by Joan Jonker
‘Nellie McDonough, I can see right up yer clothes! Cover yerself up an’ try to be respectable.’
Nellie lifted the skirt of her dress to reveal pink fleecy-lined knickers. Stretching her leg out, she tucked her stocking top firmly into her garter. ‘Even though I say it meself, girl, it’s not a bad bit of leg, eh? I have to keep them well covered, otherwise I’d drive all the men wild with desire for me body.’
‘Wishful thinking, sunshine,’ Molly tutted. ‘It’s enough to put anyone off their dinner.’
‘Green with envy, yer are, girl, just ’cos I can get any man I set me sights on … includin’ your feller.’
Molly left her chair to stand in front of her friend. Cupping the chubby face in her hands, she said, ‘Nellie McDonough, yer can have all the men yer want, but if I ever catch yer givin’ my Jack the glad eye, I’ll flatten yer.’
‘Mrs Corkhill!’ Nellie cried. ‘Come an’ help me, she’s batterin’ the livin’ daylights out of me.’
But the only sound that came back from the kitchen was the sound of the old lady’s laughter. If she’d paid ninepence to sit in the best seats at the Astoria picture house, she couldn’t have enjoyed herself more. They were a proper caution, were Molly and Nellie. She’d have to remember all the tricks they’d been up to while Corker had been away: he was bound to ask.
A tiny hand clutched in each of hers, Molly walked up the street between Ruthie and Bella. ‘There’s yer mam at the door waitin’ for yer, Bella.’ She let go of Bella’s hand expecting her to run ahead, but when she looked down she saw the little girl nodding her head vigorously at Ruthie and mouthing, ‘Go ’ed, ask her.’
‘Oh ay, what yer after now?’ Molly pulled on her daughter’s hand. ‘Come on, out with it.’
‘Can me an’ Bella go round to Patsy Dickinson’s before tea, Mam? Remember I told yer her dog had had babies? Well we couldn’t see them before ’cos they were too little, but she said we can go round tonight and have a little hold of them.’
Molly smiled. ‘You can go, but I can’t speak for Mrs Watson. Bella will have to ask for ’erself.’
Bella took to her heels, a wide grin on her face. If Ruthie could go, then her mam was bound to let her go. But it wasn’t that easy. Mary was very protective of her only child, didn’t like her out of her sight, and when Molly walked up there was a look of doubt on her neighbour’s face.
‘I’m not happy about her goin’, Molly, I don’t know the Dickinson family.’
‘Of course yer do! They only live in the next street an’ yer must have seen Mrs Dickinson in the corner shop hundreds of times.’ Molly got a little impatient with Mary for the way she mollycoddled Bella. She often wondered what would happen when her daughter grew up and started going out with boys. The poor lads would probably get the third degree and have to have references and a doctor’s note before Bella was allowed out with them. ‘She’s a nice woman, about your height with mousy-coloured hair. Yer’ve probably stood next to her without knowin’ who she was. That comes from not bein’ nosy, like me.’
‘Has she got a little girl of about three?’ Mary asked. ‘A pretty little thing with blonde curly hair?’
‘That’s the one! An’ if yer don’t make up yer mind quick, the ruddy pups will be fully grown dogs.’
Mary capitulated. ‘OK, yer can go. But you be back here in half an hour, d’yer hear? It’ll be dark soon.’
The two women watched as the girls ran hell for leather up the street, chattering excitedly, swinging their joined hands between them.
‘She thinks I’m doin’ her a favour,’ Molly said with a smile, ‘but it’s meself I’m thinkin’ of. I’ll have the dinner on the go in no time without her under me feet pestering the life out of me.’
‘I’d rather Bella was somewhere where I could keep me eye on her.’ Mary knew she fussed too much but couldn’t help it. ‘I worry when I don’t know where she is.’
‘For cryin’ out loud, Mary, will yer give the kid a break? Yer’ll stunt her growth if yer keep her tied to yer apron strings.’
‘I know, Harry keeps on at me about it.’ Mary moved away from the door and straightened up. ‘But I can’t change the way I am, can I?’
‘Yer goin’ to have to if yer want Bella to be a normal, happy child.’ Molly started to undo the buttons on her coat as she turned away. ‘I’d better get a move on or they’ll be back before we know it.’
Molly was halfway across the cobbled street when she turned. ‘I gather there’s no sign of Phil?’
‘No, not yet. Miss Clegg was lookin’ pale and tired, so I’ve settled her on her chair in front of the fire with her feet up on a pouffe. She’s goin’ to try and have forty winks, otherwise she’ll be good for nothing.’
‘Good idea.’ Molly crossed to the pavement opposite. ‘I’ll see yer later, Mary. Ta-ra.’
Molly cut around the pastry overlapping the basin and let it fall on to the scrubbed draining board. Spinning the basin with one hand, she used two fingers of her other hand to pinch the edge of the pastry, making a pattern. Then she reached for a knife and cut two slits in the top of the steak and kidney pie.
‘There yer go!’ Molly slipped the dish on to the top shelf of the preheated oven. ‘There’ll be no moans tonight because they all like steak and kidney.’ She gave a low chuckle. ‘Just as well, seein’ as there’s nowt else. As they say, hunger’s good sauce.’
As she gathered up the pieces of left-over pastry, a smile crossed Molly’s face. If Ruthie had been here, she’d have been covered in flour, shaping the pastry into tarts and asking for them to be put in the oven. Nobody ever ate the tarts because they came out as hard as a rock, but Molly didn’t discourage her daughter as she thought it was good practice for when she was older.
Molly was scraping some stubborn bits of flour from the draining board when it suddenly struck her that Ruthie should be well home by now. She poked her head round the kitchen door to see the time. It was a quarter to five! ‘I bet the little monkey’s over in Mary’s! I’ll finish cleanin’ up here, then I’ll go and get her.’
But when Mary opened the front door, she shook her head. ‘They haven’t come back yet. I knew I shouldn’t have let her go.’
‘Oh stop yer worryin’, missus, they’re probably havin’ a whale of a time playin’ with the pups.’ Molly tutted. ‘Was your mother the same with you when yer were Bella’s age? Frightened of lettin’ yer out of her sight, terrified in case the wind blew on yer?’
Mary gave a half-smile. ‘No, she wasn’t as bad as me.’
‘There yer are then! A little freedom didn’t do you no harm, did it?’ But mentally Molly was threatening to give Ruthie a clout for not being home at the time she was told to be.
‘But it’s nearly five o’clock, Molly.’
‘I know, I’m keepin’ track.’ Molly bit on her bottom lip. ‘I’ll nip home, lower the gas, then I’ll go around to the Dickinsons’. An’ it’s woe betide that little tinker of mine when I get me hands on her. She’ll not pull a trick like this again in a hurry.’
Molly waved to Mary, then pushed open the door she’d left ajar. Halfway down the hall she stopped when she heard the sound of childish laughter. ‘Well, I’ll be blowed!’ Molly growled, thinking of Mary worrying herself sick while the two little beggars were in here all the time, and enjoying themselves by the sound of it. They must have come in the back way! Throwing the living-room door open, Molly barged in. ‘You better get yerself home, Bella Watson, ’cos ye’re in deep trouble. And as for you, Ruthie Bennett, you’re about to get yer ears boxed and sent to bed without any dinner.’
Molly knew she was talking through her hat, making threats that weren’t going to be carried out, but they couldn’t get away with being naughty without at least having the fear of God put into them.
‘What …’ Molly didn’t get any further. There’s something not right here, she thought. The two girls were sitting on the couch leaning towards each other, and the smiles that were on their
faces when she’d entered the room had dropped, to be replaced by a look of fear … or was it guilt?
‘What’s goin’ on here?’ Molly bent down, her eyes narrowed. She could have sworn Ruthie’s gymslip moved then, but the girl was sitting perfectly still, so she must have been mistaken. ‘Come on, what ’ave yez been—’ Well she wasn’t mistaken this time, the skirt of the gymslip had moved again and was still moving. ‘What ’ave yer got under yer gymslip?’
‘Nothin’, Mam, honest!’
Molly bent closer and lifted the hem of the dress, to gaze into the blinking eyes of a tiny black and white pup. ‘In the name of God what are yer doin’ with that?’
‘Mrs Dickinson said we could ’ave it, Mam!’
‘She did, Mrs Bennett!’ Bella came to her friend’s aid. ‘She said we could have it for nothing.’
‘Oh, I’m sure she did!’ Molly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ‘If I ’ad a litter of puppies to get rid of, I’d be delighted to give them away for nothing.’
Ruthie brought the pup from its hiding place and held it to her cheek.
‘We can keep it, can’t we, Mam?’
‘Can yer heck keep it! Don’t yer think I’ve got enough mouths to feed without a ruddy pup?’ Molly was having dark thoughts about Mrs Dickinson. Fancy giving a pup to a seven-year-old child without first asking the parents! Flaming cheek, that’s what she had. ‘An’ get it off me couch before it piddles all over it. The whole house’ll smell in no time.’
Scratching her head, Molly closed her eyes to block out the sight of tear-filled eyes begging her to change her mind. That Mrs Dickinson’s pulled a fast one, dropped me right in it. If I say they can’t keep it I’ll be the worst in the world, but if I give in I’ll be lumbered with a ruddy pup that isn’t even house-trained! And who’s the one who’ll have to clean the mess up after it? Me of course, who else?
Molly breathed deeply a few times to settle her nerves, then she opened her eyes. ‘Who exactly did Mrs Dickinson give the pup to?’
‘Both of us,’ Ruthie said, while Bella added, ‘It’s between us.’
‘Then I think we’ll see what Mrs Watson has to say about it.’ Molly pointed a threatening finger at her daughter. ‘Keep it off that couch, d’yer hear? Ye’re in enough trouble as it is.’
Mary was standing on her step, her worried eyes searching both ends of the street. When she saw Molly she cried, ‘Have yer been to see if they’re round there?’
‘There was no need,’ Molly bawled, ‘they’re in here. I think yer’d better come an’ meet the latest addition to yer family.’
‘What’s goin’ on, girl?’ Three doors up, Nellie stepped on to the pavement. ‘Mary was nearly sendin’ for the police.’
‘Oh, ye’re there, are yer?’ Molly didn’t really feel like grinning, but the sight of her mate always brought out the best in her. ‘Wouldn’t be a show without Punch, would it?’
‘Yer know I like to keep me eye on things in the street.’ Nellie swung towards her. ‘Make sure the wheels of life are oiled an’ running smoothly.’
‘Well I’d hate yer to miss out, so if yer’ve got yer oil can handy, yer’d better come in with Mary.’ Molly stepped into the hall, turned and whispered, ‘Nellie McDonough, if yer laugh I’ll break yer neck.’
‘Girl, I won’t even crack me face, I promise.’
But Nellie was hard-pushed to keep her promise when she saw the look of horror on Mary’s face as Molly quickly explained the situation and showed her what their daughters had brought home with them. Mary’s reaction was fast and definite. ‘I am not havin’ a pup!’
‘It’s better than havin’ a duck egg, girl, far less painful.’ Nellie thought the whole thing was hilarious and even the daggers being sent her way by Molly couldn’t shut her up. ‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about, it’s a lovely little pup, all cuddly like.’
Ruthie and Bella fastened their eyes on Nellie, seeing her as their salvation. ‘He’s lovely, isn’t he, Auntie Nellie?’
‘He certainly is, sweetheart, a real little beauty.’
Molly gave Mary a sly dig before saying, ‘There yer are, Ruthie, there’s yer answer! Let Auntie Nellie have the pup an’ you an’ Bella can call an’ see him every night. Yez can tuck him up in the lovely dog basket Auntie Nellie is goin’ to get for him, and when he’s older yez can take him for a walk on the posh lead Auntie Nellie’s goin’ to buy.’ With her hands on her hips Molly glared at Nellie. ‘Now get out of that!’ But Nellie was laughing so much she couldn’t speak. Her whole body was shaking: her tummy and bosom were in unison, but her chins were wobbling in all directions. Gripping hold of the back of a chair for support, she laughed and wheezed as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
‘What’s wrong with her?’ Mary asked. ‘Is she all right?’
‘Don’t ask me what’s wrong with her, ’cos it would take too long to tell yer.’ Molly was eyeing her friend with suspicion. Nothing had happened in the last ten minutes to bring on such a bout of laughter, so there was something behind it all. ‘Nellie, will yer stop that racket an’ tell us what yer find so funny?’
Gulping for air, Nellie waved a hand. ‘Give me a chance.’
They watched in silence as she fought to control her breathing. Then she turned to face them, her chubby cheeks wet. ‘Don’t say anythin’ to start me off again, all right?’
‘Seein’ as we didn’t say anything to start yer off in the first place, I don’t know what ye’re on about,’ Molly said resignedly. ‘Anyhow, go ’ed.’
‘I was comin’ down here when I saw Mary standin’ at the door.’ Nellie screwed her eyes tight, sending the fat on her cheeks moving upward to meet her eyebrows. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘Yez know that Mrs Dickinson lives at the back of us, her entry door is facin’ ours.’ Another deep breath as laughter gurgled. ‘She came up our yard before an’ asked me to tell yer to make the girls take the pup back because it’s only four weeks old and shouldn’t be taken from its mother. She was quite upset about it.’
‘What!’ Molly transferred her gaze from Nellie to the two upturned, frightened faces of the children. She was lost for words, wondering who to shout at first. In fact, and she was ready to admit it, she was more angry with herself than anyone else. Why was she always stupid enough to let her friend get one over on her? As soon as Nellie had appeared on the scene she should have known that mischief was brewing.
Ruthie found her mother’s silence unnerving. She’d rather have had her bawling and shouting, getting it over with. In the end she could stand it no longer. ‘Mam, Patsy said we could have the puppy, honest!’
‘If you’ve got any sense yer’ll keep yer mouth closed,’ Molly snapped. ‘Just wait until yer dad gets home.’
‘Now there’s no need to tell Jack, or Harry,’ Nellie said. ‘It’s not the girls’ fault that I’ve got a warped sense of humour.’
‘That doesn’t alter the fact that they shouldn’t have taken the puppy,’ Mary said. ‘It was very naughty of them.’
‘Weren’t you ever naughty at their age? If yer weren’t, then there was somethin’ wrong with yer, yer weren’t natural.’ Nellie moved to lift the sleeping pup from Bella’s lap. She laid it gently in the crook of her arm and stroked its tiny forehead. ‘I can remember wantin’ a kitten when I was about six, but me ma wouldn’t let me have one. I cried meself to sleep for a week.’ She walked towards the door, still stroking the fine silky fur. ‘I’ll take the little feller back, but Mrs Dickinson told me to tell yez that yez can go round any time an’ see him.’
‘I’ll see yer to the door.’ Molly followed her friend down the hall and when she reached the door, tapped her on the shoulder. ‘Nellie?’
Nellie turned her head. ‘What, girl?’
Molly kissed the chubby cheek. ‘Ye’re an old softie, Nellie McDonough, but I love yer.’
Mary was standing behind with Bella’s hand gripped tightly in hers. There was a catch in her voice when she said, ‘An�
�� there’s two little girls I know who’ll be yer slaves for life.’
‘Ruthie was very quiet tonight.’ Jack lowered the paper. ‘No shouting match to stay up a bit longer.’
Molly grinned as she straightened the runner on the sideboard. If Ruthie had had her way, she’d have gone to bed before Jack came in from work in case the puppy was mentioned. A quiet lecture off her dad was far worse than her mother ranting and raving. ‘She was probably tired. Anyway, she’s up early tomorrow so I can get her ready before I go out. Jill’s taking her across to Mary’s for me when she leaves for work.’
‘What time are you goin’?’
‘Same time as you. Me an’ Nellie are meeting me ma at the tram stop at a quarter past seven.’ A loud clattering on the stairs had Molly jumping from her chair. ‘Listen to the noise our Doreen’s makin’, the stupid nit! If she wakes Ruthie, I’ll flatten her.’
Doreen’s face appeared round the door, flushed with excitement. She’d been sitting upstairs for the last hour, keeping watch through the bedroom window. ‘Phil’s just coming up the street.’
‘Hang on a minute.’ Molly gripped her arm. ‘Give him five minutes alone with Miss Clegg before yer go barging in.’ When she was convinced her daughter wasn’t going to make a break, she released her grip. ‘I’ll swill me face, comb me hair, then give Nellie a knock. We promised we’d go over just for half an hour, to say hello and have a piece of his welcome home cake.’
Doreen’s mouth drooped at the corners and her eyes clouded over. Fancy having your style cramped by your mother and her friend on your boyfriend’s first night home on leave! And once the pair of them got talking there’d be no stopping them – they’d be at it until it was time to go to bed. She wouldn’t get to spend any time alone with Phil, wouldn’t get a look-in.
Molly could read her daughter like a book, and the look of dejection didn’t go unnoticed. ‘Don’t worry, sunshine, we won’t stay long. And Miss Clegg will be in bed early ’cos she’s been up since the crack of dawn. So you and Phil will have an hour to yerselves to hold hands and whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears.’