Chapter Twenty-Seven
Summer 1947
Once Megan’s school closed for the summer, Joanne had gone to collect her sister and bring her home to the flat to live with their mother and Danny, thanks to her agreement with this suggestion. She’d so enjoyed seeing quite a lot of her over the summer months and would happily continue to do so until the new term started in September, which would be upon them soon. What she would do after that was undecided.
This afternoon Mam planned to take them on the number two bus to visit Heaton Park, looking forward to a pleasant walk. There used to be Air Force trainees stationed there during the war. Now it was simply a beautiful park and Joanne was itching to see the lake, orangery and gardens, something she’d regularly enjoyed seeing in Stanley Park.
When they arrived, she was amazed to find her mother taking them to a section of Heaton Park filled with prefabs.
‘I was offered one of these and do wonder if it would be worth trying,’ she said, pointing out what they each possessed and expressing an admiration of their gardens, many of them well cared for and quite attractive.
‘I thought you were happily settled in that flat, Mam?’ Joanne said.
‘It’s fine for now but not really big enough for my family. I know you two girls are currently living elsewhere, I just hope that won’t go on for ever.’
Catching a glimmer of alarm in her younger sister’s eyes Joanne felt a degree of sympathy for both Megan and her mother. ‘I admit that our lives are in a bit of a turmoil, but such is reality. I can’t say I’m carried away with working at this hotel. It’s large and well run but you don’t generally find much opportunity to become friendly with the guests. They tend to come and go rather quickly being mainly businessmen rather than tourists staying for a week or more. Not certain how long I’ll remain there or what I plan to do with my life in future.’
‘Decisions are not easy to make in today’s world, our lovely country being in debt and still battling to recover from the war, not to mention all the poor men involved in it,’ her mother agreed, giving a sigh. ‘And finding a home is not easy either.’
‘These prefabs do look lovely and would surely suit you to live in one, Mam. Although I’m afraid they wouldn’t work for me.’
‘Nor me,’ Megan said.
Taking hold of each of their hands, Evie gave them a little kiss. ‘I love both you girls and you’re quite right. I have to accept that you’re pretty grown-up now and very much in charge of organizing your own lives. At least you are safe and survived the war by being evacuated, so why would I complain about how that has given you a strong sense of freedom? I’m not convinced Danny intends to stay around here much longer either. He seems a bit restless or harassed at the moment for some reason.’
Joanne gave a troubled frown. ‘Have you asked what’s bothering him?’
Her mother shook her head. ‘Daren’t do that as I’ve no wish to upset him or sound as if I agree for him to return to the countryside he keeps speaking of.’
This time when Joanne met Megan’s sharp glance she fell silent, something in her sister’s expression warning her to say nothing more on this subject. Could that Willie Mullins be creating more problems for Danny?
They enjoyed a lovely walk around the boating lake, bowling green, temple and gardens. What a treat it was. They then took an afternoon tea and went on to the Gaumont Cinema to see James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life. They came out happily smiling as it had proved to be such a fun day together. Joanne gave her mother a hug as they caught the bus to take them back to Castlefield, promising to see her soon. Then, hugging Megan, she found her sister whisper that she’d ask Danny what was worrying him. Giving a nod, Joanne softly responded, ‘Do let me know what you find out, lovey.’ Then she stood giving them a wave as the bus drove away.
Danny found the conversation Megan had with him not at all easy, then finally felt obliged to admit that Harold Mullins had threatened him with another charge of theft. She looked utterly shocked and cross. ‘How dare he accuse you of that when it was clearly his son Willie who was involved in that crime, not you? What a dreadful man he is.’
‘He is indeed. Nowt but a nightmare, as is his bossy son. Don’t worry, I intend to have a word with Willie and ask his opinion on how to deal with this issue.’
‘You’ll be lucky to get anywhere with him either. Willie is an even worse person, as I know only too well. Do take care or he could hammer you again.’
‘You could be right there, chuck. I will attempt to remain calm and make sure I protect myself. But I need to do what I can to stop the Mullinses harassing us.’
Willie gave a snort, a weird glimmer of satisfaction on his face when he heard Danny complain about the threats his father had made upon him. ‘Doesn’t surprise me in the least. Naturally he had no wish for me to be charged.’
The pair of them were sitting by the canal each nursing a bottle of beer that Willie had managed to buy from the Dog and Duck, appearing older than his eighteen years. Danny gave a scowl. ‘Not surprised about that, him being very self-obsessed, a right pain in the ass. I feel flummoxed over how to deal with this problem, which I’ve been worrying about for some time and is now getting worse. He refused to believe a word I said when I explained I was innocent of that charge of theft, as you well know.’
‘Not that I trust him as far as I could throw him either. Can’t say we get on well but I felt the need to protect myself, so why would I not accept any charge against you too?’
‘Because you’d no wish to be nicked?’
‘Aye, I almost was nicked over that stupid shoplifting. If it happens again the police sergeant has warned me I’d be in danger of going down for three months or more.’
‘Damaging our friendship over the years has done you no good at all, Willie.’
‘I reckon you’re right about that. It was ’appen not a sensible way of dealing with my problems. I do need to get a grip on life and stop being so madly depressed.’
Danny felt a little surprised by this comment, indicating a change in his attitude, very nearly an apology. ‘Thankfully, on that occasion Mam supported me and won my freedom. Now he’s threatening to inform my employer that I’m a thief and I will lose my job if I can’t persuade Mam to go back working for him. Why would I do that when she too is sick of him and wishes to be free to work for herself?’
Willie gave an odd little frown. ‘He is a nightmare. I know she resigned but he won’t even grant me a bloody job, so not sure how to recommend what you could do to sort this problem out. He entirely controls his business as a bookie and spends most of his time out and about collecting the debts owed him. I daresay he gets fed up wi’ doing all of that himself, never liking to be too busy but won’t let go of his superiority. When he returns home he gulps down whatever food I’ve left keeping warm for him then goes off to the pub. He doesn’t cook, clean, wash up or keep anything tidy, ordering me to do those jobs. Not that he’s ever impressed by my effort, never satisfied with owt I do for him, so ’appen he fancies having your mam around to look after him instead.’
Danny was instantly filled with horror, realizing there was more to this problem than he’d at first thought. ‘What a dreadful prospect. You’re saying this barney is due to the fact he demands the need for a woman’s care and attention, in particular my mam? That’s shocking! What I’m asking is for you to warn your dad to leave her in peace. That’s what she deserves, having lost her spouse, as he sadly lost his.’
Willie gave a snort. ‘He felt no grief for the loss of my mum, so how could I tell him to do that? He’s never interested in a word I say.’
‘Right, so force him to listen to you about this problem and tell your dad that I’ll skin him alive and roast him over a pit if he harasses me or my mam ever again.’
‘Don’t talk daft. I agree the way you keep tabs on your family is most impressive and fairly daunting but it pays to hold yer fire, Danny. Dad would find it quite pleasant to have an attractive
woman like your mam take care of him in his old age. He definitely feels the need for one who panders to his every whim and whom he can have fun with.’
‘Because he’s a nasty piece of work. Just tell him to find himself another woman. Not my mother.’ And Danny stoutly walked away, having strongly made the point.
Bernie called again at the hotel one day and surprised her by inviting her to go out for a date with him. Hardly able to believe her good fortune, Joanne was thrilled and gladly agreed. Or was this invitation just a way of saying goodbye before he returned to Blackpool? Not an endearing prospect.
She chose to wear a low-necked green satin dress that Aunt Sadie had once made for her birthday and noticed how his pale pink lips curved upwards into an endearing smile when they met up. ‘You look lovely.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, feeling a rosy flush colour her cheeks.
He took her to a smart restaurant on Albert Square, one that appeared rather grand and expensive. She carefully studied the menu, looking for something inexpensive but Bernie selected roast chicken and a glass of white wine each, followed by a chocolate sponge. Surely there was nothing wrong in savouring such a treat, considering how pleased she was to be with him. And perhaps he was happy to provide it because she’d accepted this date, or else this could just be a way of saying goodbye if he was about to head back to Blackpool. What a worry that was. As they sat eating this delicious meal they happily listened to a young man playing a piano and singing: ‘A String of Pearls’; ‘Happy Days Are Here Again’; and ‘All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor’.
‘Unfortunately I’m not a sailor,’ Bernie said with a chuckle.
Joanne laughed at that too. ‘Just as well since you weren’t old enough to join up in the war. Thank goodness for that.’
‘I was a bit of an idiot in the Home Guard, despite doing my best to work hard delivering posters and letters as well as making a note of things I saw happening. I even had a go at keeping rabbits for the pot. Most of the chaps were old, some friendly and pleased with my efforts, while others were quite bossy towards me and other youngsters.’
‘That’s something you have to accept when you’re young, but it was good of you to assist them. The chefs and bosses at the hotel are at times equally domineering and judgmental of me, not accustomed to working in a restaurant as posh as this one.’ The chef, who’d pestered her for another date and she’d steadfastly declined, had not been at all friendly since, generally most disparaging towards her. ‘No matter what their poor opinion of me when I don’t accept their invitation to go some place, I’m determined to hold on to my rights, just as Megan determinedly hangs on to hers, bless her.’
‘She does indeed, being a determined little madam,’ he agreed, and they both laughed. ‘I’m sure your mother holds on to hers too.’
Bernie’s gaze collided with hers, which felt quite stirring. He was fun and very intoxicating, the enticing warmth of his close friendship running through her like fire. His sculpted mouth curled into an entrancing smile and she ached to taste it and stroke his soft cheeks. Instead, Joanne quickly moved on to say how her mother had been dispatched out of her home but had fortunately found herself a small flat. ‘I do worry about the grief and work she’s involving herself in and go to see her whenever I can.’
‘I know the feeling,’ he said. ‘Your mother’s a lovely lady, if she generally works far too hard.’
‘She says that’s the best way for her to keep sane. And, of course, wishes to support us, her children, which is surely a good cause even though only Danny lives with her now, we girls largely living elsewhere.’
‘I appreciate that the fact you were evacuated must have created problems for your family relationship but at least you were spared the horrors of war as well as the trauma of being bombed here in Manchester. How old were you when this war started? You must have been quite young.’
‘I certainly was, just eleven years old, but in charge of my siblings. Best not to go on about that.’ Her childhood and wartime problems were not something Joanne had any wish to speak of, bearing in mind the mess she’d made of her life back in the past. ‘You too were young and spared the horrors of war, but we’re both now grown-up.’
‘We are indeed.’
Once they’d finished the meal he walked her leisurely back to the hotel, not linking her arm, save for when they crossed the road. They were so irresistibly close that she felt the urge to reach up and kiss him, perhaps as an excuse to thank him for the generosity he’d once shown towards her. Definitely not an issue she should ever mention. She considered herself most fortunate to have received that generous offer Bernie had made to marry her, claiming to be her best friend and quite fond of her, willing to help maintain her reputation. And he was deeply offended when she’d cancelled his offer. Reminding herself she’d not believed herself to be in love with him back then, Joanne felt she really shouldn’t object to his lack of interest in her now. It did feel slightly daunting though, her feelings for him having changed completely. Oh, and a part of her lived in hope that he would not announce he was about to leave.
‘I suppose you’ll be going off to Blackpool soon, to meet up with that girlfriend I saw you dancing with, cheek to cheek, at the Tower Ballroom.’
He stopped walking to look at her in surprise. ‘Did you really? She’s not my girlfriend. Never was. It was just how she fancied dancing with me. Why didn’t you come over to say hello, then we could have had a dance too?’
‘I didn’t feel I had that right, having frequently pushed you away,’ she softly told him, making no mention of how a part of her felt a strong desire for him. But finding his closeness irresistible, she twinkled her gaze provocatively up at him. ‘Now I do love spending time with you.’
‘That’s good to hear.’
After giving her a smile, he kissed the tip of her nose, which quite stunned her. Could that be a glimmer of affection on his face? Such a possibility brought excitement into her heart. Feeling her breathing quicken, Joanne tilted up her chin, arched her neck and enticingly slanted a teasing glance up at him. ‘You are now an important part of my life, so can I please have another kiss?’
He pulled her close and kissed her with passion.
When he paused to take a breath, she softly murmured, ‘Not certain what you feel about me, Bernie, but I reckon I do love you. A sensation that’s been developing within me for some time. If you still don’t care a jot for me, then feel free to walk away. If I end up in tears don’t blame yourself, just accept that it was stupid of me from the start to be dismissive of our so-called friendship.’
‘You’re not stupid, darling, just beautiful and I love you too. Always have.’ It was then that he again gathered her tightly in his arms and kissed her with even greater passion. ‘I think we’re very much a couple. Secretly always have been.’
Joanne’s senses skittered with the thrill of his touch and this comment. What a joy that was, and how wonderful that she’d felt willing to take this risk, having no wish to contemplate life without him. ‘Oh, I do hope we are,’ she said, snuggling into his arms as he kissed her yet again.
‘You are very much an important part of my life too, and always will be, darling.’
When they finally arrived back at the hotel, Joanne was shocked to find her mother waiting for her, her face ashen. Running over to Joanne, she began to cry. ‘To my horror, love, I’ve found that Megan has gone missing again. God knows why!’
Chapter Twenty-Eight
‘Where the hell do you reckon she’s gone? Did she tell you?’ Evie cried. ‘I’m aware Megan is very independent, Joanne, so assume she could have returned to Blackpool, although why she didn’t say she wanted to leave is a bit of a worry. Has she become fed up with me yet again?’
‘I don’t believe she would do that, Mam, but confess I’m equally concerned,’ Joanne said, giving a puzzled frown. ‘She didn’t mention to me either that she wished to leave here. It’s only a couple of weeks before her school opens in earl
y September so if she feels the urge to go back and prepare for that, why didn’t she say so? Most odd. Have you had a disagreement with her about something?’
‘Not that I’m aware of, although there are times she says very little, being very wrapped up in herself. Although nothing like as silent as she used to be. I thought we were growing quite close.’
‘Of course you are. She’s most fond of you now. When did you realize she’d gone?’
‘At suppertime. She visited the library this afternoon for another book, but didn’t return in time for supper. Concerned that she was late I went over to find her and fetch her home, assuming she’d got caught up in reading and forgotten the time. To my horror I found the library was closed and she was nowhere around. She couldn’t be locked up in there, could she?’
‘Oh, my goodness, I suppose that’s a possibility, if they didn’t notice her stuck in some corner reading. Although I agree she might have taken the whim to return to Blackpool.’ Giving her mother a hug, Joanne promised to catch a train first thing in the morning to check that’s where she was and why.
Bernie gently patted her shoulder. ‘No need to do that. I fortunately fitted my aunt’s boarding house with a telephone before I left. It took a bit of an argy-bargy to persuade them to allow me to do that but I pointed out that not only could I then regularly keep in touch by ringing them, it would help them to receive more residents. So it’s fixed.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful. Well done!’
Peace In My Heart Page 24