MB03 - Sweet Rosie O’Grady

by Joan Jonker

  ‘What yer thinkin’ about, Tommy?’ Ginger asked. ‘Yer looked as though yer were miles away.’

  ‘I was just thinkin’ that girls don’t grow up as quick as men. I mean, at sixteen they still behave like little girls, always wantin’ their own way. Real childish they are, and bossy into the bargain.’

  ‘Your Jill and Doreen aren’t like that,’ Ginger said. ‘I think they’re very sensible for their ages.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, they are! I didn’t mean them, I was thinkin’ of the queer one.’ Tommy nodded to where Rosie was once again seated between Bridie and Bob. ‘She’s dead childish and a real bossy-boots if ever there was one.’

  ‘I don’t agree with yer,’ Ginger said. ‘I like Rosie.’

  ‘Ay, well, you always were a bit daft in the head.’ Tommy punched his best mate on the shoulder.

  ‘Ay, out!’ Ginger gave him a dig. ‘Here’s Clark Gable. D’yer think yer’ll get yer tanner off him?’

  ‘I’m sure of it!’ Tommy laughed. ‘I’ll threaten to tell all his workmates that he didn’t cop off if he doesn’t. That should do the trick.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was a lovely sunny afternoon in May. The sky was a clear blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds floating like balls of cotton wool. Molly and Nellie, arms linked, were on their way back from the shops when the air-raid warning sounded. ‘Oh, no, not again!’ Molly wailed, as she began to quicken her step. ‘If it’s another false alarm, I’ll spit.’

  ‘They can sod off, girl, ’cos I’m not goin’ to the shelter,’ Nellie panted. ‘It’s takin’ me all me time to breathe now, I’m sweatin’ cobs! I’ll never make it that far.’

  ‘Ye’re comin’ if I’ve got to carry yer,’ Molly said. ‘I know we’ve never had a proper air raid, with bombs and that, but yer never know the minute an’ I’m not takin’ any chances.’

  Nellie stopped in her tracks, her chubby face creased in a grin. ‘If ye’re goin’ to carry me, girl, then I’ll come with pleasure. Yer might not be able to get yer arms around me, so yer’d be best givin’ me a piggyback.’

  ‘Nellie, will yer get a move on! I’ll just open me front door and we’ll throw our shoppin’ in the hall.’

  ‘You run on, girl, I haven’t got the breath to hurry.’

  ‘I’m not leavin’ yer, so get that into yer head. Here, give me yer basket an’ I’ll put it in our hall. We won’t hurry to the shelter, just walk at a nice steady pace an’ yer’ll be all right.’

  Molly hurried ahead with the two baskets, and after opening her front door she set them down in the hall. She waited for her friend to catch up and held out her arm. ‘Stick yer leg in, sunshine, and we’ll take it nice an’ easy.’

  They were halfway up the street when the all-clear siren sounded. ‘Well what would that give yer?’ Molly whistled through clenched teeth. ‘Sometimes I think they only do it to keep us on our toes. Anyway, let’s get back and have a nice sit-down an’ a cup of tea. We’ll go to your house for a change, seein’ as it’s nearest.’

  Nellie gave her a sly look. ‘But yer’ve put me shoppin’ in your ’ouse, so we may as well kill two birds with one stone. Be daft to come to mine and then ’ave to go to yours. No point in wearin’ out me shoe leather.’

  ‘Ye’re a crafty article, Nellie McDonough,’ Molly said. ‘But I’ll catch yer out one of these days.’

  ‘Yer’ll have to be up with the larks to do that, girl! Still, don’t let me stop yer from trying.’

  Later, sitting at Molly’s table, Nellie tilted her head. ‘Did yer know that one in number sixteen has got herself a job?’

  ‘No, I haven’t heard nothing.’

  ‘Yeah, I believe she’s got a job in Reece’s.’

  ‘Who’s looking after her kids, then? They’re young to be left on their own when they come home from school.’

  ‘I haven’t found out that much yet, she only started this week.’

  ‘She probably needs the money.’ Molly curled her hands around the cup. ‘Her husband was one of the first to be called up, him bein’ in the Territorials. Army pay’s not very much, so she’s probably feelin’ the pinch.’

  ‘I can’t say I like her,’ Nellie said. ‘She’s a fly turn if ever there was one. Never has much to say to the women in the street, but always a smile an’ a word for the men.’

  ‘Some women are like that.’ Molly pulled a face. ‘Can’t see a man without goin’ all coy and fluttering their eyelashes. She probably doesn’t know she’s doin’ it. An’ at least she hasn’t rum off with anyone’s husband.’

  ‘My feller avoids her like the plague,’ Nellie grinned. ‘She frightens the life out of him, he thinks she’s after his body.’

  ‘Oh, she’s not that bad! At least she keeps her house and kids neat and tidy.’ Molly was silent for a while. Then she said, ‘It’s funny yer should bring her up ’cos when I saw her daughter, Sheila, yesterday, I was surprised how big she’d grown. She must be about nine now, an’ it seems no time since she was a baby in a pram. Just shows how quickly time flies over.’

  ‘Ye’re right there, girl! I was only thinkin’ about that last night, lying in bed.’ Nellie’s chubby cheeks moved upwards. ‘Now there’s proof that time’s passing us by. At one time I wouldn’t be lying in bed thinking, I’d be too busy being otherwise engaged. But my feller’s too tired these days to rise to the occasion, if yer follow me meaning. It’s a pity, ’cos I’m never too tired for a bit of you-know-what.’

  ‘Yer’ve got a one-track mind, Nellie McDonough!’ Molly grinned. ‘The older yer get, the worse yer are.’

  ‘I could get a bloody sight worse if someone would give me the chance! I’ve told George, if he doesn’t pull his socks up I’ll be takin’ me passion elsewhere.’

  ‘What did George say to that?’

  Nellie chuckled. ‘Said he’d give me the address of one of the blokes he works with.’

  ‘Everything slows down when yer get to our age, sunshine! The men are not so young any more, an’ they’re both workin’ all the hours God sends.’

  ‘I bet your Jack hasn’t slowed down as much as my George! I can tell you’re not frustrated in the love stakes ’cos every Monday mornin’ ye’re walking around with a grin on yer face.’

  Molly leaned across the table. ‘Before yer ask, Nellie, the answer is no, you cannot borrow my husband.’

  ‘Ye’re a real meanie, you are, girl! I share everythin’ I’ve got with you, ’cos that’s what best mates do.’

  ‘Well, that beats the band, that does!’ Molly rested her back on the chair. ‘When have you done any sharing? Two weeks ago, when it was our Doreen’s seventeenth birthday, it just so happened that your Lily’s birthday was just a few days after. Did you have a party for your Lily? Did you heckers like! No point in havin’ two parties, yer said, we’ll all come to Doreen’s! So once again muggins here was left with all the work an’ the worry.’

  ‘Ay, well, yer see, girl, I’m not as good at givin’ parties as you are. An’ my house isn’t as posh as yours, either! That’s why I’ve decided to let you have the party next week for Jill and Steve. Yer haven’t forgotten it’s their birthdays, have yer, girl? Yer see, I wouldn’t want to let me son down.’

  Molly slowly shook her head. ‘I must want me ruddy bumps feelin’! I fall for it every time!’ She tried to look indignant but couldn’t keep the humour from her voice. ‘Seein’ as your son will soon be my son-in-law, I wouldn’t dream of lettin’ him down.’

  ‘An’ as your Jill will one day be my daughter-in-law, I wouldn’t dream of lettin’ her down.’

  ‘What are yer goin’ to do, then?’ Molly asked.

  ‘How d’yer mean, girl, what am I goin’ to do?’

  ‘Yer just said yer wouldn’t dream of lettin’ Jill down, so what is it ye’re goin’ to do so as not to let her down?’

  Nellie leaned her elbows on the table and cupped her chin on a podgy hand. Her eyes squinting, she gazed at Molly for a few seconds. Then she said,
‘Yer’ve lost me, girl! I haven’t a ruddy clue what ye’re on about! What yer’ve just said is all double Dutch to me.’

  ‘Well, I’ll pretend it’s Ruthie I’m talking to an’ I’ll speak slowly, OK?’ Molly waited for her friend to nod. ‘You are not going to let Jill down, are you?’

  Nellie’s chins did a dance as she shook her head. ‘No, I certainly am not!’

  ‘So what are you goin’ to do to make sure you don’t let her down?’

  Nellie’s face brightened. ‘I’ve got it now, girl! I know what ye’re on about!’

  Molly pinched her nose and prayed for patience. ‘Then tell me what you are going to do.’

  ‘That’s easy, that is!’ Nellie looked very pleased with herself. ‘I’m goin’ to make sure you give her a good party so she won’t feel let down.’

  ‘Making sure I don’t let her down is hardly the same thing as you not lettin’ her down, is it? I mean, it’s no hardship to you, yer don’t even have to get off yer flamin’ backside!’

  Nellie pulled on her bottom lip. ‘Sometimes I wonder whether Steve is doin’ the right thing in marryin’ your Jill. Oh, it’s not that I’ve got anythin’ against Jill, I love her to bits. It’s you I’m worried about, girl, an’ that temper of yours.’

  Molly began to chuckle. ‘D’yer realize, sunshine, that we’ve sat here for half an hour talkin’, and said precisely nothing? It takes some doin’, that does.’

  ‘It’s passed the time away, girl, if nothin’ else. An’ we—’

  A loud rat-tat on the knocker stopped Nellie in mid-sentence. ‘Are yer expectin’ visitors, girl?’

  ‘It’ll be Tucker, I’d almost forgotten about him.’ Molly reached into the drawer for her purse. ‘Do you want to see him, or shall I tell him to throw a bag in your coal place?’

  ‘I’ll come an’ see what the coal’s like.’ Nellie heaved herself off the chair. ‘If it’s anything like last week’s he can keep it, ’cos it was all slate.’

  Molly spoke over her shoulder as she walked down the hall. ‘If he’s got one, I’m gettin’ a bag of nutty slack.’

  But the coalman didn’t wait for Molly to give her order; he was too full of nervous excitement. ‘Have yer got yer wireless on, Molly?’

  Molly shook her head. ‘No, why?’

  ‘The Germans have started. They’re bombing airfields in Holland and Belgium.’

  Molly felt her heart skip a beat. ‘Is it on the wireless now?’

  Tucker shrugged his shoulders. ‘I think it was a news bulletin. I just happened to be in the dairy when it came on.’ He looked angry. ‘I wondered when the buggers would start. They’ve been too quiet for my liking.’

  Molly felt herself being pushed down the step as Nellie faced Tucker. ‘Isn’t anyone fightin’ back? Surely they’ve got some aeroplanes in those countries?’

  ‘The announcer on the wireless said they don’t have all the details yet, news was just coming through.’ Tucker ran the back of his hand across a brow black with coal dust. ‘From the sound of it, it was a surprise raid, catching everyone on the hop. Dozens of German bomber planes were involved, and if there was no opposition, yer can bet yer sweet life those airfields will have been razed to the ground.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘Yer’ve got to hand it to Hitler, he knows exactly how to cripple a country. Put the airfields out of action an’ no planes can take off or land.’

  ‘It might not be that bad,’ Molly said, hopefully. ‘I mean, someone must have tried to stop them. They wouldn’t just stand there watchin’ without puttin’ up some sort of fight, surely?’

  ‘I just don’t know,’ Tucker sighed. ‘I don’t think two little countries like Holland and Belgium stand an earthly against the Germans. It’s like putting your Ruthie up against Corker!’

  Molly began to rub the side of her nose, a habit she had when she was worried or upset. ‘The wireless is not goin’ on until my Jack comes home. I’m not sittin’ on me own listenin’ to bad news an’ worryin’ meself sick.’

  ‘I’ll sit with yer, girl!’ Nellie said, for once a serious expression on her face as she thought of Steve. So far he’d been exempt from call-up because of his job, but if the war started in earnest they’d be bound to call up all the young ones. Already factories were employing older people and women to take over from the men who were being conscripted. ‘I’d like to know proper what’s goin’ on.’

  ‘I’m not puttin’ the wireless on, Nellie, so if yer want to hear the news yer can do it in yer own house.’ Molly opened her purse and took out a ten-shilling note. ‘Throw us a bag of nutty slack in, Tucker, please.’

  The coalman whistled to his horse who was standing a few houses away. ‘What about you, Nellie?’

  ‘If the coal’s anythin’ like last week, yer can stick it where Paddy stuck his nuts. It was a waste of money, all ruddy slate.’

  When Tucker smiled, white teeth gleamed in his black face. ‘One thing about you, Nellie, yer don’t pull any punches, do yer?’

  ‘Not when I’m ruddy well forkin’ out for it, no!’

  ‘It’s good-quality coal I’ve got, an’ I’ll advise yer to take it, Nellie, ’cos I can’t promise havin’ any at all next week … good, bad or indifferent!’

  Molly held out her hand. ‘Can I have me change, Tucker, so I can go in an’ get some work done? What with goin’ to the shops, then sittin’ jangling with me mate for over an hour, I haven’t done a tap in the house.’

  Nellie shook her head. ‘Sucker for punishment, yer are, girl! Always lookin’ for ruddy work!’ She turned her eyes on Tucker. ‘Her house is like a new pin, but I’ll bet yer a pound to a pinch of snuff she’ll be at it all afternoon. She’ll either have a mop in her hand, a scrubbin’ brush or a duster.’

  Molly grinned. ‘It’ll be a scrubbin’ brush, sunshine, so I can take me temper out on the kitchen floor. And when I’m wringing me floor cloth out, I’ll pretend it’s Hitler’s flamin’ neck!’

  ‘Can I come an’ watch yer, girl? Just watchin’ yer would tire me out and when I go to bed tonight I’ll be able to sleep instead of tossin’ and turnin’.’

  Oh, lord, thought Molly, she’s going to talk about the lack of activity in their bedroom … in front of Tucker, too! I’d better get away from here quick, before she starts. I don’t know where to put me face sometimes, the things she comes out with.

  Molly put the change in her purse and smiled at Tucker before turning to her friend. ‘I’m goin’ in now, sunshine, an’ I don’t want to see yer face again until tonight … OK?’

  ‘Charmin’, that is!’ Nellie screwed up her face. ‘So if I put me wireless on an’ there’s some news, yer don’t want me to come an’ tell yer?’

  ‘No!’ Molly stepped into her hall. ‘I’ll see yer next week, Tucker. Ta-ra for now.’

  She was about to close the door when Nellie called, ‘OK, if that’s the way yer want it! I won’t knock on your ruddy door this afternoon even if I hear the war’s over … so there!’

  Apart from the newsreader’s voice and the occasional spark from the fire, there was complete silence in the room as the whole family gathered around the wireless set. Afraid to speak in case they missed something, the expressions on their faces told of the horror, disbelief and anger they felt. Listening to the reports of the bombing of the airfields in Holland and Belgium, Jack could hardly contain himself.

  Only now were the true facts emerging, of the extent of the damage caused by the dozens of German planes which had razed the airfields, making it impossible for aircraft to take off or land. So unexpected were the raids, the Dutch and Belgian pilots were caught off their guard, and the planes standing on the airfields were bombed to smithereens. At the same time as the bombing raids were taking place, German airborne troops landed in Belgium and captured a bridge over the Albert Canal, giving them access to the sea.

  ‘Well,’ said Jack, reaching for his packet of Woodbines, ‘the war’s started in earnest now, that’s for sure! Those two countries won’t be a
ble to hold out for long, that’s a nap, so pretty soon Hitler can add them to the list of countries he’s already taken over.’ He struck a match, drew on his cigarette, then flicked the spent match into the grate. ‘He’s a bastard and a half, that man.’

  Doreen leaned forward, her forehead creased in a frown. ‘Dad, is that anywhere near where Phil is?’

  ‘No, love, Phil’s in France. As far as I know, we’ve no troops in Holland or Belgium.’

  Doreen didn’t draw any comfort from his words. She missed Phil and wished he was home, but until now the war had been merely an inconvenience, she’d never dreamt he could be in danger. ‘Well, won’t Hitler start on France if the other countries give up?’

  Steve was sitting next to Jill, holding her hand. His insides were turning over, knowing that what had happened today was only the start. But he could see the worry on Doreen’s face and didn’t want to add to it. He gave her a dimpled grin, saying, ‘France is bigger than Holland and Belgium put together, soft girl.’ He wasn’t quite sure whether that was true, but if a little lie eased the worry, it was worth it. ‘An’ they’re better prepared. They’ve got the Maginot line, and experts say nothing or no one could get past that.’

  Molly could see Jack’s nerves were on edge. He wouldn’t say what was on his mind for fear of upsetting her or the girls. He wouldn’t worry about Tommy so much, because the war was something that meant excitement to his son. Almost like the cowboys and Indians films he used to love so much. In the Saturday matinée Lone Ranger series, the film always ended at an exciting bit, like when the Ranger was shot off his horse and they had to wait till the following week to find out what happened to him. He never got killed, the popular cowboy, he was always there the next week riding into danger again to help an underdog. So real men being killed with real bullets was something that Tommy couldn’t visualize.

  ‘Steve?’ Jack threw his cigarette-end into the fire. ‘D’yer think yer dad would fancy a pint? We’d only have time for one, it’s gettin’ near closing time.’