by Joan Jonker
Nigel turned his head to smile at his sister. ‘I’ve reached the opinion that if Bobby wants anything bad enough, he’ll get it. Unless it’s Milly, of course – she’d give him a run for his money.’
‘According to her, there’s definitely nothing between them. They’re just very good friends. Which is a pity because they’d make a fine couple. Milly would make a good wife.’
‘Who knows who would make a good wife or husband?’ Nigel was thinking of his parents. They must have thought they were made for each other, yet look how that marriage had turned out. And how would his sister take the news that they were to divorce? ‘You have to live with a person to really know them.’
‘Yes, you and I have seen a good example of that.’ Abbie folded her hands in her lap, and brother and sister lapsed into a silence that lasted until they reached home.
‘You poor darling, you really are having a bad time.’ Maureen ran a finger down his cheek. ‘And none of it is your fault, so you have no cause to feel bad about it. I have never really criticised your wife before because I didn’t think it was my place. But she is a very silly woman not to have appreciated how well-off she was.’
‘I’ve told Nigel about the divorce, but I haven’t had the chance to talk to Abbie yet. Then I’ll have to break it to Ada and Joe, my mother- and father-in-law. I don’t believe they’ll think badly of me for it, they know I haven’t had an easy life with their daughter. The fact that she’s been absent from their lives for the last seventeen years speaks for itself. I have never gone into depth with them regarding the state of affairs between me and Edwina, because I didn’t want to upset them. And I certainly won’t do it now. But I am of the firm opinion that my wife is mentally disturbed. It’s the only conclusion I can reach which would explain her strange behaviour.’
‘What will happen now? Will you buy a house for her and Victoria?’
‘I’ll let the dust settle first. I’m certainly not going to force them to leave quickly. I’ll give them time to consider, and even choose a house themselves. Victoria is giving a dinner party next week, so I won’t do anything until after that.’ Robert pulled her closer. ‘I feel tons better after talking to you. I know I have no right to use you, but there’s no one else I can unburden myself to – at least, no one I feel comfortable talking to, who understands as you do. That’s why I need to know I can see you more often. If it meets with your approval, I would like to call at least once a week.’ He was heartened by her nod. ‘And in time, would you be prepared to leave this house to come to me?’
‘You know my views, Robert. I would never be your mistress. I love you dearly, but I would not live with you if there was no ring on my finger. My conscience would not allow me to live in sin.’
‘I wouldn’t ask, or expect you to. I just want you to tell me you will be my wife when I am a free man. Your promise alone, my dear, dear Maureen, would help me through whatever time we have to wait.’
‘You have my promise, Robert. You see, my love is as great as yours.’
Chapter Eighteen
‘I’ve told yer about that nosy cow what lives opposite to me, haven’t I? Ivy Simpson her name is, her husband’s Derek and she’s got a son of seventeen called Danny.’ Kitty was swinging her legs under the chair and talking through a mouthful of cheese sandwich. ‘Everyone in the street has got her decked, she knows everything what goes on in the neighbourhood. Sometimes she knows about things before they bleedin’ happen!’
‘What’s she been up to this time, sunshine?’ Agnes, like Pete and Jessie, was ready for a piece of gossip, it brightened the day. ‘She’s not having it off with the coalman, is she?’
‘Nah, she’s too ugly to get a feller. Unless they put a bag over her head, or took her down a dark entry. But she thinks everybody else is. Not all with the coalman, like, she’s got her beady eyes on the milkman and the rentman. According to her, they’re all having it off with the woman who lives next door-but-one to me. Now Josie, that’s the woman’s name, she’s younger than most of us and hasn’t been married very long. Nice-looking woman, too.’ Kitty reached for another sandwich and began to chew. ‘I think that’s why Ivy Simpson picks on her ’cos she’s jealous. Anyway, this Ivy was in the corner shop one day and was telling everyone who cared to listen, that she’d seen the milkman slipping in next door-but-one after he’d finished his round. She’s a real troublemaker, and I’ll show yer how she talks.’ The cleaner put down her sandwich and stood up. ‘She’s twice my size, so use yer imagination.’ Folding her arms, and hitching up an imaginary large bosom, Kitty pursed her lips and nodded her head as though she knew something they’d all be amazed at. ‘This is what she said to the women in the corner shop. “Three times I saw the milkman going in there last week and he was there over an hour ’cos I timed him. Brazen hussy, that’s what she is. Someone should tell her husband, ’cos if she has a baby, ten to one it won’t be his. And not content with the milkman, she’s having it off with the bleedin’ rentman! We all pay him at the door, but not her, oh no, he’s invited in. And he’s there long enough to be up to no good”.’
‘Someone should tell this Josie what’s being said behind her back,’ Agnes said. ‘It could get back to her husband and if he believed it, it would cause trouble.’
‘Oh, the neighbours have sorted it out.’ Kitty took her seat and picked up her sandwich. ‘That’s what I was starting to tell yer.’
Agnes gasped. ‘D’yer mean all that was just a warm-up to what ye’re going to tell us? In the name of God, sunshine, we’ll be here all day!’
‘No we won’t, if yer listen quick.’
Jessie giggled, thinking that was really funny, but Pete, in his slow controlled voice, said, ‘We can only listen as quick as you talk, Kitty.’
‘It’s you what’s slow on the uptake, Pete, so get yer brain moving ’cos my tongue will be going fifteen to the bleedin’ dozen. I’ll finish this tale if it kills me.’ She glanced across at the housekeeper. ‘All right, queen?’
‘Go ahead, sunshine, but it had better be good.’
‘First I’ll give yer a quick run-down on the nosy sod what lives opposite. She spends the whole day standing on her step or peeping through her curtains. Her window is facing ours and she can see right through. I bet she could tell me how many times my Alf goes down the yard to the lavvy. Anyway, the neighbours decided to teach her a lesson, and this is what they did. They told Josie what had been said about her, the milkman and the rentman. And then they told the men. They were all blazing at first, wanted to go and choke her. But they thought of a better way to get their own back. So yesterday, the milkman called on Josie about two o’clock, and they did no more than draw the front-room curtains over! Well, yer can imagine what this did to nosy Ivy! She stood on the front step hopping from one foot to the other, waiting for one of the neighbours to pass so she could have a good gossip. But everyone in the street was in on it, and not one came out of their houses. She was still standing on the step when Dave, Josie’s husband, came walking up on his way home from his six-to-two shift. Everyone was behind their curtains, watching what was going on, and they said she nearly fell over herself to get to Dave before he knocked. They couldn’t hear what was said, but they found out afterwards. Nosy poke said, “I think yer should know that there’s something fishy going on between yer wife and the milkman. He’s been here a few afternoons this week, he’s here now, and look, they’ve got the curtains drawn so no one can see in. There’s dirty work going on, and you have a right to know.” Dave, all innocent like, said, “Oh dear, what can they be up to? Would yer come in with me, in case I lose my temper and kill him?”.’
Kitty gazed at the three people who were hanging on to her every word. ‘Ay, it’s not half exciting, isn’t it?’
‘Get on with it, buggerlugs,’ Agnes said. ‘And if this is one of yer jokes, so help me, I’ll swing for yer.’
‘Now would I do that to you, me best mate? Too bloody true I would!’ Kitty held up her hand. ‘
Only kidding, queen, only kidding. Yer’ll like the next part, it’s dead funny.’ Her eyes sparkling, she asked, ‘Is there another cup of tea in the pot?’
Agnes put her hand on top of the teapot. ‘Yer’ll get nothing until yer’ve finished this very long tale. I’ve been patient with yer, sunshine, but don’t push me too far.’
‘Right, queen!’ Kitty leaned her elbows on the table and cupped her face. ‘Yer can imagine Ivy being over the moon, being invited in to see murder committed. She practically pushed Dave out of the way to get in the house first. And what did they find? Josie was setting the table and Jerry, the milkman, was in the kitchen fitting new shelves on the wall. Apparently he’s a friend of Dave’s, and he’d offered to come an hour each afternoon, as a favour, to whitewash the kitchen and fit new shelves. Of course Ivy didn’t want to believe them, so she was soft enough to say if that’s all they were up to, why had they drawn the curtains. Josie didn’t answer her, but Dave did, he wiped the floor with her. Said if he heard she’d even used his wife’s name again, he’d be over like a shot. He wouldn’t hit a woman, but he’d knock hell out of her husband and he in turn could do what he liked to punish her. He escorted her to the door, and as she was stepping down on to the pavement, he said, “Oh, the rentman comes here for a cup of tea to drink with the sandwiches his wife gives him. I’ll see him meself next week ’cos I’ll be on afternoon shift, so I’ll tell him ye’re keeping an eye on him. Now bugger off, and don’t even look sideways at my wife, ever again”.’
‘My God, sunshine, yer didn’t half stretch that story out. I could have told it in half the time.’
‘Shall I tell yer about the pregnant woman in half the time, then, queen?’
‘What pregnant woman?’
‘The one in our street!’
‘What about the pregnant woman in your street? She didn’t have the same milkman as Josie, did she?’
‘If ye’re going to be sarky, queen, I won’t bother telling yer about her.’
‘Good!’ Agnes rubbed a finger in circles on the fat on her elbows. Then curiosity got the better of her. She’d never rest if she didn’t find out. ‘What happened to the pregnant woman?’
But Kitty wasn’t going to be won over so easily. ‘No, yer wouldn’t be interested, queen, even if I did tell it quick.’
Agnes banged her clenched fist on the table so hard, it had the cups rattling in the saucers. ‘Tell me about the ruddy pregnant woman, sunshine, or I’ll come round this table and throttle the living daylights out of yer.’
‘Keep yer hair on, queen, it won’t do yer heart no good getting excited like that.’ Kitty was really enjoying herself and intended to milk the situation for all it was worth. Pushing her cup across the table, she said, ‘Pour me a cup of tea out, Aggie, ’cos me throat’s dry with all the talking.’
Pete and Jessie watched with interest. They knew Agnes and Kitty would never fall out so there was no fear of a real fight. By the time the end of their break came, they’d all go about their work laughing their heads off.
Agnes narrowed her lips into a straight line and flared her nostrils. ‘This had better be good, sunshine, or you and me are going to come to fisticuffs.’ She pushed the refilled cup back across the table. ‘Now, about this pregnant woman.’
The cleaner laced her fingers and formed a protective wall around the cup so it couldn’t be whipped away from her. ‘Well, she wasn’t really pregnant, queen, not really.’
‘How d’yer mean, not really? She was either in the puddin’ club, or she wasn’t. It’s not something yer can be half-hearted about.’
‘Well, it’s like this, queen. Her name’s Alma, and her husband goes away to sea. He’s away sometimes for as long as six months. Anyway, didn’t the bold Ivy pick on Alma. Said she had a fancy man what called to see her two or three times a week when her husband was away. Well, it got back to Alma and she decided to give the bad-minded so-and-so something to talk about. So she started to put things down her knickers to make her look as though she was in the family way. Every week or two she added a bit more, and Ivy Simpson was having a field day. She was telling everyone that the husband had been away five and a half months, and she was certain of that because she’d seen him going down the street with his sailor’s bag slung over his shoulder. A Wednesday it was, ten o’clock in the morning. Now, wasn’t he in for a shock when he came home to find his wife four months’ pregnant with another feller’s baby. But it was her what was in for a shock, and made to look a fool in front of the whole neighbourhood. Alma’s husband came home, and of course Ivy was expecting there to be murder. She actually stood outside their front door waiting for the fireworks to go off. Can yer imagine her disappointment when Alma came out on her husband’s arm, all lovely and slim? It was such a shock to Ivy’s system, she didn’t speak to a soul for weeks. But once people stopped laughing every time they saw her, she was back to her old tricks.’
‘There’s someone like her in every street, and they all get their come-uppance eventually.’ Agnes pointed to the clock. ‘Time we were all back at work. I think I told yer Mr Charles is calling about eleven, didn’t I?’
Jessie’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Ooh, I don’t have to open the door to him, do I, Aggie?’
‘No, you stay out of sight on the landing, I’ll open the door to him. And what a big let-down that’ll be, if he’s expecting a beautiful young girl. Serves him bleedin’ well right.’
Kitty pushed her chair back under the table, then did a little jig. ‘If yer want to give him a bigger let-down, let me open the door to him. He’ll think he’s at the wrong house.’
‘I think he’s at the wrong house anyway, sunshine, ’cos God alone knows what he sees in Miss Victoria. With his money, he could have anyone he wanted. Still, if yer can believe all the gossip yer hear, he might be a big catch money-wise, but that’s about all. He hasn’t got the best of reputations. Fond of married women, apparently.’ The housekeeper suddenly remembered young Jessie, and joking apart, that sort of talk was not for young ears. ‘Go on about yer business, and I’ll see yer later.’
‘Mother, when Charles arrives, do you think we could have some time on our own? Say after fifteen minutes, you remember something you have to do? Be discreet, of course, so it doesn’t appear obvious.’
‘Yes, of course, dear. I’ll stay for a short while out of politeness, then say I have a letter to write.’ Edwina was almost as eager as her daughter for Charles to propose. What a feather in her cap it would be. And how she would laugh in Robert’s face. ‘This is an unexpected visit, isn’t it?’
‘I was supposed to be going out for a meal with him this evening, but when he rang before, he said his father was away for the day on business, so he was taking advantage of his absence by allowing himself a few hours off.’ Victoria’s usually sullen face was looking as near to being happy as it ever would. ‘I think it’s a good sign, don’t you, Mother? He would hardly take time away from the office if he wasn’t really keen.’
‘I agree, my dear, it certainly looks promising.’
‘If he does propose, do you know what I shall take great pleasure in doing? Telling Father, and seeing the surprise on his face. I’ll have no need of the “small, but comfortable” house he intends to pack us off to. And I will relish every word when I tell him so.’
‘I would suggest caution there, Victoria, until you have an engagement ring on your finger. If things don’t turn out as you wish, and indeed as I wish, we would be at the mercy of your father. And if we push him too far, he could make life difficult by cutting our allowance. He has been generous with us, as you must admit, but all that could change.’
‘Oh, I feel quite confident about Charles. If he weren’t smitten, he’d spend the few hours he has free at his club, not with me.’
Edwina cocked an ear and lifted her hand. ‘There’s the bell now.’
Victoria crossed to the huge mirror over the marble fireplace and patted her hair into place. ‘Do I look all right, M
other?’
‘You look lovely, dear. Blue is definitely your best colour, it brings out the colour of your eyes. Charles is bound to be dazzled.’
There was a knock on the door and then Agnes appeared. ‘Mr Charles to see yer, Miss Victoria.’
Passing the housekeeper as though she wasn’t there, Victoria held her hands out to Charles. ‘How lovely of you to surprise me like this.’ She lifted her face for a kiss. ‘I was delighted when you phoned.’
Charles shook hands with Edwina before sitting down. ‘Why sit in a stuffy office when I can enjoy the company of two beautiful ladies?’
‘I shan’t be staying long,’ Edwina smiled sweetly. ‘I have a letter I must write today. But first I must enquire after your parents. I do hope they are both well?’
‘Both enjoying good health, I’m glad to say.’ Charles stretched his legs and crossed them at the ankles. As always, he was immaculately dressed in a suit of the finest cloth. The Paisley-patterned cravat around his neck was kept in place with a gold pin, in the centre of which was a large diamond, and his highly polished shoes peeped from below light grey spats. ‘They’re looking forward to the dinner party on Thursday.’
There were three people in the room, and each one of them would lie for their own ends. As Charles had just done. His parents were dreading Thursday, as they had no love for the two women he was now being over-polite with. But like everything in his life, Charles would have no compunction about lying to get what he wanted. His whole purpose in coming here today was to get something he badly wanted.
‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you now.’ Edwina gave him the benefit of one of her sickly sweet smiles. ‘I’ll ask Agnes to bring refreshments in fifteen minutes.’
‘No, don’t do that, Mother.’ Victoria didn’t want the housekeeper barging in at an inopportune moment. ‘I’ll ring when I need her.’
When Edwina was safely out of the room, Charles moved over to the chaise longue. He patted the space beside him, and said, ‘Come and sit next to me, my sweet.’