by Joan Jonker
Molly grinned. ‘Yeah, we didn’t half have a good laugh.’
‘I had to exaggerate when I told my feller, ’cos yer know he’s not blessed with much humour.’ Nellie folded her arms and sat back. ‘I did get a laugh out of him, though. I told him we were walkin’ round the shops when someone shouted that the fish shop had fish in. Instead of twelve people in the queue, I told George there were about thirty. I said we stood for half an hour, and when we got to the counter all the shopkeeper was selling was fish heads.’ Nellie shook with the pleasure of remembering her husband’s face. ‘He thought it was hilarious, doubled up he was, until I told him I’d bought half a dozen fish heads and we were havin’ them for tea tonight … eyes an’ all.’
‘Yer didn’t!’
‘I ruddy well did! An’ d’yer know what, girl? If I never move from this chair, I swear this is God’s honest truth – the silly sod believed me!’
Molly pressed her hands into her sides. ‘Nellie, don’t say any more, I’ve got a stitch in me side.’
‘At least yer’ve got a smile on yer face,’ Nellie said. ‘When I came in yer had a gob on yer like a wet week! I thought to meself, blimey, a cup of tea made with two tea leaves, no biscuits and lookin’ at a face that would curdle the flamin’ milk!’
‘I know, sunshine, but I can’t help worryin’. It’s not just being short of food that’s made me like that, it’s everything. Wonderin’ how young Phil is over in France, your Steve likely to get his callin’-up papers any day, an’ every time the flamin’ air-raid siren goes I worry meself sick about me ma and da.’
‘Well let’s get all yer worries in pro … pre … oh, what’s the ruddy word I’m lookin’ for?’
‘Perspective, Nellie.’
‘That’s it, girl! Now, first off is Phil. There’s nothin’ goin’ on in France, so he’s safe. Next is our Steve, an’ it could be a long time before he gets called up because he’s on war work. That leaves yer ma an’ da. The air-raid shelter is right at the top of their street, only a stone’s throw. They’d be settled in there, all safe and sound, long before we could get there. So yer see, girl, although there may come a time to worry, it’s not here yet.’
Molly took a deep breath. ‘I know, so let’s talk about somethin’ nice, eh? It’s our Tommy’s sixteenth birthday on Friday, so I’m havin’ a little do for him on Saturday. I’m not askin’ the usual gang – Maisie, Alec, Ellen or Doreen’s mates from work, because of the eats. But we can have a couple of drinks an’ a singsong. Naturally, you an’ George are invited.’
‘I was goin’ to ask yer what he’d like as a present. How about a pair of warm gloves?’
‘I think our Jill’s buying him gloves, an’ me an’ Jack are gettin’ him a tie to go with his new clothes, an’ cufflinks.’ Molly was thoughtful for a moment. ‘A pair of socks would be a good bet, Nellie, he’s always moanin’ about not havin’ enough.’
‘That’s settled then: I’ll give him two pair of socks, a birthday card an’ a smackin’ big kiss.’ Nellie’s grin was cheeky. ‘Is Rosie bein’ invited to his party?’
‘I could hardly leave her out, could I? Not when me ma and da are comin’. Anyway, she’d come without bein’ invited. There’s hardly a night passes when she doesn’t come round.’
‘I wonder if she’ll buy him a pressie?’
‘Ooh, don’t mention it, Nellie! I dread to think what he’d do with it if she did. Ever since that night he knocked her over he’s been worse with her than he was before.’
‘I can’t understand him,’ Nellie said. ‘I think she’s a lovely girl.’
‘Well, yer know what they say, sunshine – there’s only a thin line between love and hate.’
‘Is that one of Rosie’s mammy’s sayings?’
‘No, it’s one of mine, an’ I just made it up.’ Molly pulled her tongue out. ‘So there!’
‘Are the men workin’ late again, Auntie Molly?’
‘I’m afraid so, Rosie.’ Molly smiled at the young girl, who was turning into quite a beauty. It was hard to imagine her as the same girl who, when she first saw her, was dressed like an old woman. These days, with the help of Doreen’s dressmaking skills and Jill’s talent for hairstyles and make-up, Rosie was always well turned out. She had lost some weight and looked very attractive in her modern stylish dresses. ‘Tommy doesn’t mind ’cos he likes a few bob in his pocket, an’ he’s young enough to stand the long hours. It’s yer uncle Jack that worries me, he’s always tired out.’
‘Sure ’tis far too much, so it is. Don’t I get tired standin’ on me feet all day an’ I’m only fifteen and eleven months?’
Molly chuckled. ‘Don’t forget the eleven months, will yer?’
‘I’ll not be forgettin’ them, that I won’t! In fact, I’m fifteen years, eleven months and five days.’ Rosie glanced towards the kitchen. ‘Are yer all on yer own, Auntie Molly?’
‘Yes, sunshine, I’m all on me lonesome. Ruthie’s in bed, and Jill an’ Doreen have both gone out.’ Molly cocked an ear. ‘Here’s the men now – I’ll get their dinners.’
Tommy dashed in ahead of his father, his eyes sparkling with excitement. ‘Mam, we went outside the factory when the air-raid siren went, an’ we saw three German planes. They were flyin’ that low we could see the pilots and all the markings on them.’ He turned to Jack for confirmation. ‘Isn’t that right, Dad?’
Jack nodded. ‘It was an unbelievable sight. They were cruising along as though the sky belonged to them an’ they had all the time in the world.’ He grinned, ‘That is until three of our planes swooped up behind them, then they roared off, ducking and diving with our lads on their tails, closing in on them.’
Molly stood with a plate of dinner in each hand. ‘Where’s yer manners? Have yer not noticed we’ve got a visitor?’
Jack turned with a smile on his face. ‘Hello, Rosie, love.’
Tommy gave her a brief glance, muttering something unintelligible under his breath. It could have been a greeting or a farewell.
Molly tutted before asking, ‘Well, what happened then?’
Jack shrugged his shoulders. ‘I dunno, they were out of sight in no time, making for the sea.’
‘Would our lads shoot them down, Dad?’ Tommy asked. ‘They wouldn’t just let them get away, would they?’
‘You know as much as I do, son, but I can’t see them shooting them down over a built-up area. Just think of the damage it would cause, an’ the civilian casualties.’
‘Here, sit down an’ get yer dinners.’ Molly set the plates down. ‘You were takin’ a chance, standin’ there watching them, weren’t yer?’
‘We were on our way to the air-raid shelter, as the siren had just started, but when we saw what was goin’ on nobody moved. It was like sittin’ in the pictures watching a film with goodies and baddies in.’ Jack picked up his knife and fork. ‘The blokes from the factory were shouting swear-words at the German planes and shaking their fists, then as soon as our lads came along there was clapping an’ cheering. It was a sight I wouldn’t have missed. An’ I’ll tell yer what, love, there wasn’t a man watching who wouldn’t have liked to have had a go themselves.’
‘Those bloody Germans have got some nerve, haven’t they?’ Molly pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘Fancy flyin’ over in broad daylight!’
‘They’ve got to come in daylight, Mam, to take photographs,’ Tommy said through a mouthful of potato. ‘I bet they’ve got photographs which pinpoint the exact position of the docks an’ other places.’
‘Yer mean so they can come back an’ bomb them?’ Molly asked, her heart beating faster. ‘One of these days they’ll just drop their bombs in broad daylight an’ get it over with.’
‘Those planes today weren’t bombers,’ Jack said. ‘They were light fighter planes. The Germans aren’t likely to send bombers over during the daytime because they’re heavier and much slower, an easy target for our fighter planes and ack-ack guns.’
‘There’s a bloke at work
got a book with pictures in of all the German planes, an’ he said there’d be two guns on those fighters we saw today.’ Tommy was as tall and broad as his father and would pass for eighteen any day. But in his head he was still a young lad. ‘I’m goin’ to save up and buy meself a book so I can learn all the different makes and models, an’ I’ll know which are our planes an’ which are the Germans.’
‘Have yer gone off steam trains, then, Tommy?’ Rosie asked.
Her question was met with a look of disdain. ‘No I haven’t, soft girl. I can have two interests, can’t I?’
Jack cut in before any more insults could be thrown. ‘Yer’d have a problem pronouncing the names of the German planes, son, I can’t get me tongue around them.’
‘I’ll soon learn,’ Tommy said with the confidence of youth. ‘Won’t take me long to pick it up.’
Rosie had no intention of sitting there and being left out. ‘It’s yer birthday on Friday, Tommy.’
‘Go ’way!’ Tommy rolled his eyes at the ceiling. ‘Thanks for tellin’ me, I wouldn’t have known.’
Molly gave him a kick under the table and he grimaced. ‘What was that for?’
‘Don’t let him bother yer, Auntie Molly,’ Rosie said coolly. ‘He doesn’t bother me. As me mammy says, an ignorant person is more to be pitied than laughed at.’
Jack roared with laughter. ‘Why don’t yer put the white flag up and surrender, son?’
‘Oh, I’d not be wantin’ him to do that, Uncle Jack!’ Rosie’s lovely face beamed. ‘Sure I’d hate to see a fine figure of a man like Tommy carrying a white flag, so I would!’
A knock on the door kept Tommy’s reply on the tip of his tongue. ‘This’ll be Ginger.’
Tommy’s mate was a few inches shorter than him, was slighter in build, had a mop of red hair and a face full of freckles. His redeeming feature was the set of strong white teeth he showed when he smiled. ‘Hello, Mr and Mrs Bennett! Hiya, Rosie!’
‘Hello, Ginger, it’s glad I am to see yer.’ Rosie stood up and reached for the coat she’d laid over the arm of the couch. ‘I’d not like yer to think I’m leaving because of you, Ginger, but I’m on edge in case there’s an air-raid warning. Auntie Bridget promised they’d go straight up to the shelter but I’d feel easier in me mind if I was there to make sure.’
Tommy’s conscience began to prick at the mention of his beloved nan and grandad. ‘Yer’ll make sure they’re safe, won’t yer?’
There were danger signals in Rosie’s wide, deep blue eyes. ‘What d’yer think, Tommy Bennett? That I’d run like hell to save me own skin an’ leave them to get on with it?’
Molly lifted a hand before her son could answer. ‘Hang on a minute! I don’t care if you two fight because I think it’s funny. But in this case I want to see a fair fight.’ She pointed a finger at Tommy. ‘I was round at me ma’s today, and at the bottom of the stairs there’s a bolstercase filled with two blankets and some cushions. When I asked me ma if she was doin’ a moonlight flit, she told me Rosie had got it ready in case she wasn’t home when the sirens went. She made me ma promise to take it with her every time she went to the shelter, so if the raid lasted a long time they would be warm and comfortable.’
Tommy had the grace to blush. ‘Aw, cut it out, Mam! I didn’t say Rosie would run off an’ leave them, she said that herself!’
Rosie adopted a haughty air, even though she was glowing inside. For the first time he’d actually spoken her name! But she wasn’t going to let him off so easy. ‘Ginger, while yer friend’s eatin’ his dinner, would yer like to walk me home? It’s not that I’m afraid of the dark, but sure wouldn’t it be my luck to meet another eejit and get knocked down?’
Ginger couldn’t believe his luck. His friend might be blind to Rosie’s charms, but he certainly wasn’t. He glanced at Tommy and shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’ll be back by the time yer’ve washed.’
Molly chuckled silently as she walked down the hall to see them out. Oh, Tommy, my son, she thought, you don’t stand an earthly. She’ll get the better of you every time.
Chapter Twenty
‘Happy birthday, Tommy!’ Nellie held out her present. ‘That’s for you, and in return I want a kiss.’
‘Thanks, Auntie Nellie!’ Tommy duly obliged with a noisy smacker. ‘I’ve got lots of presents, more than I’ve ever ’ad.’
‘Ah, well, sweet sixteen an’ never been kissed, eh? Or have yer?’
Tommy’s face turned the colour of beetroot. ‘Auntie Nellie, I wouldn’t tell you if I had.’
‘Go on, I won’t snitch on yer.’
‘All right, I’ve kissed over a hundred girls.’ Tommy placed her present on the sideboard with the other unopened gifts. ‘Are yer happy now, or shall I make it two hundred?’
Miss Clegg was the next to arrive, brought across by Doreen. She handed over a small wrapped parcel and received a kiss in return. ‘I see you haven’t opened any of your presents yet, Tommy.’
‘No, Miss Clegg, I’ll open them when everyone’s here. I’ve never had so many in all me life … even at Christmas.’
Ruthie watched the pile of gifts growing, envy in her eyes. She sidled up to him and pulled on his jacket. ‘Can I help yer open them, Tommy?’
‘Uh-uh! I’m not openin’ them until Ginger an’ Malcolm are here, so scram.’
Ruthie thought about kicking him on his shin for being so mean, but then she craftily decided she might be cutting her nose to spite her face if she did. After all, one of those parcels might have sweets in, so she’d do well to be on her best behaviour.
Molly was in the kitchen buttering bread for the sardine sandwiches Jill and Doreen were making, while Steve leaned against the sink. ‘Your Tommy looks like the cat that got the cream.’
‘I should think so, too!’ Molly said. ‘I’d be lookin’ like that if I’d got so many pressies.’
Jack poked his head round the door. ‘Yer ma and da have arrived, with Rosie.’
Molly laid down the knife. ‘Steve, you can carry on doin’ this while I see to the visitors.’ She wiped her hands down the front of her pinny and stood just inside the living-room door, enjoying the happy scene.
‘Happy birthday, sweetheart.’ After she’d handed her present over, Bridie stood on tiptoe to cup her grandson’s face. ‘Sure, sixteen is an important birthday, so it is, an’ I hope yer enjoy it and have a year full of happiness.’
Tommy put his arms around the slim waist and held her tight. ‘Thank you, Nan.’ Before kissing her, he whispered in her ear, ‘I love you.’
‘And I love you,’ she whispered back, ‘more than yer’ll ever know.’
Bob was next in line, and as he shook his grandson’s hand there was pride on his face and a tear in his eye. ‘All the best, son.’
‘Thanks, Grandad.’ Tommy could feel his throat tighten as his love for his grandparents threatened to overwhelm him. He coughed to clear his throat, reminding himself that men of sixteen don’t cry. ‘An’ thanks for me pressie.’
Bob smiled and moved aside to let Rosie near. ‘Happy birthday, Tommy.’ She handed him a parcel. ‘I hope you like it.’
‘Thanks,’ Tommy said gruffly, placing it with the other gifts on the sideboard. ‘I’m waitin’ for me mates to come before I open them.’
Rosie saw Molly standing by the door. ‘Can I give yer a hand, Auntie Molly?’
‘No thanks, sunshine, everything’s under control. But yer can answer that knock on the door for us, if yer don’t mind.’
Rosie was careful to switch the hall light out before opening the door. ‘Come in, Ginger, so I can put the light on and see what we’re saying.’
‘This is Malcolm, he works with Tommy.’
Rosie looked up at the tall, well-built, black-haired young man. ‘Hello.’
Malcolm held out his hand, smiling. ‘I know who you are, I’ve heard all about you.’ He held on to her hand. ‘But they didn’t tell me how pretty you are. How about a kiss?’
Oh, he thinks a l
ot of himself, this one, Rosie thought. He’s not bad-looking but he’s not a patch on Tommy. She pulled at her hand but he held it in a tight grip. ‘Will yer please give me me hand back?’
Tommy had come into the hall when he heard his friend’s voice and was in time to hear the exchange. Trust Malcolm to start his antics as soon as he sets foot in the door! He’d been in two minds whether to ask his workmate, because he was noted for being a flirt and thought he was God’s gift to women. He even chatted up the married women at work who were old enough to be his mother! But surely he could behave himself for once instead of starting as soon as he got his nose in the door. And with Rosie, too! But she’d put the big-head in his place and take him down a peg or two.
Rosie gave Tommy a dark look as she walked past him with her head in the air. ‘Take your friends’ coats and hang them up.’
As Tommy’s eyes followed her, he asked himself why he only ever had problems when she was around. She must be a jinx!
‘Ay, she’s a tasty bit of stuff,’ Malcolm said as he slid his arms out of his coat. ‘I wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.’
‘I wouldn’t chance me luck if I were you.’ Tommy would have liked to have torn a strip off his workmate, but this was hardly the time or the place. ‘She could chew you up and spit you out without turning a hair.’
‘Yeah,’ Ginger agreed, ‘yer won’t get anywhere with Rosie.’
This sounded like a dare to Malcolm, and he was determined to prove them wrong. After all, his reputation was at stake. ‘I’ll bet yez a tanner that before the night’s over, I’ll have her eatin’ out of me hand.’
Tommy hesitated. He didn’t really know Rosie well enough to say what she’d do. She might well be flattered by Malcolm’s attention and end up putty in his hands, leaving him a tanner out of pocket. Then Tommy mentally shook his head. No, she might be a nuisance and a pain in the neck, but she wasn’t daft enough to fall for this oaf’s load of baloney. ‘You’re on,’ he said, ‘a tanner it is.’