MB01 - Stay In Your Own Back Yard

by Joan Jonker

  Molly could see the tension leaving Mike’s body as he sat back on the couch. Poor bugger, he was scared stiff when he came in. Probably thought we were going to eat him. But he’s well mannered, and he’s got guts. And what’s more, I like him, she decided. Our Doreen won’t come to any harm with him.

  ‘Doreen said yer want to take her to the pictures on Saturday, Mike, is that right?’ Molly saw him run his tongue over his lips, his face flushed to the colour of beetroot. She felt sympathy for his discomfort and hurried on before he could answer, ‘It’s all right with me as long as there’s four of yez goin’, but it’s really up to me husband.’

  Jack glared at her. Well, if that wasn’t dropping him in it! Still, he had to admit the boy seemed decent enough. And he had no doubt that his daughter was well able to take care of herself. Hadn’t she fought with the biggest boys in the street and licked them? ‘She’s to be in by ten o’clock, Mike, so think on. Any later an’ that’ll be her lot.’

  ‘Ooh, the gear!’ Doreen wagged her head from side to side. ‘Thanks, Mam, Dad.’

  ‘I’ll make sure she’s home, Mr Bennett.’ There was sincerity in the deep voice that seemed at odds with the tall, thin body. ‘Ten o’clock on the dot.’

  At the end of the day, with all the children in bed and the house quiet except for the hissing of the coals, Molly put her feet up on the couch. ‘Just ten minutes, then I’m hittin’ the hay.’ She lifted her foot and poked at Jack’s arm. ‘Two workin’ and two courtin’!’

  ‘Oh, come on, love, don’t be putting years on them! I know Jill’s courting, but our Doreen’s a different kettle of fish. She’s just findin’ her feet, and I’ve got a feeling Mike’s just the first of many. I’m not saying she’s a good time girl, but I’ll bet this time next year she’ll be out flying her kite. She’ll get the most out of life before settlin’ down, an’ I don’t blame her.’

  ‘Neither do I, as long as she doesn’t bring trouble to our door.’ Molly ran a hand through her hair, making it stand on end. ‘Time doesn’t half go quick, doesn’t it, love? It seems only yesterday they were all babies, an’ now the two girls are workin’ and Tommy leaves school at Christmas. Pretty soon there’ll only be thee an’ me, and our Ruthie.’

  Jack leaned over to smooth her hair down. ‘You look like Stan Laurel after he’s got Ollie into another fine mess.’ He stood up to kiss her brow then fell back into his chair. ‘Talkin’ about Christmas, it’s only about five weeks off, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yeah, it’s Doreen’s birthday in three weeks, then two weeks after it’s Christmas.’ Molly’s eyes lit up. ‘I’m not half organised this year, Jack. In fact, I’m so far ahead I’ll soon be meetin’ meself comin’ back! For months now I’ve been payin’ a few coppers each week in the butcher’s, the greengrocer’s, and the corner shop, so that’s nearly all the food paid for. An’ I don’t owe me club woman very much, so I can get a cheque for clothes an’ shoes.’

  Jack smiled. ‘Got it worked out to a fine art, haven’t yer?’

  ‘Yer’ve no idea what a difference it makes havin’ the two girls’ wages comin’ in every week. When I think of all the years I ’ad to scrimp and scrape.’ Molly shuddered. ‘Ooh, I’d hate to go through that again.’

  ‘Please God you never will,’ Jack said. ‘You kept this family going through those bad days, love, and yer’ve earned every penny yer get now. So go mad, make this the best Christmas we’ve ever had.’

  Molly clasped her hands together and rested her chin on them. ‘I’ve got wicked thoughts in me head, Jack, and try as I may, I can’t get rid of them. Remember last Christmas, I was lookin’ forward to the first party we’d ever had, an’ Nobby Clarke spoiled it for me? Well, may God forgive me, but I keep thinking he can’t spoil it for me this year.’ Her eyes held Jack’s. ‘Isn’t that wicked of me? I say me prayers, and when I come to the part about forgiving those who trespass against us, the words stick in me throat.’

  ‘Molly, you haven’t got a wicked bone in yer body. If anyone is wicked, it’s Nobby Clarke. What happened to him was his own fault. He was in a drunken stupor, spendin’ money while his wife an’ children starved. I have no sympathy for him, only contempt.’

  ‘Ellen won’t ’ave much money for Christmas, but at least she won’t have the worry of ’im comin’ in drunk and knockin’ her about,’ Molly said. ‘An’ Tony’s givin’ her a turkey as a present, so at least they won’t starve. Me an’ Nellie will ’elp with pressies for the kids, make sure they have somethin’ to wake up to on Christmas morning.’

  ‘You haven’t mentioned Nobby for a few days. Hasn’t Ellen been in to see ’im?’

  Molly shook her head. ‘Not for a week. I think she’s been waitin’ for Corker to come ’ome, hopin’ he’ll be able to find out what’s goin’ on. She’s terrified of goin’ in herself in case they say they’re sendin’ Nobby home. But surely she couldn’t be expected to look after him, Jack! She’s only the size of sixpennyworth of copper, an’ so thin that if she stands sideways yer can’t see her!’

  ‘When’s Corker’s ship due in?’

  ‘He came ’ome this afternoon. I only spoke to ’im for a few minutes, ’cos we were both in a hurry, but he did say he’d be goin’ to the ’ospital tomorrow. We’ll know more then.’

  ‘How come Corker an’ Ellen are so friendly all of a sudden? I didn’t think they knew each other that well.’

  ‘Oh, they’ve known each other for donkey’s years!’ There were some things Molly had kept to herself. ‘He knew Nobby as well, but never liked him. An’ yer know what the queer feller was like. All he wanted was ’is boozing pals. So with Corker bein’ away at sea all the time, he’s never bothered.’

  ‘Turned up trumps now though, hasn’t he? Ellen seems to rely on him a lot.’

  ‘Yer can say that again!’ Molly slid her legs from the couch, thinking it would be better if she made herself scarce before she was forced into telling more lies. Least said, soonest mended. ‘I’m off. An’ don’t be puttin’ yer cold feet on me when yer come to bed, Jack Bennett! Yer wait till I’ve got the bed nice an’ warm, then plonk yer ice cold feet on me!’

  ‘I didn’t think you’d noticed,’ he laughed.

  ‘Aye, well, now yer know different.’ Molly yawned as she opened the living room door. ‘If yer feet are cold, keep yer socks on.’

  Ruthie laid her head on the table. ‘Mam, I feel sick.’

  Molly put the pot of tea down and gazed at her daughter with suspicion. It wouldn’t be the first time Ruthie had tried to talk her way out of going to school, but she did look a bit pale this morning. ‘What is it, sunshine?’ Molly felt the child’s forehead and was alarmed to find it burning hot. ‘Turn around, sweetheart, an’ let yer mam have a look at yer.’

  ‘Don’t do that, Mam!’ Ruthie protested when Molly lifted her jumper and vest. Tommy was sitting opposite, viewing the proceedings with interest as he chewed on a piece of toast, and his sister was embarrassed that he could see her tummy. ‘Stop it, Mam!’

  Molly groaned when she saw the tell-tale red marks. ‘That’s all I need! I think yer’ve got the measles, sunshine, or the chicken-pox.’

  She pulled Ruthie’s clothes down. ‘No school for you until yer’ve seen the doctor.’ Molly looked at the clock, telling herself it could be worse. At least it would be over by Christmas. ‘Tommy, run over to Mary’s an’ tell her Ruthie won’t be goin’ to school today ’cos I think she’s got the measles.’

  He was back within minutes. ‘Mary said their Bella’s covered in spots, too! She’s callin’ the doctor out.’

  ‘Blimey! The whole ruddy school must ’ave it! Anyway, the doctor can look at Ruthie while he’s at Mary’s. Now you poppy off, son, or yer’ll be gettin’ the cane for being late. But hurry home in case I need some shop-pin’.’

  Molly brought a blanket and pillow down and made Ruthie comfortable on the couch. ‘I’ll run up to the corner shop for some bread, sunshine, an’ make yer some nice bread an’ milk. I�
��ll be as quick as I can, in case the doctor comes.’

  But it was two o’clock when the doctor arrived, looking very flustered. ‘It’s raging, Mrs Bennett,’ he said, feeling Ruthie’s pulse. ‘I’ve been run off my feet for the last week.’ He lifted the little girl’s nightdress and nodded. ‘It’s measles all right. I think half the children in the neighbourhood have caught it.’ He pushed a wayward strand of hair from his eyes in a gesture of weariness. ‘You know what to do. Keep her in an even temperature, no moving from one room to another, and give her plenty of liquid. Oh, and draw the curtains, keep the light from her eyes.’ He swung his bag from the floor. ‘Call me out if you’re worried, otherwise I’ll see her next week.’

  Molly came back from seeing the doctor out and stood beside the couch. ‘Well, that’s you confined to barracks, sunshine! Yer’ll ’ave to sleep on the couch, ’cos the draughts in yer bedroom are somethin’ chronic.’ She put her finger under her daughter’s chin and lifted the pixie-like face. ‘There’s one consolation, at least yer know yer best friend feels as bad as you.’

  ‘Can Bella come and lie on the couch with me?’ Ruthie’s lip trembled. The prospect of being off school appealed to her, but not if she was going to feel as sick as she did now. ‘We’re only little, we’d both fit on, easy.’

  ‘Uh, uh, I’m afraid not! Like you, Bella won’t be goin’ anywhere for the next week or two.’ Molly tucked the blanket around her daughter. ‘Now, while I see to the dinner, why don’t yer have a little sleep?’

  Next time Molly looked in her daughter was in a deep sleep, her thumb stuck in her mouth. Walking on tip-toe, Molly crept down the hall and silently opened the front door. While the coast was clear, she’d nip over and see how Mary was coping. Molly had gone through measles, chicken-pox and mumps with each one of hers, but Bella was Mary’s only child and she was probably worried sick.

  ‘I won’t come in, Mary, ’cos I’ve left Ruthie asleep. If she wakes up an’ finds me gone, she’ll scream the ’ouse down. I only slipped across to see ’ow things were.’

  Mary was wringing her hands in distress, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. ‘She looks so ill, Molly!’

  ‘I know.’ Molly rubbed her arms briskly. It was a freezing cold day and she was sorry now she hadn’t put her coat on. ‘I’ve been through it all with the other three so I know what to expect. There’s an old wives’ tale that says “It take three days to come on, stays three days, then takes three days to go away”. That’s how it spreads so easily. They pass it on during the first three days when they don’t know they’ve got it.’ She grasped Mary’s arm. ‘Don’t worry, kid, this time next week they’ll both be over the worst. They’ll be runnin’ around, gettin’ under our feet an’ eating us out of house an’ home.’

  ‘Please God.’ Mary’s eyes went to the heavens. ‘She frightened the life out of me.’

  ‘I’ll send our Tommy over when he comes ’ome from school an’ he’ll get yer messages for yer. But if yer need me, give us a shout.’ As Molly turned, she saw Ellen and Corker walking up the street. ‘I’ll see yer later, Mary, ta-ra!’

  Molly put her head inside the front door to listen for signs that her daughter was awake, but everywhere was quiet. So she stood on the step waiting for her friends, thinking what an odd couple they made. Mind you, anyone would look like a midget next to Corker. A man and a half, he was!

  ‘Well, any news?’

  ‘Molly, d’yer mind if I don’t stop?’ Ellen said. ‘I’ve got to be at work in an hour, an’ I want to get the fire goin’ for the kids comin’ home from school. I don’t want them comin’ in to a cold house.’

  It was Corker who answered. ‘You go about yer business, girl, I’ll have a word with Molly.’

  They watched Ellen put the key in the lock and when she disappeared from view, Corker shook his head. ‘That’s one woman with more troubles than the rest of us put together.’

  ‘Corker, before I ask yer in, have yer ever had the measles?’ Molly saw his startled expression. ‘Yer see, our Ruthie’s come down with it.’

  Corker’s laugh started as a low rumble, then grew into a loud guffaw. ‘Molly, me darlin’, I’ve had every disease known to man . . . and quite a few not known to anyone.’

  ‘Right, yer can come in then.’ Molly held the door while he passed. ‘Try not to make too much noise, our baby’s asleep on the couch.’

  ‘Let’s go through to the kitchen,’ he whispered. ‘It’s best if she doesn’t hear what I’ve got to say.’

  While Molly filled the kettle and struck a match over the gas ring, Corker spoke in a low voice. ‘We looked in the ward first but Nobby was just the same. Ignored both of us. Seemed to be in a world of his own. So I sat Ellen down in the corridor and went in search of the matron.’ He cocked his ear, still no sound. ‘I’ll keep it brief in case the little one wakes up. The matron called Ellen, then sat us in ’er office while she went for the doctor. When he came he told us that at first they thought Nobby’s strange behaviour was a result of the accident, and the trauma of havin’ his legs amputated. He said he was firmly convinced that, given time, Nobby’s mental state would improve. But there’s been no improvement, in fact there’s been a deterioration. He’s so abusive and violent, the staff can’t handle him.’ Corker wiped his hand across his forehead. ‘They’re transferring Nobby to an institution for the insane.’

  ‘Oh, dear Mother of God!’ Molly’s hand was shaking so badly the cup started to rattle in the saucer she was holding. She put them on the draining board and covered her face with her hands. ‘I feel terrible, Corker! I’ve called that man fit to burn, but never in a million years would I wish this on him.’

  ‘Ellen nearly collapsed in the matron’s office. How the hell she’s goin’ to work, the state she’s in, I’ll never know,’ Corker said. ‘She’s feeling guilty, blaming herself. Said perhaps if she’d tried harder, she’d ’ave made a better wife.’ His laugh was hollow. ‘He’s beaten her, kicked her, walked all over ’er, and she still thinks it’s her fault. I’ve tried to reason with her, reminded her of what Nobby put her through, but it doesn’t seem to sink in.’

  ‘I’ll go in to her when she gets ’ome from work.’ Molly poured the spilled tea from the saucer into the sink before handing it over. ‘When yer come to think about it, it’s probably for the best. She could never ’ave managed to look after ’im, not the way he is. Imagine her trying to lift ’im, wash and dress ’im, seein’ to his toileting . . . she’d ’ave been dead in a week! Even if he was the best-tempered person in the world, with the patience of a saint, she’d never have been able to cope.’ Molly heard a faint cry from the living room and put her finger to her lips before whispering, ‘An’ where would the money come from to keep them? She wouldn’t be able to leave ’im to go to work.’ She poked her head around the living room door. ‘Comin’ now, sunshine.’ She turned back to Corker. ‘I really do feel sorry for Nobby, but if he’s out of ’is mind, he won’t know anythin’ about it, an’ that’s a blessing.’

  When Corker walked in behind Molly, Ruthie smiled and tried to sit up. ‘I’m poorly, Sinbad, I’ve got the measles.’

  Corker ruffled her hair. ‘It’s not very nice, is it, me darlin’? I remember getting it when I was your age, an’ I didn’t half play me mother up, crying and moaning, day an’ night. A real big baby I was, not like you. I bet you’re not goin’ to make a fuss like I did, are you?’

  Ruthie shook her head solemnly, her eyes like saucers. She couldn’t imagine the big man ever being a baby. ‘No, Sinbad, I’m goin’ to be a good girl for me mam.’

  ‘That’s the spirit!’ He smoothed down his hair before donning his cap. ‘I’ll be in to see you tomorrow an’ I’ll bring yer a nice slab of chocolate. What’s yer favourite?’

  ‘Fry’s chocolate cream,’ Ruthie said without hesitation. ‘It’s me mam’s favourite as well!’

  ‘You crafty little so-and-so!’ Molly laughed. ‘Take no notice of ’er, Corker, she’s tryin’ to ca
dge an extra bar for ’erself.’

  ‘When I get home, I’ll count me pennies. If I’ve got enough, and your mam say’s yer’ve been good, I’ll mug yer to a large slab.’

  Molly saw him to the door. ‘That’ll keep her quiet. She’ll do anythin’ for a Fry’s chocolate cream.’

  ‘I’ll see yer tomorrow, Molly, but don’t forget to go next door, will yer? Ellen needs a woman to talk to, she gets embarrassed with me.’

  ‘I’ll watch for ’er passing the window, give ’er time to get the kids to bed, then go in. I’ll ’ave a go, see if I can get ’er to open up. She’ll feel better if she gets it all off ’er chest. As me mam says, a trouble shared is a trouble halved. An’ my shoulder will always be there for Ellen to cry on.’

  ‘I know that, Molly, me darlin’,’ Corker said as he walked away. ‘I know that.’

  Jack wasn’t working overtime that night, so all the family were having their meal together. But Molly wasn’t sitting at the table, she was perched on the end of the couch, her plate balanced on her knee. Her eyes kept going to her daughter, who was whimpering and fretful. ‘I’ve got a rice pudding in the oven, sunshine, just for you. I’ll put plenty of sugar an’ milk on top, an’ yer’ll really enjoy it.’

  Jack turned in his chair. ‘You’ll not get a wink of sleep if yer stay down here, love, none of the chairs is comfortable. Why not light the fire in the back bedroom and Ruthie can go to bed?’

  ‘Yer must be joking! That fire hasn’t been lit for donkey’s years, the chimney will be full of soot!’ Molly used one of her hands to push herself up. ‘No, I’ll stay down here, where I can keep me eye on ’er. It won’t do me no harm for a few nights.’

  Doreen was round the table like a shot to take Molly’s empty plate from her. ‘I’ll wash up, Mam.’

  Molly’s eyes became slits. ‘Again! Now what are yer after? When you offer to wash up I know it’s not out of the goodness of yer heart, so what is it this time?’