The Girl From Number 22

by Joan Jonker

  Annie’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the key in the door. And she had to take a deep breath to calm her jangling nerves. She could smell the beer before her husband even entered the room, but she forced herself to sit down and remember word for word what she’d been advised to say. ‘I thought yer’d be home earlier than this, because I knew yer had no money.’ She picked up a half-crown from the table and held it out on her open palm. ‘This must have fallen out of yer pocket when yer were asleep on the couch. I found it when I was brushing the floor.’ This wasn’t exactly true, but part of the plan hinged on Tom Phillips’s going to the pub that night. ‘Here, take it while I see to yer dinner.’

  Tom grabbed the money without so much as a thank you. But he was gloating inside. He’d be able to go for his pints after all, and still have a bit of money over. And if he added that to the coppers he had in his pocket, he only needed another shilling and he could give the money back that he’d borrowed off his workmates. He threw his cap on to the sideboard before sitting down. ‘I need a shilling off yer. Where’s yer purse?’

  Annie came in from the kitchen. ‘I haven’t got a shilling to give yer. It takes me all me time to manage on the pittance yer give me. I’m living from hand to mouth now.’

  ‘I don’t care if yer starve to bleeding death, yer stupid cow. When I say I want a shilling, then it’s up to you to find it from somewhere. What d’yer think I give yer housekeeping money for? It’s no good having a dog and barking yer bleeding self.’

  The plate Annie was carrying had just been taken out of the oven, and it was very hot. And for one wild moment, she felt the urge to dump the contents of the plate on his head. But Ada’s words pulled her up short. She put the plate on the table, saying, ‘If I give yer the last shilling I’ve got, I’ll have no money to buy any food for tomorrow’s dinner.’

  ‘That’s your bleeding worry, not mine.’ Tom let fly with a punch to her ribs, then laughed when she cried out in pain. ‘That’s just a taste of what yer’ll get tomorrow if there’s no bleeding dinner on the table when I get home from work.’ He remembered the prostitute outside the pub, and threw his head back, laughing like a maniac. ‘Go down Lime Street, and see how much yer can make. Ha-ha! They charge a tanner a trick, but they’re good at the game. You’d be bleeding lucky if yer got one of the dirty old men in long raincoats. Yer might get one of them to take yer down an entry for a threepenny bit.’

  He was deliberately taunting her, hoping to see her cringe in horror at his words. When she didn’t, he picked up his knife and fork and started on his dinner. His lack of manners when eating disgusted Annie far more than his words had. This was one of the many times when she felt like killing him. She would get a lot of pleasure out of seeing him writhe in agony. He’d caused her so much pain, she wouldn’t feel any pity for him if he pleaded for mercy.

  ‘Don’t stand there like a gormless idiot, yer stupid bleeding cow.’ Tom Phillips jerked his head. ‘Get out there and make me a cup of tea. Yer’ve been sitting on yer big fat arse all day, now get cracking.’

  After putting a light under the kettle, Annie stood by the sink, her hands gripping the edge. She whispered softly, ‘May God forgive me for me bad thoughts, but he is a bastard and I wish he was dead.’ Then she closed her eyes. If things went as Ada had promised they would, then tonight he could get a taste of his own medicine. It might only happen the once, but oh how she would enjoy seeing him cower in fear, as he’d often reduced her to doing over the years.

  ‘Get that bloody tea in here on the double, yer lazy fat cow.’ The beer, as usual, was having the effect of making Tom Phillips feel powerful. It also gave him a warped sense of humour. When Annie carried his tea through, and put it down in front of him, he gripped her wrist. ‘I hope yer haven’t forgot the treat I promised yer this morning? I bet yer’ve been looking forward to it all day. Ye’re in my bed tonight, so be ready for me when I get back from the pub.’

  Annie kept her face straight. ‘Oh, ye’re going to the pub, are yer?’

  ‘Of course I’m going to the pub, yer stupid cow. Yer don’t think I’m going to sit in and look at that bloody face of yours all night, do yer?’

  Annie didn’t answer as she carried his dirty plate out. Everything was turning out as Ada had forecast. She’d keep her fingers crossed, and say a little prayer, that her friend from across the street had got the ending right as well.

  ‘Take yer coat off, sunshine, and I’ll hang it up,’ Ada said to Jenny, a wide smile on her face. ‘Then sit down and make yerself at home. The two children have gone round to their friends, so there’s only me and Jimmy here, and we’re not strangers to yer.’

  ‘Take a pew, love,’ Jimmy said, feeling sorry for the girl, who was looking ill at ease. ‘We don’t charge for the use of a chair.’

  Danny, who had been getting washed in the kitchen, popped his head round the door. ‘A word of warning, Jenny. They don’t charge for sitting on a chair, but they do if yer break one of the legs.’

  Jenny thought he looked very handsome when he smiled, and he always seemed happy, as though he enjoyed life. Heaven only knows what he thinks about me and my family, she thought, he can’t have a very high opinion of us. But he was looking at her expectantly, so she put a smile on her face and answered, ‘I’ll try not to break a leg.’

  Ada pulled a chair out and sat next to her. ‘Me bold laddo is off jazzing, as per usual. If he could, he’d spend his ruddy life on the dance floor.’

  ‘Ay, don’t be talking about me behind me back.’ Danny came and sat on a chair facing them. ‘It’s coming to something when me own mother tells people I’m a good-for-nothing.’

  ‘Well, I can criticise yer, sunshine, seeing as I’m yer mother. But woe betide anyone else who did.’ Ada winked at Jenny, before saying, ‘Me first born, yer see, and he’s been spoilt rotten.’ Then for the next ten minutes the talk was about the cold weather, work, and how soon Christmas would be upon them. And Jenny was coming out of her shell and joining in. It was easy to feel comfortable in the warm atmosphere in the Fenwicks’ house.

  Then Danny looked at the clock, tutted, and pushed his chair back. ‘I’d better get me skates on. Me dancing partners will think I’ve deserted them.’

  Ada’s face was the picture of innocence, and no one would have guessed it had all been rehearsed. ‘Why don’t yer ask Jenny to go with yer, sunshine? I’m sure she’d enjoy it more than sitting with two old fogies.’

  Jenny seemed to shrink in her chair. ‘Oh, no, Mrs Fenwick, I’d rather stay here with you. Danny doesn’t want me hanging on to him. He’s got his own friends.’

  ‘Ay, that’s a good idea, Jenny!’ Danny was playing his part well. ‘I’ve got three dancing partners, but I’m not the only one they dance with. And remember, yer never did tell me what yer favourite dance is. So, if yer come with me, I’ll find out for meself. Unless yer don’t want to come with me, of course. I can’t make yer.’

  ‘It’s not that I don’t want to come with yer, Danny, but I don’t want to spoil yer night for yer. I’m not really dressed for a dance, and I haven’t got me dancing shoes with me.’

  ‘Yer look good enough to me,’ Danny said. ‘It’s only a local hop, the girls don’t wear long dresses or tiaras. And only the show-offs wear silver shoes.’

  ‘Yer look fine to me, lass,’ Jimmy told her. ‘If I was your age, and I went to a dance and saw yer, I’d be across the floor before anyone else could snap yer up.’

  ‘Oh, would yer now?’ Ada curled a fist under his nose. ‘When we’re on our own, sunshine, yer can expect some sharp words from me. Fancy sweet-talking a young girl in front of yer very own wife, what yer paid seven and six to marry. I’ve a good mind to get meself all dolled up and go to the dance with our Danny.’

  ‘Ah, ay, Mam!’ Danny held his hands up in mock horror. Then he fell on one knee in front of Jenny. ‘Please, I beg of yer. Say yer’ll come with me, before me mam starts putting her lipstick on.’

  Jenny coul
dn’t help but laugh. What fun this family were. ‘I’ll come with yer, but I won’t stay with yer. It wouldn’t be fair on you or the girls yer usually dance with.’

  Danny jumped to his feet. ‘It’s a bargain.’ He stooped to kiss Ada. ‘It’s not that I don’t love yer, Mam, ’cos yer know I love the bones of yer.’

  ‘Be a gentleman and get Jenny’s coat for her.’ Ada smiled at the young girl, who was dazed by the speed everything had been arranged. ‘Yer look very pretty, sunshine, and if the other boys have got eyes in their head, there’ll be no shortage of partners for yer.’

  ‘I won’t stay till the end, Mrs Fenwick. I promised me mam I’d be home by half past ten.’

  ‘Don’t worry about yer mam, sunshine, I’ll be keeping me eye on her. That is a promise, so you go and enjoy yerself. And tomorrow yer can tell me what these dancing partners are like. Danny talks about them, but won’t say what they’re like, or if he’s got a favourite.’

  Across the street, in number twenty-two, Annie was at the window, watching her husband walking up the street towards the pub. She was about to drop the curtain when she saw her daughter step down on to the pavement, followed by Danny. And her eyes followed them until they were out of sight. Ada’s plan was working a treat so far.

  ‘I’m paying me own tram fare, Danny, so don’t argue.’ Jenny had the tuppence ready in her hand. ‘Don’t embarrass me, just take the money.’

  Danny took the coins, but wasn’t happy. ‘This goes against the grain, Jenny. A girl shouldn’t pay for herself when she’s with a bloke.’

  ‘But I’m not yer girlfriend, Danny, I’m only a neighbour! It’s bad enough yer’ve been talked into taking me, without yer having to fork out.’

  ‘I wasn’t talked into bringing yer, Jenny! And seeing as ye’re getting all anxious about it, I’ll let yer pay yer own tram fare. But let’s get one thing straight before we get to the dance hall and yer start kicking up a fuss. If yer refuse to let me pay, then yer’ll make me feel about two foot tall. I’d really take it as an insult. So shall we call a truce? You pay yer own fare, I pay for the dance tickets? Okay?’

  When Jenny found herself looking into Danny’s eyes, her heart skipped a beat and her tummy turned over. She looked away, wondering what had hit her. Then in her mind she told herself that her home life had made her wary of boys, and she’d never let one get so close to her before. She was being silly and childish. ‘I’m sorry, Danny, I didn’t mean to insult yer. And yeah, I’ll do like yer said. I pay me tram fare, you pay for the dance ticket.’

  He looked relieved. ‘Yer see how easy it is when yer don’t take the huff? Life’s too short, so make the most of it while yer can.’

  When they reached Blair Hall, Jenny left Danny buying the tickets while she went to the cloakroom. She didn’t want him to think she was clinging to him, and that he had to stay with her. So when they went into the dance hall, she said, ‘You go and get one of yer partners up, I’ll be all right. I’ll be a spy for yer mam, and report back to her what yer partners are like. In other words, I’ll be a sneak.’

  There was a quickstep playing, and Danny could see Dorothy waving to him. ‘Stay here until the dance is over, Jenny, and I’ll come back to yer.’

  However, Danny had only just walked away from her when Jenny felt a hand on her arm. ‘Would you care to dance?’

  The blond-haired boy looked very presentable, and Jenny didn’t have the heart to turn him down. ‘I’m not the best dancer in the world,’ she told him, ‘but I’ll do me best.’

  ‘I’m no Fred Astaire meself,’ the lad said, showing a fine set of white teeth when he smiled. ‘But I think we can get round without tripping each other up.’

  They suited each other very well, their steps matching easily and gracefully. They were halfway down the dance floor when they passed Danny and his partner. To say Danny was surprised would be an understatement. His jaw dropped and his step faltered. But he quickly pulled himself together and smiled. ‘All right, Jenny?’

  She smiled back at him and nodded. Her spirits were lifted, and she could actually feel her confidence growing. At least Danny would know now she wasn’t going to be a drag on him all night. It would leave him free to dance with his regular partners. But, Jenny told herself, that was wishful thinking. She might not get asked up again for the rest of the night.

  Her partner, however, had other plans. And when the dance was over, he walked her back to the edge of the dance floor and stood with her. ‘The next dance will be a waltz. Will yer dance with me?’

  ‘Yes, if yer want.’

  The blond boy smiled. ‘I’m Tony, by the way. What’s your name?’

  ‘Jenny.’

  ‘That’s a nice name. Are yer a friend of Danny’s?’

  ‘We’re neighbours. We live in the same street.’

  The next minute Danny was beside them. ‘Hiya, Tony, I see yer’ve been dancing with me friend. She’ll be all right now, I’ll look after her. I promised her mam, yer see.’

  Tony grinned. ‘Get lost, Danny. I’ve already asked Jenny, and she’s promised me the next dance.’

  Danny didn’t let his surprise or disappointment show. ‘Okay, I’ll let yer have this dance with her, but if yer stand on her toes, I’ll tell her mam on yer. And the next dance is mine, whether yer like it or not.’

  Tony rubbed his chin. ‘Right, that means Betsy will be free for the quickstep. I’ll book it in advance. Then after that I’m back with Jenny, if she’ll have me.’ The music started up for the waltz, and he put his arm round Jenny’s waist. ‘See yer later, Danny.’

  Danny scratched his head. He wasn’t feeling very happy about the situation, and couldn’t understand why. Never mind. He’d better look for Janet before someone else did. But as he walked towards the girl, he muttered under his breath, ‘The bloody cheek of him! Who does he think he is? If he thinks he’s going to hog her the whole night he’s mistaken. And he can forget about taking her home. She came with me, and she’ll go home with me. If he starts getting funny, I’ll clock him one.’

  ‘Are you talking to yerself?’ Janet asked as Danny led her on to the dance floor. ‘I could swear I saw yer lips moving.’

  ‘I was singing the words of the song,’ Danny said. ‘They can’t lock yer up for singing, can they?’

  ‘Ooh, er, don’t bite me flipping head off,’ Janet said, then stayed silent until they were dancing. Then she asked, ‘Is that one of yer girlfriends dancing with Tony?’

  ‘She’s not a girlfriend, she’s just a neighbour. I promised her mam I’d keep an eye on her, so I’ll be having a few dances with her.’

  ‘She’s very pretty,’ Janet said, ‘but when it comes to dancing, she’s hardly in the same class as you.’

  ‘Perhaps it’s her partner holding her back.’

  ‘Come off it, Danny, yer know as well as I do that Tony’s a good dancer.’ Janet moved back to look him in the eye. ‘Are yer sweet on this girl? I wouldn’t blame yer if yer were ’cos she’s nice-looking. I wish I had that mop of hair, it’s gorgeous.’

  Danny huffed. ‘Look, she lives in our street, me mam’s a mate of her mam’s, and yes she has got nice hair. As for her dancing, I’ll let yer know later, ’cos I’m having the next dance with her.’

  ‘Ye’re very touchy tonight, Danny. Has someone rubbed yer up the wrong way?’

  ‘Janet, ye’re beginning to sound like me mam. Will yer concentrate on yer dancing and stop the third degree? Ye’re putting me off me stride.’

  When the dance was over, Janet said, ‘I might see yer later, then, Danny?’

  ‘Yeah, of course yer will.’ Danny lifted his hand, then went looking for Jenny. He didn’t have to look far; she was standing near the door with Tony. And she was glad to see him walking towards her. For Tony was asking her for a date, and she was having trouble trying to find a believable excuse.

  ‘Right, I’ll take over now, Tony,’ Danny said. ‘Otherwise Jenny will tell her mam I left her on her own all night. And
her mam will tell my mam, and I’ll end up getting a thick ear.’

  Tony was grinning as he shook his head. ‘Yer can’t half talk, Danny Fenwick. Ye’re worse than a flipping girl. And ye’re taking over for the next dance, not for the whole night. Jenny’s promised me the next waltz.’

  ‘Yer don’t know Jenny like I do,’ Danny told him. ‘She’ll tell yer one thing and mean another. Anyway, on yer way, pal, I’m taking her for this slow foxtrot. If yer move yerself, yer might be in time to nab Dorothy before someone more handsome gets to her first.’

  When Danny led her on to the dance floor, Jenny said, ‘Yer don’t have to dance with me, yer know, Danny. I bet yer regular partners are calling me for everything.’

  ‘I know I don’t have to dance with yer, Jenny. There’s a lot of things I don’t have to do if I don’t want to. Like walking into a bus, for instance.’

  ‘There’s no clock in here, Danny, and I haven’t got a watch. Can yer tell me the time?’

  Danny looked at his wristwatch. ‘It’s a quarter past nine, why?’

  ‘I want to leave at ten, so will yer give me the wire just before then?’

  ‘Why is it so important that yer leave at ten? The dance isn’t over until half past.’

  ‘I want to be home by half ten,’ Jenny told him. ‘Me mam will be expecting me. So don’t let me down, will yer. Give me a nod just before ten.’

  ‘I’ll come home with yer. We can get the tram together.’

  ‘You will do no such thing!’ Jenny said. ‘I’m quite capable of getting home on me own.’

  Danny’s dimples showed when he grinned. ‘Ay, I’ve just noticed something, Jenny. Ye’re a good dancer. Ye’re following me as though we’ve been dancing together for years.’

  ‘Don’t change the subject, Danny.’ But secretly Jenny was pleased with what he said. She’d been worried she wouldn’t be as good as his partners. ‘I’m off at ten, you’re staying until the dance is over. There’s something going on at home, concerning me dad, but me mam wouldn’t tell me what it was. And I’m worried about her. But that’s no reason to spoil your night, so do as ye’re told.’