by Kitty Neale
‘You cheeky moo.’ But Bessie’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Nora. ‘Maybe she’s a bit psychic.’
‘Goodness, I hope not. I don’t think I could cope with two of you.’ Pearl then bundled up some quilts. ‘Here you are, Nora, you can take these to the washing baths, but I hope they aren’t too heavy for you.’
‘Hang on, I think I’ve got an old pushchair in the yard,’ Bessie said, heading for the back door.
‘She nice,’ Nora said.
‘Yes, she is,’ Pearl agreed. She was happy – happier than she’d been in a long time – and it was all thanks to Bessie.
Bernie carefully lifted Johnny from his pram and, though he stirred a little, he didn’t wake. As he walked into the living room, Dolly indicated the sofa, and as he laid the child down, she looked at her grandson fondly.
‘Bernie, we need to talk. There’s a lot to sort out before we move.’
‘I know that, love. You’ve got so much stuff piled in cupboards that we’ll probably need two removals vans.’
‘No, it’s not that. We need to talk about Johnny. He shouldn’t be stuck in that bloody dump of a shop. If he came with us we could offer him a decent home and he’d want for nothing.’
‘Now then, we’ve been over this before and you know that Pearl won’t come with us.’
‘If Kevin knew what was going on, I reckon he’d agree with me. He’d want the best for Johnny.’
‘Maybe, but Pearl has made up her mind and we can’t do anything about it. At least we’ll be having the lad for the occasional weekend.’
‘Huh, that’s big of Pearl,’ Dolly said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘I’ve been thinking, Bernie, and I reckon you should go to see Kevin. Tell him what’s going on and persuade him that Johnny would be better off with us. He must have some say in his son’s upbringing and could sign something to give us guardianship until he comes out of prison.’
‘Dolly, surely you’re not suggesting that we take him away from Pearl?’
‘I am, and what’s wrong with that?’
‘Christ, I don’t believe this. We can’t take the child away from his mother!’
‘Yes we can.’
‘Don’t be daft. Pearl would never agree to it.’
‘She won’t be able to do anything about it.’
‘You’re living in cloud-cuckoo-land. Kevin’s in prison, and even if he agreed to this daft idea, it wouldn’t be legal.’
‘Sod the law then. We’ll just take the boy. We won’t go to Dorset. Instead we’ll go north and go somewhere that Pearl won’t be able to find us.’
‘Bloody hell, Dolly. Now you’re talking about kidnapping!’
‘No I’m not. He’s Kevin’s son, we’re his grandparents, and despite what you say, it isn’t kidnapping.’
‘I think you’ve taken leave of your senses and—’
‘No I haven’t,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘And anyway, if we change our names nobody will be able to find us.’
‘You’re mad, woman!’
Bernie watched her rear up, but stood his ground. ‘Now listen, Dolly, I love the boy as much as you, but I can’t agree to this.’
Red-faced with anger, she glared at him, but then Johnny stirred. Dolly heaved in a great gulp of air, fighting to calm down before picking him up. ‘Shush, Gran’s here,’ she said, rocking him for a minute or two.
At last Dolly looked up at Bernie, her voice quiet now. ‘All right, you win. It was a daft idea, but I’m going to miss him so much.’
‘Me too, love,’ he said.
Bernie slumped with relief. For a moment he thought she’d lost her mind. To take the lad with them was an insane idea, one that could have landed them both in prison. Thank God he’d been able to talk her out of it.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
By the time another three weeks had passed, Nora had become almost a fixture in the shop. She turned up every afternoon, and though most of the time they had nothing for the laundry, she stayed until closing time.
At first Bessie had grumbled, but gradually Pearl saw a growing fondness for Nora in the old woman’s eyes. Nora was always cheerful, making herself useful, and Pearl often saw Bessie slipping her a couple of bob.
Luckily the business was continuing to do well, and Pearl had been pleasantly surprised when her paintings sold. Now there was only one left. Cocking her head on one side, she looked at it critically. It was a winter scene and perhaps too bleak. The market stalls were also a little out of proportion, but if she reduced the price someone might buy it.
Nora came in, and Bessie smiled a welcome.
‘Hello, love. We haven’t got anything for the laundry today.’
‘Mummy cross. She chucked me out.’
‘Lily wouldn’t do that.’
‘Kicked me.’
‘What did she do that for?’
Nora shrugged. ‘Dunno.’
Bessie came out from behind the counter. ‘Pearl, there’s something fishy about this. I think I’ll pop round to see Lily.’
Nora headed for Johnny, distracted by the baby as Bessie left the shop. A happy baby who rarely cried, and growing rapidly, he chuckled when he saw her. Bernie would be here shortly, and then on Saturday, he and Dolly would be leaving.
‘Hello,’ Bernie said as he pushed open the door. ‘And how’s my grandson?’
‘He’s fine.’
‘Well, Pearl, only two days to go now before we move. It’s been a bit chaotic sorting all our stuff out, but Dolly’s on top of it now. Once we’re settled, maybe by the following Friday, can we have Johnny for the weekend? In fact, why don’t you come too? A bit of country air would do you both good.’
‘Oh, no,’ Pearl blurted, covering her rudeness with a tight smile as she added, ‘but thanks for asking.’
‘Pearl, I know you’re worried about Dolly, but there’s no need. She’s accepted that your marriage is over now, and I’m sure she’ll make you welcome.’
Pearl doubted that was true and fobbed Bernie off. ‘I’ll think about it.’
‘Right, see you later,’ he said, wheeling the pram from the shop.
No sooner had the door closed, than Nora asked, ‘Where Johnny going?’
‘Bernie’s taken him to see Dolly.’
‘No like her.’
‘Nor me,’ Pearl agreed. She still didn’t trust Dolly and had no intention of letting her have Johnny for the weekend. When Dolly found out, there was no doubt that she’d kick up an almighty fuss, and Pearl’s stomach flipped at the thought. She stiffened her back. She could stand her ground with Dolly now, and would cross that bridge when she came to it.
Bessie returned, frowning worriedly as she drew Pearl to one side. ‘Lily’s gone a bit strange. At first I don’t think she recognised me, and she got a bit aggressive. She stank rotten too and I reckon she’s wetting herself.’
‘Oh dear. What are you going to do?’
‘I think I’ll get the doctor to take a look at her. In fact, I’ll go to the surgery now.’
As Bessie made to go out again, Nora ran to her side. ‘Where you going?’
‘I’m just popping along to the doctor’s, love. I won’t be long.’
‘Take Mummy away.’
Bessie’s eyebrows rose. ‘Of course not. Now I won’t be long, and when I come back we’ll have a nice cup of tea and some biscuits.’
‘Yes, biscuits,’ Nora agreed, and, placated, she didn’t protest when Bessie hurried out again.
Dolly was jiggling Johnny up and down on her lap, singing a little ditty that made him giggle. Oh, he was gorgeous, just like Kevin at this age. When she stood him up, strong little legs pummelled her lap. ‘Look at that, Bernie. He’s less than six months old and is trying to walk already. Did Pearl say we can have him next weekend?’
‘Yes, and I invited her too.’
‘That’s nice,’ Dolly said, playing her game and pretending she was pleased. She grimaced then as Johnny grabbed a chunk of her hair – ‘Oh, you little bruiser�
��– and whilst doing her best to disentangle his hands she asked, ‘What time are you picking him up on Saturday?’
‘At nine o’clock, but it’ll be chaotic with the removal men here too. Still, it’s our last chance to see him before we go.’
Dolly hid a smile. It was all going to plan, everything in place, and both Pearl and Bernie had a shock coming. As far as she was concerned it served her husband right. He should have gone along with her plans, but he’d always been a weak, soft and useless bugger.
Come to think of it, he and Pearl were two of a kind, neither of them capable of bringing up Johnny. Children needed discipline, and that had been her mistake with Kevin. She’d spoiled him, been too soft, but she wouldn’t make the same mistake with her grandson. Oh, she’d love him, but she’d be strict too. Johnny was her second chance, and for Kevin’s sake she’d make sure that his son turned out right.
The doctor had examined Nora’s mother, and now Bessie looked at him worriedly as she answered his question.
‘I don’t know if she’s got any family. Why do you ask?’
‘I’ve given her a thorough examination and in my opinion she has dementia.’
Dr Baxter’s expression was grave. He’d been Bessie’s doctor for many, many years and she trusted him – but dementia …? ‘Christ, poor Lily. Are you sure?’
‘Yes, Bessie, I’m sure. Not only does she seem confused and agitated, there’s memory loss. She also has difficulty with reasoning and communication. There are signs of malnourishment too.’
‘Gawd, no wonder Nora always seems hungry.’
‘Yes, well, her mother is incapable of looking after her now. In the circumstances, and until other relatives can be found, I’ll make arrangement for Mrs Dobbs to be admitted to hospital immediately.’
‘But what about Nora?’
‘A home will have to be found for her too. I’ll get on to the health authorities.’
‘No, don’t do that. She can stay with me for a while.’
‘Are you sure, Bessie?’
‘Yes. She’ll be better off with me than stuck with a load of strangers.’
‘I’ll still need to inform the health authorities.’
‘You do that, and no doubt the nosy buggers will be round to check me out.’
‘Yes, they’ll have to, but don’t worry, I’ll vouch for you.’
‘You can do that?’
‘Yes, Bessie, and I’ll tell them that despite your grumpy nature, you have a heart of gold.’
‘Grumpy! I ain’t grum—’ She saw the amused smile on his face and halted. ‘Oh, you …’
‘I’ll go and make the arrangements. Will you stay with Mrs Dobbs until the ambulance arrives?’
‘I’ll suppose I’ll have to,’ Bessie complained.
‘See, I told you – grumpy,’ he said, still smiling with amusement as he left.
When Bessie was finally able to return to the shop, she spoke to Pearl out of Nora’s hearing.
‘The doctor’s had Lily admitted.’
‘Admitted! But why?’
‘She’s got dementia.’
‘Oh dear. What about Nora?’
‘I said she could stay with us while they trace any relatives. I just hope they find someone to take her on.’
Pearl stood back as Bessie approached Nora, gently breaking the news. Surprisingly, Nora didn’t seem upset, only throwing her arms around Bessie. ‘I stay with you?’
‘Yes, love, and I tell you what, how do you fancy a nice plate of pie and mash?’
Nora nodded vigorously and Bessie took some money out of the till. ‘What about you, Pearl?’
‘No thanks,’ she said, unable to understand what the local people saw in it. She could stomach the pie, and the mash, but the thick, green and sickly-looking liquor that was poured over the meal made her stomach turn.
Nora went off eagerly and Pearl found out why when the door closed behind her.
Bessie said, ‘She’s half starved, her mother too. There was hardly any food in the cupboards and goodness knows when they last had a square meal.’
‘But Nora doesn’t look to have lost any weight.’
‘Well, there was a bag of broken biscuits and a loaf of bread. They must have been living on stuff like that.’
‘It’s just as well you went round there.’
‘Yes, but it’s odd when you come to think of it. It was the end of September when Nora first turned up looking for a winter coat, and still mild. Seeing Lily, I doubt she was capable of thinking about Nora’s clothes. In fact the woman hardly knew what day it was.’
‘Yes, it is strange, but it’s just as well she came in. If she hadn’t, I dread to think what would have happened.’
‘Me too, love and you should have seen the state of the place. Still, Nora will be all right now. We’ll take good care of her until someone in her family turns up.’
‘Huh, and you call me soft. You’re just as bad.’
‘Yeah, well, keep it to yourself. I don’t want the customers to think I’m an easy touch.’
‘There’s no chance of that,’ Pearl said, yet smiling fondly at Bessie.
It was only a little later when the door opened with a ping, and Pearl saw that Bernie had returned. ‘Has Johnny been good?’
‘He always is. Talk about a placid nipper. As agreed, I’ll pick him up at nine on Saturday and that will give us a couple of hours with him before we go.’ His eyes saddened. ‘Dolly’s gonna be heartbroken to leave him – me too.’
Bernie leaned over the pram, gently kissing Johnny on the cheek, and he gurgled with pleasure. ‘’Bye, lad. Grandpa will see you on Saturday.’
Johnny’s chubby hands reached out to touch Bernie’s face, and suddenly Pearl felt selfish. Bernie and Dolly were Johnny’s grandparents and, other than her, the only family he had. She’d been an orphan, with no relatives of her own, and now she was depriving her son of his only family. She still couldn’t bear the thought of letting them have Johnny for the weekend, but maybe she could take him to see them occasionally? In the meantime, she still had to carry on with the charade.
‘The rental on the cottage has been finalised now so we’re all sorted,’ Bernie said. ‘It’s a nice little place and we’ll be fine there for a while. We’ll be going down in Kevin’s car. There’s no sense in leaving it to rot.’
‘I didn’t know you could drive, Bernie.’
‘Of course I can, love, but it’s been years since I had a car.’
‘Oh dear, are you sure you’re not out of practice?’
He grinned. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine, and when he comes to stay Johnny won’t come to any harm with me.’
Pearl lowered her eyes. Yes, Johnny might be safe with Bernie, but after Kevin’s warning, she still couldn’t say the same about Dolly.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
On Friday morning, Pearl was rearranging the window display when she saw Derek Lewis talking to a costermonger. Across the distance he saw her, and then, crossing the road, he stood outside, looking at the picture in the window that hadn’t sold. For a moment he studied it, and then he came into the shop.
‘Is that painting of the market one of yours, Pearl?’
‘Yes, but it isn’t one of my best.’
‘I can see my old stall, and I’d like to buy it.’
‘You don’t have to do that. You can have it for nothing.’
‘Thanks, but I’d rather pay.’ His eyes flicked around the shop. ‘Where’s Bessie?’
‘She’s upstairs. Nora’s staying with us for a while and they’re sorting her room out.’
‘What, nutty Nora? Oh, sorry, I know you don’t like to hear her called that, but why is she staying here?’
Pearl briefly explained and Derek said, ‘I don’t think she’s got any other relatives.’
‘Not even distant ones?’
‘Not as far as I know.’
Johnny jiggled in his pram, arms waving as he gurgled happily. Derek smiled. ‘Bit of a bru
iser you’ve got there, Pearl.’
‘Yes, that’s what everyone says.’
‘How are you coping?’
‘I’m fine. What about you? Are you enjoying your job at the gym?’
‘Yes, but I still miss the market at times.’ He paused, licked his lips and then said, ‘Like me, Gran thinks there’s more to your story than meets the eye. Are you still sticking to it, Pearl?’
‘Well, it wasn’t quite like Dolly presented it, but it doesn’t matter. It’s all water under the bridge now.’
‘It wasn’t just Dolly, there was Kevin too. He told me that he wasn’t the first to … well, sleep with you.’
‘What!’
‘It’s all right, Pearl. I know now that he was lying.’
‘Oh, Derek … how could he?’
‘Self-preservation, love, and, knowing what I’d do to him, I ain’t surprised. I’m just annoyed that I believed him. Despite your denial, I still reckon that like that other girl, he raped you.’
Pearl shook her head. There had been enough lies and Derek deserved the truth. ‘No, as I told you before, he didn’t rape me. Like a fool, I was flattered by Kevin’s attention and couldn’t believe he was interested in someone like me. I should have stopped him, I know that, but I didn’t. I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you, and hope one day you’ll find happiness with someone else.’
He was quite for a moment, but then said, ‘All right, Pearl, and thanks for being honest. As for finding someone else, well, I’ve got a date tonight.’
‘Have you? Oh, that’s wonderful.’ Pearl kicked herself. She sounded over-enthusiastic, but finding that Derek had moved on lifted her spirits. ‘Do I know her?’
‘I don’t think so. Her name’s Jessica Bailey and she brought her son to the gym to ask about boxing lessons.’
‘Her son?’
He smiled faintly. ‘She’s a widow. But enough about me. How much is the painting?’
‘Please, Derek, let me give it to you as a gift.’
For a moment she thought he was going to refuse, but then he said quietly, ‘All right, and thanks.’
She lifted it down. Derek took it from her hands and held it up. ‘Yes, look, that’s my stall, and I can even see china on display.’