The Girl From Number 22

by Joan Jonker

  Annie was so taken aback by the brightness of the room, she forgot her nerves. ‘Oh, this room looks lovely! Someone has been very busy, and they’ve made a good job of it. My room looks really dark compared to this.’

  ‘Give yerself a chance, Annie, yer’ve only just moved into the house.’ Ada pulled a chair out for their guest. ‘The person who had the house before was a lovely lady called Eliza Porter. She’s eighty-two years old, and had gone past being able to decorate. But she kept her house like a little palace. She’d lived there for sixty years, and everyone in the street loved her. She’s with her son now, being well looked after. But me and Hetty don’t half miss her. And so do the neighbours either side of yer. Their names are Bowers on yer right, and the Bensons on yer left. I won’t give yer a headache by telling yer all their first names, ’cos there’s too many for yer to remember. But they’re both smashing families, very friendly and very respectable.’

  Hetty put her hands on her hips, tilted her head, and said, ‘Don’t I get a look-in here? Far be it from me to interrupt, Annie, but now and again I have to make meself heard, or me mate would hog the whole conversation.’

  ‘I’ll button me lip now, sunshine, and you can take over as hostess. Go on, show Annie what ye’re made of, while I make the tea and get the cups ready.’ Ada got as far as the kitchen door, then turned. ‘I could only find two cups without a chip, sunshine, so I’ll have the one with a ruddy big chip out of the rim. After all, if I do catch a germ, I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing it’s one of me own.’

  Hetty saw a smile flicker on Annie’s face. ‘She’s like that all the time, yer know. There’s never a dull moment where my mate is. I think we spend more time laughing than doing housework. But it would be a dull life if we had nothing to laugh at.’

  Ada carried the tea in, and soon the ladies were enjoying a sandwich with their first cup of tea, and a cream slice when the second pot came up. ‘How are yer family liking the new house, Annie?’ Ada asked. ‘Have they settled in?’

  ‘Yes, everywhere is straight now, and feels more like home. The living room looks dull compared to this, though. Did yer husband decorate it, Ada, or did yer do it yerself?’

  ‘Ooh, I couldn’t decorate to save me life, Annie. I did try it once, not long after we moved in here, but I got meself all tangled up in the paper after I’d pasted it. I’ve got no patience, yer see, and instead of taking me time, I tried to be clever and climb a ladder after I’d pasted the paper. I made a right mess of it. Every sheet of paper got torn, and I had more paste in me hair and on the floor than on the walls. So I gave it up as a bad job, and I’ve never tried since.’ Ada took a sip of her tea. Over the rim of the cup, she asked, ‘Wouldn’t your feller do it for yer, if yer asked him nicely?’

  Annie shook her head. ‘No, he’s hopeless. I’ve done all the decorating since we got married. I won’t say I’m good at it, but it’s a case of having a go, or leaving the old paper on until it drops off.’

  ‘Yer’ve got a teenage daughter, haven’t yer?’ Ada ignored the cow eyes she was getting from Hetty. If they didn’t ask questions, they’d never get to know their new neighbours. Besides, Ada was of the opinion that all was not well in the Phillips household. ‘I’ve only seen the back of her, and that was the day yer moved in.’

  ‘That’s Jenny, she’s seventeen. And I’ve got a son, Ben, he’s fifteen. They’re both good kids, never caused me any trouble.’

  ‘I’ve got three,’ Ada said. ‘And I love the bones of them. Danny’s me eldest, he’s nineteen in a few days, and he’s dance mad. Me other two are still at school. There’s Monica, she’s twelve, and Paul, who’s ten.’

  ‘I’ve got two girls,’ Hetty told her. ‘Both working. Kitty is seventeen, and works at the British American tobacco factory. Sally works at Irwin’s, the grocer’s shop in Stanley Road.’

  ‘What does your husband do, Annie?’ Ada asked. ‘I see him going out in the morning with yer son. I’m not spying on yer, it’s just that they happen to leave the house the same time as my husband and son.’

  ‘Tom, me husband, he works on the docks. Ben only left school last year, he’s an apprentice to a decorator. He said he’s the can-lad really, just making pots of tea for the men. But I’ve told him, he can’t expect anything else yet. Like every job, decorating has to be learned, but the young are very impatient. They can’t wait to grow up.’

  ‘I know what yer mean,’ Ada said. ‘Our Danny works with his dad in the building trade, and he can’t wait to be twenty-one and earning full pay. I keep telling him he’s wishing his life away, but when I think back, me and me mates were the same. We couldn’t wait to grow up so we could go out with boys. And I’ll say this for our Danny, he’s very generous with his wages. Any overtime he gets, he gives me half of the money.’

  ‘He’s more generous than my two girls,’ Hetty said. ‘They spend every penny on clothes, lipstick and powder, and stockings. They’re usually on the borrow by the middle of the week. Heaven help them when they get married, they won’t know what’s hit them.’

  ‘Well, you don’t do them any favours by lending them the money,’ Ada said. ‘I’m not saying yer should be mean with them, but they should learn that money is hard to come by, it doesn’t grow on trees.’ She chuckled. ‘Worse luck. If it did grow on trees, I’d be at the park every day, shinning up the trees like I used to when I was a little girl.’

  ‘See, Annie.’ Hetty nodded her head knowingly. ‘She must have been a holy terror when she was a kid. And she hasn’t changed at all, ’cos she’s still a holy terror. There’s times when I don’t know where to put meself, the things she comes out with.’

  ‘I don’t like people calling me for everything to me face, so can we change the subject?’ Ada winked at Annie. ‘Have another cup of tea, sunshine, and sit back and listen while I turn the tables on me best mate. To look at, she seems holier than thou, as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. But wait until I spill the beans on her.’

  Annie was enjoying herself. To be with women of her own age, who were good company, was indeed a treat. But she’d been keeping her eye on the clock, and she really should be going home to see to the dinner. Jenny and Ben got in about the same time, six o’clock each night, and she always had their dinner ready for them to sit down to. But it could be eight o’clock before her husband rolled home, after spending a couple of hours in the pub with his pals from work. She never knew when to expect him, but it was woe betide her if his dinner wasn’t ready to put in front of him. And if it was dried up through being in the oven to keep warm, he would either throw it on the fire or aim it at one of the walls. Then he would rant and rave in anger, his language foul as he lashed out at her. The children would always try to protect her, but they were no match for a man who was violent in drink. Annie would have left him years ago, but where would she go with the two children? Where would she get the money from to put a roof over their heads and feed them? No, she was tied to him, even though she’d stopped loving him soon after they got married. Tom Phillips didn’t take long to show his true colours. And then it was too late.

  ‘I won’t stay, thank you. It’s been really nice having someone to talk to, but I must go and get started on the dinner.’ She stood up and pushed the chair back under the table. ‘Thank you again.’

  The two friends walked to the door with her. ‘Annie,’ Ada said, ‘if ever yer decide to decorate yer living room, me and Hetty will give yer a hand. Even if it’s only cutting the lengths of paper, or handing it up to yer, it would all be a help.’

  ‘I won’t be doing it just yet. I want to settle into the house first. But thanks for the offer, and I’ll let yer know.’ She began to cross the cobbles. ‘Thanks again.’

  The mates called back in unison, ‘Ye’re welcome.’ Then Ada closed the door and they walked back into the living room.

  ‘I don’t know why, sunshine, but from the first time I saw Annie, I felt there was a sadness about her. I can’t explain, but I
felt it stronger than ever today.’

  ‘Ye’re imagining things, girl,’ Hetty said. ‘She seems all right to me.’

  ‘Yeah, ye’re probably right.’ Ada pointed to the table. ‘Will the tea in that pot be warm enough to drink, I wonder?’

  ‘Ye’re a proper tea-tank, you are, Ada Fenwick. I reckon yer must go through about twelve cups a day.’

  ‘It could be worse, sunshine. It could be twelve bottles of milk stout, and then yer’d have something to say.’ Ada chuckled. ‘Mind you, that wouldn’t worry me, ’cos I’d be far too drunk to hear yer.’

  ‘I hope that nice smell is coming from a pan of hotpot, Mam, ’cos I’m cold right through to me bones.’ Jenny closed the kitchen door behind her. After kissing her mother, she unwound the scarf from her neck. ‘I’m glad of this scarf, it keeps me neck and ears warm.’ She was a very pretty girl, with a mass of auburn hair framing her face, and deep brown eyes. And she slipped her coat off to reveal a slim, shapely figure. ‘I’ll hang me coat up, then stand by the fire to get warmed through.’

  ‘I’ve put dumplings in the hotpot, sweetheart,’ Annie said. ‘As soon as yer brother comes in, I’ll put the dinner out. That will warm yer up.’

  Jenny had just left the kitchen when the door was opened again, and Ben came in, bringing a blast of cold air with him. He quickly closed the door and grinned at his mother. ‘It’s not fit for man nor beast out there, Mam.’ His nose and cheeks were bright red, as were the lobes of his ears. ‘I tried to catch up with our Jenny, but she legged it up the entry as though she was being chased.’

  Jenny left the fire to pop her head round the kitchen door. ‘I was being chased. The wind practically lifted me off me feet and carried me along.’

  ‘Go in by the fire and I’ll put yer dinner out.’ Annie ruffled her son’s mousy hair. He took after his father in colouring and features, but his nature was entirely different. Unlike his father, he had a good sense of humour, and a smile came easily to him.

  Annie put two plates of dinner on the table, and Jenny and Ben quickly took their seats. ‘I’m ready for this, Mam,’ Ben said. ‘Me tummy’s been rumbling with hunger.’

  ‘Then tuck in, son, while I fetch mine. Then I’ve got something to tell yer.’ Annie’s heart was feeling lighter than it had for ages. And it was down to the neighbours across the street. They had made her feel welcome, and given her two hours free from worry. And she wanted to share this with her children. She sat down and picked up her knife and fork, but made no attempt to use them. ‘I want to tell yer about the nice afternoon I’ve had. I’ll be as quick as I can, but if yer dad comes in before I’ve finished, then I’ll have to leave the rest for another time.’

  Jenny and Ben leaned forward in their chairs. It wasn’t often they saw their mother’s eyes so bright, or her voice so animated as she told them about the dropped purse, and having afternoon tea with the neighbours opposite. ‘I really enjoyed meself. They are very funny, and it was a change for me to be with nice people and have a laugh. Ada, that’s Mrs Fenwick, she’s just had her living room decorated and it’s lovely. Her and Hetty even offered to help me if I decided to do this room. I couldn’t let them, of course, not with yer dad being the way he is. But it was nice of them to offer.’

  ‘It’s about time yer had some friends, Mam,’ Ben said. ‘If me dad doesn’t know, then he can’t stop yer. Me and Jenny won’t say nothing.’

  Jenny laid down her knife and fork. ‘Mam, if the two ladies are as nice as yer say, then it would be great if yer could make friends with them. Yer can’t go through life being worried about what me dad will do. I know what he’s like, and I don’t care who hears me say it. He’s a cruel, bad-tempered, foul-mouthed villain. He’s not fit to be a husband, or a father. All he’s fit for is getting blind drunk and using his family as punch bags. When me and Ben are older, and earning more money, we aren’t staying here. We’ll be off like a shot, and we’ll be taking you with us. But as that’s a few years off yet, can I tell yer what I’d do if I was in your position?’

  Annie nodded. There was affection in her eyes for the daughter who reminded her of herself at that age. ‘Go on, sweetheart, tell me what yer would do in my position.’

  ‘I’d confide in the women. Tell them what a brute yer husband is. They’ll find out some time, anyway, ’cos although me dad’s only taken off once or twice since we moved in here, we all know it won’t last. This is the lull before the storm, Mam, and you know it. One night he’ll come home rotten drunk and the neighbours will get a taste of what an animal he really is. So, if these women want to be friends with yer, grab their friendship with both hands. But empty yer heart to them first. Tell them the truth. It’s not your fault that the man yer married turned out to be a lousy husband. You shouldn’t have to go through life looking over yer shoulder, as though it’s you who’s in the wrong. They may turn out to be real friends, Mam, and heaven knows, the day might come when yer need friends. Me and Ben are out at work every day, and we’d both feel better if we knew yer were getting some pleasure out of life. And that there’d be someone there for yer if yer ever needed help.’

  Ben loved his sister, but he was more proud of her now than he’d ever been. He agreed with every word she’d said, but he would never have been able to put the words together himself. ‘Yeah, our Jenny’s right, Mam. Yer should do that.’

  Annie heard the key turn in the front door, and she held her hand up for silence. Then she pushed her chair back and hurried to the kitchen to put her husband’s dinner out. She didn’t want her day spoiled by him being in one of his bad moods.

  Tom Phillips was a big man, six feet tall and very well made. He would have been quite handsome if it wasn’t for his flabby beer belly, and the florid complexion common in men who liked their beer. He flung the living room door open so hard, it banged against the end of the couch. Then he stood looking at his son and daughter, a sneer distorting his face. Suddenly, without warning, he lunged forward and grabbed Ben by the scruff of his neck, and dragged him off his chair. The young lad’s breathing was cut off and he started gasping for air.

  Jenny rounded the table with a fork in her hand. ‘Let go of him.’

  With his free hand, Tom pushed her away. ‘Sod off, or you’ll be the next.’

  Jenny looked down and saw the fear in her kid brother’s eyes. Then she pressed the prongs of the fork against her father’s cheek. She was shaking inside, for she knew only too well how violent he could be. But she was now more concerned for her brother than herself.

  ‘Let him go now, or I’ll stab yer with this. And don’t think I won’t.’ She pressed the prongs into his fleshy cheeks. ‘Leave go now!’

  Annie came rushing through from the kitchen. She was carrying her husband’s dinner in her hand. But she didn’t put the plate down on the table, she held it in front of his face. ‘Take yer hands off my son, or yer’ll get this plate broken over yer head.’

  Tom relaxed his grip on the boy’s neck and flung him on to the couch. It wasn’t his wife’s threat that worried him, it was the look of hatred on his daughter’s face. And he knew she wouldn’t hesitate to stab him. So, like the Artful Dodger, he pretended he was only fooling. ‘Put me dinner down, yer silly cow. Can’t yez take a bleeding joke?’

  Jenny wouldn’t have let him get away with it, but when she saw her mother’s face drained of colour she held her temper and hatred in. She hadn’t finished her dinner, and though she had no appetite for it now, she sat at the table. Patting the chair next to her, she said, ‘Sit here, Ben, and eat yer dinner. Me mam’s having hers in the kitchen. Eat it all up after she went to the trouble of making it for us.’

  They were silent as they ate their meal, the only sound being the occasional loud belch coming from the man facing them. He never put a hand over his mouth, or excused himself, and the sound sickened Jenny. She waited until Ben had finished his meal, then she put her plate on top of his. ‘I’ll take them out, our kid. Are yer going round to yer mate’s?�
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  Ben was still shaking inside from fear. He really had thought he was going to choke to death. ‘I told Billy I’d go round to his for a game of cards, but I’m not fussy now.’

  ‘You go, Ben, ’cos he might be waiting for yer. Yer don’t want to let a mate down. I’ll give yer a couple of coppers to buy some sweets to share between yer.’

  Tom’s top lip curled. ‘That’s all he’s fit for. Sucking sweets like a baby.’

  Jenny was walking towards the kitchen when she turned her head to say, ‘It’s better than propping a bar up, spending all yer money on beer and making a show of yerself.’ She didn’t hear the obscenities following her, as she was speaking softly to her mother. ‘Mam, I want yer to promise yer’ll invite Ada and Hetty over for tea tomorrow afternoon. I’ll look forward to yer telling me and Ben how much yer’ve enjoyed yerself.’ She kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘Promise?’

  Annie kissed her back. ‘I promise, sweetheart.’

  Chapter Twelve

  Annie stood by the window with her coat on and a woollen scarf round her neck. She was watching for Ada’s door to open, then she intended to open her door at the same time, and act as though it was a coincidence. She had butterflies in her tummy, but she’d made a promise to her daughter and wasn’t going to back out. Jenny’s words that morning, as she’d left for work, had been, ‘Don’t let me down, Mam. Remember yer promise.’

  When Ada’s door opened, Annie moved like streaked lightning, so fast she banged her shin on the leg of the small table. Another time she would have rubbed at the pain, but she couldn’t spare the time right now.

  ‘Hello, Annie,’ Ada shouted. ‘Going to the shops, are yer?’

  Annie waved and nodded simultaneously. ‘I’m late today. I’ve usually been there and back by now.’

  ‘Yer may as well walk down with us,’ Hetty called. ‘Yer can keep me and Ada company.’