MB08 - I’ll Be Your Sweetheart

by Joan Jonker

When they reached Mrs Parker’s house, it was to find the front door ajar. Molly drew her arm from Nellie’s and pushed the door wider. Standing on the top step, she called, ‘It’s Molly and Nellie come to see yer, sunshine, and we’re coming in.’

  With Nellie close on her heels, Molly made her way into the living room to see the old lady seated in her rocking chair, sobbing as though her heart would break and wiping her red-rimmed eyes with a hankie sodden with tears. She looked so old and frail, Molly’s heart went out to her. Two neighbours were sitting on the couch and Molly acknowledged them with a nod. ‘Have the police been yet?’

  Lily Swift shook her head. ‘We’ve been expecting them for the last hour, Molly, but there’s been no sign, has there, May?’

  May Forest nodded. ‘More like two hours. Yer’d think they’d have sent a bobby by now. They’ve been told what happened, and how old Flora is, so they should have made an effort.’

  Molly undid the buttons on her coat and put her bag down at the side of the table. ‘If you two want to catch the shops before they close for lunch, me and Nellie will stay with Mrs Parker until the bobby comes. We’ll see she’s all right.’

  Nellie and her chins were in agreement. ‘We’ll see she’s all right. We’ll keep her company and make her cups of tea.’

  Lily and May didn’t show it, but they were very relieved. It wasn’t that they didn’t think the world of Flora, but the last two hours had been hard going. They’d done everything they could to try to stop her crying, but nothing had any effect. Flora Parker was inconsolable.

  ‘If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, Molly,’ Lily said, ‘it would give me and May a chance to run to the shops for something for our dinner. Once we’ve got that sorted, we could come back and see what messages Flora needs.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that,’ Molly told them. ‘We’ll see to whatever shopping she needs. So yer needn’t rush back. We’ll be fine.’

  Once the neighbours had left, Molly dropped to her knees at the side of Flora’s chair. Stroking the fine, white hair, she spoke softly. ‘There’s some bad people in the world, sunshine, isn’t there? They’re not fit to be called human beings.’

  The old lady sniffed and wiped at her tears. Her voice thick with emotion, she sobbed, ‘The shock was bad enough, Molly. I got the fright of me life. But I’d have got over that eventually, and just been more careful in future about me door being safely locked. What I’ll never get over is that they’ve stolen Wally’s fob watch. It was the only thing I had left that belonged to him. I can still remember the day his father gave him that watch for his twenty-first birthday. He was so proud, ’cos there weren’t many lads his age with a fob watch. His mother told me, on the quiet, that they’d scrimped and scraped to get the money together to buy it. They even had a small photograph of him put under the glass in the lid.’

  The memories were too much for Flora to bear and her whole body shook with her sobs. Molly held her close, and spoke soothingly, as she would to a child. And at the same time she signalled to Nellie. ‘Put the kettle on, sunshine. A cup of very weak tea, with plenty of sugar in, will do Flora a power of good. And we’ll have one to keep her company.’

  Nellie’s facial contortions were laughable as she mouthed the words, ‘We may as well, seeing as I’m boiling the kettle.’

  ‘Don’t fill the kettle, sunshine, just enough water for three cups.’ Molly turned her attention back to Flora. She was quite concerned for the old lady, for a shock like this could bring on a stroke or a heart attack. It might be wise to send for a doctor, who could give her something to calm her nerves. But then again, sending for a doctor might just make matters worse. Best to wait until the police had been, and then mention it.

  Molly took hold of the frail, wrinkled hand, and held it between hers. ‘Don’t give up hope, sunshine, ’cos the police might get the watch back for yer. They know all the tricks these robbers get up to, and yer never know, they might just get lucky, please God.’

  ‘I wouldn’t care, but it’s the first time in years I’ve slept in until that time. I could kick meself for being so lazy.’

  ‘You’re not lazy, sunshine, far from it. This room is a damn sight cleaner and tidier than mine, and I’m not joking. Anyway, yer weren’t feeling well, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of for having a lie-in. Besides, things might have turned out far worse if yer had woken up and disturbed the robber. For all we know there might have been more than one.’

  ‘Molly, I wouldn’t have cared if they’d emptied me house, as long as they’d left Wally’s watch. He really loved that watch, and was so proud of it. And I feel I’ve let him down. There’s nothing in this house now that I can touch and bring back memories of a good husband, fine soldier, and a man I loved with all my heart. We didn’t have long together, ’cos he was called up to serve in the army, but he was the only one for me. I never looked at another man after he was killed. I had a few chances, but not one of them came up to my Wally.’

  ‘And yer’ll never forget him as long as yer live, sunshine, for love like yours never dies. I hope with all my heart that they catch the blighter that did this to you, but even if they don’t, yer’ll always remember his face, his smile and his kisses. And that special look that told yer how much he loved yer. No robber can take those memories away from yer.’

  Nellie had been listening in the kitchen, and she could feel herself filling up at Molly’s words. She had a way with words, did her mate, and always knew the right ones to use. The whistling of the kettle made her jump, and after telling herself she was a soft nit for letting herself be scared of a ruddy kettle, she soon set to and it wasn’t long before she was carrying a cup of tea through to Flora. ‘Get that down yer, girl. I’ve put plenty of sugar in and enough milk to cool the tea down for yer.’

  She watched until the old lady had taken a few sips, then she hitched up her bosom and announced, ‘If the police don’t catch the bugger what did this to yer, then me and Molly will take the case on, and we’ll soon be on his trail. We’re very good at detectiving.’ She screwed up her face until there was little space between her lips and nose. ‘That didn’t sound right, girl, did it? Is there such a word as detectiving?’

  ‘I couldn’t tell yer, sunshine. But because I’ve never heard of it doesn’t mean that there isn’t such a word. But just to be sure, why not put it another way, and tell Flora that you and me are good detectives?’

  ‘That’s it, girl. I knew I could count on you. So now yer know, Flora, that if the police fail, me and me mate will take the case over.’

  While Nellie was talking, Molly heard a man’s voice at the front door. She was trying to scramble to her feet at the same time as Nellie bent down, and the two women collided and ended up sprawled on the floor.

  ‘Oh, ay, and what have we here?’ the policeman’s voice boomed, and Molly’s face went the colour of beetroot as she pulled at her skirt, which was now riding so high she was showing plenty of leg. She could feel herself blushing, and was afraid to look up until a hand the size of a ham shank was put under her nose. ‘Get hold, missus, and I’ll pull you up.’

  Nellie was on the floor, too, but she didn’t care about the expanse of blue fleecy-lined knickers she was showing. If her mate was getting a hand up, then she wanted the same treatment. ‘What about me, Mr Policeman?’

  Chuckling loudly, the constable sized Nellie up before offering her his two hands. ‘I won’t ask why yer were both on the floor, but you can tell me if yer wish.’

  Nellie brushed herself down. ‘It was easy. I was going one way, and me mate was getting up. We couldn’t miss each other, really.’

  Molly glanced at Flora, and was relieved to see she was no longer crying. At least the collision hadn’t upset her. ‘Can me and me friend stay with Mrs Parker while you’re here? She’s had a big shock and is very upset. I think she’d feel better if we stayed.’

  ‘Of course yer can. I understand.’ He shook hands with the three women as he introduced himself as PC Pe
ter Morgan. ‘Perhaps we could all sit down while I ask Mrs Parker a few questions.’

  He proved to be a very efficient officer, thorough, but gentle and understanding. And he was very sympathetic to Flora’s plight. She couldn’t give a list of things stolen, for she’d been too upset to search. But she explained about her late husband’s fob watch and the sentiment attached to it. And she was able to describe it in minute detail, and the photograph inside. After the officer had written the details down, he asked if she knew of anything else that was missing. And Flora had to admit, tearfully, that her purse was gone. Unfortunately, it contained her rent money, which was due to be paid in two days’ time when the collector called. Worse still, every penny she had in the world was in it also. Whoever the thief was, he’d left an old lady penniless.

  ‘Would you mind if I take a look around, Mrs Parker?’ When the constable stood up, he asked, ‘You are sure you closed the front door before you went up to bed?’

  Flora nodded. ‘I’m positive I locked and bolted it before I went up to bed last night, as I always do. And I had no reason to open it this morning.’

  ‘What about the back door, was that locked?’

  ‘I can’t remember, I’m sorry. Yer see, I locked it as usual last night, but unlocked it this morning because I needed to go down the yard. And me head is so much of a jumble now, I can’t say whether I locked the door when I came in. I wasn’t feeling too good, yer see; that’s why I went back to bed.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it, Mrs Parker. I’ll have a look at the back, see if I can tell how the intruder gained entry, and if he’s left any clues.’

  When the officer left the room, Molly was too angry to speak. Her whole inside was churned up at the injustice. Flora had never hurt a soul in her life. She’d suffered great sadness, and at her age she deserved to be treated better than this. The meagre pension she received wasn’t enough to keep body and soul together, yet she didn’t owe anyone a penny, and never complained.

  After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Molly said, ‘Don’t worry about money, sunshine. Me and Nellie will make sure yer have enough to pay yer rent and have some food to live on.’

  Nellie was feeling angry too, and it showed in her flared nostrils and the way she was pinching at the fat on her arms. ‘That’s right, girl, don’t worry. We won’t see yer starve.’

  ‘It’s not food I’m worried about.’ Flora’s spirits were so low she was filled with despair. ‘It’s my rent money. I’ve never missed a week in all the years I’ve lived here. I don’t know what to do, or where to turn.’

  Molly had to force herself to speak lightly. ‘Then yer’ve got a better record than me and Nellie, sunshine, for there’s many a time we missed a week’s rent when the kids were little and we were struggling. Yet never once did Mr Henry threaten to throw us out, for he knew he’d get his money eventually. He’s a good landlord, and I’m damn sure he’s not going to worry about a good tenant like yerself. I know it’s easy for me to talk, but I promise yer, Flora, that things won’t feel so bad in a few days’ time. I can’t promise yer’ll get yer husband’s watch back, although I wish I could, but yer don’t have to worry about money. Me and Nellie know Mr Henry very well, and we’ll sort yer rent out for yer. That’s one worry less for yer.’

  The bobby came back into the room then, and all eyes turned to him. ‘The intruder climbed over the entry wall to gain entrance. There’s marks on the wall made by his shoes as he’s climbed up. Then he came in through the kitchen door, which you must have left unlocked, Mrs Parker. There’s no sign of a forced entry. The yard door is still bolted, but I can’t understand why he didn’t go out that way instead of going out of the front door. Whoever he was, he doesn’t appear to have been worried about being seen by the neighbours. He took a chance, for there was far more likelihood of him being spotted in the street than there’d have been if he’d used the back entry. Anyway, I’ve made a note of everything and will pass it on to the sergeant. I think yer’ll be getting a visit from a detective, Mrs Parker, who will take the case on. He’ll no doubt be questioning the neighbours to ask if anyone noticed anything suspicious, or any strangers hanging around.’ When PC Morgan looked down at Flora, he was thinking of his own grandmother, who would be about the same age. And he felt emotional. This was one side of the job he didn’t like. ‘I’ll call in some time when I’m in the area, just to see how you are. But I can see you have good friends who’ll keep an eye on you.’

  ‘You can rest assured that Flora will be well looked after, constable,’ Molly said. ‘There’s a gang of us who’ll be watching over her like a hawk, and waiting on her hand and foot.’

  Not wanting to be left out, Nellie told him, ‘Yeah, she’ll be spoilt rotten. Treated like a queen, that’s what she’ll be.’

  PC Morgan grinned. If the rest of the neighbours were like these two, Mrs Parker was in good hands. ‘I’ll keep yer to that. It may be a few days before I get a chance to call again, but when I do, I’ll be expecting to see Mrs Parker wearing a diamond tiara. If she’s not, then I’ll want to know why.’

  Molly saw him to the door. ‘She will be well cared for, officer, yer can depend on that.’

  ‘I’m concerned that she has no money to live on. How will she manage for food and any other necessities?’

  ‘We’ll make sure she doesn’t go short, I can promise yer that. None of the families round here are well off, but they’ll all muck in to help. She’s well thought of in the neighbourhood, is Flora, and everyone will want her to know that.’ She gave him a smile. ‘It would be nice if yer called again to see her, she’d love that. But I’ll say ta-ra for now, ’cos me and me mate have got work to do.’

  Molly and Nelly sat with Flora until her two neighbours returned to take over. Lily Swift and May Forest had done their shopping, prepared the dinner for their families and were ready to sit with the old lady for a few hours. ‘We’re all right until about four o’clock, Molly,’ Lily said as she and May draped their coats over the arm of the couch. ‘So if the police come, we’ll be here to see to them.’

  ‘The police have been, sunshine,’ Molly told her. ‘A young constable came, and he’s taken himself back to the police station. He said a detective will be calling, but couldn’t say when. It could be today or tomorrow.’ As she was putting her coat on, she looked knowingly at Flora. She’d had a good chat with the old lady, and told her not to mention to her neighbours that all her money had been stolen along with the fob watch. When Flora said they’d soon find out when she had to tell the rent collector she couldn’t pay him, Molly had coaxed her into keeping quiet about it until later, when all would be revealed. They weren’t asking her to tell lies, and there was nothing underhand about keeping silent. ‘We’ll be bringing a few groceries back for Flora. She’s given us the money for them. Oh, and she fancies a meat pie from Hanley’s, to eat with some bread and best butter.’

  Lily pulled a face. ‘Some hope you’ve got, queen, ’cos Hanley’s will be well sold out by this time.’

  ‘One can but try, sunshine, one can but try.’

  Nellie’s chins and mountainous bosom showed they were in agreement. ‘Yeah, God loves a trier, and as He’s a mate, we’re in with a chance.’ She gave an exaggerated wink to Flora. ‘See yer later, girl.’

  Nellie didn’t speak until they were halfway down the street. ‘Why did yer tell Flora not to say anything about her money getting pinched? She’ll need to borrow some money to live on. She can’t live on fresh air, girl. And then there’s the rent man. She’ll have to tell him she can’t pay, and then the whole street will know.’

  ‘Nobody will find out if I’ve got anything to do with it. Seeing Flora in that state really got to me. I’m boiling inside with anger, that someone of her age has been made penniless by a low-down thug. Whoever he is, I’d like him to know I think he’s the lowest of the low.’ Molly bent her elbow. ‘Stick yer leg in, sunshine, and I’ll tell yer what I’ve got in mind. First, I’m going
to get round Edna Hanley to give a meat pie and a loaf, without charging for them. She’ll do that willingly, I know she will, ’cos she’s like one of us. And that will be the start.’

  ‘Good thinking, girl, good thinking. But that doesn’t alter the fact that Flora’s got no money. She’s broke, skint, penniless.’

  ‘I’m hoping she won’t be any of those things by tonight, sunshine. If I pull it off, she’ll have her rent money, and enough to live on.’

  ‘How are yer going to manage that, girl? I think ye’re letting yer heart rule yer head. I know yer feel sorry for Mrs Parker, I do meself. And if I could get me hands on the feller what robbed her, he’d wish he’d never been born. But to pay her rent, and money to live on, ye’re talking about six or seven bob. And where are yer going to find that much money?’

  Molly could imagine the look on her mate’s face when she heard what the plan was, and was chuckling in advance when she said, ‘I reckon it would take at least eight shillings to put Flora back on her feet. She could pay her rent, and the coalman, and have coppers for the gas meter, and enough for her food. And I know exactly how I can raise that much money without any trouble.’

  Nellie’s eyes slid sideways. ‘Don’t tell me ye’re going to sell yer body! That would be taking things too far, even to help an old lady what’s in distress.’

  ‘You could probably raise eight shillings with your voluptuous body, but I wouldn’t stand a chance. No, I’ve got a much easier plan than that. I’ll do me rounds tonight, visiting me family. And I’ll ask for a donation from Doreen and Phil, Jill and Steve, Tommy and Rosie, and your Lily and Archie. They’ll all want to help when I tell them about Flora, and I’m hoping for two shillings from each house. That would make the eight shillings I think she needs to put her on an even keel. It won’t help her get over the loss of her husband’s watch, but it will take away the worry of not having a penny to her name.’

  ‘I take me hat off to yer, girl, ’cos ye’re very thoughtful and have got a heart of gold. There’s not many people like you around.’