by Carol Rivers
But after her friend had left, Polly was in no mood for the visit. 'I'll have to play with the babies again.'
'They are nice little boys, Pol.'
'But I'm a girl and much older.' Polly was not happy at all and went off in a huff.
But the next morning, Lizzie was pleased to see her mood had improved. The sun was shining brightly through every window, church bells were pealing and the shop was closed for the day. When breakfast was over, Polly changed into her party dress and Lizzie tied a pink ribbon in her hair.
'You look very nice, monkey.'
'Is Uncle Bert coming with us?' Polly asked.
'No, he's sleeping in.'
'He stinks of hospital these days,' said Polly tossing her curls. 'And he's always grumpy.'
'Don't be rude, darling. He's doing his best to cheer Jenny up.'
'He's lucky. He can go out on his own,' Polly retorted and bolted down the stairs. Lizzie sighed. These days Polly was very unpredictable. Where was the sweet little girl she used to be?
'Pol, you look very pretty,' Lil welcomed as they arrived.
'Where's are the boys?' Polly asked airily.
'Next door. You'd better go in and see them.'
'I suppose I don't have no choice,' Polly sniffed and ran off.
'Little Miss, ain't she?' Lil grinned as they sat down at the kitchen table. 'Don't worry, she'll grow out of it.'
Lizzie smiled as they sat down at the small table. 'Lil, did you hear about the fire at the bakery?'
Lil nodded as she poured the tea. 'Did your girls manage to put it out?'
'As a matter of fact, no.'
'What?' Lil looked alarmed. 'Me and Doug thought it might be one or two of Madge's pies that caught light.'
Lizzie shook her head. 'Jenny is in hospital. Madge has disappeared.'
'Christ almighty!' exclaimed Lil. 'The poor cows.'
'I'm worried about Madge. No one has seen her.'
'You mean she might have died in the fire?'
'Oh, Lil, I hope not. If it wasn't for me taking on the pub, Jenny would never be in hospital and Madge wouldn't be missing. I think it was Salvo Vella who did it.'
'Come on, now, love,' Lil consoled. 'You're imagining things.'
'I don't think I am.' Lizzie's voice broke.
'Blimey, you are in a bad way, gel. Tell me what happened.'
Lizzie poured out her story. Eventually Lil folded her arms and muttered, 'I have to agree with you. It's too much of a coincidence - the fire and him seeing Polly at school. Almost as if he's pushing you to yer limit.'
'Yes, and he's doing it.'
'I reckon young Elsie knows more than she's saying.'
'She might,' agreed Lizzie who had thought the same herself. 'But she won't tell, Lil. I begged her. But it was no use.'
Lil lit up and took a long drag. 'How's yer brother? He must be worried over Jenny.'
Lizzie nodded. 'He says she's lost a lot of her hair.'
'I'd do meself in if all my hair went,' Lil commented unhelpfully. 'It's a woman's crowning glory.'
A remark that Lizzie could have done without!
Chapter 40
Danny helped April into the smart Sunbeam saloon he'd parked outside of April's mid-Victorian semi-detached house. The car was rather ostentatious but April liked it. They were travelling up to Regent's Park to meet up with the Murdochs for a stroll, then on to other friends for tea. And finally, a soiree back at the Murdochs'. Though it would be a long day, Danny reminded himself that April had gone to great trouble to arrange it.
As April seated herself beside him and Tom climbed into the back, Danny's thoughts were preoccupied. Perhaps he was a little on edge. He and Hugo had endured a rather worrying episode a few days ago. He had been out demonstrating a car one morning when a band of hooligans had stopped outside the showrooms.
Hugo had ventured out and explained that the forecourt was private property. But the cavorting had continued and when a stone had been lobbed at the glass, Hugo had protested fiercely – for which he'd received a rather nasty knock on the nose.
Danny had returned with his customer, to find a bobby taking notes and Hugo holding a handkerchief up to his bloodied nose. Danny's customer, and several others who had been admiring the stock, had made off in haste.
'Those damned idiots,' Hugo had snarled, 'God knows where they appeared from. Even threatened to return after they attacked me.'
'Go home and rest up,' Danny had offered as a consolation and Hugo had quickly accepted.
But Danny was keenly aware that his business had a reputation to keep. His well-heeled customers expected an hour or two of luxury and light-hearted conversation when purchasing a vehicle. Certainly not a constable prowling the premises and a wounded salesman. He was worried, too, that Hugo might not stay the distance if there was a repeat performance.
With all this in mind, Danny drove towards the city, half listening to April as she described the Murdochs' recent holiday. 'Edith and her husband stayed near Balmoral,' she was explaining, 'cost an absolute fortune of course. But they have friends there. By the sound of them they could be royalty! You know, Daniel we should try the Highlands, or Edinburgh. Or perhaps somewhere a little warmer. Edith speaks very highly of the Cunard Line cruise ships.'
'Dad and me have been on a big ship, haven't we Dad?' said Tom from the back seat.
Danny smiled, recalling their long and memorable voyage from Australia back to Britain. 'We have indeed son.'
'We was in a storm. The ship lifted us right up and threw us off our seats,' Tom expounded. 'The captain had to put chains on all the chairs.'
'Now Tom, don't let your imagination run away with you,' April reproved.
'I'm not, am I Dad?' demanded Tom indignantly. 'That really happened, didn't it?'
Before Danny could answer, April pointed to the stream of motorised vehicles, trams, horse drawn carriages and carts rumbling and chugging in front of them along the Commercial Road. 'Daniel, isn't there another route to take? It's very hot inside the car.'
'Can't we go to Island Gardens instead?' asked Tom.
'Another day, Tom, when you and your father go out together.'
'But we're always with you,' Tom retorted and Danny glanced warningly in the mirror.
'I only meant we ain't ever on our own,' replied Tom truculently.
'Tom,' said April half-turning, 'please try to speak the King's English.'
Danny felt his heart twist as Tom curled his legs up on the seat and sank his chin to his knees. He had never corrected Tom about the way he spoke. It was the manner they always conversed in. But lately April had been on at the boy. She intended it only as a help, but Danny felt for his son.
'When you go to your new school,' April continued, 'you will have to mind your p's and q's.'
'I'm not going to a new school, am I Dad?' Once again Tom sat forward. 'You promised!'
'Your father made no such promise, I am certain,' April disagreed, glancing sharply at Danny.
There was a moment's silence before Danny gathered his thoughts. As he moved the car only inches forward, he said, 'April, I told the lad there were no plans yet. We haven't even found a house.'
'Then you misinformed him,' April said curtly. 'I have a very nice house in mind, quite near to Edith. I saw it only last week.'
Danny took his eyes from the road in surprise. 'You never said!'
'I wanted to make certain it was what we wanted.'
'How could you, without me?' Danny demanded, beginning to lose his composure.
'You're always at work,' April accused. 'We would never move if it was up to you.'
Danny misjudged the gears and the engine stalled. The car shook and shuddered. He cursed under his breath. He wanted to answer that not moving would be perfectly acceptable to him. In fact, it would be the very best outcome he could hope for. But, as he looked into her face and saw the hurt there, he swallowed on his irritation.
This Easter was when he had planned to ask Apr
il to marry him. To give her the ring in the velvet box that he kept in his pocket.
Perhaps April was right. Work consumed most of his time. And it seemed to him, the Murdochs occupied the remainder!
He set the car going again and the traffic picked up speed. An orange sun splashed its way through lumpy grey clouds. Steeling himself, Danny took a deep breath.
He studiously avoided the tear-filled blue eyes that he knew were staring at him from the rear seat. He turned the car off the Commercial Road and motored towards the city, hoping that a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery would lighten all their moods.
Chapter 41
After Polly had taken Callum into Flo's, Lizzie and Lil sat together on the yard wall, discussing the bakery fire. Lil smoked another cigarette, drawing the nicotine deep into her lungs as she offered an opinion on the unfortunate events that had befallen Lizzie.
Lil's voice drifted in and out of her head as Lizzie breathed in the strong smell of the the docks; the dirty, flotsam-filled water and the polluted wharfs banked by mossy green walls. The aroma reminded her of the days when she would mudlark with Vinnie and Bert and take Flo and Babs to the park to play under the dark, damp railways arches. If she was blindfolded now, she would know where she was; the horse dung left on the cobbles to dry, the brewery men's carts that clattered up and down, the pie shops' kitchens and the coffee canteens and the throb of East End activity that brought with it a smell that was like no other. Everyone she knew and loved lived within a stone's throw of Langley Street. Except one. Her mind wandered to Danny and Murphy's advice. She understood his reasoning, and trembled a little at the thought of facing Vella alone.
Lil tapped her on the shoulder. 'A penny for your thoughts, ducks.'
'My thoughts don't amount to much lately,' Lizzie confessed. 'Is Mrs Price right? The fire might never have happened if I hadn't took on the pub. Jenny wouldn't have got burned and Madge wouldn't be missing.'
'Listen, what's done is done,' Lil replied firmly. 'Count your blessings. Jenny ain't dead and will get better. And Madge will probably turn up.'
'Somehow I doubt it.'
'Didn't no one see her?'
'Apparently not.'
Lil put an arm around Lizzie's shoulders. 'Don't like to see you so down. You know, your mum used to say, it will all come out in the wash.'
Lizzie nodded. 'I hope she was right, Lil.'
'Kate was a good neighbour, the best. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. And I hope you know I'd do anything to help you.'
Lizzie smiled. 'That's why I'm here now, telling you all my worries. Speaking of which, how is Ethel?'
Lil rolled her eyes. 'Upstairs, no doubt. Gazing out of the window looking for Rosie and Timothy.'
'Has she heard anything from them?'
'Not a word.' Lil narrowed her eyes. 'There's been times I've wanted to drag her into the car and get Doug to drive us over to Lewisham. That's what I would do, if left up to me. I'd bang on Cora Ryde's door until she opened it, then demand to see my kids.' She heaved a sigh. 'But Ethel ain't me. And Doug says I'm to behave meself.'
'He's probably right.'
Lil laughed. 'Now let's go in and I'll call Ethel down.'
Lizzie followed Lil back through the kitchen. When Ethel appeared, Lizzie hugged her friend close. 'Ethel, how are you, love?'
'Oh, you know.'
Lizzie saw her friend was still well and truly in the doldrums. Her blonde hair was scraped severely back from her face. She wore no make-up and hadn't bothered to put on a clean dress. Even when Lizzie explained about the fire and Madge and Jenny, she showed little interest.
It was not until Syd arrived at the back door with the two little boys, that Ethel managed a smile.
'Come in, son,' invited Lil with a smirk. 'You must have smelled the tea. We was just having a chat.'
'Ta,' Syd said eagerly. 'The two lads have turned me place upside down. They wanted to come in and see their Auntie Lizzie. Young Pol is out in the yard with her skipping rope.'
'Where's Flo?' Lizzie asked as Nelson and Callum made off to the front room.
'She's gone to the doctor's.'
'What for?' Lil demanded as Syd sat down. 'She ain't ill is she?'
Syd shook his head. 'No, the opposite.'
Lil almost choked. 'Flo's not up the spout again?'
'Think so.'
Lil cackled. 'Blimey, you two didn't waste no time!'
'Mum!' cried Ethel indignantly.
'Congratulations, Syd,' Lizzie told her brother-in-law. 'That's wonderful news.'
'Do you want a boy or girl?' Ethel asked quietly.
'Wouldn't mind either.' Syd's smile faded. 'I am a bit worried, as the doctor told Flo she might not be able to have another kid. Even if she does, she'll have to stay in bed. And you know Flo. She won't be happy about that.'
'She'll have to do as she's told,' Lil said archly. 'Does the Missus know?'
Syd looked even more downcast. 'I'm biding me time. Think we'll leave it a while.'
'Why's that?' asked Lil as she poured him a cup of tea. 'The old girl will be over the moon.'
'Yes, but I want to have plan A - and B - ready.'
'Syd, you ain't making much sense, ducks.' Lil screwed up her eyes.
'It's me job,' he muttered. 'I've decided to jack in the scrapyard.'
'What? With another kid on the way? You must be nuts,' spluttered Lil.
'I ain't told Flo, not in her condition.'
'So, you're telling us instead,' Lil said acidly.
'Mum, just let him speak,' Ethel pleaded.
Lizzie felt her heart jerk. Something was wrong. 'Go on, Syd,' she urged.
'The Missus wants me to take over the business. And that's bad news.'
'Why?' said Lizzie, Ethel and Lil together.
He pushed his hands over his face and sighed. 'Last night the Missus's house was raided. The coppers found swag under her floorboards. Walter and Clifford was nicked.'
All went silent until Lizzie found her voice. 'What kind of swag?' she enquired, a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach.
'Gold, silver, diamonds,' replied Syd with a gulp. 'My brothers done over a jewellers' up West. Cleaned out all the sparklers and blew open the safe. Took the whole ruddy lot.'
'Oh, Gawd,' Lil breathed. 'They'll get a long stretch for that.'
Syd nodded dismally. 'That's not the worst. They done over a guard. Put the poor bugger in hospital.'
To which there was a united gasp.
Chapter 42
The hospital was very quiet on Easter Monday as Lizzie made her way along the narrow corridors. The unpleasant smell of disinfectant grew stronger as Lizzie neared the ward. When she entered through the doors, all the beds were full and the nurses scurrying round to make sure the few visitors did not tire their patients.
Lizzie made her way down to the last bed on the left. She was shocked to see it was empty and the frail figure slumped beside it in a chair, was Jenny. The bandages had been removed from her head and she wore a sort of white cap instead. Her long hospital gown covered her burned legs, and her bandaged hands were placed, very still, on her lap. When she saw Lizzie, she tried to smile, but her lips were still swollen and cracked.
'Jenny, how good it is to see you! I didn't expect to find you sitting up.'
'They put me in the chair because it's bad for my chest to lay down.' Jenny saw the oranges that Lizzie had brought. 'They look nice.'
Lizzie put them at the end of the bed, then drew up a small wooden chair. 'Jenny, are you in pain?'
'Only a little,' Jenny said through her sore lips. 'I try to keep still while the burns heal.' She gave a raspy cough.
'Can you sleep?'
'Yes, they give me a pill.'
'What about your hair?'
Jenny raised her bandaged hand. 'They cut it all off, even the good bits. It's to stop the infection.'
'It will grow again.'
'I don't know about that. But the nurses a
re very kind.'
'What does the doctor say?'
Jenny coughed and tried to catch her breath. 'What he always says. Only time will tell.'
'Bert is very upset,' Lizzie assured her. 'And so am I.'
'It wasn't you that caused the fire. Have you seen Elsie?'
'I was worried about her so I went to Lavender Court where she lives. When I got there, it was Elsie who answered the door. I was relieved to see her, but she wasn't as pleased to see me.'
'It's that husband of hers. He treats her badly.'
'I thought he was sick.'
Jenny moved slightly in her chair. 'That's what Elsie says, so people don't ask any questions.'
Lizzie heaved a deep sigh. 'Well the long and short is, Elsie shut up as tight as a clam.'
'I'm sorry, but Elsie is a strange one.'
The sat talking for a while until it was time for Lizzie to leave. 'Jenny, you must come home to us when you leave this place. The airey is very large. You'll have your own quarters and be quite private.'
Jenny lifted her sore eyes. 'What does Bert think about that?'
'Hasn't he told you?'
Jenny shook her head.
Lizzie smiled. 'He's very fond of you.'
'But I won't have any hair,' Jenny sobbed.
Lizzie looked at this brave little woman and her heart went out to her. 'Jenny, it will grow back wait and see. Now try to rest.'
The visitors in the ward began to leave and after kissing Jenny goodbye, Lizzie joined them. When she got to the door, she turned back. The nurse was helping Jenny into bed. She looked an old woman. A lump came to Lizzie's throat. Jenny hadn't deserved this. She was so very brave.
Lizzie couldn't hold back her tears.
Chapter 43
The news that Lizzie was dreading came a week later. The same policeman who called before, arrived at the shop. He dismounted from his bicycle, strode in and took an official looking document from his breast pocket.
'This is from the coroner's office,' he boomed.