by Joan Jonker
Flora had a hand to her throat, and was shaking her head. ‘It’s thoughtful of yer, Molly, and you, Nellie, but I couldn’t even consider what yer’ve said. I could never pay twelve shillings back, for where would I get that much money from? I can barely live on the pension I get. By the time I’ve paid me way there’s very little left.’
‘We have thought of all that, sunshine. We know a widow’s pension doesn’t go far. Whoever is in charge of pensions wants shooting. I’d like to see them living on it. There’d soon be some changes if those in the government had to try and manage on a paltry few bob a week.’ Molly moved to kneel next to Flora’s chair. ‘We can manage without the money we’ve got saved; there’s nothing we’re desperate for. We would really like yer to take it, so yer could pay yer dues, as usual, and buy yer food. We haven’t told a soul, so it would be our secret. And if ye’re too proud to take it from us as a gift, then yer could pay us back. Me and Nellie thought threepence a week would be about right, and you wouldn’t feel beholden to us. We understand that yer have yer pride, Flora, and this way would mean yer could keep yer pride, and live without worrying about yer rent and coal money.’
Flora was shaking her head long before Molly finished. ‘As I said Molly, it’s very kind of you and Nellie, but at threepence a week it would be years before yer got yer money back. I could be dead and buried by then.’
It wasn’t a time for humour, but Nellie couldn’t resist. ‘Oh, yer won’t be dead, girl, I’ll see to that. I’ll be round here every day to make sure ye’re looking after yerself. Keeping warm and eating well.’
Molly chuckled. ‘Take no notice of her, sunshine, she’s not as tight as she sounds. Or as hard-hearted. In fact she was over the moon at the idea of us being able to help yer. And it wouldn’t take for ever to pay the money back, for threepence a week comes to a shilling every month. And yer’ll have paid us back before yer know it.’
Flora was giving the offer much thought. She was being offered a life-line, but old habits die hard, and she’d never borrowed or owed anyone a penny in her life. ‘Would the neighbours know I’d borrowed off yer?’
It was Nellie who was quick to say, ‘Only me and Molly would know, girl, and we won’t snitch. Take the money and don’t be so ruddy stubborn. Ye’re as bad as me mate. She’s stubborn when she likes. Digs her heels in and won’t budge.’
There was silence as the old lady gave the matter more thought. She’d been worrying all day about having to tell the rent collector she couldn’t pay. Or the coalman that she didn’t want her usual sack of nutty slack. And if she was very careful, she could repay the loan at sixpence a week, then it wouldn’t take so long. And if the neighbours didn’t know, she wouldn’t have to lower her head in shame. ‘I wouldn’t want twelve shillings, Molly, that’s far too much. Eight shillings would be plenty to see me through. And I don’t know how to thank you and Nellie. You’re very kind.’
Molly opened her handbag. ‘We’ve brought the twelve shillings, Flora, so yer may as well have it. And don’t worry that we’ll be leaving ourselves skint, ’cos we won’t. You take it and do what yer like with it.’
Nellie watched her mate put the six two-shilling pieces on the table. And feeling like Lady Bountiful, she said, ‘Take it, girl, and after yer’ve put enough aside to pay yer way, go out tomorrow and treat yerself to something. It bucks yer up when yer’ve got a couple of coppers spare to treat yerself.’ When she finished speaking, Nellie reflected on her words. And she gave herself a fright. If she didn’t watch out, she’d end up as good-hearted as her mate, and that was taking things too far.
Flora was staring at the stack of silver coins. ‘Molly, if ye’re quite sure, then I’m beholden to yer. But I’ll pay yer back at sixpence a week. I could manage that.’
‘I’ve never been so sure of anything in me life, sunshine. Do as Nellie says and treat yerself.’ Molly stood up and ran a hand down the front of her coat to smooth the creases. ‘Oh, by the way, most of the people in the neighbourhood know yer’ve been broken into. But no one knows me and Nellie are here tonight.’ And to give the old lady a thought to buck her up, Molly added, ‘Ye’re very well thought of, Flora. Yer should be proud. So don’t be surprised if yer keep getting stopped in the street. People are not being nosy, they’re concerned for yer.’
It was when Flora followed them to the door, so she could bolt up again, that Molly pretended she’d just thought of something. ‘Oh, I nearly forgot, sunshine. Me ma said she’d like to come and see yer, and so did Lizzie Corkhill. I said I’d let them know when yer were up to having visitors. And yer can tell me to mind me own business if yer like, Flora, but if I was in your shoes I’d welcome visits from old friends. A good natter would be something for yer to look forward to. If yer don’t feel up to having visitors, I could take you to see them.’ Molly kissed her cheek. ‘We’ll call tomorrow, so yer can let me know then. Goodnight, sunshine, and God bless.’
Nellie wasn’t one for kissing, so when she found herself kissing Flora’s cheek a voice in her head said if she carried on the way she was, she’d become another do-gooder like her mate. And seeing as she couldn’t remember having one good belly laugh that day, she muttered under her breath as she stepped down on to the pavement, ‘Sod that for a lark. Being bountiful might be good for yer soul, but it doesn’t do nothing for yer social life.’ If you didn’t have time for a laugh and a bit of fun, what was the point of living? No, she’d leave Molly to do the good deeds, and she’d provide the laughs and entertainment. As her old ma used to say, ‘A good laugh does yer more good than a pan of scouse any day. And it’s cheaper.’
The mates were deep in conversation as they turned the corner into their street. Molly was delighted at the way things had worked out; it was a load off her mind. And Nellie seemed happy with herself as she did a hop, skip and jump to keep up. ‘Ay, girl, that sixpence a week will come in handy, won’t it?’
Molly stopped in her tracks. ‘What sixpence?’
‘The sixpence off Flora, of course, what else?’
‘Nellie McDonough, have yer lost the run of yer senses? Yer don’t think for one minute that I’d take money off her, do yer? After what she’s gone through, and at her age, I wouldn’t dream of it. And I think yer should be ashamed of yerself.’
‘Ay, keep yer hair on, girl, I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. It’s you what said Flora could pay the money back at sixpence a week, so why take off on me for mentioning it? If she’s giving the tanner, I want to know where it’s going.’
‘I know where it would go if you got yer hands on it, sunshine, and that’s Hanley’s cake shop. An extra cream slice, is that what ye’re after, greedy guts?’
‘For your information, girl, I could get three cream slices for sixpence. And why ye’re getting yerself all wound up over it, I don’t know.’
Molly looked up at the star-filled sky. ‘God, give me patience. I don’t want to fall out with me best mate, ’cos she doesn’t know any better. But it’s hard sometimes.’ Then she looked down at Nellie. ‘Let’s make this short and sweet, sunshine, ’cos I don’t want to be standing here all night. I have no intention of taking any money off Flora. Now, is that understood, or do I have to spell it out to yer?’
‘It wouldn’t be no good yer spelling it out, girl, ’cos yer know very well I can’t spell. But will yer tell me, without getting yer knickers in a twist, why and how ye’re not taking the money off Flora? Yer said yerself that she’s very proud, so what are yer going to do when she holds out a hand with a tanner in it?’
There came a deep sigh from Molly. ‘I don’t know, sunshine. I haven’t had time to sort it out in me head. In fact, I’ve done that much talking tonight in five houses, me head’s in a whirl. The only thing I’m certain of now is that our families have been eager to help the old lady, and there’s no way I’m taking it back off her. They gave it in the goodness of their hearts, and that’s how it will stay. I’ll think of a way when me head is clear.’
Nellie
’s conscience was pricking her. Perhaps she could be half a do-gooder; that wouldn’t be so bad. ‘I’m sure yer’ll come up with a good reason or excuse, whatever yer call it, ’cos yer always do, girl. I’ve never known yer fail to do something when yer’ve set yer mind to it. Yer have a way of knowing what words to use, and yer’ll come up trumps this time, I bet. I wouldn’t bet on meself ’cos I’m bleeding hopeless, but I’d put me money on you any time.’
A bell rang in Molly’s head, and she could feel herself getting excited. ‘That’s it, Nellie! Oh, let me give yer a hug, yer clever thing.’
‘What’s got into yer, girl?’ Nellie took a step back so she could look into her mate’s face. ‘Have I suddenly got a halo over me head, or has the day been too much for yer and yer’ve become hysterical?’
Molly cupped her chubby cheeks. ‘Nellie, you little love, you! Ooh, I could kiss yer to death.’ Kisses rained down on Nellie’s face. ‘Ye’re a little beauty. I’ll love yer for ever more.’
‘Listen, girl, ye’re beginning to frighten me now. Have yer seen a sign over me head, and an angel telling yer me halo’s ready and there’s a chair on the front row waiting for me?’
‘Nothing like that, sunshine. And haven’t we always said that as we go everywhere together, we may as well go to heaven together?’
‘Yes, we have, girl, and I’m all for it. But not just yet, eh? In another forty years I’ll go quietly, ’cos I’ll have had a good innings, but not right this minute. Yer see, girl, I can’t go right now ’cos I haven’t got a clean pair of knickers on.’
A huge figure came up behind them, and a deep male voice said, ‘Nellie McDonough, I’m ashamed of yer. Didn’t yer mother ever tell yer never to go out without changing yer knickers?’
Nellie jumped. ‘In the name of God, Corker, I’ve had enough frights off me mate without you having a go at me as well. The size of yer would put fear into anyone.’
Jimmy Corkhill was indeed capable of putting fear into the strongest of men. Molly’s next door neighbour, he was six foot five inches tall and built like a battleship. But Lizzie Corkhill’s son was a gentle giant. He was known as Corker to everyone for miles around, and was very popular. To the kids in the area he was known affectionately as Sinbad, because of his bushy head of hair, beard and moustache. To Molly, he was her best friend and often her confidant. Always ready to help, generous and caring. He was all those things rolled into one, and Molly thought the world of him. He had married Ellen when her husband died, and become father to her four children, who idolized him.
‘Have yer been for a pint, Corker?’ Molly asked. ‘It’s just about throwing out time, isn’t it?’
‘No, I’ve been waiting for you, me darlin’. Ellen told me about old Mrs Parker, and as soon as I’d finished me dinner I called on you to get the full story. Jack told me you and Nellie were out and wouldn’t be in until after nine, so I stayed talking to him for a while, then went up to me ma’s.’
‘So yer know the whole story, then, Corker?’
‘I do that, me darlin’, and I wish yer’d called to our house for a contribution. I would gladly have given enough for the poor dear to pay her rent. It’s not often I feel as angry as I do now, but right this minute I just wish I had the robber in front of me. I can promise yer that by the time I’d finished with him, he’d never rob another old lady who couldn’t defend herself. What a coward he must be.’
‘Corker, don’t mention me and Nellie collecting money, for heaven’s sake. I’ve made up a tale for Flora, ’cos she didn’t want to take the money off us. I spun her a tale, and that’s the only way I got round her. But if she finds out the truth, she’d be so humiliated she’d fling the money back in me face and never speak to me again. So don’t let me down, Corker, please. And tell Ellen to keep it to herself, as well.’
‘I’ll do as yer ask, me darlin’, and I’ll tell Ellen not to repeat it. But I do want to help, Molly, for there’s six working in our house, so we’re not short of money. The kids don’t earn much, I admit, but we are still well off compared to Mrs Parker. And knowing the old lady for so long, and what sadness she’s had in her life, I’ll feel guilty if I can’t help in some way.’
‘You can help, Corker, definitely! In fact ye’re the answer to a prayer. Nellie can take the credit for my thinking up this idea of how best to help Flora, but you’re the one who can make it sound possible and plausible. So can yer come back to our house so I can put yer in the picture?’
Nellie piped up. ‘And me, girl, yer can put me in the picture.’
‘Won’t George be expecting yer home, sunshine? I think yer’ve left him on his own long enough tonight.’
Nellie squared her shoulders, which caused her bosom to stand to attention. ‘What I say, Molly Bennett, is sod you and sod George. I’ve stuck with yer all day, thirsty, hungry and tired, so I’m buggered if I’m going to miss the end of the story. So, march on, McDuff, and me and Corker will follow. And the first thing yer do when yer get through the door, is to tell your feller to put the kettle on. And tell him to fill the ruddy thing, so I can make up for all the cups I’ve been robbed of.’ Over Corker’s loud guffaw, she shouted, ‘And show him where the biscuit tin is, while ye’re at it.’
Jack had the door open ready. ‘Nellie,’ he said, ‘I wish yer wouldn’t shout so loud. Yer’ll have the whole street lined up for tea and biscuits.’
Nellie marched past him into the living room. She went straight to the carver chair standing at the side of the sideboard and carried it to the table. To make room for it, she pushed one of the dining chairs out of the way with her foot. Then, once seated in the chair she always claimed as her own, she pointed a stiffened finger at Jack. ‘If yer had any nous about yer, Jack Bennett, yer’d welcome a queue outside yer door wanting tea and biscuits. Charge them tuppence for a cup of tea and a ginger nut and yer’d be laughing sacks. And if they preferred custard creams, yer could up the price to threepence.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘If yer put a smile on yer face, yer’d do a roaring trade.’
Molly hung her coat up before saying, ‘Don’t you be ordering my husband about, Nellie McDonough. And when he puts a cup of tea and a biscuit in front of yer, pay him the threepence before yer partake of them.’
Nellie screwed up her face. ‘Before I what?’
‘Before yer scoff them, soft girl.’
With a loud click of her tongue, Nellie shook her head. ‘I’m sure my mate makes words up just to confuse me, Corker. Half the time I’m nodding or shaking me head, when I don’t understand what she’s said. The best I can do is try and look intelligent.’
‘I don’t believe that, Nellie, me darlin’. I bet yer’ve got more brains in that head of yours than half the people in this room.’
With Jack in the kitchen making a pot of tea, there was only Molly and Corker in the room with Nellie. And after giving the matter careful thought, she said, ‘There’s three of us here. How can yer have half of three people, unless one is a cannibal?’ There was a smirk on her face as she laughed inwardly at her own joke. ‘A hungry cannibal!’
Corker slapped his leg as he roared with laughter. ‘There yer go, Nellie, yer’ve just proved how clever yer are. Who but yerself would have thought the best way to even things up would be to introduce a hungry cannibal?’
When Nellie laughed and threw her head back, the chair almost toppled backwards, and it was only her quick reaction that prevented it. ‘I’m sorry about that, girl, but I got carried away. It was the mention of cannibals, yer see, and you and Corker sitting there looking all smug. And I got to thinking yer wouldn’t be sitting there if yer knew how hungry I was, yer’d be pushing each other aside to be first out of the door.’
When Jack came through from the kitchen, his tongue was sticking out of the side of his mouth as he tried to keep the tray he was carrying straight. He set it down carefully on the table before speaking. ‘It grieves me, Nellie, that I can only offer yer a couple of custard creams. It’s a bit late to go out looking
for a human sacrifice for yer to boil in the dolly tub.’
With her eyes on the plate of biscuits, Nellie thought she could afford to be generous. ‘Ye’re a smasher, Jack Bennett, and no mistake. If it was left to yer wife, I’d starve to death and she wouldn’t bat an eyelid! She’ll be sorry, though, ’cos I’m going to cut her out of me will and put you in. You’ll be the one I leave this chair to. This prize possession of mine, what I love dearly.’
‘Except it’s not yours to give away, sunshine,’ Molly said. ‘It’s yours when ye’re in this house, yer make sure of that. But I’m the one that bought it.’
Nellie’s expression was one of disgust. ‘Oh, well, if there’s going to be any squabbling over the chair between you and Jack, then the best thing I can do is take it to heaven with me when I die. I’ll give Saint Peter prior notice, so he can have a space made for it next to my chair and me harp.’
‘I know it’s a good chair, sunshine, but I doubt it’ll still be here in forty years’ time. And yer did say, sometime today, that yer wanted to live for another forty years, didn’t yer?’
The little woman didn’t want to talk, not when there were a few biscuits on the plate and nobody else seemed interested in them. ‘Enough messing around now, girl. Why don’t we get down to business?’
‘Yes, that’s a good idea,’ Molly agreed, and faced Corker. ‘Do yer still have a bet on the gee-gees, Corker?’
The big man looked surprised at the question. But knowing Molly, he knew there would be a good reason for it. ‘I do, me darlin’. I like a flutter if there’s a horse running that I fancy. Why?’