by Joan Jonker
He grinned. ‘Go on, you twisted my arm.’ After putting his hat and gloves on the big dresser, he laid his coat over the back of a chair and sat down. ‘How are things with you, Pete? Well, I hope?’
‘Yeah, fine, Mr Robert. There’s not much doing in the garden with the weather getting colder, hardly any colour at all. But I’m turning the soil over and preparing the ground for the start of spring.’
‘Good!’ Robert turned to Kitty. ‘I haven’t seen Alf here since that day in the summer. Has he been unwell?’
‘No, he’s not been so bad.’ Kitty was really pleased the boss had mentioned her husband. It just showed how thoughtful he was. ‘He would like to come, but he’s frightened of making a nuisance of himself.’
‘Nonsense! How can he be a nuisance?’
‘I’ve told her over and over that Alf’s welcome,’ Pete said. ‘But I might as well talk to the ruddy trees.’
‘Kitty, tell Alf I insist he comes to give Pete a hand. The garden is big, the air is free, so he must take advantage of it.’
‘I’ll tell him, Mr Robert, and he’ll be over the bleedin’ moon. He never complains, but he must get fed up being stuck in that little house all day. It’s enough to send him ga-ga.’
‘The last thing we want is to see Alf going ga-ga, Kitty, so you pass on my message.’ Robert gazed down the table to where Jessie sat, eyes wide and ears alert. But her tongue remained silent, as it always did in the presence of any member of the family. ‘Jessie, I wanted to have a word with you, too. I’m looking for a couple of cleaners to work in a house near the city centre, just for two or three days. I wondered if your mother would be interested?’
The eyes of the young girl became wider and brighter. ‘Oh yes, Mr Robert, she’d be made-up. D’yer want me to ask her?’
‘I’ll call and see her myself. Will she be home now?’
‘Not until twelve o’clock, when the children come home from school for something to eat. Well, she gets in before twelve, really, ’cos she’s got to be there to let them in. If yer got there for a quarter to, she should be home.’
‘I’ll give her a knock then.’ Robert drained his cup and nodded to the housekeeper. ‘The best cup of tea in Liverpool, Agnes, bar none. And now I’ll go and have a word with my wife.’
The four pairs of eyes followed him until he was out of sight and the door closed behind him. The housekeeper could see Kitty was bursting to say something, and as soon as she opened her mouth, Agnes stretched across and covered it with her hand. ‘Not one word until he’s out of the bleedin’ house, Kitty Higgins, or I’ll clock yer one. And anyway, it’s time we were all doing what we get paid to do. And don’t be pulling faces behind me back ’cos I’ll see yer.’
Kitty didn’t reply until she was near the door, and safety. ‘I always said yer had eyes in yer backside, Agnes Weatherby. Miserable sod, yer are.’
‘Miserable sod or not, sunshine, don’t you two be laughing and talking out there, ’cos Mr Robert will be in the drawing room having a serious talk with Miss Edwina.’
‘How d’yer know it’ll be serious, queen?’
‘What else will it be, soft girl, with a woman who wouldn’t know a joke if yer drew her a picture of it. If yer think I’m a miserable sod, what would yer call her?’
Kitty folded her thin arms across her flat chest, and cupped her chin in one hand. ‘I can’t think of a word that fits. I mean, what’s worse than miserable? But I’ll tell yer what, queen, when I’m out there not laughing or talking, I’ll put me thinking cap on and come up with something, you see if I don’t.’
After the little woman had left the room, Agnes moved with speed to cross the floor and stand with her ear to the door. She had to put her hand over her mouth to quieten her laughter when she heard Kitty ask, ‘Ay, queen, if yer saw a woman who looked a real miserable cow, but yer couldn’t call her that, what would yer call her?’
‘I don’t know, Kitty,’ Jessie said. ‘How about miserable bugger?’
‘Nah, that’s no good! The cow and the bugger are all right, it’s the miserable we want another word for.’ The voice became more distant as the two cleaners moved away, but Agnes could just make out Kitty saying, ‘There’s a dog in our street what looks as miserable as sin, and Alf calls him something but I can’t remember what it is now. I’ll ask him when I get home, save me wearing me brain out.’
Agnes opened the door and hurried after them so she wouldn’t have to raise her voice. ‘How can yer wear out what yer haven’t got, sunshine?’
Her face a picture of innocence, Kitty asked, ‘How did yer know I didn’t have no vest on?’
The housekeeper looked at her as though she’d gone mad. ‘What are yer on about yer ruddy vest for?’
‘’Cos I wore it out, that’s why. So I know bleedin’ well I can’t wear it out when I haven’t got one.’
Agnes looked at Jessie, shrugged her shoulders and held out her hands. ‘I give up, I can’t win.’ With that she made her way back to the kitchen to double up with laughter. What a case that Kitty was. She might act daft, but by God she was far from it. She had an answer for everything.
Robert sat in a chair facing his wife. Telling himself to be calm and not let her rile him, he said: ‘I’m having six tea chests delivered tomorrow, and I’ve asked Agnes to see that three are taken to your bedroom and the rest to Victoria’s. It would help if you would start packing yours with everything you wish to take with you. I would prefer everything to be taken in the one pick-up, so there is no need for you to return to this house for anything. And when you have packed away your belongings, perhaps you can start on Victoria’s. If you need help, young Jessie will oblige.’
‘Am I not to be told where we are going to live?’ Edwina’s eyes were cold and hard. ‘Or do you intend to leave it until the last minute?’
‘I only found out myself an hour ago, so I could hardly have told you sooner. It is a fine house in Rodney Street, which George Chisholm is buying as a wedding present. I am to furnish it throughout. With luck everything will be in order for Victoria and Charles to move into the day they arrive back in Liverpool. If you wish to move in before, to make sure all is to your liking, I will try and make that possible.’
‘And what if the house isn’t to our liking?’
‘Then that is tough luck, Edwina. You see, Victoria will no longer be my responsibility; she will have a husband to care for her needs. Her allowance will continue for six months, then all ties between us will be severed – except, of course, for when the child is born. I will naturally wish to see my grandchild and will make sure he, or she, wants for nothing. As for you, I will place a one-off sum of money in your name in the bank. It will be a substantial sum, and as you will be living with your daughter, and have no expenses to pay out, you should be comfortable.’
‘What about my allowance? That will continue, surely?’
Robert shook his head. ‘No, that will discontinue as from the end of this month. When you move out of this house we will be a separated couple, and when the divorce comes through we will cease to be man and wife. Only you and I know we ceased to be that a long time ago.’ He rose from the chair and looked down at her. ‘At the end of the month I will pay a large sum of money into the bank in your name. If you choose to squander it, that is your affair. But don’t come to me for more, because the answer will be a definite refusal. And now I must get back to the office. Goodbye, Edwina.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
For six days Robert was rushed off his feet. He managed to get the house furnished as he’d hoped, but admitted he would never have made it without Jessie’s mother, Edna. She was a brilliant worker, quick and very efficient. She moved through the house like a whirlwind, with her twelve-year-old daughter and a neighbour in her wake. Robert had been doubtful about a twelve-year-old being of any help, but Edna explained that Laura had taken over looking after the younger children when Jessie started work, and also helping in the house. ‘She can clean as good as me
, Mr Robert,’ Edna had said. ‘She’s a real good kid.’ And she was right. The furniture, ornaments and mirrors that Robert had delivered were gleaming before they’d been in the house half an hour. And now, apart from a few pieces that still had to be picked up and delivered today, the house was shining from top to bottom.
‘Edna, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You’ve worked very hard, and so have your neighbour and daughter. I am so grateful.’ Robert grinned at her, and tired as he was, there was a twinkle in his eye. ‘I’ll tell you what, you can’t half move. There were times when I didn’t know if you’d passed me, or whether I was imagining things.’
‘Can’t afford to stand still when I’m getting paid for doing a job,’ Edna said. ‘I’ve got two little cleaning jobs, and if I wasn’t quick I’d be out on me ear. There’s a lot of people out of work so yer have to look after yer job if ye’re lucky enough to have one. Besides, I’d rather be using a bit of elbow grease than standing round gossiping.’
‘My sentiments, exactly.’ Robert hadn’t mentioned wages, so he was at a loss. ‘Edna, help me out, please. I know the wages should have been discussed before you started the job, but I didn’t expect you to have to stay on so long. So taking into account how hard you’ve worked, what would you say a fair wage would be for the three of you?’
‘Give us a couple of pound, Mr Robert, and we’ll share it.’
‘Nonsense, you all deserve more than that.’ Robert had folded ten brand new one-pound notes, knowing five-pound notes would be more trouble to change. ‘There’s ten pounds there, Edna, share it out as you think best.’
Her mouth gaped. ‘We can’t take that much off yer! I only get a shilling for a morning’s work at me other jobs. This is far too much.’
‘Take it, Edna, you’ve certainly earned it. And I’m more than satisfied I got my money’s worth.’
She took the folded wad of notes and slipped it into her overall pocket. ‘It’s no wonder our Jessie thinks the world of yer, Mr Robert, ’cos ye’re a real gent. There’s not many like you around, I can tell yer.’
‘Oh, I think most men behave like gentlemen when they’re in the presence of a lady.’
‘Thank you for that, but I have to admit there are times I behave in a very unladylike manner. It would take someone with the patience of a saint not to get bad-tempered when they’re doing two jobs to help out with their husband’s lousy wages, plus look after the kids and do all the washing, ironing and cooking.’
‘Whenever you’re feeling that way inclined, just remember this. You’re a very loving mother who has taught her children the value of good manners, hard work and respect for other people. I would say that you have been very successful in your role as mother. Not everyone can say that, Edna. And I’m speaking from experience.’
Before she could answer, there came a knocking on the door. ‘I’ll see to it, Mr Robert.’ Edna stepped back in surprise when she saw the huge van with Dennison & Son written in large letters at the side. ‘Is this the delivery yer were expecting, Mr Robert?’
He nodded. ‘Two double beds, which finally completes the furnishing of the house. Would you show the driver where the two bedrooms are, please? The bed with the pink mattress is to go in the front room with the tea chest of matching bedclothes. The blue bed goes in the back bedroom with the other tea chest.’
The driver gave a nod of respect before following Edna up the stairs. Then Robert made for the drawing room to sit and contemplate. The beds being delivered were from his own home. Never again did he want to set eyes on the big double bed which had graced his bedroom for many years but held no happy memories for him. So Edwina would be sleeping in her own bed tonight, while he slept, for the last time, on that small, cramped bed in his dressing-room. And he never wanted to be reminded of Victoria, so she and her new husband would be sleeping in her bed when they returned from Scotland the next day. Victoria, who had phoned her mother twice in the last few days, had been brought up to date with the arrangements, but Edwina had not said what her reaction had been. And Robert, physically and mentally exhausted wasn’t really interested in what her feelings were. She had left Liverpool an unmarried pregnant woman, but she wouldn’t waste time feeling ashamed. She had wanted Charles and she got him by means which left Robert sickened by the whole affair and wishing the next two days would fly over. He knew his daughter would be dissatisfied with everything that had been done for her. Not for a second would she think of the hard work that had gone into this house, nor the money spent by George and himself. It was a lovely house, one to be proud of. Every room was beautiful, with furniture the best that money could buy. But instead of counting her blessings, Victoria would find fault with everything. He just thanked God he wouldn’t have to listen to it because he was quite sure that would be the breaking-point for him.
The door opened and Edna popped her head in. ‘The van’s gone, Mr Robert, so d’yer want us to make the beds up for yer before we go?’
‘If you would, Edna, I’d be very grateful. I’ve got someone coming in an hour, and the beds looking nice would be the icing on the cake. You are an angel, my dear, and your helpers.’
‘We’ll have them done and be out in an hour, not to worry.’ Her head disappeared for a few seconds, then came back into view. ‘I’m not a bad person, Mr Robert, I always try to help someone if I can.’ When she smiled he could see where Jessie got her looks from. ‘But if yer heard me language sometimes, yer’d know I’m a fallen angel whose halo has slipped.’
George and Annabel Chisholm stood in the hall of the house in Rodney Street and it was plain to see they were surprised and pleased. ‘If I hadn’t seen the number on the door I would have thought I was in the wrong house, Bob,’ George said. ‘You’ve done an excellent job, and in such a short time. You must have worked like a beaver to have achieved what I can only describe as a miracle.’
‘My husband is right, Robert.’ Annabel’s spirits were uplifted after being taken on a tour of the house. There wasn’t a thing she could see that looked out of place. ‘You have very good taste in furniture, carpets, drapes and everything. In fact, there are a few pieces of furniture I would love to have in my own home. I’m sure the children will be delighted and very grateful.’
George turned away so his wife wouldn’t see the face he pulled, or his eyes being cast towards the ceiling. He loved her dearly, but she’d been so petted and pampered all her life she was ignorant of what went on in the real world. Charles wouldn’t come home with his tail between his legs, because he knew his darling mother would welcome him with open arms.
However, Robert felt free to say what he thought. ‘I don’t expect any expression of gratitude, Annabel, because I know the reality would not live up to my expectations. My daughter is a very selfish person who thinks only of herself. And I have to say your son is very much the same. If they weren’t so selfish, they would have thought of their families before engaging in an act which has brought shame on us. And they wouldn’t have had to scurry off to Scotland to be married, hoping their friends, in eight months’ time, will not have the brains to work out that it was a marriage of necessity.’
He saw the sadness in her face and put a hand on her arm. ‘Annabel, you are a lovely, gentle, kind person who wouldn’t see bad in anyone. I may be hurting you now, but if you believe what I have to say, you will be spared a lot more hurt in the future. Love your son by all means, because he will probably have need of it. But tread carefully around my daughter, who is incapable of loving anyone but herself, and can be really devious. So I warn you, as a friend, to be wary of her. Do not take anything she says as the gospel truth. You may think me a cold, cruel father to say such things about his own child, but I want to spare you the pain she has caused me over the years, and my two youngest children.’
‘Bob is right, darling,’ George said, taking his wife’s arm. ‘We have never really liked Victoria, and we would be lying if we said otherwise. So as he said, tread carefully and do not
be taken in by her. And now we must be on our way because Mrs Dennison is due here at any minute. She is coming a day early to make sure the house is warm and welcoming for her daughter and our son.’
‘Is it true that your wife is coming to live here?’ Annabel asked. ‘Doesn’t that seem very unusual?’
‘It is what Victoria and Edwina wished. They get along very well and I have to say Edwina will make sure the house is well run. For myself, I am glad that is the case. I am in the process of divorcing my wife, so this separation suits me perfectly.’
Annabel searched his face. His daughter might be devious, but Robert Dennison certainly wasn’t; he was a very honest man. It must have hurt him dreadfully to say what he had, and she admired him no end for it. ‘Robert, you must come to dinner one night, just so we can show our appreciation for the enormous help you’ve given in this most difficult and distressing time.’
‘Thank you, I would like that very much. But give me a few weeks to get my life back into some sort of order. And when I come, I would like to bring a friend, providing you have no objection?’
‘Not at all, old boy! We’d be delighted.’ George slapped him on the back before opening the front door. ‘We’ll be on our way so you can finish off what you have to do. No doubt you will be glad to see the back of the place after spending the last six days in and out.’
‘I won’t be sorry, that’s for sure. As soon as Edwina comes and has a general look around to see where everything is, I’ll make myself scarce.’ There was no front garden to the house, and Robert stood on the step to wave them off. They were just driving away when a taxi pulled up and his wife stepped out.
‘Pay the man.’ Edwina swept past him and entered the house. ‘Don’t give him a tip, he was most disagreeable.’
Robert paid the taxi driver and gave him a sixpence tip. There was no doubt in his mind who the most disagreeable person in that taxi had been. With a sigh, he returned to the house to find his wife standing as straight as a ramrod in the hall. Her face was contorted, as though she had a bitter taste in her mouth. Being tired and hungry, Robert felt he couldn’t stand much of her company. ‘I’ll give you a quick tour so you can familiarise yourself with where things are. Then I’m going home – I haven’t eaten all day.’