by Kitty Neale
Thanks, probably, to her haywire hormones, and despite what Nelly said about Robbie, Dorothy still felt like crying happy tears. Nelly would stand by her and that felt good. She was fully aware that few others would. The neighbours and locals would be judgemental and no doubt she’d be ostracised by them, and by the other staff in the bakery. Now, though, there was some compensation in knowing that Nelly was there for her.
‘Thanks, Nelly. And it’s a deal. I won’t mention him to you again,’ Dorothy said.
‘Good, I’m glad to hear it.’
Dorothy took another bite out of her sandwich. She might not be able to talk about Robbie, but nothing could stop her from thinking about him, and praying that one day soon he’d come back to her.
Chapter 10
Adrian enjoyed his weekly telephone chats with Myra and would have loved to go up to a snow-covered Scotland for Christmas, but it just wasn’t possible. There was far too much to manage with his haulage business, especially at this time of year. It was a shame Myra hadn’t heard anything from Robbie; it meant Adrian would have to fulfil his promise to Dorothy to support both her and the child. From what Robbie had told him of their circumstances, once Dorothy could no longer work, he’d have to help out her parents too, and once again he cursed his brother for leaving him to clean up his mess.
As all of his drivers were out on their deliveries and he wasn’t expecting any of them back for at least two hours, Adrian decided it was the ideal time to call at Dorothy’s house and introduce himself to her mother. He had rifled through the things his brother had left behind and was thankful to find Dorothy’s address. Going to see her parents seemed the right thing to do. There was the delicate subject of money to discuss and he thought it best to visit whilst Dorothy was at work.
Since his car was in the garage for a small repair, Adrian hopped on a bus, then made his way through several streets of small terraced houses, noticing that many of them were in a very poor state of repair. It had been a long time since he’d visited this side of Battersea and he hadn’t realised the extent of the poverty. The roads had few cars, though there were plenty of scruffy young children with dirty knees and snotty noses playing outside their houses. He’d heard Robbie refer to Dottie as living in the slums, and could see why the area was due for demolition.
Dorothy’s parents lived in the middle of their street and as Adrian approached he noticed white curtains twitching in one of the houses. He suddenly felt very out of place. His shiny shoes, smart tailored suit and long wool coat stood out, and he was glad he hadn’t brought his car, because if he’d parked it in this area, he doubted it would have its wheels for long.
When Adrian knocked on the street door a thin woman answered it. Frowning, she looked him up and down before saying, ‘Yeah, what do you want?’
‘Mrs Butler, hello. I’m Adrian … Adrian Ferguson, brother of Robbie,’ he said as he doffed his trilby hat. ‘Please excuse the unannounced intrusion but I believe there are some things we need to discuss.’
The woman looked stunned and opened the door fully as she smoothed her hair. Adrian immediately noticed the sores on her hands, and as she invited him in and he walked behind her, he saw her back was bent.
‘Please, take a seat, Mr Ferguson.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Butler,’ he said, running his eyes over the small kitchen. It was bare and basic but clean, though it could have done with a lick of paint. He twitched his nose at the smell of soap suds and noticed the pile of wet washing on the side, ready, he assumed, to go through the mangle. ‘Thank you for inviting me in, and please, call me Adrian.’
‘Yeah, well, you can call me Alice, and can I offer you a cup of tea?’
‘No, no, thank you, and as I don’t want to take up too much of your time I’ll get straight to the point.’
Alice nodded, her brow furrowed as she took a chair on the other side of the table, saying nothing as she waited for him to continue.
‘I know that my brother has left Dorothy in a rather unfortunate situation, and I have pledged to pay for Robbie’s mistake.’ He blushed slightly. ‘Sorry, I don’t like to refer to the child as a mistake, and I apologise for that.’
‘It’s the truth so there’s no need to apologise,’ Alice said gruffly.
‘To be honest, other than the circumstances, I’m quite chuffed about becoming an uncle again. My sister Myra has three children, but as she lives in Scotland I don’t get to see them much. With Dorothy living here, at least I will have the pleasure of seeing this niece or nephew growing up.’
Adrian shifted in his chair, aware that he was rambling on a bit. He cleared his throat before continuing. ‘The thing is, as Dorothy is such a young woman with enough to deal with at the moment, I think it best that you and I talk finances.’
‘My Dorothy told me you’ve offered to help,’ Alice said, ‘and it’s ever so kind of you. Let’s face it, you’re not obliged to do anything.’
‘I think I am. Robbie is my brother.’
‘I’d like to get my hands on your brother,’ Alice said, scowling. ‘He’s a no good so-and-so, but it seems you’re nothing like him.’
Adrian saw Alice’s lips purse at the mention of his brother’s name. He couldn’t blame the woman for holding Robbie in contempt. ‘Mrs Butler, you are quite right, I am nothing like my brother and I will never condone his actions. Now then, from what Robbie told me, am I right in thinking that your husband isn’t well enough to join our discussion?’
Alice nodded sadly. ‘He hasn’t been himself since he returned from fighting in France during the war.’
‘In that case, let’s get down to business, you and me. I’ve given it some thought and I think the fairest way would be for me to give you a fixed sum each week or month, whichever you’d prefer.’
Alice looked down at the table. ‘I’m a bit embarrassed about all of this. I don’t like charity coming to my doorstep, but I have to be realistic. Thing is, my Bill ain’t gonna be in a fit state to work for some time yet, and me, well, I do what I can, but taking in washing won’t cover much once Dottie has to give up work. We’ve gotta put a roof over the baby’s head, so what are you offering?’
Adrian was quite taken aback by Alice’s words. She had seemed a bit timid at first, but underneath that quiet exterior there was a little firecracker willing to speak out to protect her family. ‘As I told Dorothy, I will ensure that the baby wants for nothing. I’m going to suggest nine pounds a week. How does that sit with you?’
‘Nine pounds?’ Alice squealed. ‘But that’s more than we have coming in now!’
‘Mrs Butler, you will have an extra mouth to feed and the baby will require many things, a pram and a cot for starters.’
‘It’s … it’s so generous.’
Adrian smiled. ‘Good, that’s settled then.’
‘Thank you, I’m very grateful, but it doesn’t take away the fact that my daughter will be unmarried and her name will be dirt around here. If only that brother of yours would show his face, then he could marry her and make her an honest woman.’
‘I doubt any of us will be seeing Robbie for quite some time, but I can at least ease your family’s financial burden. I’m sorry there isn’t much I can do for Dorothy’s reputation.’
Alice scraped back her chair and turned away from Adrian as she looked over the butler sink and out of the window to the small back yard.
‘You could marry her,’ she said quietly.
‘I’m sorry?’ Adrian replied, stunned at Alice’s suggestion. ‘Did you say I should marry Dorothy?’
Alice spun around. ‘Yes, and it makes perfect sense. From what I’ve heard you’re a single fella and my Dottie is a beautiful girl. Any man can see that, and I’m not being funny but she’s the best-looking woman you could hope to have. She would make you a good wife.’
Adrian was at a loss for words. It had never occurred to him to marry Dorothy. Apart from anything else, Adrian didn’t consider himself attractive to any woman, let alone on
e as stunning as Dorothy. He thought his face was nice enough, but his chubby cheeks and double chin detracted from his acceptable features. Dottie would never look twice at him, and anyway, she was still obviously in love with Robbie. No, it was out of the question and he knew that Dorothy would never agree to marry him.
‘Yes, she is beautiful,’ he said slowly, ‘but I can’t marry her. It’s my brother she loves. Not me.’
‘Dorothy is pregnant and needs a husband. What does it matter who she’s in love with?’ Alice asked.
‘I’m afraid it matters to me.’
To Adrian’s relief Alice seemed to accept defeat and didn’t push the idea of marriage further. She did, however, insist that in future she did all his laundry. Adrian was about to refuse, but then realised that it made accepting the money more agreeable to Alice, and a little less like charity. Adrian smiled inwardly to himself. He did think that nine pounds a week for laundering a few shirts was a little excessive.
They had said their goodbyes and as Adrian arrived back at his office a light flurry of snow began to fall. He was glad to be out of the rough area and in a place where he felt a lot safer. He had to admit that he didn’t like the idea of his future niece or nephew growing up in that part of Battersea, but took solace in knowing that from what he’d heard a lot of the houses were to be demolished soon and replaced with modern high-rise flats. The Butlers would be rehoused then, but, from what he could tell, it would take more than a bulldozer to shift Alice Butler from her home.
Fancy her suggesting that he take Dorothy as his wife, he thought. As if a pretty young thing like her would have him. However, Alice had planted a seed in his head, one that he was finding difficult to shift.
As the rest of the day progressed, he still couldn’t get Dorothy off his mind, and now, when he thought about her, Adrian saw her in a totally different light.
Chapter 11
Robbie had come to the better part of the town in a bid to find somewhere suitable to rob. He pulled his scarf up over his face against the bitter wind. It hadn’t snowed for a few days and what was left on the streets had turned to slush. He was desperate for a smoke and his stomach growled with hunger. With empty pockets he would have to go without until he found somewhere, or someone, to provide the money he so desperately needed.
As he wandered the streets, all filled with Christmas shoppers, Robbie set his mind to planning. The London jeweller’s job had been a doddle – he’d almost been spoon-fed the idea – but it wasn’t so easy to come up with a plan of his own. It would have to be fail-safe, low risk but high reward. Robbie knew he wasn’t the sort of bloke who could handle a prison sentence; he had to ensure he wouldn’t be caught.
Robbie glanced in the shop windows at the displays of expensive Christmas goods. Exquisite chocolates, fine jewellery, French perfumes and over-priced woollens. His thoughts suddenly turned to Adrian – these were just the sort of fancy shops that his brother would frequent. More determined than ever, and with jealousy raging within him, Robbie turned into a small side street to evade the howling wind. The shops in this street were mostly the artisan or bohemian type, not the sort that would be worth stealing from. He wasn’t quite sure where he was going, but he carried on regardless.
He turned into another street that appeared to be coming to a dead end, and halted. His travels had been fruitless and left him feeling disheartened, hungry, cold and verging on giving up. Robbie was about to turn back when a shiny red MG pulled in to the kerb in front of him and parked up. It looked brand-new, and once again Robbie felt a surge of jealousy. It was just the sort of flashy car he’d love to own. Stepping back into a dark doorway, he watched as a middle-aged man got out of the car. He was dressed in the same style as Adrian liked, wearing a dapper suit and long coat. Robbie guessed the man would be loaded and wondered how much he might have in his wallet.
He waited for the wealthy-looking gent to pass the doorway, then, seizing the opportunity, he jumped out and grabbed the man’s neck from behind. The man yelled out and struggled, but Robbie pushed two fingers into his back. ‘Don’t say a word or I will fucking shoot you,’ he warned.
The man stopped trying to fight, his body seemingly frozen in fear as he quickly nodded his head. Robbie was nervous, but his victim’s easy submission boosted his confidence. ‘Give me your money … slowly … hand it over and I won’t hurt you.’
The man took his wallet from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and, shaking, held it out to his side. Robbie snatched it. ‘Now the keys to your car.’
The man reached into his trouser pocket and held the keys out for Robbie to take. He grabbed them, saying menacingly, ‘Don’t move. Stay where you are and don’t turn around. If I see you look at me, I’ll kill you.’
Robbie ran to the car, leaped in and sped off down the street without a second thought for his prey. As far as he was concerned the man was easy picking and could afford to lose a car and a few quid. It wasn’t as if he’d really hurt anyone, so his conscience was clear.
Robbie knew the police would soon be looking for him, and the car. It wasn’t exactly discreet with the bright red paintwork and gleaming chrome finish, but he was reluctant to get rid of it.
There was only one thing he could do: get out of the area. In fact, he thought, it would probably be best to get out of Scotland.
With only a week to go until Christmas, Dorothy was beginning to get excited. She always received a lovely knitted hat and scarf from her mother, but this year she was mostly looking forward to having a couple of days off work.
‘Cor, Nel, I really ache this morning,’ Dorothy said as she rubbed the small of her back. ‘Still, I suppose I should be thankful for small mercies because at least the morning sickness has stopped.’
‘Just you wait ’til your ankles blow up like balloons and the little bugger starts kicking your ribs,’ Nelly said with a chuckle. ‘This ain’t nothing yet, not compared to what you’ve got coming.’
Dorothy smiled. She didn’t mind any discomfort that her pregnancy might bring, and she was really looking forward to feeling her baby kick.
‘Have you thought about seeing the midwife yet?’ asked Nelly.
‘No, and I won’t until I have to. Can you imagine their faces when they hear I haven’t got a husband? Mum knows all about having babies. I mean, she gave birth to me, didn’t she? I know she’s worried about it, but I’ve told her I want to have the baby at home. I just don’t think I could handle the nasty looks and jibes I’d get in hospital.’ Dorothy felt sad at how others would think of her once she started to show, but she couldn’t really understand why it was so terrible. She loved the child growing inside her and surely that was all that mattered.
Nelly looked astounded. ‘Dottie, you can’t do that! This is your first. What if something goes wrong and you need medical attention?’
‘I can’t see that happening. Women have been having babies since time began. I’m a bit scared, but it’s all natural.’
‘That may be so, but women have also died in childbirth. I ain’t trying to scare you any more than you already are, but Dottie, you need to be realistic.’
‘My mind is made up. I’m having a home birth, without an interfering midwife, and that’s that.’
‘Well, if you’re so bloody insistent, will you at least let me help your mum? I’m no nurse, and our Linda had her first baby in hospital, but I was there when she dropped her last two sprogs at home.’
‘Really? You would do that for me?’
Nelly gave her friend a hug. ‘Of course I will. I told you, I’m your friend and I’ll be there for you, come what may.’ With a soft smile, she added, ‘I just wish you was a bit more blinking sensible at times.’
Chapter 12
Adrian yawned; he was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open. He’d been restless most of the night, thinking about Dorothy. It wasn’t any better now during daylight hours. He sat at his desk and tried to keep focused on the job in hand, but as he concentrated on t
he bookkeeping, the numbers in front of him weren’t as engaging as thoughts of Dorothy.
The telephone trilled and Adrian reluctantly answered it. He quickly perked up when he heard Myra on the other end of the line.
‘He did what?’ Adrian screeched, hardly able to believe his ears. Myra had said that Robbie had paid her a fleeting visit and turned up in a brand-new red sports car.
‘Did you tell him about Dottie and the baby?’ he asked.
Myra said she hadn’t seen him as she’d been out shopping at the time. It was one of her lodgers who had told her about the car.
‘Where was he heading to next?’
Unfortunately, Myra didn’t know, but said he must have come into some money as he’d left the kids a shilling each for Christmas.
‘I doubt he earned it,’ Adrian said scathingly.
They spoke some more, speculated on how Robbie had found the money for a car, and wished each other a happy Christmas. He and Myra both doubted that in such a short time Robbie could have found a job that paid enough money to buy a sports car, and they discussed the possibility that he’d won the money by gambling. Though he hadn’t said anything to his sister, deep down Adrian feared that Robbie had been involved in something illegal again, perhaps another robbery.
He replaced the receiver, lit his pipe and hoped that his brother never showed his face in Battersea again. As far as he was concerned, it would be best for everyone. His forthcoming niece or nephew deserved better than a common thief for a father, and Dorothy should have a worthy husband, one who truly loved her and could look after her.
In the bakery, Nelly glanced at her friend and noticed that she looked pale and clammy. She hoped Dorothy wasn’t going to throw up. ‘Hey, are you OK, sugar?’ she managed to whisper to Dorothy when Mr Epstein wasn’t keeping his beady eye on them.