by Joan Jonker
Doreen looked at Nellie, who was standing with her coat still on, and her eyes narrowed. ‘You’re very quiet, Auntie Nellie. Yer haven’t opened yer mouth since yer came in.’
‘Well, I haven’t had much chance, have I, girl? Yer mother hasn’t shut her mouth long enough to breathe. I was beginning to feel like the invisible woman. Now I ask yer, girl, where are her manners?’
Molly, busy tickling the baby’s tummy to make him squeal with laughter, looked at her friend and chuckled. ‘I left me manners on the sideboard, sunshine. I picked up the door key, and me purse, but forgot me manners. So I humbly apologize to yer, and beg your forgiveness.’
Doreen helped Nellie off with her coat, and whispered in her ear, ‘I’ll hang yer coat up, Auntie Nellie, and my good manners will make up for me mam. She didn’t mean to leave you out, it was because she was so happy to be able to hold Bobby again. He’s her first grandchild and she’s been missing him.’
‘If yer think yer can get round me by making excuses, girl, then ye’re not on. I’ve been missing the baby just as much as she has, yer know.’
‘I’ll let you have a turn in a minute, sunshine,’ Molly said, ‘so don’t be getting yer knickers in a twist. You can hold him while I fill Doreen and Victoria in with all the latest news.’
‘You can just sod off, Molly Bennett, if yer think I’m going to baby-sit your grandson while you sit and have a good gossip. Yer must think I need me brains testing! If there’s any news and gossip, I want to hear it.’
‘Oh, he’s my grandson when it suits yer, is it? And our grandson when ye’re in the mood. It’s a fickle woman you are, Nellie McDonough, but seeing as ye’re me best mate I’ll forgive yer.’
Nellie took up her stubborn stance, with feet planted firmly on the ground, chubby hands on wide hips, and narrow, glaring eyes. ‘What did you just say I was, Molly Bennett? If it’s what I thought it was, then yer’d better put the baby down in case he gets hurt when I belt yer one.’
Victoria’s rocking chair picked up speed as she waited in anticipation of the antics to come. She’d missed the two mates over the last ten days, for they were a tonic to her. Better than a dose of medicine any day.
Molly lifted the baby up in the air, which brought forward gurgling and baby laughter. ‘Shall I ask yer Grandma McDonough what she thinks I said, eh, sunshine? Her answer should be very interesting. I bet she doesn’t know.’
‘Oh, I heard yer all right, girl, I haven’t got cloth ears. Yer said I was a fat little woman – me, yer very best mate. I’ve a good mind to pulverize yer. It’s only the baby what is holding me back.’
Molly handed the baby over to Doreen, then put her arms round Nellie. ‘I didn’t say yer were a little fat woman, sunshine. I said yer were a fickle woman, and there’s a big difference. If only yer’d listened to yer English teacher at school, it would have made life much easier for me.’
Nellie’s face took on a look of innocence. ‘I did listen to her, girl, when I was in the classroom. But I spent most of the time in the corridor for talking in class. So yer see, it was me English teacher’s fault I can’t speak proper English. She kept sending me out of the class.’
‘Ah, you poor, hard done by, put upon girl. I bet if it hadn’t been for your teacher, who couldn’t see further than the end of her nose, that you would have been Prime Minister by now. Or, at the very least, Winston Churchill’s right hand woman. Come to think of it, yer have a look of Mr Churchill about yer. A look of the bulldog breed.’ Molly’s chuckle was throaty. ‘Before yer have time to mull that over, and clock me one, I promise yer that was a compliment.’
‘Oh, I understood that part of it, girl, and I’m flattered. Mr Churchill is a real man in my eyes, the strong silent type what won the war for us.’
‘With the help of our soldier boys, Auntie Nellie,’ Doreen reminded her. ‘Phil, Steve, Archie and our Tommy. They’re real men, and they never brag about what they did.’
‘I know that, girl, they were all heroes.’ Her chubby face creased. ‘And now we’ve gone from my teacher at school right through to the war, are we going to have to wait as long for that cup of tea yer mentioned when yer let us in the front door?’
‘I’ve put the tea in the pot, the cups and saucers out, and a plate of biscuits. So when the kettle comes to the boil, all yer have to do is sit at the table and be watered and fed.’
‘I’ll have a nurse of the baby while I’m waiting, girl, just so he doesn’t forget he’s got a Grandma McDonough.’
With baby Bobby now asleep on the couch, and tea and biscuits in front of them, the women talked in low voices. ‘Our Ruthie’s over the moon with herself, isn’t she, Mam?’ Doreen said. ‘She called in yesterday with Bella, and the pair of them couldn’t stop talking about their shopping trip. I suppose I was like them at their age, except the war was on and everything was rationed. I wanted them to show us their shoes and dresses, but they flatly refused.’
‘She wants to surprise everyone on Saturday. Her and Bella might be sixteen this week, but going into town on their own on Saturday, and buying clothes of their choice, was a big adventure for them. I haven’t seen Bella’s dress, but Ruthie’s is lovely. And so are the silver dancing shoes.’
‘She’s the spitting image of her sisters, Molly,’ Victoria said, nodding gently. ‘And they get their good looks from their mother.’
The custard cream biscuit that was on the way to Nellie’s mouth had a reprieve when her hand stopped in mid-air. ‘Ay, Victoria, don’t yer think my mate is vain enough, without you buttering her up? I’ll not hear the last of that, yer know. I’ll have the earache all day now. She’ll tell everyone we meet at the shops, even Tony the butcher.’
Molly laughed, and immediately her eyes went to the couch. ‘Oh, I forgot about Bobby. Have I woken him up?’
Doreen shook her head. ‘No, he’s fast asleep. Go on, Mam, what’s Ruthie’s dress like?’
‘It’s more than me life is worth to tell yer that. I’ve been sworn to secrecy. But the arrangements for Saturday have changed. She pleaded with me to let her go to the dance on Saturday with the boys instead of having a party at home. And with Bella there, backing her up, I couldn’t refuse. Anyway, she had a point. If it’s yer birthday, and ye’re all dolled up like yer’ve never been before, then yer want to show off. I had a job convincing Mary, but she gave in eventually, as long as Gordon, Peter and Jeff look after them and bring them right home to the door.’
Nellie had been listening with a serious expression on her face. ‘Us grown-ups are still having a night out, aren’t we, girl? It doesn’t mean because your Ruthie’s changed her mind, we’ve all got to. Not after you and me have got new dresses.’
‘Not to worry, sunshine, our gang are still going for a night out. It’s only the corner pub, but that suits me fine. And I’m glad the youngsters are not having a party. It would spoil a night out if I had to come home to a mess.’
‘How many of yer are going, Mam?’ Doreen asked.
‘Bella’s mam and dad, and Maisie and Alec from the corner shop. So, two Bennetts, two McDonoughs, and two Corkhills. That’s ten of us. None of the young ones are coming, and neither are me ma and da. The pub’s not big, so with the regular customers, and our gang, we’ll be lucky if it’s not standing room only.’
‘How is Flora?’ Victoria asked. ‘Has she got over her ordeal yet?’
‘I don’t think she’ll ever get over it properly,’ Molly told her, ‘but she’s happier and more at peace now she’s got the watch back.’
The biscuit plate now empty, Nellie was ready to join in. ‘She gets more visitors now, does Flora, so she’s not as lonely as she was before. Me and Molly call in nearly every day, but we don’t need to go today because Bridie and Bob are paying her a visit. And one afternoon Jill is walking round there with the baby and Lizzie.’
Molly was nodding in agreement. ‘So, although nothing excuses the person that broke into her house, in a way he’s done her a favour. For she’s got more going o
n in her life now than she’s ever had.’
‘Why don’t yer bring her round here one day, Mam?’ Doreen asked. ‘We’d love to see her.’
‘Just hang on a minute,’ Nellie told them, in a voice that said she was none too pleased. ‘Any invitations to Flora have to come through me. As her adopted daughter, I’ll attend to her appointments. So I’ll look in our diary and see what day she’s free, girl, and I’ll let yer know.’
Molly chuckled softly. ‘That should be very interesting reading, sunshine, if yer spent half yer school days standing in a corridor. But if yer need a secretary I’ll offer me services for free. We could even buy a diary while we’re out this morning. How does that suit yer?’
Nellie’s face was a picture of pure bliss. ‘That would be handy if we open an office for the McDonough and Bennett Private Detective Agency. Just think, girl, I’m sitting behind a big desk, and you’re my secretary, showing our clients in.’
‘Wishful thinking, sunshine. It’ll be equal partners or nothing. If that doesn’t satisfy you, then I’ll be off, and yer’ll be sitting behind that big desk with no secretary and no clients.’
‘Ooh, yer drive a hard bargain, girl.’
‘I’m going to drive a harder bargain now, sunshine. I want yer off that chair and putting yer coat on in two minutes flat. It’s time to start our shopping. So jump to it.’
Nellie gave a smart salute. ‘Yes, sir! One, two, three, sir!’
‘Before yer go, Mam, what’s happening on Saturday?’ Doreen asked. ‘Is Ruthie doing the rounds, or are we handing her presents in?’
‘I thought it would be nice if everyone called in the afternoon. It would be a treat to have all the family together, and I know Ruthie would be pleased.’
Doreen nodded. ‘Shall we make it about three o’clock? That would give us time to get the dinner over and dishes washed.’
‘That would be fine, sunshine, but keep it to yerself and she’ll get a lovely surprise when everyone turns up. I’ll spread the word on secrecy.’
Molly and Nellie arrived early at St Anthony’s church, so they could see Sadie getting out of the wedding car with her two sisters, who were her bridesmaids. They wanted to wish her all the best, in case there wasn’t time after the service. Molly had to be home by half past two at the latest, for all the family would be calling around that time to see Ruthie.
‘Here she comes, girl.’ Nellie squeezed her mate’s arm. ‘I’m glad the sun is shining for her.’
And what a radiant bride Sadie Wilson was. She outshone the sun with her beauty. This was the day she was to become the wife of the man she adored. He used to live next door to her when she was a kid, and was the only one in the street who spoke to her. The other neighbours steered clear because of her parents, who were filthy, foul-mouthed and lazy. But Harry had defied his parents, and always stopped to speak to her, and treated her like a lady. He was her only friend then, and now he was to become her husband.
‘You look beautiful, sunshine,’ Molly told her as her bridesmaids fixed her veil. ‘Your Harry is a very lucky man. And he’s as handsome as yer said he was.’
Nellie nodded. ‘We peeped in the church and saw him.’
Sadie tilted her head sideways, to the man whose arm she was linking. ‘This is Harry’s father. He’s giving me away.’
‘There’s a lot of people in the church, sunshine; yer have many friends. Me and Nellie will have to leave early, but we’ll be down to see yer at the market soon.’ She bent to give Sadie a kiss. ‘We both wish yer all the luck in the world. Now don’t keep Harry waiting and have a wonderful day, and a wonderful life. We’ll be inside to see yer tie the knot.’
The two friends waited until bride and bridesmaids were in the church, and the organ was playing, before they took their seats in one of the back pews. They stayed for the exchanging of the vows, and rings, then quietly slipped outside, happy for the young girl they’d grown fond of.
There was a constant stream of visitors to the Bennett house on Saturday afternoon, and Molly was rushed off her feet making pot after pot of tea. Her head was splitting and her feet killing her. But each time she got to the point where she thought she was near breaking point, she just had to look at the happiness on the pretty face of her now sixteen-year-old daughter to feel better. The room was littered with paper that had been torn in haste from present after present by a young girl who was bursting with excitement. There was chatter, laughter, hugs and kisses, in an atmosphere of family togetherness and love.
Molly leaned back against the sink in the kitchen, and through the open door she viewed the scene. There’d never been a birthday like this before. Her three older children certainly didn’t have the fuss and presents Ruthie was enjoying. But that was because money was tighter then. And no one begrudged the happiness of the young girl who had entered the world seven years after Molly thought her child-bearing days were over. She was welcomed and loved then, and still was.
Bridie and Bob came with Tommy and Rosie, bearing stockings and lovely pink fluffy bedroom slippers. Jill and Steve came with baby Molly, and an underskirt in lilac, which sent Ruthie into a state of rapture. And the pretty blue blouse from Doreen and Phil brought tears to her eyes. There was a silk scarf from Lily and Archie, a box of chocolates from Maisie and Alec in the corner shop, and Corker arrived with a nicely wrapped parcel containing a lovely cardigan from Ellen and himself. And he also brought a message from Gordon and Peter that said they’d bring their presents when they called to take her and Bella to the dance. Any other time she would have blushed at the mention of going out with a boy, ’cos that meant it was a date. But she was so overwhelmed by everything she didn’t have a blush in her. ‘Oh, Uncle Corker, I must be the luckiest girl in Liverpool.’ She waved a hand. ‘Just look at all the presents. I want to pinch meself to make sure I’m not dreaming. And I got about fifteen cards at least.’
Corker bent down and gave her a bearlike hug. ‘Enjoy it, sweetheart, for these are the best days of yer life. Make the most of them.’
He was the last guest, and when he left, Molly sank on to the couch and put her feet up. She looked across to where Nellie was sitting in the carver chair, and said. ‘The way my feet feel, I’ll never make it to the pub tonight.’
Nellie, who had arrived at half past two so she wouldn’t miss anything, pulled her chair nearer the table so she could rest her arms on it. ‘Of course yer’ll make it, girl, yer can’t let everyone down.’ She winked at Ruthie, who was stacking her presents into a neat pile. ‘Yer’ll never forget yer sixteenth birthday, will yer, girl?’
‘I won’t, Auntie Nellie, because it’s been the best day of me life. Everyone has been so good, I feel like crying.’
‘Oh, well,’ Nellie said in a matter of fact voice. ‘If ye’re going to cry there’s no point in me giving yer my present.’
Ruthie was well used to having her leg pulled by her mother’s mate, and grinned. ‘Me head is in the clouds Auntie Nellie, but I’m not so far gone I don’t know when I’m being wound up.’
‘It’s a pity yer feel like that, girl, ’cos it means yer best mate, Bella, will really be belle of the ball tonight.’
Ruthie’s eyes slid sideways to where her mother was stretched out on the couch. ‘Mam, is Auntie Nellie kidding?’
‘I don’t think she’d pull yer leg over a thing like that, sunshine. Mind you, yer can’t be up to her tricks.’
Nellie wagged her head from side to side. ‘What a ruddy performance! I didn’t have this trouble with Bella. She was delighted with her prezzie, and she gave me a big kiss.’
Jack came through from the kitchen with a cup of tea for his wife. ‘Here yer are, love, yer deserve this after all the running round yer’ve done. Relax and enjoy the tea, we’ve got an hour before we need to start getting ready.’ He dropped a kiss on Molly’s forehead, before saying to his daughter, ‘Tell yer Auntie Nellie that yer’d be delighted to have another present, and thank her for her kindness. I’ll stay here and wa
tch the proceedings, and once you’ve got the promised present, I’ll give Mrs Mac a nice cup of tea.’
Molly was taking a sip of tea when a shriek shattered the silence, and the tea went down the wrong way, causing a fit of coughing. ‘Ruthie,’ she spluttered, ‘I nearly choked meself.’
‘Look what Auntie Nellie bought me, Mam! It’s beautiful!’ The girl was so excited she couldn’t fasten the necklace. ‘Dad, will yer fasten it for me? And will yer lift me up so I can see meself in the mirror?’
‘I can’t hold yer any longer, love,’ Jack said, puffing loudly. ‘Ye’re not a baby any more, and I’m not a teenager.’ He lowered her to the floor. ‘You’re no lightweight, love. Another minute and I’d have put me back out.’
Her hand on the necklace, Ruthie put an arm round Nellie’s shoulders. ‘It’s a beautiful present, Auntie Nellie, and I love yer to bits. Not as much as I love me mam and dad, though, ’cos they let me keep all me wages, and just wait until yer see me all dolled up tonight. Yer’ll mistake me for a film star.’
Molly handed her empty cup to Jack. ‘Be an angel and put that on the draining board for me, love. I’m keeping me legs up for the next hour, otherwise I’ll never make it to the pub.’
‘You can lean on my arm, girl,’ Nellie said. ‘Ye’re not getting out of going, ’cos I’m looking forward to a night out.’
‘I know yer are, sunshine, and I won’t let yer down. Even if it means Jack giving me a piggyback,’ Molly said. ‘But you poppy off home now and we’ll see yer at half seven. That’s when Corker will be going up the pub to keep seats for us.’
Nellie pushed herself to her feet. ‘I’d better get in or George will have a face on him that’ll stop a clock. I’ll see meself out, Jack, you stay where yer are.’
As she waddled towards the door, Ruthie was close on her heels. ‘Has Bella got a necklace as well, Auntie Nellie?’
‘Yes, I wouldn’t make fish of one and flesh of the other, girl. I wouldn’t leave her out. And I hope we see yer in yer finery before yer go gallivanting with the boys.’