by Joan Jonker
The crowds were three deep at each of the three tables and hands were coming over the tops of heads or between bodies. Just the sight of a certain colour could have someone straining to reach it. They might not want it when they got to it, but they wanted to be certain they didn’t want it before someone else got there before them. And the old hands had a few tricks up their sleeves. If they spotted something they liked the look of, but couldn’t get near the table, they weren’t beyond giving the person in front of them a kick on the shin, and while the hapless victim was bending down, the perpetrator would push her way to the front while murmuring sounds of sympathy.
Mary Ann clicked her tongue as she anchored a lock of stray hair behind her ear. This had to be the busiest day they’d ever had. It had been non-stop since nine o’clock and there was no sign of a let-up. It was a good job her feller had brought a few extra bundles just to be on the safe side. She turned her head sharply at the sound of a scuffle and rushed to where two women were fighting over a blue and white striped blouse. They were playing tug-of-war with it, first it would go one way, then the other. ‘In the name of God, will yer just look at yerselves? Women are supposed to be the fairer, weaker sex, but you two look like prize-fighters! Eyes screwed up, nostrils flared and teeth ground together, anyone would think yer were going to kill each other. Well, let me tell yer there’ll be no murder committed at my stall, unless I can sell tickets for it. If yer’ve ripped that blouse, then yer’ll pay for it, d’yer hear? Now give it here to me.’ The women looked shamefaced as the blouse was handed over. ‘I saw it first, Mary Ann, and this one grabbed it out of me hand.’
‘You bleedin’ barefaced liar! I saw it first!’
‘Will you two behave yerselves and act yer age, before I come round there and bang yer bleedin’ heads together?’ Mary Ann shook the blouse before holding it up. ‘Nellie, and you, Vera, seein’ as both of yer have got breasts as big as footballs, how did yer intend gettin’ into this? It wouldn’t cover one of them, never mind two.’
The women eyed the blouse then looked down at themselves. ‘I never got a chance to see it proper, Mary Ann,’ Nellie said. ‘I’d only just picked it up when this one snatched it out of me hands. Quick as bleedin’ lighting she was.’
Vera’s look was scornful. ‘I hope when yer go to Confession that yer tell the priest how many lies yer tell. Every time yer open yer gob the lies just pour out.’
‘Oh, aye? The bell’s gone for the second round, has it?’ Mary Ann thought of a way to put a halt to it. ‘Well, yer can stop it now ’cos I’ll sell yer the blouse. The first one to hand thruppence over can have it.’
‘I don’t want it,’ Nellie said. ‘It’s no good to me.’
‘What’s the use of buyin’ somethin’ that doesn’t fit?’ Vera asked. ‘Yer must think we’re short on top, Mary Ann, or we’ve got money to burn.’ She turned to Nellie. ‘She’s not soft, is she, girl? It’s no wonder she’s loaded.’
‘We’ll look for something else, eh, Vera? I fancy somethin’ in blue.’
Vera frowned. ‘Ay out, Mary Ann, some kid’s just nicked one of yer jumpers.’
‘Oh dear, oh dear,’ Mary Ann sighed. ‘D’yer know, when I get home tonight I’m goin’ to be too tired to count me money.’ She saw the figure of a young boy pushing his way through the crowd, a grey jumper swinging from his hand. ‘It’s all right, he’s Aggie Armstrong’s son, she’ll pay me next time she comes. If she doesn’t, I’ll give him a thick lip.’ The stall-holder’s brow creased. There was a man standing just at the back of the stalls, and she’d noticed him a few times. At first she thought he was waiting for someone, but he’d been there ages and each time she’d looked he seemed to have his eyes on Sadie. That’s all he was doing now, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes on her young assistant. He was up to no good, that was a dead cert, but she’d soon send him packing.
‘Sadie, I know yer up to yer neck, girl, but I’ve got to go to the lavvy or I’ll burst. Will yer hold the fort for a few minutes?’
‘Of course I will, Auntie Mary.’ Sadie smiled. ‘I’ll keep me eye out.’
Without further ado, Mary Ann squeezed through the gap in the tables, walked to the back of the stall and confronted the man. ‘Well?’
Jack Young took a step back in surprise. ‘I beg yer pardon?’
‘Don’t come the bleedin’ innocent with me, my man. I’ve been watchin’ yer for the last fifteen minutes and all yer’ve done is stand there gawping at me young lady assistant. Now I want to know why.’
‘You mean I’ve been watching Sadie?’
Mary Ann was taken aback. ‘Yer know her?’
‘She used to live next door to us. My name’s Jack Young.’
‘Harry’s father! Oh, my God! And here’s me thinkin’ all kinds of evil things about yer. But what are yer doin’ here?’
‘She’s mentioned Harry to yer, then?’
‘Er, let me see. He’s got dark curly hair, deep brown eyes, white teeth and dimples in his cheeks. He’s kind and caring, the best friend she ever had. Yes, as yer can see, she has mentioned him to me.’
‘Is she courting?’
Mary Ann shook her head. ‘Plenty of offers but I think your son put her off other men for life. She’ll go dancing or to the pictures with them, but if they start to get serious then that’s it.’
‘Harry’s never been the same since she went away without telling him. He’s tried to find her but the other Wilson children say they don’t know where she is. Me and me wife blame ourselves – if it wasn’t for us he wouldn’t have been frightened to say how he felt about her, but if yer knew her family yer’d understand.’
‘Oh, I understand all right, and so does Sadie. She said she wasn’t good enough for Harry or his family. But I’ll tell yer this much, Mr Young, there isn’t a man on earth that Sadie Wilson isn’t good enough for. She’s the nicest girl I’ve ever met and I love the bones of her.’
‘Does she live with you?’
‘No, she lives with an elderly couple who think the world of her. The other sister, Ellen, she lives there as well. Young Sadie spends most of her hard-earned money on her brothers and sisters, otherwise they wouldn’t have a stitch to their backs. She really is one in a million, Mr Young, believe me.’
‘The name’s Jack, and I know you’re Mary Ann.’ He quickly told her how he’d come to hear where Sadie worked. ‘What do I do now, Mary Ann? Do I just go home and tell Harry?’
‘No! Where’s the romance in yer, Jack? It has to be something really special and I’ve got a brilliant idea. But I haven’t got time to work it out with yer now, so I’ll give yer the address where she lives and yer can go and see the old couple. Sarah and Joe O’Hanlon, they are. They know Sadie’s best memory is going out with your son on her last birthday. Well, her birthday’s come around again and it’s only a few days off. I’m sure Sarah can think of a good way to surprise her and give her the best present she could ask for.’ Mary Ann chuckled, ‘Yer know, Jack, I’ve never said so much without bleedin’ swearing. It just goes to show I can be a lady when I want. Young Sadie must be a good influence on me, ’cos if ever there was a lady, it’s my junior assistant on the superior-quality clothes stall.’
‘I can see she’s got a good friend in you.’ Jack smiled. ‘Anyway, I’ll nip home and pick up the wife. She can come with me to see the O’Hanlons. If I left her out of this she’d kill me.’
‘Sadie and Ellen get home about half-six, so yer’d have to be away by then. I’ll find out what yer decide ’cos Sarah comes to the market a few times a week. Anyway, thanks for comin’, Jack, yer’ve really made my day. I’m bound to see yer again, and yer wife, I hope, ’cos Sadie’s like a daughter to me.’ Mary Ann sighed with happiness. ‘Aren’t I glad I noticed yer, even if I did think yer were a dirty old man.’
As Florrie Young sat down her eyes took in the spotlessly clean room and she nodded in appreciation. ‘Yer keep yer home nice, Mrs O’Hanlon.’
; ‘Call me Sarah.’ The old lady smiled and won the hearts of Florrie and Jack. ‘I’ll not take all the credit, I get a lot of help. Sadie and Ellen do their own little jobs before they go to work. Me and my Joe don’t know we’re born since Sadie came into our lives, do we, sweetheart?’
Joe brushed aside the packet of cigarettes Jack was offering him and reached for his pipe. ‘You go ahead and light up, Jack, I’ll get me old pipe going to keep yer company, be sociable, like.’ He opened the tobacco tin and proceeded to fill his briar. ‘What me dear wife said about Sadie is quite true. Twelve months ago she came to us like a breath of fresh air, and the air’s been sweet ever since. She has so much love to give, and she gives it with all her heart. Ellen is a nice kid, too, but Sadie will always be special to me and my Sarah. She’s kind and thoughtful and hasn’t got a selfish bone in her body. And considering she’s got the looks of a film star, she’s modest and completely natural.’
‘Has she ever talked to yer about our Harry?’ Florrie asked.
‘Oh, I know all about your son.’ Sarah smoothed down the front of the pinny she was wearing when she’d answered their knock. She hadn’t been expecting visitors so they’d have to take her as they found her. ‘And if your comin’ here today means what I hope it means, then yer very welcome in our home.’
Florrie told them about the change in Harry over the last year. ‘He used to be so full of fun, always crackin’ jokes and never without a smile on his face. And he used to be out dancin’ nearly every night – now he seldom goes anywhere.’ Florrie dropped her head and there was a quiver to her voice when she said, ‘And it’s all my fault.’
Jack patted her hand. ‘Now, don’t be gettin’ yerself all upset, love. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. If Sadie hadn’t left the way she did, things might have worked out different.’
Sarah’s heart filled with pity for the woman who was trying so hard not to break down. ‘Florrie, there isn’t a woman breathing who wouldn’t worry about the family her son married into. Yer only human, sweetheart, doing what yer thought best for yer son.’
‘That’s all in the past,’ Jack said. ‘Now we’ve got the chance to make up for it, to bring the two young ones together.’ He cocked an eyebrow at Sarah. ‘Mary Ann said it would be nice to do something on Sadie’s birthday. She said you were the one with ideas, that you would find a way of surprising the girl and making it into the best birthday she’s ever had.’
Sarah smiled. ‘When I answered a knock on me door and saw two strangers there, I was curious. When they told me who they were I felt like jumpin’ for joy. Yer see, Sadie has become so precious to me and my Joe, if I had it in my power I would give her the sun, the moon and the stars. But what brought you here today will mean far more to her than anything else on earth. And if yer’ll forgive an old lady for being sentimental, and presumptuous, I’d already started to plan how best to surprise Sadie before yer were sat down.’
Joe looked so happy anyone would think he’d won the pools. He was chuckling as he said, ‘That’s my dear wife, always ahead of the field.’
Sarah gave him that special look that was reserved solely for him. A look that said she loved him as much now as when they first married. Then she turned to Harry’s mother and father. ‘I hope yer’ll not be offended if I take the liberty of having a hand in making this the happiest day of me granddaughter’s life?’
Jack and Florrie exchanged glances. It was funny but neither of them felt like strangers in this house. Like the old couple, it seemed to welcome them as old friends. ‘We’re in your hands, Sarah,’ Jack said. ‘And happy to be so.’
Sarah pursed her lips and folded her arms. ‘Well, it’s like this. It’s Sadie’s birthday a week on Monday and I had planned a little party for her on the Sunday afternoon. She doesn’t know yet, it’s going to be a surprise for her. So here’s what we’ll do.’
Sadie was tired but happy as she walked home. She’d been on the go all day and her feet were aching, but it had been worth it. Mary Ann had been delighted with the takings and had insisted Sadie take an extra two shillings in her wages. When she’d refused, the stall-holder had said she’d add it to the money she had saved up. It was over six pounds now, that was a lot of money and not to be sneezed at.
‘Sadie!’
Startled out of her wanderings, Sadie turned her head to see her sister, Dot, leaning against the side wall of an end shop. Fear made her speak sharply. ‘What are you doin’ here?’
Dot moved away from the wall and stood in front of her. ‘I came to talk to yer.’
‘How did yer find out where I lived?’
‘I followed our Jimmy. I knew he must be meetin’ yer, going out the same time every Saturday and Sunday.’
‘Are yer trying to tell me yer followed him all that way an’ he never saw yer? Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.’
‘It took me three weeks. I followed him so far one day, then the next week I left home before him and waited at the spot I’d left him at the week before. The third week I saw him turn down a street along here, but I couldn’t tell which house he went in.’
‘Well, yer’ve gone to a lot of trouble for nothing, Dot, ’cos you and I have nothing to say to each other.’
‘Won’t yer let me talk to yer, just for five minutes?’
Sadie was about to refuse when she remembered how she had reminded Jimmy that this was their sister. And she was surprised by the change in the girl facing her. Her pale face was devoid of make-up, the hard look had gone from her eyes and she looked sad and unhappy. ‘Five minutes, that’s all. I’ve been run off me feet all day an’ I’m tired.’
‘I just want to say I’m sorry.’ Dot’s eyes went to the ground. ‘To you, and the other kids.’
Sadie huffed. ‘It’s a bit late in the day for that, isn’t it? I wrote you off a long time ago as bein’ a lazy, crafty, heartless, hard-faced bitch. An’ if yer think the kids are goin’ to forget all the belts yer’ve given them over the years, then yer’ve got another think coming.’
‘I know what I’ve been, Sadie, an’ I’m not proud of meself. I want to change, but how can I when I’ve no friends? You know yer can’t have friends when yer home’s a pigsty. I started dressing like a tart just so the boys would notice me, but the only ones I got were out for no good.’
‘You didn’t do much to clean up the pigsty, did yer? When you lifted yer hand it was to hit the kids, not to do anythin’ to improve their lives.’
Dot closed her eyes. ‘I don’t hit them no more. I know I’ve been no good, me dad taught me how to be that. I’m so ashamed of meself, so unhappy, I feel like throwing meself under a train.’
‘That’s no way to talk! Yer only fifteen, Dot. If yer make up yer mind to change and make somethin’ of yer life, then yer can do it. I did.’
‘I want to be friends with yer, Sadie, and with the other kids. I want them to love me like they love you.’
‘Yer can’t ask for that, Dot, yer have to earn it. Make up yer mind from right now that yer going to be a different person. Prove to the kids that yer love them, and prove to me that the words coming from your mouth are not just hot air. If yer can do that then I’ll have a sister I can be proud of and we can be good mates.’
Tears rolled unchecked down Dot’s cheeks and the sight of them melted Sadie’s heart. This girl, this sister of hers, had done a lot of bad things, but like herself she was a victim of their father. She opened her arms. ‘Come here, yer daft ha’porth.’
This was how they were when Ellen came upon them. Her mouth gaped when she saw Dot, and she asked, ‘What’s she doin’ here?’
Sadie dropped her arms. ‘Wipe yer eyes, Dot, and yer can start being the changed you right this minute. I think yer’ve got somethin’ to say to Ellen.’
Ellen was too startled to move away when Dot put her arms around her. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been a bitch with yer, Ellen, but I’m goin’ to make it up to you, I promise. And to the other kids.’
Ellen’s eyes were
wide as they looked over her shoulder at Sadie. There was a question in them that Sadie answered. ‘Yer sister has had the guts to say she’s sorry, I hope you have the good will to accept. And remember, I helped you when yer needed it, and I’m going to help Jimmy. Dot is also a member of our family.’
Ellen wasn’t prepared to forgive and forget graciously. She’d suffered too many hidings off this sister of theirs. ‘Only if yer never, ever, hit our Jimmy again.’
‘I’ll never raise me hand to anyone, ever again.’
‘Oh, that’s all right, then.’
‘We’ll have to go, Dot, otherwise they’ll have the police out looking for us.’ Sadie couldn’t help feeling pity for the forlorn figure. ‘I work at Paddy’s market. Come and see me there one Saturday afternoon and we’ll see how things are going. Ta-ra for now.’
‘Ta-ra, Sadie, ta-ra, Ellen.’
Sadie’s dig in the ribs brought a response. ‘Ta-ra, Dot.’
Sarah was standing on the step waiting for them. ‘What on earth kept yer? I’ve been in an’ out like a yoyo.’
‘There was a surprise waiting for me at the top of the street.’ Sadie pulled out a chair and sat down. Then she quickly related every word that had been said. She ended by saying, ‘I know I’ve called her every name under the sun, but I can’t help feeling sorry for her.’
Ellen wasn’t so generous. ‘I don’t feel sorry for her. Why can’t she just leave us alone?’
‘Would you like to be back in that house with me mam and dad?’
Ellen blushed and hung her head. ‘No.’
‘Then let’s give her the benefit of the doubt, shall we? I’ve got a feeling she meant every word she said, and if she did then I’m going to try and help her.’
‘And so yer should, both of yer. She is yer sister, after all.’ Sarah was nodding her head in time with Joe’s. ‘Blood is thicker than water and families should stick together.’
‘But she can’t leave home an’ come here – there’s no room for her.’ Ellen wouldn’t have admitted to it, but she was jealous. ‘And yer’ve promised to help our Jimmy. Where’s he goin’ to live?’