by Joan Jonker
‘No, girl, just something that takes me fancy.’
‘What about Tony, the bloke on the shoe stall opposite?’ Over the weeks Sadie had learned that the more you talked, the more you sold. ‘Does he take yer fancy?’
Dot grinned. ‘That begs the question, would he fancy me?’
‘Ay!’ Elsie gave her friend a dig in the ribs. ‘This is supposed to be a superior-quality clothes stall, not a ruddy knocking shop.’
‘We aim to please our customers, Elsie,’ Sadie said. ‘If Dot fancies Tony then I’m quite prepared to oblige and go and ask him what price he puts on himself.’
‘Well, while yer at it, ask if he’s got a friend for me,’ Elsie said. ‘But tell him mine must have a few bob in his pocket and all his own teeth.’
‘Okay, but hang on to yer sixpence until I’ve been over in case yer owe me more. Yer see, fixing yez up with fellers is an extra service and we charge tuppence for it.’
‘Blimey, it is a knocking shop!’ Elsie pushed the jumper into her basket and handed sixpence over. ‘Hurry up an’ serve me friend, I don’t want to be seen associating with such disreputable people. That’s how yer get yerself a bad name. There’s an old saying, and it’s a true one, that yer can tell a person’s character by the company they keep.’
Dot winked at Sadie while jerking her head sideways at Elsie. ‘If that’s true, what the hell am I doing with you? Doesn’t say much for my character, does it?’
While Sadie was showing a variety of blouses to Dot, a lilac-coloured one took Elsie’s eye and that went into her basket and another sixpence was passed over. Not to be outdone, her friend also bought two items, bringing Sadie’s takings up to seven shillings for the few hours she’d been there. She felt as though she was walking on air when she took the money to Mary Ann.
‘That’s good, isn’t it, Mary Ann? Just think how much it’ll be next week when I’m here for the full day.’
‘Yer’ve done well, girl, but don’t be expectin’ sales like that every day. There’ll be times when yer standin’ on yer feet for hours on end, blue with the cold, and only take a couple of bob the whole bleedin’ day. Especially in the winter when folk won’t brave the cold unless they’ve got to. So learn to take the rough with the smooth, sunshine, and don’t let anythin’ get yer down ’cos it ain’t worth it.’
‘Okay, I’ll remember that when I’m shiverin’ with the cold. I’m good at imagining things, so when the snow’s coming down I’ll pretend the sun’s crackin’ the flags.’
‘Yer’ll have to teach me that trick some time, girl, ’cos I’ve got to admit I’m not at me best when it’s raining or snowing,’ Mary Ann said. ‘It’s me chilblains, yer see. They affect me something chronic when the weather’s bad.’
‘Will it be all right if I clear me stall away now?’ Sadie asked. ‘I told Grandma I’d be home for tea and I’ve got a date with Geoff at half-seven.’
‘Yeah, go ’ed, there’s not much doing now. By the way, did yer have enough money left after paying me to give Sarah something for yer keep?’
Sadie nodded, giving a smile of satisfaction. ‘I’m straight with everyone, don’t owe no one a penny. I’m what you would call skint and happy.’
‘I can lend yer a couple of coppers if yer stuck, girl – yer only have to ask.’
‘Thanks, Mary Ann, but I don’t want to borrow. If I start straight from next week, I’ll know exactly where I’m working and can spend accordingly.’ Sadie put her hand on the stall-holder’s arm. ‘There is somethin’ yer can do for me, though, Mary Ann.’
‘Oh aye, here it comes! Navy blue dresses with white lace collars!’
Sadie looked mystified. ‘What navy-blue dresses with white lace collars?’
‘Nothing, girl, it’s just that sometimes I have a good imagination, too. Not often, like, just perhaps once every blue moon. Anyway, whatever it is yer’ve got on yer mind, spit it out before it chokes yer.’
‘Well, it’s like this yer see.’ Sadie clasped her hands together and held them to her chest. ‘I wondered if yer’d think I was cheeky if I asked yer to let me call yer Auntie Mary?’
Mary Ann swallowed hard as she stared into the beautiful, flawless face. The face that had the power to reduce her to tears. ‘I don’t know what good yer think it’ll do yer.’ She held her chin in her hand and gave a weak smile. ‘But if yer daft enough to want me for an auntie, then by all means be my guest.’
‘It’ll give me something to talk about when I go out with Geoff.’ Sadie’s face was aglow. ‘I can say me grandma said this, or me grandad said that, and me Auntie Mary told me so-and-so. I’ve never been able to mention me family before, but I can now.’ A big hug had Mary Ann gasping for breath. ‘Thank you, Auntie Mary, that’s a better present than selling those two blouses to Elsie’s friend. In fact, I’m so happy, if we’d had this conversation before they came I’m sure I could have talked her into buying three.’
‘Yer ambitious, girl, I’ll say that for yer. Now poppy off and let me get some of these stragglers served. And tell yer grandma and grandad that yer Auntie Mary sends them her best wishes. Ta-ra, sunshine.’
‘Ta-ra, Auntie Mary.’
‘Hey, hang on a minute, girl, I’ve just thought of something.’ Mary Ann was shaking with mirth when Sadie turned back. ‘Yer know this imagination of yours, where yer able to think the sun’s crackin’ the flags when it’s snowing? Well, yer wouldn’t let yer imagination run away with yer, would yer? What I mean is, yer wouldn’t stand in six inches of snow with a parasol over yer head to keep the sun off yer face, would yer? After all, not everyone’s been blessed with this vivid imagination and if me customers thought me young assistant from the superior-quality clothes stall was doolally pop, they’d stay away in droves and I’d end up in the poor house.’
Sadie adopted a dramatic pose. With the back of an open hand across her brow, she sighed deeply before saying in a posh theatrical voice, ‘Alas, an auntie of mine in the poor house – never! As long as I’ve got breath in my body, Auntie Mary, and me superior-quality clothes stall, the wolf will never darken your door. So have no fear, ’cos Sadie’s here.’
‘My God, you haven’t half come out in the few months I’ve known yer,’ Mary Ann said, keeping to herself the pride she felt at having, in a small way, helped bring this girl out of her shell and given her the confidence she was sadly lacking. ‘Frightened of yer own bleedin’ shadow, yer were, an’ now yer giving me all the old buck yer can think of.’ She waved her hand in dismissal. ‘Go on, bugger off. And don’t you dare turn up on Monday mornin’ and say yer didn’t enjoy yerself tonight or I’ll want to know why.’
‘I’m goin’, I’m goin’, I’m goin’! But first I want to put yer mind at rest, over me imagination an’ yer customers leaving in droves. I promise that if I do have the urge to put a parasol up to keep the sun off me face, I’ll be standin’ in the snow with a pair of wellies on me feet. That way, yer customers will think I’m only half-doolally pop.’
‘Sadie, if yer don’t bugger off, so help me I’ll flop yer one! Yer gettin’ to be a right ruddy nuisance.’ But the tenderness on the market woman’s face was in contrast to her words, and when Sadie walked away there was a smile on her face. She had three people in her family now and she was a very happy girl. Better to have three friends that you loved and who loved you in return, than a mother and father who didn’t give a toss for you. After all, you could choose your friends; you couldn’t choose your parents.
There were three lads standing on the corner when Sadie turned into Penrhyn Street, and she blushed when they whistled after her. They looked about eighteen years old and one, who seemed very sure of himself, walked beside her with a cocky swagger. ‘Where’ve you been hiding yerself, Blondie?’ He wasn’t put off by her silence. ‘Where yer off to? How about comin’ to the flicks with us?’
Sadie quickened her pace, furious with herself for blushing. ‘Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m going to me grandma’s and th
en I’m goin’ out with me boyfriend. Are yer satisfied now, nosy poke?’
It wasn’t often such an attractive girl came down their street, and Peter Townley wasn’t going to give up so easily. ‘Where does yer grandma live?’
When Sadie came to a halt and faced him she got the shock of her life. He was so like Harry! Same build, same dark hair and brown eyes, the same lopsided grin. Only the dimples were missing. Even in her embarrassed and angry state she couldn’t help but grudgingly admit he was a handsome lad. Clean and nicely dressed, too. But he wasn’t Harry and he had no right to upset her by looking like him. ‘It’s none of your business where me grandma lives, so on yer bike and stop pestering me or I’ll be late for me date.’
‘Does she live in this street?’
Sadie huffed and shook her head impatiently. ‘How many times do I have to tell yer that it’s none of your business. Now just vamoose, will yer?’
‘I’ll soon find out,’ Peter grinned. ‘I’ll follow yer.’
‘What a pity yer’ve got nothing better to do with yer time.’ Sadie took to her heels and pelted hell for leather down the street. She stopped outside Sarah’s house and banged on the knocker as she fought for her breath. He had some cheek, that bloke!
Sarah opened the door with a smile of welcome on her face. ‘Hello, sweetheart.’ She looked over Sadie’s head. ‘This is a surprise, Peter. I didn’t know you and me granddaughter knew each other.’
Sadie gasped and spun around. ‘I don’t know him from Adam! He’s followed me an’ I’ve never seen him before in all me life. And another thing, I wouldn’t know him again if I fell over him.’
Sarah chuckled as she wagged a finger at the now sheepish-looking lad. ‘I’m glad to see yer know a good thing when yer see one, Peter, but will yer please not frighten the life out of me granddaughter? She doesn’t want to be accosted every day when she walks down her own street.’
Peter stood to attention at this news. ‘Yer mean she’s living with yer, Mrs O’Hanlon?’
Sarah nodded. ‘I’m happy to say that she is, Peter.’
‘I didn’t know yer had a granddaughter, Mrs O’Hanlon. Where’ve yer been hidin’ her?’
‘Excuse me!’ Sadie had been looking from one to the other; now she stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing. ‘Don’t be talkin’ about me as though I wasn’t here. I have got a mouth of me own, yer know.’
Peter looked at the kissable lips and grinned. ‘I had noticed.’
‘I don’t know who yer are, but yer a cheeky beggar,’ Sadie said, wishing he didn’t look so much like Harry. ‘And in future when yer standin’ on the street corner with yer mates, hoping to pick up girls, don’t bother trying it on with me ’cos I’m not interested. Have yer got that into yer big head, Peter who-ever-yer-are?’
‘Peter Townley’s the name, and I live next door.’ There was merriment glinting in his brown eyes. ‘It would be nice if you returned the compliment and told me your name, don’t yer think? I mean, like, it wouldn’t be nice if I just called yer “Mrs O’Hanlon’s granddaughter”, would it? Doesn’t sound very neighbourly at all.’
Sadie snorted before pushing her nose in the air and stepping into the hall. ‘I really couldn’t care less what you call me.’ She kissed Sarah’s cheek. ‘Grandma, tell him to leave me alone, please.’
As she watched Sadie stalk down the hall, Sarah bit on her bottom lip to keep a smile at bay. ‘I’ll try, sweetheart, but he’s a very stubborn lad is Peter.’ She gave him a broad wink. ‘Still, I’ll do me best, Sadie.’ She put stress on the name and was rewarded with a thumbs-up sign. In a low voice she told him, ‘I’d go now if I were you, Peter, it won’t do yer no good to rub her up the wrong way. And it’s not as though yer won’t see her again – yer’ll be bumping into each other every day.’
‘I’ll make sure of that, Mrs O’Hanlon. And may I congratulate yer on having a very lovely granddaughter … even if she can get in a right paddy?’
‘It’s spirit she’s got, son, not a paddy. And what sort of a girl would she be if she let herself be picked up by a total stranger? Not the sort of girl yer mam would like yer to get mixed up with, I’m sure. Take a little bit of advice from an old woman, Peter, and next time yer see Sadie just say hello and walk on. She’s a very happy, pleasant girl, as yer’ll find out if yer give her time to get to know you. But I’ve got to tell yer she does have a boyfriend. She’s seeing him tonight, so I’d better get in and make her tea.’ Sarah was about to close the door when curiosity got the better of her. ‘What on earth possessed yer to try and pick up a strange girl, Peter? I’ve never known yer do anythin’ like that before. If yer mam found out, she’d box yer ears for yer.’
‘I’ve never done it in me life before, Mrs O’Hanlon. Me and me mates were just discussin’ where we should go tonight, and along comes this dream of a girl. I don’t know what came over me; it all happened so quick – on impulse, like. I felt I wanted to get to know her and if I didn’t do anythin’ about it I’d never see her again. I didn’t know she was livin’ next door to me, or I wouldn’t have dared.’
‘No harm done, Peter, it’ll all come out in the wash. Good night to yer, son.’
Sadie was standing by the sideboard waiting for her. ‘That’s a good start to me first day, isn’t it, Grandma, fallin’ out with yer neighbour’s son. But I’m not taking the blame for it; he frightened the life out of me.’
‘He took a fancy to yer, sweetheart, that’s all.’ Sarah went into the kitchen where Sadie’s dinner was being kept warm on top of a pan of hot water. She brought it through and set it on the table. ‘Here yer are, my girl, get that down yer. I bet yer’ve had nothing to eat all day and that won’t do yer no good.’
Sadie sat down, and as her nostrils were invaded by the aroma wafting up from the plate of stew, she sighed with pleasure. ‘Ooh, that doesn’t half smell good, Grandma.’ She could vaguely remember when she was a toddler her mother making dinners like this. But when the babies started to arrive at regular intervals, Lily lost interest, serving up whatever was quickest, easiest and cheapest.
Sadie picked up her knife and fork and licked her lips. ‘Oh boy, am I going to enjoy this!’ She tucked in with relish, watched by Joe and Sarah. The old couple were amazed and delighted at her appetite – little realising it was the first real meal she’d had in years. They didn’t speak until Sadie’s plate was empty and she was rubbing her tummy. ‘I’m full to the brim … me eyes are bigger than me belly.’
‘Lass, it was a treat just to watch yer,’ Joe said. ‘Took me back to when I was your age and could empty me plate in five minutes flat. I remember me ma used to leave me until last because I was such a glutton, but I still managed to clean me plate before the rest of the family.’
‘The appetite of youth and energy, love,’ Sarah smiled at him with love in her tired eyes. ‘At sixteen yer hungry for everything in life, and hunger is good sauce.’
Sadie sat back in her chair feeling overwhelmed by the goodness in her life now. ‘I was hungry, Grandma, but I’d have eaten that even if I wasn’t ’cos it was delicious.’
‘I hope yer’ve left a little spot in yer tummy for rice pudding?’
‘What! You mean there’s more to come? Oh Grandma, don’t be spendin’ extra money just because I’m here.’
Sarah scraped her chair back and stood up. ‘Your extra five bob has made a hell of a difference to us, sweetheart. It means me and Joe can enjoy a few luxuries. And don’t worry, I’m a good manager. I won’t spend what we haven’t got.’
When Sarah put the dish of rice pudding in front of Sadie, all milky and browned on the top by a sprinkling of nutmeg, the girl didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had never tasted rice pudding in her life and it was all too much for her. This day would stay in her memory for ever, with the other eventful days in her life. Like the day Harry gave her the first sixpence, collected his first kiss, and the day he took her on the ferry to New Brighton. Then there was the day she f
irst met Mary Ann, and through her, Sarah and Joe. All these events would never be forgotten, no matter how long she lived.
Sarah waited until Sadie was halfway through the pudding before saying, ‘With regards to Peter, from next door, I’d hate yer to have the wrong impression of him. Me and Joe have known him since the day he was born, haven’t we, love? In fact, we used to mind him when his mam wanted to go anywhere. He’s a good lad, honest as the day’s long and he’d always do yer a good turn, never a bad one.’
The spoon stayed halfway to Sadie’s mouth as she gave the matter some thought. Then, wanting to please Sarah, she smiled. ‘We just got off on the wrong foot, Grandma, that’s the top and bottom of it. I’ll say hello to him next time I see him but, I’ve got to be honest with yer, if he tries to get fresh I’ll thump him one.’
Joe was having trouble keeping his false teeth in place. They were a bloody nuisance and as soon as Sadie went out they’d be back in the cup of water. He’d had them twenty years and God only knows how he had persevered, but he just couldn’t take to them. Like now, he couldn’t enjoy a good belly-laugh. He opened his mouth and it came out like the cackle of a hen. ‘That’s right, queen, don’t you stand no messin’. Tell them where to get off and make no bones about it.’
‘I’ll do that.’ Sadie leaned across the table and winked at him. ‘And I’ll tell them me grandad said I had to do it.’
Sarah had her eye on the clock. ‘I don’t want to rush yer, sweetheart, but if yer don’t make a move yer’ll be late. I know they say it’s a woman’s prerogative to keep a man waiting, but I’ve never held with that view meself.’
‘Well, that’s news to me!’ Joe’s raised white eyebrows nearly touched his hairline. ‘If I had a penny for every time I’ve stood outside the Rotunda for half an hour waiting for you, I’d be a rich man.’
Sadie touched his hand. ‘I think yer a very rich man, Grandad. Yer’ve got Grandma an’ that’s worth more than all the money in the world.’