The Girl From Number 22

by Joan Jonker

  There were tears in Annie’s eyes as she opened her arms and gathered her beloved children to her. ‘I am so sorry, sweethearts, so very sorry. I’m more to blame than yer dad, because I’ve been a coward and let him get away with his shenanigans. As yer mother, I should have done more to protect yer. I did me best, but me best wasn’t good enough. I’m a pathetic excuse for a mother, and I’m ashamed.’

  ‘No, Mam, don’t blame yerself.’ Jenny kissed her mother’s tear-stained cheek. ‘I can remember enough of my childhood to know that many’s the time you stood in front of me and Ben, and took the blows aimed at us. Yer’ve been a good mother, we couldn’t ask for better. But I have to say yer must have had yer eyes closed the first night yer met me dad and made a date with him.’

  Ben was telling himself he mustn’t cry, he wasn’t a baby any more. And he tried hard to swallow the lump in his throat before saying, ‘Yeah, yer did look after us, Mam. I can remember me dad belting yer ’cos yer wouldn’t let him get near us. It’s him what spoils things for us, not you.’

  Giving a long drawn out sigh, Annie dropped her arms. ‘Those chips and scallops were very nice, but more good will come from us getting everything off our chests. We’ve aired our feelings, and we’ll feel better for it. From now on, with your help, we’ll make life a damn sight better than it’s been. If we pull together, we can do it. I know we can. I’ve had me eyes opened, and taken stock of meself. And that’s all down to Ada Fenwick.’

  Jenny hugged her mother. ‘She’s been good for you, Mam, ’cos yer look and sound a lot more optimistic. And if me dad’s not in when we get home, I’m going across to knock on Mrs Fenwick’s door and thank her.’

  Annie looked a bit uncertain as the three came out of the shop doorway and turned towards home. ‘Ada might not feel like a visitor at this time of night, sweetheart. Leave it for another day.’

  ‘Never put off till tomorrow what yer can do today. That’s what they say, Mam. And I wouldn’t go in the house, anyway, I’ll speak to her at the door. Just for a few minutes, to thank her for what she did this afternoon. And I also want her to know that the rest of the family are not like me dad.’

  ‘What if me dad’s in?’ Ben asked. ‘If he is, he’ll be in a terrible temper knowing we’ve had something to eat, and he hasn’t.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll not go out if he’s in the house.’

  When the knock came on the door, Danny jumped to his feet. ‘I’ll go, Mam, it’ll only be our Monica or Paul.’

  ‘I’ll put the kettle on to make a hot drink for them,’ Ada said. ‘They’ll probably come in shivering with the cold.’

  Danny’s lips were puckered in a whistle when he opened the door. He was expecting his sister or brother, and his whistle was cut off as he gazed at the young girl standing looking up at him. He was quick to note that she looked as surprised as he was.

  ‘Is Mrs Fenwick in, please?’ Jenny was wishing the ground would swallow her up. She didn’t want to discuss her father in front of anyone, she’d be too ashamed. ‘Could I speak to her for a minute?’

  ‘Of course yer can.’ Danny opened the door wide and the light from the living room allowed him to see that the girl he was looking at was very pretty. ‘She’s just putting the kettle on. Come in out of the cold.’

  ‘No, I won’t come in, thank you. I don’t want to disturb Mrs Fenwick if she’s busy. I’ll leave it until another time.’

  ‘Nonsense! Come on in,’ Danny insisted. ‘Me mam would clip me round the ear if I didn’t act like a thorough gentleman and invite yer in. Besides, she’s not busy really. When we heard the knock, we expected it to be either me kid brother or me sister. And because me mam thought they’d come in shivering with the cold, she wanted to make a hot drink for them.’ He stepped down and took her arm. ‘If yer don’t want me to get a thick ear, then yer’ll come in. I’m sure me mam will be happy to see yer. She’s been stuck with me and me dad for the last few hours, so I’m sure she’ll welcome seeing another female.’

  Before Jenny could think of a good excuse not to enter the house, she found herself standing in the hall. Then Danny was closing the front door while calling through to the living room, ‘Yer’ve got a visitor, Mam.’

  Ada’s voice came back. ‘If it’s that nuisance from next door, tell her I’m in bed asleep. I’ve had enough of her company for one day.’

  ‘It’s not Auntie Hetty, Mam, so wake up. I can’t announce the visitor, ’cos she’s a stranger to me. She wanted to have a word with yer at the front door, but I told her ye’re too fragile to stand talking at the door. And I can’t get her to move into the living room. I think her shoes must be stuck to the floor.’

  ‘In the name of God, Danny, will yer stop acting daft and close the door. I’m getting blown off me ruddy feet here. It’s too cold for one of yer jokes.’

  Danny was chuckling as he pulled gently on Jenny’s arm. ‘Here she is, Mam. It wasn’t one of me jokes, yer see.’

  Ada was astonished to say the least. But it wasn’t long before recognition dawned. ‘Hello, sunshine. Ye’re Jenny, aren’t yer?’

  Jenny nodded. ‘I’m sorry to bother yer, Mrs Fenwick. I didn’t want to come in, but yer son was rather insistent. He said yer’d give him a thick ear if he kept me standing on the step. I only intended to introduce meself to yer, at the door, then leave yer in peace.’ She was backing out as she spoke, but Danny was standing behind her, and she trod on his foot. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know yer were behind me.’

  Ada could see the girl was embarrassed and agitated. ‘Don’t worry about Danny, sunshine, he’s used to getting his feet trodden on. But it’s usually in a quickstep, waltz or fandango.’ She patted the chair next to her. ‘Come and sit down, love, and have a cup of tea with us. It’s just been made, so it’s piping hot.’

  ‘No, thank you, I’ll get back home.’ Jenny was sorry she hadn’t taken her mother’s advice and left her visit for another night. ‘It’s late to be calling on people, me mam did tell me that, and I should have listened to her. So I’ll leave yer to get yer cup of tea in peace, and see yer again some time.’

  Jimmy had been watching with interest. He’d never seen the girl before, but as he studied her, he made the connection. It was the mass of auburn hair that did it. He clicked his thumb and forefinger. ‘Ye’re Annie’s daughter!’

  Ada clapped her hands. ‘Very good, sunshine, yer can go to the top of the class. How did yer know?’

  Her husband was feeling pleased with himself. ‘It was the hair at first, then I could see the resemblance. Same shaped cheek-bones, and nose.’

  Jenny could feel herself blushing. She wouldn’t have been so shy if Danny hadn’t been there. But she knew he and Mr Fenwick had come home from work to find her mother there. They’d heard what a rotter her father was, how he was a drunkard who beat his wife and children. And the little voice in her head which was telling her it wasn’t her fault didn’t stop her from being ashamed. ‘I’ll get back home, Mrs Fenwick. Me mam told me not to stay long.’

  Ada’s heart went out to the girl. What sort of life was it for her? She was a lovely-looking girl, and she should be walking tall, enjoying the good things in life. ‘Never let it be said that any visitor left this house without being given a cup of tea. If word got around, I’d be the talk of the neighbourhood. So sit yerself down, sunshine, and Danny will do the honours with the teapot.’ She took the girl’s hand and pulled her down on to the chair next to hers. ‘I always enjoy a cup of tea when our Danny pours it out. I don’t know why, but it seems to have a special taste to it.’

  Danny adored his mother, and usually when she asked him to do anything he would jump to it. But he was reluctant tonight, for he wanted to make friends with the girl from number twenty-two. He’d seen the outline of her through the window, but hadn’t ever seen her outside the house. Now he had, and he wanted to find out more about her. ‘Why can’t me dad pour out for a change?’ He gave his father a knowing, conspiratorial wink. ‘I’m su
re any tea he poured out would be twice as sweet as mine.’

  Jimmy took the hint. Pushing his chair back, he grinned at Jenny. ‘Even though I say it meself, I pour out a mean cup of tea. You would be very foolish to turn it down. Now, do yer take milk and sugar?’

  His smile did wonders for the girl’s nerves. She couldn’t help but smile back. ‘A little milk and one sugar, please.’

  Ada was intrigued by the girl’s visit, and wanted to know the reason for it. And she knew she wouldn’t get much out of Jenny with Danny sitting across from her. ‘Give yer dad a hand with the cups, sunshine.’

  ‘Ah, ay, Mam! Me dad doesn’t need me to hold his hand, he’s a big man.’

  Ada nodded. ‘Yeah, yer dad is a big man, and he’s a very clever man. But he’s not ruddy well clever enough to carry in four cups of hot tea! He’s only got two hands, and he’d be grateful for the loan of your two. So out yer go, and don’t forget to take yer hands with yer.’

  She waited until her son was in the kitchen, and she could hear him talking to his dad. Then she spoke softly. ‘Was it anything special yer wanted to see me about, sunshine?’

  Her eyes on the kitchen door, Jenny whispered back, ‘Not really, Mrs Fenwick, and I’m sorry I’ve interrupted yer evening. I just wanted to thank yer for being so kind to me mam this afternoon. She told me what happened, and how good you and Mrs Watson were, and I want yer to know how grateful me and me brother are. We love the bones of our mam, but we can’t be here all the time with her. She has a terrible life with me dad, but she never complains. He’s a bully, my father. A coward, a drunkard, and a bully. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile once in me whole life. He sneers and snarls, but there’s never a real smile. And his language is disgusting. How me mam ever came to marry him, I’ll never know. She deserves much better.’ The sound of cups being placed on saucers had Jenny putting a finger to her lips. ‘I won’t say any more, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In the short time me mam’s known you and Mrs Watson, she seems to be stronger. And I’m so happy knowing she has friends she can talk to – we’ve never lived in the same place long enough for her to make any before.’

  ‘Don’t you worry, sunshine, me and Hetty will keep an eye out for yer mam. The one thing I can’t abide is a man hitting a woman. I’ve drummed it into Annie that if she ever needs help, then me and Hetty are here for her. And if she needs a bolt-hole, our doors are always open. That also goes for you and Ben. There’ll always be a welcome here for yer.’

  Jenny gripped her arm and whispered, ‘Thank you,’ just as Danny kicked the kitchen door open and walked through with a cup and saucer in each hand.

  ‘I don’t know, you women have an easy life.’ He placed a cup of tea in front of them, his smile wide and his dimples deep. ‘Waited on hand and foot.’

  ‘And that’s the way it should be, sunshine.’ Ada reached up to pat his cheek, her eyes tender with love for her eldest born. ‘I’ll swap places with yer if yer like? I’ll go out to work every morning, and you stay home and do the washing, ironing, cleaning, shopping and cooking. Would yer like to swap?’

  ‘I’m not soft, Mam, I know when I’m on to a good thing.’ Danny sat down facing Jenny. ‘I couldn’t find a biscuit anywhere, sorry. Me mam and her mate have got a very sweet tooth. As well as cream slices, they’ve always got their hand in the biscuit tin.’

  Jimmy came in carrying cups of tea for himself and Danny. ‘Ay, have yer seen the time, Ada? The kids are out late, aren’t they? They should be well home by now.’

  ‘They’re probably in the middle of a game of ludo, or snakes and ladders. Yer can’t expect them to leave off in the middle of a game. They’ll be along any minute.’

  ‘If they’re not in by the time I’ve drunk me tea,’ Danny said, ‘I’ll go and look for them.’

  ‘They’ll be in before yer’ve had time to drink yer tea,’ Ada told him. ‘And they won’t come to any harm, they’re only in the next street.’

  But when there was no sign of Monica or Paul fifteen minutes later, Ada began to get worried. ‘I’ll break their necks for them when they get in. Worrying the life out of me like this.’

  Danny was grinning as he pushed his chair back. ‘I’ll go and get them. I know where their friends live, so it’ll only take me ten minutes.’ He leaned across the table and put his face close to Ada’s. ‘I won’t tell them they’re coming home to get their necks broken, Mam, it might just put them off.’

  ‘Go and get them, soft lad, before me hair turns white with worry.’

  Jenny stood up. ‘I’d better be going, too. Me mam will think I’ve left home.’

  Danny’s dimples appeared. ‘I’ll walk yer home.’

  ‘I only live in the house facing. I can see meself home.’

  Danny put a hand to his forehead. ‘Did yer hear that, Mam? I’ve been turned down!’

  ‘Serves yer right, bighead. Now get going and find my two children.’

  Outside the front door, Danny cupped Jenny’s elbow. ‘Whether yer can see yerself home or not, I’ll never let it be said that Danny Fenwick left a girl to walk home on her own.’

  ‘You’re daft, you are,’ Jenny said. ‘I can reach our house in ten strides.’

  ‘Talking about strides, Jenny,’ Danny said, ‘can yer dance?’

  She bit on her bottom lip to keep herself from laughing. ‘That’s a secret. Now go and look for yer brother and sister so yer can put yer mother’s mind at rest.’

  ‘Yeah, I better had. Yer can let me into yer secret next time I see yer.’

  ‘What secret is that?’

  ‘The one about whether yer like a slow foxtrot best, or a waltz.’

  ‘Goodnight, Danny.’ Jenny let herself into the house with a smile on her face, and calling, ‘It’s only me, Mam.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  ‘Me and Ben thought yer’d left home, sweetheart.’ Annie smiled at her daughter. ‘Yer said yer’d only be five minutes.’ She saw Jenny’s eyes dart to the kitchen, and was quick to put her mind at rest. ‘It’s all right, sweetheart, there’s only me and Ben here. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of yer father. He’s probably in the pub, and will stay there until throwing out time. That means he’ll have had a bellyful of ale and be roaring drunk. So it would be wise for us to be in bed before he gets home.’

  Jenny hung her coat up and moved towards the fire, rubbing her hands. ‘Are yer sleeping with me again tonight? I think yer better had. If me dad hasn’t had anything to eat, he’ll have been mad before he went to the pub. So yer can imagine what he’ll be like after a few pints of beer. He’ll be like a raging bull, and we wouldn’t be able to handle him.’

  Annie bent forward to put the poker between the bars of the grate. The fire was dying down, but she couldn’t afford to be putting more coal on at this time of night. So she lifted the dying embers, hoping for a warm glow to cheer them up. ‘We’ve got half an hour before the pub shuts, so tell us why yer were so long over the road. Me and Ben are curious.’

  ‘Well, I thought Mrs Fenwick would open the door, and was just going to thank her for helping yer today. But her son, Danny, came to the door, and although I asked him if I could speak to his mam for a minute, he would have it that I went in. In fact, he said if his mam knew he was keeping someone standing on the step, she’d give him a thick ear.’

  Annie chuckled. ‘That sounds like Danny, from what I’ve heard about him. But I was led to believe he goes out dancing every night.’

  ‘He mentioned dancing.’ Jenny smiled. ‘He’s not half funny. He was going out to bring Mrs Fenwick’s two other children home, ’cos it was getting late for them. And he insisted on walking me home! I told him he was daft, that I only lived about ten strides away, but he said he would never let a girl walk home on her own.’ When she giggled at the memory, her mother and brother laughed with her. It was strange to hear the sound of laughter in the house. ‘It was then he asked me if I could dance.’

  ‘Ooh, he must have taken
a fancy to yer, sweetheart, to ask that.’

  Ben leaned forward with interest in his eyes. ‘What did yer say to that, our Jenny?’

  ‘I told him it was a secret, that’s all.’ Jenny changed the subject. ‘I was shy at first, Mam, but Mr and Mrs Fenwick are so easy to get on with, I soon felt at home. And they made me have a cup of tea, which Mr Fenwick and Danny made. Not that they wanted to make it, they were ordered. They get on really well together, and yer can tell by the atmosphere that it’s a warm, happy home. They’re not sloppy, but yer can almost feel the love in the room. Not like here, when me dad’s in. We can’t laugh and joke in case it offends him, and we never know when he’s going to lash out at us. You in particular, Mam, he picks on you for the least thing. I can’t picture Mr Fenwick beating his wife, he’s so easy-going.’

  ‘Ada wouldn’t stand for it, sweetheart. She’s got more guts than me.’

  ‘Mam, having guts doesn’t come into it over there. You need them here, because me dad is a madman. But not in the house over the road. They’re a loving family, and yer can feel it as soon as yer walk in the door.’

  Ben lifted his hand. ‘Hush, I think I can hear me dad.’ There was silence for a few seconds, then the boy jumped to his feet. ‘It is me dad, and he’s shouting in the street.’

  Annie’s hand went to her throat. ‘Oh, my God, he’s rotten drunk. He’ll make a holy show of us.’ She reached to pull the chain at the side of the gas light and the room was plunged into darkness. ‘Up the stairs, quick, before he comes in. We can’t stop him making a show of us, but we can protect ourselves by keeping out of his way. With a bit of luck he’ll be too drunk to climb the stairs. Hurry up, sweethearts, I couldn’t stand another fight with yer dad.’