by Anna King
Too angry to speak, Maggie could only nod her head. Minutes later, still fuming at the way he had spoken to Liz, she banged the tin mug down in front of him.
‘Oh, ta, Maggie,’ he looked up at her smiling, happy now he was stuffing his face. ‘’Ere, don’t run off. Sit down and ’ave a cuppa wiv me, I want to talk to yer about our Liz.’ About to refuse, Maggie sighed and sat down opposite him.
‘There, that wasn’t so bad, was it? All family together, eh Maggie?’
She watched in silence as he wiped his plate clean with a thick slice of bread and waited for him to speak.
‘Ah, that’s better,’ he sighed, pushing the plate away from him. Then, hitching his thumbs in his braces he leaned back on his chair.
‘I’ve been meaning ter have a chat wiv yer, about Liz. I don’t fink she should be working for much longer, that’s why I’m gonna start helping out. It’s a nuisance though, ’cos between you and me, Maggie, I got a deal going wiv some old mates of mine. I can’t say too much at the moment, you know ’ow it is, but once it’s settled we’ll all be better off. Fing is, Maggie, it might take some time to get started, you know ’ow these fings are, and what wiv you and Charlie going as soon as the nipper’s born, well… He spread his hands wide. ‘I’ll ’elp Liz all I can, ’course I will, but there’ll be some days when I won’t be ’ere, and I’m worried that it’s gonna be too much for her. You can see the spot I’m in, can’t yer, Maggie, love? I can’t let me mates down, and I can’t be in two places at once, now can I?’
Maggie gazed at him steadily, then with a mirthless laugh she rose to her feet. ‘Good God, Jimmy, you must think I came down in the last shower. There’s no “deal”, never was, and the only mates you have are those cronies you meet down the pub. If you think you can blackmail me into staying on, you’ve got another think coming. I got your measure the first time I met you, and now at last Liz has come to her senses. But even knowing what a lazy, artful slob you are, she still loves you. Thankfully I don’t, but you know that already, don’t you, so let’s not play any more games. I don’t like you, never have, and after what’s happened this morning, maybe I won’t stay until the baby’s born. I don’t think Liz needs me any more, so maybe I’ll be going sooner than you think, and Charlie alongside me.’
‘All right, all right, there’s no need ter shout,’ he muttered, his eyes darting towards the bedroom. And Maggie, watching him, felt her eyes widen in surprise. He was afraid of Liz hearing, this big, blustering hulk of a man was actually afraid of his wife. Relief flooded through her body. Liz was going to manage very well without her, in fact she might even manage better without her presence in the house. Feeling more light-hearted than she had done for months she sat down again and poured herself a mug of tea while she waited for Liz.
Jimmy sat silently, his face downcast as he considered his future. He’d played his last hand and lost, but he could still have some fun with the snooty little bitch sitting opposite him. Burping loudly he leered across at her.
‘I ’ope we didn’t keep yer awake last night, but yer know ’ow it is wiv married couples.’ Maggie felt her stomach tighten with distaste, but refused to rise to the bait.
Still smiling she said sweetly, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that, Jimmy. Liz has always snored, even before she got married. I’ve got used to it over the years, so you needn’t worry about disturbing me, I can sleep through anything.’
His eyes clouded with anger and scowling furiously, he scraped back his chair and marched towards the bedroom just as Liz was coming out. Brushing her aside he slammed the door after him.
‘You two been at it again?’ Liz asked wearily.
‘Sorry, Liz, but he gets my back up,’ Maggie replied, a little shame-faced.
‘Oh forget it and let’s get going before there’s any more arguments.’
Pulling down a pale blue coat from the back of the door, Lizzie struggled with the buttons before giving up with a resigned sigh.
‘We’d better look for another coat for me while we’re out – I seem to grow bigger by the day.’
‘Is it worth it? I mean we’re in March now, the days are getting warmer, and besides, we don’t want to give our trade to the opposition, do we?’
‘No, I suppose not,’ Liz agreed gloomily. ‘But wouldn’t it be nice, just for once to have something brand new? Something no-one else has ever worn? Still, my baby isn’t going to be dressed in someone else’s castoffs. He or she is going to have everything spanking new. Jim doesn’t understand, that’s one of the reasons he’s in such a bad mood. He can’t see the point in paying for new clothes when we could pick up the same for a fraction of the cost.’
‘Well, men don’t, do they?’ Maggie was dressed for the outdoors in a lightweight beige coat with matching bonnet. She was well aware that although still in good condition, both the coat and hat were out of date and for a moment she shared in Liz’s wish for something brand new. One day, girl, one day, she told herself. Comforted by the thought she followed Liz from the room.
Fourteen
‘Oxford Street next stop,’ the conductor’s sonorous voice boomed above the chatter of the passengers on his horse-bus. Maggie jumped to her feet, almost forgetting Liz, who appeared to be stuck in the long seat.
‘Come on, Liz, hurry up, it’ll be moving off again in a minute,’ Maggie cried agitatedly.
‘Hang on, will you, I’m not as quick on me feet as I used to be.’
Holding Lizzie’s elbow, Maggie assisted her heavily pregnant sister down the curving stairway, not breathing easily until they were safely on the platform.
‘Yer shouldn’t ’ave gorn upstairs, Missus, not in your condition,’ the cheerful conductor admonished them both.
‘We wanted to see the view from the top – we’ve never been up this way before,’ Maggie replied by way of explanation.
‘Yes, well, sit downstairs on yer way back ’ome. Yer don’t want the little ’un being born on a bus now, do yer?’
They had barely set foot on the pavement when the vehicle started up again.
‘Bloody ’ell, they don’t hang about, do they?’ Liz grabbed at Maggie’s arm to steady herself. ‘We could have walked quicker, the time it’s taken us to get here.’
Maggie nodded in agreement. The roads were packed solid with horse-buses, hansom cabs, private carriages and delivery vans. She had thought the roads in the East End were congested, but they were nothing compared to this.
‘Oh, blast,’ Lizzie cried in disgust.
‘What’s the matter?’ Maggie turned to the cumbersome figure by her side, her voice filled with alarm.
Leaning heavily on Maggie’s arm, Liz lifted her foot, her eyes glaring at the brown mess on the bottom of her boot.
‘Whoever said the streets of London were paved with gold obviously never came up this way,’ she said grinning up at her sister.
Minutes later they were standing in front of a large department store, their noses practically touching the enormous plate-glass window, their eyes wide at the sight of the colourful collection of gowns and costumes on display. At the front of the window stood a wooden mannequin clothed in a brilliant, sky-blue gown. Lying on the floor close to the frilled hem was a wide-brimmed straw hat trimmed with silk flowers and a wide ribbon in the same matching colour. Alongside was another mannequin draped in a white tulle dress with a scarlet band round the waist. Again a matching hat lay at its feet, together with a white lace pair of gloves. The rest of the window was filled with smart skirts and blouses with gaily printed scarves pinned to the wooden display board.
‘Makes our stall look sick, doesn’t it,’ Liz said wistfully, before moving on to the next store. The next two hours were spent leisurely wandering up and down the narrow road, stopping every now and then to look into yet another bright and colourful window display. Finally they found a smaller shop that catered for babies and children’s wear. After much debating, they emerged carrying three wrapped parcels.
‘I don�
��t know about you, Maggie, but I could do with a cup of tea and something to eat,’ Liz said longingly.
‘Me an’ all, but we can’t go into a restaurant, we’ve spent enough already. Not that I begrudge the baby its new things,’ she added hastily, ‘after all it’s your money, but I bet some of those places cost a guinea just to walk through the door. Besides, I’d feel awkward going into a posh restaurant. They’re probably filled with lords and ladies – we’d be out of place.’
Lizzie was about to make a reference to Harry, then changed her mind; she didn’t want to take the risk of spoiling their day out. Linking arms they set off in search of a modest place where they could eat in comfort. Walking slowly they mingled with the gentlemen and ladies of the upper class, their heads held high, refusing to be intimidated by their fellow pedestrians.
‘Here, look at them.’ Lizzie nudged Maggie in the side, her head nodding towards a group of city gentlemen dressed in pin-striped trousers, black morning coats and bowler hats. ‘Look like a load of penguins, don’t they?’
Giggling like two school girls, they turned off the main street and found themselves in a cul-de-sac. There were only four small shops set back into the right hand of the road, and it was with enormous relief they saw that one of them was a coffee shop. Clutching their purchases tightly, they peered at the gold-printed menu attached to the frosted-glass window.
‘Bloody hell,’ Liz exclaimed loudly. ‘Half a crown for a pot of tea and a couple of scones, that’s daylight robbery. We went into the wrong business, Maggie.’
‘Keep your voice down, Liz,’ Maggie pleaded. ‘They’ll hear you inside. Anyway, it was your idea to come up the West End – what did you expect?’
The tinkling of a bell announced the departure of a young couple leaving the shop, and Maggie, looking at her sister, said excitedly, ‘Come on, Liz, let’s splash out. It might be a very long time before we get another chance.’
Liz gazed into the sparkling eyes and grinned. ‘Oh, what the hell, why not. After you, Madam,’ she said, sweeping her hand in a grand fashion.
Once inside the shop, however, they found their confidence wavering at the sight of the throng of smartly dressed people seated around the white lace-covered tables. Swallowing nervously Maggie shot a startled look at Liz who immediately inclined her head indicating that they should leave. But before they could make their exit, a tall, elderly man dressed in the same mode as a butler was standing at their side.
‘Good afternoon, ladies,’ he smiled pleasantly. ‘Will you be requiring a table for two?’
The friendliness of his tone acted as a balm upon the two young women, and it was Liz, who recovering her composure first, said grandly, ‘Thank you, that would be most agreeable.’
When they were seated and their parcels pushed safely out of the way beneath the table, Liz scanned the menu before grandly ordering a pot of coffee and two large slices of chocolate gateau. When the waiter had gone the two young women gazed at each other for a moment, then burst into muffled laughter.
‘Gawd, if my Jimmy could see me now, he’d have a blue fit. Speaking of which, I hope he’s behaving himself. I wouldn’t put it past him to slope off and leave Charlie to do all the work.’
Maggie shook her head in wonderment. ‘I can’t get over the change in you, Liz, but I’m glad to see it. I’ve been worried sick at the thought of leaving you, but not any more. In fact I think you’ll probably be better off without me there antagonising Jimmy at every given opportunity. I…’ She broke off as the waiter, carrying a large silver platter returned to their table. Any further conversation was halted while they did justice to the special treat that lay before them. Finally, they pushed their empty plates away and surveyed each other, smiling fondly.
‘I’ve really enjoyed myself today, Maggie,’ Liz said softly. ‘But more importantly, I’m glad that we’ve become friends. Mind you, it’s taken long enough, hasn’t it?’
‘Liz,’ Maggie started to speak.
‘No, don’t say anything, Maggie,’ Liz interrupted her. ‘I’m not going to get all mushy, I just thought I’d take this opportunity to thank you for all the help and support you’ve given me these past months, and to apologise for being such a bitch at times. Not that you’re that easy to live with,’ she laughed happily. Then her mood changing to a more sombre note, she continued.
‘The change you’ve seen in me today isn’t that sudden, it’s been building for a long time. I don’t know why I picked this particular day to speak out, it just happened. We all have to grow up and become independent sometime, and I suppose I realised I couldn’t spend the rest of my life leaning on you. That and the need to feel some self-respect, because it’s important isn’t it, self-respect? You’ve always had it, even as a child. I don’t know what I was more jealous of, that, or the fact that you were prettier than me.’
Leaning over the table she caught hold of Maggie’s hand. ‘You don’t have to worry about me, Maggie, and I’m not going to hold you to the promise to stay until the baby’s born. You see, I’m not afraid any more – I’ll always love you, but I don’t need you any more. Do you understand?’
A well of emotion was swelling in Maggie’s chest, and desperate to bring some levity back to the conversation, she said shakily, ‘Give over, Liz. You’ll have us both bawling in a minute, and I don’t think that would go down too well in a place like this. One must keep up appearances, mustn’t one?’ Again they were laughing, unheedful of the covert glances they were attracting.
‘Look, Maggie, I want to get a bit more shopping before we go home. You wait here and have another cup of coffee, I won’t be long.’
A startled look came into Maggie’s eyes. ‘Hang on, Liz. I’m not staying here on my own, I’ll come with you.’
‘I won’t be a minute, I know exactly what I want to get. Here, I’ll leave the money for the bill. By the time that waiter comes back and you’ve paid him, I’ll be waiting outside. Won’t be long.’
For a woman so heavily pregnant Liz was surprisingly quick on her feet, and before Maggie could make any further protest she had left the shop. Knowing there was nothing for it but to remain until the waiter returned, she sat uncomfortably in her chair, her face burning with embarrassment, wondering where Liz had rushed off to in such a hurry.
* * *
‘Would you like it wrapped, Madam,’ the saleswoman enquired, her nimble fingers folding over the fawn cashmere shawl on the counter. Liz thought for a moment. She was desperate to go to the toilet, and Maggie would be hopping mad if she left her on her own for too long. The pressure on her bladder decided her.
‘No, thank you,’ she replied, moving from one foot to another. ‘Just put it in a bag and I’ll wrap it myself.’
‘Very good, Madam,’ the woman replied. She could see the young woman’s condition, and having had four children of her own sympathised with her evident predicament.
Lowering her voice she said sotto voce, ‘If Madam would care to use our facilities, I could wrap the shawl while I wait.’
‘What? Oh yes, thank you,’ Liz replied gratefully. It would mean an extra few minutes, but she was sure Maggie would understand. Five minutes later she emerged from the shop, the gaily wrapped parcel firmly tucked under her arm. She hoped Maggie would like the shawl. It had cost her ten shillings, but she didn’t begrudge a penny of it.
When Maggie had first offered to hand over the business to her, she had been dumbstruck by the generosity behind the thought, especially as she’d refused to take a penny in compensation. When she thought back over the years, and the hard time she’d given Maggie lately about paying back the money that had saved them from the workhouse, she’d been overcome with regret and shame. The knowledge of what Maggie had had to endure to obtain the money was pushed firmly to the back of her mind. She knew she could never fully repay Maggie for all she had done, the shawl was merely a token of her love and gratitude. Lord, she’d been gone longer than she’d bargained for. If she didn’t hurry, they
’d end up having a row and that was something she didn’t want; she never wanted to argue with Maggie ever again. Some hope, she thought wryly as she quickened her step.
The coachman sitting atop the carriage smiled benignly as Liz hurried past. His wife was expecting their first child any day now, and the sight of the attractive young woman obviously pregnant reminded him once again that he was soon to become a father. His attention was drawn from the retreating figure by the arrival of his master who had emerged from the tobacconist shop. Jumping down from his perch he stood to attention while at the same time opening the carriage door.
For years to come he would never forget that day, or know why the horses had suddenly bolted. All he could remember was the door being jerked from his hand as the frightened animals had taken flight and mounted the pavement heading straight for the figure that had just passed him. Her mind preoccupied with getting back to the coffee shop Liz didn’t realise the danger until it was too late. Everything happened so quickly. Suddenly people were screaming as they ran to get out of the horses’ path, while the onlookers on the other side of the road stood rooted to the spot, unable to do anything except stare in horror as the two horses continued on their mad rampage along the pavement. In the mad scramble for safety, Liz was thrown against the wall, her eyes widening in terror as the frightened beasts bore down on her. Dropping the parcel she wrapped her arms around her bulging stomach, her lips moving silently in a desperate prayer.
‘Please God, please, not my baby. Oh, God, no, not like this…’ The horses and carriage smashed into the defenceless body, tossing it aside as effortlessly as a match, killing both Liz and her unborn child instantly, before careering on down the now deserted pavement. Liz lay sprawled on the ground, her eyes still wide, her mouth open, as if even in death she was protesting at the fate that had befallen her.