘I’m really pleased for the pair of yer, aren’t you, Nellie?’
Her mate’s face was a joy to behold, and she hastened to agree. ‘Ye’re right, girl, I think it’s smashing. And just think, if they make a stew for the two of them, it’ll only cost them half the price it would if they made one each.’
Hilda and Rita looked at each other with surprise, until Molly enlightened them. ‘Nellie often comes out with her pearls of wisdom, ladies, and although they don’t always make sense, she means well. And it’s not a bad idea anyway, when yer come to think of it.’
‘I think it’s a good idea, Hilda,’ Rita said. ‘We could share a pan of stew, rather than me making one in my house and you making one here. Think of the gas it would save, and the washing up.’
Nellie’s rising bosom told Molly her mate was getting excited about something she was cooking up in her head. ‘Ay, Rita, you and Hilda could be another Molly and Nellie! Mates what do everything together and share things! Ooh, ay, wouldn’t that be good?’
It was Hilda’s bosom that rose now, but it was with laughter. ‘In case yer haven’t noticed, queen, me and Rita are twice your age. Ye’re only youngsters compared to us.’
‘Not quite twice our age, Hilda,’ Molly said, ‘although I admit there is quite a difference. But that doesn’t count if ye’re still young at heart. I wouldn’t expect the pair of yer to do cartwheels down the street, mind you, or run after a bus. But ye’re both lively and could get a lot out of life if yer did it at yer own speed.’ Molly was warming to the idea of the two elderly women enjoying each other’s company instead of knowing only loneliness. ‘I’m not trying to push you into anything, for yer’ve got minds of yer own that are far more intelligent than mine.’