by Joan Jonker
He moved his hand to cover hers. ‘And now we’ve got you, me and my lovely Sarah are both lucky and rich.’
‘Will you two cut it out?’ Sarah reached for Sadie’s plate. ‘You go and make yerself pretty for yer young man, sweetheart. Five minutes late is acceptable, half an hour is not.’
‘Geoff’s not my young man, Grandma, he’s just a friend that happens to be of the opposite sex. We’re not going steady or anythin’ like that, I’m too young to be thinkin’ of settling down.’ Sadie tried to stop Sarah from taking her plate. ‘I’ll wash up first, Grandma. It won’t take me long – I’m a quick washer-upper.’
‘Another night, perhaps, when yer’ve got more time, but not tonight. Me an’ Joe will have it done in no time, then we’ll sit and listen to the wireless.’
‘How will I get in, Grandma? We’re going to the pictures and second house doesn’t let out until half-ten. It’ll be eleven before I get home.’
‘Me an’ Joe would stay up for yer, but we’d need matchsticks to keep our eyes open until that time of night. So we’ll let yer have a spare key.’
‘I’ll be as quiet as a mouse when I come in.’ Sadie gave an impish grin. ‘I’ll even stop breathin’ until I’m in bed.’
Ten minutes later, standing in front of the mirror in her very own little room, Sadie pinched her arm to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. All those years she’d longed and prayed for a better life, and now it was here. She raised her eyes to the ceiling and whispered, ‘Thank You, God, for giving me all these things. I haven’t forgotten me brothers and sisters, I’ll do what I can for them, but in the meantime would You keep an eye on them, please, and see they come to no harm?’
Sadie pulled the front door closed behind her and started up the street. She was outside next door when who should appear on the front step but Peter. Oh dear, she thought, trust him! Another minute and I’d have been well away. Then she remembered her promise to Sarah and nodded curtly. ‘Good evening, Peter.’ Without giving the lad time to reply, she walked on quickly, her high heels tapping the paving stones. She’d got that over with, now he couldn’t tell her grandma she’d ignored him.
But Sadie hadn’t reckoned on the resilience of Peter. In a few strides of his long legs he was beside her. ‘Good evening, Sadie.’
Sadie’s jaw dropped and her step faltered. What was she going to do about him? Surely he wasn’t going to pester her every time she left the house? If she thought he was getting fresh with her she’d thump him one, like she’d said. But all he was doing was walking beside her and if she told him to get lost he was cheeky enough to remind her that the pavement was public property.
‘Got a heavy date, have yer, Sadie?’
She would have liked to look down her nose at him, but seeing as he was over six foot that was physically impossible. So she settled for what she thought was a look of scorn. ‘I did tell you I had a boyfriend and was seeing him tonight. But perhaps yer a bit deaf, so as I’ve always been told not to mock the afflicted, I’ll tell yer again, this time louder.’
Peter’s hearty laugh rang out as he put a hand on her arm. ‘There’s no need to, I heard yer the first time.’
Sadie looked down at his hand. Now that was what she called getting fresh. ‘If yer don’t take yer hand away, I’ll thump yer one.’ Peter’s laughter riled her even more. ‘I mean it, yer big soft dope! Get yer hand off me or yer’ll be seeing stars.’
Peter looked down on the small slender figure, one he could pick up with one hand, and his whole body shook with laughter. ‘Mrs O’Hanlon said yer had spirit, and she never spoke a truer word. This street will never be the same again, Sadie what-ever-yer-name-is.’
‘My name is for me to know and you to find out.’ Sadie knew she wasn’t going to win with this boy and the knowledge didn’t please her. So she decided it was better to retire undefeated than lose altogether. ‘My boyfriend will be getting worried, so if you don’t mind I’d like me arm back. And I’m sure there’s some daft girl waiting for you. I don’t like pulling people to pieces, especially if I’ve never met them, but any girl that would go out with you must have a screw loose.’
‘I can tell by yer eyes that yer dying to know, so I’ll tell yer. Me and me two mates are meeting three girls at the Rialto. All the girls have a head, two arms and legs, and all the other oddments attached to the human body. And although I know yer won’t believe me, I’ll tell yer anyway – they’ve all got a fairly good brain box.’
Sadie jerked her arm free. ‘All very interesting, I’m sure. But if yer’ll excuse me, I’ll be on me way before me boyfriend gets fed up waiting.’
‘Oh, he’ll wait for yer, Sadie. I know I would.’
‘That is one occasion that will never arise, Peter I’ve-forgotten-what-yer-name-is, so if I were you I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.’
‘Yer’ll have to come dancing with me one night, Sadie. I’d really enjoy havin’ the last waltz with you.’
Sadie hurried away without answering, but she knew a moment’s sadness when he mentioned dancing. She hadn’t been to a dance since the episode with Alec and she was sorry because she’d enjoyed it. She was beginning to get the hang of the different dances, had more confidence on the dance floor, and even had ambitions to become as skilled as some of the couples she’d seen spinning and twirling so effortlessly. How she had admired them. But whenever Geoff suggested going to the Grafton or the Rialto, she always found an excuse not to because she was afraid of bumping into Harry and embarrassing him. It was even more out of the question now. Tomorrow night he’d be waiting at the park for her as usual, and it grieved her that she’d deceived him so. And at the back of her mind she admitted that the instant dislike she’d taken to Peter was because he reminded her of Harry, and that was the last thing she wanted.
‘I was beginning to think something terrible had happened to yer,’ Geoff said, relief written on his face as he rushed towards her. ‘Yer’ve never been this late.’
‘I’m sorry, Geoff. I’ve moved in with me grandparents today and it’s been all go. We’ll still make the pictures in time, won’t we?’
‘Second house has probably started, but we’ll be in time for the big picture.’ Geoff cupped her elbow, thinking he didn’t care where he went as long as she was by his side. ‘When am I going to meet your grandparents?’
‘Oh, give us a chance, Geoff! Let them get used to having me in the house first, before I start bringing visitors. They’re old, yer know, over eighty.’
‘They do know about me, don’t they?’
‘Of course they know about yer! Who d’yer think I told them I was going out with? Icky the fire-bobby?’
‘Yer don’t seem to be in the best of moods tonight, Sadie. I hope it’s got nothing to do with me.’
‘I’m just tired, that’s all, Geoff. So much has happened today it seems like an eternity. But I can have a lie-in tomorrow and a nice quiet, lazy day.’
‘There’s no one buying tickets, it must be later than I thought.’ Geoff pressed on Sadie’s arm to urge her forward. ‘I hope the kiosk isn’t closed, or we’ve had it.’
They were lucky, the attendant was just about to close the window. ‘Yer’d better hurry, the big picture’s starting.’
They were shown to their seats as the credits were rolling, and Sadie was glad to take the weight off her feet. The film opened with a scene showing Victor McLaglen lumbering across a room with his familiar gait, and later that was all Sadie could remember about the picture because at that point she lost her concentration. She was dead tired, emotionally and physically, and the events of the long day had left her drained. It was a big step to leave home; even if it was what you wanted, it was still a big step. And saying goodbye to Brenda, knowing she’d never see her again, that had affected her. After that it had been one big rush … flying to her new home to hand over her five-shilling keep in case the old lady didn’t have enough money to buy the extra food in, refusing to stay even for a cup of tea, then legging i
t to the market. It had been hard going, and if the truth were known she would have preferred to stay in tonight and spend a quiet night in her new home, getting to know her new family. But she couldn’t let Geoff down, so here she was, tired out and with a splitting headache and sore feet.
Geoff glanced at Sadie’s face as he reached for her hand. Her eyes were closing and she was having difficulty holding her head upright. Poor love, he thought, she looks dead beat. ‘Here, put yer head on my shoulder and have forty winks.’
Sadie’s eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to keep them open. ‘I might snore.’
‘I’ll wake you if yer do. Go on, have half an hour.’ Geoff watched her eyes close and within seconds she was sound asleep. He could feel her breath on his neck as he slipped his arm around her waist and held her close. He was crazy about her and wished she would show some sign that she felt the same way about him. But he couldn’t get close to her; she kept him at arm’s length. He’d been going out with her for months, but never once had she suggested taking him home to meet her family. He didn’t even know where she lived; she was very secretive about her home life. Still, she’d half-promised to invite him to her grandparents’ house – that would show she had some feelings for him. He wouldn’t bring the subject up again tonight, she was too tired, but he would press her the next time they met. He had to know where he stood with her.
‘D’yer fancy a game of rummy, queen?’
‘What’s rummy when it’s out, Grandad?’
Joe looked surprised. ‘It’s a card game … surely yer’ve played cards, queen?’
Sadie shook her head. ‘Never in me life, Grandad, honest! But yer can teach me – I’m quick at picking things up.’
‘It’s an easy game – so yer’ll pick it up in no time,’ Sarah said. ‘A couple of hands and yer’ll be knockin’ spots off me and Joe.’
‘It’ll pass an hour away,’ Joe said, opening a drawer in the cupboard built into the recess at the side of the fireplace. ‘There’s nothin’ on the wireless that would interest a young girl like you.’
‘I’ll have a bash, Grandad, but yer’ll have to be patient, me being a learner, like.’
‘He’s a one for cheating, is my Joe.’ Sarah winked broadly. ‘But I’ll keep me eye on him until yer’ve got the hang of it.’
Sadie glanced at the clock, as she’d been doing every few minutes for the last hour. It was five to eight. ‘I think I’d better nip down the yard first, save goin’ in the middle of a game. I’d hate to give me Grandad a chance to cheat on me.’
Sitting on the scrubbed wooden bench-like seat of the outside lavatory, Sadie wrung her hands. Harry would be waiting for her outside the park gates right this minute. Oh, she should have told him; it was a lousy trick to play on him. Perhaps she could write to him and explain, say how sorry she was. If she did that, at least he’d know she cared. And she didn’t have to tell him where she was – she could leave the address off. Yes, she’d do that tomorrow. She’d buy some paper and an envelope, and write it in the privacy of her bedroom tomorrow night. She knew she’d never see Harry again, but she couldn’t bear the thought of him thinking ill of her.
Her heart a little lighter, and a smile on her face, Sadie walked back up the yard to be introduced to her first game of cards.
Harry paced up and down outside the park gates. He’d been waiting for half an hour and was now beginning to lose hope. Perhaps she didn’t feel well and wasn’t able to let him know. There must be a good reason; Sadie wouldn’t let him down unless it was something important. But he couldn’t help feeling depressed. His whole life revolved around his twice-weekly meetings with her, and right now he felt so disappointed he could cry. He’d have to try and catch her coming home from work tomorrow night to ask why she hadn’t turned up. And he needed to see sight of her; he couldn’t wait until Wednesday – that was a lifetime away.
Harry didn’t whistle on his way home, he felt too miserable. He’d have to bring his relationship with Sadie out into the open; he couldn’t carry on like this. He knew his mother would go mad, but it was his life and the one thing he was certain of was that Sadie was the only girl with whom he wanted to spend it.
Chapter Seventeen
Mary Ann stood shaking her head as she watched Sadie going through the bundle of clothes she’d just opened. It was a ritual with her now, checking each bundle for clothes that would suit her brothers and sisters. This was her sixth week working at the market and once or twice a week she’d find something suitable and it would be put away until the weekend when she got her wages and could pay for them.
‘It’s none of my business, girl, but surely to God yer’ve got enough clothes now to kit the bleedin’ army out! Isn’t it about time yer started getting some gear for yerself? It’s nippy this morning, yer could do with something warm on.’
‘I’m only young, Auntie Mary, and young ones don’t feel the cold like you oldies.’ Sadie grinned. ‘Anyway, I’m saving up until a fur coat comes in.’
‘Huh! Yer’ll have a long ruddy wait, sunshine. If a fur coat comes in … and it’s a big flamin’ “if” … yours truly will be first in line. I don’t mind yer havin’ the superior-quality clothes stall, even if it does make yer sound more posh, but when it comes to yer havin’ a fur coat, well, I draw the line at that.’
Sadie handed her a boy’s grey shirt that had obviously been worn as part of a school uniform. ‘Will yer put it away for me, Auntie Mary, please? I can pay yer for that today and that’ll keep us straight.’
Mary Ann huffed as she took the shirt. ‘I think it’s bloody ridiculous that yer spendin’ yer hard-earned coppers on clothes when it’s yer mam’s place to buy them.’
‘I know she should buy them, Auntie Mary, but the trouble is, she doesn’t. And I don’t spend all me money on them – I always put at least one and six away every week. And don’t forget I’ve bought some beddin’ for meself, as well, so I haven’t done too bad. And now I’ve got enough clothes for the kids I’ll start to see to meself.’
‘Now yer’ve got all this gear, what d’yer intend doin’ with it? Have yer thought of a way to get it to them without yer mam and dad seein’ yer?’
Sadie nodded, ‘Yeah, I’ve got it all figured out.’ She was looking very pleased with herself. ‘If you’ll let me have an hour off one afternoon, I can be outside our Jimmy’s school when he comes out.’
Mary Ann looked suitably impressed. ‘Ay, that’s a good idea. Yer not just a pretty face, are yer, girl?’
‘No, I do have a few loose brains rattling around in me head.’ The grin slipped from Sadie’s face. ‘Can I go tomorrow, Auntie Mary? I’m dying to see him, and to find out how all the others are.’
‘Of course yer can, girl, it’s only natural yer want to see him. Are yer goin’ to tell him where yer live, and that yer work here?’
‘No, it wouldn’t be fair on him. He’s only ten, and me mam and dad would easy get it out of him. I’m not goin’ to ask him to lie, so it’s best if he doesn’t know. What he doesn’t know, he can’t tell. I’ve been the biggest liar on God’s earth for the last two years – I don’t want to turn him into a liar as well.’
‘The lies you told never hurt anyone, girl, so don’t be losing no bleedin’ sleep over it. If yer parents had been halfway decent it wouldn’t have been necessary.’
‘There was someone I hurt with me lies.’ Sadie eyes were on the ground. ‘I hurt the one person who’d been more kind to me than anyone.’
‘Yer talkin’ about Harry, the boy next door?’
Sadie nodded. ‘God will punish me for what I did to him.’
‘Are yer still hankering after him, sunshine?’
‘I do miss him,’ Sadie admitted. ‘But I wouldn’t feel so bad if I could have told him to his face that I was leaving.’
‘I was under the impression that yer’d written and explained.’
‘I did, but words on a bit of paper are cold; I would rather have said it to his face. We could at lea
st have parted as friends.’
‘Don’t be getting yerself all upset,’ Mary Ann said. ‘Just think of what yer’ve got to look forward to tomorrow.’
Sadie hugged herself. ‘Yeah, I’m really looking forward to seeing our Jimmy. I bet he’s grown a lot in the last six weeks. I wish it was tomorrow now.’
‘Well, the time passes slowly when yer hands are idle, girl,’ Mary Ann said, her face as straight as a poker, ‘so why don’t yer sort that bundle out and take whatever yer think is suitable for yer superior-quality clothes stall? It’s not that I don’t like standing jangling with yer, ’cos I’d go as far as to say I’m quite partial to it. Unfortunately, I’m also quite partial to eating, an’ the way we’re going on there’ll be no bleedin’ money to satisfy me partiality.’
Sadie feigned a frown as she tilted her head. ‘I don’t think that’s very good English, Auntie Mary.’
‘What’s not good English, girl?’
‘What you’ve just said. I’ve never heard anyone say “satisfy me partiality”.’
‘Of course yer have!’
‘I have not!’
‘Yer’ve just bleedin’ well heard me say it, yer daft ha’porth! If I hadn’t said it, why would you have said yer’d never heard of it?’
Sadie raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. ‘You win, Auntie Mary, I know when I’m beat.’ She went back to sorting the clothes out but could not stop her laughter from erupting. ‘Yer know, Auntie Mary, if the customers that come to my superior-quality clothes stall heard the language out of you, they’d be decidedly highly indignant.’
‘What does that mean, girl?’
‘What does what mean, Auntie Mary?’
‘This decidedly highly indignant lark. Haven’t never heard that before.’
‘Yes, you have.’
‘Oh yeah, silly me, of course I’ve heard it before – from you! Honestly, I’ve got a head like a bleedin’ sieve.’ Mary Ann clapped a hand over her mouth. ‘There I go again with me bad language. Oh, woe is me, I’ll never get promoted to the superior-quality clothes stall. I’m destined to remain forever on the tuppence with a hole, thruppence without a hole.’