The Girl from the Docklands Café

by June Tate

  ‘Business is good I can see,’ he said as Jessie returned to the kitchen. ‘I heard you were now open in the evening. That was a smart move. Why am I not surprised?’

  ‘Well, I can’t afford to sit on my backside!’ she retorted. She looked at him and grinned. ‘I’ve had to order another oven, how about that?’

  Shaking his head, he said, ‘You are unstoppable!’

  ‘Well you did say that some people make money when there’s a war on, and at least I’m doing it for a good reason, keeping the workers fed! How are you? I’ve not seen you since the hotel closed.’

  ‘Oh, I’m ticking over nicely, thanks. You know me.’

  ‘I wouldn’t expect anything else. Now, I’m rushed off my feet so if you want to be useful, there are a couple of men who want to buy some sandwiches – would you serve them for me? They’re waiting at the till. The prices are clearly marked.’

  He was so surprised that, without saying a word, he did as he was asked.

  On her way back to the kitchen, Jessie stopped beside him. Her eyes full of mischief. ‘This really is hilarious. You once sent one of your men to run the till in case I cheated on you, now you’re taking the money!’ She walked into the kitchen, laughing. Then popping her head round the kitchen door, she said, ‘Oh, by the way, I’ll buy the lease off you … if the price is right!’

  The next two months passed and the women were feeling the strain, working seven days a week. Mary didn’t mind so much with her husband away fighting. It gave her something to do. Nancy’s husband, however, was complaining about her working on a Sunday.

  ‘It’s my only day off and you’re in that bloody cafe half the day. I hardly see you, and when I do you’re too tired to do anything! The only day you had off was Christmas Day! Besides, it’s wrong, you working on Sunday. The Lord made it a day of rest.’

  ‘Well, he wasn’t at war, was he? Those poor dockers are having to work even longer hours. Haven’t you seen the troops marching? They’re fighting for the country, and they don’t have a break on a Sunday! Besides, I don’t see you complain at the extra money I earn.’

  He didn’t continue with the argument, but he was not a happy man.

  Jessie was tired as she had all the paperwork and the bills to sort when she was at home as well as keeping the house clean. But she was making money, which meant after the war, if she was lucky, she’d be able to buy the house of her dreams. She’d bought the lease off Larry Forbes after haggling fiercely about the price. But now she no longer had to pay him rent, the property was hers until the lease ran out, many years hence.

  The following Saturday night had been very busy and she’d stayed on, letting Mary go home. It was almost nine o’clock when she let herself into her house. She raked the fire and put another log and some coal on it, made herself a cup of tea and, kicking off her shoes, sat in an armchair near the stove. Before long she’d nodded off, to be awakened by a furious banging on her door. Pulling herself together, she opened it.

  ‘What the bloody hell—’ She didn’t finish when she saw a policeman standing there.

  ‘Mrs McGonigall, owner of the workman’s cafe?’

  ‘Yes. What’s wrong?’

  ‘I’m afraid there’s been a fire at your business. The firemen are there now; I’ve just come to let you know.’

  She didn’t remember moving so quickly in her life. Grabbing her coat, she pulled the door to, not even bothering to lock it and started to run.

  She could see the smoke before she turned into the road. Then she saw what was left of the cafe, through the flames that had now reached the empty floor above. She was so shocked, she stopped and stared. A crowd had gathered and were standing well clear as ordered by the police. She pushed her way to the front.

  ‘Don’t come any closer, madam,’ a policeman said, standing in front of the crowd, making sure they were a safe distance away.

  ‘That’s my cafe!’ she snapped.

  He looked at her. ‘I’m sorry, madam, but there isn’t much of a cafe there any longer. The lower floor has been badly damaged, and the firemen are trying to contain the top floor and the surrounding buildings, before it spreads.’

  All she could do was stand and watch.

  Chapter Thirty

  Jessie stood watching her future burn, her senses and her body numb. She had no idea of the passing time as she watched the ceiling collapse onto the lower ground floor. She jumped as someone caught hold of her arm and turned to see it was Larry Forbes.

  ‘What the bloody hell happened here? I rushed round as soon as I heard.’

  Shaking her head, she said, ‘I’ve no idea. I worked late tonight after Mary left, just tidying up and getting things ready for the morning. I checked everything as usual before I locked up. I can’t understand how it caught fire.’

  He took a flask out of his pocket. ‘Here, sip this, you’re freezing cold.’ He took off his scarf and put it round her neck.

  ‘How long have you been here?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, what time is it?’

  Looking at his watch, he said, ‘It’s well after midnight.’ He put an arm around her shoulders. ‘You’ll catch a cold standing here.’

  She was grateful for the warmth.

  Much later, the fire was under control. The firemen were still hosing down the rubble to make sure it didn’t catch again. The crowd had long dispersed, leaving Larry and Jessie standing alone.

  The fire chief came over to them. ‘I believe you’re the owner,’ he said, looking at Jessie.

  ‘Yes, I am. Have you any idea what started the fire? When I left this evening, everything was fine. I checked thoroughly; I always do.’

  ‘It’s too early to tell yet. We may know more tomorrow. We’ll be in touch. I suggest you go home and get warm.’

  ‘Can I take a closer look?’ she asked.

  The fire chief hesitated, but seeing the look of anguish on her face, walked her closer, keeping at a safe distance.

  She could see the devastation. The tables and chairs were now charred remains; the counter was warped and burnt. Through the open door to the kitchen she could see that it, too, had been decimated by the fire. There was not a thing that could be rescued.

  Larry took her arm. ‘Come away, Jessie. There’s nothing you can do. I’ll take you home. We could both do with a hot cup of tea.’

  Jessie made the tea once they were in the house. She did it automatically, saying nothing, her mind in turmoil. Her business was no longer – just a burnt mess. Her livelihood: gone.

  Larry sat drinking his tea, deep in thought. Looking up, he asked, ‘Did you insure the cafe, Jessie?’

  She shook her head. ‘I meant to, but we were so busy, I didn’t get round to it.’ She looked suddenly angry. ‘How could I have been so stupid? Me, who you say has such a good business head!’

  He was lost for words, knowing that once the lease changed hands, the existing insurance was invalid. But this, certainly, was not the time for a reprimand.

  ‘Oh, Jessie!’ was all he could utter.

  A while later, Larry took his leave. ‘I’ll be at the cafe in the morning to see it in daylight. We’ll be able to see what has happened more clearly. Try and get some sleep, Jessie.’

  She looked up. ‘Thanks for being there. I did appreciate it.’

  A few hours later, Jessie stood outside the cafe as Nancy and Dorothy arrived. They looked shocked, not having heard the news.

  ‘Bloody hell. What’s happened, Jessie?’ Nancy asked.

  ‘I wish I knew. A policeman called at the house last night to tell me the place was on fire. I’ve no idea how it started.’

  Some of the dockers stopped by on the way to work and stood looking at what was left of the building. There was a barricade in front of the entrance saying it was unsafe to enter for the time being. Fortunately, the firemen had saved the buildings either side and the thick walls still stood separating the buildings one from another. The premises either side had been closed for the night, s
o no one had been inside, but as the staff from there arrived to start their day, they too were shocked at what they saw.

  Jessie looked at her girls. ‘I’m sorry, ladies, but that means you, too, are out of a job.’

  Nancy tucked her arm through Jessie’s. ‘What will you do?’

  ‘I have no idea. Unfortunately, I’m not insured. I hadn’t got round to doing it. How stupid is that!’ She shook her head. ‘I still can’t quite believe it’s happened.’ She stared at the remains as if hypnotised by the sight.

  ‘Well it’s no good standing here,’ declared Nancy. ‘Come on, we’ll go to my place and get some breakfast, then we’ll put our heads together and think of something.’

  Jessie allowed her friend to lead her away.

  When Larry Forbes arrived, the firemen were on the site, searching through the debris, trying to locate the source of the fire. Eventually, after several hours, they came to the conclusion that the wiring of one of the ovens had been faulty. Forbes remembered that Jessie had told him she’d bought a new one recently and wondered if it was that one. He’d call round to see her this evening and give her an update on the news.

  Later, as they sat in the living room, he told her what the firemen had said. ‘They haven’t found anything else and have come to the conclusion that it had to be the faulty wiring.’

  Shaking her head, she said, ‘It seemed to be working alright, but I suppose that could happen at any time.’ She gave a deep sigh. ‘First, I lose Conor, now the cafe. What next, I wonder?’

  ‘Hey! What happened to that wild Irish woman I knew? The Jessie McGonigall I know would never give in like that!’

  She shrugged. ‘Jessie McGonigall isn’t superhuman! Even I have a limit.’

  ‘Of course you do, and I do remember that you’ve not long lost your husband, which was such a shock, but don’t go back into that deep pit again. Come along, Jessie, let’s see that indomitable fighting spirit I so admire.’

  She gave him a quizzical look. ‘Now don’t get carried away, Mr Forbes. Such compliments from you? It’s almost more than I can take.’ But she smiled as she said it.

  ‘That’s more like it, and don’t you think by now you could call me Larry?’

  She studied him with narrowed eyes. ‘I’m not sure that would be such a good idea. It sounds just a little too cosy.’

  He started to chuckle. ‘Fine, if that’s how you feel. Have you any idea about your next move?’

  ‘Not at the moment. To be honest, I’m still reeling from the shock. I just need some time to get myself together.’

  He got up to leave. ‘Well, you know where I am if you need me. Just take care of yourself. Take some time to breathe, to recover. Are you alright for money?’

  She looked surprised. ‘I’m fine, thank you, but I’m not your responsibility, you know.’

  He walked towards the door and opened it. ‘That’s not quite the way I see it, Jessie.’ Then he left.

  During the following two weeks, Jessie did, indeed, take time to breathe. Not by choice, but the reaction to Conor’s death and the fire suddenly robbed her of her energy. She was so tired all the time and all she wanted to do was sleep. Daisy made sure she ate, by bringing food into her and keeping the fire burning. She made a pan of soup, which she kept on the stove to keep warm for whenever Jessie felt the need for something that didn’t require any effort. She filled the tin bath and washed Jessie’s back while her friend soaked in the hot water, helping her lose the stress in her body, talking to her all the time. Then, when she felt she was ready, she suggested to Maisie that she bring the two boys into see Jessie, knowing how much she loved their company. This was her saving grace and she agreed to look after them for the afternoon.

  Jack and Tommy brought their schoolbooks into show her, proudly pointing out the gold stars they’d earned, telling her how they were learning to play football.

  ‘I’m going to be a footballer when I grow up,’ Tommy proudly declared.

  She looked at Jack. ‘What are you going to be?’

  ‘I’m going to be a stevedore, like Uncle Conor, and work in the docks. I’m going to load the big ships like he did.’

  This took her by surprise. ‘It’s very hard work, you know, Jack.’

  ‘I know, but running a cafe like you did was hard work too.’ He snuggled up to her. ‘You used to help us make cakes.’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘When can we do it again?’ he pleaded.

  She looked at the boy staring up at her and heard the longing in his voice.

  ‘What about now?’

  They were both ecstatic at the suggestion and soon they had tea cloths covering their clothes as Jessie collected the ingredients on the table and gave them jobs to do.

  Later, when Daisy came to see how they were, she was delighted at the sight of them, covered in flour, cooking together and as Jessie looked up at her and smiled, she knew her friend was back on the road to recovery.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  1915 started badly. The price of coal increased, there were queues for food, which was in short supply, and Jessie began to search the wanted adverts in the local paper. She did have her savings, but she didn’t want to have to dip into those more than was necessary, so she had to find a job of some sort. With so many men away fighting the war, there were jobs to be had, but Jessie was finding it difficult to decide. The one thing she was good at was cooking and she had run a hotel, but only for a short time, so she wasn’t really qualified for any position near the top in one that was already established. She couldn’t see herself working in a shop, didn’t fancy being a conductor on a tram. A barmaid? Maybe. She didn’t have enough finance to find a location for a new cafe and have it set up with cookers, crockery, tables and chairs, which would have been ideal. Having saved so diligently, she was determined to hang on to the money she did have as long as possible. It was a worry.

  Several days later, Larry Forbes called on her again, to see if she’d made any plans.

  Shaking her head, she said, ‘No. I can’t seem to find anything I’m trained for or that I want to do. I’m not qualified to do the jobs that appeal to me and at this moment I’m at a loss, to be honest.’

  ‘You could come and work for me.’

  She looked at him in surprise. ‘Doing what?’

  ‘Running my office.’ He sat back and waited for her response.

  Frowning, she asked, ‘Don’t you have a secretary to do that?’

  ‘I do have a secretary, but she deals with my correspondence and my appointments. I need someone to run the office side. I have several business interests and I want someone to keep a list of staff, check the wage bills and receipts, their welfare. Keep abreast of the filing system. You did all this in the hotel, very efficiently as I recall. A clerk is doing it for the moment, but I need someone of your calibre to take over and actually run my office.’

  Tilting her head, she studied him. Why was he doing this? Was he making a job just for her? Or was there an ulterior motive behind his offer? She still didn’t trust him completely.

  ‘Do you have something on your mind, Jessie? You’re looking at me with deep suspicion written all over your face.’

  ‘How did this vacancy happen just at this moment?’

  ‘It didn’t just happen, it was already there. I just hadn’t got around to finding someone, what with the hotel and all its problems. I had a million other things on my mind. Now it seems an ideal moment – and you need a job. It saves me advertising, interviewing. You would be ideal. The hours are nine until five, half-day on a Saturday.’ He chuckled softly. ‘Think about it! Far less hours than you’ve been working. You’ll have time to enjoy life as well.’

  It sounded ideal, but Jessie was still hesitant.

  Larry rose to leave. ‘Think about it and if you decide to accept, I’ll see you at my office at nine o’clock on Monday morning. If you’re not there, I’ll advertise for someone.’

  As he was leaving, Daisy arrived. They said
hello to each other and he walked away.

  ‘That was a surprise,’ Daisy said. ‘Is everything alright?’

  Jessie told her what had just taken place.

  ‘But that’s terrific! At least you’ll be working for someone you know.’ She saw the lack of excitement on the face of her friend. ‘What’s the matter?’

  ‘To be honest, I don’t know. The offer came out of the blue and it just seemed too much of a coincidence, that’s all.’

  Sitting down, Daisy stared at her. ‘Are you mad? You know the man, have worked for him, got along alright and now you have a job! For heaven’s sake!’

  ‘Well, I suppose I could give it a try. I could always leave if I didn’t like it. I’ll think about it.’

  Larry Forbes sat in his office deep in thought. He did need someone to run the office, that hadn’t been a lie and he had been about to advertise for someone – until the fire. Although Jessie had said he wasn’t responsible for her welfare, he felt that in a way he was. He’d taken her away from the cafe, to which she’d been able to return when he’d had to close the hotel, and now that, too, was gone. He felt indebted to her and this was his way of giving her a helping hand. Apart from which he admired her spirit. In many ways, they had a lot in common and at the hotel they’d made a great team. Had the war not spoilt their chances, who knew what they could have achieved together? But she was fiercely independent. Would she accept his offer?

  Jessie was up early on Monday morning. She had a bowl of porridge for breakfast and then, putting on her coat and hat, made her way to the high street. Larry Forbes’s office was just beyond the bank. She stopped and read the gold plate outside. Larry Forbes. Company Director.