by Pam Howes
* * *
When Alice and Jack took Arnold’s car back to the Legion they told him and Winnie their good news. Alice felt her cheeks heating and her stomach flipping as Jack held her hand and sat close beside her on the sofa. It had all felt wonderful, sharing their news with Millie and Jimmy and making plans on the drive home. But now the reality was hitting her and she was worried about what everyone would say. Terry was never coming home, but even so, she hadn’t been widowed very long. His mother would go mad of course; she didn’t like Jack as it was. Alice took a deep breath as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. This was their lives and she had to do what was best for her, Jack and the children. And having extra money coming in from Jack’s wages would help her to carry on doing the best she could.
‘Well I’ll be,’ Arnold declared. ‘But I didn’t think it’d be too long before you two got together. Summat’s been brewing for years.’
‘Oh congratulations, luvvies,’ Winnie said, getting to her feet and giving Alice a hug and Jack a peck on the cheek.
Alice felt her cheeks getting hotter still at Arnold’s comment. She wondered how many other people had the same thoughts.
‘Get the sherry out, Arnold,’ Winnie ordered. ‘We need to raise a glass to toast the pair of them.’
After the toast, Alice told them about Brian’s achievements and how Jack’s proposal had come about.
Arnold nodded and scratched his chin thoughtfully. ‘The house you live in on Lucerne Street, Alice, do you own it outright?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, I do, well, along with my brother, that is.’
‘Have you ever thought about selling it and going into business?’
‘No, never.’ Alice shook her head. ‘Why, what sort of business do you have in mind?’
‘Well, me and her ladyship,’ he began, nodding at Winnie, ‘we’ve been thinking about retiring very soon, as you know, and we’d love it if Jack could take over from us. But he needs a bond for the brewery that owns the business. Now, you can see how big this flat is up here, plenty of room for a family, and there are three big bedrooms too. It’s all rent- and rates-free. If you sold the house, you could put money aside for your brother’s education from his share, pay the bond and all move in here. Jack could run the place, you could work when you wanted to, like my Winnie does, or you could get a woman in to help with the cleaning and catering side. You could still do a bit at Lewis’s then, because I know you enjoy your job there. It’ll be up to you, chuck, of course, but you’ll be quids in and have a nice big home as well. What do you think?’
‘It’s a lot to take in.’ Alice looked at Jack, whose face had lit up at Arnold’s suggestion. ‘Jack, what do you think?’
‘It’s up to you, love. It’s yours and Brian’s house and he’ll need to be in agreement. But it’s a great suggestion. Our own business, a lovely big flat, freedom from bills we’d maybe struggle a bit to pay. Brian can stay on at school. It’s a good start for me and you and a solid future for us all.’
Alice chewed her lip. Jack was right, but a couple of things bothered her and maybe she shouldn’t have accepted his marriage proposal without thinking long and hard about it first.
‘You don’t really like kids, and Cathy will be living with us,’ she said. The fleeting memory of Terry saying Jack would drink a business dry crossed her mind, but she dismissed it as quickly as it had come. He’d change if they were married, she was sure. He only drank because he was lonely.
Jack laughed. ‘I can get used to anything, given time. And Brian and Cathy will be at school most of the day. We’ll not be having any babbies of our own, though. We’ll be far too busy building a future.’
Alice nodded. She wasn’t that bothered about having any more children. She’d rather be working and taking care of Cathy and Brian and now she could look after Jack properly too and make a nice home for them all.
‘All we’ve got to do now is tell your ma-in-law and the kids and we’re sorted. We can book a date for the wedding and start making plans.’
Alice grimaced at the mention of telling her mother-in-law. She was absolutely dreading it. Granny would go mad. She might never speak to Alice again. But at the end of the day, if she could give the kids all they needed, and Brian his all-important education, then she had to put them first. She was sure she would be very happy with Jack. That passionate kiss on the beach and the promise behind it, the long friendship they shared, his supporting her through the aftermath of losing Terry – surely it was meant to be. And she smiled as the memory of Millie and Jimmy wanting to rent or buy a house in Aigburth popped into her mind. With a bit of luck, things could fall into place perfectly for them all. She’d talk to Jack about that when he walked her home.
‘If Brian agrees to me selling the house, then we’ll do it,’ she said. ‘And to be honest, I really can’t see him objecting if it means he can eventually go to university. Refill those glasses, Jack, and we’ll toast Arnold and Winnie’s retirement and our own happy future.’
10
‘Do you want me to stay while you talk to the kids?’ Jack asked as Alice relaxed in his arms on the sofa in the small front room. ‘I’ll need to get back to the Legion for work at seven though.’
She shook her head and looked at the clock on the fireplace. It was just gone half past six. She couldn’t believe how much her life and future had changed in the few short hours since they’d left the house for Blackpool that morning.
‘They’ll be home any minute. Brian was going to pick Cathy up from Granny’s and no doubt she’ll have saved him something to eat. I’ll get Cathy ready for bed and out of the way while I talk to him. Telling her we’re getting married can wait until after school tomorrow. If Brian says yes about the house, I’ll write to Millie and Jimmy later and let them know we’ll be selling it. I’ll post the letter tomorrow rather than phone them from a phone box with Cathy’s little ears wagging beside me. They’ll get the letter on Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest, and meantime I can get someone in to tell me how much the house is worth.’
Jack nodded. He pulled her close and kissed her passionately, his hands running thought her hair and over her body.
‘You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to do this,’ he whispered. ‘Just to hold you really close and kiss you properly. I’ve always held back because I didn’t want to overstep the mark and frighten you away. As soon as you’ve told people, we’ll book our wedding. I’ve no one to tell, so it’s just your side. We can live here until everything’s sorted. I don’t want to wait too long, Alice, because I need you, gel, and the sooner the better.’
Alice caught her breath as she looked into his hungry blue eyes. He was studying her intently and her stomach flipped. It was a feeling she hadn’t experienced for a while. She needed him too. As he’d just said, the sooner they were married the better. She jumped as the front door was flung back so hard it bounced against the hall wall.
‘Mammy,’ Cathy called out, running into the room. She stopped dead and scowled as she saw Jack sitting close to her mother. Brian popped his head around the door and greeted Jack in a friendly manner.
‘Hiya, kids,’ Jack said. ‘Nice to see you both, but I’m afraid I’m just off back to work. Me and your mam have had a lovely day in Blackpool. Next time we’ll take the pair of you with us. Bet you’d like that, eh, Cathy? Playing on the sands with your bucket and spade and having donkey rides.’ He got to his feet and Alice jumped up with him, smoothing the skirt of her dress straight. She saw him to the door and he gave her a quick kiss, whispered, ‘Good luck, gel,’ and closed the gate behind him. He turned to wave and she called quietly to him, ‘Jack, pop in on your way home.’
‘Are you sure?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, and then I can tell you what Brian said.’
‘Okay. See you later then.’
* * *
Alice rubbed Cathy’s freshly washed hair with a towel and ran the brush through it. Her daughter squealed when the brush hit a tangle.
/> ‘Sorry, sweetheart,’ Alice apologised and dropped a comforting kiss on Cathy’s cheek. She pulled a clean pink nightie over her daughter’s head and sent her downstairs to sit with Brian while she tidied the bathroom. She folded the damp towels and picked up Cathy’s dirty clothes from the floor, her thoughts tumbling over and over in her mind. Was she doing the right thing? This house was the only security her family had. It wasn’t worth a fortune, but it was their home. Then she thought about how she would never move on unless she was prepared to take a chance and make some changes. And also she didn’t want to remain a lonely widow forever; she was too young to give up on that side of life. The nice big flat, her own business – well, her and Jack’s – meant a more stable and secure environment and future for the kids, and a new life was just what they all needed. It would be good for Jack as well to belong to a family and have someone take care of him.
She didn’t have quite the same strength of feeling for him that she’d had for Terry, but she hoped that would grow given time. It was all new and not every relationship would be the same, all hearts and flowers. But Jack had excited her when he’d kissed and caressed her and she wanted more. Millie had thought herself in love with Alan, until he dropped her for a nurse he’d met in France, but it hadn’t stopped her marrying Jimmy as soon as the war ended and they were happy together. Millie never mentioned Alan now. Alice knew she’d never forget Terry – how could she when she had his mirror image in Cathy? – but she could put her pain to one side and make a real effort with Jack.
‘Mammy, are you making my cocoa now?’ Cathy’s piping voice called up the stairs, breaking her thoughts.
‘Yes, I’m coming, love.’ She hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen to put the milk on the stove to heat. ‘Brian,’ she called out, ‘would you like some cocoa as well?’
‘Please,’ Brian called back from the front room, where he was listening to the wireless. ‘Have we got any biscuits, Alice?’ he said, coming into the kitchen behind her. ‘I’m proper starving.’
Alice nodded. ‘You always are. We have some ginger nuts in the tin. But didn’t Granny feed you? She usually does on a Sunday.’
Brian grinned and Alice thought how handsome her younger brother was these days. He was getting to look so much like their late brother Rodney. His eyes the same shade of blue and his hair thick and dark. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought of Rodney and how much she missed her big brother.
‘She gave me a roast dinner that she’d kept warm in the oven. It was lovely, but I’m peckish again now.’
Alice laughed. ‘Help yourself to biscuits then.’ He’d always had a good appetite. Hollow legs, as their mam used to say.
She made the cocoa and they took their mugs into the front room, where Cathy was curled up on the sofa with a picture book, struggling to keep her eyes open. Good. She could go up to bed as soon as she’d finished her drink while the subject of the house was broached with Brian.
* * *
Alice chewed her lip as Brian sat quietly beside her on the sofa while he mulled over what he’d just been told.
‘I’ll leave you to have a think for a while and go and wash these,’ she said. She picked up the empty cocoa mugs and took them into the kitchen. While she was filling the sink Brian came to stand in the doorway.
‘Not much to think about really, is there?’ he began. ‘Let’s do it. Sell up and move, I mean.’
‘Do you really mean it?’ Alice smiled and gave him a hug. ‘And me marrying Jack, how do you feel about that?’
Brian shrugged. ‘It’s fine by me if it’s what you want, our Alice. He seems a nice enough chap. I’ve always got on really well with him. Granny will go mad though, you do know that, don’t you? She can’t stand him because of what she thinks he did to Terry’s bike.’
Alice sighed. ‘Oh, I do know, love, and I dread telling her. But this is our life and I have to do what’s best for us three as a family, not her. She’s had her life and done what she considers best for her since being widowed. Now it’s my turn for me to do what’s best for us. With your half of the house money put away in a separate account for your future, you can do what you like then. Make no mistake, Brian, there’s no way we could afford to put you through university if we don’t sell this place. And it’s what I want for you more than anything; you know that, don’t you? I think Jack and I will be very happy together and I’m sure Cathy will take to him once she gets to know him better. She’s a bit shy around him at the moment, like she was with Terry at first, but time will sort that out.’
‘She’ll be fine,’ Brian said. ‘Jack might give me a job collecting and washing glasses at weekends. I can earn a bit of pocket money then. No, you go ahead, Alice. Don’t let Granny or anyone else stand in your way. And if Millie and Jimmy buy the house, then we’re all sorted. It can all be done dead quickly.’
Alice blew out her cheeks. ‘I’ll tell Granny tomorrow when I pick up Cathy after work. I was waiting to hear your thoughts first.’
Brian gave her a hug. ‘Right, I’m going up to my room to do a bit of studying. Greek mythology! Oh, the joys.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘See you in the morning.’
‘You will. Goodnight, Brian, don’t stay up too late. I’m going to iron yours and Madam’s uniforms for school tomorrow and get a quick bath. Jack’s popping in on his way home to see what your thoughts are on our plans.’
* * *
Alice yawned and stretched her arms above her head. The wireless was playing softly in the background and her Woman’s Weekly magazine was on the floor by her feet. She must have dozed off for a while. Jack would be here soon. Her heart did a little skip and her tummy fluttered at the thought of seeing him again. It was a nice feeling. She’d had a bath and written the letter to Millie. It was on the mantelpiece ready to post in the morning. A slight tap on the window made her jump and she edged the curtain back to see Jack’s smiling face. She hurried down the hall to let him in, conscious of the fact she was wearing her blue silky nightgown that matched her eyes.
‘Thought it best to tap quietly on the window rather than wake up the kids by banging on the door,’ Jack said as she let him in and led him into the front room. ‘Any joy with Brian, then?’
She nodded, smiling, conscious of his eyes on her. She could smell whisky on him, but it wasn’t as strong as on previous nights, the scent of Old Spice shaving soap stronger.
‘Yes, Brian is fine with the idea, more than fine, in fact. He’s dead keen. I’ve written to Millie and I’ll call into Shaw’s tomorrow before I go to work, and ask them to give me an idea as to what sort of price I should ask for the house in case she and Jimmy want to buy it.’
Jack swept her into his arms, his smile lighting up his face. ‘That’s marvellous, Alice, bloody marvellous. I can’t believe it. Me and you getting wed, gel, and business partners as well as partners for life.’
Alice nodded, unable to speak and conscious of Jack’s hands running up and down her body through the thin fabric of her nightdress. He dropped his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. She could feel his arousal as he pressed himself ever closer, clutching her buttocks.
As they came up for air Jack said, ‘Tell your ma-in-law tomorrow, please. I need you, gel, and I can’t be held responsible for my actions when you come to the door dressed in something as skimpy as this nightie.’
Alice grinned shyly. ‘Behave yourself.’
‘I don’t want to,’ he teased. ‘But seriously, will you tell her?’
‘Yes, I intend to. And then we can go and see the registrar and book the wedding.’
‘And I’ll tell Arnold and Winnie we’ll have the club. They can arrange to have the paperwork drawn up and start looking for a new place. Winnie said she saw some newly built bungalows for older people, near Hoylake, in tonight’s Echo. She fancies one. Arnold just rolled his eyes and nodded.’ Jack laughed. ‘He’s right under the thumb, that one. I’d better go. I can’t hold you much longer like this and be expected to control
myself! Can’t wait to marry you and make you mine.’
‘Me too,’ she said and stood up on tiptoe to kiss him again.
‘Wish I didn’t have to go,’ he whispered, squeezing her backside again. ‘But let’s try to keep it all above board and decent until we’re legal. I don’t want any of the bloody neighbours gossiping about you for having me stay over before we’re wed. Walls have ears round here, as we know.’
She nodded. ‘It won’t be for long. Take care on your walk home. Call in tomorrow before you go to work at seven if you can. I’ll be able to tell you how it went with Granny then. Wish me loads of luck. I’ll need it. Goodnight, Jack.’
‘Goodnight, gel, and good luck by the bucketful.’
* * *
Jack lit a cigarette as he limped away down Lucerne Street and out onto Lark Lane. He felt really pleased with himself. He and Alice would rub along just fine, he was sure. They’d been friends for ages now and that would stand them in good stead. He’d been desperate to get his hands on the Legion, and by a strange quirk of fate, with her having financial problems brought on by having a clever brother, he was almost there. He was confident he could make an even bigger success of the place than Arnold and Winnie had. He had big plans in his head. He’d book good turns for every Saturday night like other social clubs did. There were some smashing artistes around now the war was over and they were all looking for a venue to sing in. And hopefully Millie would become one of his regular acts when she was back in Liverpool. He’d run weekly bingo and whist nights; get the bowling green overhauled and back to grass. During the war it had been given over to the WI for growing vegetables and since then Arnold hadn’t bothered with it, but bowling teams would flock to a decent green and they could serve tea and sandwiches. Maybe even do regular dinnertime bites to eat as well. Nothing like a nice pie and chips with a decent midday pint. With plenty of booze on tap for himself, the world was his oyster. He’d just need a couple of good barmaids and a regular cleaner. He was sure Alice would want to stay on at Lewis’s, but that wasn’t a problem to him. She’d be with him at night to enjoy and then he could more or less do as he pleased during the day.