by Joan Jonker
Sadie was pulling Mary Ann towards the small box under the table. ‘Wait till yer see what I’ve bought meself.’ She brought the paper bag out and emptied the contents on top of the heap of clothes. ‘I got all that for a tanner.’
‘Yer done well, love.’ There was sadness behind Mary Ann’s smile. Fancy a girl of sixteen, a working girl, being so excited about a penny comb, a bar of cheap scented soap and a lipstick that would disappear a few minutes after she’d put it on her lips. ‘When yer all dolled up in yer finery, there’ll be no flies on you, they’ll all be bluebottles!’
Sadie put the things back in the bag. ‘I wanted to look nice on Monday. I told yer I was goin’ on the ferry, didn’t I?’
‘Yes, yer mentioned it last week, girl.’ It was Mary Ann’s turn to rummage in the box. ‘Don’t forget this dress ’cos yer’ve just given me sixpence for it.’ She held up the dress and was delighted when she heard Sadie’s gasp of pleasure. In pale beige, the dress had a round neck, short sleeves, a fitted bodice and flared skirt. And setting it off was an inch-wide stiffened belt, slotted through a loop either side of the waist and fastened in the front by a gold-coloured buckle.
‘Oh, it’s beautiful.’ Sadie shook her head, overcome with emotion. ‘I don’t know how to tell yer how grateful I am.’
‘Then don’t bother. Yer worked hard for the bleedin’ thing, didn’t yer? Anyway, it’s good for me business to have someone serving who’s dressed nice. And the way yer going on, girl, yer’ll be needing another wardrobe.’
‘Another wardrobe? I haven’t got one, never mind another one.’
Mary Ann’s eyes widened. ‘Yer haven’t got a wardrobe?’
‘Yer can’t turn around in the bedroom I sleep in, it’s that small. Me two brothers and me two sisters sleep in a double bed and I sleep on one of those canvas camp beds. There’s no room for anythin’ else.’
‘But yer mam must have a wardrobe in her room. Won’t she let yer use that?’
Sadie hesitated. Why did she feel this shame, as though it was her fault their house was so bare? And why should she pretend to a woman who’d been so good to her? ‘No, there’s no wardrobe in me mam’s room, either. Yer see, Mary Ann, she doesn’t look after clothes the way most women do. Half the time the kids’ things wear out without ever having been washed.’
Now she’d gone so far, Sadie wanted to get it all off her chest. This woman, who she didn’t even know existed until five weeks ago, had been the only person who’d offered warmth and friendliness, and the only one she could open her heart to. ‘Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I asked yer if I could have that paper bag? Well, that’s me wardrobe. Everything I own is in that bag, and I keep it under me bed.’
Mary Ann grimaced as she rubbed her knuckles back and forth across her brow. Not for one second did she doubt the girl’s words. But what a way for anyone to live. ‘I’ve told yer what I’d do, girl. I’d start savin’ me money and get away from there as fast as I could. They don’t deserve a daughter like you.’
Sadie noticed a few people trying to attract their attention and she dropped her belongings into the box. ‘Come on, Mary Ann, back to the grind. I’m not goin’ out early tonight, so I can stay a bit later an’ help yer pack up.’
‘If I disappear for a few minutes, girl, don’t send a search party out for me, will yer? I’m only goin’ to see a mate who has a stall near the entrance. I’ll be back before yer can say Jack Robinson.’
‘Take as long as yer like, Mary Ann, I can manage on me own.’
The stall-holder was no sooner out of sight than a fresh lot of people crowded the stall to root through the piles of clothes. There was much pushing and shoving but it was good-natured and Sadie enjoyed the challenge of managing the stall on her own. Her face was beaming and her eyes shining when Mary Ann returned. ‘I haven’t half been busy, Mary Ann – I’ve taken over three shillings!’
‘Good for you, girl. I’ll have to leave yer more often, then I’ll be able to retire a rich woman.’ There was a black handbag swinging from Mary Ann’s hand and she held it out to Sadie. ‘This is a little birthday present for yer. It’s not new, as yer can see, but it’s not in bad nick. Yer can put yer bits and bobs in it – save yer carryin’ a paper bag with yer everywhere yer go.’
The handbag was in black patent leather with a narrow handle and a gold clasp fastener. The handle was showing signs of wear and there were a few scratches on the surface of the patent leather, but Sadie was over the moon, thinking it would match her high-heeled shoes. ‘Mary Ann, yer a lovely woman an’ I’ll never be able to pay yer back for all the nice things yer’ve done for me. Just think, I had nothing the first day I came here, now I’ve got enough clothes to go anywhere I want without feeling dowdy. I can hold me head up with the best of them, thanks to you.’
‘Listen to me, girl – even if yer were dressed in a sack, yer’d still outshine everyone. Always remember that yer as good as anyone and a lot better than most.’ Mary Ann leaned forward to kiss her cheek. ‘Now, while yer putting yer bits into yer new bag, I’m goin’ to skate around this lot to prove I can make three bob as easily as you have. If it got out that Mary Ann had been bested by a chit of a girl, I’d never hear the end of it. I’d be the talk of the bleedin’ wash-house!’
Harry was waiting in the clearing when Sadie arrived. He’d made arrangements to meet her in the park to avoid being seen by nosy neighbours. ‘You’re looking very pleased with yerself!’ He’d never seen her looking so happy, she was positively glowing. ‘Have yer had a good day?’
‘I’ve had a wonderful day, Harry.’ Sadie swung the handbag back and forth in front of his face. ‘This is me birthday present off Mary Ann. See how it matches me shoes?’
‘Yeah, they go together a treat.’ Harry smiled but his thoughts were dark. If he had George Wilson there right now he’d strangle him with his bare hands. Out to the pub every night without fail, while his beautiful daughter was left to rummage through second-hand stalls at the market to try and make the best of herself. ‘You look lovely, Sadie.’ He held out an open hand and she covered it with one of hers. ‘And I’m glad yer had a nice day, yer deserve it.’
‘I’ve got another dress, too. I won’t let yer down on Monday, Harry, I’ll look nice for yer.’
‘I’m looking forward to it, Sadie, and I’ll be proud of yer.’ The thought that had been in Harry’s mind for days had to be put into words or he’d have another sleepless night. ‘How did the dance go?’
‘I only learned the three steps to a waltz, and that was walking round the floor. But I’m goin’ again next week, and every week after that, until I can dance proper, like some of the couples there last night. It was a pleasure to watch them.’
‘Are yer going with the same bloke every week?’
‘As long as he behaves himself. He’s a bit of a fast worker an’ I’ve got a feeling he’ll go too far one of these days. If he does, then that will be his lot.’
Harry pulled her towards him and put an arm around her waist. ‘Sadie, if yer think that, why go out with him?’
‘Because he serves a purpose,’ Sadie answered truthfully. ‘I’d never have him as a proper boyfriend because he reminds me of me dad. And anyway, like I’ve told yer before, I don’t intend settling down with any boy. I’m goin’ to stay footloose and fancy free.’
‘I don’t like to hear yer talking like that, Sadie, ’cos it makes yer sound hard. All men are not bad, yer know.’
‘I am hard, Harry, I admit it. And I know all men are not bad because of you. You’re me friend and I trust yer.’ She fixed her wide eyes on him and smiled. ‘Now, I’ll have me kiss and you can toddle off to see yer dancing partner. And we won’t leave the park together – I’ll go out of the far gate.’
Oh dear God, she knows I don’t want to be seen with her! She thinks it’s because I’d be ashamed, but I’d never be ashamed of Sadie, never! But how could he tell her the truth about his mother’s threat without hurting her even mo
re?
It was then the reality of Sadie’s life hit him between the eyes like a blow. And he knew why she said she was hard. She’d had to be, because every time she opened her front door and stepped into the street she had to face the hostility of the neighbours – one of them his own mother. And now, in her eyes, he was treating her the same. Someone to kiss in a secluded corner of the park, but not good enough to be seen out with in public. If he was twenty-one and had finished his apprenticeship, he might be in a position to do something about it. But at eighteen he would have to remain a coward.
Chapter Eight
‘Haven’t yer brought a coat or a cardi with yer?’ Harry asked, doubt on his face when he saw Sadie was only wearing the thin summer dress. ‘There’s always a chill wind blowin’ on the Mersey, even when the sun’s shining.’
‘I’ll be all right, honest.’ Sadie was too excited to feel the cold. And anyway, she wasn’t going to tell him she didn’t possess a cardi or a decent coat. They were standing by the rails of the ferry as it filled up at the landing stage, and the sensation of it bobbing up and down in the water was something Sadie had never experienced and she gripped tight hold of the rail. When she saw Harry leaning over to watch the white surf, she pulled him back. ‘Be careful, yer might fall in.’
He grinned up at her. ‘Will yer jump in and save me if I do?’
‘Some hope you’ve got. I can’t swim!’
‘Oh, dear.’ Harry covered her hand gripping the rail. ‘When yer’ve learned to dance, yer’ll have to take swimming lessons. Everyone should be able to swim – yer never know when yer might need to.’ He heard the gangplank being raised and told her, ‘We’re off.’
Sadie was fascinated as the boat moved away from the landing stage and slowly turned in the direction of New Brighton, cutting through the murky waters and leaving a trail of white foam in its wake. A sudden wave of spray came up over the rails to splash on Sadie’s face and dress, the coldness of the water making her catch her breath. ‘Oh, I’m drenched!’
Harry pulled her away from the rail before any more damage could be done. He handed her a pure white hankie, saying, ‘Here, wipe yer face an’ we’ll sit down. I’ll put me coat around yer.’
When Sadie sat on the long wooden seat that stretched the length of the boat, she burst out laughing. ‘A fat lot of good me scented soap has done me – it’s all washed off! And look at yer hankie – it’s got lipstick all over it.’ She doubled up with laughter. ‘Yer’ll have some explainin’ to do to yer mam when she finds that in the wash.’
Harry refrained from saying his mother was well used to washing hankies with lipstick traces on. But her dislike of the Wilsons was so great, if she knew whose lipstick it was she was more likely to burn the hankie than wash it. He took his jacket off and was handing it to Sadie when he remembered something. ‘Oh, hang on a minute.’ He took a small packet from one of the pockets, then said, ‘Slip yer arms in the sleeves an’ yer’ll soon warm up.’
Sadie did as she was told, then had a fit of the giggles. The coat swamped her and she had to pull the sleeves up to see her hands. ‘Yer could get two of me in this!’
‘I’m happy with just one of you, Sadie.’ Harry handed the small packet to her. ‘Happy birthday, Sadie Wilson.’ He kissed her on the cheek, bringing a blush to her face. ‘I hope yer like it. I’m not very good at knowin’ what to buy a girl.’
There was a lump in Sadie’s throat as she stared down at the present. Apart from Mary Ann’s, it was the only one she’d got. She’d left the house this morning without her birthday being mentioned by word or deed. She didn’t blame the children – they probably didn’t know it was a big day for her. But it wouldn’t have hurt her parents to give her a penny card and wish her a happy birthday. She should be used to their neglect by now, and she kept telling herself she didn’t care, but it still hurt.
She’d bucked up a bit when she got to work and Brenda gave her a card, and then Alec had passed one over to her during the dinner-break. They were in her handbag. But she hadn’t expected anything off Harry, not when he was taking her out.
‘If you open it, Sadie, I promise it won’t bite.’
‘I feel terrible.’ Her voice was low, her head bowed. ‘I’ve done nothing but take off you since that day in the entry, when you were fool enough to stop and ask why I was crying.’ She held the packet in the palm of her hand. ‘I can’t keep takin’ when I’ve nothing to give back in return. So take this, please, Harry, and give it to the girl yer call yer dancing partner.’
‘What! If I gave her a present she’d expect me to marry her!’ Harry pulled a face. ‘And that would be a fate worse than death.’
Sadie managed a smile. ‘Yer givin’ me a present and I don’t expect yer to marry me.’
‘Ah, well, that’s different.’ Harry was mentally apologising to Clare, the girl he went out with for the lies he was telling. ‘You haven’t got bandy legs and yer not cross-eyed.’
‘Harry Young! You’re terrible you are, talkin’ about the girl like that! I bet she’s as pretty as a picture.’
‘Aye, a picture no artist could paint.’ Harry winked to let her know he was joking. ‘Now, open yer present and give me a kiss for it, ’cos if yer don’t, I’ll throw it over the side of the boat.’
‘Only if yer tell me when your birthday is, so I can buy you a present. That’s fair, isn’t it?’
‘My birthday’s a couple of months off, but I’ll let yer know nearer the time and yer can take me out for the night.’
‘Yeah, okay.’ Sadie was secretly pleased. A present was a rare thing for her and she would have been sad if Harry had taken it back. She didn’t care if it was only a penny slab of Cadbury’s, it was a gift bought with her in mind. But when she ripped the top of the packet and saw what was inside she let out a squeal of delight before kissing Harry smack on the mouth, even though she knew there were amused glances coming their way from the other passengers leaning over the rails. ‘Californian Poppy! Oh, Harry, how did yer know this was the best thing in the whole world yer could have bought me?’
Sadie hummed softly as she unscrewed the top and turned the bottle upside down on her index finger. This was a day she would remember for a long time. She checked her finger and found it dry. ‘There’s none coming out.’ Her eyes looked enquiringly at Harry. ‘Look, there’s none on me finger.’
‘Sadie, yer’ve got to take that little rubber thing out first.’ She reminded Harry of a little girl getting her first present off Father Christmas. She looked so happy with her pretty face shining with pleasure, he felt a rush of gratitude towards Clare for using that particular scent, otherwise he would never have heard of it.
Sadie had pulled the little rubber stopper out and was holding the bottle to her nose. ‘I’ve never been in a garden with flowers in, but I bet it would smell just like this.’ She dabbed some of the perfume behind her ears like she’d seen Joan Crawford doing. Not that the film star used anything as common as a bottle, she used a spray, but at least she’d shown Sadie where it should go. After holding the small bottle to her nose and breathing a sigh of appreciation, she replaced the stopper and the screw top before leaning sideways towards Harry and putting an ear to his nose. ‘Do I smell nice, Harry?’
‘Like a garden full of flowers and I’m sitting next to a rose bush in full bloom.’
Sadie was more than satisfied with his answer and she folded her arms across her waist and hugged herself. ‘It’s me best birthday ever.’
Harry, in all innocence, asked a question that took the smile off her face. ‘What did yer get off yer parents?’
‘Sweet nothing.’
‘Nothing? Yer must have got something off them.’
‘Nothing, Harry. Not a present, a card, a birthday greeting or even a smile. It wasn’t even mentioned. In other words, what I got off me family was sweet Fanny Adams.’
Harry shook his head in disbelief. What sort of a family were they? But he wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
‘Never mind, they’re not worth worrying about.’ He reached for her hand. ‘We are goin’ to have the time of our lives at the fairground.’
But Harry didn’t know that just by watching Sadie he really was going to have the time of his life. She had never been to a fairground before and her eyes were wide with wonder at everything she saw. The rifle range, the coconut shy and the stall where you threw darts at cards pinned up at the back of the tent. Harry explained what you had to do to win a prize and asked if she’d like a go on one of the stalls.
‘Ooh, no! I’d make a fool of meself! You have a go for me, Harry, on the coconut shy.’
When he knocked one of the coconuts off its perch, Sadie shrieked with delight and clapped her hands. But he was unlucky with his next two throws and so didn’t qualify for a prize. But the man on the stall was so taken with Sadie’s obvious pleasure, he said, ‘Have another go, an’ if yer knock one off I’ll give yer a prize.’ When Harry hesitated he handed three balls over. ‘Come ’ed, yer can’t disappoint yer girlfriend!’
Much to Harry’s relief, he managed to knock a coconut off on his third throw and Sadie walked away holding a tiny teddy bear with a bow of pink ribbon around his neck. ‘That was good, Harry. I wouldn’t have hit one in a month of Sundays.’
Harry’s chest swelled with pride. ‘Come on, let’s have a look at the rides, see which yer’d like to go on.’
They stood for a while watching the Big Wheel turn and listening to the shrieks of the girls on the ride. ‘D’yer fancy that?’
‘No, thank you. I’d be terrified on that thing – look how high up those chairs are.’
Harry took her elbow. ‘Let’s try the Dodgems, then.’
They looked frightening to Sadie at first when she saw the cars whizzing around and bumping into each other. But she got used to it after a while and laughed as heartily as the occupants of the cars when there was a collision. ‘Ooh look, Harry, there’s four cars bumped into each other and they can’t turn around.’