The Girl From Number 22

by Joan Jonker

  The three huddled together in Jenny’s small bedroom, and they listened for the key turning in the lock. But the noise came from outside in the street. And it was the sound of Tom Phillips shouting at the top of his voice. What he was shouting didn’t make sense, except for the obscenities. And then came the angry voices of neighbours who had been brought out by the row. It was too much for Annie, who covered her ears with her hands. ‘I’ll not be able to show me face in the street after this. What have I ever done to him that he makes my life a hell?’

  Jenny put an arm around her mother’s shoulders. ‘Sit on the bed, Mam, and I’ll go and bring me dad in.’

  Ben was quick to side with his sister. ‘Go on, Mam, me and Jenny will get him in.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘I’ll not let me children fight me battles for me. I married him, fool that I was, and he’s my burden, not yours.’

  Across the street, Ada pulled the curtain aside. ‘Just listen to the language out of him. He’s got half the street out.’

  Danny stood behind her. ‘Is that Jenny’s dad making that racket? I thought Mrs Phillips was exaggerating, but she certainly wasn’t.’ He turned to his father. ‘Can yer hear him, Dad? He’s blind drunk. It’s a wonder he can stand up straight.’

  ‘I can hear him all right. The whole neighbourhood must be able to hear him. Why doesn’t he go in and sleep it off, instead of making a racket?’

  Ada turned her head from the window. ‘Why doesn’t he do a lot of things? Like stop beating his wife and children. Why doesn’t he behave like a man who appreciates he has a wonderful family? And, most of all, why doesn’t he love them?’

  As Ada turned back to the window, she saw the door opposite open, and Annie stepped into the street, followed by Jenny and Ben. ‘Oh, my God, she can’t handle him, not the state he’s in. I’m going out there, and so help me I’ll clock him one.’

  Jimmy shook his head. ‘You’ll stay right where yer are, love, and me and Danny will sort the queer feller out. We’ll send Annie and the kids inside, then we’ll throw him in and he can sleep it off on the floor.’

  But Ada wasn’t having that. ‘I’ll come with yer to see to Annie and the kids. I won’t get involved in fisticuffs, I promise.’ Then, as she was slipping her coat on, she added, ‘Unless he hits me, like, ’cos then I’d have to hit him back.’

  When Jenny saw Danny crossing the cobbles, she felt like hiding her head in shame. And the hate she felt for her father grew. She tried to take hold of one of his arms, but he was waving them about like a madman. With tears threatening, she said, ‘We can manage him.’

  ‘Yer can’t manage him.’ Danny pushed her gently towards the front door. ‘Go inside with yer mam and brother, we’ll see to yer dad. And don’t worry about the neighbours, they’ll go back in their houses when Mr Phillips is inside.’

  ‘Danny’s right,’ Ada said. ‘Take yer mam and Ben into the house. Jimmy and Danny will soon have yer dad sorted. I’ll come in after yer, to make sure yer mam’s all right.’ She watched Jenny leading Annie inside the house, then turned to where Tom Phillips was wrestling with Jimmy and Danny. There were a few neighbours standing near, but they weren’t shouting any more, they were staying out of interest, to see what the outcome would be. It would be the talk of the street in the morning, and they wanted to be able to say they’d been there, and to add their little bit of spice to what was said. And they were glad they had stayed when Ada added a piece of unexpected excitement. Standing in front of the man struggling with her husband and son, she curled her fists. Her right went to his stomach with some force, which had him gasping, and her left caught him on the jaw. Then she dusted her hands and said, ‘That’s for hitting a friend of mine. And now I’ll go and wash me hands to take the dirt away.’ With that, she smiled sweetly at her husband and made her way into number twenty-two.

  Jimmy looked across at his son. ‘The way we were going on, we’d have been here all night, son. We should have done what yer mam just did, and we’d have been back in our house by this time.’

  ‘Leave him to me now, Dad. I’ll put him over me shoulder and get him inside.’ Tom had stopped struggling and Danny picked him up as he would have done a sack of coal. Then he grinned at his father. ‘I think it was the left hook that did it, Dad. It was a belter.’

  Maggie Richardson, a little woman who lived a few doors away from the Fenwicks, tapped him on his arm. ‘No, Danny boy, it was the first punch what did it. Knocked the wind out of him it did. I’m glad Ada gave him what he deserved. And yer can tell her from me it was as good as going to the pictures any day.’

  Danny chuckled. ‘We should have sold tickets, Mrs Richardson. We’ll do that next time, and we’ll bring a chair out for yer so yer don’t get tired standing. But this feller’s a bit of a weight, so I’d better get him inside before I drop him.’

  ‘I’ll give yer a hand, son,’ Jimmy said. ‘We’ll carry him between us.’

  ‘No, leave it, Dad, it’s no good messing around now. I can carry his weight, and once I get inside I can dump him on the couch.’

  ‘I’m coming in anyway,’ Jimmy told him. ‘Just to make sure the queer feller is out for the count. He sounds a crafty bugger, and he might not be as drunk as he’s making out. I don’t want him taking off on Annie and the kids when we’ve left.’

  Annie was putting a light to the gas mantle when Danny walked in with Tom over his shoulder. Her hands were shaking, and her face was as white as a sheet. She felt so humiliated she was afraid to look anyone in the face. ‘Put him down on the couch, lad, and then leave him be. He’ll sleep through the night, so we’ll come to no harm.’

  Ben was looking down at the form of his father, and he was filled with disgust. The smell of beer filled the room, and saliva was running down the chin of the man who was so drunk he didn’t know what was going on. It’s a good job we didn’t try and bring him in on our own, the boy thought. We’d never have managed it. He looked at Danny, shrugged his shoulders and sighed. ‘He’s no good, my dad. He’s always doing this and making a show of us. And although I’m sorry your family’s been dragged into it, I’m glad yer were there. We couldn’t have coped with him, he’s too much for us.’

  Jenny wouldn’t meet Danny’s eyes. He must think we’re a right lot, she was thinking. He’ll not be inviting me in for a cup of tea again in a hurry. ‘We’ll be all right now,’ she said to Ada. ‘He’ll still be like that when it’s time for us to go to work in the morning. He doesn’t think about us, only himself. It wouldn’t ever occur to him that he shames us in front of everyone. He’s not fit to be a husband, or a father.’

  ‘No one can blame you,’ Danny said. Seeing how sad she looked, he wished it was him who’d belted Tom Phillips, and not his mother. ‘None of you are responsible for his actions, so don’t let it worry yer.’

  Still avoiding his eyes, Jenny said with bitterness, ‘You don’t have to live with him. It’s like living with the devil himself. In fact, the only friend me dad’s got is the devil. They’re both wicked.’

  Ada could see the girl was tormented with shame, and she could hear it in her voice. And she hadn’t failed to notice that Jenny had never once looked at Danny. I’d feel the same if I was her age and in her shoes, Ada told herself. It must be a dreadful life for a young girl, having a rotter for a father. ‘Come here, sunshine.’ She held the girl close. ‘Just put this thought in yer head, and remember it whenever yer dad takes off. You are not responsible for him, you don’t owe him anything, and you have a life of yer own to lead.’

  ‘Ada’s right, sweetheart,’ Annie said. ‘You and Ben are growing into adults now, and it’s time to make yer own way in life. Not that I want yer to leave home, God forbid, ’cos I’d be lost and heartbroken without yer. But yer must carve out a future for yerselves. If yer want to go out with friends, then go out. Yer don’t have to stay in every night because ye’re afraid I might bear the brunt of yer father’s bad temper. I’m going to make a stand, and not be browbeaten by a
man who isn’t worth worrying about. And you and Ben must do the same.’

  Jimmy watched and listened in silence. He’d often heard of men who beat up their wives and kids, but he’d never seen it close at hand before. And he was horrified. His eyes went from Annie to her two children. Nice, friendly woman, mother of two lovely, polite children. What more could anyone ask for? Then he looked down at Tom Phillips, and felt sick from the stench and the grunts coming from the man. He deserved to be locked up in a cell, and the key thrown away.

  ‘I’ll get back over the road, love,’ Jimmy said. ‘Just in case Monica or Paul are awake and wondering where we are.’ He smiled at Annie. ‘Any problems, Annie, yer know where to knock. Any time, night or day.’

  ‘Thank you, Jimmy. I’m sorry we’re being such a nuisance to you and yer family. I’m not attempting to make excuses for tonight’s performance, for me and the kids are used to it. And we know that after a few repetitions of tonight, there’ll be so many complaints from the neighbours, we’ll be forced to move on once again.’

  ‘Don’t even think about it, sunshine,’ Ada said, her nostrils flared in temper. ‘If anyone leaves this house, it won’t be you or the kids, take my word for it. Me and Hetty, and the neighbours either side of here, have a soft spot for this house. It means a lot to us for it holds happy memories. And I’m blowed if a drunken rotter is going to be allowed to ruin those memories.’

  Jimmy nodded. ‘I agree with the wife on that. But I think it’s best if we all call it a day now, for I’m sure Annie and the kids must be tired. We’ll talk about it when our heads are clear and tempers calmed down. Come home with me, love, and let Annie and the children go to bed and have a good night’s sleep.’

  ‘I’ll stay for a while,’ Danny said, ‘just to make sure Mr Phillips doesn’t come round. But I’ll be over before yer go to bed, Mam, so leave a cup of tea in the pot for me.’

  Ada saw the dismay on Jenny’s face, and quickly said, ‘No, sunshine, yer can come with me and yer dad. Let’s leave these good people to do as they wish. I’m sure a cup of sweet tea would go down a treat, Annie, and then up the stairs to dreamland.’

  Annie walked to the door with them. ‘There’s not enough words to thank you. But yer’ll be in my prayers tonight, I can promise yer that.’

  Ada gave her a kiss. ‘Good night and God bless, sunshine. I’ll see yer in the morning.’

  After Ada waved the children off to school the next morning, she began to clear the table. But her mind wasn’t on what she was doing, it was on the events of the night before. Pictures kept flicking into her head, of the fear and shame on the faces of Annie and her children. And of the state of Tom Phillips as he swayed, with stream after stream of obscenities leaving his mouth.

  ‘Fancy having to live with the likes of that,’ Ada told the kitchen window as she put the breakfast dishes in the sink. ‘He should have been drowned at birth.’ She half filled the kettle and put a light under it. ‘I’ll have a nice cup of tea, then nip over and see how Annie got on. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Tom Phillips is still on the couch, out for the count. I can’t see him being fit for work, not the state he was in last night.’

  When the tea was made, Ada carried a cup through to the living room. She’d have a quiet ten minutes, then get cracking. She lifted the cup from the saucer, and it was halfway to her lips when there was a loud knock on the door. In her haste, some of the tea left the cup and landed on her knees. ‘Blast it! Is there no ruddy rest for the wicked? If it’s a canvasser, I’ll break their flaming neck.’

  However, Ada’s disappointment at being robbed of her quiet spell soon disappeared when she opened the door and found Jean Bowers and Edith Benson standing on the pavement. And the look of expectation on their faces told her they were here about the kerfuffle last night. ‘Come in, girls. I’ve just made meself a cup of tea, and there’s enough in the pot for another two cups.’ Ada’s eyes closed when she heard the door of the next house being pulled shut, and she added, ‘It will have to run to three cups, ’cos here’s me mate.’

  Hetty hurried forward and joined Jean and Edith on the pavement. ‘I know yer don’t like to have visitors so early in the morning, girl, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Especially when I saw these two crossing over. I wasn’t going to have them hearing the news before me. And I knew yer wouldn’t tell the three of us to get lost. Yer can be very outspoken when yer feel like it, but not even you would be that outspoken.’

  ‘Don’t bank on it, sunshine, ’cos I’m not in the best of tempers. I only got about an hour’s sleep last night.’ A resigned sigh left Ada’s lips as she jerked her head. ‘Come in, but don’t all speak at once ’cos me head is debating whether to have an ache or not.’

  The three neighbours pulled chairs out for themselves and sat down. It was Hetty who spoke first, and she did it quietly. ‘We won’t open our mouths, girl, we’ll leave the talking to you. Just tell us, in yer own time, what the hell was going on last night?’

  ‘I’m not letting this cup of tea go cold, so get off yer backside, Hetty, and pour another three cups out. There should be enough in the pot to go round.’

  Hetty put her hands on the table and pushed herself up. ‘I’ll go on the understanding that not one word is to be spoken before I’m back with the tea, and sitting comfortably.’

  Jean Bowers nodded. ‘Honest to God, not one word, I promise.’

  Ada called through to the kitchen, ‘Is it all right if I ask what the weather’s like out? Oh, and can I break the news that it’s Danny’s birthday today? Is that allowed, Mrs Watson?’

  ‘Don’t be sarky, girl, or yer head will ache, just for spite. Anyway, I’m on me way.’ Hetty came through with a cup and saucer in each hand. ‘It’s coming to something when yer best mate tells yer to see to her visitors and make yer own tea.’

  When she was seated with her tea in front of her, Hetty said, ‘To answer yer question, girl, it is very cold out. And I hadn’t forgotten it’s Danny’s birthday. I’ve got a nice card for him in me bag.’

  Jean couldn’t wait any longer, and she leaned forward. ‘Ada, what on earth went on last night? The noise was enough to wake the dead. We were watching through the window, and couldn’t believe our eyes or ears. That neighbour of ours was rotten drunk, and his language had me blushing. Gordon was all set for going out and telling him off, but when we saw you coming out of your house with Jimmy and Danny, I told him not to get involved. But what a to-do it was! I’ve never seen anything like it, in all the years I’ve lived in the street.’

  Edith nodded. ‘The language out of him was disgusting, and I felt ashamed in front of Elsie and Vincent. They’re not used to that. Their dad comes out with the odd “bloody” now and again, but that’s as far as it goes. And to think that man is living next door to us. If it happens again, I’m going to complain to the landlord. We don’t want the likes of him in the street, never mind right next door.’

  ‘Drink yer tea before it goes cold, girls, and then I’m going to tell yer a little story. And Hetty will tell yer whether I’m telling yer the truth or not.’ Ada picked up her cup, took a sip and pulled a face. ‘Mine’s only lukewarm, so drink up. I’ll make a fresh pot after I’ve told yer all there is to know about yer neighbours.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’ Jean looked from one to the other. ‘I’m stunned.’

  ‘Yeah, me too.’ Edith shook her head. ‘If I’d known the full story, I’d have gone out meself and hit him where it hurt most. I’m glad you belted him, Ada, it was what he deserved. In fact he deserved a lot more.’

  ‘I knew yer’d both be sympathetic when yer heard the truth,’ Ada told them. ‘Annie Phillips and the two children have a dog’s life with him. They’ve lived in about a dozen houses, because his behaviour has the neighbours complaining and they have to move on. And Hetty will vouch for what I say when I tell yer there isn’t a nicer woman breathing than Annie. And the two children are lovely. They’re well brought up, and they’r
e very protective of their mother.’

  Hetty nodded in agreement. ‘Annie’s a lovely woman, and how she puts up with him I’ll never know. She’s very shy, and doesn’t like talking about the dreadful life she has. But Ada got it out of her, and both of us were nearly in tears when she showed us some of the bruises he’d given her. It’s not often I swear, but he is one bad bugger.’

  Jean tutted. ‘It just goes to show that yer shouldn’t be quick to judge anyone, unless yer know the truth. I was calling the whole family fit to burn last night. They all got the blame for the antics of the father. But we weren’t to know any better. Mrs Phillips hasn’t exchanged more than half a dozen words with me or Edith.’

  Ada leaned back in the chair and folded her arms. ‘Me and Hetty have made friends with her, for she has no one to talk to. Her bully of a husband doesn’t allow her to have friends or visitors. Me mate and I have offered her a helping hand, and according to her daughter, Jenny, she’s started to stick up for herself. But she needs to have a lot more confidence in herself. She’s been under his thumb for twenty years, and it’s taken all her pride away.’

  ‘He must be a right sod,’ Jean said. ‘What he needs is a man to put the fear of God into him. I’ve always said that any man who hits his wife is a coward. They wouldn’t try it on with a man, they’d be frightened of getting hurt.’

  ‘D’yer know what really got through to me yesterday? The saddest thing of all, which I could cry over? Well, young Jenny came over last night to thank me and Hetty for helping her mam yesterday. She said she was glad her mother had found friends, ’cos she’s never had any with having to move house so often. And that young, seventeen-year-old girl had come to thank me. Me and Hetty had only been in her company three times, and we’d only shared a cup of tea and a cream slice. Not much to thank us for, yet it shows how much Annie is loved by her children. A sod of a husband, but wonderful children.’