by Joan Jonker
‘This is a guess, queen, ’cos I don’t really know. I’d say he would have been in his very early forties. He’s roughly the same age as meself, give or take a year or two either way. But what I can say with great certainty is that he’s one of the nicest men that ever walked the face of this earth. He doesn’t deserve what those scoundrels did to the house opposite. I’ve never known him do anyone a bad turn.’ Winnie gave a shiver, as though someone had walked over her grave, then stood up. ‘I’m going to leave you to get on with yer dinner now, queen, ’cos you’ve had a house full of women nearly all day and I bet yer’ll be glad to have it to yerself for a bit of peace and quiet.’
‘Well, before yer go, girl, let’s be serious for one minute,’ Monica said. ‘No messing about, like, but are yer really going to make a pie on Friday for Mr Coburn?’
Winnie grinned. ‘That’s for me to know, queen, and you to find out.’
John tried to show interest when his wife was telling him and the children about the busy, exciting day she and the neighbours had had. Any other day his interest would have been genuine, as well as his anger over the damage done to the house opposite. But he had news of his own, good news. He kept telling himself he had all night to tell Kate how his day had gone, but he’d hurried home, eager to see her face when he told her, and right now he felt a little disappointed.
‘It’s been some day, believe me,’ Kate said. ‘Me house has been full right up to four o’clock. Not that I minded, they’re all me mates and my window was the nearest to the house opposite. But me head is spinning now.’
It was then that John had an inspiration. ‘Then why don’t we go for a walk after we’ve finished our dinner, to get some fresh air? I’m all dressed up, and as that doesn’t happen very often, I may as well make the most of it.’
Kate’s face told of her surprise. ‘A walk! But we never go for a walk, you’re usually too tired when yer get in from work.’
‘Yes, I know, but it’s a fine night so why not enjoy it? The cold nights will be on us before we know it. We could go to the park, that would be nice.’
‘Oh, yeah, Mam, I could come with yer.’ Billy stood his knife and fork up like soldiers on sentry duty. ‘We could take some bread and feed the swans on the lake.’
Nancy nodded her head. ‘I was just thinking the same thing. Go on, Mam, say we’ll go to the park.’
John felt like a heel for putting a damper on their enthusiasm, but he’d make it up to them some other time. ‘Wait a minute, kids, I was thinking of me taking yer mam on her own. We never get any time together, so just for once I’d like me wife to meself. Yer don’t mind, do yer, just this once? I can’t remember the last time I went for a stroll with Mrs Spencer.’
Billy thought that was dead soppy, but Nancy thought it ever so romantic. ‘Me and Billy don’t mind, we can play out while ye’re gone.’ She gave her brother a kick under the table. ‘Yer don’t mind, do yer, kid?’
But Kate was still surprised. ‘I don’t know what’s got into yer! There’s nothing I’d like better than a stroll through the park, but aren’t yer tired after a day’s work?’
John shook his head. ‘I’m not too tired to go for a stroll with the one I love. In fact, now I’ve suggested it, I’m really keen.’
He looked so boyish when he smiled, and so handsome, Kate wouldn’t have refused him anything. ‘Right, then let’s get our dinner over as quick as we can, and the dishes washed. They close the park gates about nine o’clock and I’d hate to get there to be told we’ve only got a few minutes.’
‘I’ll do the dishes, Mam,’ Nancy said. ‘You go and doll yerself up so yer’ll look as pretty as me dad looks handsome.’
Kate didn’t need telling twice. Her daughter was quite capable of washing the dishes and putting them away, and she’d tidy the room for when they got back. So upstairs Kate went and rooted out the one decent dress she possessed. She brushed her thick mop of dark hair until it shone. She didn’t usually bother about her looks, but tonight she wanted to be at her best when she linked arms with the man she was crazy about. She even dug out a tube of lipstick that hadn’t been used for goodness knows how long. When she looked in the full-length mirror on the inside door of the wardrobe, she felt quietly confident she looked her best.
Kate was the first to step down on to the pavement. She turned her head to ask, ‘Shall we ask Monica and Tom if they want to come?’
John pulled the door shut, shaking his head. ‘I want my wife all to meself, love. Just an hour’s stroll, holding hands, like we did when we were courting.’
‘Sounds good to me, sunshine, I’m all for it.’
It was only a ten-minute walk to the park, and they found they weren’t the only ones wanting to catch the fresh air. There were plenty of people their age but very few children as it was the time youngsters would be getting ready for bed. They walked towards the lake. When John saw an empty bench, he led Kate towards it. ‘Let’s sit down, love, I’ve got something to tell yer.’
‘Yer know, I could sense yer were on edge about something. I hope it’s not bad news ’cos I’ve had a bellyful today.’
‘No, love, it’s very good news.’ For the first time since they were married John was feeling proud of himself. He’d achieved something today which would make a world of difference to the beautiful woman who was looking at him now with a question in her eyes, and to his two children who never complained when they didn’t get as much pocket money as their mates. ‘I told yer a lie this morning, love. I didn’t get dressed up to go for a pint with the blokes from work, I went for a job interview. I didn’t want to tell yer in case I didn’t get the job and yer’d be disappointed.’
Kate took hold of one of his hands. ‘Yer know I’d never be disappointed in anything yer did, sunshine. We manage, and we’ll keep on managing whether yer got the job or not.’
‘I got the job, Kate, and it’s seven and six a week more than I’m getting now.’
Her response brought a lump to his throat. She stared at him, her wide eyes showing every emotion she was going through. There was doubt at first, as though she didn’t quite believe him. Then came surprise, happiness, and a surge of love for the man who always belittled himself because he couldn’t give her the standard of living he would have liked for her. ‘Oh, sunshine, that’s marvellous news!’ Ignoring the looks and smiles of people walking by, she threw her arms around his neck. ‘I am so proud of you, I love yer enough to eat yer. And to think I never stopped gabbing over our meal while you were sitting with this wonderful news and not being given a chance tell it. Yer should have shut me up, sunshine, I wouldn’t have minded. In fact, me and the kids would have jumped for joy. But why didn’t yer tell the children instead of making an excuse about coming for a walk?’ Then she clapped a hand over her mouth for a second. ‘See, I’m doing it again! I should be asking yer where the job is, what yer’ll be doing, and when do yer start?’
‘It’s Tom’s old job. And yer can thank yer best mate for me getting the chance of an interview. Tom said as soon as he told Monica he was being promoted, she said why didn’t he try and get me his old job?’
This was another surprise. ‘Yer mean, Monica knew! Well, I’ve never known her keep a secret from me before.’
‘I didn’t want her to tell yer. I was afraid I wouldn’t get the job and I’d have felt really worthless if I had to disappoint you. But I’ve got a lot to thank her and Tom for, they’ve really been the best friends we could ask for.’
‘Well, what happens now, d’yer have to give yer notice in?’
‘I’ll do that tomorrow. I start me new job a week on Monday. I’ll be travelling with Tom every morning, and it’s a couple of tram stops less than I travel now.’
‘Will yer have to work a week in hand?’ This would be a worry because they had no money put by. When John nodded, she asked, ‘How will we manage?’
‘I’ll be drawing me week in hand, plus me week’s wages when I leave this job.’ He’d been dread
ing having to tell her this, but he wasn’t going to lie to her. ‘And I’ve got a confession to make, love.’ He took both her hands in his. ‘I know I told yer I wouldn’t bet on the gee-gees ever again, but I didn’t keep me promise because I wanted to win a few bob for you and the kids, save yer struggling from week to week. Anyway, I’ve had a few bets, the horse lost every time, and I owe one of the blokes four bob.’
Kate’s face set. John knew how she hated gambling yet he’d let her down. And, worst of all, he’d gone into debt for it. He averted his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see her hurt. ‘But we’ll manage all right because it’s only four bob, two bob a week out of the two weeks’ wages. And if we get stuck, Tom said they’ll give me a sub for the first week. He said most blokes get one to tide them over when they first start.’
‘Well, you’re not like most blokes, John Spencer, ’cos yer won’t be getting a sub. We’ll get by, even if we go hungry. I’ve never owed a penny in me life, so the first thing yer do is pay yer gambling debts. And don’t you ever put another penny on a horse, no matter who says it’s a dead cert. I feel really disappointed in yer, John, yer’ve let me down.’
‘I won’t need to back horses when I’m in me new job! The extra seven and six a week should make life much easier for yer. That’s all I ever wanted, love, to make life easier for you and the children. I never wanted anything for meself.’
Kate knew this was true, and when she heard the anguish in his voice her heart melted. She put a hand under his chin and turned his face so he was staring into her eyes. ‘I know yer’d give me and the kids the world if yer could, sunshine, same as I know yer’d go without yerself to give to us. And me and the kids love the bones of yer, yer know that. Now that everything’s out in the open, no more secrets, let’s celebrate your new job. I think it would be nice if I linked your arm, as I used to all those years ago, and we strolled back home to tell our children that their clever dad has got some good news to tell them.’ She pulled him to his feet, lifted her face for a kiss, then linked his arm. ‘I think they could have an extra tuppence a week pocket money, don’t you?’
‘I’ll pass me wage packet over to you, love, like I always have. It’s up to you what you do with it.’
‘Well, I’m sure about the kids getting an extra tuppence a week pocket money, and I think you deserve another packet of Woodbines and a pint when yer feel like one. And then, for my treat, I’ll let yer take me to the pictures now and again, as long as we sit on the back row holding hands.’
He squeezed her hand. ‘Your wish is my command, Mrs Spencer. The back row it will be, and I’ll put me arm around yer shoulders and steal a sly kiss when no one is looking.’ He chuckled. ‘Not that anyone would notice, they’d be too busy doing the same thing.’
Monica was welcomed with open arms the next morning. ‘I don’t know how to thank you, sunshine,’ Kate said, hugging the life out of her friend. ‘Except to say yer must be the best friend anyone could ever have.’
Monica brushed it aside as though it was nothing, even though she’d jumped for joy when Tom came home from work last night and told her John had passed the interview. ‘If yer can’t help a mate, girl, then yer wouldn’t be much of a friend. Anyway, Tom only steered John in the right direction, he didn’t get him the job. Yer husband did that himself, girl, because the boss said he passed the interview with flying colours.’ She pulled a chair out from the table and plonked herself down. ‘I called last night but the kids said yer’d gone for a walk. I thought they were kidding, but no, Nancy said you’d gone for a stroll like yer used to do before yer got married. She didn’t seem to know about her dad getting a new job.’
Kate shook her head. ‘John wanted to tell me on me own, and as he was all dressed up, he suggested going for a walk. I thought it funny, but never in a million years would I have guessed why. The children know now, of course, we came straight home and told them. Like me, they’re over the moon as I said they’d be getting an extra tuppence a week pocket money.’
Kate wrapped her arms around herself, her face alight. ‘I won’t know I’m born with the extra money coming in. There’ll be no scratching and scraping this Christmas. It’ll be the full works, with turkey, lots of food, presents and new clothes.’
‘Yer’ve left something out, girl. Yer forgot to include the party on Christmas Day.’
‘Oh, I haven’t forgotten, sunshine, we’ll have a real knees-up.’
Winnie arrived at that moment, and was so pleased for John and Kate anyone would have thought it was she who would be getting an extra seven and six a week. ‘Oh, I am happy for yer, queen, that’s marvellous news.’
‘Ay, there’s another bit of news, Winnie, yer’ll be glad to know,’ Monica told her. ‘In that diary yer keep talking about, yer can fill in that yer’ve been invited as a special guest to the Spencers’ house on Christmas Day.’
‘Don’t push yer luck, sunshine, it’s from seven-thirty on Christmas night, not all day.’
‘Yer don’t have to do this, yer know, queen, because yer’ve got enough with yer own family to cope with. I’m very grateful and beholden to yer for thinking of me, but I do understand yer’ve got enough on yer plate.’
‘Oh, but I want to have a party, sunshine, I really do! Every other Christmas I’ve had to scrimp and scrape. This will be the first time I can go a little mad with money. And as ye’re one of me best friends, then of course I want yer to come. In fact, if the house was bigger, I’d invite all the people I like. The Blackmores with Margaret and Greg, Mrs Duffy from over the road, but the place wouldn’t hold them.’
‘No, yer’ve got enough on yer plate with us, girl, or yer’d be run off yer feet making cakes and sandwiches.’ Monica crossed her legs. ‘Anyway, Margaret will probably have had the baby by then. According to Betty, it’s around the end of November or the first week in December. As she said, yer can’t always tell with a first baby.’
‘I bet the girl will be glad when it’s over,’ Kate said, pulling a face. ‘I don’t envy her the labour part, but when the baby’s put in her arms for the first time, she’ll find it’s the happiest moment of her life. And Greg will walk around as though he’s the only man ever to take part in the making of a baby. But I wish them both well, they’re a lovely couple and I can’t wait for the baby to arrive.’
‘I’m knitting her a shawl, yer know, queen, so will yer tell her when yer see her? I’d hate her to go out and buy one.’ Winnie looked at the clock. ‘Are yer ready for the shops? After we’ve done our shopping, I’m going to nip down to the market to see if Sarah Jane has got anything that I might like.’
‘Yer’ve been there the last few Saturdays but yer never bring anything home,’ Kate said. ‘Don’t yer look through the clothes while ye’re there?’
‘I go to help her out, queen, ’cos she gets very busy on a Saturday. I don’t really get a chance to look for anything for meself. Besides, I’ve got enough dresses to keep me going. But with Charlie coming on Friday, I thought I’d treat meself. I don’t want to look like Orphan Annie when he’s dressed to kill.’
‘I’m beginning to think there’s more to this than meets the eye.’ Monica’s slowly nodding head spoke volumes. ‘There’s far more to it than one of your rhubarb pies.’
‘As I’ve told yer, queen, it’s for me to know and you to find out. But remember, all is pure to the pure.’ Winnie turned her head to wink at Kate. ‘Shall we make a move? Oh, and remind me to get some decent rhubarb while we’re in the greengrocer’s.’
‘It seems funny without Winnie,’ Kate said on the Friday morning as she and Monica did their shopping. ‘I miss her!’
‘Yeah, me too! She grows on yer, does Winnie. I’ve gone from thinking she was a real jangler, to finding her nice, then a good friend, and now to loving her like a mother. I’m wondering what’s going on in her house right now?’
‘She’ll tell us when we see her if she wants to, sunshine. I bet her and Mr Coburn are just enjoying a nice cup of tea, a slice
of pie, and a friendly chat. I think it was a spur of the moment thing with him, she’ll probably never see him again after today. But I’m glad for her, ’cos she doesn’t have much in her life.’
They would have been very surprised if they could have looked into their friend’s living room for Charles Coburn had taken his hat and coat off and made himself at home. Winnie had insisted he sit in her best chair, the one she’d been given by Miss Parkinson. As she poured the tea into the best teacups she told him how she’d acquired both chair and china. There were no airs and graces about Winnie, what you saw was what you got. That was what Charles found so refreshing.
One bite of her rhubarb pie had him groaning with pleasure. ‘It’s even better than I remember.’ In no time he’d devoured a generous slice.
‘Another piece, Charlie? There’s plenty left.’ Winnie had been living alone for so long, she’d forgotten the satisfaction of seeing a man with a healthy appetite making short work of her baking. ‘And I’ll fill yer cup while I’m at it.’
‘You’re going to spoil me, I’ll be coming back for more.’ He ran the back of his hand across his mouth. ‘I’ve got a woman that comes in and does the cleaning and cooking for me, but she can’t hold a candle to you for pastry.’
‘How are the children now, Charlie, they must be quite grown up?’
‘There’s only the youngest one at home, the other three are married. So there’s just me and Charlotte rattling around in that big house. And she’s courting strong, so it won’t be long before I’m on my own.’
‘Yer never married again, then, Charlie? I’m surprised someone hasn’t snapped yer up.’
‘No, I’ve never been tempted. Well, I won’t say never because there was one woman I felt would make me a good partner. We enjoyed the same things, had the same outlook on life and both liked a laugh. But that was years ago now. Nothing came of it because she’d been through a bad experience and I felt it wasn’t right. Whenever I think of her, I tell myself I should have tried harder. But that’s water under the bridge now.’ Charles leaned forward to put his cup on the table. ‘What about yourself, Winnie, have you never thought of marrying again since Sam died?’