by Joan Jonker
‘I’ve ’ad me eyes peeled for yer, Tucker, we’re right down. Put us a bag in, will yer?’
Tucker Dunne patted his horse’s rear to move him nearer the side entry. He didn’t need to lead him, the horse had been doing the same round for years and knew every stop. ‘It’s gone up to one and six a bag, Molly.’
‘Bloody hell! The way things are goin’, we’ll ’ave to go to bed after tea to keep warm.’ Molly looked into the blackened face before her. Tucker had been her coalman for years, but if he ever washed his face she wouldn’t know him if she fell over him. It wasn’t only his face that was black either! His donkey jacket, trousers, and the cap pulled low over his eyes were, as Molly put it, as black as the hobs of hell.
‘How does yer wife manage with yer clothes, Tucker? I wouldn’t know where to start on that lot.’
White teeth flashed in the dark face. ‘I’m not allowed near the house with this lot on. We’ve got a little wash house in the yard, thank God, an’ I have to strip out there every night. Then she makes me walk to the house in me bare feet, an’ wash from top to bottom in the kitchen sink before I’m allowed in the livin’ room.’
Tucker owned his own business, passed down from father to son, and the coal yard was next to the house. There was a stable there for the horse, too, and Tucker rubbed him down every night and made sure the stable was kept warm and the straw changed regularly. ‘Me wife doesn’t like the job I do, but she doesn’t refuse the money at the end of the week.’
‘Aye, well, they say where there’s muck there’s money,’ Molly grunted. ‘I wouldn’t mind a bit of dirt comin’ my way if there was money with it.’
His white teeth gleamed from a black face, and chuckling heartily, Tucker smacked his trousers, sending out a cloud of coal dust. ‘Yer see, me wife does have a point.’
‘Yer not kiddin’!’ Molly backed away, coughing and spluttering. ‘I’ll go an’ open the yard door for yer.’
Still laughing, Tucker walked to the cart. He raised his hands over his shoulders and pulled a bag of coal on to the leather square he wore across his back. He didn’t mind the dirt. Never had, even when he was a kid and his dad used to take him out with him on his rounds. It was better than working in a factory any day. He was his own boss and answerable to no man.
While Molly waited for change of her two bob piece, she glanced up the street and saw her mother hurrying towards her. ‘Looks like I’ve got a visitor.’
‘Hello, Mrs Jackson.’ Tucker smiled. ‘I’ll be round your way in the morning.’
Bridie nodded. ‘See you tomorrow, Tucker.’
Molly sensed this wasn’t just an ordinary visit, her mother was all keyed up about something. ‘What’s brought you round, Ma?’ Molly closed the door and followed Bridie into the living room. ‘Is me da all right?’
‘Sure he’s just fine.’ Bridie was moving from one foot to the other, her hands clasping and unclasping. ‘Yer’ll never guess what’s happening, Molly, not in a million years will yer guess.’
‘Park yer carcass, Ma, an’ take the weight off yer feet.’ Molly pushed her mother down gently on to one of the wooden chairs round the table. ‘Now, what’s up?’
‘We’re all being electrocuted.’ The words poured from Bridie’s mouth. ‘They’re goin’ to electrocute the whole street.’
Molly screwed up her face, biting on the inside of her mouth to keep the laughter back. ‘Ma, they electrocute murderers.’
‘What’s that yer saying?’ Bridie’s finely arched eyebrows drew together. ‘Why would you be talkin’ about murderers?’
‘Just take it easy, Ma, and tell me what’s happening.’
Bridie tutted with impatience. What was the matter with her daughter, hadn’t she just told her what was going to happen? ‘We’ve had letters from the landlord. Everyone in the street. And why you’re looking so stupid, I don’t know. D’yer not understand plain English?’
The light dawned, and Molly began to shake with laughter. ‘Yer mean yer getting electricity laid on to your ’ouse?’
‘Isn’t that just what I’ve told yer?’
Molly opened her mouth to say that getting electrocuted was something very different, but changed her mind. ‘Have yer brought the letter with yer?’
Bridie shook her head. ‘Wasn’t I that excited I dashed out an’ left it on the table? Sure, I couldn’t get round here quick enough to tell yer. And I can’t wait to see yer da’s face when he comes in from work.’
‘Let ’im read the letter for ’imself, Ma, don’t you tell him. Otherwise he’ll think he’s in for a nasty shock.’
Bridie was so overjoyed she didn’t hear the humour in her daughter’s voice. ‘Won’t it be grand, now? Just a flick of a switch on the wall and we’ll have light. There’s some very clever people in the world, that’s for sure. Whatever will they be thinkin’ of next?’
‘I wish they’d get round to givin’ us electric.’ Molly was rummaging in the sideboard cupboard for a saucer that matched the china cup she had in her hand. There wasn’t a cup in the kitchen that didn’t have a crack or a broken handle, and although her mother would never say anything Molly knew she didn’t enjoy drinking from them. ‘Just think, no more flamin’ gas mantles.’
‘I was talking to Mrs Shenstone from next door, an’ she was after telling me the landlord told her that the whole district will have electric within a year,’ Bridie said. ‘Now won’t that be a fine thing?’
‘Oh, God, I hope so,’ Molly said. ‘I’d be over the moon.’ She took hold of her mother’s hand and imitated the lovely, lilting Irish brogue. ‘To be sure now, Bridie Malone, isn’t it good news yerself has brought?’
A wistful smile came to Bridie’s face at the use of her maiden name. Sure didn’t it bring back some fond memories?
‘Mam, where d’yer think I should try for a job when I leave school?’ Doreen dipped a chip in the mound of tomato sauce on her plate and popped it in her mouth. ‘I don’t know whether I’d like to work in a shop or a factory.’
‘It’s not so easy to get a job that yer can pick an’ choose,’ Molly answered. ‘If yer get one, just count yerself lucky no matter what it is.’
‘I think shop work is best,’ Jill said. ‘You get to meet people and you can have a laugh and joke with them.’
‘Don’t get much wages though, do yer?’ Doreen was very like her sister in appearance, but her face had a harder look to it, and she didn’t have Jill’s gentle nature. ‘I think yer get more money in a factory.’
‘I don’t do so bad,’ Jill answered. ‘I’ve had a shilling rise off Mr John, and I’ve only been there sixteen months.’
‘And the food yer bring ’ome with yer is worth a few bob, don’t forget,’ Molly said, her head nodding knowingly. ‘It all counts.’
Doreen picked up her empty plate to take through to the kitchen. ‘If I get a job in a jeweller’s, d’yer think they’ll let me bring some diamonds ’ome with me?’
‘Ay, wouldn’t that be the gear?’ Molly chuckled. ‘There’d be no flies on me! I could wear me tiara while I’m eatin’ the chocolate eclairs I get off Mr John.’
Jill pushed her chair back. ‘Is it all right if I go for a walk with Steve, Mam? Only for half an hour.’
‘As long as yer in for ten o’clock, no later. An’ don’t bang the front door on yer way out or yer’ll wake Ruthie.’
The kids were in bed and Jack was enjoying his last cigarette before they damped the fire down, put the guard in front with clothes on to air off, and climbed the stairs. ‘I wonder what’s goin’ on with the King and this woman they say he’s in love with? The papers seem to think it’s serious.’
‘Me an’ Nellie were only talkin’ about that today. I don’t know what he’s thinkin’ about! His father’s only been dead a matter of months, an’ here he is knockin’ around with this Wallis Simpson, who’s been married and divorced twice! An’ on top of that, she’s American!’ Molly snorted. ‘The old King would turn in ’is grave if he knew.’
‘If yer can believe all the papers say, the Government is up in arms about it,’ Jack said. ‘By all accounts they want him to give her up, but he’s refusing.’
‘I’m surprised his mother, Queen Mary, hasn’t put ’er foot down with ’im. He’s only been King for a few months, an’ carryin’ on like this, it’s not right.’
‘He hasn’t been crowned yet, love, his coronation’s not till next summer. Anythin’ can happen before then.’
‘Aye, he might come to ’is senses.’ Molly stretched her arms over her head and yawned. ‘It’s been a funny old day, with one thing and another. Listenin’ to Ellen Clarke’s troubles, bein’ told coal’s gone up twopence a bag, me ma rushin’ round to say they’re bein’ electrocuted, and to round off the day, our King’s got himself a fancy woman.’
Molly stood up, pressing her hands into the small of her aching back. She put the fireguard in front of the fire, and as she hung a pair of Doreen’s knickers over it, she tilted her head to look at her husband.
‘D’yer know, Jack, if I ’ad a hankie, I wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry into it.’
Chapter Seven
Two weeks before Christmas, on the eleventh of December, King Edward was due to address the nation on the wireless. And like every other family in the land, the Bennetts were gathered around their sets anxious to hear what the King had to say. Rumours had been rife for months, but apart from what they read in the papers, nobody really knew what was going on.
‘Put it up a bit, love,’ Jack said, lighting up a cigarette.
Molly turned the knob on the set before sitting on the couch next to Jill. ‘I bet yer he tells us there’s nothin goin’ on between him and this Wallis Simpson.’ She tapped her fingers on the arm of the couch. ‘He’s bound to put his country before her.’
‘Sshh!’ Jack leaned forward. ‘He’s starting now.’
There was complete silence in the room as the King started to speak. His voice was low, and he sounded nervous as he told his subjects that he could not live without the woman he loved by his side.
‘Oh, my God, I would never ’ave believed it if I hadn’t heard it with me own ears,’ Molly gasped, white faced.
Jack was silent as he listened to the King saying he was abdicating and that his brother, George, would be sworn in as their King.
After a long silence, Jack said quietly, ‘I always liked ’im, thought he was a man of the people, never dreamed he’d let the country down like this.’
‘All I can say is, he must love ’er very much to give up a crown for ’er.’ Molly wiped a tear away. ‘Only time will tell if he’ll live to regret it.’
‘He will, you mark my words.’ Jack felt let down, and it made him sound angry. ‘He’s a fool.’
Molly sighed as she pushed herself up from the couch. ‘Well, he’s made ’is bed so let him lie on it. It won’t make any difference to our lives. An’ I for one am not goin’ to let it spoil my Christmas.’ She managed a smile. ‘As Corker would say, there’s worse things happen at sea.’
‘Good lord, ’ave yer bought the shops up?’ Jack rushed forward to relieve Molly of a couple of bags. ‘How on earth ’ave yer managed to carry this lot on yer own?’
‘Sheer bloody willpower, that’s ’ow!’ Molly flexed her fingers, white where the string handles on the heavy bags had stopped the flow of blood. ‘I caught sight of meself in a shop window an’ nearly died of fright. I looked like a big gorilla, with arms reachin’ to me knees.’
Jack put the bags on the floor by the sideboard. ‘Have yer got all yer Christmas shoppin’ in now?’
Out of the corner of her eye Molly saw Ruthie scramble off her chair and make towards the bags, followed closely by Doreen and Tommy. Standing with her feet apart, hands on her hips, Molly barred their way. ‘Oh, no, yez don’t! Just keep yer thievin’ hands off.’
‘Ah, ray, Mam!’ Tommy’s voice was in the process of changing and it ranged in tone from a high squeak to a low growl. ‘Let’s see what yer’ve got.’
‘Come on, Mam,’ Doreen coaxed. ‘Just a quick dekko.’
‘Not on yer nellie, sunshine! Christmas mornin’ is when yer’ll see them, an’ not before. Now sit down before I clock yez one.’
Doreen tutted, bringing a warning glance from her father. But as she sat down, he heard her whisper to Tommy, ‘Yer’d think we were babies.’
‘Act like babies, an’ yer’ll be treated like babies.’
Molly slipped her coat off and fell heavily on to the couch, pulling off the too tight shoes from her swollen feet. ‘Ooh, that’s a relief. Me feet ’ave been givin’ me gyp.’
‘Couldn’t you ’ave left some of the shoppin’ till Monday? There was no need to do it all at once.’ Jack knelt in front of her and took a foot in his hands. Rubbing gently, he said over his shoulder, ‘Make yer mam a cup of tea, Doreen.’
‘I didn’t intend gettin’ so much, but once I’d started I thought I may as well go the whole hog. It’s off me mind now, an’ I can spend the next few days givin’ the house a good goin’ over.’ Molly closed her eyes as the gentle rubbing began to ease the pain. ‘Mm, yer can keep that up all night, it’s lovely. Just what the doctor ordered.’
‘Why didn’t yer take Doreen along to give yer a hand?’ Jack lifted the other foot from the floor. ‘She could have carried some of the bags.’
‘I ’ad to leave Ruthie with her, an’ anyway, she’d ’ave seen what everyone was gettin’ for Christmas! An’ I can get around better on me own. I got off the tram at London Road first, and went into TJ’s. Then I walked to Blacklers and Woolies.’
Ruthie leaned her elbows on Molly’s knees, her face cupped in her hands. ‘Did yer see Father Christmas, Mam?’
‘No, sunshine, I didn’t.’ Molly ruffled her hair. ‘He doesn’t see grown-ups, only children.’
‘Here’s yer tea, Mam.’ Doreen gazed longingly at the bags. ‘What did yer get me? Go on, tell us.’
‘I’m not tellin’ yer, nose fever! It’s supposed to be a surprise on Christmas mornin’.’ Molly grimaced as she lifted the cup. ‘Blimey, there’s more tea in the flamin’ saucer than there is in the cup! Yer a dirty faggot, our Doreen.’
‘I tripped over the edge of the lino, I couldn’t ’elp it.’ There was a sullen look on Doreen’s face. ‘Just tell me if I can wear it or eat it?’
Remembering how she’d been just as inquisitive when she was Doreen’s age, Molly smiled at her daughter. ‘Yer won’t be disappointed, sunshine, I promise yer.’
‘I ’ope yer got me a book on trains,’ Tommy grunted. ‘It wouldn’t be fair if yer didn’t. It’s all I’ve asked for.’
‘An’ I asked Father Christmas for a dolly,’ Ruthie said, her tiny brow furrowed. ‘I should get it, ’cos I’ve been a good girl.’
‘Only a few more days, then yer’ll all know whether I’m the best mam in the world or a mean old thing.’
‘Are we ’aving a tree, Mam?’ Doreen twirled the end of her hair around her fingers. ‘A big one, like last year.’
‘Depends what they’ve got left at the market on Christmas Eve.’ Molly patted Jack’s arm. ‘That’ll do, love. Yer’ll get cramps in yer fingers if yer not careful!’ She rested the saucer on the arm of the couch. ‘Yer can come to the market with me, Doreen, help me carry the shoppin’. I’ll ask Ma to mind Ruthie.’
Jack stood up, rubbing his knees to get the circulation back. ‘You stay there, love, an’ I’ll see to the tea.’
‘No, I’ll do it.’ Her hands clenched into fists, Molly pushed herself up. ‘Our Jill should be ’ome any minute and she’ll be hungry. It’s egg, chips and peas tonight.’
Molly was dividing the chips into equal portions on the six plates when Jill came through to the kitchen, her eyes sending out sparks of excitement. ‘Where’s our Doreen?’
‘She’s just gone to the lavvy, why?’
‘I’ll tell you when she comes in.’ Jill opened the kitchen door and shouted down the yard, ‘Hurry up, Doreen, I’
ve got somethin’ to tell you.’
‘What is it?’ The bottom of Doreen’s gymslip had caught in the elastic of her knickers and she was tugging it out as she came through the door. ‘What’s the big hurry?’
‘Mr John said you can come and work in the shop the two days before Christmas.’ The words tumbled from Jill’s mouth. ‘He said we’ll be very busy, and if yer like, you can come in and keep the shelves and window filled up.’
‘Ooh, er!’ Doreen clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘Will I be able to do it?’
‘Of course you will! All you’ve got to do is bring in cakes and bread from the back and make sure the stands and shelves are full. It’ll be a doddle.’
Doreen’s eyes narrowed. ‘Will I get paid?’
Jill nodded. ‘Three shillings for the two days. Mind you, you’ll be on the go all the time, and we’ll be working very late on Christmas Eve.’
‘Three shillings!’ Doreen’s eyes and mouth were wide open. ‘Ooh, ay, Mam, did yer hear that?’
‘I did, an’ I think it’s marvellous.’ Molly put her arms round her daughter’s shoulders and squeezed. ‘Yer first wages, sunshine. Isn’t Mr John kind to think of yer? Yer mustn’t forget to thank ’im.’
Filled with excitement and delight, Doreen ran through to the living room. ‘Did yer hear that, Dad?’
Jack nodded. ‘Like yer mam said, it’s a marvellous opportunity. Give yer a taste of what it’s like goin’ to work. But I’m a bit worried about leaving yer mam to do all the shoppin’ on her own.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about me.’ Molly came in carrying two plates in each hand. ‘She can’t miss a chance like that. With three bob in her pocket, she won’t call the King her uncle.’ She set the plates down before giving Tommy a nudge. ‘That leaves you an’ me, sunshine! D’yer fancy yer chances gettin’ a Christmas tree on the tram?’
Tommy grinned. ‘Will I get paid?’
‘Yeah, when Donelly docks, an’ he hasn’t got a ship yet!’ Molly winked at Jack over Tommy’s head. ‘If we ask yer dad nicely, ’e might mug us to a cup of tea in Reece’s. How does that sound?’